The Game Ready® Ice Machine is top of the line when it comes to cold compression therapy machines. It is often the unit chosen by physical therapists to speed up their patients’ recovery and reduce pain and swelling.
Is Game Ready worth it? For major surgery, more than one procedure, or anyone who wants the most control over cold and compression at home, yes. The Game Ready GRPro 2.1 costs $3,037.39 at OrthoBracing for the control unit. Wraps are sold separately (a knee wrap starts at $461.95), and an optional battery is $553.90. If you're recovering from a single surgery on a tighter budget, the Breg Polar Care Wave gives you cold and compression for about a tenth of the price.
The Game Ready is a clinical-grade machine, which is why it costs more than the circulating cold therapy machines most people buy for home recovery.
Top picks
Let’s explore what this ice machine does, what sets it apart, who typically uses it, and what other options are out there.
Injuries and RICE methods
The Game Ready system aids the recovery process by complementing the body’s ability to heal. By combining two tried and true treatments that have been used for ages, it speeds up recovery from musculoskeletal injuries or surgery.
What are these treatments? Ice and pressure.
Imagine you’re watching the last 5 minutes of a tense soccer match. The crowd gasps as an athlete falls to the ground in agony. A medic runs onto the sports field to assist. He can choose between two methods to reduce damage, ease pain, and hopefully save the match: ice and pressure.
Independently, these therapies are extremely effective. And they have been around for a long time. It is estimated that cold therapy has been around since 3500 BC. The combination of ice and pressure form the basis of the RICE recommendations given by medical professionals for many physical injuries.
These two methods have evolved independently in the rehabilitation and physical therapy field, creating a market that produced several medical devices to treat injuries and assist with post-op recovery using cold therapy and compression therapy.
The Benefits of Cold Therapy
Because cryotherapy, or cold therapy, provides pain relief for inflamed, injured, and overused muscles, it is popular with professional athletes who regularly push their bodies’ limits.
Cold therapy is used on sports fields, in physical therapy clinics, and in hospitals as a method to reduce pain and swelling, with amazing results. Some other benefits of passive cold therapy application are increased metabolism and a stronger immune system.
The Benefits of Active Compression Therapy
Active Compression therapy is when controlled pressure is applied to an area with the purpose of increasing blood flow. This stimulates the lymphatic and venous systems. Compression therapy units work by pushing compressed air into anatomical wraps or elastic devices that wrap around the affected area.
Different wraps and pads exist for different body parts. Shoulder and knee injuries especially are common in competitive sports. A shoulder or knee wrap can help exert controlled pressure on that area.
The intermittent pressure that is exerted when the wraps fill with compressed air imitates natural muscle contractions in the body. The purpose of this mimicked natural function is to encourage blood flow. This then directs more oxygenated blood to the injured area. This sends the body the message to “start healing faster!”
The painful swelling that occurs as a result of many injuries is called edema, or water retention. Active compression with a compression therapy device alleviates pain by causing the swelling to go down, and is used as a stand-alone treatment by physical therapists everywhere.
It is a safe, natural way to help speed up recovery and stimulate tissue repair.
ACCEL: Combining Cryotherapy and Compression Therapy
Game Ready® combines active compression and cryotherapy with their innovative Active Compression and Cold Exchange Loop (ACCEL) trademarked technology. Let’s see how it works.
Deep Cooling
The main unit of the Game Ready® machine contains an ice-filled compartment.
Game Ready® wraps, which are anatomically engineered for a perfect fit, cover the injured tissue. This circumferential coverage ensures optimal cooling. Ice water circulates through the wraps or pads and creates an active temperature exchange that cools consistently, keeping the temperature constant. This method enables deeper cooling, faster.
Controlled Pressure
The therapeutic power of the circumferential wraps doesn't stop there. Air pockets in the wraps provide active pneumatic compression by intermittently filling with air. Patients control compression applications with an intuitive user interface on the main unit.
Portable and Convenient
The Game Ready® Pro 2.1 weighs about 7.3 lb empty (about 18 lb full of ice and water), so it's easy to move from room to room. An optional Game Ready battery ($553.90 at OrthoBracing) lets you use it away from a wall outlet.
Simple User Interface
The control unit lets you set the cold level (34°F to 50°F with enough ice in the reservoir), four pressure settings (none, low, medium and high) and the session time. It also has six built-in programs that run a session, rest, and repeat on their own.
Who uses it?
Physical therapists, athletic trainers, and leading orthopedic surgeons have been astounded by this revolutionary treatment system. Specifically, the way it accelerates post-op recovery and stimulates tissue repair from even the most acute musculoskeletal injuries - all while easing pain. This treatment is also popular with elite athletes, special military forces, and professional sports teams.
What OrthoBracing Buyers Say About Game Ready
Both Game Ready reviews on OrthoBracing are 5 stars from verified buyers. The longer one comes from a customer with several surgeries behind them and more ahead, and it covers the questions most shoppers ask: is a used unit good enough, is a cheaper machine safe, and is the price worth it.
"Originally I purchased a refurbished Game Ready unit because of the high cost of a new unit. It was wonderful (as long as the unit was working). Since I couldn't count on the refurbished unit, my next surgery I purchased an inexpensive but well reviewed circulating cold therapy unit on Amazon. It didn't have the temperature adjustment and I got a severe burn on my affected area... Since I still have several surgeries to go, I decided this time I would bite the bullet and purchase a new Game Ready and sleeves for this particular surgery. I've been pleased with the reliability of the machine."
— Jenny V., verified buyer
"It does take a bit of reading to understand how to program the cold therapy for your particular needs (great instructions come with the unit). The sleeves (sold separately) are again costly but they are excellent quality and work well. If this product is doable in your budget, I highly recommend it. It is the top of the line cold therapy treatment based on my experience."
