Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub Review

If you’ve spent some time in the fitness space, you’re probably no stranger to the benefits of cold water immersion, like reduced inflammation and decreased stress levels. (1) While you can enjoy those effects by dropping 20 pounds of ice into a bathtub, you may prefer the convenience and style that only the best cold plunges can offer. Enter the Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub.

The Renu Stoic 2.0 is a high-end cold plunge tub with a 70” by 33” footprint, heavily insulated customizable walls, and a quiet, integrated chiller that contributes to the clean, modern design. If you’re looking for a cold tub with a sleek look that you can adjust to fit your decor, an effective filtration system, and a quiet chiller, the Stoic might be the one for you. Let’s see how it fared in our testing. 

Main Takeaways

Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub Highlights

• Price: Starts at $9,699
• Seating Capacity: 1
• Lowest Temperature: 36 degrees F 
• Included Accessories: Insulated lid, matching step stool, chiller/filtration system

Even in the high-end world of premium cold plunges, the Renu Stoic 2.0 at-home cold plunge sits on the pricier side. While many comparable tubs can be in the $3,000 to $5,000 price range, this one starts at a whopping $9,599. But for that price, you’re getting a cold plunge tub with excellent insulation that keeps the water cold well after the chiller is shut off and a quiet chiller integrated within the tub to reduce its footprint. 

You also get a rock-solid three-stage filtration system and a clean, classy exterior with plenty of customization options. These customization options include the walls, which come in six different color options, and the wooden deck, which comes with four different stains to choose from. The purchase also includes an insulated lid and a step stool that will match whatever customizations you choose for your design. 

The 2.0 offers a few upgrades over the original Stoic without raising the price point. At 70” inches long by 33” wide, the 2.0 has a bigger footprint than the original’s  64” x 33” as well as a 95-gallon capacity versus the original’s 80 gallons. According to the company, this allows the 2.0 to fit users up to 6’7” tall and 275 pounds versus the Classic’s 6’6” and 250-pound capacity. Renu also states that they’ve upgraded the insulation, and the walls are contoured like you’d find inside a Yeti cooler. 

It’s not all champagne wishes and caviar dreams with this tub, however. There’s also an optional spa light for an extra $350, but with a starting price of nearly ten grand, you’d think it would be included. And during testing, we noticed that the chiller, while very quiet, is slow to cool — it takes about an hour to drop the water’s temperature by one degree. And unless you’ve got $9,599 dollars burning a hole in your pocket, there are other tubs like The Plunge or the Polar Monkeys plunges that have similar features at half the price.

Pros

• The chiller can drop the temperature to 36 degrees.
• A two-stage filtration system and ozone generator keep the tub clean with minimal work.
• There’s a dedicated outlet that makes it easy to fill and drain. 
• The thick insulation keeps the tub cold for hours after the chiller is turned off. 

Cons

• Starting at nearly $10,000, it may be out of most price ranges. 
• It weighs 345 pounds empty and over half a ton filled, so don’t plan on moving it around. 
• Our testers noted that it takes a long time to chill the water in the tub.

Using the Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub

Despite the astronomical price, there is a lot about the Stoic 2.0 that makes the cost seem more palatable. One of the biggest standouts for our testers was the three-stage cleaning system. The first of the two components of the system consists of a two-stage filtration process. 

The large grate catches bigger debris, while the 50-micron filter captures smaller particles. For hard metals, viruses, and bacteria, there is an ultraviolet ozone generator that pumps ozone into the water to keep it clean and safe. Our testers are more than impressed with the system. “I’ve had it running in our facility for a while now,” our tester says. “And it’s by far the cleanest tub here.”

The 95-gallon tub felt roomy enough for our 6-foot-tall tester to sit with their legs straight during cold-water immersion, and the walls and deck were sturdy enough for our testers to sit up on when they needed to warm up. After frustrating experiences with cold tubs that didn’t have dedicated draining ports, our testers appreciated that the Stoic included this perk. The port can connect to a hose so you can drain the water into a sink or a tub, which is essential for using it inside the house.

