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Ice tub

Ice Barrel 500

Barrel with lid and cover, no chiller (94 gallons)

$1,749.99US price, checked Oct 20, 2026

Insulated 94-gallon ice tub for people up to 6 ft 9 in, chiller-ready, sold without one

Check price at Ice Barrel Full review →

Ice tub

Sharper Image Ice Bath Portable Cold Plunge

Black foldable tub, sold at Target (no chiller)

$43.99US price, checked Oct 20, 2026

Foldable one-person ice tub sold at Target under the Sharper Image name, with no chiller

Check price at Target Full review →

Criterion	Ice Barrel 500	Sharper Image Ice Bath Portable Cold Plunge
US price	$1,749.99Checked Oct 20, 2026 · Price details in the review	$43.99Checked Oct 20, 2026 · Price details in the review
Three-year ownership estimate	$1,749.99 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: annual consumables.	$43.99 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: installation, annual consumables.
Choose if	You're over about 6 ft and want an upright ice tub you can add a chiller to later.	You want a low-cost way to try an ice bath at home and are fine adding your own ice and pump.
Main trade-off	Cold water depends on ice, the "lifetime" warranty is capped at 3 years, and returns cost 30%.	You get no chiller, no named manufacturer and a one-year warranty with no stated terms, and an air pump isn't included.
Key specifications	Capacity: 94 gallons (356 liters) Size and weight: W 30.7 in x H 42.1 in x L 57.6 in. 104 lb empty. No filled weight given Fit: Up to 6 ft 9 in, sitting upright on a built-in seat, with built-in steps to get in and out Cooling: No chiller included. Cool it with ice, or add a chiller through the 3/4 in NPT ports (14 TPI) Insulation: R-16 polyurethane foam in the barrel and lid. The FAQ says it often holds around 59 degrees without a chiller, with no conditions or time given Included: Barrel, lid and a UV- and water-resistant cover Add-ons: Ice Barrel Chiller $3,999.99, water stabilizer $59.99, maintenance kit $179.99 and a replacement 500 cover $99.99 Shipping: Freight to the contiguous US for $300, arriving 7 to 13 days after you order. The page also says shipping is calculated at checkout Warranty: Sold as limited lifetime. The warranty page says it's limited to 3 years Returns: 30 days from delivery, minus a 30% restocking fee. Original shipping isn't refunded	Capacity: 100 gallons. Water depth 1.45 ft Size and weight: Tub 31.5 x 29 in. Overall 5.31 x 28.35 x 13.28 in (folded size not confirmed). 7.28 lb Fit: One adult, up to 6.5 ft and 250 lb Cooling: No chiller or cooling system listed, so cool it with ice. No lowest temperature stated Construction: PVC frame, PVC and polyester liner, tri-layer insulated walls and eight supports Drainage: Bottom spigot with a hose Setup: Adult assembly required, no tools needed. Air pump required but not included
Exact variant	Barrel with lid and cover, no chiller (94 gallons)	Black foldable tub, sold at Target (no chiller)
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.	Target describes the tub as 31.5 in by 29 in with a water depth of 1.45 ft. Overall dimensions are 5.31 in high, 28.35 in wide and 13.28 in deep, and Target doesn't say whether that's the folded size. The listing gives a 100-gallon capacity and a 7.28 lb weight, and says the tub fits one adult up to 6.5 ft or 250 lb. It doesn't say how 100 gallons relates to the 1.45 ft depth, so the amount of water at a normal fill is unknown.
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.	Target lists no electrical or plumbing need for the tub. It says adult assembly is required and no tools are needed, and the tub folds for storage. Its spec list shows an air pump as required but not included, and doesn't say whether the pump must be electric. A bottom spigot with a hose handles drainage. Target gives no setup time, no floor-load guidance and no outdoor-use rating.
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.	Target lists a PVC frame and a liner of PVC and polyester. It describes tri-layer insulated walls with eight supports for stability. Customer reviews and Target's review summary mention a lid, but the description and spec list don't say one is included. Target says the item is imported and doesn't name the maker.
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.	One year, listed as a limited warranty on Target's product page. Target says to call its Guest Services for a copy of the manufacturer's or supplier's warranty before you buy. The page doesn't say what the year covers, what's excluded or who handles claims.
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 the date of purchase, delivery or pickup, per Target's product page. You can return it to any Target store or to Target.com. The page points to Target's return policy, and fees and conditions aren't stated on the product page.
Unresolved questions	The weight when full How much ice a session takes, and how long the water stays cold What the FAQ's "around 59 degrees" assumes about the room and starting water What warranty shipping and handling costs Whether a pre-filter is included, since the 500's page doesn't list one	Whether Sharper Image still sells the tub on its own site, since a store search found none Who makes the tub and who handles warranty claims How much water it holds at a normal fill Whether the 5.31 x 28.35 x 13.28 in overall size is the folded size Whether a lid and an air pump come in the box How long the water stays cold on a fill of ice How to clean the tub and how often to change the water Whether it can stay outdoors in sun or freezing weather What the one-year warranty covers and excludes Return conditions and fees in Target's full return policy

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.