The best portable saunas bring the relaxing and therapeutic benefits of a sauna to the comfort of your home.
Having a portable sauna is an affordable and convenient way to experience a spa-like sauna at home—no permanent installation is necessary. They are an appealing choice for those who don’t have a large space for a full-sized, built-in sauna or those who don’t want to commit to an expensive home sauna kit.
From steam to infrared saunas, from full-body saunas and tent-like sit-in units with your head sticking out the top to sauna domes and sauna blankets, portable saunas come in an array of styles.
So, we carefully searched dozens of portable saunas in the market for you and narrowed it down to the ten best portable saunas that fit different sauna needs and preferences. We included an array of types and styles of portable saunas and included ones with the highest quality and a budget option without compromising durability and function.
Read on for a closer look at the best portable saunas that bring the wellness and restorative benefits of steam and infrared heat to your home.
How We Chose the Best Portable Sauna
Portable saunas are the convenient, space-saving, and more affordable counterpart to built-in saunas. You can ideally get a mid-range portable sauna for $150 to $300 or higher-end ones starting at $600.
For this review, we looked at two types of portable saunas:
- Steam sauna. It has a heater with water that produces steam to warm up the space to make you sweat. Portable steam saunas typically take a longer time to heat up but will provide a classic sauna experience as you get in traditional Finnish steam rooms.
- Infrared sauna. Instead of using steam, this type uses infrared lighting panels to heat your body directly without heating the air, allowing you to work out quite a sweat at lower temperatures than in steam saunas. Portable infrared saunas are ideal for users who can’t tolerate the high temps and humidity of steam saunas.
Another feature we looked at is the style, design, and size of portable saunas. For steam saunas, there are full-sized tents suitable for standing or sitting in and smaller, more portable sit-in tents designed for seated users with a neck hole so your head remains outside. Whereas for portable infrared saunas, we have sauna blankets, domes, and tents.
1. Best Overall—SereneLife Infrared Home Spa Sauna
Type: Infrared sauna
Pros:
- Maximum 140°F operating temperature
- With heating foot pad
- Low-cost heating
Cons:
- No separate timer for the foot pad
Convenient Design
The SereneLife one-person infrared sauna comes with a compact size and convenient design perfect for at-home use. It’s made with quality moisture-resistant fabric, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The easy-access sit-in infrared sauna design comes with convenient hand-access zippers for multitasking during your session.
Plus, with its collapsible design, you can pick it up and pack it up after each use.
Excellent Temperature Adjustability
The portable infrared sauna boasts an energy and power-efficient 1050 watts low-EMF heating element. And it has a wired remote controller and automatic heat setting for your convenience. You can set up the timer to enjoy up to a 60-minute session.
But what we think is the stand-out feature of this portable sauna is its temperature adjustability suitable for both sauna beginners and enthusiasts. You can adjust the operating temperature from 57°F up to 140°F, allowing you to start low and adjust to higher settings after frequent sauna use.
Foot Pad Heating Mat
There’s a foot pad heating mat, which is a nice addition to the sauna kit, making sure that you get everything you need for a relaxing sauna session. The only caveat is there’s no separate temperature controller for the foot pad, which can get pretty hot during longer sauna sessions.
The sauna also comes with a foldable sauna chair for comfortable seating.
Verdict: For a portable sauna in its price range, the SereneLife infrared sauna is a nifty choice for a one-person portable sauna. If you want a portable infrared sauna that delivers in terms of good-quality build, heating performance, and extra features, we would highly recommend getting this one.
2. Best Steam Sauna—COSVALVE Personal Sauna
Type: Steam sauna
Pros:
- Made of fireproof cotton fabric
- With waterproof lining/sweat-absorbing mat
- 9 heating levels
Cons:
- Small steamer capacity for a full-size sauna
Rapid Heating
Enjoy your home spa in no time with the COSVALVE personal steam sauna. It’s a quick-heating sauna that only takes around eight minutes to fill the tent with steam and reach at least 110°F. Wait for one or two more minutes, and the sauna will get hot enough according to your set temperature.
