How we compared these. We have not tested either tub hands-on. Every figure comes from each maker's own pages, checked October 22, 2026. We did not use customer reviews, star ratings or celebrity endorsements. Brevley & Sons does not sell either brand today. We have asked BlueCube about becoming a dealer and may ask Renu; there is no agreement with either, and we say so here so you can weigh it. Neither company paid for this page.
Specs side by side
| Renu Therapy Cold Stoic 3.0 | BlueCube C1 (60 in) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Oct 22, 2026) | From $12,799; color and deck options run to $13,499 | $16,500 (all five finish options) |
| Temperature range | 37°F to 104°F (chill and heat) | 41°F to 104°F (chill and heat) |
| Chiller | 0.5 HP; Renu lists 518 W cooling and 1,013 W heating | 13,600 BTU (1.5 HP+) commercial chiller, outdoor-rated compressor, about 5°F per hour; "operates down to 20°F ambient" |
| Outside size | 70 in L x 33 in W x 35 in H | 92.5 in x 37.5 in x 28.5 in total footprint (54 and 66 in tubs also listed) |
| Tub interior | 40 in L x 25 in W x 31 in D | 60 in x 24 in x 22 in; contoured at a 20° slope, full-body to the neck, head-submersion capable |
| Water | 95 gal filled, 134 gal max | Not listed on the product page |
| Weight | About 365 lb empty, about 1,155 lb filled | Not listed on the product page |
| Build | 4 in high-density insulation; real wood or composite breath deck; 36 color combinations | 14-gauge 316L stainless tub, Line-X exterior coating, marine-grade plywood frame, spray foam insulation |
| Electrical | 120V, 15 A dedicated circuit recommended; GFCI plug, 12 ft cord | Dedicated 120V, 20 A outlet; GFCI plug, NEMA 5-20P; can be hardwired |
| Filtration and sanitation | External reusable filter plus internal XL filter; ozone | 20-micron filtration plus automatic ozone; 18 GPM circulation, whole tub filtered about 10 times per hour |
| Water change interval (maker's advice) | Every 4 to 6 months | Every 6 to 8 weeks for light use, 4 to 6 weeks daily use, 2 to 4 weeks heavy use |
| Noise | 58 dB at about 3 ft | Less than 60 dB |
| Controls | Touchscreen and Wi-Fi app | App control (iOS and Android); lights |
| Cover | Basic lid included; insulated spa cover with child locks optional | Insulated spa cover with child locks included |
| Clearances | Not listed on the product page | At least 18 in at the front vent and the filter side; back can sit flush to a wall |
| Lead time | Ships in 3 to 5 weeks | Built to order, 6 to 8 weeks |
| Delivery | Free curbside in the contiguous US; you move the tub off the pallet and into place | Free curbside in the lower 48, palletized crate, fully assembled; BlueCube recommends four movers and dollies |
| Returns | See Renu's terms | 30-day money-back on standard models, minimum 25% restocking fee; custom builds non-refundable |
| Warranty | 5-year limited; Renu's FAQ says 5 years on the body and 1 year on the chiller | 3-year residential, 1-year commercial parts and labor; 15 years on tub and frame; 5-year component coverage with a subscription plan |
| Origin (maker's words) | "Thoughtfully designed and handcrafted in Southern California" | "Handbuilt to order in Redmond, Oregon" |
Renu labels its interior "inside step" dimensions as length, width and depth; BlueCube lists length, width and height for the tub. Interior depth and tub height are not the same measurement, so compare by sitting posture, not by matching numbers.
Where each one wins
Choose the Renu Cold Stoic 3.0 if
- Price matters. At $12,799 to start, it costs $3,701 less than the C1.
- You want the coldest water. Renu publishes a 37°F floor, 4°F lower than the C1's 41°F.
- You only have a 15 amp circuit. Renu lists a 15 amp dedicated circuit as recommended. The C1 needs a 20 amp circuit and a 5-20 receptacle.
- You like an upright soak. The 31 inch deep interior suits sitting up with your knees bent. The C1 is a longer, shallower, reclined tub.
- You want fewer water changes. Renu tells owners to change the water every 4 to 6 months, against BlueCube's 6 to 8 weeks for light use. Follow your own tub's guidance either way.
- You want it sooner. Renu says it ships in 3 to 5 weeks; BlueCube builds to order in 6 to 8.
Choose the BlueCube C1 if
- The tub lives outside through freezing nights. BlueCube is the only one of the two that publishes a chiller rating below freezing: 20°F ambient. Renu's protocol is to run 24/7 at 45°F in cold months and to drain during prolonged freezes.
- You want a full-body, reclined plunge. The 60 inch tub is contoured at 20° and BlueCube says it takes you to the neck, head-submersion capable. 54 and 66 inch sizes are also listed.
