Avoid This Cheap Cold Plunge at All Costs: Ganen Review
Are you looking to get a cold plunge without spending a lot of money? It might sound tempting to save a few bucks on a knockoff version, but after testing one myself I can confidently say it’s not worth it.
I recently tested a $56 inflatable cold plunge from Amazon and it claimed to do everything that other, more expensive cold plunges can do.
Here’s why you should avoid cheap cold plunges and spend a little more on the Ice Pod Pro.
The Materials
The cover was the first red flag—it felt super thin and flimsy. Then I found eight support poles, even though you only need six. Not sure why they included extras, but either way, the poles felt weak and had Chinese lettering stamped on them, which didn’t exactly boost my confidence.
There was also a telescopic hose that looked kind of handy, but once I held it, it felt like cheap plastic. Same with the foot pump—it worked faster than a hand pump, but it felt like it could break at any moment.
They did include a reusable ice pack and a repair patch, but the patch looked so cheap I’d be surprised if it actually held up.
Setup was easy, I’ll give it that—but once it was all together, the tub just didn’t feel stable.
The cover problem
The cover doesn’t have good insulation. Instead of stretchy fabric that fits tightly, it uses drawstrings. I couldn’t get it to seal properly, so leaves and dirt got in. If you want to keep the water cold, you’d need to buy a separate water chiller.
Weak Support
The poles that should hold up the tub don’t work right. The holes where you put the poles are too deep, so the poles don’t stick out far enough at the bottom. This means the tub itself has to hold all the weight of the water.
It Tipped Over!
When I tried to get in, the whole thing wobbled and actually tipped over. My yard isn’t perfectly flat, but I’ve used other similar tubs in the exact same spot without problems.
Some Good, Some Bad
The foot pump works OK and is faster than pumping by hand. But the air valve is badly designed. When you inflate the tub, you have to rush to close the plug or all the air escapes. This was really frustrating.
One good thing: the drain at the bottom makes emptying the tub fast and easy.
Feels Cheap
The inside of the tub is made of a weird rubbery mesh that doesn’t feel good against your skin. Not rough, not smooth – just odd. When you sit in it, you can tell right away that the materials are low quality.
Conclusion
Even though $56 seems like a good price, this cold plunge isn’t worth buying. The weak poles, poor quality materials, and bad design make it a waste of money.
If you really want to try cold plunging, it’s better to spend more on something safer that will last longer, like the Ice Pod Pro.
FAQs
Medical Disclaimer
The information contained in this post is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions or before embarking on any new health or wellness routine, including saunas and cold plunging. Neither the author(s) nor the publisher of this content take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any cold plunging routine or other health or wellness program.