High 131°F Operating Temperature
The sauna boasts an energy efficient 1000 watts steam generator that can provide a maximum operating temperature of 131°F. And with a 2.6 litters steamer pot made of stainless steel liner and ABS bottom, there’s plenty of heat inside the sauna to get you sweating.
Plus, there are nine heating levels you can choose from and adjust a session to last one to 30 minutes.
Safety Features
COSVALVE’s personal sauna comes with an array of safety features. First, the sauna tent is made with German cloth and fireproof cotton. It’s sturdy and fire retardant with 3-layer waterproofing features. Second, the sauna steam generator boasts impressive adjustable power functions, including anti-dry and automatic power stip protection, making it a very safe portable sauna to use.
Verdict: The COSVALVE is a great personal steam sauna you can buy—it ticks many boxes of the best portable saunas. It has a spacious room and a powerful steam generator that supports quick heating and high operating temperatures. In terms of build quality, performance, and adjustability, this sauna is a serious contender in our list of the best portable sauna category.
3. Best Compact Steam Sauna—Durasage Personal Portable Sauna
Type: Steam sauna
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- With adjustable timer
- Five different color options
Cons:
- No remote control
Convenient Design
The Durasage personal portable steam sauna is a sit-in unit you can quickly pop up in about five minutes and take down as quickly after use. It comes with a fold-up chair and will be ready to use once assembled.
The two zipper openings on either side are a nice touch if you want to keep busy scrolling through your phone or to read a book during your sauna session. And the dual pockets make it easy to have your essentials nearby and on hand.
Steam Performance
The sauna comes with a compact yet powerful 800 watts powered steam generator with a 1.8-liter capacity. It can generate steam through a ceramic heating element of up to 212°F, allowing the sauna interior to reach operating temperatures of about 110°F to 115°F. And you can set the time of the steam generator anywhere up to 60 minutes.
Deep Relaxation with Aromatherapy
Another advantage of the steam sauna is it allows you to get the benefits of aromatherapy on top of the benefits of the steam sauna. You can add drops of your preferred essential oils to the plastic container in the steam generator. Pick the herbs and oils that will elevate your sauna experience. For example, lavender oil aids relaxation, while peppermint or eucalyptus oil help alleviate a stuffy nose.
Verdict: While not the most luxurious in the bunch, we find the Dursage personal portable sauna is a fantastic choice for any personal or home spa experience, especially when paired with an affordable price tag.
4. Best Full-Size Sauna—SereneLife Portable Personal Sauna
Type: Steam sauna
Pros:
- Full-size design
- With remote control
- With a range of heat settings
Cons:
- Can take some time to assemble
Tall and Roomy Design
The SereneLife portable personal sauna is as close to the real sauna experience as you can get from a portable version with its full-size design. It’s tall and roomy, with enough space for you to stand and comfortably move around the tent, although it’s only intended for one-person use. You can choose to stand upright or sit on the included sauna chair for your session.
Power Efficient Steam Generator
The sauna packs a high-performing yet energy efficient 1600 watts steam generator with a 4-liter water capacity. It comes with a quick-heating function, a range of automatic heat settings available in nine levels, a wired remote control, and a timer you can set for up to 60 minutes for a convenient sauna experience.
Maximum 122°F Operating Temperature
The SereneLife steam sauna can reach a maximum operating temperature of 122°F. It produces enough steam and heat to get you sweating and experience the full benefits of a steam sauna, such as detox, muscle tension relief, and deep relaxation.
Verdict: The SereneLife steam sauna is an excellent substitute for a traditional sauna if you don’t have a space for a built-in home sauna or a budget for one. Its full-size design gives the advantage of maximum steam sauna benefits. Although the assembly can take 10-20 minutes, the collapsible design still makes it a top indoor sauna option on our list.
