Summary: I’ve been using the Plunge Air regularly since having our baby, and it’s become a vital part of my postpartum self-care routine. It helps me reset mentally and physically, and the fact that it’s easy enough to have in our rental home makes cold therapy convenient and enjoyable.
What I love:
- Straightforward setup: The Plunge Air comes in four manageable boxes (I moved them by myself at 38 weeks pregnant!), inflates in ~15 minutes, and plugs into a standard 110V outlet — no complex installation required.
Thoughtful design + filtration: Continuous multi-stage filtration keeps the water fresh, even with daily use by multiple people, and the insulated cover keeps dust and debris out. - Smart app features: The Plunge App lets me adjust temp, monitor cleanliness, and follow guided sessions and breathwork, all from my phone, even while holding a baby.
- Postpartum support tool: Daily cold water exposure has helped me feel more balanced and resilient during recovery from IVF, pregnancy, birth, and hormonal shifts. The Plunge makes it easy to have this daily mental reset at home.
Things to keep in mind:
- High upfront cost: The Plunge Air starts at $2,990 with additional cost for the Pro Filtration system, but 0% financing helps make it more manageable over time.
- Audible filter hum: The filtration system runs continuously and produces a soft humming sound that’s noticeable (but not a nuisance) through the bedroom wall we share with our garage.
After having our first baby this summer and being cleared by my doctor to submerge in water, I knew I wanted to reintroduce cold plunging into my daily routine. Before we got pregnant and during our years of infertility and IVF, I relied on cold plunging not only to regulate my nervous system but also to remind myself that I could endure challenging experiences. While it has become a popular wellness trend, there is scientific evidence supporting the benefits of cold plunging, and I’ve been particularly interested in how these benefits are shaping my postpartum experience. 💧
“Cold plunging isn’t just a fleeting trend but a practice with tangible benefits, especially during the challenging postpartum period.”
For example, a study published in the “International Journal of Circumpolar Health” suggests that cold water exposure can positively affect health, including reducing fatigue and improving overall well-being. Additionally, cold plunging has the potential to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and boost mood. These findings align with my personal experience, reinforcing the idea that cold plunging isn’t just a fleeting trend but a practice with tangible benefits, especially during the challenging postpartum period. Cold water therapy has been a gentle yet powerful way to reclaim balance between late-night feeds and the inevitable sleep deprivation. There’s something deeply restorative about that cold shock, like hitting a reset button for both body and mind.
What makes it that much easier is having this tool right at home. In the past, I’ve had to go to a gym or wellness center (or resort to cold showers). But with Plunge Air — a lightweight inflatable ice bath — I can now take a plunge in the garage while our daughter naps or my husband watches her. It’s been one of the best self-care gifts I could have asked for during this season. Here’s why I think everyone should consider getting one:
About Plunge
It feels fitting that our Plunge lives in the garage — especially since the company began in one. Founded by Michael Garrett and Ryan Duey in Sacramento, California, Plunge launched during the early days of the cold therapy boom and gained national visibility after appearing on Shark Tank. What started as a scrappy, garage-born idea has evolved into one of the most respected names in cold therapy — and it’s easy to see why. The brand is deeply committed to thoughtful design and high-quality performance, with features like ozone sanitation, multi-stage filtration, and precise temperature control that set it apart. Sure, you can DIY an ice bath or order something basic online, but Plunge tubs are built to last and make cold therapy as accessible, clean, and consistent as possible.
“The brand is deeply committed to thoughtful design and high-quality performance, with features like ozone sanitation, multi-stage filtration, and precise temperature control that set it apart.”
In addition to the inflatable “Air” model — our pick for its portability and quick setup — Plunge offers a full suite of recovery tools. Their product line includes the Classic, All-In, and Pro tubs (with both hot and cold settings available) and chillers and accessories designed for home and professional use. Whether you’re looking for a more permanent installation or a flexible, on-the-go option, there’s a model tailored to your needs. The Air, for example, weighs just 28 pounds and inflates in about 15 minutes, with UV-resistant, insulated materials that hold up beautifully indoors and out. It’s proof that performance and portability don’t have to be mutually exclusive — and that cold plunging can meet you wherever you are.
The setup
When our Plunge Air arrived, it came neatly packaged in four manageable boxes on a wooden pallet — something I was surprisingly able to handle on my own with my husband on shift at the firehouse, even at 38 weeks pregnant (okay, I had to drag the heaviest one, but still).
We decided to set the tub up in the corner of our garage, which is the most practical option in our current rental. While the Plunge Air isn’t overly large, measuring 61 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 28 inches high, it weighs over 900 pounds when filled, so finding a flat, low-traffic area felt key. Our garage isn’t insulated, but we added some gym mats for warmth and comfort underfoot, and the included cover has been great for keeping out dust and debris.
