Sauna Buying Guides

Choosing a home sauna

Start with how many people will use it at once and where it will go. Outdoor barrel and cabin saunas need a level, well-drained base; indoor saunas need floor space, ventilation and, for traditional heaters, a dedicated 240V circuit. Infrared saunas often plug into a standard outlet.

Sizing a heater

As a rule of thumb, allow about 1 kW of heater output per 45–50 cubic feet of insulated interior volume, and more for glass walls or uninsulated rooms. Always confirm with the manufacturer's sizing chart.

Wood species

Western red cedar is aromatic and naturally rot-resistant; thermo-treated spruce is dimensionally stable; hemlock and aspen are low-odor options often used indoors.

Maintenance

Keep the sauna ventilated after use, wipe benches, use towels, and replace sauna stones every one to two years depending on use.