— Jenny V., verified buyer
"Amazing service! Good email response and competitive prices! Would ABSOLUTELY recommend!!!"
— Nicola K., verified buyer
Our takeaway: the biggest reasons to buy new are reliability and temperature control. A new unit you can count on, with a cold setting you choose, matters most when you have a long recovery or more surgeries coming. New to the machine? Our step-by-step Game Ready guide walks through setup and settings.
Is Game Ready Right for You?
- Serious athletes who want to get back to competing as fast as possible and will use the machine through every injury and season.
- Business owners and executives who can't afford a slow recovery and want the best cold and compression at home.
- Anyone with more than one surgery ahead, like our reviewer, where a machine you own pays off over each recovery.
- Knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, back or elbow surgery, since Game Ready makes a wrap for each area. See the Game Ready wraps.
If you're recovering from one surgery and price matters most, one of the alternatives below will likely serve you well.
Shop the Game Ready GRPro 2.1 at OrthoBracing
Game Ready Alternatives
As mentioned before, the Game Ready Pro 2.1® is a high-ticket item that requires a considerable investment.
We get it, you don’t want to skimp on expenses to the detriment of your health, but man, that’s a pricey device.
Do you have other options?
Yes! And luckily they come at great prices. Brands to pay attention to are Breg Polar Care, AirCast, and DonJoy. These brands have many iterations of cold therapy machines, however, not all models combine cold therapy with active compression.
Two cold compression therapy machines that function similarly to Game Ready Pro 2.1. are the Breg Polar Care Wave and the Aircast Cryo Cuff units.
1. The Breg Polar Care Wave
The newest addition to the Breg Polar Series was designed with in-home use in mind. Similar to the Game Ready® GRPro 2.1, it offers cold therapy and compression therapy with anatomical wraps. The best part? This system is small, lightweight, portable, and a tenth of the price.
The Breg Polar Care Wave comes with:
- A cooler with air pump and tubing
- A cold compression pad that covers the injured area
- A power supply
- An intuitive interface
- A convenient handle for portability
The Wave starts at $285 at OrthoBracing ($389 with a knee pad). It doesn't give you the Game Ready's fine control over temperature and pressure, but for most home recoveries we consider it an excellent purchase that delivers cold and compression at a fraction of the cost.
2. Aircast Cryo Cuff IC Cold Compression
This Aircast Cryo Cuff IC cold therapy unit provides intermittent cyclical compression. Chilled water flows through the Cryo Cuff knee, shoulder, or ankle cuffs and places a comfortable amount of pressure on the injured area. Like the Breg Polar Care unit above, it is lightweight and portable. It starts at $139.99 at OrthoBracing, a small fraction of the price of the Game Ready®.
The Aircast CryoCuff IC therapy machine comes with:
- An Aircast Cryocuff IC Cooler and tubing
- Anatomically designed shoulder cuffs, knee wraps, and ankle wraps as required
- A power supply
For a more extensive list of the best cold therapy units, read our Best Cold Therapy Machines guide.
Game Ready Ice Machine Alternatives - In Conclusion
Both the Aircast Cryo Cuff and the Breg Polar Care Wave units are excellent alternatives to Game Ready Pro 2.1. Although these units differ from the Game Ready unit in size and design, they work in a similar way, combining cold with compression.
If you're a serious athlete trying to get back to competing, you have more than one surgery ahead, or you simply want the most control over cold and compression, the Game Ready is worth the investment. If you're recovering from a single knee surgery over the next 10 to 12 weeks, the Breg Polar Care Wave Knee or Aircast CryoCuff Knee will be a great purchase you'll be happy with. Having knee surgery? Read our guide to choosing an ice machine for knee surgery.
Game Ready Review FAQ
How much does a Game Ready ice machine cost?
The Game Ready GRPro 2.1 control unit costs $3,037.39 at OrthoBracing. Wraps are sold separately, starting at $461.95 for a knee wrap, or you can buy the unit with a straight knee wrap for $3,499.34. An optional battery is $553.90.
Is Game Ready worth the money?
Game Ready is worth it if you have a major surgery, more than one procedure ahead, or want the most control over cold and compression. Our verified buyers point to its reliability and adjustable temperature. For a single recovery on a budget, the Breg Polar Care Wave is a strong lower-cost option.
What is a cheaper alternative to Game Ready?
The Breg Polar Care Wave (from $285 at OrthoBracing) and the Aircast Cryo Cuff (from $139.99) both combine cold with compression for a fraction of Game Ready's price. They don't offer the same fine control over temperature and pressure, but they work well for most home recoveries.
Do I need a prescription for Game Ready?
Yes. The Game Ready GRPro 2.1 is a prescription device, so you need a prescription from your doctor or surgeon. They can also tell you how often and how long to use it after your procedure.
Can I rent a Game Ready from OrthoBracing?
No. OrthoBracing sells new Game Ready units and doesn't offer rentals. Buying often makes more sense than rental fees if you have a long recovery or more than one surgery ahead.
At Ortho Bracing, we have a variety Cold Therapy Machines and other recovery products including:
Breg Polar Care Wave Cold Therapy System
Breg Polar Care Wave Knee Cold Therapy System
Breg Polar Care Cube Replacement Pads
Breg Polar Care Wave Knee, Hip & Shoulder Pads
DonJoy Tru Pull Lite Knee Brace
DonJoy Ultrasling Pro Shoulder Immobilizer
For more resources on injury prevention and recovery, read on:
Best Back Braces for Faster Relief
Best Shoulder Braces for Faster Relief
What Is Cryotherapy? Benefits, How to Do It At Home or a Clinic
