Best Enswell Reviewed
Tara Summerville
Dan Novak
When boxing, getting hit in the face is just a fact of life. You can bob and weave through punches but at some point, your opponent's glove will make sudden and inevitable contact with your face. Keeping a cold enswell close at hand is a great way at mitigating pain and swelling to keep you in the ring.
These devices work by using a combination of cold and compression to reduce the swelling as well as killing the pain at the source. Topical solutions work, but these work instantly! This will allow you to get back in the fight without throbbing pain in your face shifting your focus from the task at hand.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite products to keep you in the ring for longer. If it was good enough for Rocky, it’s good enough for you!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 8 hrs of research
Trusted brand
Curved iron
Our Top Enswell Picks
1. Meister Iron
Trusted brand
Curved iron
Very small
If all of the brands out there on the market, Meister Iron is at the top of the pack. The reason this is one of the most trusted no-swells out there on the market is that it is made from high-quality materials that interact well with your face. The quality of materials used actually gets a little bit colder than many of their competitors.
Read moreWhat used love most about this design from Meister Iron is that it is made from 5 mm stainless steel. The stainless steel used is really able to retain cold for longer periods of time and can get just a little bit colder than most. It also has a curved face that is able to compress the contours of your face just a little bit better than flat models.
Another thing that users really like about this design is that it comes with a rubber handle. This handle will not retain the coldness from the steel base, which allows you to hold it against your face without the need for a glove.
If you are in the market for something that comes from one of the most trusted names in the industry, this is a really great place to start. It is made from high-quality materials that get really cold, and contours to the shape of your face no matter where you took a hit!
2. Ringside Traditional
Trusted brand
Thick iron
Curved
Poorly welded together
This design from Ringside Traditional is just a little bit bigger and bulkier than some of the other slimmer designs out there on the market. This design makes it a little bit easier to hold in your hands and is great at retaining heat. It is made from high-quality materials that will stand the test of time.
Read moreOne of the things that we really loved about this design is that it has a very thick curved iron base. What makes this thicker base ideal is that it can contour to some of the more narrow angles in your face. If you took a hit in the very corner of your eye, this design will be able to get into those painful crevices.
We also liked that this design has a thick rubber grip that is easy to hold on to. No matter how long you left your enswell in the freezer to get as cold and humanly possible, you won’t want to worry about the handle being as cold to the touch. This makes using it just a little bit easier than if it was made from solid steel.
If you are in the market for something that is made from high-quality materials and comes from a trusted brand, this is an excellent place to start. The thicker frame covers more surface area of your face, and it is a little easier to hold in your hands.
3. Meister Ice
Trusted brand
Stays cold
Easy to use
Leaky
Meister is making our list yet again with this rounded ice design. There are typically two styles on no-swells out there on the market- flat iron and rounded ice options. This rounded ice option has a container to pack ice so that it will stay cold all day without the need of popping it into a freezer.
Read moreWhat we liked most about this design is that it has a central compartment to pack ice directly into the container. Simply fill it with water, pop it into the freezer and it will stay incredibly cold for up to two hours after taking it out of the freezer. This is perfect for those on the go that don’t have access to an ice bucket or a freezer on hand.
You can also expect the same level of quality when it comes to the materials used and design as any other Meister product. It uses high-quality stainless steel that works great at retaining cold. It also has a secure rubber grip handle that will stay at room temperature no matter how cold the contents get.
If you are in the market for something that is a little easier to take with you on the go, this rounded ice option from Meister is one of your best options. We appreciate that it still has a thick rounded base that contours to the shape of your face to reduce swelling and pain.
4. Ring to Cage
Smaller frame
Easy to fill
Rubber handle
Base not curved
What we loved most about this design from Ring to Cage is that it is small and compact and easy to take with you on the go. It has a rounded base that you fill up with water and place in the freezer to stay cold for hours at a time.
Read moreIf you need something that is a little bit more compact than most, this design from Ring to Cage is worth checking out. What we liked about this design is that it is a little smaller which means that it can contour to your face a little better than larger, bulkier options. Fill it with water, leave it to chill in the freezer, and it will stay cold up to 2 hours!
We also love that the handle is coated with a thick layer of rubber. This rubber coating helps keep the handle at room temperature no matter how cold the contents get. Plus, it makes it a little bit easier to handle with sweaty palms as well!
