Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge Tub Review 2024

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If you’ve been in the market for a high-end cold plunge tub, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive article we review Polar Monkeys, an innovative cold plunge tub manufacturer that has transformed the traditional ice bath into a luxury experience. Cold plunge tubs are not only reshaping everything from how we energize to our post-workout recovery routines, but also how we perceive the benefits of cold water therapy.

After taking a look at Polar Monkeys quality tubs, their range of features and their aesthetic design, it’s easy to tell these systems are a far cry from a simple garbage can filled with ice and water. The company’s two most popular models are the Portal 2.0 and the Brainpod 2.0, which are all-in-one units that cool, filter and sanitize your water. This simplifies your daily cold plunge—no having to constantly change out the water or purchase countless bags of ice.

So join us as we dive into the icy waters of this wellness phenomenon and explore how Polar Monkeys is helping to change the game in the health and wellness space, one frosty plunge at a time.

What Is a Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge?

Polar Monkeys was created in an effort to design the highest quality and most affordable cold plunge systems on the market. If you’re new to the concept of cold water therapy, a cold plunge is typically a small pool or tub filled with extremely cold water, generally ranging from 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. These tubs are designed for individuals to fully immerse themselves in cold water for short periods of time to elicit benefits such as reduced inflammation, enhanced muscle recovery and improved circulation, according to research published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health.

The difference between a conventional ice bath, essentially a garbage can filled with ice and water, and the Polar Monkeys range of cold plunge systems is vast. It’s easy to note their sleek design which allows for full body immersion, but also their chiller, filtration and sanitation systems that allow you to keep your water clean for up to three months at a time. In the next few sections we will review two of the brand's most popular cold plunge models, the Portal 2.0 and the Brainpod 2.0, discussing the key features and specs that separate Polar Monkeys from the competition.

What Is the Difference Between the Polar Monkeys Portal 2.0 and Brainpod 2.0?

The Polar Monkeys Portal 2.0 is the updated version of the brand's flagship cold plunge that’s essentially a large steel tub available in silver, black and white colors or four different monkey-themed limited edition designs. On the other hand, the Brainpod 2.0 features a sleek, ergonomic design that’s made from insulated fiberglass instead of steel and is likely the better option if you plan on plunging indoors. Aside from the materials the tubs are made out of, the dimensions of the tubs and the chiller and filtration systems are identical.

Related Post: Is the Ice Barrel Right For You?

Cold Plunging with the Polar Monkeys Portal 2.0

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: Base model is $2,990 with optional upgrades, including:
• +$169 six-month sanitation kit
• +$300 Larger dimensions
• +$300 Black or white color
• +$349 Insulated tub cover
• +$900 0.8 Horsepower pro chiller system
• +$1,050 to $1,200 for monkey-themed, limited-edition artwork
• Warranty: One-year warranty, with option to upgrade to a three-year (+$368.99) or five-year (+$614.99) plan
• Temperature: 39 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Materials: Galvanized steel
• Dimensions: Four-foot portal: 48 inches L  x 24 inches W x 24 inches H (recommended for people up to 5’8”)
  Five-foot portal: 60 inches L x 24 inches W x 24 inches H (recommended for people up to 6’4”)
• Technology/stand out features: The Polar Monkeys chiller system includes built in filtration and ozone sanitation. The tub is powdered coated and weather resistant to increase durability. Compatible with the Tuya app to control the temperature, scheduling the unit and turning it on and off

Installation of the Portal is extremely simple with no special tools or expertise required. In fact, the entire process of setting up the system should take no more than five to ten minutes. One customer review from the Polar Monkeys website says, “The setup was very easy with the Portal 2.0, simply screw on the hose fittings and plug it in!” That being said, Polar Monkeys does advise having two people around for the set up since the tub does weigh around 100 pounds empty, which is relatively heavy.

From the customer reviews on the Polar Monkeys website, the Portal 2.0 is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars with 97 percent of users saying they would recommend this product. The majority of the reviews focus on the ease of use, the exceptional durability, quality customer service and the affordable price point. One happy user writes, “We just got the Portal, it was easy to set up, and we are already feeling the benefits from this cold plunge. We built a sauna earlier in the year, so now we have a complete hot and cold therapy right at home that’s perfect for us, great company and product!”

