the Good Stuff
Posts
The Ultimate Guide to Cold Plunge Chillers

The Ultimate Guide to Cold Plunge Chillers

What I’d Choose in 2025 After Testing Nearly 50 of Them

David Maus Jr
April 02, 2025

Hey friends,
Let me just start with this: if you’re genuinely trying to figure out which cold plunge chiller is worth your hard-earned money, especially if you’re going the DIY route, you’re in the right place.

This post is basically a “brain dump” of my years of real-world experience reviewing more chillers than probably anyone on the planet. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve tested nearly 50 different cold plunge chillers over the past few years. Some were incredible. Some were absolute garbage.

Today, I’ll break it all down so you can make the best decision for yourself.

What Even Is a Chiller?

Let’s start at square one. If you’re new to cold plunging, you might not even know what a “chiller” is. Simply put, a chiller is the device that keeps your cold plunge water at your desired temperature—usually somewhere between 37°F and 55°F. It's basically an air conditioner for water.

Without a chiller, you’re stuck dumping bags of ice into your tub, which works for about five minutes in Florida before everything melts. A chiller + pump combo allows water to flow through the system and stay cold consistently, even in hot weather. That’s what makes year-round plunging possible, especially if your setup is outdoors like mine.

Flashback: My First DIY Cold Plunge Setup

A couple years ago—before I was making content full-time—I decided to build a DIY cold plunge using the same method I used to manage aquarium temps. I wasn’t trying to start a YouTube channel.

I just wanted a cold plunge without spending $5,000+.

I landed on the Active Aqua Half Horsepower Chiller. Back then, options were limited, and this one popped up in my research. I bought it, hooked it up, made a little video showing my setup, and went on with my life.

Turns out, a LOT of people wanted to build their own cold plunge. I started getting questions left and right:
“Where’d you get the chiller?”
“What pump are you using?”
“How do I connect it all?”

One of my now-friends, Shervin, reached out and said, “Dude, you need to build a list for people.” At the time, I didn’t even know what that meant. But I figured it out, put the kit together on Amazon… and the rest is history.

Today, most months I see over $100,000 in affiliate sales on Amazon—and 95% of that is from DIY cold plunge kits featuring the Active Aqua chiller.

That tells you something.

Why Active Aqua Chillers Still Reign Supreme for DIYs

Let me say this plainly:
If you’re building a DIY cold plunge in 2025, the Active Aqua chiller is still the best overall option.

It’s affordable, reliable, and proven. I’ve left mine outside in Florida heat and humidity through hurricanes, thunderstorms, and blazing summers. No cover. Still works. Every. Single. Time.

I’ve had people message me saying they went with cheaper alternatives and ended up regretting it. I’m not saying that because I’m trying to push affiliate links—I really don’t care if you use mine or not. I care about helping you avoid the pain and frustration of wasting money on stuff that doesn’t work.

Why It Works:

Affordable price point
Compact footprint
Easy to hook up with a basic submersible OR inline pump
Surprisingly durable in outdoor conditions (even though the manual says “indoor use only”)

Thousands of people have built DIY cold plunges using this exact setup with very few complaints—usually just small user error stuff like tube connections or pump placements.

Building a DIY Cold Plunge Using an Ice Barrel (Popular DIY Setup)

Desert Plunge uses this Chiller and is a good option to look at for a DFY (Done For You)

EcoPlus: A Bigger Option for Less-Insulated Setups

Another solid option is the EcoPlus chiller—especially if you’re using a galvanized trough, Rubbermaid tub, or something with zero insulation and no lid.

The EcoPlus is powerful, a little bulkier, and more expensive than the Active Aqua. It works great if you want to move more water through the system faster or you're working with a large volume of water in a poorly insulated container.

I’ve used it with some of my Polar Monkeys and ReGen setups and it’s a beast. Overkill for most DIYs, but definitely a solid choice if you’re going big.

