The 5 Best Spa Vacuums For a Clean Ice Bath
You have to love the feeling of a fresh ice bath with new, clean water. There is nothing worse than submerging in an ice bath with dirty, grimey water with loads of floaties everywhere, gross.
This is what we commonly see people plunging in when they use a DIY chest freezer that doesn’t adequately clean or filter the water, essentially plunging in a bacteria pit!
A daily ice bath has become somewhat of a cornerstone in the routines of athletes and wellness aficionados, and it’s important to look after your ice bath so it can keep looking after you. Chances are, your ice bath water is an illness waiting to happen, because you are forgetting a key principle to keep your water clean - enter the spa vacuum.
While many people use a combination of chemicals to keep the water safe and clean, a lot of people prefer chemical free cold plunging, like us, but in doing so it is really important to do everything possible to maintain adequate hygiene for as long as possible in your ice bath. To achieve this, it is first crucial that your ice bath chiller includes some level of filtration and sanitation, which many of the cheaper ice bath options and chest freezer ice baths do not provide.
The next key principle is to regularly skim or scoop the water to clear debris from hair, skin and other floating debris like fluff, leaves, insects and clothing lint. One of the easiest ways to do this is a with a quality spa vacuum, and in this article we offer up 5 of the best spa vacuums for the easiest way to keep your ice bath water clean and free of unwanted floaties.
The cleanliness of the water not only ensures a safe and enjoyable experience but also extends the longevity and efficiency of the tub itself. One of the most effective ways to maintain this cleanliness is through the regular use of a spa vacuum, complemented by skimming the water surface after each use.
Why Keep Your Water Clean?
A well-maintained cold plunge tub is central to preventing bacterial growth, skin irritations, and the spread of pathogens.
Furthermore, clean water is essential to prevent potential damage to the tub’s surfaces and filtration systems.
Ensuring the removal of debris and contaminants through vacuuming can significantly reduce the maintenance demands on your tub's filtration system, including paper filters and metal particulate filters, thereby prolonging their lifespan and efficiency.
With our plunge tubs, we typically see a regular spa vacuum protocol extending the life of a paper filter by up to 2 weeks longer, due to limiting the build up of debris caught by the filter.
Extend Filter Life
Using a spa vacuum doesn't just keep the water clean; it also reduces the burden on the ice bath's chiller and filtration system. Debris and particulates, if left unattended, can clog paper filters and coat metal particulate filters, diminishing their effectiveness and requiring frequent cleaning or replacement.
By regularly vacuuming the tub, you ensure that these filtration elements remain unclogged, thereby enhancing their durability and performance. This proactive maintenance can lead to significant cost savings over time and ensure that the chiller system operates at optimal efficiency.
Skimming and Pre-Plunge Showering: Chemical-Free Water Maintenance
For those who prefer to maintain their ice baths without the use of chemicals, skimming the water surface becomes an indispensable practice. Regular skimming, combined with thorough pre-plunge showering by users to remove sweat, oils, and cosmetics, can drastically reduce the organic load introduced into the bath.
This practice, coupled with the use of a spa vacuum, is often sufficient to maintain water clarity and hygiene for extended periods, making the water fresher and more inviting for each use.
For low-chlorine solutions to treatment products for your ice bath, you can check out our 6 Month Maintenance Box which has you covered with everything you need.
Top 5 Spa Vacuums for Your Ice Bath
When selecting a spa vacuum, it's important to consider factors such as price, power, size, and battery life. Below, we've compiled a list of the 5 best spa vacuums, comparing their features, pros, and cons to help you keep clean ice bath water the easy way.
1. Efurden Hand Held Pool & Spa Vacuum
Price: $229 on Amazon
Power: Rechargeable battery
Size: Compact and easy to store
Battery Life:1 hour
The Efurden Hand Held Spa Vacuum is definitely the best spa vacuum we have come across for keeping a clean ice bath, spa or small pool. The motor is capable of displacing 8 gallons of water per minute which gives it powerful suction in comparison to some of the other much cheaper spa vacuums we’ve tried for this purpose.
One of the key features that make it a winner is the 1-hour running time, courtesy of a 6000mAh battery, which just gives a whole heap of use before needing to charge again, which we love.
It has an extra-long telescopic pole, adjustable from 33.5" to 69", meaning you wont get your sleeves wet when cleaning the ice bath. This feature not only facilitates long reach cleaning, making it ideal for small pools, but also allows for connection to any standard pole for even greater reach, ensuring no corner is left untouched.
If the vacuum remains out of water for 60 seconds after activation, this built-in sensor automatically powers the device down, preventing unnecessary energy drain.
