True Cost of a Cold Plunge (vs Buying Ice)

TL;DR Summary

• Ice baths cost: ~$17 every time you plunge — and take ~46 minutes to prep, dump ice, wait, and clean up
• Cold plunges cost: ~$4,000 for the tub, ~$30/month to run — but it’s always cold, always ready, no setup
• Break-even point: Around 10 to 16 months for most regular users
• Long-term savings: Ice bath users often spend $2,400–$4,000 per year. A plunge pays for itself, then saves you money every month after that.
• Bonus benefit: When it’s right there in front of you, you’ll actually use it — and build a habit that sticks

How Much Does an Ice Bath Actually Cost?

If you're filling a standard bathtub about two-thirds full (roughly 40 gallons), you'll need around 5.7 bags of ice to cool it from typical tap temps (around 73°F) down to an effective plunge temp of 47°F.

• Average ice needed: 5.7 bags (10 lbs each)
• Cost per bag: ~$3
• Total cost per use: ~$17.01
• 3x/week habit: ~$204/month
• 1 year of ice baths: ~$2,400+

How Long Does an Ice Bath Take?

Even if you have ice on hand, the time it takes to prep and complete a single ice bath adds up fast. Here's what you're dealing with on a good day:

That’s nearly an hour per plunge — and most of it isn’t the plunge itself. Multiply that by 3 to 5 sessions a week and you’re spending hours managing your ice habit.

What Does a Cold Plunge Actually Cost Over Time?

The upfront investment in a plunge may feel big at first, but the monthly cost is minimal — especially compared to ice baths. Here are numbers for the Fire Cold Plunge:

• Cold Plunge Base Price: ~$4,000 (one-time)
• Electricity: ~$15–30/month
• Filter changes: ~$10 every 2–3 months
• Ember Chill (optional): ~$12/month

Compared to that, doing ice baths multiple times a week costs more than just ice — you're also spending a lot of time and effort to make it happen.

Ice Bath Ongoing Costs (Bathtub Method)

• Ice: ~$17 per use (5.7 bags @ $3/bag)
• Time: ~46 minutes per session (drive, dump, stir, clean)
• Weekly total (3x): ~$204/month
• Annual total: $2,400–$4,000+ depending on frequency

And unlike a plunge, ice baths don’t get easier over time — they just stay inconvenient and expensive.

You’re More Likely to Use What You Own

There’s a real shift that happens when you invest in something physical and permanent. A cold plunge in your space becomes a built-in reminder to use it — and a motivator to stay consistent.

• You made the investment: Spending real money creates follow-through. You’re more likely to use something you paid for.
• You see it every day: Whether it’s in your garage or backyard, it becomes a visual cue. Like clockwork, it reminds you to reset.
• You start to associate it with results: Over time, your brain ties the plunge to energy, recovery, and mental clarity. That’s how habits stick.

This doesn’t happen with a bag of ice. That takes effort every time. The plunge makes it effortless to stay consistent — and that’s when cold therapy starts to really work.

The Real Cost of Ice Baths? Not Doing Them

When something’s hard to set up, you avoid it. That’s what happens with ice baths — you skip a day, then another. Then you stop altogether.

• Dragging bags of ice isn’t fun
• Waiting for water to cool is annoying
• Cleaning up every time drains your motivation

The routine falls apart — and the benefits go with it. A cold plunge makes the habit stick because it removes the friction. It’s there, it’s ready, and it makes you feel better every time. No excuses.

If it’s inconvenient, you’ll stop. And if you stop, none of the other costs matter. You’re not getting the benefit.

Still Thinking About It?

If you’re not ready to buy today, that’s fine — here are a few helpful next steps:

• Read the Ultimate Cold Plunge Buying Guide — Your starting point for everything cold plunge related
• See Fire vs Other Brands — Honest side-by-side comparisons to help you choose
• Talk to a Pro — Schedule a quick call or live chat with someone from our team

Or if you’ve already done the research and you’re ready to make the switch, you can order your Fire Cold Plunge here.