A deep dive into the many different types of backyard and home saunas, how they work, and which ones are worth investing in
The ancient wellness practice of heat bathing is showing no sign of slowing. The worldwide interest in outdoor saunas (pronounced "sow-nuh") continues to grow in popularity as more people are drawn to this peaceful method of cleansing from the inside out. For the most American proof there is, consider that even Walmart and Amazon sells sauna now. Fashionable Sauna Glass Door In 8mm
Fortunately, it’s never been easier to buy and install a home sauna at home—a wide range of manufacturers and retailers offer both prefabrication saunas and sauna kits, delivered to your doorstep.
For the full rundown on all things sauna, read on as we answer common questions and dive into details in our comprehensive guide to owning a sauna at home. If you're simply looking for recommendations on the best outdoor sauna to buy, scroll on down to the bottom.
[To complete your dream wellness routine, check out our guide to wood fired hot tubs and the cold plunge.]
A sauna is an enclosed structure or room that uses dry heat and some humidity to increase body core temperature and perspiration. Saunas can be heated by an electric stove or wood-fired stove to bring the internal air temperature to between 180 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit—use of a stone stove can be used to raise humidity up to 25-40% by pouring water over hot stones. Inside, saunas typically feature at least one bench, often with an ergonomic backrest. Users can sit lower for milder heat or higher for more intensity, with proximity to the heater or stone stove affecting the experience.
Cedar is the most popular wood used in saunas as it is durable, naturally resistant to mold, rot, and bugs, and holds up great against moisture. Pus the wood has a rich, earthy hue and is wonderfully aromatic during repeat sauna sessions. Pine and Canadian hemlock wood are also common materials used.
There are several different types of saunas. For the purpose of this guide, we’re focusing on the most popular home saunas, which vary in terms of heating method.
Traditional Finnish sauna - Hailing from Finland, the traditional Finnish sauna uses an electric heater, and sometimes, a wood stove, to create ambient heat. Moisture is involved to add humidity. It’s the most common modern home sauna you’ll find on the market today.
Dry sauna - A dry sauna is exactly the same as a traditional sauna, but it doesn’t use water to create a hotter, more humid atmosphere.
Infrared sauna - An infrared home sauna uses electromagnetic radiation to heat the cells of the body, instead of the surrounding air. It's similar to sitting in the sun or next to a fire, sans harmful UV rays. The infrared heat will be lower—about 104-140 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it more comfortable for some. Indoor and outdoor infrared saunas are common. One and two person infrared saunas are common as indoor saunas.
Barrel sauna - Barrel saunas are defined more by their design rather than heating elements. The energy-efficient cylindrical shape with curved walls makes barrel saunas naturally efficient in distributing heat evenly as there are fewer corners to trap heat. This makes for a more comfortable sauna experience, though for tall users the curved walls can be a bit of a nuisance. A panoramic glass front or tempered glass door is an easy way to enhance a barrel sauna, and adding a shingle roof will improve weatherproofing, as sometimes rainfall can sneak between the curved tongue and groove slat walls. Barrel sauna kits are considered easy to assemble in just a few hours.
When considering a sauna for your home, cabin, cottage, etc, the power source is key. Wood burning saunas are fun and romantic, but can be a pain to monitor while they heat up (plus you have to be proficient at building fires and have quality firewood on hand). The experience of heating your own sauna with wood you chopped is certainly one not to miss. And the smell of a fire while in a cedar sauna is wonderful.
On the other hand, electric saunas are efficient, fast, and can be used year round—even during burn bans in the summer. By relying on your conventional power grid, many electric heaters can be turned on remote with proprietary apps or simple smart outlets from Home Depot. Harvia makes both types of sauna stoves and is well regarded in the space.
A single sauna session is typically 8-15 minutes long, just enough time to thoroughly heat up the body’s core temperature to increase circulation and heart rate. This inherently improves cardiovascular health and brings fresh blood flow throughout the entire body. Not only does the bump in circulation and heat relieve muscle tension, but it has been proven to lower blood pressure and enhance mood, which can inadvertently boost immunity and aid in body detoxification.
Like any good sweat, the perspiration acts as a deep cleanse for the skin, giving regular home spa and steam sauna users a healthy glow. It’s recommended to enjoy a few rounds of sauna, with 10 minute breaks in between for water, cooling off, showering or even cold plunging, before going back for another session.
