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As people continue to prioritize health and wellness, outdoor saunas are becoming increasingly popular. Beyond enhancing an outdoor living setup, saunas (small structures in which users experience dry or wet heat sessions) have been found to provide a myriad of health benefits, such as improving heart health, reducing stress, fighting illness, burning calories, flushing toxins, and relieving sore muscles.
After reviewing several popular models, our top pick is the Almost Heaven Saunas Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna. Its compact design fits in most backyards and can comfortably accommodate two people. Ball and socket lumber makes assembly a breeze, and it comes with a high-quality heater, sauna stones, and an LED light.
We also interviewed outdoor sauna sales and manufacturing experts to get the low-down on what shoppers should look for before purchasing. Keep reading for shopping tips and a curated list of some of the best outdoor saunas on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Almost Heaven Saunas Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Xmatch Far Infrared Wooden Outdoor Sauna
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FAR-INFRARED: SDI Factory Direct 4-Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BARREL: Almost Heaven Saunas Audra Cedar Barrel Sauna
↓ Jump to Review - BEST COMPACT: LTCCDSS 1-Person Far-Infrared Outdoor Sauna Room
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR GROUPS: Redwood Outdoors 8-Person Thermowood Garden Sauna
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LUXURY: Backcountry Hut System S Preassembled Sauna
↓ Jump to Review
Outdoor Saunas Comparison Chart
| Product | Temperature | Capacity | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almost Heaven Saunas Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna | Maximum 185 degrees Fahrenheit | 2 people | Sauna stones, LED light |
| Xmatch Far Infrared Wooden Outdoor Sauna | 68 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit | 2 people | Reading lamps, chromotherapy |
| SDI Factory Direct 4-Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna | Not specified | 4 people | Stereo speakers, oxygen ionizer, chromotherapy |
| Almost Heaven Saunas Audra Cedar Barrel Sauna | Up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit | 4 people | Covered porch with 2 exterior benches |
| LTCCDSS 1-Person Far-Infrared Outdoor Sauna Room | From 68 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit | 1 person | Bluetooth, LED lights, chromotherapy lamp |
| Redwood Outdoors 8-Person Thermowood Garden Sauna | Not specified (depends on heater choice) | 8 people | Sauna rocks, bucket and ladle |
| Backcountry Hut System S Preassembled Sauna | Not specified | 6 people | LED lighting |
Our Top Picks
Now it’s time to explore some of the top options. Whether it’s a spacious barrel sauna, compact infrared home sauna, or a two-room sauna with a separate dressing area, our top picks include some of the best outdoor saunas for home use to blend seamlessly with many types of backyards.
Best Overall
Almost Heaven Saunas Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna
What We Like
- Compact enough to fit in most yards
- High-quality Harvia heater and sauna stones included
- Ball-and-socket lumber allows simple DIY assembly and stability
What We Don’t Like
- 2-person outdoor sauna; limited capacity
Specs
- Temperature: Maximum 185 degrees Fahrenheit
- Capacity: 2 people
- Extras: Sauna stones, LED light
With so many different models available, choosing an overall best outdoor sauna proved a real challenge. The Almost Heaven Saunas Salem took our top spot for several reasons. It comes from one of the top names in the industry with 40 years experience. It is easy to assemble, and ball-and-socket lumber adds stability. The compact size means it will fit into a variety of outdoor spaces.
A high-quality Harvia heater and sauna stones are included, as is stainless steel hardware and weather-resistant plastic support cradles. There’s also an internal LED light. Windows are available at an additional cost. This Almost Heaven model provides all the health benefits associated with traditional barrel saunas—and the competitive price ought to be good for the heart rate too!
Get the Almost Heaven Salem outdoor sauna at Wayfair or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
Xmatch Far Infrared Wooden Outdoor Sauna
What We Like
- Snap-together design allows for easy assembly
- Competitively priced model
- Sauna prewarms in as little as 10 minutes
- Features reading lights, chromotherapy lights, and bluetooth speakers
What We Don’t Like
- Interior is a bit cramped for taller people
Specs
- Temperature: 68 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit
- Capacity: 2 people
- Extras: Reading lamps, chromotherapy
The luxury of a sauna needn’t be price prohibitive. Nine low-electromagnetic-field (EMF) heating plates warm this affordable model, made with kiln-dried hemlock wood, within 10 to 15 minutes. An LCD panel lets bathers choose an ideal temperature between 68 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. For added benefit, the tempered-glass door keeps heat in while making it possible to enjoy the view outside.
The tongue-and-groove design ensures a quick assembly. A pair of Bluetooth speakers let you play music from a smartphone or tablet to enhance the relaxing experience. Although the interior is spacious enough for two people, this small outdoor sauna is not ideal for those taller than 6 feet 2 inches.