“Since my husband plunges daily for recovery after long shifts, and I’ve been using it regularly since my six-week postpartum check-up, we’ve been especially impressed with the built-in filtration.”
The setup itself was straightforward. I happily passed the baton to my husband, who used the included pump to inflate the tub, installed the filtration system, and hooked up our garden hose. The Air runs on a standard 110-volt outlet, so we were able to plug it directly into one of our garage outlets. That said, Plunge does recommend a dedicated 15-amp circuit for best performance — something we’re looking into with our landlord just to be safe.
Since my husband plunges daily for recovery after long shifts, and I’ve been using it regularly since my six-week postpartum check-up, we’ve been especially impressed with the built-in filtration. It runs continuously, keeping the water clear even with frequent use. While it’s not loud, the hum is noticeable — it gently echoes through the wall into our home, so that’s something to consider when choosing your setup location.
The app
The Plunge App is a surprisingly helpful companion to the physical cold tub, especially if you thrive on structure, motivation, or a little guidance along the way. The app connects to your plunge via Wi-Fi, allowing you to remotely adjust the temperature, monitor water cleanliness, and schedule filtration cycles from your phone. It’s intuitive and easy to navigate, which makes a difference when juggling a busy routine (or, in my case, doing one-handed app controls while holding a baby). Setting the temp without stepping into the garage is a small but very appreciated luxury.
“The Plunge App is a surprisingly helpful companion to the physical cold tub, especially if you thrive on structure, motivation, or a little guidance along the way.”
What sets the app apart, though, is the library of guided plunges, breathing exercises, and educational resources. It includes curated sessions that walk you through what to expect and how to breathe through the discomfort. The app also includes videos and audio guidance from professional athletes, wellness practitioners, and therapists, making the plunge experience feel personalized. It’s even updated regularly with new content, so if you’re using your plunge as part of mental health, recovery, or mindfulness work, the app helps keep the experience fresh and meaningful.
The investment
It wouldn’t be fair to write this review without addressing how expensive these ice baths are. Like home saunas, they are an investment and something that just isn’t doable for most people (myself included, I wouldn’t have been able to have this at home if it wasn’t for the brand gifting us one to review). Let’s talk about price, because yes, the Plunge Air is an investment. At the time of writing, it starts at $2,990, with two filtration options: The Standard Filtration System (included in the base price) or the upgraded Pro Filtration, which nearly doubles the cost. The Pro setup includes a skimmer net, higher-grade filters, and a more powerful pump — worth considering if you plan on plunging daily or sharing the tub with family. You can also purchase the tub on its own, without a filter or chiller, for $1,190, which could be a good option for those just dipping their toes into cold water therapy or looking for a more portable setup.
“Let’s talk about price, because yes, the Plunge Air is an investment.”
Plunge offers 0% down, 0% APR financing over 24 months through Bread Pay, making the investment feel far more approachable with manageable monthly payments. Each purchase includes a one-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects, and you can tack on extended protection at checkout through Clyde if you want extra peace of mind. Their customer support is refreshingly human, quick, friendly, and easy to reach. We got helpful answers without any runaround or automated nonsense when we had a few setup questions.
Still, I get it — this isn’t a casual purchase. But if you’re already paying for cold plunges at a gym or wellness center, the math adds up fast. I used to go to a local recovery space where one 15-minute session cost $40 to $60. I was going weekly. Factor in my husband’s usage, too, and it didn’t take long to justify having one at home.
My final thoughts
Of course, a dedicated cold tub isn’t essential. Ice-cold showers and DIY setups work too. But for me, this has been about more than muscle recovery or riding the wellness trend. After years of infertility, IVF, and navigating postpartum with a history of anxiety and depression, I knew I needed tools in place to support my mental health. Cold plunging offers nervous system regulation, helps soften the edges of hormonal swings, and — maybe most importantly — reminds me daily that I can do hard things. Having that ritual at home is something I deeply value, especially now that I’m showing up for my daughter, my husband, and myself in new ways.
“Cold plunging offers nervous system regulation, helps soften the edges of hormonal swings, and — maybe most importantly — reminds me daily that I can do hard things.”
I’m also not one to splurge lightly. If I spend on something big, it has to earn its keep, and the Plunge Air has. Living in Southern California, we can use it year-round, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. It’s not a passing phase or a seasonal tool; it’s something we reach for often, and I genuinely can’t imagine not having it now. For me, that’s what makes the investment worth it.
Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a Substack newsletter with 6,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.
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