Polar Active Ice 3.0 Cold Therapy Ice Machine System with Programmable Timer, Full Circumference and Coverage Knee Compression Pad, 9 Quart Cooler, Quiet Pump, Strong Cryotherapy Pain Relief Treatment

Updated 4/20/2020: I wanted to add to my original review. I've used a similar unit in the past. However, the deciding factor in purchasing this particular unit was the auto on/off cycle timer, which no other company offer's. You can set it for how long you want it run and how long you want it to shut off before it runs again.Recently I have been dealing with a lot of knee pain and stiffness while trying to sleep, it's been 3-1/2 months since my surgery. To the point I am back having to use crutch's when I first get out of bed, until I do an ice therapy session. So I decided to experiment and use the machine throughout the whole night while in bed.First couple of nights I tried different cycle times, 20 mins on/20 off. Then 30/20. Finally settled on 40 mins on/10 mins off. Now when I get up in the mornings I feel so much better. I'm not in nearly as much pain nor do I have as much stiffness! Also, I no long need the crutch's when I first wake up. Having the on/off cycle timer is such an added benefit!Due to being a multi sport athlete and years of injury and competition I just had my fourth knee surgery, I borrowed a similar unit on my last surgery that wasn't available to me this time. I thought I would just use ice this time. After two days of intense pain and swelling almost the same, I ordered this unit. I love it!The bladders have the wrap attached to it which makes it very convenient and easy to put on & off. This unit also has auto on/off timer that I love. You can set it to run from 10 minutes to 16-1/2 hours. You can also set it for how long you want it off before it kicks back on again. Which is nice because you can have it on a lot longer than ice and you can sleep with it on. Within 24 hours my swelling was reduced by more than half of what it was and so was the pain. Ice, if left on to long can be counter productive and can be messy.I did have a small issue when I first received it, not a real big deal. However, I called the manufacture, Polar Products and they were really nice and took care of it immediately. While talking to them, found out they were actually local to me (Stow, Ohio) and they invited me out. They are a small family owned company with great people and a great product and worth the extra money I paid. Don't be afraid to spend the extra money for this product, Don't be penny wise and dollar foolish.While I was at their facility I was asked if I would be interested in testing reusable Ice packs they are developing to reduce having to keep continuing emptying water and adding ice. I feel they are working very well, maintaining good temperature for 6-8 hours. Take them out, wipe them off and put them back in freezer and grab another set.This unit is something I would suggest having and wearing the moment you get home from surgery. This will help cut days even weeks off of dealing with pain and swelling. Also; I wear mine 30 minutes on/10 minutes off/30 minutes on, then i get up and walk as much as I can with or without crutches, then repeat. After four knee surgery's I have learned how important it is to get it moving as soon and as much as possible. However, getting the swelling down as soon as possible is a huge factor and this unit helps do that.As I am now in therapy, they will typically ice you at the end. I elect not to have them do this and I come home and put my knee bladder on. My opinion it much more effective and more comfortable. I don't understand why therapy does not use them. I know this was long but I hope my experience will help someone or many with a faster recovery, being on crutches and laid up is no fun!

I purchased this after being sent home from the hospital after knee surgery. I was in agony and my entire leg from the knee to the toes became horridly edematous. Looking for more constant pain relief than what pills were providing, I searched for an ice water circulating machine. I was pleasantly surprised that the cost was reasonable and ordered this after comparing various ones. I especially appreciate being able to adjust the level of coldness with a remote as well as the remote giving me control over how long the ice water circulates as well as the length of pauses between active circulation. Immobility makes the remote priceless. The pain relief I got was instantaneous AND complete! It gave me the break from constant excruciating pain immediately. The swelling in my leg also began to slowly subside. I used it lying down with my leg elevated on a foam wedge. I also used it sitting in my recliner. At our age of 69 years, we found it super easy to set up and get running. I used it for several weeks and and very happy that I bought this. This is a relatively small size and doesn't weight a lot empty - weighs a bit with ice and water but that can be added once it is in the place you are going to be using it. It is easily portable - just needs an electrical outlet within about 5 feet. I highly recommend purchasing this if you are planning to have any type of orthopedic surgery (although I suspect it would be useful for other types of surgery also.) I also recommend this for chronic pain or injuries. My only suggestion is that if you are the least bit a "larger" person (I weigh 200 lbs. at 5'3") that you get the large "blanket" rather than the knee wrap as with the swelling after surgery I could barely get the edges of the knee wrap to meet to velcro. I certainly wish I had gotten the larger "blanket", but made do until the swelling receded quite a bit and the wrap fit my leg better. Even so, it was an incredible relief. One of the best purchases ever. After reading several questions and reviews I have to add the following: The remote has been improved - you can control the temperature with the new improved programable timer and temperature control remote. You have 4 choices of temperature control. Works fantastic! Direct from their website: "The combination programmable timer & temperature flow control (#DFT) is a direct replacement for the programmable timer (#DTP), which has been discontinued. In addition to custom cold therapy "on" and "off" cycles, this combination remote allows you to adjust the flow of the water through the system, which will in-turn make the water temperature less cold."

