Desert Cold Plunge Tub Review (2025): Extra-Wide Recovery at an Affordable Price

I’ll be honest with you; spending any amount of time in one of the best cold plunge tubs is never the most comfortable experience. While cold therapy can have health benefits like a perceived reduction of muscle soreness¹ or better stress management², it requires being cold—very cold. As an athlete myself, I’ve used ice baths and cold plunges quite a few times, and while it can feel nice after the fact, during the plunge, all I can think about is when I can hop back out.

To counter the cold, many cold plunge companies try to make their tubs as comfortable as possible, with a vertical style you can sit in, or a longer tub for more leg room. One such company that aims for a roomier fit is Desert Plunge, which uses an actual oversized Grizzly Cooler to have plenty of room for users.

With a volume of 450 quarts, it has plenty of space even for taller athletes, but how’s it feel in use? Our team at Garage Gym Reviews has taken a literal dive into thoroughly testing out this extra-wide cold plunge tub. In this Desert Cold Plunge Tub review, we’ll go over all the pros and cons of this recovery product, to see if it’s the right fit for your next ice bath purchase.

Taking the (Cold) Plunge Into Expert Recovery Reviews

Garage Gym Reviews doesn’t only test top fitness products and supplements; our team of certified personal trainers, coaches, and athletes have also done deep research and testing for recovery products: the best home saunas, foam rollers, and massage guns.

GGR Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, has tested about 20 cold plunge tubs herself and knows the ins and outs of these chilling recovery items. In her Desert Plunge Grizzly review, she tried out the cold plunge tub through several sessions, as well as looking at the specs, features, and extras of the tub. She rated the cold tub with scores between 1 and 5 in several categories, including:

• Delivery and setup
• Construction and durability
• Footprint
• Draining and cleaning
• Ergonomics and conveniences
• Overall value

Desert Plunge Ice Bath

Desert Plunge Grizzly Wide 450 Cold Tub

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Extra-wide cold plunge tub

• 112.5-gal water capacity

• Lockable lid

• 0.25-horsepower chiller

• Chills to 39 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• Spacious and roomy
• Lockable lid
• Durable material
• Can be used indoors or outdoors

Cons

• 1-year warranty is below the industry standard
• 10-day returns only on defective products
• Chiller doesn’t also heat
• Chiller should be covered/protected if used outside

Bottom Line

The Grizzly Wide 450 is a spacious, roomy cold plunge tub made by Desert Plunge. The cold tub is made affordable by integrating a large cooler with a small chiller, along with a filtered pump and optional ozone generator.

A Quick Look at the Desert Cold Plunge Tub

Desert Plunge started in 2022, but founder Matt Kuiper explains it started in 2019 when he used cold therapy to help alleviate a sudden onset of anxiety and depression. When the COVID pandemic shut down his access to his cold plunge gym, Matt decided to try out some DIY cold plunge ideas, using a chest freezer and then a stock tank for his cold plunge tub. 

This eventually led to the creation of the company and their current cold plunge tub designs. Desert Plunge’s goal is to create high-quality cold plunge tubs at a more affordable price, since many options get costly quickly.

Currently, Desert Plunge offers two different tubs—The Exclusive and The Wide Grizzly 450—both accompanied by the same 0.25-horsepower chiller and magnetic drive pump. Both are insulated coolers, with The Exclusive Tub having slightly smaller volume (although the tub is a bit longer The Wide). We’ll mostly focus on the Grizzly Wide in this review, but make distinctions between the two if necessary.

The Grizzly Wide 450 is a massive cooler, capable of holding 450 quarts of water, or just over 112 gallons. It comes with changes made to the cooler, to have an attached chiller and pump. The tub can get as low as 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and the 2-inch-thick insulation ensures that the water stays cold.

Before You Buy

• While the Desert Plunge ice bath can be used indoors or outdoors, the company recommends keeping the product covered—especially the chiller. You can purchase a cold plunge cover, or simply keep it under an umbrella, patio porch, or awning.
• Lindsay points out in her full video review of the cold plunge tub that the cooler lid is childproof and lockable. This can be a huge boon to parents that don’t want their kids accidentally falling into near-freezing water.
• Don’t expect a hot tub here; the chiller only cools, unlike many chillers out on the market today that both chill and heat.

Desert Cold Plunge Tub Video Review

Is the Desert Cold Plunge Tub Worth It?

