Best Cold Plunge for Apartments in 2026
Living in an apartment doesn't disqualify you from cold plunging. You just need the right tub — one that fits tight spaces, drains without a yard, and stores away when you need the floor back. We looked at every cold plunge on the market through the lens of apartment living: footprint, weight when filled (your floor has limits), noise levels (your neighbors have limits), and drainage options.
Quick Answer
What's the best cold plunge for an apartment?
The Cold Pod ($99) is the best cold plunge for apartments. It's lightweight (6 lbs), foldable for closet storage, drains into a bathtub via included valve, and costs less than two months of gym cold plunge access. If you want a built-in chiller without the ice hassle, the Therafrost Pro ($1,899) has wheels and a compact footprint designed for small spaces.
- Best overall for apartments: Cold Pod — $99, 6 lbs, foldable
- Best with chiller: Therafrost Pro — $1,899, wheeled, compact
- Best upright (smallest footprint): Ice Barrel 400 — $1,199, 31" diameter
Our Top Picks
The Cold Pod Ice Bath
At 6 lbs empty and foldable to the size of a sleeping bag, the Cold Pod solves every apartment problem: storage, weight, drainage, and budget. You fill it in the bathroom, add ice, plunge, and drain it into the tub. No electricity, no permanent fixture, no landlord conversations. The tradeoff is durability — it's PVC, not hardshell — but at $99, you can replace it five times before hitting the price of the next option.
- Most affordable option under $100
- Easy setup in minutes
- Highly portable
- No chiller - requires ice
- Less durable than hard-shell
Therafrost Pro
The Therafrost Pro is the smallest chiller-equipped cold plunge we've found. Its 48" × 30" footprint fits in a bathroom corner or a balcony. The wheels mean you can roll it out of the way. The built-in chiller eliminates the ice run, which matters when you live on the third floor and the nearest ice station is a gas station. It runs on a standard 110V outlet and the noise level is comparable to a mini fridge.
- Great for small spaces
- Affordable with chiller
- Easy to move
- Smaller capacity
- Less powerful chiller
Ice Barrel 400
The upright barrel design gives you a 31" diameter footprint — smaller than a nightstand. The Ice Barrel fits in a shower stall, a closet, or a balcony corner. No electricity needed. The downside for apartments: at 55 lbs empty and 400+ lbs filled, you're not moving it around. Pick a spot and commit. Also requires ice, which means regular trips or a dedicated freezer space for ice molds.
- Most affordable quality option
- No ongoing electricity costs
- Extremely durable construction
- No built-in chiller
- Requires ice or cold water
Buying Guide
Weight limits matter
A filled cold plunge can weigh 500-900 lbs. Most apartment floors handle this fine (your bathtub full of water weighs about the same), but if you're above the ground floor, place it near a load-bearing wall and check your lease for weight restrictions on balconies. Standard residential balconies typically support 60 lbs per square foot.
Drainage without a yard
Your drainage options in an apartment: bathtub drain, shower drain, or a hose to the toilet. Portable tubs with bottom drain valves work best — attach a garden hose and run it to the bathroom. Avoid models that require siphoning or pumping. If you're on a balcony, check that water runoff won't cause issues for neighbors below.
Noise from chillers
Built-in chillers generate compressor noise, similar to a small refrigerator. Most run between 40-55 decibels. If you share walls, this matters. Run the chiller during daytime hours or look for models with quiet operation specs. Non-chiller options like the Ice Barrel and Cold Pod are silent — the only noise is you gasping when you get in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Portable and inflatable cold plunges are specifically designed for small spaces. The Cold Pod folds to closet size, and upright models like the Ice Barrel have a footprint smaller than a nightstand. Drain into your bathtub or shower.
Not if you use a waterproof mat underneath and wipe up splashes. Place the tub on tile, vinyl, or concrete if possible. Avoid carpet. The water weight is comparable to a full bathtub, which your floor already supports.
Portable, non-permanent tubs typically don't require permission since they're not fixtures. Check your lease for clauses about water features or heavy equipment. When in doubt, ask — most landlords won't care about something you can fold up and put in a closet.
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