Surely you have heard about the amazing benefits that cold immersion therapy has for your overall wellness.
But what if there is another hydrotherapy technique that has even more positive effects?
I’m talking about the concept of hot/cold immersion therapy or contrast bathing.
This growing trend is said to result in increased blood flow in tissues and better tissue oxygenation. That makes it highly effective for rehabilitation and recovery.
The Cryospring Cold Plunge system is unique in its ability to act as a cold plunge tub as well as a hot tub. The user-friendly features and excellent versatility make this plunge system a great option for combining cold and hot immersion therapy.
In this Cryospring review, we take a closer look at the Cryospring portable ice bath and find out if it is worth the investment.
How We Tested
There’s a lot of misinformation out there so we want to be incredibly transparent about our testing procedures. We combine real life experience with extensive research to put together our reviews. Some of the factors we consider in our testing process are:
Size: Choose a tub size that fits the available space and comfortably accommodates you.
Material: Cold plunge tubs are often made from materials like stainless steel, acrylic, or wood. Consider durability, maintenance, and aesthetics when selecting the material.
Insulation: Look for tubs with good insulation to help maintain water temperature and reduce energy costs.
Temperature Control: Some tubs come with built-in temperature control systems, allowing you to adjust the water temperature to your preference.
Filtration and Sanitation: Consider tubs with filtration systems to keep the water clean and sanitary. UV or ozone sanitation systems are common options.
Cryospring Cold Plunge History
Cryospring Cold Plunges was founded by Adam Frackowiak in 2021. For him, a cold plunge in the pool was a life-changing experience that helped him to come out of a state of anxiety and depression.
Based on his experience, he decided to spread the concept of cold water immersion therapy to ensure that more people benefit from it.
Frackowiak then designed the Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge System that allows users to enjoy the best of both worlds- cold water and hot water therapy. To make the tub more user-friendly he added features like portable design, easy inflation, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge: Bottom Line
One of the best features of Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge tub is the iceless design, thanks to the powerful chiller unit that has a high cooling capacity. This ensures that you do not need to go through the hassles of buying ice. At the same time, the chiller can heat the water for hot immersion.
The inflatable tub design makes it easy to carry around. At the same time, the tub is large enough to accommodate two tall adults. The quality and durability are top notch and this is a tub that will last for years if maintained properly. In short, the excellent features and functionality make it a product that we have no second thoughts about recommending.
Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge Review
What is Included with the Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge System
The system comes in two different boxes- the tub box and the chiller box. The tub box contains the following items.
- The tub with a synching strap
- Tub lid
- Air pump/vacuum with connecting hose
- Skimmer net
- Carrying backpack
- A repair kit with multiple items.
The chiller box contains the following items.
- The chiller
- Two quick connect hoses
- Strainer housing
- Mesh strainer
- Two pleated filters
- Filter housing wrench
- Extra hose gaskets
Setting it up
The lead time for setting up the tub is on the higher side. However, once you get used to it, the entire process can be completed within 15-20 minutes. Follow the setup instructions mentioned in the user guide for the safe installation of the system.
To start with, set up the tub near a water hose spigot or sink faucet. For connecting the chiller unit, you will need a 110v/60Hz, 15 amp grounded electrical outlet.
Make sure that you place the tub on a smooth and level surface, away from sharp objects or edges. To inflate the tub, connect the air pump hose with the air valve in the tub. Inflate the tub till the pressure gauge on the pump reads 10psi. Follow the same process for inflating the tub lid.
Next, you need to connect the water inlet and outlet hoses of the chiller unit. The mesh pre-filters and the suction safety screen need to be connected to the inlets as instructed.
Fill the tub with fresh water by using a garden hose. Turn on the chiller power switch and set the chiller temperature by using the touch screen. Before using the tub, check all the connections for any signs of leakage.
For draining the tub, shut off and disconnect the chiller and connect the garden hose to the tub water outlet valve. The air can be removed from the tub by opening the air valves.
Temperature
The chiller temperature can be set to any value between 107°F (42°C) and 37°F (3°C). The chiller unit comes with a powerful 1HP rotary compressor that provides 10,407 BTU/h of cooling capacity. This allows quick cooling of the water. Many users mentioned in their Cryospring review that the chiller works well even in extreme conditions like the summer heat of Arizona.
For cold water therapy, it is best to start with temperatures between 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. For hot water immersion, temperatures between 98 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit should be good enough.
In fact, even with a lower hot water temperature the effect of immersion can be as good as an infrared sauna. The reason is, water conducts heat much better than air.
Design
A big plus of the Cryospring cold plunge tub is its large size which makes it perfect for users of all body types. The dimensions of the tub are 59(L) x 32(W) x 27(H) inches. It can hold 135 gallons of water.
