Chilled plunge tub

Polar MonkeysBrainpod 2.0 Cold Plunge

Name: Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 Cold Plunge
Brand: Polar Monkeys
Price: 10990.00 USD

Lay-back acrylic tub that chills and heats from 32 to 107°F, with white-glove delivery

By Porsche Ma Facts checked Oct 13, 2026

Source-based analysis, not hands-on testing. Our method

Cofounder of Superhuman Chambers · About the author. General information, not medical advice. No independent clinical review is claimed.

The verdict

The Brainpod 2.0 is an insulated acrylic tub you lie back in. Polar Monkeys says its 1.0 HP chiller sets the water anywhere from 32°F to 107°F, and delivery into your room is included. The catch is a 2-year warranty, and you can return it only if it's never been filled or plugged in, at a 25% restocking fee.

The trade-off

At $10,990 you get 2 years of coverage unless you pay $1,299 or more for Chill+, and once you fill it or plug it in, you can't return it.

Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 Cold Plunge, manufacturer product image — Photo: Polar Monkeys.Source ↗

Model reviewed: Black, Standard size (67 in), 1.0 HP ChillX chiller

$10,990

US price, checked Oct 13, 2026

Check price at Polar Monkeys

No affiliate commission on this link. Check the exact variant before buying.

About this price

List price. On Oct 13, 2026, Polar Monkeys' online store priced Black / Standard at $10,990 with no markdown, and the product page showed $10,990. White / Standard costs the same. XL adds $1,000 ($11,990 in Black or White). The Monkeyverse, Cold Blooded, Tranquility Base and Bones finishes cost $11,590 in Standard and $12,590 in XL. The online store uses one product code for Black / Standard, Black / XL and the four printed-finish XL versions, so the code alone doesn't identify this version. The price is before tax and includes white-glove delivery in the continental US. The product page also offers financing and says the tub is HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers. Neither changes the list price.

A GOOD FIT FOR

You want cold plunges and warm soaks in one lay-back tub, carried into the room for you, and you have a spare dedicated 15 A circuit.

You want cold plunges and warm soaks from one tub, with a 32°F to 107°F range
You'd rather lie back than sit upright, and you're under about 6'2" (or you pay $1,000 more for the XL)
You want the tub carried into the room and unpacked rather than left at the curb
You have a level spot, a spare dedicated 15 A circuit and a floor that can carry about 819 lb

THINK TWICE IF

You want to try it before you commit, since only an unfilled, never-plugged-in tub can be returned, and that costs 25%
You want long coverage without paying extra: the base warranty is 2 years
You want to use cheaper third-party filters, which void the warranty
You want to leave it set up outdoors through winters that drop below 25°F

What still needs checking

Average power use and typical daily run time
Heating rate
An explicit indoor or outdoor rating (the guide gives ambient limits and suggests shade but doesn't name one)
Whether capacity is 85 gallons (spec list) or 80 (store description)
Which replacement cartridge (standard or Pro cooling) fits the Brainpod 2.0, and so its price
How long the Sirona chemicals last at the guide's dosing
Interior dimensions
Whether the 110 lb empty weight includes the 76 lb chiller
Length of the included GFCI extension
Whether the tub or chiller carries an electrical safety listing such as ETL, UL or CSA
Whether the app carries a fee
How much labor a standard warranty claim covers beyond in-home repairs up to a pre-approved amount
Whether Chill+ 3-Year and 5-Year terms count from purchase or add to the base 2 years

The practical details.

Specifications for Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 Cold Plunge
Exact variant	Black, Standard size (67 in), 1.0 HP ChillX chiller
Temperature range	32°F to 107°F from one chiller that cools and heats. Polar Monkeys says it holds the set point within 0.5 degrees
Chiller	1.0 HP ChillX, 76 lb. The user guide says water typically cools 2 to 6°F per hour. Heating rate isn't stated
Electrical	Dedicated 120 V, 15 A circuit with GFCI protection. The user guide rates the 1.0 HP ChillX chiller at 11.5 A and 1,120 W
Size	Tub 67 × 31.5 × 23.5 in, with a total footprint 80 in long. Polar Monkeys says it suits most people up to 6'2"
Water capacity and weight	85 gallons in the spec list but 80 in the store description. 110 lb empty, 819 lb filled
Sanitation and filters	Ozone plus a filter cartridge replaced every 3 to 4 weeks. Third-party filters void the warranty
Controls	iOS and Android app over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, with scheduling and a session timer
Dimensions	The Standard cold plunge measures 67 in long, 31.5 in wide and 23.5 in high. Polar Monkeys gives a total footprint of 80 in long at the same width and height. The XL is 71 in long, or 84 in for its total footprint. The spec list gives a capacity of 85 gallons (322 L), but the store description says 80 gallons. The tub weighs 110 lb empty and 819 lb filled. Polar Monkeys says the Standard size suits most people up to 6'2" and suggests the XL for taller users. Interior dimensions aren't stated.
Materials	The tub is fully insulated acrylic. Polar Monkeys doesn't name the insulation material. Black and White cost the same, and the four printed finishes cost $600 more. Polar Monkeys says custom artwork, logos and colorways are available on request. Included items are an insulated cover, two filters, an ergonomic pillow, a phone holder, a hose filter and a skimmer net. The warranty page says the systems are assembled and serviced in the USA.