5. Best Blanket Portable Sauna—LifePro BioRemedy Sauna Blanket
Type: Infrared sauna blanket
Pros:
- With armholes for multitasking
- Available in large size
- Lifetime support and warranty
Cons:
- Not low-EMF
Large Design
LifePro’s BioRemedy infrared sauna blanket is built for those looking for a roomier sauna blanket. It comes in two sizes: regular and large. The regular size is 31 inches wide and 71 inches long, and the large unit boasts extra 5 inches in both width and length. It might not sound much, but the added space and wiggle room make a lot of difference for tall folks looking for suitably-sized sauna blankets.
Plus, the infrared sauna blanket is lined with extra-long zip-up arm holes in case you plan to multitask during your session.
Adjustable Heat & Time Settings
Adjust the temperature according to your needs with this sauna, with operating temperatures ranging from 113°F to 176°F. You can tailor the heat setting using the remote controller according to your goals—113°F-120°F for relaxation, 121°F-131°F for reducing inflammation, and 132°F-176°F for detox and boosting metabolism to help with fat loss.
And you can set the timer for each session between 30 and 60 minutes.
Lifetime Warranty
The LifePro infrared sauna blanket comes with lifetime support and a lifetime warranty, which is always an advantage in a portable sauna. It’s a dependable guarantee from the manufacturer that you get the most out of your infrared blanket for years to come.
Verdict: LifePro’s infrared sauna blanket is a quality portable infrared sauna for a great price. The extra bump in size is a bonus. And, every purchase of the LifePro BioRemedy infrared sauna blanket comes with two space blankets to help trap the infrared heat inside. It gives you an extra bump of heat to experience the full benefits of every session.
6. Best Adjustability—ZONEMEL Portable Sauna Kit
Type: Steam sauna
Pros:
- Whole front clear window
- Readily collapsible design
- With a wide range of heat and timer settings
Cons:
- The remote control is not waterproof
Spacious Room
Zonemel’s portable sauna kit is a spacious personal sauna tent suitable for standing or sitting down using the sturdy fold-up sauna chair that comes with the purchase. The full-size design supports a true full-body sauna, allowing you to experience the traditional sauna in a more convenient and easy-to-use unit.
But despite the spacious 31.5 x 31.5 x 55.1 inches room, the sauna conveniently folds away for storage.
High Steam Power
The sauna packs a punch and will get you sweating in no time with its high-powered steam generator. It comes with an impressive 4-liter steamer unit with a power output of 1600 watts. And considering the size of the sauna tent, it can produce enough steam of up to 122°F for an effective full-body steam sauna bath.
16 Steam Settings
The steam generator of the sauna features an easy-to-use digital control panel as well as a handheld remote control where you can set the temperature level and time of your sauna session. You can customize your session by choosing from the 16 steam levels available and setting the timer anywhere from one to 99 minutes.
Verdict: In terms of performance level, Zonemel’s portable sauna gives you a superb adjustability option so you can tailor each session according to your sauna needs. We also like that it’s a complete sauna kit with everything you need already in the package, including a comfortable sauna chair.
7. Best Zero EMF—LifePro Rejuvawrap Far-Infrared Sauna Blanket
Type: Infrared sauna
Pros:
- Zero EMF exposure
- Superb build quality
- With lifetime warranty
Cons:
- No zipped arm slots
High-Quality Insulation
The LifePro Rejuvawrap infrared sauna blanket is an incredibly well-designed portable sauna. It boasts five layers of insulation to support the natural detox of your body and a boost in immunity. The outer layer is made with sturdy and waterproof Oxford fabric with layers of comforting cotton at the top and bottom of the far-infrared carbon fiber heating. Lastly, the inner layer is made of non-toxic PU leather that boosts detoxification.
Wide Temperature Range
One of the stand-out features of this sauna is its wide temperature range for more personalized heat therapy. It has a range of heat settings between 77°F to 176°F, making it suitable for those who are trying an infrared sauna for the first time and seasoned sauna users. You can also control the duration of the session by setting the timer from five to 60 minutes.
Warranty and Extras
Like other LifePro saunas, the Rejuvawrap infrared sauna blanket comes with a lifetime guarantee for all registered products that reassures that this portable sauna is built to last. It also comes with a couple of nice extras like a 100% cotton and bleach-free face towel, five thermal detox wraps, and a carrying bag.
