When it comes to recovery and wellness, many people enjoy using heat therapy, cold therapy, or sometimes, a combination of both, often called contrast therapy. For those who don’t want to buy both a cold plunge and a hot tub, this high-end combo unit from Polar Monkeys offers both.
It’s a two-in-one recovery system with independent temperature controls that includes both a barrel tub and horizontal tub. You can customize the temperature of each tub individually, allowing you to create your own cold plunge and hot tub combo.
RELATED: Cold Plunge vs. Hot Tub
This contrast therapy system is quite expensive, but is it worth the cost? Find out what our tester thought in this Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition review.
Our Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition Review, Summarized
The Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition is a two-in-one hot and cold tub combo that’s durable and spacious, providing contrast therapy in one unit. It’s one of the nicer plunges we’ve tested, but with a price tag of nearly $29,000, it’s one of the most expensive plunges on the market.
How We Test Cold Plunges
If you’re shopping for your home setup, footprint is one of the most important considerations, as cold plunges can take up quite a bit of space. This category considers the dimensions and weight, reflecting how easy or difficult it is to move your plunge around.
For a 3 out of 5, the plunge is large and heavy, but two people are able to move it when it’s empty.
Since many users place their cold plunges outdoors, a good plunge should be able to withstand the elements, frequent temperature changes, and the pressure of someone repeatedly climbing in and out of the tub. For 3 out of 5 stars, a tub may shift slightly when someone gets in or out, but overall feels quite sturdy.
For this category, we’re looking for conveniences that make it easy to regulate the temperature, like remote control via a phone, and clear thermometers or temperature displays. Compared to using something like a homemade ice bath, a modern plunge should offer modern temperature controls. To earn a 3 out of 5, a given plunge must maintain cold temperatures well and include a thermometer or simple controls.
Every cold plunge review we write is based on rigorous testing from one of our experts. We see how cold it can get, how quickly the temperature changes, how it feels to use, and more, trying as many of the features as possible. After testing, we score each plunge using our cold plunge testing methodology. This assigns a score of 1-5 to the most important testing categories, like ergonomics, draining and cleaning, delivery and setup, and more.
Our team of expert testers includes certified personal trainers, strength coaches, gym owners, fitness enthusiasts, and even an Olympian. We have extensive experience testing popular recovery devices, and at the time of writing, our team has tested over 20 of the best cold plunges on the market.
The Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition packs hot and cold immersion into one premium stainless steel system, with independent controls and an exceptionally broad temperature range. We like the versatility, but the substantial investment and 2-year standard warranty may give budget-conscious shoppers pause.
What to Know Before You Buy
- Both the barrel tub and horizontal tub have individual temperature controls, which means you can configure the temperature of each side however you’d like.
- The footprint is quite large, so you’ll want to have plenty of space, and it’s not easy to move once installed.
- Even though it’s expensive, our expert tester says this dual-orientation contrast therapy system is the best recovery unit he’s ever used.
Is the Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition Worth It?
This cold tub is certainly an investment, but for the right person, it may be the perfect fit for your recovery needs. It uses contrast therapy, which allows you to alternate between hot and cold water tubs. This has been shown to be beneficial for muscle recovery1 and may help reduce soreness, but it comes at a cost.
Given that it uses two chillers, your electric bill may be quite high, on top of the price of the tub itself.
Here’s who we think should consider the Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition, as well as who should avoid it.
If you think this might be the right plunge for you, keep reading. We’ll get into the key features and specs, and share our detailed testing and scoring breakdown.