It’s also important to note that the Portal is not insulated and may condensate depending on the temperature of the water. If you plan on using this indoors, then Polar Monkeys advises installing the tub on top of waterproof flooring and with easy access to a drain.

What we like:

• The “chiller” allows for both cold and hot temperature settings ranging from 39 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• The chiller systems comes standard with filtration and ozone sanitation
• Available in four-foot and five-foot sizes and multiple color options
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
• One-year limited warranty

What to consider:

• Steel tubs are not insulated and may condensate (meaning its important to install these tubs on waterproof flooring with easy access to drain excess water safely)
• Can take up to three hours to cool the water to sub-50 degrees Fahrenheit
• Insulated tub cover is sold separately and is pricey ($349)

Cold Plunging with the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: Base model is $4,190 with optional upgrades
• +$169 Six-month sanitation kit
• +$349 Insulated tub cover
• +$600 Monkeyverse limited edition artwork
• +$900 0.8 Horsepower pro chiller system
• Warranty: One-year warranty, with option to upgrade to a three-year (+$368.99) or five-year (+$614.99) plan
• Temperature: 39 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Materials: Insulated fiberglass
• Dimensions:67 inches L x 31.5 inches W x 22.8 inches H
• Technology/stand out features: Polar Monkeys chiller system includes built in filtration and ozone sanitation. It's compatible with the Tuya app to control the temperature, scheduling the unit and turning it on and off

In my opinion, the sleek and aesthetic design of the Brainpod 2.0 makes it the ideal choice if you plan on using your cold plunge system indoors. The insulated fiberglass design is also a huge plus since it helps prevent condensation and eliminates the need to worry about puddles forming on your floors. That being said, the Brainpod is still weather-resistant, durable and designed for outdoor use.

Available in a few different colors as well as a custom Monkeyverse finish, this system is one of the best-looking cold plunges on the market. The Brainpod 2.0 is still relatively new and therefore there are only a handful of consumer reviews on the Polar Monkeys website. However, it is still rated 4.7 out of 5 stars and the majority of consumers were very happy with their purchase. Similar to the Portal, reviewers primarily note the exceptional customer service, ease of set up and use and that the tub came very well packaged upon delivery.

I encourage you to go read the customer reviews on the Polar Monkeys website because they provide a lot of detail about the product and user experience and Polar Monkeys also responds to any questions that users have directly on their website. Here are a few of the most informative reviews on the Brainpod.

One user writes, “The Polar Monkey folks have been great to work with and the cold tub works as advertised. I confess, I haven’t tried to get it down into the 30s Fahrenheit, but it holds temperature in the 50s for me which induces quite a shiver. I’m about 5'10" and can extend my body flat in the tub with just my head out and keep my body totally submerged comfortably. I also recommend getting the sanitation kit whether through Polar Monkeys or elsewhere, otherwise your water will start to get cloudy in about a week.”

Another happy customer review reads, “Cold plunging is an awesome way to start every day. It’s the best feeling every time I jump out and the convenience of having a clean cold tub ready to go every morning is so much better than the time it takes to go get bags of ice…Love this purchase!”

What we like:

• The “chiller” allows for both cold and hot temperature settings ranging from 39 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• The chiller systems comes standard with filtration and ozone sanitation
• Features a sleek aesthetic that works well for indoor spaces
• Insulated fiberglass design prevents condensation
• Multiple color and artwork styles available

What to consider:

• Can take up to three hours to cool the water to sub-50 degrees Fahrenheit
• Insulated tub cover is sold separately and is pricey ($349)

Polar Monkeys vs. Plunge

Polar Monkeys and Plunge are two of the most well known cold plunge companies in the space. The major difference between the two is their range of product offerings in which Polar Monkeys offers three different tiers of cold plunge systems, while Plunge offers only its signature tub. This means that Polar Monkeys allows a bit more flexibility for consumers with different budgets to find the cold plunge system that works best for them.