Verdict: The LifePro Rejuvawrap is an excellent portable sauna for home or travel use. It’s made with impressive quality materials and delivers fantastic results. And it uses carbon fiber infrared heating panels and zero EMF, making it incredibly safe to use.
8. Best Sauna Upgrade Pick—HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket
Type: Infrared sauna
Pros:
- Low EMF radiation
- With added crystals
- Made with non-toxic materials
Cons:
- Only one heating zone
Well-Designed
The HigherDose Infrared sauna blanket is a thoughtfully designed portable infrared sauna from the materials to the healing and safety features. First, the sauna blanket is made with non-toxic PU leather and low EMF and ELF (extremely low frequency) far-infrared heaters for a safe and healthy infrared sauna experience.
Second, it has a short pre-heating time of ten minutes and can reach a maximum operating temperature of about 158°F. You can control the temperature level from 1-8 and adjust the time for a 30-40 minute session. Thankfully, there’s a 60-minute automatic shutoff in case you get too comfortable and fall asleep during the sauna—a must-have safety feature.
Healing Crystal Therapy
This infrared blanket is made with an extra layer of healing crystals. The amethyst and tourmaline layer is believed to support negative ion production to fight free radicals and deepen the benefits you get from an infrared sauna.
Added Charcoal, Clay, and Magnetic Layers
Another extra layer embedded in the walls of the sauna blanket includes charcoal, clay, and magnets, each with their respective benefits that aid heat therapy. Charcoal is believed to deepen the detoxification you get from the sauna by binding pollutants and flushing out impurities. Meanwhile, clay produces negative ions and balances the infrared heat, while medical-grade magnetic strips are believed to support better blood circulation.
Verdict: If healing is your thing on top of the health benefits of infrared sauna, the HigherDose infrared sauna blanket would be a fantastic buy. It has extra wellness and healing features that are not available in most portable saunas.
Read more about sauna blankets.
9. Best Budget-Friendly Portable Sauna—Sojourner Personal Portable Sauna
Type: Steam sauna
Pros:
- Best bang for the buck
- Space-saving
- Professional build steamer
Cons:
- Plastic connectors may crack if you’re not careful during assembly
Great Price
Bringing a luxurious spa-like sauna experience at home doesn’t have to be expensive. There are some great portable sauna units that don’t cost hundreds of dollars. SoJourner’s personal portable sauna is our best budget pick because it offers what you need from a good-quality portable sauna—a reliable steam generator, good quality build, an easy-to-use setup, and a sauna chair.
Compact Dimension
It’s a sit-in portable steam sauna made of a thick waterproof cotton fabric. It’s designed with a velcro-fitted neckline, so your neck and head remain outside without allowing much of the steam and heat to escape. There are also two armholes with two-way zippers and a conveniently large pocket.
It only takes ten minutes to set up this compact steam sauna, which can fit in any given room.
Modest Heat Levels
SoJourner’s portable sauna can produce steam with a maximum temperature of about 113°F in just minutes. Although it doesn’t hit the high-temperature levels of high-end models, the 900 watts stainless steel steam generator with 2 liters water capacity can create enough steam to get you sweating.
Verdict: The SoJourner personal sauna is a fantastic budget option portable steam sauna. It ticks the basic requirements of good quality build, modest heat levels, portability, and a lower price tag.
10. High-End Splurge—Sunlighten Solo System
Type: Infrared sauna
Pros:
- Ultra-low EMF radiation
- Includes light therapy
- Can be easily stored after use
Cons:
- Not full-spectrum infrared
Control Zone Heating
Sunlighten’s Solo System infrared sauna dome boasts an immersive infrared sauna experience with its nine patented SoloCarbon heating panels. There are five heaters in the dome and four in the pad, giving you full control over what you want to target the most during your session. You can set different temperature settings in varying zones to achieve your ideal infrared sauna experience.