Here’s the part that gets tricky. There are companies I’ve tested that are no longer around. You might have seen them two years ago and now… poof, gone.

Companies like Edge Theory Labs and IceUp Industries jumped on the cold plunge trend hard, and early. Because of this, I learned a Lot about how many built cold plunge companies early on. They found manufacturers overseas, slapped a logo on some chillers, and started shipping product. The problem? Many of them didn’t have a hand in manufacturing or QC. They sold units that ended up breaking, leaking, or failing under pressure. And chillers aren’t easy or cheap to return.

That’s why I’m careful about naming names—there are real people behind these brands, and I don’t want to bash anyone. But I also have a responsibility to you. If a product doesn’t perform, I won’t recommend it. Period.

Rule of thumb; if you don’t see my talking about a product, chiller, company… it means I currently wouldn’t recommend them. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (David Maus Jr) to stay up to date on top Health and Wellness Products, and follow along on Instagram @dmausjr. I offer my time, working hand in hand with founders and designers in the space, to help them develop the best products. I love it, and many of the companies I talk about take advantage of it.

You get the information for free just by subscribing and following on Instagram. 😉

Companies Building Their Own (And Getting It Right)

Now for some good news. There are several companies doing things the right way.

Brands I’ve Worked With and Recommend:

Plunge – They’ve had growing pains, but I’ve worked with them for two years and seen firsthand how committed they are to improving their chillers. Their new app-integrated system can detect issues like clogged filters and alert you before something goes wrong.
Ice Barrel – Great chiller, works beautifully with their system. One downside: it requires Wi-Fi to function. That’s a deal-breaker for some people who want to plunge away from their house or in areas with spotty coverage.
Polar Monkeys, Sun Home Saunas, Coldture – These brands are building their own chillers and letting me push them to the limit. I’ve told their founders straight up: “I’m going to try to kill this thing.” And they say, “Do it.” That’s the kind of confidence I like to see.

So… What’s the Best Chiller in 2025?

Here’s my simple, honest breakdown:

💪 Best Overall DIY Chiller (Bang for Your Buck):

Active Aqua ½ HP Chiller (also, Hailea in other Countries)
✅ Affordable
✅ Reliable
✅ Works outside
✅ Easy to set up

🧊 Best for Larger or Uninsulated DIY Tubs:

EcoPlus Chiller
✅ Stronger cooling power
✅ Ideal for galvanized or open setups

🔒 Best All-in-One Cold Plunge Brands with Great Chillers:

Plunge Works great with their tubs, also offers a universal DIY kit.
Ice Barrel Great if you’re okay with Wi-Fi dependency
Sun Home Insanely impressive and can make ICE (32ºf)
Polar Monkeys Powerful chiller that makes ICE, also a Commercial Option
Coldture Solid, Powerful, and can heat up to 107ºf

🚫 Ones to Avoid:

If I didn’t mention it, there’s probably a reason. Some I’ve tested and don’t recommend. If you’re wondering about a specific brand, DM me on Instagram—I’ll give you my honest take.

A Final Word on Trust and Transparency

Look, I’ve built a reputation on not being exclusive with any brand. I’ll never lock into an exclusive deal, because the moment I do that, I’m no longer a reviewer—I’m a salesperson.

When I review a chiller or cold plunge, I test it like I would for myself or my best friend. I don’t just open the box and say “cool product.” I look at:

How easy is setup?
Is the tech user-friendly?
How durable is it over time?
Is the customer service actually helpful?

I’ve been in this space for years. Some of you followed me back when I made automotive videos or built beehives and chicken coops. I appreciate you more than you know.

As I grow this platform, I promise to keep showing up with honesty, real testing, and a commitment to helping you make informed decisions.

Got Questions?

Drop them in the comments on YouTube or DM me on Instagram @DmausJr.
If you’ve had a good (or bad) experience with a product I’ve reviewed, I want to hear about it.