Renting a Game Ready ice machine usually costs less for one short recovery. Buying usually wins when you'll use it for months, across more than one surgery, or for repeat injuries. A new Game Ready GRPro 2.1 is $3,037.39 at OrthoBracing for the control unit, or $3,499.34 with a knee wrap. If you want cold and compression for less, the Breg Polar Care Wave starts at $285.
This guide walks through typical rental terms, the real cost math, the risks of refurbished units and when each choice makes sense. Always follow your surgeon's instructions for cold therapy after your procedure.
How Much Does a Game Ready Rental Cost?
Rental prices vary by supplier and region, so treat any number as a rough guide. As of October 28, 2026, typical published Game Ready rental rates run about $399 for the first 2 weeks and about $150 for each extra week, and 2-week rentals range from about $300 to $475 depending on the supplier. Local clinics vary: some charge about $150 a week, and some add a deposit. Ask for a written quote before you commit.
Most rentals come from a medical supply company, a physical therapy clinic or your surgeon's office. Terms are different everywhere, but these are the things to ask about:
- Weekly or monthly fee, and whether there's a minimum rental period.
- Deposit, and what you'd lose if the unit comes back damaged.
- Wrap or sleeve: many suppliers make you buy your own wrap or sleeve for hygiene, since it sits on your skin near the incision.
- Shipping or pickup both ways, and who pays for it.
- Return deadline and late fees if your recovery takes longer than planned.
- Coverage questions: ask the rental provider and your own plan what, if anything, is covered for a rental before you commit.
For a side-by-side look at renting versus buying any cold therapy machine, see how much it costs to rent a cold therapy machine.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Game Ready?
A new Game Ready GRPro 2.1 costs $3,037.39 at OrthoBracing for the control unit. Wraps are sold separately, from $383.67 to $542.43 depending on the body area, or you can buy the unit with a wrap, such as $3,499.34 with a straight knee wrap. An optional battery is $553.90.
| What you buy | OrthoBracing price |
|---|---|
| Game Ready GRPro 2.1 control unit only | $3,037.39 |
| Control unit + straight knee wrap | $3,499.34 |
| Control unit + articulated knee wrap | $3,579.82 |
| Extra wraps (knee, shoulder, hip, back, ankle, elbow) | $383.67 to $542.43 |
| Optional battery pack | $553.90 |
The control unit has a 1-year warranty, adjustable cold (34°F to 50°F with enough ice, according to Game Ready's manual), four pressure settings and six built-in programs. Not sure which wrap fits? Use our Game Ready wrap size guide. You can also take $10 off orders of $200 or more with code OB10SAVE200 (see terms).
Shop Game Ready from $3,037.39See Game Ready knee wraps
Rent vs Buy: The Cost Math
At typical published Game Ready rental rates (about $399 for the first 2 weeks, then $150 for each extra week), it takes about 23 weeks of renting to match the $3,499.34 price of a new Game Ready with a knee wrap, or about 20 weeks to match the $3,037.39 control unit alone. The Breg Wave with a pad ($389) costs about the same as a 2-week Game Ready rental.
| How long you need it | Typical rental cost* | Buy new Game Ready + knee wrap | Buy new Breg Wave with pad |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks (short recovery) | about $399 | $3,499.34 | $389 |
| 4 weeks | about $699 | $3,499.34 | $389 |
| 6 weeks | about $999 | $3,499.34 | $389 |
| 12 weeks (long recovery) | about $1,899 | $3,499.34 | $389 |
| 3 surgeries, 8 weeks each | about $3,897 | $3,499.34 | $389 |
| 1 year of regular use | about $7,899 | $3,499.34 | $389 |
*Typical published rental rates checked on October 28, 2026, not a quote: about $399 for the first 2 weeks and $150 for each extra week, the national rate used for every row. Local clinics vary: some charge about $150 a week, and some add a deposit, a required wrap or sleeve, or shipping. Purchase prices are OrthoBracing's prices on October 28, 2026; wraps for other body areas run $383.67 to $542.43.
Sources (plain text, checked October 28, 2026): WRS Group, Game Ready's official rental partner ($399 for 2 weeks, then $150 per extra week); Strategic Med Supply ($325 for 2 weeks, then $150 per extra week); MedCom Group ($475 for 2 weeks, then $150 per extra week). Local clinics: ProImpact Physical Therapy (about $150 a week), Western Medical Supplies (about $175 a week with a $500 deposit) and W.E.S.T. Physical Therapy (about $200 a week). Rates change, so confirm with the supplier before you rent.
The takeaway: if you need cold and compression for a couple of weeks after one surgery, renting is usually the cheaper path. If your plan includes several surgeries, a long recovery or years of training and competing, owning the machine adds up in your favor, and there's no return deadline.
When Does Buying a Game Ready Win?