Get the Xmatch outdoor sauna at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Far-Infrared
SDI Factory Direct 4-Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna
What We Like
- Waterproof hemlock-wood construction with traditional shingle roof
- Uses reliable far-infrared ceramic heaters
- Fits corner positions or can be freestanding
- Includes an oxygen ionizer with ozone generator
What We Don’t Like
- Panels are fairly heavy
- There’s no Bluetooth
Specs
- Temperature: Not specified
- Capacity: 4 people
- Extras: Stereo speakers, oxygen ionizer, chromotherapy
A far-infrared sauna uses light from further down the infrared spectrum, which some studies found may help produce perspiration. This SDI Factory Direct sauna relies on far-infrared ceramic heaters and includes an oxygen ionizer with an ozone generator to keep air fresh. Boasting a shingled roof and waterproof hemlock-wood construction, the sauna has a simple aesthetic that pairs well with many home styles.
The sauna is designed to fit up to four people comfortably. The overall height is more than 7 feet, so even taller individuals can comfortably fit inside. A digital control panel makes it easy to regulate the temperature, but the manufacturer does not indicate the unit’s temperature range in its promotional material. There are four LED reading lights and four chromotherapy lights. You can play music from a smartphone with the auxiliary input, but there is no Bluetooth connection.
Get the SDI Factory Direct outdoor sauna at SDI Factory Direct or Amazon.
Best Barrel
Almost Heaven Saunas Audra Cedar Barrel Sauna
What We Like
- High-quality model with rust-resistant stainless steel fittings
- Handcrafted in the U.S. and easy assembly
- Excellent Harvia 4.5-kilowatt heater
- Choice of 4 lumbers, plus other customization options
What We Don’t Like
- Barrel may not be weatherproof if left uncovered
Specs
- Temperature: Up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit
- Capacity: 4 people
- Extras: Covered porch with 2 exterior benches
This spacious 6-foot-long by 6-foot-wide barrel-style sauna holds up to four bathers comfortably. Thanks to its quality Harvia electric heater, it heats up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit quickly and can also be programmed up to 8 hours in advance. While inside, you can use a sauna ladle to pour water over the rocks and immerse the interior with steam.
Made of solid wood, this handsome outdoor barrel sauna includes a covered canopy with additional outside seating and a tempered-glass door with a stainless steel handle. Although sleek and stylish, this sauna must be covered or else rainwater will enter through the wooden roof. There is also no speaker system or smart screen to control the temperature or interior light easily.
Get the Almost Heaven Audra outdoor sauna at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Best Compact
LTCCDSS 1-Person Far-Infrared Outdoor Sauna Room
What We Like
- Compat footprint of 40 inches square
- Easy to put together
- Made from durable Canadian hemlock with tempered-glass door
- Fast-reacting far-infrared panels in 3 walls
What We Don’t Like
- May benefit from a cover over winter
- Personal sauna; only room for one person
Specs
- Temperature: From 68 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit
- Capacity: 1 person
- Extras: Bluetooth, LED lights, chromotherapy lamp
With a footprint of a fraction under 40 inches square, the LTCCDSS one-person sauna can fit almost anywhere. It also comes with a budget-friendly price tag, yet it offers many of the features found in far larger, more expensive alternatives.
With only eight prewired panels, assembly couldn’t be easier. We like that it’s made from Canadian hemlock for durability, with a waterproof exterior and tempered glass door. The 1,560-watt far-infrared heating panels have an easy-to-use LCD control panel and can take the interior up to 149 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 to 15 minutes. The interior boasts a pair of Bluetooth speakers, an LED reading light, and a chromotherapy lamp.
Get the LTCCDSS outdoor sauna at Amazon.
Best for Groups
Redwood Outdoors 8-Person Thermowood Garden Sauna
What We Like
- Big enough for family and friends
- Made from high-quality, sustainably harvested lumber
- 4 different heater options, including Wi-Fi control
- A variety of attractive upgrades available
What We Don’t Like
- Assembling this large model will likely be time-consuming
Specs
- Temperature: Not specified (depends on heater choice)
- Capacity: 8 people
- Extras: Sauna rocks, bucket and ladle
The Redwood Thermowood outdoor home sauna has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to eight people. Two separate levels of seating plus glazed windows and doors provide a light and airy feel, making this a popular choice for medium- to large-sized backyards. The main structure is made of sustainably forested lumber that is heat-treated in special kilns to prevent splitting, also ensuring that the interlocking staves create a tight seal.