“Spoiler alert: Absolutely buy this,” Lindsay divulges at the start of her video review of the Desert Plunge tub. She explains why she likes it so much: “Because of its price point and several features, including its spacious design, it is a great value and I really like it.” She rates the cold plunge tub’s overall value a solid 5 out of 5.

The Desert Plunge Wide 450 is priced at $4,000, but it’s often marked down—currently at $3,200—making it a great deal. The only cold plunge tubs with chillers that approach that price point are inflatable cold plunges, which typically aren’t as durable. The Wide 450, however, is very durable (enough for indoor or outdoor use), user-friendly, and very spacious. Even if you add on extras like the ozone filtration system, you’re still getting a great price.

There are cheaper ice baths like the Ice Barrel 400 or the Cold Pod, but these typically don’t have chillers. And most ceramic or metal cold plunge tubs, like the Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge or the Plunge, are pricier options.

RELATED: The Plunge Review

Still, this won’t be the perfect fit for everyone. First off, this chiller only cools; many chillers can now heat or chill, giving you the option between an ice bath or hot tub. Also, for diehard fans of breathwork in the coldest water temperatures possible, you may want to opt for a premium cold plunge, like the Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro, which can get to freezing temperatures.

Desert Wide Grizzly Cold Plunge Tub Specs

Using the Desert Cold Plunge Tub

The Desert Plunge Grizzly Wide 450 is big, with GGR Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele’s five-foot-four-inch frame being dwarfed by the large cooler’s frame. “We’ve had cold tubs be able to sit me and three of my friends together,” Lindsay mentions. “This ice bath could probably fit six of us, though, because of how large it is.”

If you want to relax and spread out some during your ice bath, this is a fantastic option. The cooler’s large frame tapers out from the bottom as well, allowing you to recline back a little while suffering through the cold. It earns a 4.5 out of 5 for ergonomics, since it’s so roomy and allows for that slight recline.

Lindsay did contrast baths between the Grizzly Wide and the SweatTent Outdoor Sauna, along with other forms of hydrotherapy. One of her favorite aspects during her cold plunge experience is the tub’s lockable lid. Since she has kids, this would help prevent any young ones from having an accidental fall in the cold plunge. “The shock of the cold water can really be dangerous if you’re not used to cold water therapy,” Lindsay adds, “so a lockable lid can be a game changer for parents.”

Footprint

This won’t be a portable ice bath by any means, since the tub and chiller is 232 pounds shipped (the Grizzly Wide cooler is 102 pounds by itself). You’ll be able to move it around with a friend or two while it’s empty, but the cold plunge tub will probably be approaching a thousand pounds when filled with water, so you’ll probably want to have this in a permanent location before you  fill up the tub.

Some customer reviews also mention it can be a tight fit through some doorways, so be mindful of that if you’re considering placing this tub indoors. The Desert Plunge Cold Tub gets a 3 out of 5 for its footprint.

Durability and Construction

Grizzly is a company well-known for making durable and rugged coolers. Being involved in this collaboration, the plunge, which is basically a giant cooler, is made with the same durable plastic material and rotomolded construction.

For those not familiar with rotomolding or rotational molding, it’s the process of building hollow plastic frames, much like the ones used in freezer chests or ice coolers. However, within the hollow frame, the Desert Plunge tub is injected with 2 inches of insulation foam, for improved insulation.

Lindsay didn’t notice any sort of wobbling or faults in the stability of the cold plunge, so she rates the construction and durability of the tub a 5 out of 5. However, for the best longevity, I’d recommend keeping the cold plunge tub under some protective covering if outdoors—especially the chiller.

Conveniences

At a first glance, the chiller doesn’t seem as powerful as other chillers we’ve tested. It’s only 0.25 horsepower; most chillers we’ve tested are closer to 0.8 horsepower or a bit more. Because of this, the chiller gets down to 39 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also a tad higher than most cold plunge tubs, which usually claim to reach 37 degrees or even lower.

Another feature the chiller lacks is a heating option. Many chillers now come with heating or cooling modes, enabling a cold plunge to double as a personal hot tub, too. The Desert Plunge Grizzly Wide 450 simply doesn’t have that feature. 

In addition to being lockable, the lid also locks in place when opened, so the connected lid won’t fall back down onto you while using the tub. There are some other features—an ozone sanitation system, water treatment kit, phone holder, skimmer net, and a tub-and-chiller cover—but these are optional add-ons that’ll cost more.

