The Ice Pod 2.0 Review: A Cool Way to Optimize Health

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Key Features:

• Dimensions: 29 inches high, 32 inches in diameter
• Weight: 7 pounds, unfilled
• Capacity: 79 gallons
• Temperature range: 39 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit
• Price: $119 USD

Cold water therapy, or cold plunging, has become a very popular strategy to optimize health and wellness. The Ice Pod is an open and portable ice bath container that allows you to take a cold plunge at your convenience. We tried the Ice Pod out, and we think it will be well worth the investment for athletes and fitness enthusiasts that take recovery seriously. We’ll break down the pros and cons, and compare it to other popular versions on the market so you have all the knowledge you need to determine whether it’s the right fit for you.

What Is the Ice Pod?

The Pod Company’s Ice Pod is a portable and affordable ice bath. Consumers can use it to reap the benefits that cold plunges are believed to provide such as recovery from exercise, immune system improvement and increased energy.

The Ice Pod is an inflatable container with legs that make it sit slightly above your floor or the ground. It also comes with an insulated lid to protect the water and keep it cold. It is meant for outdoor use, but it can be used indoors as well.

The original version was made for beginners and is designed to keep water cold for up to 24 hours. The 2.0 version is double insulated and designed to keep water at the desired temperature for several days in the right climate. Both versions are made of high quality materials, but people that intend to use their recovery pod frequently would be better off with the 2.0 version. The original portable version would be best for beginners and occasional users.

How the Ice Pod Works

The Ice Pod arrives in a simple package with protective plastic. The legs are not inserted but are included in the packaging. The DIY setup takes a matter of minutes: You simply insert the legs into the slots and blow up the top of the pod by mouth or the pump that is also included. Last, you’ll connect the drain valve at the bottom to keep water in and release it when you’re ready to drain it.

Depending on how you fill the pod, it should take around ten minutes to fill it with water to the top. You can then step in the pod and lower yourself down either on your knees or sitting completely on the bottom. Once you finish, you can then simply stand up and step out. If you wish to retain the water, then place the lid over the pod. If you want to drain it, simply open the drain valve.

Using the Ice Pod

The Ice Pod 2.0 came in a small rectangle box, and it was very easy to assemble. I was able to fill it with water within 15 minutes of opening it up. It took around ten minutes to fill it with my hose. Once it was almost full, I added one five-pound bag of ice and salt. The company recommended the salt to keep the water clean for extended periods of time. I stepped inside and it felt cold immediately. I measured the water temperature with my own thermometer, and it showed a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

I tested it for the first time later that day. Once I got used to the water and sat down on the bottom, I stayed in for six minutes before getting out. I placed the lid on the top and kept the water in the pod. I stepped inside it again eight hours later that day, and it felt just as cold as the first time. When we checked the thermometer, it once again showed the water temperature to be 39 degrees.

I used the 2.0 pod twice daily for a week, and by the end of that week, I noticed a few positive changes. I had an easier time going to sleep at night, better recovery between workouts with less muscle soreness and less joint pain. It’s been a couple of months since I first received it, and I still use it at least once a week.

The Pros of the Ice Pod

There are several benefits of the Ice Pod. The lid will keep the water cold, and you can also purchase the brand’s extra pod water chiller (starting at $999) to keep the water at a desired temperature. Without the chiller, the pod is essentially just a big cooler—it doesn’t do anything to actively maintain the water’s cold temperatures. The tub itself is foldable and can be stored in most small places. It’s also easy to drain thanks to the valve. When I finally emptied the pod, it was low enough that I could dump the remaining water within 15 minutes. The original pod will fit people up to 6 feet, 5 inches tall. The 2.0 is slightly bigger, and it will support people up to 6 feet 9 inches in height. I am 5’9” and weighed 260 pounds at the time I first started using it, and I fit inside comfortably with no issues getting in or out.

