Are penguin chillers good?

Yes, Penguin Chillers are a good choice if you pick the right model. The Cold Therapy Chiller is the one built for cold plunging, with 7,500 BTU/hr of cooling, a built-in pump and camlock fittings. The standard 1/2 to 1 1/2 HP chillers are indoor, pump-free units made for aquariums and process cooling.

Restore Suite sells Penguin Chillers as a retailer, so you should know that as you read. Every figure below comes from the product pages, and you can browse the full range in our Penguin Chillers collection or compare options in the wider cold plunge chillers.

What do Penguin Chillers do well?

The range is built in Knoxville, Tennessee, uses R-32 refrigerant and cools water to as low as 37°F. Models up to 1 1/2 HP run on 110 to 120V household power, so a plunge setup does not need a special circuit. Each lists a 1-year Penguin manufacturer warranty, with longer coverage offered where available. The Cold Therapy Chiller adds a titanium coil, a digital controller and an outdoor rating for air temperatures above 32°F.

Which Penguin chiller is right for a cold plunge?

Prices change, so confirm them on the product page. The 1/2 HP HE and 1 HP HE models are also listed at 5,750 and 11,500 BTU/hr. For a typical plug-and-play setup, the Cold Therapy Chiller is the one Penguin recommends for an existing tub, and it connects with 3/4 inch tubing to tubs that have chiller ports. Some tubs need a simple thread adapter, so tell us which tub you have and we will check the fittings before you order.

What are the limits you should know?

• Most Penguin chillers have no pump. The standard 1/2, 1 and 1 1/2 HP models need a separate pump giving at least 250 GPH of measured flow, plus tubing. Penguin suggests a Danner Mag Drive 5 to 18. Our accessory package bundles a Danner pump, tubing and adapters.
• Standard models are indoor only. Penguin recommends the Cold Therapy Chiller or the Outdoor 1/2 HP HE for outdoor plunges. Drain an outdoor unit completely if the air will drop to freezing.
• Water must flow whenever it runs. Unplug the chiller before you stop the pump, and place it where condensation drips will not cause damage.
• It is a chiller, not a tub. You still need a tub, a filter and a sanitation plan.
• Sound. Listed levels run from 56 dBA on the smaller units to 61 dBA on the 1 1/2 HP, so choose a spot away from a bedroom window. See our guide on how loud cold plunge chillers are.

How do you size the chiller to your tub?

Start with water volume, your target temperature and how hot your climate runs. A larger BTU rating pulls the temperature down faster and holds it in warmer weather, but costs more and draws more power. Our cold plunge chiller sizing guide walks through the numbers, and do you need a chiller for a cold plunge covers when ice is enough.

What is the difference between the standard and high efficiency models?

Penguin's high efficiency (HE) models use a larger coil, so they reach a higher BTU rating on the same power draw. The 1/2 HP goes from 5,000 to 5,750 BTU/hr on 3.9A, and the 1 HP goes from 10,000 to 11,500 BTU/hr on 7.2A. On the larger sizes you can choose a PVC shell with a titanium coil, or a 316 stainless steel shell and coil for a higher price. For a plain freshwater plunge, titanium is the listed default. Ask us if your water chemistry or sanitizer plan makes you wonder about the stainless option, and read our best cold plunge chiller roundup to see how the sizes compare.

What does setup with the Cold Therapy Chiller look like?

The product page gives clear placement rules. Its pump is not self-priming, so set the chiller within 3 feet of the tub drain with its base level with or below the bottom of the tub, or it will struggle to pull water. It runs on a regular outlet, ideally GFCI protected. The optional Install and Filter Kit adds a washable 150-micron filter, two 6 foot lengths of 3/4 inch tubing, two bulkheads with hose clamps and two barbed elbows, and the bulkheads fit tub walls 1/4 inch thick or less. Do not pair the chiller with a filter rated below 50 microns or with an ozone venturi.

Are there ready-made Penguin plunges?

Yes. Penguin also builds Beyond Cold plunges that come with the chiller: the Journey inflatable at $2,999, the Pursuit acrylic at $4,999.99 and the Summit stainless at $6,999.99. These suit you if you would rather buy one finished plunge than assemble tub, pump and chiller yourself. Browse them in our cold plunges with a chiller.

Who should look elsewhere?

If you want the cheapest possible setup and are happy with ice, a chiller may not pay off. If you want a single box with the pump, filter and tub already matched, a complete plunge is simpler. If your tub has no chiller ports, plan on fittings and a little plumbing work before the chiller is useful.

Cold water exposure is for general recovery and routine. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or are pregnant, talk with your doctor before cold plunging.

Frequently asked questions

Which Penguin chiller is best for a cold plunge?

The Cold Therapy Chiller is the model Penguin recommends for cold plunging. It has 7,500 BTU/hr of cooling, a built-in pump, camlock fittings and an outdoor rating above 32°F.

Do Penguin chillers include a pump?

The Cold Therapy Chiller has a built-in pump. The standard 1/2, 1 and 1 1/2 HP models do not, so you need a separate pump giving at least 250 GPH of measured flow.

Can I use a Penguin chiller outdoors?

The Cold Therapy Chiller and the Outdoor 1/2 HP HE are rated for air temperatures above 32°F. The standard models are indoor only.

What power do Penguin chillers need?

Models up to 1 1/2 HP run on 110 to 120V single phase. Draw ranges from 3.9A on the 1/2 HP to 11A on the 1 1/2 HP, so check your circuit.

What warranty comes with a Penguin chiller?

The product pages list a 1-year Penguin Chillers manufacturer warranty, with 2- and 3-year extended coverage available where offered.

Where are Penguin chillers made?

The product pages list the range as made in Knoxville, Tennessee.