A stove from Finish experts Harvia is included with sauna stones, and other options are available. There are also a number of upgrades from roof shingles and a towel rack to deluxe shower and cold plunge tub. These allow the Redwood Outdoors sauna to be customized to individual preferences. However, while this sauna is competitively priced as standard, these extras can add a considerable amount to the final cost.
Get the Redwood Outdoors outdoor sauna at Redwood Outdoors.
Best Luxury
Backcountry Hut System S Preassembled Sauna
What We Like
- Comes fully assembled and ready for connection
- Exterior is clad in steel for weather protection
- Features the Tylo Sense Pure 8 heating system
What We Don’t Like
- Delivery times can be long
- Price makes it unaffordable for many shoppers
Specs
- Temperature: Not specified
- Capacity: 6
- Extras: LED lighting
For those with a big enough budget, the Backcountry Hut System S is likely to be a very attractive proposition. It arrives fully assembled and just needs a suitable base as well as a connection to an electrical system (details are provided by the manufacturer when ordering).
The build quality of this modern outdoor sauna is exceptional, with sustainably harvested cedar on the inside that is then insulated with Rockwool in the floor, walls, and roof. This is then wrapped in a foil vapor barrier, and the whole thing is encased in steel to combat the harshest weather conditions. An advanced Tylo Sense Pure 8 heating system is included with a Thermosafe coating to prevent accidental burns. It delivers precise digital control over the sauna environment. A panoramic window provides an expansive view of the exterior while up to six occupants enjoy the ultimate in luxury inside.
Get the Backcountry Hut outdoor sauna at Backcountry Hut Company.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Outdoor Saunas
When creating this list, we wanted to include a good-quality option for every type of user. We considered the types of outdoor sauna kits at various price points as well as different sizes, styles, and materials. We also interviewed Dr. Raleigh Duncan, Founder and CEO of Clearlight Infrared Saunas and Wellness Solutions, headquartered in Berkeley, California, for expert advice on what to look for in an outdoor sauna. “All outdoor saunas must be built to withstand the elements so look for watertight construction and a good solid roof to keep the water outside where it belongs,” he says. He also advised on some extra features to look for, such as saunas that can be turned on remotely or set by timer.
When it comes to size and capacity, it’s important to consider how the sauna will be used, so we included options that are ideal for couples, the whole family, or small groups. The ease of assembly weighed into our decision-making process as well.
We also considered extra features, as shoppers may value certain accessories, such as a stereo system, chromotherapy lights, or a traditional bucket with sauna rocks. Further, we took into account the durability and weather resistance of every option. We wanted to offer a variety of styles to ensure that all users could find a fit to accommodate their space, whether it’s a backyard, deck, or patio.
What to Consider When Choosing an Outdoor Sauna
Before making a purchase, consider the size, material, and design of the sauna to find the best fit for an outdoor space. It’s important to find an option with the right amount of seating and the kinds of accessories that make the most impact. Shoppers will want to consider the overall safety of every sauna type. Keep reading to learn more about these key considerations.
Types of Outdoor Saunas
Whether looking for a traditional steam bath or a sauna with dry heat, there are various types of saunas to consider. A traditional Finnish sauna is heated by a wood-burning stove with sauna rocks, while a dry sauna typically produces heat with a carbon or ceramic electric heater. Depending on the heat source, different types of outdoor saunas provide you with a different variety of health benefits.
Traditional Finnish Sauna
Although they’ve become popular in all parts of the world, saunas are entwined with Finnish culture. The traditional Finnish sauna, sometimes called a wood-burning outdoor sauna, is a steam sauna heated by a wood-burning stove, with or without a chimney. A basket of sauna rocks is heated by the stove, and water is tossed on top of the rocks once the rocks have warmed to create steam and humidity throughout the wood-fired sauna.
With most traditional outdoor steam room saunas, you can adjust the temperature to create your ideal atmosphere. The traditional sauna experience of high heat and humidity is known to provide health benefits such as improving skin health, clearing congestion, and reducing joint stiffness. It may also help to lower blood pressure and bolster the immune system, resulting in a general feeling of well-being.
Dry Sauna
Both steam and dry saunas provide health benefits by heating the body, but they do so in different ways. A steam sauna uses wet heat and high humidity to create a sauna experience, while a dry sauna operates at a much lower temperature and provides much less humidity.
Dry saunas heat the air evenly and penetrate deeper into the skin. The heating element may be powered by an electric or fuel-powered sauna heater. Dry saunas range from 150 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas use infrared light to penetrate the skin and heat the body directly. They operate at a lower temperature compared to an outdoor traditional sauna and dry sauna, typically between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. You can enjoy a deep sweat without overheating, which results in a safer and more enjoyable sauna experience.
