Ice Barrel 400 Review

As the popularity of cold plunge (or cold water therapy) continues to rise, it is not surprising that the market is flooded with various ice bath options.

One option that has been generating a lot of buzz is the Ice Barrel. 

This product claims to be a game-changer in the cold water immersion experience. But does it really live up to the hype?

In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Ice Barrel and provide an honest assessment of the main features, followed by a summary pros and cons list and our recommendation.

Design

We can honestly say that the Ice Barrel has one of the most appealing, original, sleek designs on the market. This is where the brand really sets itself apart. 

The market is dominated mostly by portable, small, inflatable tubs, or larger, commercial style, stationary tubs. 

Ice Barrel has placed itself somewhere in the middle of the spectrum with a very original and appealing design, and can be used as either a portable or stationary ice bath.

The upright design of the Ice Barrel is another feature that sets it apart from other ice bath options. This design allows for a different immersion experience, where most competitors require users to lay down in the ice bath. 

This feature can either be negative or positive depending your preferences. Personally, we like using the Ice Barrel because it simulates a cold plunge you’d take in nature (i.e. a lake or a river).

Additionally, the compact, upright design makes it a space-saving option, as it doesn’t take up much floor space. This is particularly useful for those with limited space, as it can easily fit on a balcony, patio, or even in a small backyard.

Durability

Ice barrel is made up of 100% recycled, high quality materials. The primary material is LLDPE (low linear density polyethylene) which is a lightweight and durable non-toxic plastic. This type of plastic is commonly seen in medical and food grade applications.

They also include a UV resistant formula in their construction to minimize fading (especially with the darker model). 

Because of its hard shell in comparison to its inflatable competitors, it ranks very high on the durability scale – you won’t have to worry about any punctures or damage that makes it unusable. 

Portability

In contrast, because it does have a harder shell and isn’t inflatable, it makes it less portable. 

Ice Barrel claims that it is a portable ice bath – which it can be, and the lightweight design helps – however we see it more as a stationary ice bath.

Setup

Another significant advantage of the Ice Barrel is its easy setup. The product arrives fully assembled, so all you need to do is fill it with water and ice, and you’re ready to go. 

Maintenance

While the Ice Barrel is a great option for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use ice bath, it does require some maintenance. 

The water and ice will need to be changed regularly because it doesn’t come with a filter like some premium ice baths, which can be a bit of a hassle for some users.

However, the drainage is also straightforward, with a convenient drain plug located at the bottom of the barrel.

The also sell their own cleaning detergent, cleaning brush and water stabilizer (keeps the water clean) which is convenient.

Here’s a tutorial on how to clean your Ice Barrel:

Special Features

While the Ice Barrel is a great option for those new to cold water therapy, it doesn’t offer any special features of a premium cold plunge. 

For example, it doesn’t have a chiller unit to maintain a specific water temperature or a filter to keep the water clean. 

However, the Ice Barrel comes at only a fraction of the cost of those premium ice baths because it doesn’t have those expensive add-on’s.

For those who are just starting out with cold water therapy, these features may not be overly necessary in the first place.

Customer Service

Their customer service/experience is where they get a big check mark as well. 

They have a live chat bot on their website, respond to emails quickly and have lots of FAQ’s and tutorials on their website (like the one on maintenance shown above).

Reviews and Celebrity Praise

The Ice Barrel is rated very highly by users, with close to 1300 5-star reviews.

Many celebrities and athletes have been public in their use of Ice Barrel including but not limited to: Ryan Reynolds, Dierks Bentley, Jason Mamoa and Georges St Pierre.

Here’s a clip of St Pierre (retired UFC fighter) hopping in his Ice Barrel.

Price

One of the most appealing aspects considering its high quality, is its reasonable price. Compared to other ice bath options on the market, the Ice Barrel is relatively affordable.

It is a great option for those who want to experience the benefits of cold water therapy without breaking the bank. At the time of writing, the Ice Barrel is priced at $1,199.97 USD.

Summary

Pros:

• Visually appealing and modern design
• Durable and environmentally friendly construction
• Reasonable price compared to other ice bath options
• Easy setup and drainage
• Upright design for a natural immersion experience and space-saving

Cons:

• Requires periodic maintenance
• Doesn’t offer any special features of a premium cold plunge, such as a chiller unit or water filter

Compare to the Ice Barrel 300

You may be wondering “what makes this different than the Ice Barrel 300?!”

Well, if you’re interested, we’ve also done a review on the Ice Barrel 300, you can check it out here.

Our Recommendation

In conclusion, the Ice Barrel 400 is a solid choice for those looking to upgrade from cold showers; for those who want to experience the benefits of cold water therapy without spending a lot of money.

It offers a visually appealing, space-saving design, high quality materials, easy setup and drainage.

Something we do love about the company is that they keep it simple. They picked one product and went all in on perfecting it the best they could. 

Although it does require some maintenance and it doesn’t have any special features of a premium cold plunge, if you’re new to cold water therapy and looking for a budget-friendly option, the Ice Barrel may be the perfect fit for you.

Get Cold.™ 🥶