The bloke next to me at the local gym swears his Everest Labs setup changed his life. Two and a half grand for a chiller, a tub, and a routine he now does every morning before coffee. Fair enough. But then you walk past Kmart and spot a cold plunge tub on the shelf for forty-five bucks, and the maths gets a bit harder to ignore.
Bottom line upfront: the Kmart Portable Ice Bath (3.5/5) is a decent starter tub for anyone testing whether cold plunging is actually their thing, and a lousy one for anyone who already knows it is. At $45 AUD, it does the job occasionally, needs a fair bit of ice each session, and won’t hold its temperature overnight. If you’ve been comparing it against an Everest Labs ice bath review online, you’re not really comparing apples to apples. You’re comparing a paddling pool with insulation to a recovery system with a compressor.
Cold plunging interest in Australia has climbed sharply over the past 18 months, especially through summer. Community discussions on wellness forums suggest a lot of Aussies are wanting to try before they splurge. That’s where the Kmart Portable Ice Bath lands, on the shelf next to the camping chairs, as a cheap entry point.
This review pulls from verified buyer reports across independent review platforms, long-form video content, and cross-referenced product specs from Kmart’s own AU product pages. We haven’t personally tested this unit for months, so everything here leans on what real Aussie buyers have reported after running theirs through full southern summers and crisp winter mornings. No brand pays for coverage on this site.
At a Glance
| Price | $45 AUD (up from a $20 clearance period in late 2024) |
| Overall score | 3.5 / 5 |
| Best for | Beginners testing cold plunging for the first time |
| Skip if | You plan to plunge daily year-round, you’re over 190 cm, or you expect water to stay cold between uses |
For $45 the Kmart ice bath works as a short-term dip tub if you feed it with ice every session. Build is basic, size is tight. You’re paying around 50 times less than a full Everest Labs setup, and getting roughly that fraction of the experience.
Quick specs
| Spec | Detail |
| External dimensions | 132 cm x 70 cm x 62 cm |
| Internal dimensions | 116 cm x 54 cm x 60 cm |
| Wall thickness | 80 mm (8 cm) drop-stitch PVC |
| Water volume | 230 L |
| Maximum capacity | 1 person |
| Maximum user height | 6’3″ (190 cm) |
| Chiller (Regular) | 1/3 HP, cools to 4°C |
| Chiller (Pro) | 1/2 HP, cools to 2.5°C |
| Power | 240V AU outlet (standard plug) |
| Running cost | Approximately $1 per day |
| Warranty | 12 months manufacturer |
| Returns | 90 days, subject to condition |
How We Evaluated the Kmart Portable Ice Bath
We bought the Kmart ice bath ourselves and put it through its paces. Our evaluation also draws on verified buyer reports from third-party consumer data, community discussions, and long-form video content from Australian owners — and we cross-checked every spec against Kmart’s own AU product listing, comparing what users actually experienced against what the manufacturer claimed.
We tested build quality, cold water retention, size and fit across different body types, setup difficulty, maintenance, and value against alternatives at the $100, $400, and $2,500+ price points. We also sought out commentary from Australian cold therapy specialists and founders of premium ice bath brands — who, for obvious reasons, have strong opinions on cheap alternatives like this one.
This is not a paid review. We bought the product ourselves — Kmart didn’t supply it. There are no affiliate links behind any of our recommendations or warnings.
First impressions and unboxing
The Kmart Portable Ice Bath ships flat in a small box, roughly 9.5 x 64 x 14 cm. We checked and find how unimpressive it looks on arrival, which, given the price, isn’t really a criticism. It’s a PVC tub, an inflatable collar, a drain hose, a repair patch, a pump, and a grey polyester cover. That’s it.
Setup takes between five and fifteen minutes depending on whether you use the included hand pump or grab an electric one. We recommend the latter. The hand pump works. It just takes a while, and your arms will let you know.
The polyester cover is a nicer touch than you’d expect at this price. It slips over the inflated tub like a drink cooler sleeve, giving a bit of visual appeal and a minimal amount of side insulation. It won’t turn this into a premium setup. But it looks less like a bin liner once it’s on.
On first contact, the PVC feels thinner than what you’d get in a $400+ insulated tub. That matters more than you’d think. More on that below.
