Chiller reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 145 Reddit reviews across 15 subreddits and 58 posts to rank the best Chiller brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/coldplunge, r/axolotls, r/BecomingTheIceman, r/pools, r/TheBrewery. Top-rated brands include Active Aqua (4.1/5), Penguin (3.5/5), Not specified (4.8/5).
Stats
Reviews145
Subreddits15
Posts58
Brands78
Products48
145 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Active Aqua
4.1
(14)
"I went with the active aqua. I have the Ice Barrel 500. The 1/4 hp is plenty."
"I'm buying that chiller now because I'm tired of freezing bottles lol"
"This one is rated for 52 gallons, but you could absolutely use it in a 20 gallon… you’d just want to purchase a smaller pump."
"I used a 1/3HP in 100 degree heat this past summer with the 300 and it worked fine."
"Active Aqua is a recommended brand in general."
"It sounds like active aqua is the way to go."
"Check Active Aqua chillers they're affordable and work well with most tubs."
"If I was doing it again I would get an active aqua with a separate pump and filter."
"Look into the ¼ hp Active Aqua chiller."
"I own Desert Plunge and we like the Active Aqua."
#2
Penguin
3.5
(11)
"I highly recommend the Penguin chiller. I have one and love it, and their customer service is amazing."
"I have a 0.5hp Penguin Chiller in western North Carolina. It sits in my carport and has been doing great for 2+ years."
"If you are a buy once cry once, buy Penguin."
"Penguin is the way… It works best with an insulated tub."
"My 1/2hp Penguin chiller has been running 24/7 for 18 months straight at 39’F."
"The closest to fit what you’re looking for is penguin chillers."
"You should be able to find a moderately priced line chiller that will do the trick. Penguin, or Foxx, or if in Canada OBK should have something."
"I ordered an all in one pump+chiller from penguin chillers after a fair bit of research."
"Penguin chillers are not reliable, I’ve repaired and dealt with tons of these units."
"Penguin is garbage, in the process of getting a refund."
#3
Not specified
4.8
(6)
"Bought this thing and it cools from 70f to 50f in less than an hour. Super stoked with it!"
"ITS A MOVEMENT!!! hahahahaha... Its amazing. Extremely efficient and will cool all the way to 36°."
"Nothing like cold plunging in the morning. I have a similar setup where we bought the chiller and use the bathtub 2-3x a week."
"Using that chiller now on a 40 and works wonders."
"This is the one I’m using and it works perfectly but it’s out of stock ATM."
"I've got the same chiller as the other comment, it's good but it only does to 42g."
#4
VEVOR
4.7
(6)
"Using a 1.5HP Vevor. Cheap but awesome."
"I have the Vevor and it’s a BEAST. Gets the water cold…and keeps it there."
"Just bight the vervor 1.5HP. It’s awesome."
"IB500 and Vevor 1/3hp. 45 degrees with ease."
"I bought this one right after christmas when it was on sale for $150 and is working pretty well."
"Vevor"
#5
EcoPlus
4.7
(6)
"It’s just one that will last forever for you, unlike most of the cheaper chillers sold on the market."
"If you want it to last, go with an EcoPlus. It’s by far the highest quality you can buy."
"EcoPlus chiller! I change my water once per season. Crystal clear water!"
"I change my water once per season. Crystal clear water!"
"EcoPlus Commercial > Active Aqua > penguin."
"EcoPlus Water Chiller. HP depends on how large your setup is."
#6
Chiller
4.5
(6)
"It’s a very nice touch on super hot weekend."
"Get the chiller as my pool easily gets over 90."
"Getting a proper water chiller is the best thing you can do."
"If you plan on using the pool in the summer often in my opinion it's worth the investment."
"July through October I would rather have a chiller."
"I stand behind canister filter + chiller, especially if you’re going with a cheaper chiller."
#7
Penguin Chiller
4.3
(6)
"I must admit i keep mine outside re: noise (and that’s better on your ac bill). afaict it’s one of the best units on the market."
"Penguin has a 1/2 HP High Efficiency model for like 1200 bucks including the 2-year warranty."
"Try Penguin Chillers. Jumps from 3k BTU to 6k BTU, but the the XL versions may have big enough reservoirs to work."
"I purchased a Penguin chiller with a built-in .5 HP pump. This one only takes a couple of hours to drop the temp to 45."
"I went with penguin 1/2hp chiller instead of active aqua. It is made in the USA and is cheaper than active aqua."
"I’m looking at the 1/2 HP penguin chiller right now."
#8
JBJ
4.8
(5)
"I get my equipment from Angel Aquariums. JBJ Arctica Chillers"
"I always use the JBJ artica chillers on my aquariums. Solid chillers that have lasted me years."
"Jbj chillers are the best quality, most chillers will last decades."
"I would recommend this JBJ chiller. it cools my tank quickly and it’s SUUUUPER quiet, definitely worth the money."
"JBJ brand."
#9
Orca
4.7
(3)
"I much prefer cold plunging in a vertical position."
