The best ice machine for knee surgery is one that keeps steady cold on the whole knee and fits your recovery and budget. If you want the most control over cold and compression, choose the Game Ready ($3,499.34 with a knee wrap at OrthoBracing). For cold and compression at a lower price, choose the Breg Polar Care Wave Knee ($389). For simple cold therapy, the Breg Polar Care Cube Knee ($215) is a dependable pick.
Top picks
This guide explains why ice machines help after ACL, meniscus and knee replacement surgery, how to choose one, and how to use it once you're home. Always follow your surgeon's instructions for cold therapy after your procedure.
Why Use an Ice Machine After Knee Surgery?
An ice machine circulates cold water through a pad or wrap around your knee, so the cold stays steady for the whole session. That helps with the two things patients struggle with most after knee surgery: pain and swelling. Unlike ice packs, you don't have to keep swapping bags as they melt, which matters when you can barely get off the couch.
Some machines also add compression. The wrap gently squeezes and releases, which helps move swelling out of the knee. That's the main difference between a cold-only machine and a cold and compression machine like Game Ready.
Our Picks: Best Ice Machines for Knee Surgery
Game Ready: Best Premium Pick for Cold and Compression
The Game Ready ice machine for knee combines adjustable cold with active compression through a knee wrap. You choose the cold level (34°F to 50°F with enough ice, according to Game Ready's manual), one of four pressure settings and the session time, or run one of six built-in programs. It costs $3,037.39 for the unit alone, $3,499.34 with a straight knee wrap or $3,579.82 with an articulated knee wrap, and the control unit has a 1-year warranty. It's a prescription device.
Game Ready makes the most sense for big surgeries, long recoveries, serious athletes who want to get back to competing, and anyone with more surgeries ahead. One OrthoBracing reviewer bought new after a refurbished unit proved unreliable and a cheap machine without temperature control burned their skin. Read our full Game Ready review.
Breg Polar Care Wave Knee: Best Value With Compression
The Breg Polar Care Wave Knee gives you cold and compression for about a tenth of Game Ready's price: $389 with a knee pad at OrthoBracing. It has 2 cold settings and 2 compression settings and a 6-month warranty. It's our go-to when a shopper wants compression without the premium price. Compare the two in Breg Wave vs Game Ready.
Breg Polar Care Cube Knee: Best Simple Cold Therapy
The Breg Polar Care Cube Knee ($215 with a knee pad) circulates cold water through a Breg knee pad. There's no compression, but it's easy to use and replacement pads and parts are easy to find. Learn more in our guide to Breg ice machines for knee surgery.
Other Good Options
- Aircast CryoCuff Knee ($209.99): cold with intermittent compression on a tighter budget.
- Breg Polar Care Kodiak Knee (from $200): a compact cold therapy unit that's easy to carry between rooms.
- DonJoy IceMan Classic3 Knee (from $169.99) and DonJoy IceMan Cold Therapy System (from $149.99): circulating cold therapy from DonJoy.
Knee Ice Machines Compared
| Machine | OrthoBracing price | Therapy | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Ready with knee wrap | $3,499.34 (straight wrap) / $3,579.82 (articulated) | Adjustable cold + active compression | Major surgery, repeat surgeries, athletes |
| Breg Polar Care Wave Knee | $389 with knee pad | Cold + compression (2 cold and 2 compression settings) | Best value with compression |
| Aircast CryoCuff Knee | $209.99 | Cold + intermittent compression | Compression on a tighter budget |
| Breg Polar Care Kodiak Knee | From $200 | Cold | Portability |
| Breg Polar Care Cube Knee | $215 with knee pad | Cold | Simple, dependable cold therapy |
| DonJoy IceMan Classic3 Knee | From $169.99 | Cold | DonJoy fans |
| DonJoy IceMan Cold Therapy System | From $149.99 | Cold | Lowest price |
Prices are OrthoBracing's prices at the time of writing. See every option on our best ice machines for knee surgery page.
Which Ice Machine Is Best for Your Knee Surgery?