That said, Lindsay says the ozone sanitation is worth the extra cost ($395). “Since the tub is so inexpensive to start out with, the added cost of the ozone generator is still much less than other cold plunges with the ozone system added.” The generator can help eliminate bacteria and heavy metals from the water, making this a nice boon. Lindsay rates the conveniences a 4 out of 5.

Cleaning and Draining

The Desert Cold Plunge Tub has a built-in filtration system that’ll filter particles out of the water. A really nice feature, however, is that the filter uses a magnetic drive pump that cycles through 1,200 gallons per hour (GPH). Mag drive pumps, as they’re known, are usually used to keep pond water moving to prevent stagnation, so this will keep water in the Desert Plunge tub moving and continuously filtered.

The filtering system along with the additional ozone generator (if you opt for it) make for a robust cleaning system, which will help keep the cold tub’s maintenance down to a minimum. Desert Plunge recommends:

• Changing your filter every one to four weeks
• Cleaning chiller screens each month if the cold tub is outside (one to two months if indoors)
• Draining and changing your water every three months

To drain your cold plunge tub, Desert Plunge provides you with a drain adapter that attaches to the return on the cold plunge. Screw it in place, attach a garden hose, and the plunge pump will drain the tub. Overall, we rate the draining and cleaning a 4 out of 5.

Desert Cold Plunge Tub vs Sun Home Cold Plunge

Sun Home Cold Plunge

Sun Home Cold Plunge

GGR Score: 4.24

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Save up to $1,550 on saunas and cold plunges through 11/28 See Details

Product Highlights

• Inflatable tub
• Can be used as a cold or hot tub
• Easy setup process
• Durable construction

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Goes from 37.5 to 104 degrees
• Inflatable tub is lightweight and portable
• Feels durable
• Controllable with an app

Cons

• Expensive
• Only fits one person
• External chiller is heavy
• Requires power outlet

Bottom Line

The Sun Home Cold Plunge was described by our expert product testers as "the most durable inflatable tub" they've seen. It can be used with hot or cold water and sets up easily.

Although they’re priced similarly, the Sun Home Cold Plunge and Desert Plunge Grizzly Wide 450 are fairly different in who they’d be best suited for. The biggest difference is that the Sun Home Cold Plunge is an inflatable ice bath, making it possible to drain, deflate, and travel with. The Desert Plunge won’t have that level of versatility.

The inflatable Sun Home Cold Plunge is made from a composite PVC material that’s very durable, and it holds its shape well. However, it has a little give that the Desert Plunge won’t have, being a large, sturdy cooler.

The Grizzly Wide is the larger of the two tubs as well, holding 112.5 gallons of water—nearly 20 gallons more than the Sun Home tub. Also, the Sun Home Cold Plunge is about $1,000 more than the Desert Plunge Cold Tub. While Sun Home offers free shipping and Desert Plunge doesn’t, you’ll still be paying more for the inflatable cold plunge tub, especially if you find the Grizzly Wide at its sale price.

Both are durable and affordable options when it comes to cold plunge tubs, but which one is best for you will depend on the features you’re looking for. You can read more in our Sun Home Cold Plunge review.

Desert Plunge vs Modtub

Modtub

Modtub Cold Therapy Tub

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Product Highlights

• Rotomolded construction

• 2" foam insulation

• 0.25-horsepower chiller

• 50-micron filter

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in a variety of colors
• Durable construction
• 2″ foam insulation
• Affordable
• High customer reviews

Cons

• 1-year warranty is below the industry standard
• No returns

Bottom Line

The Modtub Cold Therapy Tub is a cold plunge capable of holding about 92 gallons of water. Available in a variety of colors, the cold plunge tub has a lockable lid and an including stepping stool.

Another cold plunge tub that the Desert plunge Exclusive and Grizzly Wide are often compared to is the Modtub Cold Plunge. Why? Well, the Modtub is probably the closest tub to the Desert Plunge models. Both use coolers for the tub, and have a smaller chiller to reach temperatures as low as 39 degrees.

While we haven’t tested the Modtub ourselves, the biggest difference here is the size between the two models. The Grizzly Wide is oversized compared to the Modtub, which holds about 92 gallons of water. The Modtub is definitely more suited for one person at a time, while the Wide Desert Plunge would easily hold two people (if a couple wanted to suffer through cold therapy together). The Modtub is probably more comparable to Desert Plunge Exclusive, although The Exclusive is longer—46 inches.