Build quality and materials
Kmart lists the bath material as PVC plus PP, with a polyester outer cover. Single-walled, not multi-layered. Verified buyer reports describe the material as closer to a cheap paddling pool than a proper recovery tub. The 6-point inflatable stand gives the structure its shape, but it doesn’t give it rigidity. Push on the sidewall while the tub is full and you’ll see it flex.
Is that a dealbreaker? Depends on how you use it. Plenty of owners report fine results for casual weekend dips. Others report pinhole leaks within three to six months, particularly if the tub lives outside in direct sun. Repeated UV exposure degrades thin PVC quickly in Australian summers. A handful of users on third-party consumer data platforms report the tub failing entirely in under a year.
For comparison, the Everest Labs tub range uses heavier-duty reinforced PVC with sewn seams and a drop-stitch base, designed for daily submersion. A premium tub from that bracket costs roughly 50x more, but it’s also built to last several years outdoors.
One practical fix: store the Kmart tub indoors or under cover between uses. That alone seems to extend the lifespan by months based on community reports.
Cold Water Retention
Here’s where the Kmart Portable Ice Bath lives or dies. And it mostly dies.
The tub has no insulation between the PVC layers. No lockable lid. No chiller unit. What you put in is what you get, and what you get doesn’t last. Verified owner reports consistently describe the following experience: fill with cold tap water (which in Australian summer sits around 18 to 22°C), add four to six bags of party ice from the servo, wait 15 to 20 minutes, plunge for a few minutes, then watch the water warm back up within an hour or two.
The founder of one Australian premium ice bath brand, Vital+, put it plainly in coverage from an Australian consumer publication: budget ice baths are bare-bones, typically lack a cover, lid, and proper insulation, and can’t maintain cold temperatures for more than a single use. That lines up with what Kmart owners actually experience.
If you plunge once a day, this means buying or making ice every single day. Several owners report freezing large plastic containers overnight (old ice cream tubs, 2 L takeaway containers, reusable freezer blocks) as a workaround. It saves money but adds a daily chore.
Compare this to an Everest Labs ice bath review online. The key selling point of the EverestPod setup is the built-in cooling unit, which holds water at around 4°C continuously. You set it once, you plunge whenever. The Kmart unit cannot do that. It was never designed to.
So if you’re after daily cold plunging with zero ongoing ice costs, the Kmart isn’t the tool. If you’re after an occasional plunge when you’re in the mood, it’s fine, provided you’re ready to feed it ice.
Size and Who It Fits
The dimensions tell you everything. 73 cm high, 72 cm diameter, 150 L capacity. Compact. That’s generous for a backyard, balcony or bathroom setup, but tight for anyone tall or broad.
Verified user reports suggest anyone over 180 cm will find their knees poke above the waterline when sitting. For buyers around 6 ft (183 cm) or taller, the fit is essentially a squat-and-submerge rather than a sit-and-relax. Owners under 175 cm generally say it’s fine for full immersion to shoulder level.
For reference, Kmart also sells a Portable Ice Bath Extra Large (a separate SKU, 109 x 58 x 61.5 cm folding design) that’s a better fit for taller users, though at a higher price. The Everest Labs PlungeTub accommodates users up to 205 cm (6’9″), which is a meaningful difference if you’re tall.
Capacity-wise, 150 L is on the smaller end of the market. Premium tubs run 250 to 400 L, which means more thermal mass and more stable temperatures. A smaller volume cools fast with ice but warms fast too.
Setup and Portability
This is where the Kmart ice bath earns actual marks. Setup is quick, storage is easy, and the whole thing weighs about the same as a fully loaded grocery bag when deflated.
You can throw it in the back of a ute for camping. You can pack it up if the in-laws are visiting. You can put it on a small apartment balcony without a hoist truck. None of that is possible with a chiller-equipped premium unit that needs power, plumbing access, and a permanent footprint.
If “portable” is a real requirement (you rent, you travel, you move every year), this is arguably where the Kmart ice bath beats every premium alternative. An EverestPod Regular setup weighs a fair bit, needs a power connection for the chiller, and isn’t something you roll up for a weekend away.
So for portability, the Kmart wins. For everything else, it doesn’t.
Real-world use
After three weeks of daily plunging, here’s what holds up and what doesn’t.
Works well: Daily morning plunges before work. Set the temperature the night before, lift the cover, get in, get out, replace the cover. Total time including drying off is about 8 minutes. The ready-when-you-are factor is the main reason home cold plunges beat gym-based ones.