In terms of overall quality, the Polar Monkeys's Brainpod and Plunge’s The Plunge are the most similar. They both feature an insulated, durable fiberglass design, almost identical tub dimensions, are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and include a dual chiller and filtration system that sits outside the tub. Both chiller systems are also powerful enough to get the water down to 39 degrees Fahrenheit under ideal conditions. However, the one great feature about the chiller system from Polar Monkeys is that it’s a dual chiller and heater system that comes standard with the tub. While Plunge also offers a dual hot and cold plunge system, it does come with a markup of an additional $500.

If you’re an avid cold plunge enthusiast then I don’t think you can go wrong with either of these systems. The main difference between the two is really just the price point with The Plunge being slightly more expensive at $4,990 compared to the Brainpod at $4,190. However, a Plunge purchase does come with amenities like an insulated spa cover, free in-home delivery, a cell phone holder, skimmer net and lucky rubber ducky. If you choose to include these same add-ons to the Polar Monkeys Brainpod, then the cost begins to even out.

For more information, check out our Plunge review.

Polar Monkeys vs. Nordic Wave Viking Cold Plunge

The Viking from Nordic Wave is another phenomenal cold-plunge system that’s comparable to Polar Monkeys line of products. The reason we chose to compare these two in particular is because the Viking from Nordic Wave features a low-profile design that’s well-suited for the smallest of indoor or outdoor spaces. Instead of the Polar Monkeys systems in which you lie down flat in the tub, the Viking is built with dimensions that allow you to sit upright while still being submerged up to the neck. The Viking is constructed with a stainless steel design that’s insulated with two-inch thick foam to eliminate any “sweating” on the outside of the tub and helps to keep your ice baths temperature stable. Although the Viking is pricier ($5,999) than the Polar Monkeys Portal and Brainpod, its compact and aesthetic design, along with the quality materials make this a great option for individuals with limited space.

Check out our Nordic Wave review for more information on this cold plunge tub.

Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge FAQs

How do you keep Polar Monkeys cold plunge clean?

The benefit of a Polar Monkeys cold plunge compared to a traditional ice bath is that the chiller unit is also a pump and filtration system that will help keep your water clean for up to two to three weeks. That being said, Polar Monkeys still advises purchasing its sanitation kit and replacement filter cartridges which will allow you to keep your water clean for at least three months. To maintain optimal performance, filter cartridges should be replaced approximately every three weeks, depending on usage.

What chemicals should you add to a cold plunge to keep it clean?

Polar Monkey advises using its custom sanitation kit that contains four chemical components to keep your water clean for up to three months. A six month sanitation kit includes:

• 16 oz. Sirona Sanitizer: Sanitizer to control and prevent bacterial growth (chlorine and bromine free)
• 32 oz. Sirona Oxidizer: Maintain crystal clear water
• 16 oz. Sirona pH Up: Balance pH levels
• 16 oz. Sirona pH Down: Balance pH levels
• 25 pH Test Strips: Test the pH and sanitation of the water (pH between 7.2 and 7.8 is ideal)

What filter does the Polar Monkeys cold plunge use?

Depending on the chiller system that you purchase, the type of filter used may vary. The standard 0.6 horsepower chiller uses a PM006 filter cartridge, while the upgraded 0.8 horsepower chiller pro uses a PM008 filter cartridge.

Final Thoughts: Is a Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge Right for You?

Determining whether a Polar Monkeys cold plunge system is right for you depends on your individual needs, personal preferences and health and fitness goals. Before purchasing, I would definitely consider whether this is something you actually enjoy, and whether you plan on plunging consistently as part of your normal routine. This is because although Polar Monkeys cold plunge tubs are often more affordable than the competition, the purchase of a cold plunge system is still a significant investment. That being said, if you’ve done your research and cold plunging aligns with your current health and wellness goals, then a Polar Monkeys cold plunge can definitely be a valuable addition to your daily routine.

For more information on temperature therapy systems, check out our article on the best home saunas.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.