From traditional wooden sauna bucket and felt sauna hat to luxe bathrobes, 100% cotton towels, essential oils, and maybe even a bluetooth speaker sound system, what you bring with you to sauna is your choice—and capable of really improving your experience. See our full list of recommended sauna accouterments in our new sauna accessories guide here.
New from California-based company Plunge, this standalone sauna is the perfect compliment to their super-popular cold plunge tubs. The Plunge Sauna comes in two sizes and is delivered in a modular kit-of-parts, which two people can assemble in 1-2 hours. Once completed, the sauna plugs into a standard 220V 30 amp' outlet, so users can plug and play inside or outside their home, while settings can be adjusted in advance or real-time with the Plunge mobile app.
I have had the opportunity to test the Plunge Sauna twice now—along with their namesake cold plunge tub—I really appreciated the slanted back wall, which is more comfortable for leaning on than the walls in a barrel or cube sauna. The floor-to-ceiling windows are fantastic, too. Tested & approved!
Style: Box Sauna Number of People: 5-7 people Material: Sustainable pine & hemlock wood Dimensions: 7'11" H x 5' W x 5'7" D Weight: NA Heat Source: HUUM 6kw sauna heater Extra Features: Flip-up benches, Bluetooth app, built-in speakers
Leisurecraft is well known as one of the best home sauna manufacturers. Available in a range of sizes and styles, we especially love the panorama barrel sauna for its energy-efficient design, efficiency, and of course, big bubble window that invites the outdoors in. Each USA-made kit is made from durable western red cedar and arrives ready for easy assembly in 4-6 hours with minimal tools.
Style: Barrel Sauna Number of People: Up to 6 people Material: Western Red Cedar Dimensions: 7' x 6' Heat Source: Electric or Harvia wood burning Extra Features: Panoramic bubble window, interior benches Price: $12,932
This one might as well be labeled the best budget barrel sauna, too. Only there's nothing budget about this high-quality sauna besides the sub $6k price. Custom made of Eastern White Cedar, this barrel sauna features a covered exterior seating area, towel rack, and interior space for 4 people (6 and 8 person versions are also available). With the most efficient shape in saunas, the barrel is at home in nature and suburban backyards—this version's thick walls and 5mm bronze tempered glass door ensure maximum insulation during colder months, too. Cedar wood is naturally antimicrobial and has that distinct smell we all love.
Style: Covered barrel sauna Number of People: 4 person Material: Eastern White Cedar Dimensions: 78" diameter x 78" long Heat Source: Electric heater Extra Features: Covered porch, interior benches, comes with bucket & dipper and a thermo-hygrometer
A more conventional shape for urban backyard and modern design lovers, this backyard sauna kit features three expansive windows and a glass door to invite the outdoors in and avoid the claustrophobic feeling some barrel saunas can induce. Built to last, the cabin-like sauna boasts 1.7" thick walls and 0.7" floor boards, all made of sustainably sourced Nordic Spruce. On the inside, the sauna benches, heater skirt, and backrests are made of knotless Aspen for a premium finish.
Style: Modern cabin sauna Number of People: 4 person Material: Scandinavian Nordic Spruce Dimensions: 83" L x 85" W x 92" H Heat Source: Saaku electric heater Extra Features: 2 interior benches, backrest, bucket and ladle, available with electric or wood burning heater
Redwood Outdoors sells a beautiful selection of home saunas in a range of shapes, sizes, and costs. We’re especially loving this funky mini-cube sauna kit for two. Designed to be easy build by just a couple of people in an afternoon with minimal tools, the unique home sauna is made of Scandinavian Thermowood, which is heat-treated in special chamber kilns at temperatures up to 230 degrees for up to 96 hours. The drying process makes the wood uniquely perfect for saunas, creating a rot and fungi resistent wood that wont secrete sap or resin. This mini cube sauna comes with a Harvia electric heater that can heat up to 195 F in under an hour. The shape is efficient, elegant, and perfect for couples. Also available in a more generous 6 person cube sauna for $8,999. (Use Code "FIELD250" for $250 off orders $3,500+)
Style: Scandinavian Mini Cube Design Number of People: Fits up to 2 people Material: Scandinavian Thermowood Dimensions: 68” L x 50” W x 81” H Weight: 800 lbs Heat Source: Electric Harvia sauna heater Extra Features: Comes with water bucket & ladle, sauna rocks, and interior seating benches
State of the art, this newly released 2-person infrared light sauna claims to be the world's only indoor/outdoor infrared sauna engineered for use in all seasons. Made of Japanese Carbonized wood and dura-glass panoramic windows to maintain optimal temperatures in all conditions, mobile app enabled stand alone sauna features full spectrum and FIR heaters deliver 3D infrared wavelengths for heat therapy, while medical-grade LED lights provide chromotherapy for an immersive wellness experience.
