The Ultimate Ice Barrel 500 Review
Cold plunging has become extremely popular due to the many benefits of ice baths, especially for recovery in athletes.
The Ice Barrel 500 is the newest cold plunge tub from Ice Barrel, following their very successful releases of the Ice Barrel 300 and Ice Barrel 400 models.
The Ice Barrel 500 is a larger, more robust tub that has built-in stairs and an internal step/seat. It is also fully insulated, which means your cold plunge will stay cold for longer.
The first thing that you’ll notice is how sturdy the Model 500 is. It’s built like a tank and looks good too.
Ice Barrel 500 Aesthetics
I love this Ice Barrel more than the 300 or 400. It looks professional and sturdy. It’s equally suited to be in a gym environment or your backyard. The color feels more “carbon fiber”, which I really like.
The lid sits flush and looks professional. It is not overly bulky. I couldn’t find a way to lock in on though, which I think is important for safety reasons.
Ice Barrel 500 Size
- Length: 57.6 inches
- Width: 30.7 inches
- Height: 42.1 inches
If you’re putting this inside, it DOES fit through a standard doorway, although it’s tight.
Ice Barrel claims that the Ice Barrel 500 will fit most body types up to 7 feet tall. Due to its upright nature, the tub is meant to only accommodate a single user at a time.
What I really love about this tub is how it puts you in an upright position when crouched down. This position feels good, especially when starting a cold plunge since my body wants to clench up from the shock. It’s important to submerge up to the neck (to have the vagus nerve submerged), and this position is optimal.
When full, the tub holds 94 gallons of water.
Built In Stairs
The Ice Barrel 500 integrated textured stairs are awesome, as my girlfriend once took a tumble using a portable stool to get into a different tub one time. These steps are not slippery, even when wet. They also drain well.
There is an internal step that doubles as a seat when you need to exit the tub.
Cold Plunge Chiller Ready
Unique for the Ice Barrel 500 compared to the other Ice Barrel models, is that it’s chiller compatible without any modifications through quick-connect ports.
Read our write-up of the Ice Barrel Chiller here.
Ice Barrel 500 Price
$1499.99 (Get 10% off your Ice Barrel purchase with Code: IRACE10)
What’s In the Box
- Ice Barrel 500 – ready to connect to a chilling unit if desired
- Ice Barrel 500 Insulated lid
- Ice Barrel 500 UV-resistant cover
- Various hardware
Specifications
- Material: Recycled plastic material with thick polyurethane foam insulation throughout the barrel and lid.
- Dimensions: Length 57.6” x Width 30.7” x Height 42.1”
- Capacity: 94 gallons
- Weight (Empty): 104 lbs
- Weight (Filled): 887 lbs
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects. Does not cover color fading due to UV exposure.
Finance Options
Yes, through Afterpay and Affirm.
You can also use your medical HSA or FSA funds for reimbursement of your Ice Barrel purchase.
Ice Barrel 500 – Pros
- Made in the USA
- Fully insulated
- Feels solid
- Fit’s most body types up to 7 feet tall
- Chiller-ready out of the box
- Comes with an insulated lid and a separate UV-resistant cover
- Dedicated seat which doubles as an internal step
- Lifetime limited warranty
Ice Barrel 500 – Cons
- Heavier than portable cold plunge tubs
- Requires frequent ice refills when used without a chilling unit
- May not be the best choice if you have difficulty stepping “into” and “out of” a tub
- The lid does not have a safety lock
Overheard Comments
- “Love the built-in stairs”
- “Feels super solid”
- “This thing is deep!”
- “I love how it looks”
Comparison to Other Ice Barrel Models
Ice Barrel also produces the Ice Barrel 300 and the Ice Barrel 400. What is unique about the Ice Barrel 500?
Ice Barrel Models Compared
| Ice Barrel 300 | Ice Barrel 400 | Ice Barrel 500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Website Link | Ice Barrel 300 | Ice Barrel 400 | Ice Barrel 500 |
| Dimensions | Width 35.5” x Height 30.5” | Width 31” x Height 42” | Length 57.6” x Width 30.7” x Height 42.1” |
| Weight (empty) | 61 pounds | 55 pounds | 104 pounds |
| Capacity | 77 gallons | 105 gallons | 94 gallons |
| Insulated? | Fully | No | Fully |
| Max User Size | Up to 6' 2" tall | Up to 6' 6" tall | Up to 7' tall |
| Price | $1,199.99 | $1,199.99 | $1,499.99 |
Final Verdict
I love the Ice Barrel 500. Like really love it. It is extremely solid and looks really nice. I would easily add this to any back porch.
The integrated stairs are a huge plus for me over the other Ice Barrel models. And it’s chiller-ready, which is also new for Ice Barrel. Love both of these.
The only issue I found was that I wish there was a lock on the lid though for security purposes. If you don’t have small children, this won’t be an issue. But I’m always a bit nervous with little kids and tubs of water, so I’m bringing it up here.
If you choose to get one, please let me know how you like it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Ice Barrel stay cold?
The Ice Barrel can stay cold for over 24 hours, depending on the outside ambient temperature. This is assuming that you have the insulated lid on the Ice Barrel when not in use.
Why is the Ice Barrel so expensive?
The Ice Barrel is competitively priced compared to other cold plunge tubs. The Ice Barrel’s insulation properties often exceed their competition and are more durable than most commercial ice baths.
How much ice for Ice Barrel?
The recommended amount of ice for an Ice Barrel is approximately 40-50 pounds.
How to keep Ice Barrel cold?
Ensure proper insulation and sealing of the Ice Barrel to minimize heat transfer. Always use the insulated lid when not in use. Additionally, use ice packs or frozen water bottles to maintain a consistently cold temperature inside the barrel.
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