Once you decide you want a real cold plunge, the kind with a chiller that keeps the water cold on its own, you hit a big price gap. Sun Home is a good example: its portable plunges start under $4,000, while its stainless steel Cold Plunge Pro costs around $14,000.
Both get the water very cold. So what’s the extra $10,000 for?
The short version
- Portable (Performance Series): most of the experience for about a quarter of the price. The right choice for most people.
- Pro: built like a piece of commercial equipment, ready out of the box, and made to sit outside for years. Worth it if you’ll use it daily, share it, or want the most durable option.
The portable plunges: Vertical and Horizontal
Sun Home sale prices as of September 2026: Vertical $3,799, Horizontal $3,999.
These pair a rigid inflatable tub (made from drop-stitch material, the same kind used in stand-up paddleboards) with a separate chiller. According to Sun Home, the chiller can take the water down to 32°F and is controlled from an app.
Vertical or Horizontal? The Vertical is a seated, upright tub that takes up less floor space. The Horizontal lets you lie back and stretch out. Pick based on your space and how you like to sit.
What’s good about them
- A fraction of the Pro’s price.
- Lighter and easier to move or store.
- Rated for indoor and outdoor use, according to Sun Home.
What to know
- The chiller sits next to the tub, so plan space for both.
- An inflatable tub won’t feel as solid as a steel one.
- Check what filtration and sanitation come included, and what filters cost over a year.
See the Vertical → · See the Horizontal →
The Cold Plunge Pro
Sun Home sale price as of September 2026: from $13,999. Pro Apex and Pro Titan variants cost a bit more. Ships free, and code CABINET takes $200 off at checkout, as of October 2026.
The Pro is a one-piece unit: a 316-grade stainless steel tub with the chiller built in, a tough exterior coating for outdoor use, and wheels. Sun Home says it arrives fully assembled and can get cold enough to form ice. It also cleans the water automatically with ozone, UV light and a filter.
It gets strong press. Sun Home quotes Business Insider calling it the best cold plunge its team has tested, and says Forbes named it the best cold plunge.
What’s good about it
- Built to last, inside or outside, in any weather.
- Arrives assembled; roll it into place.
- Automatic water cleaning means less maintenance.
What to know
- It’s a big spend.
- It’s heavy, so check your floor or base.
- It only cools; it doesn’t heat.
Side by side
| Portable (Vertical / Horizontal) | Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Sept 2026) | $3,799 – $3,999 | From $13,999 |
| Tub | Rigid inflatable | Stainless steel |
| Chiller | Separate unit | Built in |
| Setup | Set up the tub and chiller | Arrives assembled |
| Water cleaning | Check included filtration | Ozone + UV + filter |
| Best for | Most home users | Daily use, shared use, outdoor durability |
Which one would we pick?
For most people: the portable plunge. It gets you the core experience, cold water that’s ready every day, for about a quarter of the price. If you’re still building the habit, that’s the smart way in.
Go Pro if: you already plunge most days, several people in your home will use it, it’s going outside year-round, or you simply want the most solid, lowest-maintenance option and the budget isn’t a stretch.
Still deciding if you need a chiller at all? Start with cold plunge vs. ice bath, and if you’re new to cold water, read your first cold plunge.
Our picks
Best for tight spaces
Vertical
$3,799
A seated, upright tub that takes up less floor space than lying flat.
Check price
Best for stretching out
Horizontal
$3,999
Lets you lie back and stretch out instead of sitting upright.
Check price
Most durable, lowest maintenance
Cold Plunge Pro
From $13,999 · free shipping, as of Oct 2026
Stainless steel, arrives assembled, cleans the water automatically. Code CABINET takes $200 off.
Check priceThe honest part
A cold plunge isn’t magic. Most people who stick with it say they like how awake and clear-headed they feel afterward. Ease in, don’t plunge alone at first, and if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, or you’re pregnant, talk to your doctor before you start.