The Cold Pod
The Cold Pod
$149.99Cheaper
Released 2022
Best Cold Plunge Tubs · head-to-head
The Cold Pod vs Viking Gen 2
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. The Cold Pod is cheaper at $149.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Nordic Wave
Viking Gen 2
$6990
Released 2024
Which is better: the The Cold Pod or Viking Gen 2?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The The Cold Pod is the cheaper at $149.99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | The Cold Pod | Viking Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $149.99 | $6990 |
| Brand | The Cold Pod | Nordic Wave |
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Msrp usd | 149.99 | 6990 |
| Water capacity gal | 85 | 95 |
| Includes chiller | No | Yes |
| Min temp f | — | 35 |
| Chiller power hp | — | 0.8 |
| Interior length (in) | — | 30 |
| Interior depth (in) | 29.53 | 44 |
| Filtration | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi app control | No | Yes |
| Tub material | PVC with pearl foam and nylon | HDPE |
| Insulated | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 7.72 | — |
Sources — The Cold Pod: thecoldpod.com (verified 2026-06-23). Viking Gen 2: thenordicwave.com (verified 2026-06-23).
What's the difference between the The Cold Pod and Viking Gen 2?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 12). Matching specs are omitted.
- Msrp usd: The Cold Pod 149.99 vs Viking Gen 2 6990
- Water capacity gal: The Cold Pod 85 vs Viking Gen 2 95
- Includes chiller: The Cold Pod false vs Viking Gen 2 true
- Interior depth (in): The Cold Pod 29.53 vs Viking Gen 2 44
- Filtration: The Cold Pod false vs Viking Gen 2 true
- Wi-Fi app control: The Cold Pod false vs Viking Gen 2 true
- Tub material: The Cold Pod PVC with pearl foam and nylon vs Viking Gen 2 HDPE
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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.)
Praised: Ultimate budget buy at around $156 on Amazon — among the cheapest cold plunge options; Great portable option for a barebones plunge.
Flagged: Testers weren't impressed with the durability; No chiller option — cooling requires a hose and a bunch of ice each session.
Viking Gen 2
No sourced tester review yet.