7 Best Outdoor Saunas for Health and Relaxation
Are you looking for one of the best ways to invest in your health and decrease stress levels this year? Consider adding an outdoor sauna to your backyard or patio making your outdoor space a place of relaxation.
Saunas have been cherished worldwide for their therapeutic properties, and in recent years, their popularity has soared even higher. The incredible health perks range from enhanced circulation and better skin health to stress reduction, congestion relief, and a strengthened immune system, just to name a few.
Whether you choose a traditional Finnish steam sauna or a full-spectrum infrared version, both types of saunas will provide health and wellness benefits. And, it’s never been easier to buy them online. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to choose your best outdoor sauna and create a backyard oasis!
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What Are the Best Outdoor Saunas?
The best outdoor sauna depends on a variety of factors. Do you want a traditional steam sauna? Do you want to use a wood-fired stove, an electric heater, or an infrared heater? Small or large? How much space do you have on your patio or in your backyard? The answers to these questions will determine the best sauna for you.
1. Best Barrel Sauna
Photo: Almost Heaven Saunas
Almost Heaven Huntington 4-6 Person Canopy Barrel Sauna
- Made from rustic red cedar wood
- Harvia 8 kW electric heater
- Outdoor attached porch for cooling down
- Fits up to 6 people comfortably
If you are looking for a traditional Scandinavian sauna experience, the Almost Heaven Huntington Canopy Barrel Sauna is a popular and solid choice. Made from moisture-resistant red cedar wood, this sauna makes a nice backyard statement.
Unlike many outdoor sauna kits, this one has an outdoor seating area attached, making it a wonderful place to cool down or leave towels, phones, and shoes.
Assembled sauna dimensions: 72″ W x 94″ D x 75 3/8″ H
Pros:
- Beautiful traditional design will look great in your backyard
- Harvia stove
- Outdoor attached porch
- Created with the DIY homeowner in mind
- Fits up to 6 people comfortably
- Customize lumber, door, window style and lighting!
Cons:
- This is a DIY sauna. If you are not looking for a project, you will want to hire someone to assemble it
- While not necessary, roofing added to the top of the sauna or placing the sauna under a structure will preserve it longer
2. Best Infrared Sauna
Photo: Sun Home Saunas
Sun Home Luminar Outdoor 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna
- Made with Grade-A carbonized red cedar wood
- Full spectrum and FIR heaters
- Medical-Grade chromotherapy
- Surround sound and mobile app capabilities
- Provides near, mid and far wavelengths
- Innovative EMF shielding
- Ultra-low VOCs and only non-toxic materials used
If you are looking for a stylish full-spectrum two-person sauna on the market today, consider the Sun Home Luminar. It is the only outdoor infrared sauna in the world that is engineered for multi-season conditions and can be used either inside or outside. It was also named the best outdoor sauna by Sports Illustrated for 2024.
Dimensions: Exterior sauna dimensions: 57″ W x 51.5″ D x 82.7″ H
Pros:
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Non-toxic materials
- All weather outdoors sauna
- Full spectrum infrared
Cons:
- No stove for a more traditional sauna option
3. Best Small Sauna
Photo: Golden Designs
Golden Designs “Narvik” 2 Person Outdoor/Indoor Traditional Steam Sauna
- Compact design for small spaces
- Beautiful cedar interior
- 6 kW Harvia stove-the gold standard for sauna heaters from Finland
- Can heat up to 202 degrees Fahrenheit
- All weather exterior
- Built-in performance speakers
Golden Designs “Narvik” 2-person sauna is a compact traditional sauna. It has an electric stove made by Harvia and a beautiful Canadian red cedar interior. It also has an interior chromotherapy lighting system, Bluetooth connection and built in speakers.
Assembled Exterior Dimensions: 59.1″ W x 70.5″ D x 87.8″ H
Pros:
- Small compact design is perfect for small patios and backyards
- High heat capability
Cons:
- Will need to assemble on site (DIY) but directions and support are available from company
4. Best Large Sauna
Photo: Sun Home Saunas
Muskoka Outdoor Cube Sauna
- Fits up to 6 people
- Hand made to order
- Huum DROP electric stove with digital control panel
- Made with high grade cedar wood inside and outside
The Muskoka Outdoor Cube Sauna is an excellent choice if you have a lot of family and friends who will be using the sauna regularly. This large cabin sauna can fit up to 6 people comfortably for a full sauna session.