Providing plenty of health benefits, infrared saunas may help with relaxation, improve circulation, relieve sore muscles, lead to better sleep, and more. (You can pair them with time spent in a steam shower for additional muscle recovery benefits.) When shopping for an outdoor infrared sauna, consumers will find near-infrared, far-infrared, and full-spectrum saunas. Most infrared saunas use either carbon or ceramic heaters to evenly disperse heat.
Size and Seating Capacity
Outdoor saunas are available in various shapes and sizes, as they can be intended for a couple, for the entire family, or for entertaining small groups. Two- or three-person saunas look great on a patio or deck, while larger barrel saunas tend to work best in a backyard. Some barrel-style backyard outdoor saunas can accommodate up to eight people, and others even include a separate dressing room and a front porch for additional seating.
Larger saunas typically have benches on both sides, making it easier for you and your guests to hang out and talk while enjoying your backyard sauna experience. It also provides those in smaller groups the option to lie down on the bench while inside the sauna. Whereas both a one-person outdoor sauna and a two-person outdoor sauna tend to have only one bench, they are a great option for those who don’t have a ton of outdoor space.
Materials and Design
Most outdoor saunas are constructed of wood, with the most popular materials being cedar, hemlock, and spruce wood. Thick wood panels offer more insulation, so heat stays inside, regardless of the weather outside.
When considering the type of materials, think about the exterior of the sauna for longevity and how it relates to other structures around the yard, such as a pool house or a shed. While some saunas have a wooden door, many have a door made of tempered glass. Some models even have front or rear windows so you can enjoy views of nature while inside your backyard sauna. Some wooden saunas have roofing shingles to protect against damage from rain and ultraviolet rays.
Traditional outdoor saunas use a wood-burning stove, either with or without a chimney. Some have a sauna guard, which is usually a wooden structure that surrounds the heater or stove for safety reasons so that bathers do not accidentally touch the heat source. For a more comfortable sauna experience, some outdoor saunas have vents that circulate fresh air throughout the structure.
Accessories
When shopping for saunas for home use, it’s important to consider which accessories will help you enjoy the experience most. While features and accessories largely come down to personal preference, Duncan recommends looking for models that can be powered on remotely. “Many saunas have a preset feature so the sauna can be ready for you at a predetermined time, like in the morning or right when you get home from work,” he says.
Some models include LED lighting inside, making it possible to read while in the sauna. Chromotherapy lights, which are known to provide additional health benefits such as accelerated healing, muscle tension relief, and circulation improvement, may also be included. Additional options include charging outputs and Bluetooth connectivity so you can enjoy music while inside the sauna. Keep in mind that while optional customizations can increase efficiency and enjoyment, they can also add to your home sauna costs.
Safety
Generally, all outdoor saunas are safe to use regularly, although infrared saunas are considered to be safer in the long term. Infrared saunas operate at a much lower temperature, between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes them the safer option for users who want to sauna bathe for longer periods or for those who want to enjoy their sauna every day.
If installed correctly, outdoor saunas are not considered a fire hazard. Owners will want to follow the instructions closely when installing a sauna. Steam saunas have the potential to grow mold and mildew, which is why it’s important to clean a sauna regularly after each use.
FAQs
We’ve covered a lot of information about the benefits of saunas and covered some of the best models on the market, but you might still have some questions. Keep reading for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about outdoor saunas. from $2,000 to more than $10,000.
Indoor saunas tend to accommodate two to four people, while outdoor saunas are often larger. Some models are designed to function indoors or outdoors and could be incorporated into an upscale pool house.
Sauna bathing has been known to increase circulation, improve cardiovascular health, reduce pain, boost immunity, improve sleep, and reduce stress. For a full range of health and relaxation benefits, you might also consider pairing your sauna with a hot tub.
Depending on the type of sauna and its quality, outdoor saunas can cost anywhere from $2,000 to more than $10,000.
Yes, backyard saunas are becoming increasingly popular. Just make sure that the sauna you choose is built for outdoor use.
Whether you need a permit for an outdoor sauna depends on your local zoning laws. Small saunas often don’t require permits; however, it’s crucial to check with your local zoning office ahead of time.
Most likely. Some saunas come partially assembled, but most take at least a few hours to put together. Some saunas will also require two people to assemble.
While not always necessary, insulating the floor of your outdoor sauna can help prevent heat loss and stop condensation from forming under the floor.
Outdoor saunas can be wiped clean using mild soap and water. Sauna floors can be mopped with a mild detergent.
Well-maintained outdoor saunas often last 15-25 years. Those built with high-quality, weather-resistant materials may last even longer.