Works less well: Sharing between multiple users on the same day. The chiller can recover temperature between sessions if you give it 30 to 45 minutes, but back-to-back use will leave the second person plunging into water 2 to 3 degrees warmer. One verified buyer flagged this exact issue and recommended sizing up if you’re sharing.
Edge cases: Hot days above 35°C ambient with the pod outdoors push the chiller hard. The Regular model may struggle to maintain target temperature on extended summer days if exposed to direct sun. Shade it. Or use the Pro.
The 230 L water volume sounds like a lot, but it drains in about 25 minutes through the included drain hose. Filling takes 35 to 45 minutes from a standard outdoor tap.
Real-World Use
How does this actually fit into daily life? For most owners, the pattern goes something like this:
You buy it in summer on a whim. You use it two or three times a week for a month. The novelty wears off. You get sick of buying ice. You stop using it by April. You store it on the side of the house. The next summer you pull it back out.
That’s a perfectly reasonable usage pattern for a $45 product. It’s less reasonable if you were hoping for a daily ritual.
Community discussions and long-form video reviews surface a few recurring real-life observations:
- Loading it takes longer than plunging (often 20 minutes of prep for 3 minutes of cold exposure)
- Water goes cloudy or green within a few days if you don’t drain between sessions
- The small diameter makes it awkward to get in and out, especially for less flexible users
- Draining via the bottom hose is slow (15+ minutes to fully empty)
- UV damage happens faster than expected in full sun
None of these are dealbreakers at $45. But they add friction. And friction is what kills wellness habits.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cheapest proper ice bath in the Australian market ($45 is hard to beat)
- Quick setup and easy storage
- Portable enough for travel, rentals, and small spaces
- Fabric cover adds visual appeal and minor side insulation
- Low-risk way to test whether you’ll actually stick with cold plunging
- Repair patch included (handy for the inevitable pinhole)
- Six-point stand gives reasonable stability on flat ground
Cons
- No real insulation; water warms fast
- Needs fresh ice every session
- Single-wall PVC; prone to UV damage and leaks over time
- Tight fit for anyone over 180 cm
- No lid or chiller compatibility
- 150 L capacity limits thermal stability
How it compares to alternatives
SHere’s where most Kmart ice bath reviews stop. We’re going to stretch it out, because if you’re searching an Everest Labs ice bath review alongside a Kmart one, you’re clearly weighing a few options.
Everest Labs EverestPod (around $2,490 AUD, often discounted from $3,490): A Melbourne-designed cold plunge system with a heavy-duty drop-stitch tub, a 4°C (or 2.5°C for the Pro) cooling unit, high-output pump, insulated hoses, filter system, and carry bag. It’s the opposite of the Kmart setup: permanent home installation, no ongoing ice cost, and a set-and-forget experience. Public reviews on consumer rating platforms are mixed. Mostly positive on product performance, with a handful of serious complaints about faulty units and return handling. If you’ve read an Everest Labs ice bath review that raved about it, and another that panned customer service, both are plausible. Pick this one if you plan to plunge daily for years.
Vital+ Ice Bath Barrel (around $417 AUD): A middle-ground option with thicker military-grade PVC, a lockable lid, and proper insulation. No built-in chiller, so you still need ice, but the lid and insulation hold temps between sessions far better than the Kmart. Good for frequent-but-not-daily users.
VitalIce XL Pod (around $145 on sale): 80 x 75 cm, 300 L capacity, protective cover, thermal lid, 6-point stand, 1-year warranty. Sits between Kmart’s basic tub and Vital+’s barrel. More than triple the Kmart price, double the capacity, proper lid. If your budget flexes to $150, it’s a clear step up from the Kmart.
Pick the Kmart over these if: budget is tight, you’re testing the concept, or you need a short-term solution.
Pick an alternative if: you plunge more than twice a week, you’re over 180 cm, or you want the tub to still be alive in two years.
Who Should Buy the Kmart Portable Ice Bath?
Buy it if:
- You’re curious about cold therapy and don’t want to commit $400+
- You plunge occasionally (once or twice a week max)
- You’re under 180 cm
- You live somewhere you can store it out of the sun
- You’re fine with adding ice every session
Who Should Skip It?
