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The SaunaBox doesn’t look as cute as the cedar barrel saunas on Instagram, but it does its job just as well
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Heat therapy is so hot right now (sorry, I couldn’t help myself). But I’m sure you know what I’m talking about—sitting in a sauna for just 10 minutes is purported to improve blood circulation, stimulate the immune system, and dispense toxins. Studies show that regular sauna use can improve cardiovascular health, relieve arthritis pain, and reduce systemic inflammation. Americans are a little late to the game (Nordic countries have been enjoying the sauna life for centuries), but now we’re all in on the power of sweating as a wellness technique.
That said, I’ve discovered that hopping into a sauna regularly isn’t always easy. Installing a sauna in my house is out of my price range and getting to my local bath house takes up more time than I’m willing to give.
I recently had a lot of luck with an inexpensive, inflatable hot tub, which satiated my desire for a spa at a fraction of the price, so I was intrigued by the prospect of SaunaBox ($349), a portable steam sauna that you can install inside or outside your home. It costs just a few hundred dollars but promises all the benefits of more expensive options.
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$ 349 at Scheels $ 349 at sauna box
The SaunaBox consists of a frame made of short-but-strong plastic poles, a heat-insulated quilted tent, and a 1600-watt steam generator that plugs into a wall socket. Fill the generator with water, plug it in, and 15 minutes later the SaunaBox reaches a maximum internal temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
I built the SaunaBox on my back porch in about 30 minutes, using an instructional video on the company’s site. It looks like a portable wardrobe—something you would see backstage at a fashion show. It’s not unattractive, but it doesn’t have the same charm as one of those cedar barrel saunas that are all over my social media feeds.
I had low expectations of the system because I didn’t think a temporary unit like this could produce and trap heat efficiently. I thought the result would be a tiny room that was barely warmer and more humid than the Southern Appalachian summer I’ve grown accustomed to. But after using the SaunaBox for a month, I’m a true believer in this oversized humidifier.
It’s how well it works that counts, and the SaunaBox produces and retains heat really well. I prefer steam saunas over dry saunas because they get the sweat going faster, and the SaunaBox does not disappoint. It takes about 15 minutes to heat up to the max temp of 130 degrees Fahrenheit on the highest setting, which feels as warm and steamy as any other commercial steam room I’ve ever used.
The steam generator sits outside the box, connecting via plastic tubing through the wall to the steam emitter. You can control the amount of heat and steam from the machine using the remote control, with settings from 1 to 7. The higher the setting, the higher the temperature, although the amount of steam seems to be about the same regardless of the settings. I like it hot so I always use it on the highest setting. You can add essential oils to the emitter if you want to get fancy, and my wife likes to bring in a waterproof portable speaker to complete the spa vibes.
I was worried I would get claustrophobic inside the box, but it’s roomier and more comfortable than expected. It’s definitely a one-person space, but I sit in the included chair, bring in a cup of ice water, and just breathe for 10 minutes or until I feel like I’ve sweated out the bad decisions from the night before.
I also got the brand’s portable, one-person PlungeBox ($149) cold plunge tub, which sets up and breaks down in just a couple of minutes, and I have been enjoying the hot sauna/cold plunge combo about three times a week. I can see myself using the sauna more often during the winter. Sometimes I’ll do the hot/cold tandem after a hard workout (studies show sauna use after workouts can speed recovery), but mostly I like to hop inside the SaunaBox at the end of the day to wind down. One note: don’t use the sauna before a workout. I made the mistake of hitting the SaunaBox before a trail run and was exhausted after the first mile.
I’m not sure if it’s reducing my chance of heart disease, but it’s incredibly relaxing. I do 10-plus minutes in the sauna, three minutes in the cold plunge, and repeat three or four times until I reach a zen-like level of peace and harmony.
The SaunaBox is easy to build and take down. Now that I’ve built it once, I’m sure I could put it together in about 10 minutes, but I haven’t taken it down since I assembled it a month ago. It’s now a fixture on my back porch because my wife and I use it so often. The set-up packs down into a travel case that’s roughly three feet long, so you could take this sauna with you when you travel. I can see setting it up at a lakeside Airbnb soon.
I don’t have many criticisms to note about the SaunaBox, though it does require some care and maintenance. You have to use either distilled or purified water (water out of the purifier on my sink seems to work fine, but I’ve also bought jugs of distilled water) to keep deposits from gathering on the bottom of the generator. You also have to wipe the inside of the box down after each use and wash the removable floor pad regularly. Some people spray the interior down with vinegar or a disinfectant, but I haven’t seen the need to take that step yet. The steam emitter and hose also get hot, so you have to be careful not to touch them when using the sauna.
I’ve read pages of reviews online, and the most common complaint I’ve found about the SaunaBox is that the seat included with the system isn’t that comfortable. It’s just a short, no-frills fold-out camping chair—the kind you can buy for under $20 at big box stores, but I haven’t had an issue with that.
Sauna And Steam Room Otherwise, it’s a pretty great sweat box, particularly in comparison to permanent home sauna solutions, which start around $3K and go up from there. As far as I’m concerned, the SaunaBox is a no-brainer. I get to live the Nordic sweat life, without dropping thousands on a real one (which I probably don’t have a space for in my home, anyway). Is the black box Instagram-worthy? No. It’s not very photogenic. But it’s hot and steamy, and I’ve never felt more relaxed.