The Best Home Saunas of 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

A sauna is a structure that uses mainly dry heat and some humidity or infrared panels to heat the air or body directly, increase core temperature and cause sweating.

Buying your home sauna is a major purchase that you may make for any number of reasons: enjoyment of a good sweat, belief in the health benefits, the meditative calm of sweating in silence.

Whatever your goals or budget, there is a best home sauna that is right for you. 

After sweating it out in dozens of the best home saunas of all types and interviewing multiple experts over the past several years, we believe that the Clearlight Sanctuary 2 Infrared Sauna is the best choice for most people.

A high quality infrared sauna provides high heat benefits, cheaper pricing than many traditional and electric models and can easily fit anywhere.

While many traditionalists will disagree, we believe this provides the best cost/benefit available, however we have some additional high quality traditional options as well.

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Types of Saunas Considered

• Traditional Finnish Sauna 
• Electric (Dry) Sauna
• Infrared Sauna
• Steam Sauna
• Portable (Infrared & Steam) Sauna
• Sauna Blanket

How We Chose Our Top Picks?

Here at The Sauna Guide, we are sauna enthusiasts.

We have tried, tested and enjoyed everything from commercial gym options, custom-build saunas in Finland and Norway, to infrared options and even a few portables.

We’ve personally put together multiple kits as well as built a custom traditional option. It’s our goal to bring you the best information out there possible. 

When we chose an infrared sauna for our top pick, we understood that the sauna traditionalist groaned, rolled their eyes and shut the tab on their browser. And we get it. But let us explain. 

There are a lot of trade-offs when it comes to saunas. In a perfect world, everyone would be able to afford a $15,000 to $30,000 custom-build sauna with a changing room, high ceilings, and perfect air circulation.

That’s why we provide both an upgrade pick and our detailed information on custom builds. If you can afford it and have the space, we highly highly recommend that option.

BUT for the rest of us, we have trade-offs to make primarily around space and cost. I (the author) personally would prefer a large custom traditional, but for the moment I am utilizing a 4 person, infrared option in my garage.

This was due to both cost considerations as well as space. I also did not want to build a very expensive permanent option in a home I do not intend to be in 2 years from now.

When we eventually are in our long-term home and have the funds, a custom build is definitely in my future. 

It is our opinion that the best option for most people currently, is an infrared option. This brings the cost down for most people, in the $2-10k range, along with requiring minimal space, can be placed indoor or outdoor and the only infrastructure needed is a 200v plug.

These kits can also be broken down and moved to a new home when needed (though that’s definitely a pain).

Clearlight is a leading brand in the space with a quality warranty and customer service team. Infrared saunas are both affordable and most easily fit in your home, and for the vast majority of people a 2 person is the right size.

The Sanctuary 2 is one of the only Full Spectrum infrared saunas available offering near, mid and far infrared technologies. Some other great features include a convenient app, chromotherapy, and EMF/ELF shielding with the lowest levels in the industry. The unit also works off a simple 120v plug, so no extra electric work needed.

What we like: The Sanctuary 2 combines a high-quality build with a very attractive design. The materials are premium with a mahogany interior and cedar exterior. Clearlight uses water-based, non-toxic glues so there is no out gassing of chemicals. Interior dimensions are easily spacious enough for 2 people to sit comfortably at 47” width. The build is considered “Furniture grade” for all cabinetry and they don’t skimp the glass front and ceiling at 8mm thick. 

In terms of quality of your heaters, Clearlight combines True Wave™ far infrared heaters on the back and side wall, as well as under the bench and in the floor. It combines that with full spectrum heaters on the front walls to ensure you are really feeling the heat. The entire unit is low EMF and low ELF rated. We also appreciate the option to upgrade to include chromatherapy with over 96 LED lights or red light therapy.

What we don’t like: Clearlight is a leader in the space for a reason. They utilize high-end materials, focus on low EMF and non-toxic inputs, have great technology additions for your convenience and a stellar customer service reputation. So why is this in the negatives? Because you get what you pay for. Our top choices are not cheap, but we highly recommend that over a generic unit from a Chinese brand off amazon or walmart.