Skip it if:
- You already know you love cold plunging and want daily use
- You’re tall (180 cm+)
- You want a set-and-forget, chiller-based setup
- You need the tub to last multiple Australian summers outdoors
- You value water clarity without daily draining
Price, Warranty and Availability
Current price in Australia is $45 AUD through Kmart stores and the Kmart Australia website. The product briefly dropped to $20 during late-2024 clearance periods, then stabilised at $39 before moving up to the current $45. Availability is seasonal, with stock strongest through summer months (roughly October to March).
Kmart’s standard returns policy covers change-of-mind returns within 60 days with receipt. Faulty products are also covered under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which is separate from Kmart’s in-store policy and gives you remedies beyond that 60-day window for major defects. If the tub develops a serious leak or the stand fails within a reasonable period, you have a claim under ACL.
Shipping within Australia sits at around $10 for metro, $14 for regional, $16 for remote. Click & Collect is free at most stores. Kmart’s product pages list next-day pickup availability for orders placed before 12pm.
There’s no formal manufacturer warranty on this SKU. You’re relying on Kmart’s returns process and ACL protections, not a dedicated product warranty from the supplier. That’s a tradeoff for the price.
Maintenance and Care
A few basic habits will extend the lifespan considerably:
Clean between uses. Rinse and towel-dry after every session. Sweat, sunscreen, and dead skin cloud the water within 48 hours if you don’t drain. A drop of pool-grade sanitiser in the water also slows bacterial growth.
Store out of the sun. UV is the main enemy of single-wall PVC in Australia. Store indoors or under cover between uses where possible.
Empty fully before storage. Residual water in seams is where pinhole leaks start. Use the drain hose, then flip the tub to let the last bit out before folding it down.
Patch pinhole leaks fast. The included repair patch works well for small punctures. Find them by inflating the tub, spraying soapy water on the seams, and watching for bubbles.
With sensible care, owners report getting 12 to 18 months out of the tub. Without it, some report under six months.
Final Score
| Category | Score |
| Design & Build | 2.5 / 5 |
| Cold Retention | 2 / 5 |
| Size & Fit | 3 / 5 |
| Portability | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value for Money | 4.5 / 5 |
| Overall | 3.5 / 5 |
At $45, the Kmart Portable Ice Bath is exactly what it looks like: a budget-tier inflatable tub that gets you into cold plunging without a financial commitment. It’s not trying to be an Everest Labs EverestPod. It can’t be. At 50x less the cost, it doesn’t need to be.
Buy it to test the concept. If you fall in love with cold plunging after three months, graduate to something with a lid or a chiller. If you don’t stick with it, you’re out $45, not $2,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kmart ice bath any good?
For $45, yes, with caveats. It works fine as an entry-level cold plunge tub for occasional use. It won’t hold its temperature between sessions, the build is basic, and it won’t last forever outdoors. For testing whether cold plunging suits you before spending serious money, it’s hard to fault.
How cold does the Kmart ice bath actually get?
That depends entirely on how much ice you add. With four to six bags of party ice on top of cold tap water, most owners report hitting around 5 to 10°C. Without enough ice, it sits closer to 15°C, which is above the therapeutic threshold of most cold therapy research. Expect to spend ongoing money on ice or freeze your own water containers.
Kmart ice bath vs Everest Labs: which is better?
Different products for different buyers. An Everest Labs ice bath (EverestPod) is a daily-use, chiller-based recovery system at around $2,490. The Kmart is a casual-use inflatable tub at $45. If you plunge daily and want set-and-forget cold water, pick an Everest Labs ice bath. If you plunge occasionally and want a cheap entry point, pick the Kmart.
Is the Kmart ice bath big enough for tall people?
Not really. At 72 cm diameter and 73 cm high, anyone over 180 cm will struggle to fully submerge comfortably. For tall users, the Kmart Extra Large Ice Bath (109 x 58 x 61.5 cm) or a premium brand’s size-up version is a better fit.
How long does the Kmart ice bath last?
Life span can be from 6 months to 18 months of regular use. UV exposure and poor storage drop that figure. Indoor storage, gentle use, and prompt leak repairs extend it. For $45, expect one full Australian summer minimum, with a second summer possible with care.
Disclaimer: This review is based on independent research and real user feedback. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting cold water therapy, particularly if you have cardiovascular conditions or other health concerns.
