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Ice packs, rent or buy? Why a cold therapy machine is worth having before surgery day
Your surgeon said "get an ice machine." Here's how your three options compare, so you can decide before you're home and sore.
- About 6–8 hours of cold per ice fill (Polar Care Cube, Breg rating)
- Pay with your HSA or FSA card
- Ships same day if ordered by 12 PM EST
"[The Polar Care Cube] is simple and easy to use… [Breg] keeps it simple and performs very well."★★★★★ James K., verified buyer
Four reasons to buy a machine
- Hours of cold, not minutes. Breg rates the Polar Care Cube at about 6–8 hours of cold per ice fill, so nobody is swapping packs all day.
- A pad made for your joint. WrapOn pads are shaped for the knee, hip, shoulder, ankle or back and strap in place.
- Yours to keep. Rentals go back when you're done. A machine you buy stays with you for the whole recovery and any future procedure.
- Pay with HSA or FSA. Even if insurance won't cover it, your health savings or flexible spending card works at checkout.
One cooler, a pad for your surgery
This, not that
Ice packs are the cheapest place to start, but they need constant swapping. Renting gets you a machine, but you pay by the week and hand it back. Buying costs more up front and the machine is yours for the whole recovery.
Want the numbers? Read Ice machine for knee surgery: rent or buy?
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Buying a Polar Care Cube
- About 6–8 hours of cold per ice fill
- Pad shaped for your joint
- Yours to keep for future procedures
- HSA/FSA cards accepted
- From $176, one time
Ice packs or renting
- Ice packs warm up fast and need swapping
- Packs slide around on the joint
- Rentals are usually charged by the week
- Rentals go back, so you pay again next time
Breg Polar Care Cube
Breg's straightforward cold-only machine: fill it, wrap the pad, plug it in. One cooler works with pads for the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle and back.
- Ships same day if ordered by 12 PM EST, Mon–Fri
- Free shipping on orders over $99.99
- Pay with your HSA or FSA card
- 180-day Breg warranty against defects
What's included
Polar Care Cube cooler with built-in pump, power supply and the WrapOn pad you pick. "Cooler only" has no pad. Breg requires an insulation barrier between pad and skin, so you'll be offered the matching sterile dressing in your cart.
How it works
Fill the cooler with ice to the ice line and cold water to the water line, connect the pad's hose and plug in. A quiet pump moves ice water through the pad. Breg rates it at about 6–8 hours of cold per ice fill.
Shipping & returns
Orders by 12 PM EST, Mon–Fri, ship the same day. Free shipping over $99.99. It's a single-patient medical device, so once shipped it can only be returned for a defect covered by Breg's 180-day warranty (refund policy).
★★★★★ 32 reviews of the Cube
Shoulder recovery
"I love the Polar Care Cube. Easy to use and incredibly soothing to my shoulder as I recover from surgery."
Granville P., verified buyerDon't be fooled
"[The Polar Care Cube] is simple and easy to use… [Breg] keeps it simple and performs very well."
James K., verified buyerHighly recommend
"Great price, fast shipping. Highly recommend."
Jonathan G., verified buyer
Recovery prep, done right
Ships today
Order by 12 PM EST, Monday to Friday, and it ships the same day, so it's there before surgery.
HSA / FSA
Use your health savings or flexible spending card at checkout. Keep your receipt and prescription on file.
Warranty
Breg covers the Polar Care Cube against defects for 180 days.
Need something different?
Breg Polar Care Cube
For most people. Cold only, no settings to fiddle with.
- About 6–8 hours of cold per ice fill (Breg)
- Pads for knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, back
- 32 reviews
With a pad from $215
Cooler only $176
Breg Polar Care Kodiak
If you don't want to be tied to a wall outlet.
- Runs on the wall cord or an optional battery pack (sold separately, $94)
- Intelli-Flo pads for knee, shoulder, hip, back
With a pad from $239
Cooler only $200
Breg Polar Care Wave
If your surgeon wants cold and compression at home.
- Cold plus compression in one unit
- Compression pads for knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, back
With a pad from $389
Cooler only $285
Questions before surgery
Should I rent or buy?
Rentals are usually charged by the week and the unit goes back when you're done. Buying costs more up front but the machine is yours for the whole recovery and any future procedure. Compare a rental quote for the weeks your surgeon expects you to use it with the price here.
When should I order?
Order before surgery day so it's set up when you get home. Orders placed by 12 PM EST, Monday to Friday, ship the same day.
How long does one fill stay cold?
Breg rates the Polar Care Cube at about 6 to 8 hours of cold per ice fill. When the cold fades, drain some water and add fresh ice.
When will it arrive?
Orders placed by 12 PM EST, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), ship the same day. Delivery options are shown at checkout.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes, HSA and FSA cards work at checkout. It's a good idea to keep your receipt and prescription on file.
Do I need a prescription?
Federal law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a medical professional. Your prescriber should tell you how often and how long to use it.
What's the return policy?
These are single-patient medical devices, so once shipped they can only be returned for a defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty (180 days on the Cube). See our refund policy.
Get set up before surgery day
- Same-day shipping
- Order by 12 PM EST, Mon–Fri, and it ships today.
- HSA / FSA accepted
- Pay with your health savings or flexible spending card.
- Free shipping over $99.99
- Every Cube with a pad qualifies.
