Nitrogen, hybrid, and electric cryosaunas

Despite becoming popular primarily among athletic communities, whole-body cryotherapy has become a trend for healthy lifestyle enthusiasts who want to feel more energetic, relaxed, and sleep better, with additional benefits of stronger immunity and faster metabolism. Public interest was the key driver behind the cryotherapy industry&#;s growth, promoting the evolution of cryo technologies. 

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What kind of equipment do we have now in the market? 

• open-top nitrogen-cooled machines with direct injection of nitrogen vapors;
• electric-powered walk-in cryo chambers;
• hybrid walk-in cryo chambers with breathable air inside, cooled only by nitrogen or both by nitrogen and electricity. 

For an inexperienced buyer, such diversity may be pretty confusing. 

In most cases, an aspiring  cryopreneur zeroes in on the price of cryotherapy equipment as a starting point for making a decision. No wonder, as some cold treatment devices may have a price tag on the wrong side of 100,000 EUR. However, in the long run, operating and maintenance costs might prove more important than the initial investment. So which cryotherapy machine, nitrogen-powered, hybrid or electric, is better for your cryo center? We hope this article helps you better understand the pros and cons of the three basic types of whole-body cryotherapy equipment.  

What are the main differences between electric, hybrid, and nitrogen cryosaunas?

To compare, we have grouped the differences by the effect on the human body, technical characteristics, and costs related to cryotherapy machines.

Impact on the body

The underlying mechanism of whole-body cryotherapy in any type of equipment, whether electric, hybrid, or nitrogen-powered, is the same. Thermal shock is essentially a rapid drop of the skin temperature from the normal 34ºC/35ºC to 7ºC/12ºC within several minutes. Pain relief, reduced inflammation and spasticity, improved metabolism and energy levels are only a few of the positive effects triggered in the body. The colder the cryotherapy environment the better, as the skin cools down more quickly and efficiently.

Nitrogen cryosaunas produce treatment temperatures down to -120ºC/-190ºC, while electric and hybrid cryotherapy machines generate a minimum of -80ºC/-110ºC.

Based on experience, the technology does not matter, as a 15 to 20-degree temperature drop on the skin needed for thermal shock can be achieved in any cryotherapy device with a consistent cooling environment, be it nitrogen-powered, hybrid, or electric cryosaunas.

Head in or head out?

Electric cryo chamber manufacturers claim more consistent treatment results in walk-in cryotherapy machines because of better vagus nerve stimulation. In fact, a bigger part of the nerve part is still exposed to extreme cold temperatures during treatments in an open-top cryosauna, except for the section on the neck. The truth is, in walk-in machines, the head is protected with earmuffs or a beanie, while the hair hampers the cold action even further. Besides, the studies of the vagus nerve cryostimulation have shown ambiguous results. 

Breathing air safety

Electric and hybrid cryogenic machines are believed to be generally safer as they do not pose a risk of inhaling the nitrogen-air mixture, which is a working environment in nitrogen-powered cryosaunas. However, cryosauna manufacturers use up-to-date technologies to eliminate this risk. For example, Cryomed&#;s cryosaunas feature a set of onboard sensors that control the customer and operator positions, door opening, nitrogen level, pressure, etc., and automatic operation algorithms to create a safe and comfortable cryotherapy environment and prevent human error. 

Technical characteristics

The differences between technical characteristics result from cooling technologies used in cryotherapy equipment. Nitrogen-powered cryosaunas have an open-loop cryogen delivery system pumping nitrogen and air mixture directly into the cryosauna cabin. Hybrid cryo machines supply liquid nitrogen to the closed-loop heat exchangers on the walls and/or ceiling. Electric cryo machines deliver pre-cooled air into the chamber cabin through dedicated vents. 

Time to get ready to work

A nitrogen cryosauna pre-cools in 3 to 5 minutes. A hybrid walk-in chamber takes a little longer to pre-cool, 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the manufacturer. An electric cryo chamber needs 30 minutes to several hours to get ready for cryo sessions.

