Image: Ice Barrel

Ice Barrel 500

Name: Ice Barrel 500
Brand: Ice Barrel
Price: 1749.99 USD
Availability: InStock

The Ice Barrel 500 is a $1,749.99 insulated, upright cold barrel that holds 94 gallons and fits users up to 6'9", per Ice Barrel. It suits plungers over 6 feet with a small outdoor space and no plumbing or wiring. GearJunkie tested it for 10 months and called it the best barrel-style plunge it has used.

$1,749.99 barrel only; the chiller adds $3,999.99, or $5,749.98 as a bundle

Check price at Ice Barrel

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Updated October 6, 2026.

Why we love it

GearJunkie used the 500 for 10 months at 3 to 5 sessions a week and found its one-piece molded recycled polyethylene shell extremely durable.

The insulation holds up: Ice Barrel rates it R-16, and in GearJunkie's test the water warmed only about 10 to 15°F without a chiller over an afternoon in direct sun above 100°F.

Setup needs no plumbing or wiring. GearJunkie called it about as simple as it gets, with moving the 100-pound tub the hardest part.

It can grow with you: with Ice Barrel's separately sold chiller, GearJunkie's water reached 39°F in a few hours and held there through 100°F heat.

Key features

Capacity: 94 gallons, per Ice Barrel
Fit: Users up to 6'9", per Ice Barrel
Size and weight: 30.7 x 42.1 x 57.6 inches, 104 lbs empty, per Ice Barrel
Insulation: R-16 polyurethane foam in barrel and lid, per Ice Barrel
Water temperature: Often holds around 59°F without a chiller, per Ice Barrel; colder depends on the ice you add
Chiller: Optional, $3,999.99 extra, per Ice Barrel
Made in: USA, from recycled materials, per Ice Barrel

The proof

A 2022 Sports Medicine meta-analysis of 52 studies found cold-water immersion improved muscular power, soreness and perceived recovery 24 hours after high-intensity exercise. Source
A 2016 Sports Medicine meta-analysis of 9 randomized trials found the best soreness results at 11 to 15°C (52 to 59°F) for 11 to 15 minutes. Source
A 2026 umbrella review of 15 meta-analyses rated the certainty of evidence for post-exercise cold-water immersion low to very low. Source
A 2021 Sports Medicine meta-analysis of 8 studies found regular cold-water immersion blunted strength gains from resistance training. Source

What owners say

4.9 out of 5 from 73 reviews on Ice Barrel (the brand's own store). Source, checked October 6, 2026.
3.6 out of 5 from 9 reviews on Amazon. Source, checked October 6, 2026.

Worth knowing

There is no chiller or built-in filter: without the $3,999.99 chiller you add ice each session, and cleaning relies on the lid, a drain spout and a separately sold maintenance kit. Returns within 30 days lose a 30% return and restocking fee.

Best for

Plungers over 6 feet
Small outdoor spaces
No plumbing or wiring

Questions

Does the Ice Barrel 500 need a chiller?

No. It is an ice-fed barrel; Ice Barrel says it often holds around 59°F without a chiller, and colder water depends on the ice you add. Ice Barrel's optional chiller costs $3,999.99 more, and with it GearJunkie's water reached 39°F in a few hours.

How big is the Ice Barrel 500?

Ice Barrel lists 30.7 x 42.1 x 57.6 inches, 94 gallons, 104 lbs empty and a fit for users up to 6'9". GearJunkie found setup simple, with moving the roughly 100-pound tub the hardest part. Its steps have no rail and the lid has no straps or locks.

What warranty and returns does Ice Barrel offer?

Ice Barrel's warranty page caps its limited lifetime warranty at 3 years and excludes cosmetic and weather damage. Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery minus a 30% return and restocking fee, and original shipping is not refunded.

Does cold plunging help recovery?

Partly. A 2022 meta-analysis of 52 studies found cold-water immersion improved power, soreness and perceived recovery 24 hours after hard exercise, but a 2026 umbrella review rated the certainty low to very low, and a 2021 meta-analysis found regular use blunted strength gains. Ice Barrel publishes no study of the 500.