If you compare it with another product like the Inergize Cold Plunge tub, the inner area of the Cryospring tub is significantly larger. This makes it spacious enough to fit two tall adults for a traditional ice bath.
The thick walls of the tub offer great support for getting in and out of the tub. Overall, there are no issues with the stability and usability of the tub. Strictly speaking, the height of 27 inches could have been more. That would have made the tub more effective for taller users. Besides, research suggests that deeper immersion can raise the body core temperature at a higher rate.
Without a doubt, the system’s ability to combine hot and cold immersion is an attractive feature. Both hot and cold immersion have different positive effects on pain and injuries. With the Cryospring tub, you need not choose one over the other. However, changing the water temperature will take some time. So, an immediate plunge into hot water from the cold will not be possible.
Coming to the chiller, it has a water circulation pump that is self-primed. The cooling and heating capacity of the unit is sufficient to handle 150 gallons of water. For safety, the 110v power outlet of the unit has GFCI built in. It is designed for outdoor use and the addition of a splash-proof digital touch screen makes it even more user-friendly.
Manufacturing
The fit and finish of the Cryospring tub are top-notch. The drop stitch material allows the tub to withstand high pressure while remaining rigid. The other advantage is that the outer surface remains 100% flat.
In addition, the bottom has triple-layer EVA cushioning to ensure better comfort for the users. Both the tub and the lid come with air-gap insulation to prevent heat transfer. The lid comes with a tie-down strap which adds to the tub’s insulating property.
Portability
What makes the Cryospring tub stand out is the fact that you can pack it inside a duffle-style backpack. The weight of the tub when empty is 21.5 lbs. The pump can be used as a vacuum to suck out all the air and make the tub more compact. Admittedly, it’s one of the best portable ice baths you can pick.
Obviously, you need to consider the chiller unit too. The dimensions of the chiller are 21.25(L) x 15.5(W) x 21.75(H) inches and it weighs 79.25 lbs. While it is not lightweight, the chiller is relatively compact. Thankfully it comes with caster wheels that help to move it around.
I would say Cryospring has hit the bull’s eye when it comes to balancing portability and durability.
Main Features
Time to take a quick look at the main features of the Cryospring system
- The Cryospring smart chiller is Wi-Fi enabled. You can connect it to the Tuya Smart app from any iOS/Android mobile device and change the settings as needed. Automating the settings is also possible.
- The chiller has a water microfiltration system and uses 20-micron pleated filters that are replaceable. In addition to the filtration system, there is an ozone sanitation system too.
- The tub comes with stainless steel water inlets and outlets to prevent rusting.
- An auto-defrost mechanism in the chiller is a practical addition when ambient temperature drops.
Pricing
The Cryospring Cold+ Hot system is priced at $4,990.00 USD inclusive of sales tax. As a tub and chiller combo unit, this is a competitive price point. The portable ice bath without the chiller unit is priced at $990.00 USD. Depending on your location, there will be additional shipping costs during checkout.
While the price tag makes it a considerable investment, the Cryospring system is more affordable when compared to other premium portable ice bath chillers. Not to forget, the addition of a chiller unit cuts the cost of buying ice. Above all, the highly efficient chiller allows you to enjoy the benefits of contrast bathing.
Warranty
The Cryospring system comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and an additional one-year warranty. However, you will have to cover the expense of return shipping. Additionally, Cryospring also offers lifetime product support.
Pros
- Offers good portability
- Large tub size is good for full-body immersion
- Top-grade materials ensure durability
- Powerful chiller unit for hot and cold immersion
- Equipped with water filter unit
- Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control
Cons
- Tub depth could have been more
- Lifting the chiller unit in a car will need two people.
- The off-white color might show signs of use in time
Final Thoughts
That brings us to the end of this Cryospring review.
Quite simply, the combination of a cold plunge and hot tub makes the Cryospring Cold+ Hot system a solid option at this price point. On top of that, the Crysospring tub is designed to fit into the aesthetics of a modern home and offers good portability.
While the system is not for buyers on a tight budget, the premium features are hard to ignore. That said, if you have a steady supply of ice near you, you can pick the portable ice bath only. Note, a cheaper DIY homemade ice bath can work for cold water therapy, but it will not allow you to enjoy hot water immersion.
All in all, anyone looking to boost their wellness through contrast bathing will find the Cryospring Cold+ Hot system a great tool. Choosing a portable, durable, and efficient contrast bathing system is not easy, but the Cryospring Cold+ Hot system is one that ticks all the right boxes.
So go ahead and try it out.
CRYOSPRING Cold + Hot Plunge System