Built-in Chromotherapy
The sauna comes with welcome extras like built-in chromotherapy lighting. You get the benefits of light and heat therapy in one unit to boost healing and rejuvenating benefits. There are 16 color settings you can customize, with four color-changing modes and four intensity or brightness settings using the remote control.
Improved Sauna Experience
The sauna is made of two parts—the sauna dome made of bamboo carbon material, and the celliant cotton solo pad, where you lay as comfortably as possible throughout the session. Celliant is a rejuvenating material that isn’t only comfortable but does a fantastic job of converting body heat into infrared energy and allowing more infrared into the sauna. And, more exposure to infrared means you get improved infrared sauna benefits.
Verdict: If you are in the market for a high-end portable sauna for your home, we highly recommend the Sunlighten Solo System. It’s a worthwhile splurge for a health and wellness tool that combines the benefits of heat and light therapy in one high-quality build.
11. Best Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna—SaunaSpace Luminati Infrared Sauna
Type: Infrared sauna
Pros:
- Zero EMFs
- Full-spectrum infrared heat
- With red-light therapy
Cons:
- May need two people to set it up
Aesthetic Design
Thoughtfully designed with a minimalistic style using high-quality materials, the SaunaSpace Luminati infrared sauna would make a beautiful addition to any home. It’s well-crafted using sustainable materials, made mainly of basswood, bamboo, canvas, and steel. You can choose from five available colors—natural, indigo, dark chocolate, stone, and turmeric—to fit any room aesthetic.
Thermalight Technology
The sauna boasts SaunaSpace’s proprietary Thermalight Technology that uses four 250 watts of Tungsten infrared sauna panels to produce full-spectrum infrared light. Full-spectrum sauna emits near, mid, and far infrared heat, which enhances the overall health and wellness benefits of an infrared sauna.
Plus, the sauna boasts an EMF shielding feature for healthy and safe rejuvenation.
Red Light Therapy
The sauna combines full-spectrum infrared heat therapy with red light therapy, which is believed to help reduce inflammation, support muscle relaxation, and stimulate blood flow.
Verdict: If you want to take your sauna session in style, SaunaSpace’s Luminati infrared sauna is by far the most aesthetically-pleasing portable sauna we’ve found.
The Pros of an At-Home Portable Sauna—Why You Need One
Portable saunas may not look or feel as luxurious as built-in or full-sized saunas, but they offer the same sauna health and wellness benefits. It includes muscle pain relief, better sleep, relaxation, and a few more advantages.
Unlike a full-sized sauna, portable saunas give you ultimate portability. They are easier to set up and take down than their built-in counterparts, which is advantageous if you have limited space for a sauna at home. Because they are mostly made of flexible material, you can conveniently fold and store a portable sauna out of the way after each use.
Another advantage of portable saunas is they offer flexibility. You can use a portable sauna virtually anywhere. And most portable saunas are travel-friendly, meaning you can throw them into your suitcase or car trunk so you can keep up with your sauna session during your vacation.
Lastly, portable saunas are more affordable than permanent saunas. And given that they can provide the same benefits as their built-in counterparts, portable saunas are a great option for those who are beginners to sauna bathing or those who don’t want to spend thousands for an at-home sauna.
Read more about portable home saunas.
Portable Steam Sauna vs. Portable Infrared Sauna—Which One to Buy
One important choice to consider in a portable sauna is the type of heat, which comes in two varieties—portable steam sauna vs. portable infrared sauna.
In terms of health and wellness benefits, both portable and steam saunas have shared benefits of improving blood circulation, increasing metabolism, sinus relief, clearing toxins for healthier skin, and decreasing risks of cardiovascular-related illnesses and deaths.
But, with the different ways each type of portable sauna heats the body, they can further benefit you differently. For example:
- Portable steam saunas are excellent for nasal congestion. Using a steam sauna will give you some much-needed relief if you have a blocked nose or a head cold.
- Portable steam saunas are a great choice for rapid muscle relief. The steam quickly relaxes stiff, tense, and tired muscles, a great choice for post-workout recovery.