Maintaining a stable temperature

When the customer goes in or out of any cryosauna, the air temperature in the cabin goes up. But, while in a nitrogen-based cryosauna, it takes only 30 seconds to bring the temperature back down, in an electric cryo chamber, you will have to wait longer. That is why many electric cryo machine manufacturers provide an anteroom or even two to prevent the loss of cold and cut the time needed to reset the treatment temperature. 

Footprint

Nitrogen-fed cryosaunas are generally the most compact devices among the machines for whole-body cryotherapy. Some need only one square meter to install (see Cryomed Mini cryosauna). Electric cryotherapy chambers are massive themselves. Besides, they need additional powerful equipment like generators and chillers, which also take up free space. With individual electric chambers without an anteroom, the smaller size comes at a price, as such machines usually cannot go lower than 80ºC or boast a balanced temperature at the door.  

Costs

A cryotherapy machine cost, for sure, is the highest expense for new cryopreneurs. But remember to look into the running and maintenance costs of your cryotherapy machine as well. 

The price

An electric cryosauna is often much more expensive than the nitrogen-based version. Hybrid machines start almost at the same level as electric ones but have a more affordable high-end price. For small businesses, it can be a deal breaker. Read in detail about the cost of a cryotherapy machine here. 

Running costs

With nitrogen and hybrid cryosaunas, the main consumable is liquid nitrogen. This implies you have to buy or rent cryogenic tanks for storage. Electric cryosaunas have high electric power consumption compared to their nitrogen counterparts. As a rule, the cost of one treatment in an electric cryo chamber is lower than in a nitrogen one. More about the running costs here. 

Maintenance costs

Electric cryo chambers require mandatory yearly maintenance performed only by their manufacturer, which can set you back 3,000 to 5,000 EUR. Bear in mind that all the spare parts are expensive, and any repairs need to be performed only by the manufacturer. Nitrogen and hybrid cryo machines, on the other hand, require little to no maintenance. In most cases, these machines support remote diagnostics and troubleshooting. Any skilled technician can repair the equipment following the manufacturer&#;s instructions, and replacement parts are relatively cheap. 

Let&#;s summarize the discussion in a very illustrative table, where the pros and cons are shown in color for better understanding.

What are the key takeaways? 

Your choice of a cryotherapy machine depends mainly on your budget, availability and price of consumables, estimated customer flow and available space. More about opening a cryotherapy business and associated expenses here. 

For any questions about the best choice for your business, reach out to our sales team via  on + 421 918 250 160 or .

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Although standing inside a cold tank may seem like a strange path to health, the cryotherapy trend is becoming increasingly popular as both the anecdotal and scientific evidence confirming its benefits continues to grow. With more professional athletes and celebrities using cryotherapy daily, spas, clinics, gyms, fitness centers, and other healthcare businesses are starting to replace ice baths with cryotherapy machines instead. But how do you know what type of equipment will work best for your particular requirements, especially when it comes to how these machines are powered? Whether it will be used at home or in a healing business, we invite you to read on to learn how to choose the best cryotherapy machine to fit your unique healing goals.

What Is a Cryotherapy Machine and How Does It Work?

A cryotherapy machine delivers super-cooled dry air to lower the user&#;s body core temperature to a point where the body releases endorphins, adrenaline, and other neurotransmitters, while it also stimulates blood flow. This cold therapy results in reduced inflammation and pain, accelerated muscle recovery, and improved mood and well-being. The most common types of cryotherapy machines utilized to produce this therapeutic effect are cryo-chambers and cryo-saunas. 

Cryo-chambers offer whole-body cryotherapy with the user&#;s whole body and head inside the equipment, while cryo-saunas offer partial-body cryotherapy with the user&#;s head outside of the equipment. Both types have been found to provide the same level of cryotherapy benefits, requiring the user to stand inside for anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes in temperatures that can range from -120 to -300 degrees Fahrenheit. 

What Are The Common Ways of Powering These Machines?

