Sauna, cold plunge and hot tub at home
The short answer
The simplest way to cool off is an outdoor or bathroom shower. Plunge tubs from Irish sellers start at about €1,700 without a chiller; ones with a built-in chiller cost about €4,000 to €13,000. A hot tub is a different thing to a sauna: it stays heated all the time and needs water care.
On this page
Ways to cool off at home
| Option | Rough cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh air | Nothing | Step outside and keep moving gently. KLAFS suggests 12 to 20 minutes. |
| Indoor shower | Nothing | The gentlest cold option, and easy to control. |
| Outdoor shower | Depends on the plumbing | Needs a water supply and drainage, and frost protection in winter. |
| Plunge tub, no chiller | From about €1,700 | Cold enough in an Irish winter. Change the water often. |
| Plunge tub with chiller | About €4,000 to €13,000 | Cold all year, usually filtered, but needs power. |
Plunge prices from Irish sellers, October 2026. For an outdoor shower, get a plumber's quote.
Plunge tub prices
| Seller | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aquasun | Stainless steel plunge (no chiller listed) | from €1,695 |
| Aquasun | Stainless steel plunge with chiller | from €3,950 |
| Sauna Ireland | Mono Pro ice bath | €3,995 |
| Sauna Ireland | The Tub, ice bath and chiller | €4,995 |
| Aquasun | CT6 ice bath | from €5,750 |
| Crystal Bathroom | ArcticDip ice bath | €6,789 (sale) |
| Sauna Ireland | K2 ice bath, built-in chiller | €6,995 |
| Crystal Bathroom | Cryon WM1001 with chiller | €7,219 (sale) |
| Aquasun | Hot Spring Vigor cold plunge | from €9,500 |
Listed prices including VAT, October 2026. "From" prices rise with options. Sale prices are as shown on the day; Crystal Bathroom showed several models out of stock. Ask each seller whether a chiller, cover and delivery are included.
Choosing a plunge tub
- Chiller or not. Without one, the water is as cold as the weather. With one, you set the temperature, but you're running another appliance.
- Filtration. Standing water goes off. Filtered tubs need emptying far less often.
- A cover, to keep leaves, rain and heat out.
- Electrics. A chiller outdoors needs a weatherproof supply with RCD protection, fitted by a registered electrician. See electrical requirements.
- Where it drains, and how you'll empty it.
Sauna or hot tub?
| Sauna | Hot tub | |
|---|---|---|
| Heats | Air | Water |
| Uses power | Only when you use it | Usually all the time, to stay warm |
| Upkeep | Drying, cleaning, stones | Water testing, chemicals, filters, draining |
| Use | Short sessions, often with cooling breaks | Longer, more social soaks |
Common questions
Should you do a cold plunge after a sauna?
Many people cool off between rounds with a cold shower or plunge, and some prefer just fresh air. Cold water is a shock to the body, so if you have a heart or blood pressure condition or any other medical condition, ask your GP first. A cool shower is the gentlest option.
How much does a cold plunge cost in Ireland?
We found plunge tubs from Irish sellers from about €1,700 without a chiller, and about €4,000 to €13,000 with one (October 2026). A cold outdoor shower costs far less.
Do I need a chiller for a cold plunge?
Not in an Irish winter, when tap water and outdoor air are cold. A chiller keeps the water cold all year and usually filters it, so the water lasts longer between changes, but it adds cost and uses electricity.
Is a sauna or a hot tub better?
They do different things. A sauna heats the air and only uses power when you use it. A hot tub heats water and usually stays warm all the time, so it uses power even when nobody's in it, and the water needs regular chemical care.
Can you get a sauna and hot tub combined?
Yes. Some sellers, including Spa Solutions Ireland, sell sauna and hot tub combinations. Check what each part needs electrically: together they may need a bigger supply.
Sources
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