While the tub feels extremely well-thought-out, our testers weren’t impressed with how long it took the chiller to cool the water. “It took about 40 to 60 minutes to cool the water by one degree,” our tester said.

Also, there is only a manual control option on the tub. Remote WiFi operation doesn’t seem like too much to ask when you’re spending this much on a hot tub. Plus, it would be useful for cooling the tub in advance, considering how long it takes to lower the temperature. Keep in mind that these are nitpicky details on an excellent tub. But for how much this tub costs, it’s fair to expect a lot. 

Materials

All of the Stoic 2.0 Cold Tubs come with thick, insulated, powder-coated walls and elegant wood trim and lids. Plus, the stool is built to match. The walls come in six color options, including Adriatic Grey, Estonian Sandstone, Sira Grey Granite, Basalt Grey, Bianco Romano Granite, and Meterous Black. The available colors for the trim/deck are California Redwood, Pacific Cedar, Shou Sugi Ban – Dark Burn, and Shou Sugi Ban – Tiger Stripe.

Assembly

One of the great things about the Stoic 2.0 is that it requires minimal assembly, and delivery is included in the $9,699 price (frankly, it better be). It arrives on your doorstep fully assembled, but it’s up to you to put it where you want it. 

With a smaller or inflatable tub, that wouldn’t be worth mentioning, but this bad boy weighs in at 345 pounds empty, so you’re probably going to need some friends to help you move it. When you have it where you want it, you can follow Renu’s video instructions and set it up, which took us about 30 minutes. 

Temperature Settings

The Stoic 2.0 has a thermometer that can be set to chill the tub’s water down to anywhere from 36 to 60 degrees. But don’t plan on hopping in the tub right away — our testers found that it took anywhere from 12 to 24 hours to get the water to the desired temperature.

The good news is that once it’s there, it’ll stay there. Thanks to the Stoic 2.0’s thick insulated walls, the tub can keep the water temperature under 60 degrees even 24 hours after turning the chiller off. Plus, our testers noted that the chiller runs quietly, so you won’t be jolted out of your deep breathing and relaxation by a loud hum. 

Filtering/Cleaning

One of the features that make the Stoic 2.0 worth the high price is the excellent filtration system. The system, which is integrated within the body of the tub, consists of two-stage filtration bolstered by an ultraviolet ozone generator that releases one gas into the water to eliminate viruses, heavy metals, and bacteria.

Our tester reported that at no point in time did there seem to be unfiltered water in the tub, even after it sat unused for a time. “I had this tub shut off and covered for over a week and a half,” they said. “And there were no signs of buildup at all.” Based on their experience, we have the Stoic 2.0 an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars. 

Draining

One gripe that our tester had during our review of the inflatable Redwood Outdoors Yukon Tub was that there were no dedicated drain ports. You can imagine how much we appreciate the Stoic 2.0’s out port, which not only lets you drain the water but allows for a hose attachment, so you can drain it into a sink or bathtub. This is essential for anyone who wants to keep this tub indoors. 

Dimensions

At 70” long by 33” wide and 35” tall, the Stoic 2.0 will take up a chunk of space in your home or backyard. On the plus side, unlike other tubs with external chillers, the chiller/filtration system is integrated into the tub’s body. This saves a bit of space (and makes the whole setup look sharp).

The interior was roomy enough for our 5’4” tester, but our 6’ tester found himself wishing he could stretch his legs out. If you’re taller and legroom is essential, you could go with Renu’s larger model, the Siberian, for $4,000 more. Nonetheless, our testers gave it 4 out of 5 stars for comfort. 

What to Consider Before Buying the Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub

The Stoic 2.0 is a pricey tub, but it does come with some interesting features. If you’re thinking about dropping your hard-earned cash on this tub, there are a few factors to consider.

Price

At $9,599, this is one of the most expensive cold tubs that we’ve tested. This is $3,000-$4,000 more than comparable tubs. There are several features that make this tub stand out, including the customizable aesthetic, excellent filtration system, and the quiet chiller. Nevertheless, it’s hard to justify shelling out almost $10,000 for a cold plunge tub, so our testers gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars for value. 