If you are in the market for something that is made from high-quality materials that stay cold for longer periods of time without the need for an ice bucket, this is a great option. It is made to be a little bit smaller than most, which is great for those that want to take their show on the road!
5. Ring to Cage Elite
Trusted brand
Versatile curved design
No rubber handle
This is another great option from Ring to Cage. What we loved about this option is that is has a slightly different design from other iron designs out there on the market. Plus, it is made from high-quality materials that really retain cold quite well!
Read moreOur favorite feature of this design is that you can opt for a size that curves inward or curves outward. The larger end curves outward to really get into the smaller parts of your eye to ease the pain. You can elect to flip it around for the size that angles in to soothe a blow suffered to your cheekbone or jaw as well.
Another thing that we loved about this option is that it is made from high-quality stainless steel that does a great job of holding in cold. The only downside to this design is that it doesn’t have a rubber handle. What this means for you is that it will feel incredibly cold to the touch as you use it.
If you are in the market for something that has a shape that is a little bit more versatile than some of the other designs out there on the market, this is a great choice. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t have a handle, which means that it will always be cold to the touch!
6. Sedroc Sports
Simple design
Stays cold
Rubber grip
Small
Flat head
Sedroc Sports may not have the same following as Meister or Ringside, but we feel that they are worth a look! What we loved about this design is that is small and simple and works incredibly well in a pinch! If you just want something that gets the job done, this option from Sedroc Sports is worth a look.
Read moreThe very first thing that we noticed about this design is that it is small and simple. Fill it up with water, stick it into the freezer, and you are ready to take your show on the road! It is made from high-quality stainless steel that really holds onto the cold for longer periods of time over other metals.
Another thing that we really liked about this design is that it has a thick, red rubber handle. This allows you to hold it in your hands without it feeling cold to the touch. The rubber handle allows you to get it as cold as humanly possible to soothe your burning face without affecting your hands.
If you are in the market for something small, simple, and easy- this is one of your best choices! We loved that is has a rounded design that holds ice in a central chamber which stays cold for hours at a time!
7. Rival Boxing
Thick stainless steel
Curved face
No rubber grip
What we loved most about this design from Rival Boxing is that it has a super sleek design that is incredibly functional. It is slightly larger than other options out there on the market to cover larger areas of your face. It is also constructed of high-quality materials that hold up well over time.
Read moreThe very first thing that we noticed about this design is that it has a large iron face that has a pretty deep curve to it. This deep curve allows you to really get into the crevices of your face for instant relief after taking a punch. The larger face is great because it also covers a lot more ground than smaller options.
The plate is made from a super thick stainless steel that retains cold for longer periods of time over their smaller and thinner counterparts. The only downside to this design from Rival Boxing is that it doesn’t have a rubber grip. This means that it will feel incredibly cold when you hold it in your hands.
If you are in the market for something that is made from high-quality materials that are just a little bit larger than other options out there on the market, this is a great choice. We love that is is made from a very thick layer of stainless steel that gets pretty cold!
8. Rival Boxing Round
Trusted brand
Very thick steel
Small ice chamber
No rubber grip
This rounded option from Rival Boxing has all of the same quality materials that you would find in their flat designs, but it is simply made to hold frozen water. If you need to take something with you on the go, this is a really great option that will stay cold for hours at a time.
Read moreOne of the things that we love most about this rounded design is that it is made from incredibly thick stainless steel. This incredibly thick steel holds onto cold for longer periods of time over thinner options out there on the market. A downside to this design is that the central ice chamber is a little on the small side, and holds less ice than most.
While this option is a lot bigger than some of the other smaller rounded options out there on the market, it does have a few downsides. The handle of this design doesn’t have a rubber grip, which means that that handle will be as cold to the touch as the steel that soothes your face.
If you are in the market for something that comes from a trusted brand, this option is worth checking out. It is constructed on incredibly thick stainless steel that will stay cold for hours. It has a few downsides, such as no rubber handle, but it works great at getting the job done.
9. Amber Sports
High-quality steel
Rubber grip
Short
One look at this sleek design from Amber Sports, and you will want to rub it on your face- bruises or no bruises! What we loved most about this design is that the iron surface is incredibly smooth, which is a great way to soothe burning and bruised face after taking a punch.