It is also free from the hassles of cords or hoses, which makes it super easy to manuever and use for most ice baths, including your unsavoury chest freezer ice bath!
Included with the Efurden Hand Held Spa Vacuum are several essential accessories: an interchangeable brush head for versatile cleaning tasks, a charger to keep the battery powered up, a lightweight telescoping aluminium pole for extended reach, and a connector for easy attachment.
Pros:
Strongest suction for portable style
Long battery life
Extendable pole for reach
Multiple attachments to suit your ice bath
Cons:
Requires manual operation, not automated
Price: $143
Power: Rechargeable battery-powered
Size: Lightweight and portable
Battery Life: Up to 50 minutes on a full charge
As a runner-up in the best spa vacuums lineup, the Lay-Z-Spa Rechargeable Underwater Vacuum stands out as one of the best value options available. Its lightweight, cordless design simplifies the task of removing debris from your hot tub or pool, ensuring clean and clear water.
With a pivoting suction head equipped with wheels and brushes, it easily reaches those tricky spots, while the debris is neatly collected in a transparent, easy-to-empty filter.
Offering up to 50 minutes of run time on a full charge and compatible with a wide range of water depths and temperatures, this vacuum combines efficiency, convenience, and affordability, making it an excellent choice for maintaining your water leisure areas.
Pros:
Stainless steel design
Well priced
Light weight
Simple USB charging cable
Easy to empty filter
Cons:
Not super powerful
Price: Affordable
Power: Rechargeable battery-powered
Size: Compact and handheld
Battery Life: Up to 50 minutes on a full charge
The Kokido Telsa 5 Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum Cleaner stands out in the realm of pool maintenance with its lightweight design, weighing in at just 0.8kg, making it incredibly easy to handle and maneuver during cleaning sessions.
Uniquely equipped with a mesh net design, it offers a distinct approach to capturing debris compared to other models that may use a cylindrical metal filter. While the mesh net is effective in trapping twigs, sand, and small pebbles, ensuring a thorough clean, some users might find the cylindrical metal filters in other devices easier to clean.
Nevertheless, the Telsa 5's automatic start feature upon submersion, combined with its flat head and clip-on brush, make it an excellent choice for both small pool and spot cleaning in larger pools, offering convenience and efficiency in water filtration and debris removal.
Pros:
Very affordable and great value for money
Easy to use and maneuvre in smaller tubs
Comes with interchangeable brush heads
Cons:
May struggle with larger debris
Mesh net filter hard to clean
4. Oxseryn Lightweight Pool Vacuum
Price: $189
Power: Rechargeable battery
Size: Sleek and durable design
Battery Life: 4.5 hours
The Oxseryn Lightweight Pool Vacuum is a standout choice for efficient pool cleaning, offering portability thanks to its lightweight design. Its triangular vacuum head excels in cleaning corners and edges, while the large metal filter efficiently traps floating debris. The vacuum features a durable, waterproof design and an intelligent water sensor that shuts off the device if it's not submerged, conserving battery life. Powered by a 4000mAh rechargeable battery, it delivers up to 60 minutes of cleaning on a 4.5-hour charge. The package includes the vacuum, a telescopic pole extendable to 102 inches, and a charger, making it a comprehensive and effective cleaning solution.
Pros:
High-quality construction and materials
Precision cleaning for corners and crevices
No ongoing costs for batteries or electricity
Large internal metal filter
Automatic shutoff
Cons:
Premium price point
Price: $127
Power: Batteries (AA x 8)
Size: Extendable pole
Battery Life: Dependant on battery quality
The Bestway Aquatech Cordless Spa Cleaner offers a budget-friendly solution for effortless pool and spa maintenance. Its cordless design, powered by 8x AA batteries (not included), eliminates the hassle of cords, though it does mean managing battery replacements.
Simple press-button operation and an adjustable 3-section telescopic pole, extending up to 3.05 m (10ft), allow for easy debris removal from hard-to-reach places.
The transparent debris compartment provides clear visibility for timely emptying. While its reliance on disposable batteries rather than a rechargeable power source may be seen as a downside, this cleaner remains an efficient and cost-effective option for keeping pools clean.
Pros:
Cordless
Easy to use
Extendable/collapsable pole design to suit your ice bath
Cons:
Not rechargeable
Requires 8 x AA batteries
Conclusion
Maintaining the cleanliness of your ice bath is essential not just for hygiene but also for the overall longevity and efficiency of your setup. Regular vacuuming and skimming, combined with pre-plunge showering practices, can keep your water clear and your filtration systems running smoothly, without the need for chemical treatments.
Choosing the right spa vacuum for your needs will ensure that your ice bath remains a refreshing and rejuvenating experience for every plunge.
