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Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of a sauna from the comfort of your own home. Sauna Room Outdoor
Better Homes & Gardens / Madison Woiten
Home saunas can be quite an investment, but according to some experts, it may be worth the splurge. In addition to therapeutic benefits, a home spa can provide a spot for the ultimate relaxation, whether you’re looking for an outdoor sauna or a complement to your backyard pool or hot tub.
“The most significant considerations are budget, the amount of space you have for a sauna, and the type of sauna you are interested in. The whole point is to sweat, so as long as the system you choose can get hot enough to get you doing that, you are already going in the right direction," says Dr. Tom Ingegno, DACM, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Charm City Integrative Health.
To find the best home saunas, we researched and tested several options at home. In addition to Dr. Ingegno, we also spoke with Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician, as well as Ava Johanna, the founder of Academy of Breath, a meditation and breathwork platform.
We evaluated several home saunas on their setup, user experience, maintenance and features. For more information on how we tested home saunas, check out our testing process below.
It’s a full-size, spa-grade sauna with a bunch of extras, like speakers.
It’s stated as a 1–2-person sauna but is more comfortable with just one.
To enjoy professional spa-level luxury in the comfort of your own home, you’ll want to add the Dynamic Barcelona Infrared Sauna to your abode.
This sauna is not only gorgeous to look at and can add an aesthetic element to any room, but it also comes with some great features. Surprisingly, we found this sauna to be pretty easy to put together as everything just clasps in place.
It comes with a little towel rack, a magazine rack, and an MP3 player holder that screw into the wall. We wish the instructions could have been better, but the design of the sauna makes assembling it intuitive. We had two people putting it together, which we found easy with the help of a cordless drill.
Two people can fit in this sauna, although we found it to be way more comfortable with just one person. Using this sauna solo lets you lay back and get comfortable without having to worry about touching another sweaty body.
It took about 25–30 mins for the sauna to heat up to its max 151°F, and the heat is very consistent throughout as there are heaters on all the walls and floor, producing a steady stream of heat. The door has a tight seal so no air comes in when in use (and no heat escapes) either.
There are a few buttons on the inside and outside to power it on, turn on the heat, set a timer, and turn on a reading light. It also comes with a remote to operate the different lights. The controls worked great and were very easy to understand. For the price, its good looks, and extra perks like chromotherapy and speakers, this sauna is a fantastic value for the money.
After six months of use, this product still worked as well as when we first got it. We used it once a week and found that it helped with sore muscles, as well as improve our sleep.
The sauna still takes a bit of time to ramp the temperature up to where we want it, so make sure you turn the sauna on about 20 to 30 minutes (depending on how hot you want it) before you get in it.
We recommend this unit to anyone looking for a smaller sauna with excellent features. We are particularly still loving the color therapy, and Bluetooth speaker connection for listening to podcasts while we sweat.
Product Details: Dimensions: 73 x 36 x 39 inches | Capacity: Two people | Sauna Style: Infrared
This sauna is surprisingly roomy, even for taller users.
Because of the lengthy setup time and the fact that the sauna needs to dry out after each use, you’ll need to find a storage spot for the assembled sauna.
For shoppers on a budget, the SereneLife Full Size Portable Steam Sauna surpassed our expectations.
We found the setup process relatively easy to follow; we connected the included white poles by matching them to each other to create the frame.
This task was manageable by one person; however, wrapping the tent around the poles was a little tricky and needed two people. Once the sauna was fully set up, the final step was to assemble the steamer and connect it to the sauna. From start to finish, setup took us about 22 minutes.
The sauna took about 10–15 minutes to heat up, and it efficiently retained the heat with no noticeable air drafts. There is a tube inside the sauna that emits steam (it connects with the steamer on the outside), and it's crucial that the tube is not facing the user to avoid burns.
Fresh water should be added to the steamer before each use, then you just turn the sauna on, set the temperature to the desired level, and wait about 15 minutes for it to heat up. Just like a professional-grade sauna, the fewer clothes you have on, the more comfortable you're going to feel. We liked that we were able to adjust the temperature once we were inside the sauna thanks to a remote control that can be kept in a handy inside pocket.
We found that this one-person sauna was roomy enough for us to stretch our legs, and even a 6’2” user felt comfortable inside it. There’s enough space to let you fully relax and enjoy the sauna experience, aided by the included foldable chair with backrest.
Even though it's a large sauna, it's under 14 pounds, so we could easily move it out of the way into the corner when not in use. After using, leaving the doors unzipped is a must in order for it to air dry quickly (if you forget to do so, it will still be wet inside a day later and could develop mold or mildew).
Although this sauna is portable, setting it up and breaking it down again after each use will be arduous, so you’ll want a dedicated space to keep this sauna in, like a basement or a garage, if you plan to use it regularly.
This sauna has proved to be a great addition to our home. We used it roughly once a week over the past six months, and we didn’t notice any deterioration or change in the quality and performance of the sauna. Overall, it looks and functions just as great as it did the first time we used it.
Product Details: Dimensions: 70.9 x 35.4 x 35.4 inches | Capacity: One person | Sauna Style: Steam
It’s a professional grade sauna with consistent heat, a touch screen panel, and high-tech settings.
Setup is a lengthy endeavor, and you’ll need a 120V 20A circuit and outlet.
If you are an avid sauna user (or have decided to be from now on) and don’t mind a higher price, the Sunlighten mPulse Smart Sauna Aspire is worth every penny.
This sauna is beautiful to look at, with a wooden construction and a glass corner. We found that there was plenty of space inside, but not enough to completely stretch out. You can, however, do simple stretches, like a butterfly, touching toes, and arm stretches. The seats are wooden, like the typical saunas you see in gyms, and it also comes with a back rack to lean on as well as a towel rack.
Using the sauna could not be easier. It comes with a remote for the lights and a comprehensive touchscreen panel to control all its settings. You can easily adjust the heat, use the streaming services and other apps (i.e. Netflix, Hulu, Gmail, Spotify, and so much more), customize user profiles, and select specific programs for your usage. We found that all controls operated properly and perfectly.
As a big unit that can comfortably fit two people in at a time, this sauna took up a large corner of our basement, but it looks very sleek.
With all of these features, however, came a lengthy setup. The sauna requires assembly and arrived in three huge separate packages. We ended up calling in professional help, and we also had to hire an electrician to put in a 120V 20A circuit and outlet (but if you have the proper electrical outlet in your designated space, you may not have to).
The price is not listed online; you have to inquire for pricing, but a model like this costs approximately $8,000. Yes, this is quite an investment, but you truly get what you pay for. This sauna will last you many years and requires light maintenance. The manufacturer recommends soaking up excess moisture with a cloth after each use and wiping the sauna down with their natural cleaner on a weekly or monthly basis.
We’re pleased to report that this smart sauna performs exactly how it did when we first got it six months ago. The heater still heats up at the same pace, and it’s even across the sauna. The lights work perfectly, the colors still adjust, and the sound system is clear and crisp.
The inside of the sauna looks as good as new, despite having gone through many sweaty uses. It’s easy to use and requires very little maintenance as well. We feel energized after each 60-minute session, and all of the entertainment options make it that much more fun to use.
While it may be more expensive than some other picks, has proven to be durable, functional, and efficient.
Product Details: Dimensions: 78.5 x 43.6 x 41.6 inches | Capacity: Two people | Sauna Style: Infrared
Better Homes & Gardens / Michelle Parente
It features 96 LED lights that offer 12 different chromotherapy colors.
It’s more expensive than some other options.
We were gifted a free session to try out the Clearlight Sanctuary 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna and were impressed by its design. Although the sauna is more expensive than other options, there are plenty of features that make it worthwhile.
For starters, the sauna boasts gorgeous craftsmanship paired with a glass skylight ceiling, a thick glass door, and double-pane windows. It also features a Bluetooth sound system that can be controlled by your phone or smart device, as well as a built-in charging station for your phone or tablet.
In terms of comfort, you’ll appreciate the built-in backrest, as well as the reversible bench that’s flat on one side and ergonomic on the other. There’s even a space built into the door handles to set your tablet, so you won’t have to hold it the whole time you’re in the sauna.
There are heaters located all around the sauna, including the back, sides, under the bench, the floor, and around the calves. Perhaps one of this sauna’s most impressive aspects, however, is its low EMF output of only 3mG.
This home sauna has two types of chromotherapy: standard and medical grade. There are 96 powerful and dimmable LED lights with 12 different colors. You can either set the lights individually or on a rotation to switch between colors every 25 seconds so that you can reap the benefits of all the different light colors in each session.
Part of what makes this pick one of our favorite saunas is that you can control all of its features, and can even remotely turn it on or off. There’s also a reservation mode that allows you to preset it up to 36 hours in advance, so it’ll be ready to use when you need it.
Installation is simple and straightforward as no power tools are needed. Unlike some other models, only two inches of space is required around the unit so it can fit in even smaller spaces. It comes with a lifetime warranty on all components, and you can choose from mahogany or basswood.
Product Details: Dimensions: 77 x 51 x 46 inches | Capacity: Two | Sauna Style: Near, mid, and far infrared
It features chromotherapy lighting and an oxygen ionizer for even more sauna benefits.
There is no Bluetooth function.
Our favorite home sauna with infrared that we tested is the Heat Wave Radiant Saunas Hemlock Infrared Sauna. This model has plenty of features, including full-spectrum chromotherapy lighting, an oxygen ionizer to keep the air fresh at all times, and high-quality overhead speakers and a radio/CD player for listening to music.
This home sauna has its own floor, both indoor and outdoor recessed lighting for a more relaxing ambiance, and adjustable roof vents. There are also two LED control panels—one on the inside and one on the outside—for you to easily adjust the heat, timer, and lighting settings wherever you are.
The tempered glass door on this solid hemlock wood sauna is bronze-tinted, adding yet another soothing element to this sauna for two. Plus, there’s a built-in magazine rack, towel hooks, and cup holders, and it even comes with two ergonomic backrests for added comfort.
We found that this pick is easy to assemble as all parts come labeled for easy identification. It took two people three hours to put together, and no screws were needed for the main structure.
During testing, we noted that the sauna up to 130°F in 30 minutes and maintains the heat very well. There is a vent on top of the sauna to more quickly regulate the temperature if you have to, but the sauna won’t be able to reach the higher temperatures of 130°F or more if this is left open. If you like it super hot, you’ll be pleased to note that the door has a nice insulating edge around its entire frame which blocks any airflow.
This unit has intuitive and easy-to-use controls both inside and outside the sauna, making it easy to use. The oxygen ionizer noticeably improved the air quality in the sauna during operation, and with daily use, we were feeling more awake and alert.
Although this saunas can fit two adults, it’s worth noting that it may be a little packed. The limited space—although great for fitting into smaller corners—also restricts some of the more traditional sauna positions, like lying down on a bench. We thought that the sauna could also benefit from Bluetooth compatibility as well.
While this sauna may be an investment, we think it offers a great value. It plugs into a regular wall plug so doesn’t need you to spend any time and money on hiring an electrician, and has minimal maintenance needs. It also comes with a seven-year warranty for peace of mind.
Product Details: Dimensions: 47.24 x 39.37 x 75.8 inches | Suggested Number of People: Two | Sauna Style: Infrared
It can be adjusted to multiple configurations and can fit up to four people.
It does not have its own floor, so it has to be placed on appropriate flooring.
To turn your bathroom or designated sauna area into a space that looks like something you’d find in a luxury hotel, the Almost Heaven Saunas Worthington 4-Person Indoor Traditional Steam Sauna is an excellent candidate. It has a gorgeous minimal Scandinavian design, with light brown solid wood, ambient backlighting, and an entire front made from tempered and lightly tinted glass.
The sauna arrives partially pre-assembled, which helps make installation easier. The roof and walls come ready, so once you’ve put them up all you have to do is set up the heating element and the steam function.
It is roomy enough for four people to sit in comfortably, and you can configure the upper and retractable lower benches however you prefer. It comes with backrests that are also adjustable for added comfort.
It heats up to a maximum of 195°F , and the unit is antimicrobial and resistant to rot, rust, and corrosion. Since the unit doesn’t come with its own floor, it should be placed on either concrete, tile, ceramic, concrete, or vinyl.
There are accessories you can purchase separately, like Sauna Essentials Kit which includes a wooden bucket and ladle, a thermometer/hygrometer, a backrest, a leg rest, and two robe hooks. Though the sauna is a big investment, it’s backed by the manufacturer’s lifetime limited warranty, with a five-year warranty for the heater.
Product Details: Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 61 inches | Suggested Number of People: Four to six | Sauna Style: Steam
The Dynamic Barcelona Infrared Sauna is our top pick for the best home sauna. It’s a great value, easy to set up, and retains consistent heat. We also love that it has a remote and speakers.
To come up with our list of the best home saunas, we tested several of the most popular units on the market for up to six months, using each home sauna at least one per week during the testing period.
We followed each model's specific instructions and recorded our entire experience, including how long the units took to unbox and set up, ease of assembly (including if we had to call in professionals to do so), and if any additional tools were required for assembly other than those provided.
We recorded aspects such as each sauna’s size, ease of use and operation, capacity, the comfort of the seating in the sauna (where applicable), how long it took to heat up and cool down, how well it retained heat, if there were any additional features (i.e., Bluetooth, speakers, radio, chromotherapy, LED lights, digital displays), and how easy each unit was to clean. We also considered any immediate physiological changes we noticed after using the sauna, as well as changes over time.
There are a few types of sauna styles you should know about—traditional steam saunas, infrared saunas, and dry saunas. To help, Dr. Ingegno shared the differences between the main types of home saunas.
Traditional saunas, sometimes called Finnish saunas, tend to run the hottest, with maximum temperatures over 200°F. Usually, the sessions are shorter, lasting for 15 to 20 minutes at most. These units often have heated rocks that a small amount of water can be splashed on to create a little bit of steam. This type of sauna is still relatively dry, other than your sweat.
Steam saunas, like the tiled steam rooms at some gyms, have quite a bit of steam. They tend to run at lower temperatures, between 110 to 120°F, and some people prefer moist rather than dry heat. These units require some plumbing and are usually made of tile, so this raises costs. Many must be custom-built into the space and require cleaning to keep mold away.
Infrared saunas use infrared heat to warm the body from the inside out. It may take longer to start sweating, but the heat may be more tolerable for some people. Infrared sauna temperatures range from 120 to 140°F, and sessions usually last 30 to 60 minutes. Many of these units ship flat and can be assembled quickly since the heating panels are flat. Our best overall pick, the Dynamic Barcelona Infrared Sauna, is an infrared style.
If you are installing a home sauna, there are various sizes and shapes available to buy to fit into whatever space you choose. Full-size options typically range from 60–70 inches in height and 35–85 inches in width, depending on how many people it has capacity for. Depths usually vary between around 35–70 inches. “If you choose a larger sauna, be aware that it will take longer to reach optimal temperature,” Dr. Ingegno says.
In relation to capacity, some home saunas have a capacity of one to two people, while others can hold up to around six people. The suggested number of people is clearly stated on each sauna, and this should be adhered to for safety and optimal benefits.
If you’re planning on solo use, portable saunas, such as the SereneLife SLISAU35BK Full Size Portable Steam Sauna, are available which are much smaller and more economical than full-sized versions. Portable saunas are made for the user to sit down in, and some only come up to the neck. Most portable units can fold relatively flat to fit under a bed or in a closet for convenient storage.
Home saunas can be placed either inside or outside (if specifically stated for outdoor-use), and typically need to be placed on a suitable finished floor and in a covered area to stay protected from the elements. Basements with adequate flooring, large tiled bathrooms, and garages with extra storage space are also popular places for home sauna installation.
Ava Johanna, avid sauna user and founder of Academy of Breath, suggests first properly preparing the room or environment you will be keeping the sauna in as it won't be moving after you install it. “For example, we cleaned out the entire garage, swept and washed the floors, laid down high-impact rubber floor mats to keep the sauna off the ground, and organized the area around the sauna so we had space to install it,” Johanna explains. “Even with a one-person sauna, it’s best to plan the space around the sauna versus trying to fit the sauna into a space.”
In addition, she advises taking measurements of where the sauna is going to be, then building the space around the sauna measurements, especially if you're planning to put the sauna in a room or garage that has other items already in it. Saunas for home use typically come ready to install with connectable pieces and detailed instructions, and many don’t even require power tools in order to set them up. You will, however, often need a basic screwdriver, and it’s a two-person job.
“Once you have your space planned around the sauna and the box arrives, give yourself a buffer of time to unpack the box and put the sauna together,” Johanna says. “We cleared five hours of our schedule to set it up, and you can absolutely build it with two people. Just make sure to read the directions first before you start building so the build goes faster and less mistakes are made.”
The features you opt for in your home sauna will largely depend on your preferences. “Some like to listen to music, books on tape, podcasts, or even relaxing spa sounds,” Dr. Purdy tells us. “If this is you, make sure to find one that is Bluetooth-compatible. Materials used, colors, and overall look are important to consider if you are installing a permanent home sauna in your space”
She also says that a control panel with LED lights is nice to have for additional controls for the sauna. “This can also mean that your sauna has different settings you can adjust based on preference,” she tells us. “A memory setting is also nice, as well as an auto shut-off.”
Comfortable seating is another perk that will enable you to stay in the sauna for longer. During testing, we found that the SereneLife SLISAU35BK Full Size Portable Steam Sauna, our best budget pick, was quite cozy and comfortable to relax in thanks to its seating.
Other features to consider could be a shelf for books, towel racks or hooks, cup holders, indoor and outdoor lights (perhaps automatic), and smart settings that enable you to monitor and operate the sauna remotely (i.e. getting it ready and pre-heated while you’re on your way home).
The SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa came with its own foldable chair that you sit on inside the unit, but we found it to be very uncomfortable to sit on. We did appreciate that there are two holes for your hands if you’d like to read a book or use your phone while you steam. You can even watch TV since your whole head is outside of the actual sauna.
You can adjust the temperature on this single-person sauna to your liking, up to 140°F, and use it for up to 60 minutes at a time. When testing the unit, we found it extremely easy to set up (the instructions were lacking, but thankfully it’s pretty intuitive). We liked the idea of this unit, the fact that it’s portable and easy to store, too; however we didn’t manage to work up enough of a sweat for that real sauna-effect. When we were done, we had to wait for the sauna to cool completely, wipe it down from any condensation, and then fold it away for storage, which can prove time-consuming.
When it comes to the best home saunas, you can expect to spend anywhere from $200 for a compact style to upwards of $10,000 for a more advanced pick. The price is mainly impacted by the type of sauna, size, materials used, and additional features the home sauna offers, like multiple settings or speakers to play music.
Dr. Purdy provides a general pricing guideline for the different types of saunas available for home use:
Additional costs may include installation, electrical work, and any extra accessories like sound systems or aromatherapy options. Regardless of which type you choose, it will require electricity to run it, which makes for an additional cost on your electric bill. For some larger styles, you may also have to account for an additional assembly fee or installing a 120V outlet.
It's important to note that these prices are approximate and could fluctuate based on location, supplier, and other economic variables. Always remember to consider ongoing maintenance costs as well when making your decision.
Home saunas are an investment, but depending on your needs and usage, it may be worth considering the splurge. "If you are going to use them regularly, yes, they’re worth it,” Dr. Ingegno says. “With options for portable units under $200, you could end up spending more per month on a gym membership.”
Most of the research today is done with Finnish or infrared saunas. Steam saunas do have benefits, but fewer studies include them. “If you prefer moist heat, steam saunas may be better for you,” Dr. Ingegno says. “If you are looking for more options regarding sizes and shapes, infrared will be your best option.”
Dr. Purdy tells us that the question of whether a steam sauna or a dry sauna is "better" largely depends on individual preferences, health conditions, and the specific benefits you're seeking. “Each type has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages,” she says, and provides a comparative analysis to guide your choice:
Pros: Higher humidity (the moisture in the air can be beneficial for respiratory issues and can also make the heat feel less intense), skin hydration (the steam can help open pores and cleanse the skin, providing a sort of "facial" effect), and ease of breathing (some people find moist air easier to breathe, especially those with certain respiratory conditions).
Cons: Less tolerable (the high humidity can make the environment feel hotter and potentially less comfortable for some individuals), and maintenance (higher humidity means more moisture, which can require more frequent cleaning to prevent mold and bacteria).
Dry Sauna (Finnish or Infrared)
Pros: Lower humidity (easier for many people to tolerate and can allow for longer sessions), deep heat (infrared saunas, in particular, are believed to penetrate deeper into the skin, potentially offering better detoxification benefits), and energy efficiency (typically requires less energy to operate, which could result in lower electricity bills).
Cons: Skin dryness (the lack of humidity can be hard on the skin for some people, causing dryness and irritation), and respiratory irritation (dry air can be irritating to the respiratory tract for some individuals, especially those with pre-existing conditions).
To decide the right sauna for your home, Dr. Purdy recommends keeping a few things in mind, such as the intended use (“consider what you primarily intend to use the sauna for—relaxation, respiratory relief, skin health, etc.”), and space and installation (“dry saunas typically require less rigorous waterproofing, which could affect installation costs and location options”). She also suggests consulting a healthcare provider, especially if you have respiratory issues, cardiovascular conditions, or skin problems.
In summary, Dr. Purdy says, “Neither type of sauna is universally ‘better’ than the other; the best choice depends on your personal needs, health status, and preferences.”
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has more than ten years of writing experience. Kat is also the editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing.
For this article, Kat reviewed and tested multiple saunas, researching factors such as each sauna's dimensions, style, and capacity.
She also spoke to Dr. Tom Ingegno, DACM, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Charm City Integrative Health in Baltimore, Maryland, which offers sauna services as part of its holistic treatments, Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician, and Ava Johanna, the founder of meditation and breathwork platform, Academy of Breath.
Dome Sauna Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.