AS ColdPlunge Kit Review
This bundles a 1/3HP chiller with a 120 gallon insulated tub, hoses, quick-connects and a step stool, which is the whole setup for less than a premium tub costs on its own. Buy it if you want to stop buying ice and start from nothing. Understand its limit: 1/3HP down to 42F is enough for a 120 gallon tub in a temperate space, and it will struggle in a hot garage in summer.
The complete setup in one box, and where a third of a horsepower runs out.
AS ColdPlunge 1/3 HP Ice Bath Chiller and 120 Gal Cold Plunge Tub Kit
~$650
A complete cold plunge system with a 1/3HP chiller with a built-in pump and washable metal filter, a 120 gallon reinforced PVC tub, insulated lid, step stool and insulated hoses.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Chiller | 1/3 HP with built-in circulation pump |
|---|---|
| Minimum temperature | 42F, maintained automatically |
| Tub capacity | 120 gallons |
| Tub construction | Reinforced fibreglass and PVC with a tear-resistant polyester outer layer |
| Filter | Reusable washable metal mesh |
| Control | LED touchscreen |
| Included | Insulated lid with locking buckles, inflatable step stool, insulated hoses, quick-connect fittings |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Specifications above come from AS ColdPlunge's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Everything in one box, matched and ready to connect, which removes the fitting and hose compatibility problem that trips people up buying separately.
- A washable metal filter rather than disposable cartridges is a small recurring saving and less to forget.
- The insulated lid is doing more work than it looks: it keeps the cold in and the debris out, which reduces both running cost and water changes.
- A step stool sounds trivial until you are getting out of cold water with numb feet.
- At around $650 for chiller and tub together it undercuts most premium tubs bought alone.
Where it falls short
- 1/3HP is adequate rather than generous. In a hot garage in summer, expect it to run more and struggle to hold the coldest settings.
- 42F is its floor, which is fine for practical use but higher than a 1HP unit reaches.
- The tub is a reinforced PVC construction, not a rotomoulded barrel. It will not last as long as hard-sided plastic.
- The chiller exhausts heat into the room and makes compressor noise, which matters if it lives in a small space.
- As with any chiller, it needs a GFCI-protected outlet near water, and that is a requirement rather than a preference.
What owners report
Published owner reviews of complete chiller and tub kits are positive on convenience and consistent about the capacity ceiling. Buyers in temperate indoor spaces report the unit holding temperature without difficulty; buyers in hot climates or unventilated garages report it running much of the time and not always reaching the coldest setpoints in the height of summer. That is what a third of a horsepower does, and it is not a defect so much as a specification you need to match to your situation. Our chiller versus ice comparison covers the decision to buy one at all, and the chiller roundup covers stepping up.
The genuine advantage of a kit is compatibility. Buying a tub and a chiller separately means matching port sizes, hose diameters and pump flow, and plenty of people discover the mismatch after both boxes arrive. A matched kit removes that. The genuine disadvantage is that you get the tub the maker chose, and a PVC tub is a consumable on a longer timescale than a hard-sided barrel. Our inflatable versus hard-sided comparison and Ice Barrel review cover that trade.
On the practice itself, temperature and duration matter more than equipment. Research showing benefit generally uses water around 50F to 59F for short immersions, so a 42F floor is colder than you need. Our temperature guide, duration guide and the cold plunge calculator cover sensible protocols. If you lift, note the well-replicated finding that regular cold immersion soon after resistance training blunts strength and hypertrophy adaptations; our cold plunge after a workout page explains how to time around it.
Safety is the same as for every plunge, and it is not a formality. Cold water produces an immediate gasp reflex and a sharp rise in heart rate and blood pressure. Anyone with a heart condition, uncontrolled blood pressure, or who is pregnant should speak to a doctor before cold plunging. Do not plunge alone while you are new to it, never after alcohol, and get out if shivering becomes uncontrollable. Our side effects page and beginner guide cover the rest.
Who it suits
- Anyone starting from nothing who wants a working chilled plunge without assembling parts.
- Users in temperate indoor spaces where 1/3HP is comfortably enough.
- People who want to stop buying bagged ice without spending premium chiller money.
Who should skip it
- Owners of larger tubs or anyone plunging in a hot garage in summer, who should size up.
- Anyone who wants a tub that lasts a decade, where a rotomoulded barrel plus a separate chiller is the better long-term buy.
- People with heart conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure or who are pregnant, until they have spoken with their doctor.
Alternatives worth considering
PlungeFit Cold Plunge Chiller, 1 HP, 110V
~$850
Three times the cooling capacity for tubs up to 230 gallons and hot environments, with better filtration. Chiller only, so you supply the tub.
Check price on AmazonAS ColdPlunge 1/3HP Cold Plunge Chiller for Any Tub
~$400
The same cooling capacity without the tub, for $250 less. The right buy if you already own a tub you like.
Check price on AmazonAudaciaGo XXL Ice Bath Tub, 186-Gallon, Chiller Compatible
~$290
More room to sit or stretch out, with chiller ports built in. Note that 186 gallons is more water than a 1/3HP chiller will comfortably hold cold in a warm space.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Cold plunge chiller vs ice
- Best cold plunge chillers
- Inflatable vs hard-sided cold plunge
- Ice bath cost calculator
- PlungeFit 1HP chiller review
- AudaciaGo XXL ice bath review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1/3 HP enough to chill a cold plunge?
For a tub of roughly 100 to 120 gallons in a temperate indoor space, yes, and it will hold temperature without running constantly. In a hot garage in summer, or on a larger tub, or with several people using it daily, it will struggle to reach and hold the coldest settings. Match the chiller to your volume and your ambient temperature, not to the price.
Is a chiller and tub kit better than buying separately?
For most first-time buyers, yes, because compatibility is the hidden problem. Matching port sizes, hose diameters and pump flow between a tub and a chiller bought separately catches a lot of people out. The trade is that you get the tub the maker chose, which here is reinforced PVC rather than a hard-sided barrel that would last longer.
Is 42F cold enough for a cold plunge?
More than cold enough. The research showing benefits generally uses water around 50F to 59F for short immersions, so 42F is already colder than necessary. Going colder shortens the time you can safely stay in and increases cardiovascular stress without established extra benefit.
How often do I change the water with a chiller?
Far less often than with an ice-filled tub, because the filter and circulation keep it clear and the cold slows biological growth. You still need to filter, keep the lid on, and change the water periodically. Follow the manufacturer's guidance, rinse before you get in, and treat a cloudy or smelly tub as a change rather than a top-up.
Do I need a special outlet for a chiller?
You need a properly protected one. A chiller is mains equipment operating next to water, so it belongs on a GFCI-protected circuit, with the unit itself out of splash range and hose connections checked regularly. If the nearest outlet is unprotected, have an electrician address that before you set the system up.