Active Ice® Frequently Asked Questions

Both systems work the same and include the same features, therapy pads, and programmable controls.The main difference is size and cooling time: 9-QT: More compact with a flip carry handle, ideal when space and weight matter. 16-QT: Larger cooling reservoir holds twice as many frozen water bottles, delivering about twice the cold therapy time between changes. Includes a retractable handle and wheels for easier transport.

Cooling time can vary based on several factors, but many customers report 6–8 hours of cooling with the 9-quart system. The 16-quart system typically provides 12–16 hours between ice changes. Several things affect how long the cooling lasts:

Body Heat: Everyone generates different levels of body heat. As the system pulls heat away from the treated area, the ice or frozen bottles will melt. This is a sign the therapy is working.
Cycle Time: Longer therapy sessions will require more frequent ice or bottle changes. Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommended therapy schedule.
Cooling Setting: Higher flow settings (1–4) deliver colder therapy but use ice faster. Lower settings help extend cooling time.
Type of Ice Used: Frozen water bottles last significantly longer than loose ice. That’s why Active Ice® Systems are designed to hold standard 16 oz frozen water bottles, creating a larger, longer-lasting cooling source than traditional ice.

Yes. The Active Ice® Cold Therapy System is commonly used for post-surgical recovery, post-injury care, and general pain management. It delivers consistent, localized cold therapy to help reduce swelling, calm inflammation, minimize muscle spasms, and provide drug-free pain relief. With a variety of therapy pad options for different body parts, it can support recovery for a wide range of needs.

Our systems deliver consistent cold therapy with gentle compression while the insulated outer fabric helps direct maximum cooling to the targeted area. Cold therapy works by slowing blood flow to the injury, which may help reduce swelling, minimize muscle spasms, and support the body’s natural recovery process. All with effective, drug-free pain relief.

Yes. All Active Ice® Therapy Pads are designed to work with the same control unit. If you already own an Active Ice® System, you don't need a whole new setup to treat a different area, just purchase a separate Therapy Pad. Click here to view all Therapy Pad Options. 

• Family-owned and operated small business based in Ohio, USA Designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA for quality you can trust
• Dedicated, on-site customer service team — we answer our phones!
• Manufacturing, engineering, and operations all handled in-house
• Programmable timer and adjustable flow control with 4 coldness levels. Set custom on and off therapy cycles per your healthcare provider's instructions — a critical safety feature
• Large cooling reservoir designed to hold frozen 16.9 oz water bottles instead of ice for longer-lasting cold, reusability, and no draining melted ice water

Yes, we have a system set up video that can be found here.

We also have application videos for therapy pads that can be found here.