"My friend who is a cold addict just upgraded his outdoor plunge with an Orca 1 hp chiller."
"The reviews look promising and they actually answered my phone calls."
#10
Coldture
4.7
(3)
"Coldture. Best quality especially if you are disassembling a lot"
"Coldture Chiller Pro"
"A chiller like ColdTure or RevX can work for your outdoor bathtub, and they’re more affordable than plunge pools."
#11
Ice Barrel
4.0
(3)
"Ice Barrel Chiller"
"Please use this link to check out our upcoming Ice Barrel Chiller that is now available for pre-order!"
"1/4 is not enough, at least the way I have it setup."
#12
Nordic Wave
3.7
(3)
"If money isn’t an issue, Nordicwave."
"The Nordicwave is fullly insulated so your chiller won't run like a scalded dog. It also comes with a 3/4 HP chiller."
"I have a friend who has a Nordic wave. He’s on his 5th chiller in the first 3 months…"
#13
BAOSHISHAN Aquarium Chiller
5.0
(2)
"I recently bought this BAOSHISHAN aquarium chiller and I love it! Its pretty pricey but 100% worth it in my opinion!"
"It has worked great for us. Keeps the temperature steady."
#14
TECO
5.0
(2)
"I can recommend the Brand TECO main benefit is that the radiator where they get rid of the heat is kinda like a cage on the outside, that way they dont clog up with dust over the years like all the other brands do."
"Yeah i purchased 2 chillers actually from there and they’re great"
#15
Penguin Chillers
5.0
(2)
"One year of use and no complaints. American made in Knoxville, TN as well."
"You can get an ultra-reliable 1/2 HP Penguin chiller with 2-year warranty for like 1200 bucks."
#16
Cloudray Chiller
5.0
(2)
"The water would be cleaner, it passes through your tube and all. The temp is consistent."
"The water would be cleaner, it passes through your tube and all. The temp is consistent and you don’t need to buy a bunch of ice packs and swap and refreeze them over and over."
#17
Baoshishan
4.5
(2)
"I haven’t had any problems with it!"
"I’ve heard good things about Baoshishan."
#18
RevX
4.5
(2)
"I got my dad a RevX. It’s real nice. Way more quiet than the Penguin and awesome customer service."
"Try RevX, Coldture, or Renu Therapy—they’re highly rated and work well with larger barrels."
#19
Poafamx
4.0
(2)
"I have a 1/3HP Poafamx (China via Amazon) that has been great."
"That said, FWIW I have a 1/3HP Poafamx (China via Amazon) that has been great."
#20
Yeti
5.0
(1)
"Perhaps a Yeti Roadie and a couple of Yeti wine tumblrs!"
#21
Polar Monkeys
5.0
(1)
"Mine is wifi capable (bought it from polar monkeys), and the only real value for me is my son plunges at a different temp."
#22
Grohe
5.0
(1)
"These are really good. Fitted loads of them."
#23
Recovatech
5.0
(1)
"I’ll add that David Maus Jr. has some good info on chiller setups with the ice barrel products."
#24
ArcticPod
5.0
(1)
"This thing can actually be hooked up to one of the portable cold plunges."
#25
Glacier
5.0
(1)
"LOVE MY GLACIER CHILLER! Cannot say enough good things!"
#26
G&D
5.0
(1)
"Call G&D Chillers in Oregon, tell them your looking at buying a chiller from them."
#27
Rocits
5.0
(1)
"That’s on Walmart site for like $250 which is awesome."
#28
Costco
5.0
(1)
"I built a system using the Costco Saluspa cold plunge, pump, chiller, and filter for under $800 for sure."
#29
Eternal Ice Power Chiller
5.0
(1)
"Works amazing!"
#30
Penguin 1 HP Cold Plunge Chiller
5.0
(1)
"Awesome"
#31
RevX Wellness Chillers
5.0
(1)
"RevX Wellness has the best chillers in the game IMO."
#32
Penguin HP Chillers
5.0
(1)
"Check out Penguin chillers."
#33
Boxplunge
5.0
(1)
"Boxplunge. Goes as cold as you would want it to be."
#34
Sun Home Portable Cold Plunge Chiller
5.0
(1)
"Sun Home is the ONLY portable cold plunger chiller on the market right now that has ice-making mode."
#35
Walmart Chiller
5.0
(1)
"This chiller does WORK!!! I bought the same one from walmart."
#36
Orca 1/2 HP Chiller
5.0
(1)
"His Orca 1/2 hp was able to keep his barrel at 39° Fahrenheit."
#37
BESKAR USB Clip-On Fan
5.0
(1)
"I got this small fan for 17$ and even when my ac went out for a couple days it kept my 55 gallon tank at 61 degrees!"
#38
Express Water
5.0
(1)
"In this new house, I switched to the Express Water chiller and it is perfect! Never hear it run. Cold, cold water!"
#39
Warrior Willpower
5.0
(1)
"It's an inflatable tub and 1/2HP chiller combo. Works great so far!"