If you’ve ever had surgery you know that using ice 20 min on and 20 min off for at the very least 48 hours is a huge key in reducing post-operative pain. It’s almost impossible to do that when there is a mobility issue immediately following surgery and/or relying on someone to do it for you including throughout the night. I purchased this unit recently for an upcoming back surgery. My insurance actually covers renting a unit but a majority of health insurances do not. I was told by the company and my doctor that they don’t have pads for the back. So I started researching affordable units when I came across the Polar Cube. I’m a week post op and this cooling unit controlled my pain and swelling extremely well. It has a programmable timer which I have set for 20 min on and 20 min off. This is a priceless feature! It does all the work for you so you can rest and heal. The unit is whisper quiet as you can hear so it doesn’t disrupt sleep. Instead of using ice which in my opinion would be a mess, we froze 12 bottles of water which my husband rotates out twice a day. He found if he added a few more thin ice packs that he could spread out swapping out the ice packs. So easy, zero mess. I purchased the extra large pad since I wasn’t sure where and how extensive my incision would be. I thought the large pad would also be versatile for future surgery or injury as well. The pad is pretty big and comes with a nice size Velcro band so you can custom fit this right where you need it to go. It stays in place. It’s easy to remove if I need to get up and move around. It’s light weight and easy to move room to room. We live in a 2 story home and my husband quickly moves the unit. Place the pad directly over your clothing and not against your skin. It turns on and it fills with icy water in seconds. When the 20 min is up the unit automatically turns off and the cold water instantly stops, 20 min later it turns back on and the process continues! You can set the timer for many different variations. They offer an extended warranty in case it breaks in the next 3 yrs which I included in my purchase for $33. They will replace the unit if it breaks or if it can’t be fixed. My husband already borrowed it from me for a few hours when he pulled a muscle in his back working outside. He couldn’t believe how helpful it was in reducing the amount of pain he was in and the inflammation. He was moving around with ease by the next day. I would highly recommend this unit!!

I had my right knee replaced. This ice machine was excellent at reducing my pain and swelling. Right after surgery I ran it at full speed (4) for 20 minutes out of each hour. It would last 6 hours without having to replace the frozen water bottles. Now that my knee is not so hot, I run it at low speed (1) for 20 minutes out of the hour and it lasts 14-16 hours. I sleep with it every night. I don't know what I would have done without it. Great product and very durable. I love the ability to schedule the amount of time it is on and off and I love the ability to choose the flow level.

Polar seems to be the standard in this category. Every other competing product on Amazon is half or more than half the price and gets terrible reviews.It of course is truly overpriced but post-op I was more concerned with reliability than economy. How overpriced? It’s some tubing, a pad, a Velcro strap, a power plug and a $10 water pump. But it’s reliable!I got the bundle that comes with the remote control. Without this, you plug it in, and it’s on. With it you can set 4 different cooling levels ranging from 1 (very cold) to 4 (colder than it needs to be). The remote also lets it be plugged in and OFF, and can also program a simple cycle such as 20 minutes on, 10 minutes off, repeated.Not included, but I also bought their extremely overpriced battery. This is used instead of the power supply and works for up to 6 hours. This enabled me to sit in our family room on the couch and not have a wire to trip up the dogs. The battery attaches via included Velcro.Cons:1. Overpriced2. The remote is corded and there’s not enough length between the remote and its connection. While the cord is long enough, if you’re in bed and the polar machine is on the floor, the remote will BARELY reach the bed. And eventually will fall down.