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

The idea works and the machine does what it says on the tin. It is cumbersome but there are very little alternatives in the market . The timer was faulty but the machine works without the timer if needed. However … the seller wasn’t great . The machine arrived with an international plug which doesn’t fit in the UK. Not a huge problem but annoying. I’m not sure I’d have chosen it knowing that. I mentioned this to the seller, they took a long time to respond and offered a small refund for me to buy an adapter . Again not a huge problem but a hassle. The refund didn’t arrive and then the timer stopped working . I emailed the seller and very politely they said … too bad .. not our issue … see you later. And that was that . Still no refund …and a faulty timer . Not the end of the world … but not great service.

This ice therapy machine is amazing! We've been using it every day since it arrived 8 days ago: It's easy to set up, easy to use, stays cold much longer than other machines we tried first when my husband had his knee replacement surgery 2 weeks ago. (First machine we bought was from KINRYOPY and broke after the first 20 minutes--total junk!!). What we love about this machine: 1) The compartment is made of hard plastic like a well-made ice chest. 2) The top is attached and swings open easily to change out ice bottles to keep the water cold. *So* much better than the soft, foldable compartment with a zipper close for the top on the KINRYOPY machine (piece of junk!!), where the zipper would keep getting stuck when trying to close it. 3) We got the smaller machine which holds four 20 fl oz (590 mL) bottles of frozen water. It kept the water very cold for over 6 hours, so we only had to change ice bottles once per day for over 12 hours of icing of the surgery site. It's perfectly large enough to ice down one surgery area (ours was the knee), yet small enough unit to pick up and move even when full with water. 4) The wonderful programmable timer was easy to set up and works perfectly! We love that it will tell you how many more minutes you have before the pump will stop and how long before it'll turn back on. That's great for when it has to be taken off to visit the restroom, or eat, or exercise, etc. 5) The pad goes on easily with the velcro straps and is easy to take off. Ditto with the hose clip, which clips on easily and comes off easily when the two metal clips are pressed in. No leakage, no problems ever! We can't say enough great things about this machine. It was delivered on time, easy to set up, works perfectly with minimal hassle. When the first machine we got broke within the first hour of using it (piece of junk from KINRYOPY, also here on Amazon), a wonderful neighbor let us borrow their older ice therapy machine until this new unit arrived. While the older machine worked perfectly, it didn't have a programmable timer, and it was harder to set up. Believe me, the programmable timer is absolutely a game changer!! This is a great machine, and worth every penny. It's made this difficult time of surgery so much easier.

Coming without knee pad 😱😱

Bought this for my husband after a complete knee replacement. It was recommended by friends who had been through this same procedure. It came with the pad for knees and the hose is simple to attach and detach. It is basic, just fill to the line with water and/ or ice and plug it in. Has a wired control that allows you to turn it on and off without leaving your chair. We have been using almost constantly for 6 weeks without any problems. Our surgeon is amazed at my husbands recovery progress, which we attribute in part to the pain and swelling relief provided by this machine. We bought the smaller unit, which was fine for one knee. It is a little pricey and insurance didn’t cover it but it has been well worth the price.

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!