Read moreWhat we loved most about this design is that it is made from a thick layer of impossibly smooth stainless steel that really helps soothe burning and bruised faces. Simply store it in your freezer until you start your fight, or store it in a bucket of ice for when you need it (and hopefully you will not need it!)
Users also appreciate the very thick rubber grip on this design. You have the option of freezing the stainless steel plate as cold as humanly possible, and the rubber grip will still be comfortable at room temperature. This design is a little bit wider than most, which means that it will soothe a larger portion of your face at a time.
If you are in the market for something that is super smooth and feels great against your burning and bruised face, this is an excellent option. It is made from high-quality materials that are able to get really cold, and the curved design contours easily to your face.
10. Combat Corner
Deep curved face
Rubber grip
Thin stainless steel
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to this enswell from Combat Corner we love that it is made from high-quality materials that hold well over time, and it has features that make it just a little bit easier to use. If you are in the market for something sleek and simple to get the job done, this is worth checking out.
Read moreThe very first thing that we noticed about this design is that it has a face that is a little bit more curved than most. This design is great because it allows you to really reach those contours of your face better than flatter options. It is made from high-quality stainless steel that really holds onto coldness.
We also loved that this design comes with a thick rubber grip on the handle. This allows you to get the face as cold as you can, and you won’t need to worry about your hands when applying it to the bruises on your face. To ensure it is as cold as possible, we suggest storing it in your freezer at all times.
If you are in the market for something that is simple and small and gets the job done, this is a really great option. We love that is is made from high-quality materials, and it curves a little bit deeper than most.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
The materials used indicate how well they will stay cold.
To be as effective as possible, you want your device to be incredibly cold. We’re talking as cold as a flagpole in the middle of winter. The colder the materials are, the better it will work at instantly numbing away your pain.
That’s why we only selected designs that were made from stainless steel. Stainless steel is the absolute best material used for these devices for a number of reasons.
First of all, stainless steel is impervious to rust. This is an incredibly important feature when you take into consideration how often these devices are subjected to water. Many users keep their unit either stored in the freezer or keep it in an ice bucket in the gym. Stainless steel will not rust, even when constantly subjected to water.
Another reason that we found stainless steel to be the best materials to use in this case is that it holds onto the cold quite well. Ideally, you want your device to get cold and stay cold for hours at a time. Lesser metals may get incredibly cold at first, but the moment they are placed on a warm surface they lose all of their power.
With stainless steel, it is able to stay cold for much longer periods, even after you place it on your face. This is also ideal when you use the rounded ice-packed models that store the ice directly in the container. When you use stainless steel, it will stay cold for hours at a time.
There are some brands out there on the market that opt for iron for their materials choice. While iron is excellent at retaining coldness, there is one big drawback. Iron is incredibly heavy and doesn’t sit as comfortably on your busted and bruised face as stainless steel.
One of the biggest pieces of advice that we can offer when selecting a product that will be perfect for your needs is to make sure that it is made from stainless steel!
Brand
From our research, we discovered that there are a few top brands out there that are used by most fighters, and some lesser-known brands.
While you may feel drawn to reach for the more popular brands, smaller companies often offer similar designs at a more affordable price point.
If anyone knows what fighters need in the ring and in their training, it’s Meister. They landed at the top of our list for a very good reason. They have a long and expansive brand of fighting and boxing gear that is made from high-quality materials.
They were founded in 2006 with their custom line of innovative Mixed Martial Arts gear, as well as general fitness gear. Their gear was even featured on the show Caged that airs on MTV!
While Meister seems to dominate this particular space, other brands such as Ring to Cage and Rival Boxing are worth a look as well! These brands come in at an affordable price point, and they still use high-quality materials such as stainless steel and rubber grips.
We make sure to do a little bit of digging into each and every brand to ensure that they are a company that stands behind their products and still uses high-quality materials so you can perform at your very best!
Style
There are two different styles out there on the market that have their advantages and disadvantages.
There are two different styles out there on the market that have their advantages and disadvantages. The two styles include the flat iron options and the rounded options that allow you to load ice directly into the device. We have broken down the two different styles and reasons why they may be perfect for your needs.
