Ice tub
Ice Barrel 500
Barrel with lid and cover, no chiller (94 gallons)
$1,749.99US price, checkedInsulated 94-gallon ice tub for people up to 6 ft 9 in, chiller-ready, sold without one
Check price at Ice Barrel for Ice Barrel 500 Full review →SIDE BY SIDE
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Ice tub
Ice Barrel 300
Barrel with lid and cover, no chiller (77 gallons)
$1,149.99US price, checkedCompact insulated 77-gallon ice tub, chiller-ready but sold without one
Check price at Ice Barrel for Ice Barrel 300 Full review →| Criterion | Ice Barrel 500 | Ice Barrel 300 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1,749.99Checked Oct 20, 2026 · Price details in the review | $1,149.99Checked Oct 23, 2026 · Price details in the review |
| Three-year ownership estimate | $1,749.99 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: annual consumables. | $1,149.99 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: annual consumables. |
| Choose if | You're over about 6 ft and want an upright ice tub you can add a chiller to later. | You're up to about 6 feet tall and want to start plunging with ice before paying for a chiller. |
| Main trade-off | Cold water depends on ice, the "lifetime" warranty is capped at 3 years, and returns cost 30%. | Without a chiller, cold water depends on ice or cold weather, and Ice Barrel doesn't say how much ice that takes. |
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| Exact variant | Barrel with lid and cover, no chiller (94 gallons) | Barrel with lid and cover, no chiller (77 gallons) |
| Dimensions | Ice Barrel lists it at W 30.7 in x H 42.1 in x L 57.6 in. It holds 94 gallons (356 liters) and weighs 104 lb empty. Ice Barrel doesn't give a filled weight. It fits people up to 6 ft 9 in, sitting upright on a built-in seat. Ice Barrel says it still fits through standard doors. | It fits most body sizes up to 6 feet. Above that, full-body immersion can feel tight and your knees may sit above the waterline. For taller people, Ice Barrel suggests its larger Ice Barrel 500, rated up to 6 ft 9 in and priced at $1,749.99 on Oct 20. The barrel is 35.5 in wide, so measure your doorway before you order. |
| Installation | No chiller is included, so the barrel needs no outlet, circuit or plumbing. You assemble the drain spout yourself, and the wrenches shown in the replacement parts kit aren't included. Ice Barrel says to set it on an even surface that can hold it full. It ships in 2 to 3 business days and should arrive 7 to 13 days after you order. Barrels come boxed by freight, and the carrier leaves them at your garage when possible. Report any visible shipping damage within three days of delivery. At 104 lb empty, Ice Barrel's FAQ calls it more of a permanent setup than the lighter 300, though its feature list calls it movable. | No chiller is included, so the barrel needs no outlet, circuit or plumbing. You assemble the drain spout yourself, and the wrenches shown in the replacement parts kit aren't included. Ice Barrel says most people can get in without a step stool. It ships within 2 to 3 business days and should arrive 7 to 13 days after you order. A full barrel weighs about 700 lb, so the floor or deck has to carry that. |
| Materials | Made in the USA from recycled, BPA-free LLDPE plastic with a UV formula. Polyurethane foam insulation fills the barrel and lid, and Ice Barrel rates it at R-16. Ice Barrel says the plastic fades in direct sunlight, and its warranty doesn't cover fading. | Thick polyurethane foam insulates the barrel and the lid. Ice Barrel says it's made in the USA from recycled materials, and its FAQ goes further and says 100% recycled. The design is listed as patent pending. |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime, capped at 3 years by Ice Barrel's own warranty page. It covers material defects, such as a broken valve, as long as you use the barrel as intended and maintain it. Ice Barrel repairs or replaces the barrel free, but you pay any shipping and handling. Cosmetic wear and fading, weather damage including freezing, improper installation, relocation, misuse and unauthorized changes aren't covered. Neither is delamination (bubbling) after the first year, or damage to a deck or patio under the barrel. It covers only the original buyer and non-commercial use. | Three years on the barrel, per Ice Barrel's warranty page, which caps its limited lifetime warranty at 3 years. It covers material defects when you use the barrel as intended and maintain it. Ice Barrel repairs or replaces the barrel free, but not the shipping and handling. Cosmetic wear from use and weather, such as fading, isn't covered, and neither are improper installation, misuse, unauthorized changes, delamination after the first year or damage to a deck or patio. It covers only the original buyer and non-commercial use. |
| Returns | 30 days from delivery, minus a 30% restocking fee that also covers return shipping. Original shipping isn't refunded, and the barrel must be in its original condition and packaging or it won't be accepted. The policy's return steps say to request a return label within 30 days of the order date, which is shorter than 30 days from delivery. Someone has to be there for the pickup. Refunds come 1 to 2 weeks after Ice Barrel accepts the return. Canceling before the order ships costs 4%. | 30 days from delivery, minus a 30% restocking fee that also covers return shipping. The original shipping isn't refunded, and the barrel must come back in its original condition and packaging. Ice Barrel's steps say to request a return label within 30 days of the order date, which can be shorter than 30 days from delivery, and someone has to be there for the pickup. Refunds come 1 to 2 weeks after Ice Barrel accepts the return. Canceling before the order ships costs 4%. |
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These comparisons use published specifications, not head-to-head tests. Prices and terms are dated. Unknown costs are not zero. Check the exact variant before you buy.