- You want stainless steel and long structural coverage. 14-gauge 316L stainless with 15 years on the tub and frame, plus 3 years of parts and labor on components, against Renu's 1 year on the chiller.
- You want the cover in the box. BlueCube includes an insulated, locking spa cover. On Renu it is an option.
- You want it built in the Northwest. BlueCube builds in Redmond, Oregon. Renu builds in Southern California.
Pacific Northwest notes
- Winter. Seattle and Portland see freezing nights most winters, usually short. That favors the C1's 20°F chiller rating, but either tub needs a lid on, clear vents and a plan for a long cold snap. Read our PNW winter cold plunge guide.
- Rain and placement. Keep the C1's 18 inch vent and filter clearances free of planters and fences. Renu asks owners to keep vents clear of snow. Put either tub on a level pad that drains.
- Deck loads. At about 72 pounds per square foot filled, the Renu is well over the 40 psf live load most decks are built for. Ask BlueCube for the C1's filled weight before you plan a deck spot. See can you put a cold plunge on a deck.
- Power and permits. Both want a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit. A new circuit or outdoor outlet needs an electrical permit in Seattle and Portland. See cold plunge GFCI and electrical requirements and cold plunge permits in Seattle and Portland.
- Water. Seattle and Portland tap water is very soft. Both makers run ozone instead of chlorine at home; see cold plunge water care with soft Seattle and Portland water.
Sources
Maker pages checked October 22, 2026. Prices change often; confirm on the linked page.
- Renu Therapy Cold Stoic 3.0 product page (price, specs, power, weight, warranty, delivery, origin)
- Renu Therapy FAQs (water care, water change interval, warranty exclusions)
- Renu Therapy Cold Stoic 3.0 winter protocol
- BlueCube C1 Cold Plunge Tub product page (price, specs, power, clearances, delivery, warranty, origin)
- BlueCube: how to keep cold plunge water clean (water care, change intervals)
Related guides
- The best cold plunges of 2026, ranked by use case
- Cold plunge chiller power and cost to run
- Cold plunges through a Pacific Northwest winter
More buying guides
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Renu Cold Stoic 3.0 or the BlueCube C1?
They suit different buyers. On published specs, the Renu Therapy Cold Stoic 3.0 costs less (from $12,799 vs $16,500 on October 22, 2026), goes colder (37°F vs 41°F), runs on a 15 amp circuit and carries a 5-year limited warranty, which Renu says means 5 years on the body and 1 year on the chiller. The BlueCube C1 has a larger 13,600 BTU chiller rated to run down to 20°F air, a 60 inch 316L stainless tub you can lie back in, 3 years of parts and labor coverage on components and 15 years on the tub and frame. Pick Renu for price, colder water and an upright soak; pick BlueCube for outdoor winters, a reclined full-body plunge and stainless steel. We did not test either tub.
Which one handles a Seattle or Portland winter better?
On paper, the BlueCube C1. BlueCube says its chiller has an outdoor-rated compressor and operates down to 20°F ambient. Renu says the Cold Stoic 3.0 is built for outdoor use, asks owners to keep it plugged in and running 24/7 with the lid on, set 45°F in colder months and clear snow from the vents, and says to winterize (drain) the unit during prolonged freezing temperatures. Both heat to 104°F, which helps with freeze protection.
What circuit do I need for each tub?
Renu lists 120V and a 15 amp dedicated circuit (recommended), with a GFCI plug on a 12 foot cord. BlueCube requires a dedicated 120V 20 amp circuit, ships a GFCI plug in a NEMA 5-20P configuration and says the C1 can be hardwired. A 20 amp tub will not plug into a standard 15 amp outlet, so check your receptacle before delivery day.
Are these cold plunges made in the USA?
Both makers say they build in the United States. Renu says the Cold Stoic 3.0 is "thoughtfully designed and handcrafted in Southern California," and BlueCube says every C1 is "handbuilt to order in Redmond, Oregon." Neither statement says where components such as the chiller are made, so we do not apply a Made in USA badge without written confirmation from the maker.
How heavy is each tub when full?
Renu lists the Cold Stoic 3.0 at about 365 lb empty and about 1,155 lb filled with 95 gallons, roughly 72 pounds per square foot over its 70 by 33 inch footprint. BlueCube does not list the C1 capacity or filled weight on its product page, so ask before you plan a deck or balcony install. Our deck guide shows how to do the math.
Do you need chemicals in either tub?
Both makers say no for home use. Renu says every Renu cold plunge uses ozone and filtration so no chemicals are needed at home, and sells an optional chlorine-free and bromine-free kit. BlueCube says its residential units ship chemical-free, using 20-micron filtration, automatic ozone and a monthly enzyme treatment, and says the C1 cannot be upgraded to automatic chlorine or pH control.
Keep reading
Browse our cold plunges collection, see all guides, or ask us a question about your project.