Flat-iron design: These designs are what you will find in most boxing matches. They are typically stored in a bucket of ice for when you will need them. Others like to store their directly in their freezer so it is ready for them once they get home.
The reason many users gravitate to this style is that it has a very curved face and covers more surface area. When the head of the device is curved, it allows you to really reach all of these curves and crevices on your face to help soothe and reduce swelling. It also has a perfect size and shapes for black eyes.
The only downside to these flat iron designs is that they don’t hold onto coldness as well as rounded models. Users typically need to keep them stored in a bucket of ice or in the freezer to keep them cold. Plus, they need to be immediately chilled after each and every use. If you don’t have a bucket of ice on hand, this design may be less than ideal for your needs.
Rounded ice design: These designs are great for one simple reason: they stay ice-cold for up to 2 hours! What users love about these designs is that they have a central chamber that stores ice. Simply fill it with water, pop it in the freezer, and you are good to go!
This means that you can pack it right into your gym bag for when you will need to use it, and you know that it will be cold. Many designs claim that they will stay ice-cold for up to 2 hours after taking it out of the freezer.
The downside of these designs is that the shape is a little less than ideal. Many aren’t able to achieve the arched shapes that accommodate the curvature of your face. Plus, many are a lot smaller than the standard square designs.
The main difference between these two designs lies in the method of portability. If you need something that you can pack into a bag and take with you on the go. The rounded options may be your best bet. If you have access to a freezer or a bucket of ice, the squared designs may be better for your needs.
Effectiveness
At the end of the day, you want something that actually works!
There is nothing worse than getting punched in the face. It seems like all of your focus that was once on the fight is immediately shifted to the burning and throbbing patch on your face. Stopping that pain in its tracks is the best way to get your focus back on the fight.
There are a few things that we took into consideration to ensure that each design fits your needs. Below, we have broken down all of the things that we considered.
Temperature retention: If you want it to stop swelling and numb your face, it has to be cold. The most important feature of all of these devices is that they have to be able to hold onto their temperature.
To ensure that they will be able to get the job done, we made sure to select products that were made from stainless steel. As we mentioned above, stainless steel is sone of the best materials to hold onto coldness to really help soothe your aching face.
Shape: Take a moment to run your hands over your face. It is far from being a flat surface! eye sockets, cheekbones, and jawline all have a distinct shape to them. This means that you want something that will be able to reach all of the surfaces on your face.
That’s why we loved designs that have a little bit of a curvature fo them. These shapes are able to reach places on your face that flat models simply cannot touch. If you get socked in the eye, a curved model bends into your socket to reach those hard to reach places.
Features
Extra features are always a welcomed bonus!
These designs are pretty simple and straightforward, but there were quite a few that added a few extra design features that made them stand out from the pack.
Our favorite feature that we found on most designs was the rubber handle. If you think about it, these devices get incredibly cold in order to be effective. They are composed of stainless steel, which transfers that coldness directly to the handle.
To keep your hands nice and comfortable as you place the enswell on your face, a rubber grip keeps the handle at room temperature. The good news is that almost all designs out there on the market come with the addition of a rubber handle.
We also liked designs that had a good curve to them! An added curve is a great way to reach those hard to reach places around your eye socket and around your cheekbones and jaw. Some designs even go above and beyond and add different styles of curvature to the front and back end of the designs. Models that also have a convex design are perfect for the natural curve of your cheekbone.
The goal here is to cover as much of your face as possible for fast and immediate relief!
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Materials Brand Style Effectiveness Features 
The increase in blood flow is the reason that your eye will start to swell after taking a hit. Using a cold compress slows the increase of blood to the area, and can reduce swelling almost immediately.
Any cut or bruise that you sustain whether it be fighting or simply workout out in the yard can benefit from an enswell. Keeping one in your freezer is an excellent alternative to the frozen bag of vegetables that you typically use to ease the pain!
In the movie Rocky, they cut his face in the middle of a fight to reduce the swelling around his eyes. While many boxers still use this method, it is less than ideal. Cutting your face may lead to prolonged bleeding that could end a fight. Plus, you increase the chance of an infection as well. The safest method of reducing swelling is using an enswell as a cold compress.
Other Factors to Consider
Bottom Line
There are some things in life that are just bound to happen. The leaves turn color and fall off of the trees every fall. Your uncle will bring up politics at the Thanksgiving table and make everyone uncomfortable. When you step into the ring, odds are you will take a blow to the face.
