Head to head
Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub vs Ice Barrel Ice Barrel 500 + Chiller Bundle
$2,999 against $5,750. Here is where the $2,751 difference actually goes.
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Higher lab score
Redwood Outdoors
Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub
$2,999
8.7 / 10
Cold-climate buyers and anyone pairing a plunge with a Redwood sauna
Ice Barrel
Ice Barrel 500 + Chiller Bundle
$5,750
8.4 / 10
Tall users and anyone who can pay with HSA/FSA dollars
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub | Ice Barrel Ice Barrel 500 + Chiller Bundle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999 | $5,750 |
| Lab score | 8.7 | 8.4 |
| Capacity | 130 gallons | — |
| Exterior | 37" diameter x 40.5" tall | — |
| Dry weight | 250 lb | — |
| Material | Canadian thermowood, hard plastic liner | — |
| Included | Tub, wooden lid, wooden steps | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | Limited lifetime |
| Dimensions | — | 57.6" L x 30.7" W x 42.1" H |
| Empty weight | — | 106 lb |
| Filled weight | — | 900 lb |
| Fits | — | Users to 6'9" |
| Made in | — | USA |
The verdict
Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub takes the higher score here. A 130-gallon thermowood barrel that needs no outlet. Buy it with ice, add a chiller later when you are certain you will keep plunging.
The counter-argument for the Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub is straightforward: it costs $2,751 less. A 130-gallon thermowood barrel that needs no outlet. Buy it with ice, add a chiller later when you are certain you will keep plunging.
Put plainly — if your constraint is budget, take the Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub and put the $2,751 toward installation, which is the line item most first-time buyers underestimate. If your constraint is that you want to buy once, the Ice Barrel 500 + Chiller Bundle is the one you will not be replacing.
What each one is good at
Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub
Strengths
- No electricity required — put it anywhere on the property
- Canadian thermowood exterior matches the sauna line visually
- Wooden lid and steps included, not upsold
Compromises
- No chiller: you are buying ice or adding $1,000+ later
- 250 lb dry, 1,300+ lb filled — placement is permanent
- 1-year warranty is short for the money
Ice Barrel Ice Barrel 500 + Chiller Bundle
Strengths
- Limited lifetime warranty — unmatched in this roundup
- Fits users up to 6'9" lying back, not crouching
- HSA/FSA eligible, which effectively discounts it 20–35%
Compromises
- 900 lb filled — floor loading matters indoors
- Bundle price is close to premium all-in-one territory
- Horizontal footprint is large for a garage bay
Prices captured September 2026 from manufacturer and retailer pages and subject to frequent promotion. Confirm before buying. See our testing method for how lab scores are assigned.