Living with pain, aches, soreness, and inflammation can be incredibly challenging and dampen your enjoyment of day-to-day life. Fortunately, there is a solution for everything, and we have one for you in the form of our selection of the best cold therapy machines.
Cold therapy, also known as ice therapy, has proven highly efficient in alleviating pain and inflammation caused due to injuries, physical trauma, over-exercising, or surgical procedures. This technique utilizes cold temperature, which, when used on the affected area, decreases the blood flow to inhibit inflammation while providing an analgesic effect, i.e., pain relief (1), (2). Earlier, only hospitals and physical therapy clinics used cold therapy machines, while people at home used chilled water or ice packs. But, thanks to recent technological innovations, you can now reap the benefits of cold therapy in the comfort of your home. Cold Compression Unit
Our contributor Mary Sabat, RDN, LD, Ace Certified Trainer - Body Designs Ltd., says, “The frequency of using cold therapy machines largely depends on the individual and their specific condition. In many cases, it's safe to use these machines daily, especially if under the guidance of a healthcare professional. However, it's crucial to follow the recommended usage guidelines provided by the manufacturer or your healthcare provider to avoid potential overuse or skin-related issues.”
Navigating the market, which is flooded with cold therapy machines, may be confusing. So, we took it upon ourselves to do the work for you. Through our trial and error, we discovered the best cold therapy machines to speed up your recovery. Don't let the pain (or the inconvenient ice packs) bother you anymore, and dive into the world of cutting-edge ice therapy machines.
Highly favored as a cold therapy machine for knee replacement and shoulders, this machine from Polar Products is worth every penny. It might look like any other ice therapy machine on the market, but two features, in particular, set it apart. It has a large reservoir that allows you to store up to 12 frozen water bottles. It is a convenient feature as it takes away the worry of refilling the ice. This cold therapy device also comes with a hand-held digital timer. It means you won't need to get up or bend to adjust the settings.
The Össur Cold Rush Cold Therapy System is one of the most compact ice therapy machines based on our firsthand experience making it highly portable. Its compact structure, however, does not hamper its ability to last long (expect up to six hours of cold). It is the best cold therapy machine for shoulders, thanks to its excellent compression. And the best feature? You won't have to worry about losing the instruction manual because it comes with the instructions printed on top of it.
This cold therapy unit from Vive has been made just right. It is the perfect size, neither too big nor too small. The base unit is clear, meaning you can see the exact level of ice or water, and fill it with ease. This Vive ice therapy machine offers a personalized experience with five adjustable flow rates. You can also customize the duration of cycles by setting them up to 30 minutes or less.
The PhysioNatural Cold Therapy System is not only easy on the eyes but also does what it promises. It is a cold therapy machine for knees and elbows. With its pump mechanism that keeps the therapy pad consistently cold, it ensures effective care. Our findings show that it can help with soreness, post-operative recovery, inflammation, and injuries such as sprains and cartilage tears (3), (4). This ice therapy machine serves the quality of a professional cold therapy session in the comfort of your home.
The LEONNS Cryotherapy Machine is one of the most convenient and easy-to-maneuver cold therapy machines. You will love it for its impressive looks and efficient performance. It allows you to customize the cold therapy sessions with five adjustable flow settings, each session running up to 30 minutes. An interesting feature of this unit is how it monitors temperature to ensure optimal care.
The OasisSpace ice therapy machine is the perfect companion for bringing icy relief to those who are dealing with joint pain and their post-operative care. It comes with two flexible therapy pads strategically designed to provide even and consistent cooling. Our findings show that the pads snugly fit the joints to provide optimum targeted relief and speed up your recovery.
This cold therapy compression machine from LifePro takes convenience to the next level. Instead of using a water/ice reservoir, it uses reusable gel pads and provides an efficient and rejuvenating recovery without putting in a lot of work. Ideal for targeting thighs, knees, and ankles, this unit comes with a convenient remote control that allows you to adjust from 5 different pressure options. For those struggling with sports injuries, this product is ideal.