- Portable infrared saunas allow for longer sessions. Because they operate at lower temperatures, infrared saunas are more comfortable to use. It means you can enjoy longer sauna sessions, and longer sessions mean greater health, wellness, and relaxation advantages.
- Portable infrared saunas won’t dry your skin. Because it heats you from the inside out, infrared saunas are gentler on your skin and hair.
Things to Look For When Buying a Portable Sauna
The best portable sauna has the makings of a good-quality traditional or infrared sauna but in a smaller, more portable, and affordable package. Besides the sauna type, also consider the design, size, and features when choosing a portable sauna.
Design and Size
Portable saunas come in an array of designs and sizes. Some are larger, full-size tent versions tall enough to fit your entire body inside the sauna. There are no arm or neck holes, so there’s less heat to escape. Their enveloping design makes full-size portable saunas feel more like a traditional saunas.
There are also smaller models that look like a tent and accommodate seated users. Usually, the sauna stops around your shoulder, and a neck hole keeps your head outside of the sauna. Most of these sit-in portable sauna types also have armholes to keep your hands free during the sauna session.
Lastly, there are portable saunas designed for lying down, which also come in a few different designs. There are portable sauna domes with a hard-dome design that are less portable than sauna blankets, which you can easily fold down for storage.
Features and Accessories
Many portable saunas have added features and accessories meant to increase their functionality and comfort during a sauna session. A few must-have features include:
- Remote control. You can access various temperature settings in most portable saunas without leaving the tent, dome, or blanket through a remote control, either wired or wireless.
- Timer. It’s an extra control feature that adds to the portable sauna’s ease of use. You can set up your desired sauna time and relax without needing to check the clock time and time again or in case you fall asleep during the session.
- Auto-shutoff. It’s another convenient and safe feature to have in a portable sauna, making sure the unit turns off after a set time in case you fall asleep or leave the sauna unattended.
- Chair. Most tent-style portable sauna units will come with a fold-up seat. However, be sure to check the chair’s weight limit as they aren’t particularly the most sturdy and comfortable.
- Low-EMF/No EMF. Generally, portable infrared saunas are safe to use. That said, there remain to be discussions about the dangers of EMF radiation. So, as a safe option, try to find a portable infrared sauna that produces the least amount of EMF radiation.
- Zoned heating. Zone-based heating in portable infrared saunas allows you to adjust temperature individually, giving you full control over which part of your body you want to target most. Some portable infrared saunas come with two or three independent heating zones.
Warranty
Check out the warranty before buying a portable sauna. It will give you cover if something goes wrong with your sauna. Most portable saunas come with a 1-3 year warranty.
Portable Sauna FAQs
Q: Is a portable sauna safe to use?
A: Yes, a portable sauna is generally safe to use for most people. It’s as safe and beneficial as traditional or built-in saunas and can provide similar therapeutic benefits. Still, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor before using a portable sauna if you have existing conditions like high blood pressure or heart problems.
Q: How do you clean a portable sauna?
A: To clean a portable sauna, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. But typically, you should give your portable sauna a quick wipe down after each use to remove moisture, and it should be as dry as possible before storage.
And every week or two, deep-clean your sauna with a manufacturer-recommended cleaning formula. Some common cleaning solutions that portable sauna users use to remove stubborn stains and prevent mold growth include diluted vinegar, mild soap, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.
Q: How long do portable saunas last?
A: The lifespan of portable saunas varies greatly depending on a couple of things. But generally speaking, a high-quality and well-cared-for portable sauna can last five years or even more.
Q: Who should avoid using a portable sauna?
A: Before using a portable sauna, it’s best to speak with your doctor first. It’s especially important to talk with your healthcare provider if you have existing medical conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, are pregnant or currently breastfeeding, or are taking certain medications.
Conclusion
For those who don’t have the space or budget for a full-sized, built-in sauna, portable saunas are the next best option. They are generally quick to set up and break down for storage.
Whether you are looking for a steam sauna or an infrared sauna, we hope this list of the best portable sauna helped you choose the best option for your home and sauna goals.