The Sunlighten brand is our other top choice right there next to Clearlight. They company puts out top tier IR products with quality builds, nice features, and high-end panels to ensure a great sweat.

The Sunlighten Amplify is the top line offering frum Sunlighten utilizing their patented SoloCarbon panels hitting far, mid and near rays. The SoloCarbon Coating maximizes the highest quality and quantity of infrared available and Sunlighten has invested in significant testing to ensure that’s true. In addition to the IR panels, the Amplify, raises the heat with additional halogen heaters.

What we like:  Quality build, great warranty. Patented SoloCarbon system and extra halogen bulbs. It’s also quite convenient that they allow for up to 6 different preset programs and custom options. Every Sunlighten sauna also comes with built-in chromotherapy to enhance your experience along with a premium sound system.

What we don’t like: It would be really great if this sauna had an app to go with it like the Clearlight Sauna.  Not a HUGE deal but it would be nice to be able to preprogram sauan sessions remotely. Like any 2 person sauna, space always feels a little limited and with 2 people in at the same time, it can start feeling a little “stuffy”.  Once the sauna reaches the programmed temperature, it can turn off the heaters to prevent overheating, which is great for safety, but it can also happen at bad timing if you just got in.

Read more about infrared saunas.

If you are more of a traditionalist and don’t like the idea of Infrared waves being the primary driver behind your sweat, this top choice is for you. If you want to start with the best of the best, then the only place to start is with the Nordic countries. Sauna has been a tradition in countries such as Sweden and Finland for centuries and they know the secret to a good sweat. That’s why we recommend the Finnleo Northstar NSI-57 Indoor Sauna Cabin for 4 as both our upgrade pick and our top traditional sauna option.

What we like: 2 Levels – Good Height

The Northstar is a fantastic option for any indoor sauna. While not the ideal Nordic height, it is roughly 7 foot tall with some of the highest benches we’ve found out there. The cabin has spacious benches and plenty of room to stretch out.

Quality Build

Finnleo uses high quality materials. The unit is built from Nordic White Spruce (NWS) interior and exterior with the benches, backing, backing and other surfaces of Aspen or Abachi.

The Northstar comes with a 6.0 kW Viki heater which can be plugged into any 120v wall outlet making installation a breeze. All NorthStar Series Saunas include color therapy lighting systems in six different colors (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Turquoise and Violet).

For a great outdoor Finnleo option check out their luxurious Metro line which can be customized to include a changing room and shower.

What we don’t like: Volume wise we suggest the 4 person so that you have an air volume that is actually ideally suited to 2 people. Unfortunately like almost all American saunas, it does lack ideal ventilation, but that is something you could fix yourself if it bothers you by adding a vent and mechanical exhaust.

Read more about traditional saunas.

The Appalachia is built for a luxurious, relaxing sweat. It has a full front porch, an attached changing room, and a spacious sauna room. The changing room gives plenty of room to prep for your session and store your things. This team understands how a sauna should be built, what gives the ultimate sweat. These units are made in Finland.

What we like: 2 Levels

Any Swede or Fin will swear by the fact that you need 2 levels in your sauna and your FEET SHOULD BE ABOVE THE ROCKS. As the heat rises, for a true and amazing experience you want to be up where the top heat is. It also allows you a bit of regulation to drop to the lower level as needed. The Almost Heaven sauna has two bench levels, easily split between 4 people. It does say 6, but space would be a bit tight at that spacing. 

The Appalachia comes equipped with the Harvia 8kW electric heater or a wood-burning stove. The electric version includes an app and the ability to preset a start time up to 8 hours ahead. Due to American regulations, max temperature is 195ºF. The sauna includes a lifetime warranty on the sauna room; five years on the heater.

What we don’t like: Much like the Finnleo, capacity-wise, we suggest keeping it to 3 people. The volume inside the unit is not suited to 6 people. Unfortunately like almost all American saunas it does lack ideal ventilation, but that is something you could fix yourself if it bothers you by adding a vent and mechanical exhaust. The unit would also have been better with a flat ceiling rather than a point for ideal heat circulation.