Before you buy

InstallationThe user guide calls for a dedicated 120 V, 15 A circuit with GFCI protection

The user guide calls for a dedicated 120 V, 15 A circuit with GFCI protection. You must use the GFCI extension that comes with it and no other extension cord. The product page's spec list says 110 V, though its FAQ says 120 V. Polar Monkeys calls it plug-and-play with no plumbing. You fill it with a garden hose to 8 to 9 in below the rim, using the included hose filter. You empty it through a built-in drain valve or side drainage. The chiller weighs 76 lb and needs 12 in of clearance on its left and right. The standard hoses reach 6 ft, and longer runs need custom hoses from Polar Monkeys. The guide asks for a level, solid, water-resistant surface that can hold the filled tub, ideally in shade. It gives no floor-load figure. Below 33.8°F ambient you switch to heating mode. Below 25°F you drain the tub and bring the chiller indoors. White-glove delivery in the continental US is included: the crew places the tub in the room you choose, unboxes it and removes the packaging. Installation isn't included. The product page says it ships the next business day.

WarrantyIt comes with a 2-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship…

It comes with a 2-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, counted from the original purchase date. Coverage is for the original purchaser only, with proof of purchase, and it isn't transferable. The product page says the Brainpod is for residential use only, and the warranty excludes a residential unit used commercially. Other exclusions include misuse, improper installation, freezing conditions, power outages, and poor water chemistry or filter care. Enclosing the chiller in a box or cabinet that restricts airflow is excluded too. Third-party filters void it, and so does any modification, even a cosmetic one. You must claim within 30 days of finding a defect, by email with photos and videos. Standard claims carry no shipping fee in the continental US. In-home repairs are covered only up to a pre-approved amount. Chill+ 3-Year costs $1,299 and Chill+ 5-Year costs $1,899. You can buy either only when you buy the tub. Claims under an extended warranty carry a flat $299 shipping and handling fee for residential units.

ReturnsYou can ask for a refund within 30 days of delivery

You can ask for a refund within 30 days of delivery. The refund policy is strict: the tub must be unused, unfilled, never plugged in and never operated. So you can't fill it to try it and then send it back. Polar Monkeys decides whether a return qualifies, and its decision is final. A 25% restocking fee applies, which is $2,747.50 on a $10,990 tub. That fee covers return shipping within the continental US. Canceling an order after it's placed costs 5%. Accessories, supplies and consumables can't be returned, and any modification voids both return eligibility and the warranty. The policy doesn't say how long a refund takes.

More about this assessment

The Brainpod 2.0 is Polar Monkeys' lay-back cold plunge: an insulated acrylic tub with a chiller that also heats. Polar Monkeys says its 1.0 HP ChillX chiller sets the water anywhere from 32°F to 107°F. Black in the Standard size listed at $10,990 on Oct 13, 2026, with white-glove delivery in the continental US included. It needs a dedicated 15 A circuit but no plumbing. Filter cartridges need replacing every 3 to 4 weeks and must come from Polar Monkeys. The catch is a 2-year warranty and strict returns: only an unfilled tub that's never been plugged in can go back, minus a 25% restocking fee.

Strengths on paper

One 1.0 HP chiller both cools and heats, from 32°F to 107°F
White-glove delivery to the room you choose is included in the continental US
Runs on a dedicated 120 V, 15 A circuit with no plumbing
Polar Monkeys publishes the 1.0 HP chiller's 1,120 W rating and a typical cooling rate of 2 to 6°F per hour
Insulated acrylic tub and an insulated cover, with ozone sanitation
App control with scheduling and a session timer
Chill+ 3-Year and 5-Year extended warranties are sold at published prices

Limitations

$10,990 for Black or White in the Standard size; printed finishes cost $600 more
Only 2 years of warranty coverage unless you buy Chill+ with the tub
Returns are only for an unfilled tub that's never been plugged in, and they cost a 25% restocking fee
Canceling an order after it's placed costs 5%
The filter cartridge needs replacing every 3 to 4 weeks, and third-party filters void the warranty
No average power use or daily run time, so running costs can't be estimated
Freezing damage isn't covered, and below 25°F ambient you must drain the tub and bring the chiller inside
Capacity is given as both 85 and 80 gallons

What it costs to own.

Adjust the assumptions for your use. Missing costs stay unknown.

PLAN YOUR OWNERSHIP COSTS

What will it cost to own?

Change the assumptions to fit your use. Leave an unknown cost blank. Add water, subscriptions, cleaning, shipping and taxes if they apply. Use average operating power, not the maximum rating.