#40
CW
5.0
(1)
"CW-5200 is the direct recommendation."
#41
Orca Chiller
5.0
(1)
"I’ve been using one of their ice barrels paired with the 1/2 hp Chiller for closed to two years now and it’s been reliable."
#42
Active Aqua Chiller
5.0
(1)
"Here's a great deal on a 1 hp chiller...price includes shipping and tax."
#43
Titan Cold Plunge Chiller
5.0
(1)
"Definitively recommend the Titan Cold Plunge Chiller. Works great and the installation was super easy."
#44
EcoPlus Commercial
5.0
(1)
"David Maus as a great video on this topic. He recommends either the Active Aqua or eco plus commercial."
#45
Penguin Cold Therapy Chiller
5.0
(1)
"For outdoor use, I'd go with the Penguin Cold Therapy chiller if it were me."
#46
S&A CW-5200
5.0
(1)
"I have a cw5200 on my 100w best decision ever."
#47
ArcticPod 1/3 HP Chiller
5.0
(1)
"Once I started using that chiller my temps are consistently 40-41°F."
#48
Penguin 1/2 HP Chiller
5.0
(1)
"Works great."
#49
AquaEuro
5.0
(1)
"I have an AquaEuro chiller and love it."
#50
JBJ Arctica
5.0
(1)
"I really like my JBJ Arctica, it runs quiet and works great."
#51
Orca Plunge
4.0
(1)
"Check out orca plunge 3/4 chiller. That’s what I use with my desert plunge."
#52
Icebound Essentials
4.0
(1)
"Their unit keeps temperatures from 37°F to 107.6°F."
#53
AmChiller
4.0
(1)
"Easy - https://amchiller.com/applications/cold-plunge-spa-chillers/"
#54
Frosty Dive
4.0
(1)
"I got my frosty dive chiller even though it’s the 1/3 hp it can cool the tub up to 40°."
#55
Walmart
4.0
(1)
"I would buy a 1/3rd hp one from Walmart and let it go."
#56
The Cold Plunge Store
4.0
(1)
"Otherwise here is a decent list for you."
#57
Aquarium Chiller
4.0
(1)
"I suggest a small aquarium chiller. You’ll have to spend a couple hundred bucks for one that has a compressor."
#58
EcoPlus 1/10 HP Chiller
4.0
(1)
"EcoPlus 1/10 HP"
#59
Jellyfish Farm Cooler
4.0
(1)
"I know jellyfishfarm sells the coolers for the s16 and s58 tanks."
#60
Box Chiller
4.0
(1)
"You can look for box chillers on amazon I don't remember which one but sam showed me one & I bought that and its been really good."
#61
SS Brewtech Glycol Chiller
4.0
(1)
"Maybe something like an SS brewtech glycol chiller?"
#62
OMtech
4.0
(1)
"Plan on investing in a good chiller not OMtech, to avoid overheating issues."
#63
Vevor
4.0
(1)
"I bought this 1/4 hp chiller which could save a little more but it could be less powerful than the 1/3 hp."
#64
CW-5200
4.0
(1)
"For the 6 hours a day you expect to run, sell that 3000 and buy a CW-5200."
#65
Penguin 3/4 HP Chiller
4.0
(1)
"I'd go with Penguin 3/4hp chiller for outdoor use."
#66
Rocita Water Chiller 1/3 HP
4.0
(1)
"I bought this 1/4 hp chiller which could save a little more."
#67
Rapids Wholesale 3 Gal Glycol Unit
4.0
(1)
"I run a small draft line chiller on my 10 BBL FV. Holds fermentation temps without difficulty."
#68
BAOSHISHAN
4.0
(1)
"BAOSHISHAN Aquarium Chiller 42gal 1/10 HP Water Cooler."
#69
Franke
4.0
(1)
"Franke does a really good job with chillers and filters."
#70
Hailea
4.0
(1)
"I have a hailea chiller, worked nicely when it was really hot in the summer."
#71
Chiltrix
4.0
(1)
"Chiltrix from unico. It is available from United refrigeration."
#72
BESKAR USB Clip on Fan
4.0
(1)
"I bought a $19.96 fan from Walmart (12 inch) and on full speed it brings my tank to the high 50’s!!"
#73
Rocita
3.0
(1)
"I bought a Rocita from Walmart.com. It’s a 1/3hp so a little bit bigger than a 1/4."
#74
Pod Company
3.0
(1)
"Not sure how good they are but I’ve been looking at the pod company."
#75
AliExpress/Amazon
3.0
(1)
"Most of these are basically disposable so when you have a problem, you will likely just replace it."
#76
Hayward
2.0
(1)
"Ours seems to make very little difference in the pool temperature, but a huge difference in our power bill."
#77
Arctic Pod
2.0
(1)
"Arctic Pod Chiller was $600...first pump caught on fire...got my second one."
#78
Plunge Evolve Chiller
1.0
(1)
"Don't buy the Plunge Evolve Chiller."
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