While the traditionalist enthusiasts are not a fan of a barrell for all the same height and volume reasons, we think they offer a high quality experience at an affordable price point and easy assembly. We’ve yet to meet someone that truly regretted their barrel sauna or complained about the experience. 

The Almost Heaven 4 person Morgan is currently our favorite barrel sauna and available only at Costco. While this model is a Costco exclusive it is close to identical to the Charleston sold directly by Almost Heaven. As we’ve noted in all our reviews, you should basically divide occupancy in half, so we would consider this a 2 person model. If you would like to be able to bring a few more people to the party, we suggest one of Almost Heaven’s larger unit’s such as Princton (6 person) or Lewisburg (6-8 person)

What we like: Almost Heaven is built from high quality materials right here in West Virginia. The Morgan is built from Red Ceder with clear and simple instructions that anyone can follow and assemble in an afternoon. The unit uses quality stainless steel hinges, heaters and fasteners. The unit is built to weather the passage of time in the outdoors (though a roof isn’t a bad idea for longevity). 

The six feet of interior space is heated by a Harvia 6kW electric heater. You can turn the heater on and it will start heating up to 180ºF right away, or you can delay the start time up to eight hours.

Ultimately a barrel is a barrel so what you are betting on is the quality of the materials, ease of assembly and quality of build. Almost Heaven has a great reputation for standing behind it’s products and providing an exceptional experience with sauna’s that last and last. We chose the Morgan specifically as it currently offers your best bang for your buck at under $4,000 and while it really only holds 2 comfortably, that is more than sufficient for the bulk of sauna users.

What we don’t like: There is really nothing specific to this exact unit, however barrel saunas generally have some weaknesses. First and foremost, height is always an issue. If you want the most traditional sauna experience, feet should be up off the floor and above the height of the heater. This and ventilation can sometimes be an issue. A more expensive unit would also offer a changing room which makes for a more pleasant experience.

We would highly recommend purchasing the optional cover or adding your own. Some customers have complained of water leakage especially when it is first assembled and that is an issue you want to completely avoid.

We had to include a budget friendly barrel sauna in this guide once we reviewed the Redwood 6 Person Cedar Barrel Sauna. For the price, this sauna is a great deal.  You can choose from several different heater types & brands.  Even at a friendly price, it comes with a few accessories in the kit including wooden head & back rests.  

All the pieces are precut and ready for assembly, so no sawing required! Technically, this is a 6 person sauna but we generally see about half that will fit comfortably…so 3 or 4 people can comfortably fit. Made from 100% Canadian Red Cedar, this sauna will be able to withstand the elements for 15-20 years! Just like other barrel saunas, the space-saving design allows it to take up less floor space.

What we like: For the money, these Redwood Saunas are a great deal. Personally, I love the thought of a wood burning heater, but I just don’t have the setup to use one. There are several heater options, including Harvia and HUUM, which are both great brands.  With these quality heaters, this sauna can heat up to max temps relatively quickly, normally within 20-30 minutes, depending on your climate.

If you are putting this sauna in an area with harsh weather, definitely upgrade to add the roof shingles kit to prolong weatherproofing, and you might as well get the flat flooring kit option.  If you or someone that will be using this sauna are tall, you may choose to not get the flat flooring kit to add a little extra leg room. 

What we don’t like: Since this is a budget option, you don’t get some of the luxuries of more expensive models.  Overall, this is just a good basic barrel sauna from a company that has good customer service reviews. There are a couple of comments about customers having some issues with installation/setup, but they seemed to be addressed by Redwood pretty quickly. 

Sunlighten is one of our favorite infrared brands, with the top notch infrared units, high quality builds and proprietary technology. We believe their Solo System really knocks it out of the park with an innovative design.

Portable saunas are a great option for people with limited space, limited funds, or are living somewhere on a timeline that would not make sense to add a larger or more permanent unit. While we love a large sauna with walls of wood and the smell of cedar, you can still have a fantastic, relaxing experience in a portable. 