What makes a fighter truly great is how you react to a blow to the face. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome is to keep a clear head while your face is pounding from the impact- and this a hard hurdle to overcome!
Having the tools on hand to mitigate pain and swelling is incredibly important each and every time you face off with an opponent. A cold enswell is a fighters best friend with trying to stay focused even after taking a few punches!
With the tools on hand, proper training, and a great recovery supplement, you are well on your way to be a great fighter!
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Why do I need an enswell?
If you plan on fighting, odds are you will take a blow to the face. Even the fastest fighters are bound to take one or two punches now and again. The truth is, it’s hard to feel as fresh and quick as you were at the start of the fight when you have a burning and throbbing patch on your face.
These devices are the perfect tool to have on hand to put a stop to the swelling that could potentially impact your vision. Plus, they are a quick and easy pain management tool that will take your mind off of the throbbing in your face.
Over the counter medication for pain management and topical solutions are great, but it may take a while to really get to work. A simple and natural method of a cold compress remains one of the absolute best pain management tools to use while in the ring.
They are small, simple, affordable, and easy to use. If you plan on fighting, it is in your best interest to have one of these stocked in your freezer or gym bag.
q: How do they work?
These devices work by using an immediate cold compress to the affected area. When you use cold therapy to soothe tired muscles, it is often a muted cold to really penetrate deep into the muscle tissue.
When it comes to blows to the face, you need the most powerful cold compress you can get your hands on. That’s why these devices are made from a solid block of steel that sits directly on top of the skin. This shock of cold to the skin restricts the blood flow that is responsible for swelling.
They also work by numbing the skin around the affected area. Getting punched in the face hurts! By applying an intense burst of cold to your skin, it numbs the surrounding area. This means that you can focus more on the fight and less on your throbbing face.
q: Are they really effective?
Absolutely! Sometimes the best methods of pain management are the simplest. Cold compresses have been used by fighters and athletes all over the planet for hundreds of years. However, it is important to note that if you want them to be as effective as possible, they need to be cold.
We suggest storing your devices in the freezer until the time comes that you need it. Many fighters keep their devices tucked away in a bucket of ice water to keep them cold while in the gym.
If you don’t have access to ice water, a rounded design may be one of your best options. These styles are great because you load them up with ice water before stepping into the gym. They can stay ice-cold for up to 2 hours after taking them out of the freezer.
q: Can’t I just avoid getting punched in the face?
If you don’t want to get punched in the face, one of your best options is to simply stay out of the ring. However, where’s the fun in that?
As the great Mike Tyson said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. You can train for years to be quick and fast and alert, but the day will come when you take a punch.
The mark of a great fighter isn’t how little they get punched, but how well they recover after sustaining an inevitable blow. Having tools such as an enswell on hand is a great way to recover quickly.
q: Can they be used for anything else?
Humans that have soft, squishy skin can benefit from keeping one of these devices tucked away in the freezer. Whether you are fighting in the ring or baking cookies at home, the potential for a skin laceration or a burn is a real possibility.
The chances of taking a punch while baking cookies are pretty slim, but you may sustain a burn if you aren’t careful. Placing an enswell on a fresh burn is a great way to mitigate pain so that you can get right back into your cookie-baking ring!
They are one of the best pain-management tools to have on hand to treat minor cuts and bruises without the need of medication! Whether you burned your hand on the oven, fell off of your bike, or took a punch to the jaw, these are great to have on hand to mitigate the pain!
q: Should I buy a round or square design?
To answer this question you must first determine where you will use it. If you are simply training at the gym and don’t have access to a bucket of ice water, we suggest using one of the rounded designs. While they may not be able to cover the same area of your face, they stay cold for prolonged periods of time.
The rounded designs stay colder longer because they are filled with ice water that freezes in your freezer. When you are ready yo head to the gym for practice, simply pop it in your gym bag and you will have it ready for you if you take a hit.
The square models are for those that have access to a bucket of water to keep them cold. Many users love squared designs because they have more curvature to them. This means that they are made to really fit into the curves of your face such as your eye socket for added relief where you need it most!
Sources
- , Black Eye, Medical Blog
- , Swollen Face After Boxing, Blog