ACL Reconstruction
ACL recovery is long and active, and many patients are athletes who want to get back to competing. Cold and compression machines like Game Ready or the Breg Wave are popular here because they help with swelling between physical therapy sessions. See our ACL reconstruction recovery products.
Meniscus Repair or Arthroscopy
Recovery is often shorter, so a simple cold machine like the Breg Polar Care Cube or DonJoy IceMan is enough for many patients. Choose compression if your surgeon recommends it.
Knee Replacement
Knee replacement swelling can last for weeks, so you'll use the machine a lot. Owning one avoids weekly rental fees, and compression can help with stubborn swelling. See our ice machines for knee replacement.
How to Choose an Ice Machine for Knee Surgery
- Temperature control: a machine that lets you set the cold level, like Game Ready, helps protect your skin. Our reviewer's cheap machine had no temperature adjustment and burned their skin.
- Compression: decide whether you want cold only or cold plus compression. Compression adds cost but can help with swelling.
- Knee fit: pick a pad or wrap made for the knee. Game Ready offers a straight and an articulated knee wrap, and Breg and DonJoy offer knee-specific pads.
- Ease of use: after surgery you want a reservoir that's easy to fill and controls you can reach from the couch.
- Budget and recovery length: the longer your recovery or the more surgeries ahead, the more a premium machine pays off.
- Replacement parts: choose a machine with easy-to-find pads, hoses and power supplies. OrthoBracing carries cold therapy machines and their replacement parts.
How Long Should You Use an Ice Machine After Knee Surgery?
Use the ice machine as often as your surgeon tells you. Pain and swelling are usually worst in the first days and weeks after surgery, so that's when most patients use it the most. Game Ready's user manual says the most common recommendation is about 30 minutes, at least 4 times a day, with at least 30 minutes off between sessions, and no or low compression for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Check your skin between sessions and stop if you notice numbness, color changes or unusual pain. For more detail, read how long to use cold therapy after surgery and our step-by-step Game Ready guide.
Should You Rent or Buy an Ice Machine for Knee Surgery?
Typical cold therapy machine rentals run about $150 for the first 2 weeks and about $75 for each extra week. A few weeks of renting can cost as much as buying a Breg or DonJoy machine, and you keep a machine you own for the next injury. OrthoBracing sells new machines and doesn't rent. See the full math in how much it costs to rent a cold therapy machine.
Ice Machine for Knee Surgery FAQ
What is the best ice machine for knee surgery?
It depends on your budget and whether you want compression. Game Ready is our premium pick for adjustable cold plus active compression ($3,499.34 with a knee wrap at OrthoBracing). The Breg Polar Care Wave Knee ($389) is the best value with cold and compression. The Breg Polar Care Cube Knee ($215) is a simple, dependable cold-only choice.
Do I need an ice machine after knee surgery?
You don't strictly need one, but many surgeons recommend cold therapy after ACL, meniscus and knee replacement surgery to help with pain and swelling. An ice machine keeps the cold steady for the whole session, so you aren't swapping melting ice packs every 20 minutes.
How long should I use an ice machine after knee surgery?
Follow your surgeon's schedule. Use it most in the first days and weeks, when pain and swelling are worst. Game Ready's user manual says the most common recommendation is about 30 minutes, at least 4 times a day, with at least 30 minutes off between sessions.
Is it better to rent or buy an ice machine for knee surgery?
Typical cold therapy machine rentals run about $150 for the first 2 weeks and about $75 for each extra week, so a few weeks of renting can cost as much as buying a Breg or DonJoy machine outright. Buying makes the most sense for a long recovery like knee replacement or if you have more than one surgery ahead.
Does an ice machine need compression after knee surgery?
Not always. Cold alone helps many patients. Compression adds gentle squeezing that helps move swelling out of the knee, which is why the Game Ready, Breg Polar Care Wave and Aircast CryoCuff combine the two. Ask your surgeon whether compression is right for your procedure.
Do I need a prescription for a knee ice machine?
The Game Ready GRPro 2.1 is a prescription device, so you need a prescription from your doctor or surgeon. Ask about it at your pre-surgery visit so the machine is ready when you get home.
Shop the Game Ready ice machine for knee or compare all knee ice machines.