RELATED: Cold Plunge vs. Sauna
Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $28,880 |
| Dimensions | 90.75″ L x 33.75″ W x 41.54″ H tub only, 146″ L x 33.75″ W x 41.54” H total footprint |
| Weight | 573 lbs empty, 2,349 Ibs filled |
| Water Capacity | 213 gallons |
| Indoor/Outdoor Use | Indoor/Outdoor |
| Materials | 316 marine-grade stainless steel |
| Chiller available? | Yes, includes two independent ChillX units |
| Additional Accessories Included | Insulated cover, 2 filters, ergonomic pillow, phone holder, hose filter, skimmer net |
| Electrical Requirements | Two independent 110v outlets |
| Temperature Range | 32° F to 107° F |
| Warranty | 2-year limited |
Experience Using the Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition
We’ve always enjoyed using Polar Monkeys cold plunges, whether we’re testing the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0, Cyber Plunge, Star Treatment 2.0 (also known as The Barrel), and any other cold plunge tubs we can climb into.
For this review, our tester was Orlando Castillo, USAW-L1, a former CrossFit athlete and avid weightlifter. He used both the hot and cold features, testing the cooling time, ergonomics, and more.
Cold water immersion can help reduce perceived muscle soreness2, and hot water can also help improve recovery from exercise3. They can also reduce inflammation and pain, according to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM.
“Ice baths can help reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels and reducing the flow of blood to the affected area,” he explains. “Cold therapy alleviates pain by reducing inflammation, but it also interferes with your brain’s perception of the pain. A classic example is getting a cold spray before an injection, it works by dulling the pain sensation that travels through your nerves.”
The Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition allows you to do both simultaneously, keeping one tub hot and one cold, so you don’t have to wait for your water to heat up or cool down if you want to change temperatures.
Each tub can be set to whatever temperature you’d like, though we suspect most people will use the horizontal tub as a relaxing hot tub, while turning the vertical tub into an ice barrel.
Overall, he was very impressed with his experience, saying this is one of the best recovery devices he’s ever used.
“Based on my experience, I could see cold exposure and hot exposure being a part of my daily or weekly routine,” says Orlando. “I think this is the most efficient, comfortable and appealing equipment I have used for contrast baths.”
RELATED: How to Cold Plunge
He noted that the cost is quite expensive, and will likely put this out of the price range of most buyers. That said, it’s one of the most impressive recovery units on the market, and if you want the ability to enjoy both hot and cold therapy in one unit, this is a great choice.
“For somebody that can afford this piece of equipment, this might be one of the best additions to a futuristic or modern house.”
Orlando Castillo, Expert Product Tester
Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition Rating
Editor’s Note: We usually include customer reviews in our final rating, but at the time of writing, there aren’t any reviews to include yet.
Footprint & Portability
For footprint and portability, Polar Monkeys earns 1 out of 5 stars. This thing is large, and extremely heavy when filled, so once it’s set up, you’re not going to want to move it very often.
Orlando said, “Because both bathtubs are attached, it is a very big, bulky, and heavy piece of equipment.”
That doesn’t mean we don’t recommend this tub, and if you’re considering a combo unit like this, you’re probably not too focused on portability. Just know that it’s quite large, with a total footprint of 146″ L x 33.75″ W x 41.54” H, which means its best for commercial facilities, or homeowners with a lot of extra space.
Delivery & Setup
For delivery and setup, the Contrast plunge earns 3 out of 5 stars. It’s bulky, but Polar Monkeys claims to offer white glove delivery, which is usually an extra $750 according to Polar Monkeys.
However, this was not the case when our tub was delivered, according to one of our testers who helped with the setup process.
“I can tell you right now that there is no white glove delivery, and that is completely misleading on the site,” she says. “You’ll need the capacity to lift a 650-pound tub out of a crate and to your desired spot.”
She also noted that the electrical demands can be challenging, saying, “You need two dedicated 30W outlets and a circuit board that can handle 60W of power at once.” This was a challenge, even for our well-equipped testing facility, so it’s something to be aware of if you’re a homeowner looking to install this tub.
Durability & Construction
Orlando gave the Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition 5 out of 5 stars for durability and construction, which we’d expect to see with a unit at this price point. The 316 marine-grade stainless steel is very durable, and holds temperatures well, too.