Portables come in mostly 2 forms, tents and blankets. With a tent sauna, you put together a pvc or aluminum frame, stretching a canvas exterior around that frame. Either infrared panels are built into the sides or you attach a small steam unit to the outside. A small foldable chair is then placed in the middle where you can sit and enjoy while your head 

A blanket sauna is even more up close. These are exclusively infrared, with you laying inside what is essentially a sleeping bag with panels sewn in. 

What we like: The Solo System portable infrared sauna is essentially unique among all the portables we examined. The system is not a tent, but it’s not exactly a blanket either. You need to simply see it, to really understand. The unit is essentially a comfortable pad and pillow with a sauna dome over the top. It reminds me a bit of a medical scanning device or like a portable MRI. 

The Solo uses the patented SoloCarbon infrared panels as their full size IR units but built into a sleek lightweight design. Zone-based heating provides full control over what you want to target most. The dome system is divided and allows you to select different settings to find the perfect temperature. 

The unit itself is comfortable, easy to use, easy to store and maybe the most innovative thing we’ve seen in saunas in quite some time. The Solo can be plugged into any regular wall outlet and weighs only 46 pounds. 

What we don’t like: There really are a lot of wires and controls. The unit could be a bit more user friendly. Instead of just 1 control unit, Sunlighten forces you to use 3. There is no reason that the unit doesn’t use 1 simple remote with all the features and settings. The sauna could also use some slightly better velcro to ensure heat stays in.

Read more about sauna blankets.

For your typical sauna tent, look no further than Durasage. The Durasage is the #1 selling portable on amazon with over 2,500 reviews and a 4.5 star rating. While nothing fancy, this simple sauna tent  more than gets the job done.

Durasage also offers this model in both a steam and infrared version so you have a choice of your preferred type.

What we like: We have personally assembled the Dursage Sauna and we can tell you that while it is not the easiest thing to put together, you can likely manage to get the pvc frame in place in under 20 minute with some elbow grease. The canvas frame is very tight to get on and may take a couple of tries, but once in place, everything fits great. We would not suggest this option though if you need to be able to set up and break down the unit regularly. 

The steam unit is essentially plug and play. Just add water and after about 20 minutes the unit is as hot as just about any US sauna we’ve ever used. The small amount of enclosed space ensures that it stays quite toasty. 

While these unit’s are “portable” due to the small size requirements and how lightweight they are, they are not actually very easy to put up and take down. Each time you do so is a roughly 20 minute exercise and the more times you assemble the more likely the canvas or pvc is to break. We would suggest using a tent version only if you plan to leave it put together. It is easily light enough though to move around the house with minimal effort. 

What we don’t like: The biggest difference between the tent and a more standard sauna is that your head is completely out of the unit. In a traditional sauna an even heat on the whole body is highly valued. In the portable, the body is full enclosed, but the head is in normal temperature air as well as the option to keep your hands out of the unit. It’s a very distinctly different experience. 

While we don’t enjoy the portable as much as a full size unit, having said, we still find it to be an enjoyable experience with a great sweat for this price point and one that fits in any apartment or space. 

Read more about portable saunas.

CUSTOM SAUNA OPTIONS

When money is no object and you want to ensure you have gotten the real Nordic experience of löyly and all the benefits of a fantastic sauna experience, there is nothing better than building a custom unit. 

The advantages of a custom unit is that you are able to build a sauna that is ideal for your location and needs. You can optimize for air volume, circulation, bench height. 

If you have the handyman skills, you can likely build a unit for roughly the same cost as a nice kit that will be vastly superior to any pre-built option. If you don’t have those skills, there are a ton of fantastic contractors who would be happy to work with you to build your perfect indoor or outdoor unit. 

If you want to learn more about building a custom unit yourself we suggest this book – The Secrets of Finnish Sauna Design. You can also check out Sauna Times ebook. 

If you would like to find a list of contractors who might be able to help, see our list here.

OTHER OPTIONS

If you are like many of us and prefer to make your purchases on amazon, check out the Dynamic Andora. With several hundred positive reviews and a relatively affordable price at $2,300 this is a reasonable entry level option to infrared saunas.

