# Ice Barrel 500 vs The Cold Pod: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Ice Barrel 500 (Ice Barrel) and The Cold Pod (The Cold Pod) among cold plunge tubs. The Cold Pod is the cheaper of the two at $149.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Ice Barrel 500 | The Cold Pod |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $1749.99 | $149.99 |
| Brand | Ice Barrel | The Cold Pod |
| Released | 2023 | 2022 |
| Msrp usd | 1749.99 | 149.99 |
| Water capacity gal | 94 | 85 |
| Includes chiller | No | No |
| Min temp f | — | — |
| Chiller power hp | — | — |
| Interior length (in) | 57.6 | — |
| Interior depth (in) | 42.1 | 29.53 |
| Filtration | No | No |
| Wi-Fi app control | No | No |
| Tub material | recycled BPA-free polyethylene | PVC with pearl foam and nylon |
| Insulated | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 104 | 7.72 |

## Key differences

- Msrp usd: Ice Barrel 500 1749.99 vs The Cold Pod 149.99
- Water capacity gal: Ice Barrel 500 94 vs The Cold Pod 85
- Interior depth (in): Ice Barrel 500 42.1 vs The Cold Pod 29.53
- Tub material: Ice Barrel 500 recycled BPA-free polyethylene vs The Cold Pod PVC with pearl foam and nylon
- Weight (lb): Ice Barrel 500 104 vs The Cold Pod 7.72

## What reviewers say

**Ice Barrel 500** — One verified hands-on review covers the Ice Barrel 500: GearJunkie tested it with the Ice Barrel Chiller for ten months at 3-5 plunges per week and called it the best barrel-style plunge it has ever used, with the chiller holding 39°F water through 100°F+ California heat in direct sun. Praise centers on easy upright submersion, durable one-piece molded construction, and near-zero maintenance; flags are the high price, a missing stair railing, and a lid without straps or locks. (1 sourced review.)

**The Cold Pod** — Only one whitelisted source survived verification: BarBend's best-cold-plunges roundup, which covers The Cold Pod in a brief 'Other Cold Plunges We've Tested' entry rather than a dedicated review. BarBend calls it the ultimate budget buy at around $156 and a great portable barebones option, but says its testers weren't impressed with the durability and notes there is no chiller option, so cooling requires a hose and ice. No measured performance data exists in the surviving coverage. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Ice Barrel 500: https://icebarrel.com/products/ice-barrel-500 (icebarrel.com, verified 2026-06-23)
- The Cold Pod: https://thecoldpod.com/products/the-cold-pod-usa (thecoldpod.com, verified 2026-06-23)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cold-plunge-tubs/ice-barrel-500-vs-the-cold-pod/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Ice Barrel 500 ($1749.99) vs The Cold Pod ($149.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cold-plunge-tubs/ice-barrel-500-vs-the-cold-pod/
License: CC BY 4.0.