Australian startup Clearwater Ice Baths has launched an Indiegogo campaign for Snowcap, an inflatable cold plunge tub that cools water down to 1.5 °C using a Peltier thermoelectric cooler-no ice or refrigerants needed. The tub can also heat water up to 40 °C, offering versatile temperature control in a portable design.
- Cooling range: down to 1.5 °C; heating up to 40 °C
- Capacity: 300-320 liters
- Empty weight: 8-10 kg
- Early preorder price: $1,257 (around 123,500 rubles)
- Estimated running cost: Approximately $1.10 (110 rubles) for eight hours of use
The Snowcap tub uses a simple thermoelectric principle: a metal plate powered by a Peltier element cools the side immersed in water while heating the opposite side exposed to air. You plug it into a standard outlet, and it efficiently maintains low temperatures with minimal energy consumption compared to compressor-based systems.
Snowcap design and features
Designed for single users, the tub holds between 300 and 320 liters of water and weighs 8 to 10 kilograms when empty. It includes an 18-kg insulated cover with a 20-micron filtration system to keep water clean and clear.
Snowcap’s thermoelectric system also features an ice-making mode, allowing users to add ice manually when preferred. Switching modes lets the Peltier cooler alternate between chilling water down to 1.5 °C and warming it up to a comfortable 40 °C.
Snowcap pricing and availability
Snowcap has not yet entered mass production. After launch, the retail price is expected to be $2,007 (about 197,000 rubles). The Indiegogo preorder campaign is currently live, offering early backers the tub for $1,257 (around 123,500 rubles).
Cold plunge baths like Snowcap have gained popularity among fitness enthusiasts and biohackers seeking effective low-temperature recovery without the hassle of bulky ice. Unlike pricier models from established brands that use compressor refrigeration or chiller systems, Snowcap’s thermoelectric approach promises portability and lower energy costs.
However, the tub’s long-term performance and ability to manage heat dissipation in hotter climates remain to be tested. As more consumers seek at-home wellness gadgets, Snowcap’s combination of cold plunging and warming in a lightweight inflatable tub could fill a niche between traditional rigid ice baths and expensive electronic chillers.
Watch for how Clearwater Ice Baths scales manufacturing and addresses durability beyond crowdfunding. The success of Snowcap will reveal whether thermoelectric cooling can offer convenient, affordable cold therapy worldwide.