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Home Tub ROI Calculator
Should you buy a $5K cold plunge or just keep paying drop-ins? Tell us how often you plunge, where you live, and which tub you're eyeing — we'll show you the breakeven month and your 3- and 5-year savings.
Last updated: April 2026 · Sources: manufacturer MSRPs, EIA residential rates, owner surveys
Your habit
National 25-metro median is $40. Big cities run $50-$95. Check your city.
Tub & operating cost
All-in-one chiller, ozone + UV filtration. Most popular consumer model.
US average: 17.2¢/kWh. CA: 31¢. HI: 45¢. TX: 14¢.
Owner survey median: 6 years for chiller-equipped tubs.
Verdict
Buy the tub. The math is obvious.
You'd break even in 9 months and save $34,271 over 5 years. At 4x/week you're paying for the tub in studio fees inside a year.
Breakeven
9 months
3-yr savings
$18,166
5-yr savings
$34,271
Effective $/plunge
$7.05
tub, 5-yr view
The line-by-line math
- Annual studio spend
- $8,320
- Tub purchase
- $5,990
- Annual electricity (511 kWh)
- $88
- Annual upkeep (filters, ozone, sanitizer)
- $180
- Tub all-in annual cost (with amortization)
- $1,266
- Studio cost over 5 years
- $41,600
- Tub cost over 5 years (incl. replacement if needed)
- $7,329
- Monthly studio savings (after tub op cost)
- $671
Related reading
Buying guide
Best Cold Plunge Tubs 2026
Tested rankings across budget, mid, and premium tiers — what's actually worth the price.
DIY
Chest Freezer Plunge Build
Convert a $300 chest freezer into a working ice bath for under $800 total.
Tool
City Price Index
See drop-in, 4-pack, and unlimited pricing across the top 25 metros to plug into this calc.
New tubs, new prices, sent monthly
We track every cold plunge model release, sale, and quiet price hike. One short email a month — no fluff.