The Cons of the Ice Pod

There aren’t many cons to the Ice Pod, but you should know that it will not come with a storage case, so you’ll have to find your own way to store it when you’re not using it. I pulled the legs out and placed those and the pod inside a small storage container, which worked just fine for me. You also can’t control the temperature unless you have the Chiller.

There is also the issue of water spilling out when you step in and out of the pod, but this will be an issue regardless of what kind you use. If you use it indoors, you may want to have a tarp or mat underneath the pod so the water doesn’t damage the floor of the room you are in.

Warranty and Return Policy

The Ice Pod is shipped free within the USA’s lower 48 states. The Pod Company does offer a 100-day return policy for a refund. However, the Ice Pod must be in unused condition in order to receive that refund. This could count as another con because you may not be sure whether you like it or not until you try it. More information about a return for your specific pod can be received by reaching out to the company directly,

Outside of a refund, the brand does offer a standard six-month replacement warranty as well as an extra two-year warranty for an extra cost.

Ice Pod vs. Ice Pod Pro 2.0

The biggest difference between the original and 2.0 versions are that the 2.0 has extra insulation and will support taller users. I think it’s also more durable thanks to that stronger material and double insulation, which makes it a better option for pro athletes, dedicated fitness enthusiasts and people who enjoy frequent cold plunges. The company also offers a Pro Bundle, which comes with the 2.0 pod, a thermometer and the extended warranty.

How the Ice Pod Stacks Up Against Other Products

Ice Pod vs. The Plunge

Plunge makes better-looking products that allow you to stretch your legs out, but they also take up more space and come at a higher price point. The cheapest Plunge tub ($4,990) still costs much more than the Ice Pod 2.0 ($149), and it serves a similar purpose. Unless you need the specific benefits such as the app connectivity and plug-in options that come with the Plunge, the Ice Pod would be a simpler and budget-friendlier option.

Ice Pod vs. Ice Barrel

The Ice Barrel comes in different sizes and has extra thick insulation, which can serve consumers in warmer climates. Ice Barrel also offers a maintenance kit. However, the brand’s largest option (the Ice Barrel 4, $1,200) serves users up to 6 feet. 6 inches tall, and still costs significantly more than the Ice Pod or Ice Pod 2.0. Furthermore, the Ice Barrel models aren’t foldable, and both Ice Pods provide more room.

Ice Pod vs. PolarPod

The PolarPod ($109) is the closest competitor to the Ice Pod, and it has a similar price point, which makes it another good option for consumers to consider. The PolarPod also comes with a carry bag. This could be the best alternative to the Ice Pod if you want something different. However, the warranty for the Ice Pod is longer and the 2.0 is slightly larger.

Check out our in-depth PolarPod review.

The Ice Pod FAQs

Is the Ice Pod worth it?

The Ice Pod comes at a very low price compared to other cold tubs, and the benefits of cold water therapy that it can be used for make it a great value. If recovery and optimal wellness are priorities, then you should definitely hit Add to Cart when you get a chance.

How long does the Ice Pod stay cold?

The water in the Ice Pod will stay cold for several hours at a time. I used it twice in one day, and it was kept outside. The water was still cold after eight hours. If you have the optional chiller that can be purchased on The Pod Company’s website, then you can keep it cold even longer.

How often should you change the water in the Ice Pod?

The company’s website suggests you change the water every two to four weeks if you use salt as they recommend. It also says you could clean the tub in between those water changes.

How much does it cost to fill the Ice Pod?

That would be determined by the cost of your water bill every month if you have a public water service. If you have a well system, then it won’t cost you anything extra. If you use your city’s water service, then you would have to check your bill to determine how much extra it would cost.

Final Thoughts: Is the Ice Pod Worth It?

A portable ice bath can be used outside or indoors, and it can provide a big assist in recovery and overall health. Thanks to the Ice Pod, you don’t have to worry about buying a large tub or converting a chest freezer into a tub. This simple and affordable container can be a very effective way to implement a cold plunge into your personal routine.

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