A nice feature of the Modtub is a step stool, which would be a nice feature on the Desert Plunge, especially with its large size. Also, while both offer color options, Modtub offers more fun and vibrant colors like Red, Teal, and Lime Green.

While both are pretty solid options, we like the Desert Plunge models more for the roominess. The Wide 450 obviously has plenty of space in every direction, but even The Exclusive cold tub has extra leg room for users. And since both Modtub and Desert Plunge Exclusive are priced similarly, I’d opt for a little bit of extra space.

Customer Experience 

While there’s a lot to love about the Desert Cold Plunge Tub, one area that’s lacking is the company’s warranties and returns. Returns appear to be only redeemable for defective products, and the company must be given written notice within 10 days after delivery. Once Desert Plunge authorizes the return, you have 30 days to return the product.

The Grizzly Wide 450 comes with a one-year limited warranty, which is a bit below the industry standard. “We usually like to see a multi-year warranty on the cold plunge tub, and then a one-year warranty on the chiller and its parts,” says Lindsay. You do have the option to extend your warranty for another one or two years, but it’ll cost extra. Lindsay rates the warranty, financing, and returns and 3 out of 5.

We didn’t have to contact Desert Plunge about any defective parts or issues, but many customer reviews praise their customer service, saying that they were helpful, informative, and responsive. However, ways to contact them are fairly limited—only email. Therefore, the customer service earns a rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Ordering the Desert Cold Plunge Tub

The Desert Cold Plunge Tub can be ordered directly from the Desert Plunge website. Financing is available through Affirm, plus the cold plunge tub is HSA- and FSA-eligible. 

Shipping will cost a flat $225 if you live in the continental United States, but $650 for people living in Hawaii. People in Canada will need to email customer service and provide their postal code for a quote. Delivery is quick, as the website says your item will be shipped within 3 to5 business days of making your order.

Assembling the cold plunge tub is fairly straightforward for a cold tub; attach the tub to the chiller and you’re good to go. We rate the delivery and set up a 4.5 out of 5, taking a half point off due to the shipping costs.

Customer Reviews

As of this writing, Desert Plunge boasts 123 5-star customer reviews split between the Grizzly Wide 450 and The Exclusive cold tubs. However, I don’t see anything other than their 5-star ratings, so I think Desert Plunge is only posting their 5-star reviews. This is fine, but something to be mindful of, since they’re not showing all reviews.

With that in mind, the customer reviews shown on the site deliver high praise for the tub’s construction and durability, especially at its price point. Other reviews speak highly of customer service. One customer commented that it can be a tight fit through doors, but otherwise had a fine time with it.

Final Verdict of Our Desert Cold Plunge Tub Review

For its price, the Desert Plunge Grizzly Wide 450 is probably one of the best value cold plunge tubs on the market right now. Although the oversized cooler and chiller combination looks a bit like a DIY project, the materials are durable and rugged, and the tub is roomy and spacious. This is a great pick for larger athletes, or those who’d like to cold plunge with friends and family. Things to keep in mind:

• Desert Plunge recommends covering the cold plunge tub if used outdoors—particularly the chiller—for getting the most longevity out of your unit.
• The lockable lid is a nice feature for families with children; it’ll help prevent any accidental fall into chilly water.
• While there’s a lot to like about the cold plunge, the 1-year limited warranty and 10-day return policy are a bit lacking compared to competitors.

Full Rating

Expert-Tested: Desert Cold Plunge Tub Review (2025) | Garage Gym Reviews

The Grizzly Wide is exactly like it sounds—roomy and wide. See our complete thoughts on this affordable, oversized tub in our Desert Cold Plunge Tub review.

Product Brand: Desert Plunge

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 4000

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.05

Desert Cold Plunge Tub: FAQs

References

1. Peake, J. M., Roberts, L. A., Figueiredo, V. C., Egner, I., Krog, S., Aas, S. N., Suzuki, K., Markworth, J. F., Coombes, J. S., Cameron-Smith, D., & Raastad, T. (2017). The effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on inflammation and cell stress responses in human skeletal muscle after resistance exercise. The Journal of physiology, 595(3), 695–711. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP272881
2. Kurniasari, M. D., Monsen, K. A., Weng, S. F., Yang, C. Y., & Tsai, H. T. (2022). Cold Water Immersion Directly and Mediated by Alleviated Pain to Promote Quality of Life in Indonesian with Gout Arthritis: A Community-based Randomized Controlled Trial. Biological research for nursing, 24(2), 245–258. https://doi.org/10.1177/10998004211063547