Purchase price ($)Installation / accessories ($)Annual consumables ($)Average operating power (W)Hours per dayAnnual other costs ($)Electricity ($/kWh)Years

3-year known subtotal

$10,990.00

Incomplete: installation, annual consumables, other annual costs, energy use. This is not the full ownership cost.

Energy component: Unknown

Purchase + installation + years × (annual consumables + annual other) + watts/1000 × hours/day × 365 × years × $/kWh. Annualized allowances, not an exact replacement schedule. Excludes taxes, shipping, finance and resale unless entered.

Replacement parts & cost assumptions

Recorded recurring parts and refills:

Replacement filter cartridge: cost not recorded every 0.92 months. The user guide says to replace the cartridge every 3 to 4 weeks, depending on use and water quality. That's 13 to 17 a year, and the interval here uses the 4-week end (about 0.92 months). Filters must come from Polar Monkeys, and third-party filters void the warranty. Two come with the tub, valued at $30 on the product page. For models with "standard cooling power", the store sells a 6-pack at $55. For models with "Pro cooling power", a 3-pack costs $42. Neither page names the Brainpod 2.0, and its product page doesn't say which tier its chiller is, so the cost is left blank. The guide also says to clean the pre-filter mesh monthly.
Sirona sanitation chemicals: cost not recorded. The user guide uses Polar Monkeys' chlorine-free, bromine-free sanitation kit: Sirona Sanitizer after each water change, Sirona Oxidizer weekly, and pH Up or Down as needed. With sanitizer it says to change the water monthly, or every two weeks without. The store lists Sirona Sanitizer, Oxidizer, pH Up and pH Down at $39 each, and a 6 Month Sanitation Kit at $169. Polar Monkeys doesn't say how long each bottle lasts at that dosing, so the chemicals aren't annualized.
Hose Water Filter 2-pack: $48. A hose filter is among the included items, valued at $48 on the product page. The Hose Water Filter 2-pack listed at $48 on its own product page on Oct 13, 2026, with no crossed-out regular price. Polar Monkeys gives no replacement interval, so it isn't annualized.

Purchase is the $10,990 list price for Black in the Standard size on Oct 13, 2026. White-glove delivery in the continental US is included. The optional Chill+ extended warranty ($1,299 or $1,899) isn't included.
Installation is unknown. No plumbing is needed and the crew places the tub in your room. But it needs a dedicated 120 V, 15 A circuit with GFCI protection, and no cost is given for adding one.
Annual consumables are unknown. The user guide says to replace the filter cartridge every 3 to 4 weeks, which is 13 to 17 a year. Polar Monkeys sells cartridge packs for standard and Pro cooling models but doesn't say which one the Brainpod 2.0 takes, so filters aren't annualized. It doesn't say how long the Sirona chemicals last either.
Electricity isn't estimated. The user guide rates the 1.0 HP ChillX chiller at 11.5 A and 1,120 W. It gives no average use or daily run time, so running costs are unknown.
Polar Monkeys doesn't say whether the app has a fee, so other yearly costs are unknown.

Evidence & sources.

Do cold plunges work? Our evidence review grades the research as Mixed. That grade is about the claim, not about this product.

Manufacturer claimThe price, finishes, dimensions, capacity, weights, temperature range, chiller rating, power draw, cooling rate, electrical needs, sanitation, filters, app, inclusions, delivery, warranty and return terms all come from Polar Monkeys. The sources are its product page, store listing, warranty page, refund policy, residential user guide, and its filter and supplies pages.^1–9 None of it is independent testing of cooling speed, temperature holding, energy use or water quality. The spec list gives 85 gallons and the store description gives 80. The spec list says 110 V, while the product page's FAQ and the user guide say 120 V. The user guide covers five Polar Monkeys models, the Brainpod 2.0 among them. Its 11.5 A, 1,120 W and 76 lb figures are for the ChillX 1.0 HP residential chiller, which the product page names as the Brainpod's chiller, not for the Brainpod alone.
Manufacturer claimThe product page, store listing, warranty page, refund policy and user guide cite no electrical safety listing (such as ETL, UL or CSA), regulatory clearance or independent testing. The product page says the tub is HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers.^1–5 A chilled tub is consumer equipment, not a regulated medical device. A listing missing from these pages doesn't prove none exists. Certifier databases and studies of cold-water immersion weren't reviewed.
Manufacturer claimThe user guide tells people with heart or circulatory disease, neurological conditions, diabetes, blood pressure problems, Raynaud's disease, cold urticaria or obesity, and anyone pregnant, to get a doctor's clearance first. It limits cold sessions to 1 minute for first-timers and 10 minutes for experienced users, and suggests 50°F to 59°F for general use.⁵ These are Polar Monkeys' safety warnings, not evidence of benefit. The guide also says minors need a doctor's approval and adult supervision, and that you shouldn't use the tub if you can't swim.