The PMT Polar Vortex Cool Therapy Ice Machine is aptly named, given its ability to maintain consistent cold temperatures for a long time. It comes with 6 reusable cold cubes, of which 3 can be placed in the reservoir at the same time while the remaining 3 can be placed in the freezer for later use. We have found from using this product that the LCD control panel is a convenient feature that lets you adjust the time of sessions and the intensity of the motor.
Not all cold therapy machines are built the same, and this unit from Beautail stands as undeniable proof. When we trialed this product, we discovered that it provides an all-around snug fit that efficiently targets the problem areas. The features of this ice therapy machine provide a comfortable recovery from daily aches and pains.This portable ice therapy almost immedeately improves blood circulation to the arms, legs, forearms, elbows,and thighs. Moreover, it also aids the healing process.
There are numerous options of the best cold therapy machines out there, but not all of them will work for you. There are certain things that you must know before making the final choice.
Before purchasing an ice therapy machine, you must properly think about your needs. Check the specific reason why you want this machine. Determine what type of machine will suit your needs the best. For instance, understanding whether the compact design or one with a big reservoir works better for you. Another thing to keep in mind if whether you want to use the product only at home or carry it to your work place.
Different injuries require different temperatures. Moreover, the sensitivity to cold also varies from person to person. So, you must look for an ice therapy machine that enables customization of temperature.
Research suggests that cold therapy is more effective when paired with compression (5). Their combined effect will enable a speedy recovery. Therefore, you must consider a cold therapy compression machine. Get the best of both worlds!
Invest in an ice therapy machine with safety features such as automatic turn-off. Overexposure to cold temperatures may prove harmful to your muscles (6). An auto turn-off feature will come in handy in such a situation. Look for a machine that notifies once the cycle is completed.
Our contributor Mary Sabat suggests being cautious while using a cold therapy machine. She adds, “When using cold therapy machines to reduce inflammation or manage pain, it's essential to take care of your skin to avoid potential issues. First, ensure a barrier, like a cloth or towel, is placed between the machine and your skin to prevent frostbite or cold burns. Secondly, limit the session duration to recommended times and monitor your skin for any adverse reactions, such as redness or numbness, to prevent skin damage and seek medical advice if needed.”
Most good quality cold therapy machines are in the higher range of prices. Therefore, you must look for brands that provide a decent warranty period and returns/exchanges in case of a defective unit.
It is highly important to go through customer reviews for well-rounded, authentic, and real-life insights into the functioning and performance of your desired cold therapy machine.
Talk to your doctor/healthcare professional
Don't forget to take advice from your doctor or health care professional before purchasing a cold therapy machine. They can give you valuable insights in their professional capacity. Their advice will be based on your specific needs, the nature of the injury, and treatment goals.
Contributor: Mary Sabat, RDN, LD, Ace Certified Trainer - Body Designs Ltd.
We have scoured through a wide array of products to bring you the best cold therapy machines available in the market. Our team has curated a selection after conducting thorough research and analysis of numerous products. Our list comprises ice therapy machines that are the absolute best when it comes to innovation, performance, and ratings. You now don’t have to go through the hassle of dealing with inconvenient and messy ice packs when we are here to provide you with cutting-edge cold therapy options in the comfort of your home. Choose with confidence from our expert recommendations and embark on a journey to a speedy recovery.
Shebna, the author is a budding journalist and a health and fitness expert. She is aware of all the latest trends and workouts in the fitness world. It is after thorough research that she has curated this list of the best cold therapy machines.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
1. Laboratory evaluation of various cold therapy modalities
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/036354657800600513?journalCode=ajsb
2. Ice freezes pain? A review of the clinical effectiveness of analgesic cold therapy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0885392494901503
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0838.1996.tb00090.x
4. The effects of cold therapy in the postoperative management of pain in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/036354658901700306?journalCode=ajsb
5. Cold and compression in the management of musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic operative procedures: A narrative review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3781860/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232852/
Shebna is a content creator with an experience of over 6 years and likes to delve into all things health and fit More
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