EVERYTHING WE RECOMMEND

Who Should Get a Sauna?

Saunas are not a cheap investment (outside of a portable), so you should be sure that sauna is something you are healthy enough to use regularly and enjoy enough to be in multiple times a week. No one wants to invest $2-20k in something they ultimately won’t use.

We would highly recommend spending some time in a gym, trying out their sauna (see our article – where are nearby saunas) and make sure it’s for you. 

Saunas provide a number of health benefits, but they are not necessarily instant or incredibly obvious in any short-term period. The primary reason we suggest getting a sauna besides those benefits, is pure and simple enjoyment. Sauna is a time to relax, sweat, meditate and let go of your anxiety and stress. If you get that type of enjoyment from a sauna, then definitely consider adding one to your home and routine.

In terms of health, your diet, exercise and sleep are 95% of the battle. If you’ve already dialed these in and want to focus on the last 5-10% of health benefits, sauna’s fall into a category similar to supplements. The science is positive but in flux and the benefits are incremental compared to the big 3. 

Where Do You Put a Sauna? 

Sauna options range from small portables, to indoor and outdoor. Our top suggestions are all large, full size saunas, so you will need quite a bit of space. We typically suggest an outdoor option as it provides the most space and flexibility, but the garage is another common option and lets you avoid the extra protection needed for an outdoor.

If you prefer to have one in the house, that is also a great option. The master bedroom or bathroom is typically your first choice. If you have the option to build custom, a built in sauna in your bathroom adds a real luxurious, spa like experience. 

For your interior, an infrared option will be the easiest since it just needs a plug. If you want a traditional, it will take more custom work to ensure proper ventilation and drainage.

How Do I Install a Sauna?

Ultimately this will depend on the sauna type you choose. These range from simple portables and pop-ups, to kit’s that plug into any wall outlet, to large scale saunas that require a custom concrete pad and 220v electric run to the unit.

If you choose a kit, this can most likely be handled by you and a friend (panels can be very heavy) but doesn’t take professional installation. You also should ensure the location of choice has type of electricity you need. Some units use a basic 120v which works in any standard outlet, while others require 220v which is the voltage used for large appliances like your fridge or washer/dryer. If you pick a difficult location, you will need an electrician even for a kit.

A more custom option, especially in the interior of your home may need the assistance of a professional to ensure that electric is property handled along with any drainage and moisture issues for a traditional option. If you opt to be outdoors, you may also need a professional to build a concrete pad or add other necessary infrastructure.

Different Types of Home Saunas

Traditional Finnish Sauna

Originating in Finland, the traditional sauna commonly uses an electric heater or wood stove that produces ambient heat in a wood lined room. Water can be poured over the heater to increase humidity and give that traditional Finnish sauna experience, reaching temperatures as high as 180°F.

Electric (Dry) Sauna

Currently the most popular style of home sauna, the dry sauna has an electrically powered heater mounted on the wall or floor.  Electric saunas are very similar to traditional saunas in that they both generate low humidity and dry heat.  The key difference is the power source and the absence of humidity.  

Infrared Sauna

These saunas differ from traditional and dry saunas in the way the heat is generated.  Infrared saunas emit infrared light that warms your body instead of the air around you. Temperatures in an infrared sauna are lower, up to 150°F.  

Steam Sauna

Also known as a Steam Room, these operate at a lower temperature than traditional saunas, around 110°F, and provide a completely different relaxation experience.  There are also some added potential benefits with the increased steam in the room, including helping to clear sinus congestion.

Portable (Infrared & Steam) Sauna

Available in both infrared and steam versions, portable saunas are perfect for sauna lovers with limited space or a limited budget. You won’t get the same experience as a full-size sauna room but the relaxing benefits should be comparable. 

Sauna Blanket

Sauna blankets are typically portable saunas that you wrap around yourself, similar in shape to a sleeping bag. With temperatures ranging from 70°F to 155°F, these super portable saunas are an easy way to get your sauna fix while traveling or in the comfort of your bed.

Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to infrared vs. traditional saunas. A purist would tell you that an infrared sauna is not a sauna. We find this to be a bit silly. While IR sauna is definitely not a traditional sauna, we believe it does fall well into the same overall category. Don’t let any snobbery keep you from enjoying an IR sauna. They both provide a nice relaxing sweat, but they are fundamentally very different experiences. See the full article comparing infrared vs. traditional saunas.

Conductive Heating vs. Radiation Heating

The fundamental difference between the 2 options is how they generate heat. A traditional sauna uses convection and conductive heating. The heater heats stones and stones heat the air, which heats you. Water is also thrown on the stones to create steam and control humidity. This steam and heat provides the typical sauna experience. The Fin’s have a word to describe this state – löyly. 

An infrared sauna do not have stones and either use no convective heat at all or low convective heat combined with infrared panels, which heat the body directly through radiation. We personally think the best IR saunas combine full spectrum panels along with direct heat. 

While they both generate a good sweat, the feeling is a bit different. There also have not been a lot of studies on health benefits of one versus the other so it’s not completely clear if there are differences or advantages to either type.

Dry vs. Wet Heat

A traditional steam sauna is a wet heat in which humidity is a fundamental part of the experience. Infrared cabins are purely a dry heat.

Evenness of the Heat

Infrared panels often only surround you on 2-3 sides and the heaters often are only on 1-2 sides. This provides a much less “even” heating experience that’s prized by traditionalist. Your body is also being heated directly, so your body may feel high heat that your breathing does not. A steam sauna should heat the air evenly across your entire body and the air you breath will be equal in temperature.

Traditional Saunas Considerations 

American saunas typically have a few flaws that your European counterparts really believe detracts from the experience. Unfortunately there are currently zero kits that fully account for all 

Feet above the stones

The number 1 rule among sauna traditionalists is that the height of your sauna must allow for benches to be fully above the stones. As heat rises, ensuring that your feet are high enough for an even heat is important and makes for an ideal experience (though not required). If the bench is too low, you won’t be able to manage this. It’s also good for ensuring that no bacteria or mold builds in your sauna. 

Ventilation

US sauna’s are a bit notorious for lacking good ventilation in our saunas, allowing for good fresh airflow and preventing any CO2 buildup. The ideal sauna includes a vent above the stove and an exhaust system at ground level, below your benches. 

Size (Volume)

A sauna needs space for the ideal experience. A minimum for the perfect sauna is roughly 70 cubic feet per person. This is also largely a fresh air issue. More volume allows more clean air in the sauna. 

Assembling

We obviously prefer a sauna option that the average individual (with a friend) can put together on their own compared to something highly complex and difficult.

Warranty

How does the company treat it’s customers? Does it stand behind its products? Do they make things right when they go wrong?

Sauna Health Benefits

Spending just 8-15 minutes in a sauna can raise your body’s core temperature enough to increase circulation and raise your heart rate.  Studies show this can help improve cardiovascular health and bring fresh blood flow throughout your entire body, resulting in reduced muscle tension, lower blood pressure, enhanced mood, and boosted immunity. 

There have been many high quality (and some less quality ones) covering the health benefits of sauna. Our favorite resources on the health benefits are people such as Rhonda Patrick and Andrew Huberman, both great advocates for sauna here in the US. 

Keep in mind that for most all the benefits below sauna usage was 4+ times per week and most often with a traditional sauna rather than infrared. 

Just some of the health benefits associated with sauna use:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Lowered risk of congesitive heart failure
• Lowered risk of coronary artery disease
• Lowered risk of Peripheral artery disease
• Lowered risk of Dyslipidemia
• Improved Endothelial function
• Lowered Inflammation
• Enhanced neurogenesis
• Improved cognitive function
• Reduced depression symptoms
• Promotes growth hormone release

For more details on health benefits and the studies backing them, see our comprehensive sauna health benefits article here. You should keep in mind that sauna is not a miracle cure for any ailments. Your first priority should be to optimize sleep, diet, exercise and time outdoors. Sauna is part of that last 5-10% of real optimization and can’t overcome failing the pillars of good health.