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An outdoor sauna may seem impractical, but it is a worthwhile investment for your health. What’s more, it may not be as expensive as you think.
In addition to being relaxing and restorative, home outdoor saunas also provide health benefits, such as “relieving muscle tension and stress, improving circulation, and lowering cortisol levels,” says Home Depot associate merchant Unib Rahman.
“An outdoor sauna can be built as a stand-alone structure or attached to a patio or deck,” adds Rahman. “Wood-fired saunas and steam saunas are ideal for outdoor relaxation.”
It can comfortably accommodate up to four people and is equipped with Bluetooth speakers and LED reading lights to make your stay even more enjoyable.
The Kanlanth Hemlock 4-Person Infrared Sauna is our favorite among the best outdoor saunas due to its affordable price, recommended capacity, and features.
The sauna is made from select Canadian hemlock wood and features eight carbon crystal infrared heating panels that can reach temperatures of 74 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) in 15 minutes, a touch control panel with LED display, two Bluetooth speakers and two LED reading lights.
It uses infrared heating technology, so it doesn’t require water or steam to heat up like a traditional steam sauna, but the temperature isn’t as high. It can accommodate up to four people, and vents at the top allow air to circulate. It can be used indoors or outdoors.
Product Details: Dimensions: 68 x 52 x 82.6 inches | Recommended Capacity: 4 | Type: Infrared
If you are looking for an efficient and beautifully designed sauna, we recommend the sauna from Sun Home. We tried it at home for a month and were impressed with its overall aesthetics.
We hired two people to build the sauna, and it took them about 10 hours to assemble the entire structure. Only one person had experience building a sauna, and that was from a different brand.
Although the sauna door features a large company logo, we like the black exterior and wooden interior, which gives the sauna a modern and stylish look.
We found that the sauna heated up quickly and maintained the temperature we set. The sauna is generally easy to operate, but the sauna companion app does have a setting that allows users to set their own session time. However, since the sauna heated up so quickly, we didn’t find it necessary to set it.
During our testing, we found the app features to be limited and wished there were more. However, this sauna also features Bluetooth speakers, chroma therapy, LED lights, and under-bench and exterior lighting. Our biggest complaint is the sound quality of the speakers, which we think could be improved. [Editor’s note: Since we first tested this sauna, Sun Home has released a new app that includes sauna control features, as well as guided meditations and more. They’ve also upgraded the sound system with two 8-inch Hi-Fi speakers. We haven’t tested the app or speaker yet.]
While the sauna is an investment, it also includes cup holders, magazine racks, a wall mount for your phone or iPad, chargers, and a towel rack. To enhance your spa experience, robes, towels, and sauna caps are provided.
The car is designed for two people, and we found that both of them could sit upright comfortably. The curved seats are not adjustable and are not large enough to lie down, but we found them to be quite comfortable.
The sauna had a pleasant cedar scent that made it feel more like a spa. Since we used the sauna barefoot, it required little maintenance and remained fairly clean throughout our testing.
However, the company does recommend putting a case on the device in inclement weather. The cover tore when we tried to put it on, but customer service easily fixed it, so we don’t think it was a big deal.
Product Details: Dimensions: 57 x 51.5 x 82.7 inches | Recommended Capacity: Two | Type: Infrared
The SweatTent Outdoor Sauna proves that affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or functionality. This sauna tent is lightweight and portable, and its “QuickPop” design makes it easy to set up and take down.
Plus, the stove is wood-burning and heats up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit in just 30 minutes, so you can relax in no time. Instead of traditional materials like cedar or pine, it’s made from durable, heat-resistant 210D Oxford fabric (available in black or green) for spa-like comfort.
The sauna comes with a zipper for easy entry and exit, an exhaust pipe for ventilation, and a fiberglass roof covering to protect the sauna from the elements. You also get a wooden thermometer, an ergonomic poker, heat-resistant gloves, and a bag for easy transport.
Please keep in mind that the stainless steel stove that comes with the SweatTent outdoor sauna weighs 50 pounds and may require some extra effort to transport.
With over 40 years of sauna design and construction experience, Almost Heaven is one of our leading outdoor sauna brands, and the Salem Two-Seater Barrel Sauna is our favorite.
This sauna has a unique barrel-shaped design that is not only beautiful but also allows for efficient heat dissipation. Ideal for small yards or areas with limited space, it can accommodate up to two people. But be sure to leave enough space around the sauna to ensure good ventilation.
The included heater can be controlled manually or via Wi-Fi depending on your preference, allowing you to reach temperatures of up to 85°C in about an hour.
Almost Heaven Saunas offer you a variety of options to choose from. You can design it to your taste and style, from the wood to the type of windows and lighting.
This requires assembly, but most users say it’s relatively easy to do. If you choose a stain color, you’ll have to apply that color stain yourself after assembly.
The heater also requires a 240V power source and a 30A circuit breaker to ensure safe operation. If you are not familiar with electrical work, it is recommended that you consult a licensed electrician for installation.
Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 75.37 x 47 inches | Recommended Capacity: Two | Type: Dry Sauna
The Kanlanth Hemlock 4-Person Infrared Sauna is our top pick for the best outdoor saunas because it’s affordable, has a large capacity, and has convenient features like infrared heating, Bluetooth speakers, and LED lighting.
Before purchasing an outdoor sauna, carefully evaluate the dimensions of the room where you plan to install it. Make sure that the room can easily accommodate the sauna, and also leave the necessary space for good ventilation and convenient entry and exit.
“A typical sauna ranges in size from 3 feet by 3 feet to 8 feet by 12 feet,” Rahman says. He notes that when choosing a size, consider the amount of seating needed, with ideally at least 2 feet of headroom per person.
There should be enough space behind the sauna for maintenance, repairs, and electrical connections. Also, when choosing a location for the sauna, consider the direction in which the door will open. This will help you choose the size and shape that suits your space and needs.
Once you have determined the correct size for your outdoor sauna, it is important to consider its recommended capacity; that is, how many people can comfortably and safely use it.
Remember to avoid crowding in the sauna. This will limit air circulation and may pose a safety risk. Choose a capacity that suits your needs and ensures everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
Dry saunas, such as infrared saunas, are more energy efficient than wet or traditional saunas. They use infrared technology to heat the body rather than the surrounding air, producing less heat but warming the body faster. The best option we recommend is the Kanlanth Hemlock Four-Person Infrared Sauna, which is a great choice in terms of energy efficiency.
Traditional saunas and infrared saunas (including dry saunas) have lower humidity because they produce dry heat, without steam. While wet saunas, such as steam saunas, create steam by pouring water on hot stones or using a steam generator.
“Imagine being in a jungle or a desert,” says Vivian Yu, a personal trainer, physical therapist, and founder of Gym Near Me. “In both places, you feel warm, but the air feels completely different. That’s the difference between a dry sauna and a wet sauna: A dry sauna uses dry heat and low humidity, while a wet sauna (steam room) uses moisture.”
Tabitha Britt is a writer and editor with over 14 years of experience writing on a variety of topics including health, wellness, home, lifestyle, and the outdoors. For this article, she researched several options and considered key factors such as size, recommended capacity, type, and heat source to find the perfect outdoor sauna.
To get more information, she turned to personal trainer, physical therapist, and Gym Near Me founder Vivian Yu and Home Depot partner and salesperson Unib Rahman for help.