It’s designed to be completely stable while users are climbing in or out of either tub, and we like that it offers both a horizontal tub and barrel tub, allowing you to choose whichever style you prefer the most.
GGR publisher Shane Johnson, a welding expert, also noted that he was very impressed by the design and materials of this plunge.
“I should note as a welder that this pristine sculpture of stainless would cost at least $10,000 in welding labor alone,” he explains. “The fabrication is really elegant and seamless, and you rarely see this fabrication quality in consumer and commercial stainless. It’s more of what you would expect to see in aerospace and scientific industrial applications.”
It may be a bit more than most home users would ever need, but this is another reason we give this tub 5 out of 5 stars for the durability, and think it’s worth it for those who appreciate fine craftsmanship and materials.
Ergonomics
Orlando was impressed with the size and overall feel of both tubs, giving it 4 out of 5 stars for ergonomics.
“You can fully relax in both tubs, and you don’t feel cramped,” he says. “I would say that for the cold tub with the stairs, you can sit down or stand comfortably. If you’re in the hot tub, you have a lot more space. I am about 5’9” and 190+ pounds, and I had plenty of room to stretch my legs and immerse all the way up to my neck while seated.”
He also added that the horizontal tub has a small neck and head rest to help keep you comfortable and supported while you’re recovering.
RELATED: DIY Cold Plunge
Conveniences
For conveniences, we’re mostly looking at how easy it is to control the temperature, and Polar Monkeys earns a 3.5 out of 5. Both individual chillers have a control panel with physical buttons, or you’re supposed to be able to connect your phone via the Polar Monkeys app to control the temperature, which didn’t work for us.
Our testers were unable to connect the Polar Monkeys app, as the app says the chillers don’t work with 5G Wi-Fi. This is a popular setup for home Wi-Fi networks, so it’s worth checking what you have before investing in this plunge if you want remote access.
Despite having to use the manual controls, Orlando noted that the plunge cools down pretty quickly. He says, “I believe the temperature was set up at 60 before we started, and within 30 to 40 minutes the temperature was around 43 to 45°. It was very cold for how little time it took to drop the temperature.”
Another tester noted that the chillers are quite loud when adjusting the temperature, but they settle down once the tub heats or cools to your desired setting.
Draining & Cleaning
The Contrast tub is designed to make your cold plunge maintenance as easy as possible, and earns 5 out of 5 stars for this category. Automatic ozone filtration keeps your water clean between uses, and Polar Monkeys will send a year’s worth of filter replacements with your order.
Each individual chiller has its own filter with a transparent housing, allowing you to quickly check whether it needs to be changed. We didn’t set a timer to see how long it takes to clean, but Polar Monkeys says it only takes about five minutes of maintenance per week.
“Maintenance was honestly more annoying for the physical tub and not the water,” our tester explains. “The filter and water was easy to maintain, but the outside of the tub would get water marks immediately, and you’d constantly have to wipe it down if you wanted it to look clean and sleek.”
You can also buy additional supplies directly from Polar Monkey, like a sanitation kit, test strips, filters, and other water maintenance needs.
Value
For value, we give this plunge 2 out of 5 stars. It’s certainly one of the best plunges on the market, but with a suggested retail price of $28,880, this is quite expensive for a recovery device. When you consider the space it takes up, the heavy tub you need to move around, and how much electricity it requires, it’s hard to imagine this being a good fit for home use–though commercial facilities may enjoy it.
The average cold plunge we tested costs $3,999, while a hot tub is typically in the $5,000-$10,000 range. You could probably get a great cold plunge and hot tub separately for less than the cost of this combo unit.
We could see this being a great choice for a sports team or commercial gym owner, but Polar Monkeys claims it’s designed for residential use only. For the average home user, the cost is probably going to be a bit too high, even if you could fit it comfortably in your home.
RELATED: Cold Plunge Benefits
Customer Experience
The customer support and overall ordering experience from Polar Monkeys is great, earning 4 out of 5 stars. You can chat with the U.S.-based support team for help, and the two-year warranty coverage is great to see.