Style: Infrared Cube Sauna Number of People: 2 person (also available in 5 person) Material: Japanese Carbonized wood Dimensions: 58″ Wide 53″ Deep x 83″ High Weight: 775 lbs Heat Source: Electric Extra Features: Patented full-spectrum infrared light, Bluetooth speakers
BZB offers a large selection of prefabricated cabin, hot tub, and sauna kits—of the latter you can choose from a classic barrel sauna, oval cabin sauna, igloo-shaped sauna, even a spacious two-room sauna and a portable sauna on wheels, with prices starting at $5,850 USD. The Estonian company offers customizations and even a rental service for those who want to try out a sauna for the day. For us, the POD igloo-style sauna is our pick for its unique style and efficient design.
Style: POD / Igloo Number of People: 4-6 Persons Material: Nordic Spruce Dimensions: 13' L x 7'6" W x 7'6" H Weight: 2,500 lbs Heat Source: Harvia Electric or Stoveman Wood Burning Stove Extra Features: Separate enclosed changing room, benches
Hudson Valley-based Den caters to those looking for a more DIY approach to the sauna experience, offering sauna plans for those who want to build their own. Best part is, plans start at just $199 ($1,395 for full DIY plan package) and are styled in the same sleek modern design as their A-Frame cabin plans. The Den sauna features separate changing and sauna rooms and is configurable for on or off-grid locations, and does not include the additional cost of materials and labor.
Style: Cube Sauna Number of People: 2-4 people Material: Local wood Dimensions: 12' L x 8'6" W Weight: NA Heat Source: Electric Extra Features: changing room, 2-tier benches, large picture window
This freestanding prefab outdoor sauna can easily fit four people and is crafted in British Columbia from sustainably sourced clear cedar and clad in a durable stainless steel. But the best part? It's plug-and-play design is delivered on a flatbed truck ready to connect to your existing electrical system and fire up same day. No assembly required. Though the high design and easy of use comes with a similarly elevated price tag. (More on Backcountry Hut Company here.)
Style: Preassembled Nordic Sauna Number of People: Up to 6 people Material: Sustainably sourced Clear Cedar Dimensions: 8’ x 10’ Weight: NA Heat Source: Tylo Sense Pure 8 heating system Extra Features: Plug and play prefabricated design
There are essentially two options when purchasing a home or backyard sauna: prefab saunas delivered fully assembled and ready to use, and sauna kits, which are delivered flat packed and require assembly on site. Sauna kits are more common, and we can say from experience, relatively easy to install.
Whether you're interested in an indoor sauna or an outdoor sauna, the primary factors to consider before buying are how much usable space is available, the flooring or foundation, and access to electricity. Indoor saunas need a good waterproof floor or foundation, and enough space for the sauna itself, as well as room for a tempered glass door or wooden door to swing open. For an electric stove, it’s essential to make sure that the sauna has adequate and safe electric hookups.
Before buying an outdoor sauna, check your local regulations and building codes as sometimes permits are required. The top priority for installing a freestanding outdoor sauna is finding a safe and reliable source of power for the electric stove and lighting. If you’re using a wood stove to hear your sauna, you have more freedom of placement. Regardless, always check with the manufacturer for install information.
Saunas originated in European countries with colder climates some 2,000 years ago—traditional Finnish saunas preceded the Estonian, Russian, and Latvian sweat baths, and are still the most popular style today.
Primitive and functional, they were built into a mound of earth and heated by a fireplace with sauna stones to throw water over. Over the years, the technology changed and designs evolved (you can even get your hands on a gondola converted into a sauna), but the traditional Finnish sauna remained as a way of life and ritual in Nordic and Scandinavian culture. Today, saunas are still considered a regular part of everyday life that improves wellbeing, promotes relaxation, and offers a communal space to gather and simply be. In public, sauna etiquette usually means being respectful of other bathers’ peace and quiet, always sitting on a clean towel, and of course, giving a nod or grunt if you fancy pouring more hot water over the sauna stone.
Check out Modular Cabins from Backcountry Hut Company for more sauna inspo.
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