Buying makes the most sense when you'll use the machine again and again: more than one surgery ahead, a long recovery like a knee or hip replacement, a serious athlete's training seasons, or a household where more than one person will use it with their own wrap. You also skip deadlines, deposits and late fees.
- Multiple surgeries: each new rental starts the fees over. One machine you own covers every recovery.
- Long or slow recoveries: swelling after a joint replacement can last for weeks, so weekly fees add up.
- Athletes and active people: you can use it after hard training days and through every injury, not just after surgery.
- Reliability and control: a new unit you can count on, with a cold setting you choose.
What Are the Risks of a Refurbished or Used Game Ready?
A refurbished or used Game Ready can cost less up front, but you take on more risk. You may not know how hard it was used, the warranty may be short or missing, and the wrap may be worn. Our reviewer's refurbished unit stopped being reliable, which is the main reason they bought new.
- Unknown history: you can't see how many hours it ran, how it was stored or whether it was dropped.
- Short or no warranty: a new Game Ready from OrthoBracing comes with a 1-year warranty on the control unit.
- Worn wraps: wraps wear out with use. Game Ready's care guidance on our knee wrap page puts sleeve life at about 3 to 12 months and the inner heat exchanger at about 12 to 24 months, depending on how much it's used. A used wrap may be near the end.
- Hygiene: the wrap sits on your skin near the incision. A new wrap is used only by you.
- Still a prescription device: the GRPro 2.1 needs a prescription whether it's new or used.
When Does Renting Make Sense?
Renting can be the right call if your surgeon wants cold and compression for only a week or two, you have one surgery and no more planned, or a rental fits your budget better than paying up front for a purchase. If you rent, ask the rental provider and your own plan what, if anything, is covered. Get the full cost in writing and compare it with buying before you decide.
Before you rent, add up the weekly fee for the weeks you expect to need, plus any deposit you won't get back, the wrap or sleeve you're required to buy and shipping. If that total gets close to the price of a machine you'd own, buying is usually the better deal.
Budget Option: Breg Polar Care Wave
If Game Ready is more than you want to spend, the Breg Polar Care Wave gives you cold plus compression for much less: $285 for the cooler alone or $389 with a pad at OrthoBracing. That's about what a 2-week Game Ready rental costs at typical published rates, and you keep it for the next injury.
The Wave has 2 cold settings and 2 compression settings and a 6-month warranty. It doesn't give you Game Ready's fine control over temperature and pressure, but for most single recoveries it's our go-to value pick. Compare the two in Breg Wave vs Game Ready, or see all knee options in our guide to ice machines for knee surgery.
Shop the Breg Wave from $285Breg Wave Knee
How to Pay: Insurance, FSA and HSA
OrthoBracing does not bill insurance. You pay up front, and you can use your FSA or HSA card because all OrthoBracing products are FSA/HSA eligible. You can also send your receipt and prescription to your health plan and ask about reimbursement. Coverage varies, so check with your plan first.
Learn what to ask your plan in Does Insurance Cover Cold Therapy Units?. Once your machine arrives, our step-by-step Game Ready guide covers setup, settings and how often to use it.
Game Ready Rental vs Buying FAQ
Can I rent a Game Ready from OrthoBracing?
No. OrthoBracing does not rent Game Ready machines and does not sell refurbished or used units. We sell new Game Ready GRPro 2.1 systems only, starting at $3,037.39 for the control unit, with a 1-year warranty on the control unit.
How much does a Game Ready rental cost?
It depends on the supplier and your area. Typical published Game Ready rental rates, checked October 28, 2026, run about $399 for the first 2 weeks and about $150 for each extra week, and 2-week rentals range from about $300 to $475. Local clinics vary: some charge about $150 a week, and some add a deposit. This is not a quote, so ask for a written price that lists the deposit, wrap and shipping costs.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a Game Ready?
For one short recovery, renting usually costs less. Buying wins when you'll use the machine for many months or across more than one surgery. At typical published Game Ready rental rates (about $399 for the first 2 weeks, then $150 for each extra week), it takes about 23 weeks of renting to reach the $3,499.34 price of a new Game Ready with a knee wrap, or about 20 weeks to reach the $3,037.39 control unit alone.
Should I buy a refurbished or used Game Ready?
Be careful. A used unit may have an unknown history, worn hoses or wraps, and a short warranty or none. One OrthoBracing reviewer said they 'couldn't count on the refurbished unit' and bought new for their next surgery. If you buy used, ask for a written warranty and buy a new wrap.
Do I need a prescription for a Game Ready?
Yes. The Game Ready GRPro 2.1 is a prescription device, whether you rent or buy it. Ask your surgeon for a prescription at your pre-surgery visit so the machine is ready when you get home.
Can I use insurance or my FSA/HSA to buy a Game Ready?
OrthoBracing does not bill insurance. You pay up front, and you can use your FSA or HSA card because all OrthoBracing products are FSA/HSA eligible. You can also send your receipt and prescription to your health plan and ask about reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan.