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As the name suggests, a barrel sauna is an outdoor sauna that is shaped like a barrel turned on its side. This type of sauna is cylindrical in shape with long slats (long strips of wood with beveled or grooved edges) that are joined together to enclose the curved front and back walls.
Once assembled, secure the strips in place by tightly wrapping tape around the circumference to ensure a secure, tight fit. Some barrel saunas have straight walls, creating a typical cylinder, while others are “barreled,” meaning the walls are slightly convex in the center, like a typical barrel.
Barrel saunas almost always require self-assembly. The All-Inclusive Kit is an easy way to order the structure, stove, lava rocks, windows and doors, as well as accessories such as buckets and scoops, wooden footrests and headrests, and coat hooks, all in one click.
We’ve researched the best barrel saunas that will add a Scandinavian flair and turn your backyard into a luxurious spa retreat.
Excellent value for the money, a spacious interior, and sturdy construction make the Huntington Cedar Electric Canopy Barrel Sauna from Almost Heaven Saunas ($5,520) a total winner.
Electric heaters can generate moist or dry heat and reach temperatures of 195 degrees Fahrenheit in under an hour. Two benches run the length of the sauna, which can accommodate six people sitting or two lying down. When the temperature rises, you can relax on two built-in seats under the covered entrance.
This simple barrel sauna ($4,895) is a sure bet with its classic, four-person design and affordable price, without skimping on heat. Nine-kilowatt (kW) electric heaters can generate dry heat or spray water onto hot lava rocks to create sweat-inducing jets of steam.
Keep in mind that the boards in this pine version are not treated to make them moisture resistant, so you may need to seal or cover the top of the sauna to protect it from the elements.
At just over 5 feet long, this W20 Two-Person Barrel Sauna ($5,490) from BZB Cabins and Outdoors is compact but tops the charts for efficiency.
The Spruce sauna kit is perfect for a small patio or deck. It features a tinted tempered glass door, a wood or electric stove, and roof tiles for added weather protection. You can even decorate the back wall with two square or two round windows, or a crescent.
This Pinnacle Cedar Electric Barrel Sauna ($4,468) for four people from Almost Heaven Saunas stands out from other home saunas in its class thanks to its powerful 6-kilowatt heater. The electric heater quickly reaches a maximum temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit and maintains the temperature regardless of the weather outside.
Thick cedar boards provide insulation, and the ball profile fits tightly, preventing heat from escaping. The sauna door is made of cedar (with windows) rather than tempered glass for added insulation.
With seating for eight, a separate changing room, covered entry, and two additional built-in seats, this Allwood barrel sauna ($6,995) has plenty of features to justify its high price.
In addition to the spacious interior and exterior, the sauna is equipped with a powerful 6 kW stove. Spruce slats prevent resin from seeping out at high temperatures. The roof is also covered with waterproof bitumen shingles to protect against bad weather.
This Aleko Indoor/Outdoor White Pine Barrel Sauna ($4,699) stands out from the crowd thanks to its 4.5-kilowatt electric heater, which is powerful enough to keep the room at an optimal temperature without overloading your home’s electrical system or increasing your utility bills.
The classic design includes tinted glass doors for added privacy, but the pine construction is not weather-resistant.
What do you get when you cut a barrel sauna in half lengthwise? With a curved top and flat bottom, an igloo sauna is as easy to assemble as a barrel sauna.
Sauna enthusiasts rave about the BZB Cabins and Outdoors POD Sauna Igloo Kit 40 ($8,650) for its striking style, quality, and easy DIY design. Excellent customer service and troubleshooting during installation make this sauna installation company stand out.
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