Liquid Nitrogen Cryotherapy

Cryo-saunas and cryo-chambers that are powered by liquid nitrogen generally convert it into a gas that is pumped into pipes located inside the walls of these machines. This gas then super-cools the surrounding fresh air that is pushed inside the chamber or sauna. While most cryo-saunas use electric power instead of nitrogen, there are several on the market that do offer this gas technology. Nitrogen-powered cryotherapy machines typically offer colder temperatures than their electric counterparts, are smaller or more compact, and often have a cheaper up-front cost. Although innovative technology in recent years has made many nitrogen-powered cryotherapy machines completely safe when used appropriately, this gas does pose a safety risk if it&#;s inhaled for long periods.

Electric Cryotherapy

Electric-powered cryotherapy machines use electricity to compress the air to trigger colder temperatures. Most cryotherapy machines that use electricity are cryo-chambers, providing whole-body cryotherapy, including the head. Larger than cryo-saunas, electric-powered cryo-chambers take up more space, making them ideal for spas and clinics. Although they often have a higher price tag than nitrogen-powered cryotherapy machines, they&#;re often cheaper to operate in the long run, as the electric power required to operate them does not typically cost as much as liquid nitrogen, nor do you need to routinely purchase liquid nitrogen. Frequently sized to allow multiple users, electric cryo-chambers are popular with high-volume sports complexes and hospitals as they can serve more clients. 

What Are The Benefits of Each?

While both electric and nitrogen-powered cryotherapy machines definitely have their proponents, one is really not better than the other - it all depends on your specific requirements to determine which type is best for you or your health practice. 

• Generally smaller in size, liquid nitrogen cryotherapy machines have a lower purchase price, do not require much, if any electricity to run, and provide the coldest temperatures. Perfect for home use and small therapy-business owners, nitrogen cryo-saunas are easy to set up and start using right away, but they require you to find a local source for liquid nitrogen tanks. 
• Electric cryotherapy machines are ideal for larger health and therapy ventures that treat a much higher volume of clientele on a daily basis, as there are several cryo-chamber designs available that can serve multiple users simultaneously. The power costs for electric cryotherapy machines are typically less than nitrogen, making them the more cost-effective option for the long term. 

Which One Should You Choose?

Nitrogen

Pros

• Small and compact, it takes up less space
• Offers a more affordable start-up cost
• Typically reaches colder temperatures
• Very low electric power consumption

Cons

• Routinely need to purchase liquid nitrogen
• Liquid nitrogen can be unsafe if it&#;s used incorrectly
• Can only fit one person per session
• Liquid nitrogen can be difficult to purchase in some areas
• Some nitrogen-powered cryotherapy devices do not include the user&#;s head

Electric

Pros

• More affordable in the long run
• Both partial-body and whole-body options
• The larger size can serve multiple users simultaneously
• Simpler operation than attaching a nitrogen gas tank

Cons

• Temperatures don&#;t get as low as nitrogen
• Higher purchase price (but upkeep is cheaper than nitrogen)
• Larger sizes may not fit well in residential spaces
• May require a 220-volt power source

Final Thoughts

While the argument about whether electric cryotherapy or nitrogen cryotherapy is better continues to rage on, the reality is that both offer great benefits and advantages depending on what you want. As a booming industry that&#;s scaled to grow, cryotherapy machines are used by professional sports teams, superstar athletes, and top celebrities, along with spas, wellness centers, fitness facilities, and individual healthcare professionals. 

Adding a cryo-chamber or cryo-sauna to your therapy practice can help you achieve a total ROI within a few months. But it&#;s important to know the differences between electric cryotherapy and liquid nitrogen cryotherapy machines to determine which type works best for your location, budget, and therapy goals. With the information provided in this article, we helped you better understand these differences so you can make the best decision for your unique health practice.

Thanks for taking the time to read this information, and we invite you to learn more about cryotherapy along with a wealth of other educational information that can help you optimize your own health or the health of your clients at Caregiver University.

Morgan Hopkins, DPT, CMTPT

Morgan Hopkins is a licensed doctor of physical therapy and freelance medical writer. She practiced clinically in outpatient orthopedics for 8+ years specializing in intramuscular dry needling, dance medicine, and post-operative care. Morgan seeks to be a leader in the continued shift toward preventative healthcare, helping people optimize movement now so they can move for years to come. She is a firm believer in complementary therapies, holistic wellness, and functional fitness and is thrilled to be able to educate others through Rehabmart&#;s platform.

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