We also like that shipping is free, and qualified buyers can finance their order through Shop Pay. You can also return your order within the first 30 days, though you’ll have to pay a 25% restocking fee. However, we docked a point here, because the product listing says white glove delivery is included, which was not the case for our order.
Customer Reviews
While we always try to include real customer reviews in our rating, there aren’t any reviews available for this cold plunge at the time of writing.
Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition Vs
This is easily one of the best cold tubs on the market, but also one of the most expensive. There are smaller stainless steel cold immersion tubs from the same manufacturer, like the Polar Monkeys Cyber Plunge, but let’s look at some other options.
If you don’t need an attached hot tub, our favorite plunge is, well, The Plunge. This sleek, aesthetic tub features a modern design that’ll look great in nearly any setting, it uses built-in ozone filtration and sanitation, and offers both hot and cold temperature settings.
It’s smaller, and only fits one user, but it’s also about a quarter of the price, coming in at just under $7,000.
For more, be sure to read our detailed Plunge review.
Another excellent option is the Renu Therapy Cold Stoic 3.0. Similar to The Plunge, it offers both hot and cold settings, but we love that the chiller is built into the tub, so you won’t have to deal with a separate unit.
At $11,699, it’s not cheap, but it’s still significantly more affordable than the Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition.
|  |  | |
| Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition | The Plunge | Renu Therapy Cold Stoic 3.0 | |
Rating | |||
| Type | Stainless steel | Tub made of acrylic and fiberglass with a metal base | |
| Footprint | 18.35″ W x 16.38″ L x 20.65″ H | 67” L x 31.5” W x 24” H | 70” L x 33” W x 35” H |
| Capacity | |||
| Filled Weight | 2,349 Ibs | 1,000 lbs | Approximately 1,155 lbs |
| Temperature | 32° F to 107° F | 37 to 103 F | 37º F to 104º F |
| Power Req. | 120V | 120 V | |
| Warranty | 2 year | 1-year standard; extended available | 5-year limited warranty |
Final Verdict of Our Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition Review
The Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition is the most expensive recovery tool we’ve ever tested. With two large tubs, both with their own individual chiller, you can come up with nearly endless temperature combinations, allowing you to quickly move between hot and cold water to boost your recovery.
It’s very expensive, but if you have the money and want one of the best plunges on the market, this is one to look into.
- This large stainless steel dual plunge has a large footprint, and is difficult to move once installed. However, it feels rock solid.
- The chillers are excellent and have great built-in filtration, so ongoing maintenance after your initial setup is simple and easy. The electric bill will be something to keep in mind, though.
- The tub costs nearly $29,000, which is a significant investment for a home gym. Although it’s a really high-quality piece of equipment, it might be a better option for gym owners or sports teams.
Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition: FAQs
Is the Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition worth it?
Even though it’s expensive, it could be worth the cost for those seeking a premium recovery experience. It’s the first unit on the market place that offers both hot and cold therapy at once, since it has two tubs, and the quality is outstanding.
What is contrast therapy?
Contrast therapy involves alternating between hot and cold treatment to promote recovery. This can range from alternating between a heating pad and ice pack, to moving between a sauna and cold plunge. Some units, like the Polar Monkeys Contrast Edition, allow you to do both.
Is a cold plunge better than a hot tub?
No, but they’re different. Both have been associated with decreased soreness after a workout, and may help promote muscle recovery between training sessions2.
References
- Cain, T., Brinsley, J., Bennett, H., Nelson, M., Maher, C., & Singh, B. (2025). Effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 20(1), e0317615. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317615
- 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
- Jackman, J. S., Bell, P. G., Van Someren, K., Gondek, M. B., Hills, F. A., Wilson, L. J., & Cockburn, E. (2023). Effect of hot water immersion on acute physiological responses following resistance exercise. Frontiers in physiology, 14, 1213733. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1213733
