Ice Barrel 500 vs The Cold Pod
The quick verdict
At $150, the The Cold Pod is $1,349 cheaper than the Ice Barrel 500 ($1,499). The Ice Barrel 500 leads on water capacity (130 gal vs 116 gal). Only the The Cold Pod offers Portable / Packable.
Choose the Ice Barrel 500 if…
- You want the better water capacity (130 gal vs 116 gal)
Choose the The Cold Pod if…
- You need Portable / Packable
- You want to spend less ($150)
Full spec comparison
| Specification |  Ice Barrel Ice Barrel 500 Check price |  Cold Pod The Cold Pod Check price |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | ||
| Price | $1,499 | $150 |
| Type | Upright barrel | Foldable pod |
| Water Capacity | 130 gal | 116 gal |
| Temperature | ||
| Lowest Temperature | ||
| Highest Temperature | ||
| Chiller Included | ||
| Chiller Power | ||
| Heat / Hot-Tub Mode | ||
| Water Quality | ||
| Filtration | ||
| Ozone Sanitation | ||
| UV Sanitation | ||
| Convenience | ||
| App Control | ||
| Portable / Packable | ||
| Placement | Indoor / outdoor | Indoor / outdoor |
| Insulated | ||
| Build & Warranty | ||
| Material | Recycled LLDPE | Layered PVC + nylon |
| Footprint | 39" diameter | 31.5" diameter |
| Warranty | Lifetime (shell) | 90 days |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ice Barrel 500 more expensive than the The Cold Pod?
At $150, the The Cold Pod is $1,349 cheaper than the Ice Barrel 500 ($1,499).
What does the The Cold Pod have that the Ice Barrel 500 doesn't?
The The Cold Pod offers Portable / Packable, which the Ice Barrel 500 lacks.
Should I buy the Ice Barrel 500 or the The Cold Pod?
It depends on your priorities. At $150, the The Cold Pod is $1,349 cheaper than the Ice Barrel 500 ($1,499). The Ice Barrel 500 leads on water capacity (130 gal vs 116 gal). Only the The Cold Pod offers Portable / Packable.
Verdicts on this page are generated from the manufacturer-published specifications in the table above. See our methodology.