When considering sauna options, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is the ideal sauna size to get. And a 1-person sauna is a fantastic option for a relaxing, warm sanctuary at home without taking so much from your living space.
So if you have a 4’x4′ space inside your home, you can likely fit one single-person sauna.
But there’s more to picking the right personal home sauna—what type of sauna to buy, the best material for a sauna, where to put it, features and extras worth it to have in a sauna, and how much to spend on a 1-person sauna.
To help with your decision-making, we’ve listed the essentials when shopping for a personal sauna.
What Is the Smallest Sauna for Your Home?
The smallest-sized sauna for home use is a single-person sauna. It’s the best option if you plan on relaxing inside the sauna alone or if you have small and tight floor space for placement.
Some one-person saunas are permanent structures or cabins, while others are portable saunas you can collapse and fold down when not in use.
What Is the Size of a One-Person Sauna?
Traditional saunas are available in various sizes, and the smallest home sauna you can find is a cabin that is 4×4 feet and around 80-inches in height. This sauna size is ideal for one-person use.
But 1-person infrared saunas are generally smaller than traditional options. Since an infrared sauna doesn’t have a heater on the floor, it requires less space!
For example, you can find a 1-person indoor-only infrared sauna with a 3×3 feet footprint and about 77-inches in height.
Other Sauna Size Notes:
- The minimum permitted ceiling height of a home sauna is 77 inches, sufficient for a full-body or sit-in sauna.
- You’ll need at least a 6-feet floor space for a lay-down sauna.
How to Choose a One-Person Sauna?
When considering a 1-person sauna option for the home, here are factors to help you with your selection.
If you have enough space for a larger home sauna, check out our home sauna buyer’s guide for multiple recommendations.
Type of Sauna
A one-man sauna comes in two varieties, which differ primarily in their source of heat and how they affect the body:
- Dry sauna: The traditional type of sauna with heating panels to warm the air inside a room without increasing the humidity. The warm air and hot environment will stimulate sweating. Infrared saunas are considered “dry” saunas and electric saunas can also be “dry”.
- Steam sauna: It uses a heater with water or a steam-generating tank to warm up the space. A one-person steam sauna provides a very sinus intensive experience, although it can’t reach higher temperatures than dry saunas. These are technically considered “steam rooms” but the they are also called steam saunas.
- Combination saunas: You can use it as a dry sauna or a wet sauna by ladling or scooping water onto the heated rocks to produce steam if it’s an electrically heated or wood-burning sauna. There are also new units that contain a “steam shower” and “infrared sauna” in a single unit.
Read more about the different types of home saunas.
Heat Source/Sauna Heater
Choosing the heat source for your home sauna largely depends on what type of sauna you want to get.
- Wood-fired: It will give you the most authentic rustic experience, although they are strictly for outdoor use only. Wood-fired saunas can be used both as dry and steam (wet) saunas.
- Electric: It heats up faster than wood-fired sauna heaters. They are generally suitable as a dry and wet sauna, although you must ensure that the one you get allows you to ladle water into the rocks or the heat source.
- Infrared: A 1-person infrared sauna utilizes a heating element that produces infrared energy to generate heat. The warmth you feel is similar to the deep, soothing warmth you feel when you’re under the sun.
- Portable: The smaller portable sauna tents are generally heated by steam. Technically, these are miniature steam rooms, but they are commonly called “portable saunas”.
Design/Style/Materials
You can find 1-person saunas that encapsulate your entire body or a full-body sauna. It’s the type that most of us would easily imagine when discussing a sauna room—a cabin-like design made of solid wood, with cedar and hemlock being popular choices.
A full-body sauna is excellent if you want something rustic and traditional. They come pre-built, or you can DIY using 1-person sauna kits.
For portable saunas, they are typically made of materials like polyurethane and polyester. They are a great way to reap the benefits of a sauna session when you don’t have tons of space, and they come in two different style options.
- Sit-in steam sauna or sauna tent: It’s a 1-person sauna with a steam generator and a chair to sit on. Your head typically pops out of the top, allowing you to watch TV while in a sauna.
- Lay-down sauna or sauna blanket: A 1-person infrared sauna you can set up right on the bed and use like a weighted blanket.
Location
Before you purchase a 1-person home sauna, you’ll need to figure out where you want it to go—indoors or outdoors. Other sauna types, like electric and infrared full-body saunas, are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Meanwhile, portable saunas are strictly for indoor use, and wood-fired saunas are for outdoor use only.
Add-Ons and Safety Features
Consider these features and extras to enhance your home sauna experience.
- Safety features like third-party electrical certification and a timer with an auto shutdown.
- Sauna chair
- Foot-warming pads
- Digital controls
- Built-in audio system and Bluetooth compatibility
- Chromotherapy lighting for infrared saunas
FAQs:
What is a solo sauna?
A solo sauna is a personal, portable sauna that lets you reap the benefits of having a sauna without leaving home. It has the advantage of ultimate portability and movability. Simply set it up, plug it in, relax in your steam or infrared sauna, then fold it down and put it away once you’re done.
How much does a single sauna cost?
Single saunas can cost anywhere from $200 to $3000, depending on the type, design, material, and brand. Generally, portable 1-person saunas are far cheaper compared to traditional sauna rooms.
Final Thoughts
Buying a 1-person sauna is a good deal if you want to bring a feel-good sauna experience into your home.
But don’t choose your home sauna too hastily! While searching for the best 1-person sauna, consider the type of sauna, style, design, whether you want an indoor vs. outdoor sauna, and some add-ons to make your home sauna a worthy purchase.
