The 5 Best At-Home Cold Therapy Machines For Faster Muscle Relief & Recovery

This FSA-approved cold therapy machine was specifically designed to help with post-surgery recovery (and multiple reviewers even called out how helpful it was with pre-and post-knee replacement surgery). The system used a motorized pump to consistently circulate cold water around the knee through an insulated therapy pad. This universal pad can be used on the knee, where it offered a bit of compression, or with a handful of compression wraps to target other body parts, like your lower back, hips, or shoulder.

Each cooling reservoir can be used with ice or frozen water bottles, which last longer. Once the reservoir is filled is filled, you can use the programmable digital timer to determine the desired water temperature and length of your treatment. Just remember you'll need to stay within 5 feet of the compression machine. Luckily, there are optional 12-volt DC adapters and portable batteries available for treatment on the go.

This targeted cryo system is ideal for anyone recovering from a shoulder injury, when used with the shoulder cuff attachment. Instead of a motor, the device relies on a gravity-fed system to delivery cold water to the therapeutic cuff for up to 8 hours of cryotherapy.

When used with the shoulder cuff, it covers the entire shoulder, circulating over the effect area. It also offers controlled compression, which helps minimize swelling and pain. A number of reviews say the Aircast offered relief after rotator-cuff surgery, and helps keep inflammation at bay.

Just remember the Aircast DonJoy Cold Therapy system and the shoulder cuff are sold separately.

This quiet, compact cold therapy machine delivers relief to your entire body. Simply fill the cooling reservoir with up to 6 liters of ice water and prepare for 30 minutes of continuous relief. Use the LED display screen on the unit to adjust the water temperature and keep track of how much time you have left.

Similar to other designs, it opts for a universal cooling pad, which can be attached to ankles, knees, legs, hips, elbows, shoulders, or arms using the included elastic straps. However, the portability of this design is what really sets it apart; the handle can easily be tucked into the unit and the flexible pad can be folded for transport. Testers only have positive things to say about the device, giving it positive feedback for providing relief after surgery, an intense workout, and more.

This ultra-versatile system runs on a battery pack for total portability. You’ll get 10 to 14 hours of use from this water-fueled system, which can be purchased the its own, or with Breg’s signature Intelli-Flo pads for various parts of the body. A number of customers rave about how helpful this system was for pain management. Although it doesn’t have an internal timer, many reviews recommend using a smart plug. This workaround could apply to any of the machines above, too.

Cold therapy is fantastic for all of the reasons we’ve already covered, but alternating cold and heat (also known as contrast therapy) comes with an additional slew of benefits. The combination can be helpful for offering relief from pain and swelling, while providing a soothing effect for the joints and muscles. That’s why this at-home system is worth a mention: It features an automatic temperature control (regulated by LED lighting) that allows the machine to pivot between hot and cold.

While this unit offers a number of different therapy “blankets” or pads, many customers highlight how it was particularly helpful following knee replacement surgery, especially because of how easy it is to transport.

This cold therapy machine is the product of over 20 years of research and customer feedback—resulting in a system with rave reviews. It features a patented dual pump recirculation system, which helps keep the temperature extra cold, no matter what part of the body you’re targeting. While they don’t come with the unit, you can purchase a number of different pads to fit various areas of the body, including hips, foot, knee, shoulder, and a “universal” option.

Customers also call out that the system works better when you add frozen water bottles to the cooler, rather than ice cubes.