Chiller

The 0.25hp chiller is quiet enough to use indoors and can be set to cool water down to anywhere from 60 to 27 degrees. Plus, it’s integrated into the tub body, so your plunge room or deck won’t feel cluttered. There are no remote or Wi-Fi options, however, so if you want to get your tub cooling while you’re away, you may want to choose another product. 

Filters/Cleaning

The filtration system is one of the coolest things about the Stoic 2.0. The dual filtration system is capable of pumping 20 gallons of water per minute through its large grate for catching bigger debris and its 50-micron filter for capturing smaller particles. On top of that, there is an ultraviolet ozone generator that releases ozone gas into the water to help eliminate viruses, bacteria, and heavy metal buildup. 

Electrical Requirements

The chiller/filter requires a 110-volt plug, which is standard in most homes.

Dimensions

The interior of the Stoic 2.0 is 40” long by 25” wide and 31” tall, which was plenty of room for our 5’4” tester. Our 6’ tall, however, wasn’t able to fully extend his legs. Our taller tester was surprised, however, by how much vertical space there was. “I didn’t think that my upper body would fit in the tub, but it’s a lot taller than I thought it was.”

Externally, the tub is 70” long by 33” wide and 35” tall, which is comparable to some of the larger tubs on the market. Unlike other larger tubs on the market, you don’t need to save space for the chiller and filtration system since they’re built into the body of the tub.

Portability

If you need a tub that you can travel with or move around the backyard frequently, this isn’t the one. At 345 pounds dry and 1,125 pounds when filled to capacity, this will be a semi-permanent fixture wherever you put it, so we’re giving it 1 out of 5 stars for portability. 

Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub Vs. The Competition

Like the best treadmills and home saunas, old plunges can be a significant investment, and the Stoic 2.0 is definitely not an exception. Before you take the…plunge, make sure you shop around to make sure that money is going to the best tub for your needs. Here’s how the Stoic 2.0 stacks up against the competition. 

If you’re working with a tight budget, The Cold Pod is the obvious choice at $184.99. That said, it’s pretty sparse when it comes to features. All told, you’re buying a large bucket. If you’re willing to spend a few grand, the Plunge Pro XL is the closest premium tub at $6,900 without the optional heater, but it is a fully loaded tub. Taller folks may want to give the Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro a look. Since it’s over 6’6” in length, most plungers will be able to submerge fully with their legs extended. 

If you have a ton of money to spend, Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub is arguably the best-looking and most streamlined tub and chiller combo. It’s not as big as the Cold Plunge Pro, but the integrated chiller and customizable, heavily insulated walls are a huge plus. 

As the table shows, there are options for a range of needs and price ranges, whether you need a bigger tub or one that matches your decor. Just make sure to figure out your priorities and do your research, and you’ll be able to find the best one. 

Places to Buy

You can buy the Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub directly from the Renu website. 

Company Information

Renu offers an extensive line of cold plunges, saunas, and hot tubs. They offer a five-year warranty on plastic tubs and a one-year warranty on wood tubs as well as financing through Affirm. To speak to a team member, you can contact them at (714) 617-2007, or head over to their Contact page, fill out a form, and someone will email you.

In Conclusion

If you’re looking for a top-tier cold plunge tub, the Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub is worth a look. It has a classy and customizable appearance, the cleaning system is top-tier, and it’s designed to work both indoors and outdoors, thanks to the tough powder-coated exterior and hose-compatible draining system. 

Our testers had some issues with the tub, namely that the chiller takes a while to cool the water, the spa light costs extra, and there aren’t any remote operation options. These are minor complaints for an overall excellent tub, but for the high cost of admission, it’s fair to expect more. But if you’ve got a stack of cash burning a hole in your pocket and you want a top-tier cold tub, the Stoic 2.0 is a solid option. 

FAQs

Resources

1. Esperland D, de Weerd L, Mercer JB. Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing subject of debate. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2022 Dec;81(1):2111789. doi: 10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789. PMID: 36137565; PMCID: PMC9518606.

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