Exterior sauna dimensions: 83″ W x 83″ D x 79″ H
Pros:
- Beautiful cabin design
- Large size for groups
- Large windows for light
- Huum electric stove
- Wide deep bench for comfort
Cons:
- Due to larger size, may require extra help when putting it together at home
- Base/platform not included
5. Best Budget Sauna
Photo: Almost Heaven Saunas
Almost Heaven Vienna 2-Person Barrel Sauna
- Made of Canadian red cedar wood
- Harvia 6 kW heater
- Small compact size fits on patios and small backyards
- Small bench with canopy cover for towels, water etc.
If you’re looking for a sauna that is small in size and budget, the Almost Heaven 2-person Vienna Barrel Sauna could be the right sauna for you. This model is made of beautiful Canadian red cedar wood. It fits 2 people comfortably and its compact size makes it suitable for a small patio or small backyard.
Exterior sauna dimensions: 72″ W x 59″ D x 75 3/8″ H
Pros:
- Budget-friendly price
- Compact size
- Easy to assemble
- High quality Harvia electric stove
Cons:
- If you live in a very wet rainy climate, you should add a roof package to protect the top of the sauna
- Not for more than 2 people at a time
6. Best Luxury Sauna
Photo: Auroom
Auroom Mira L Outdoor Cabin Sauna
- Smooth thermo-aspen interior
- Sleek aesthetic looks good in any backyard
- Seats up to 5 people comfortably
- Includes premium accessories
For a beautiful high-quality backyard sauna, the Auroom Mira L Outdoor Cabin Sauna is the clear winner for someone who is looking for luxury in their backyard. The sauna comes with some premium sauna accessories including a bucket and ladle, thermometer and hygrometer combo, sauna hat and pillow and more.
Exterior dimensions: 86″ W x 87″ D x 97″ H
Pros:
- Sleek modern design
- Clear tempered glass door and windows
- Easy DIY (4-6 hours) to assemble
Cons:
- Expensive
- Sauna stove is sold separately with 3 choices and aesthetics available
7. Best Wood-Fired Sauna
Photo: Dundalk
Dundalk CT Georgian Cabin Sauna with Changing Room
- 6 Person Capacity
- Harvia wood burning stove
- 2 bench changing room with towel hooks
- Made of Eastern white cedar
If you are looking for an off-grid wood burning option in a sauna, look no further than the Dundalk CT Georgian Cabin Sauna. This beauty can be placed next to a lake or river and includes a 2-bench changing room to store towels, water, clothes and shoes.
Exterior dimensions: 84″ W x 132 1/2″ L x 73″ H
Pros:
- Made from beautiful Eastern white cedar
- Off-grid capability
- Traditional look and feel due to wood burning stove
- Changing room
- Metal roof included
- Vents for heat control
Cons:
- 2 people minimum needed to assemble
- Will need a base built beforehand to build sauna on (concrete pad, crushed gravel etc.)
Bonus: Best Non-Traditional Sauna
Photo: North Shore Saunas
Nova 4 Sauna Tent by North Shore Saunas
- Portable Sauna you can take with you
- Quick easy set-up
- Wood stove- no electrical hook-ups
- Affordable
- Can reach temps of 200 degrees Fahrenheit in 30 minutes
- Includes tent rain cover
Are you renting your home and cannot put a full-structure wooden sauna in the backyard? Well, your sauna wishes can still come true. Check out the Nova 4 Sauna Tent from North Shore Sauna. This is an insulated tent with a stainless-steel sauna stove that can heat up to 200 degrees F in 30 minutes!
You can also take the Nova 4 to the beach, camping, or skiing. It’s collapsible and portable and completely off-grid!
Dimensions: 6′ 6″ Height in Middle of tent, 5-sided footprint at 6′ each on 4 sides and with 32″ at doorway.
Pros:
- Requires no electricity
- Heats up fast
- Affordable
- Compact size fits small yards
- Portable take to the beach!
Cons:
- Non-permanent structure won’t last as long as a traditional wooden sauna
- No sound system or option for WiFi controls
What Is the Difference Between a Traditional Sauna and an Infrared Sauna?
Traditional saunas operate by heating the surrounding air and warming the entire sauna space. The sauna is heated with electric, gas, or wood-fired stoves. Traditional saunas run at a higher temperature and higher humidity with temperatures of 185F and higher.
Infrared Saunas heat your body directly, not the room. Infrared saunas use panels that emit infrared light waves to heat your body. Temperatures are lower in the 120-150F range. You will sweat at a lower temperature with lower humidity levels
How Can an Outdoor Sauna Benefit You?
Sweating is one of the primary ways that our body detoxifies itself. A sauna is the best option for encouraging deep detoxification and cleansing. For a full list of sauna benefits backed by scientific research studies, check out our post here.
Outdoor use of a sauna can also be beneficial when in combination and proximity with a cold plunge tub or outdoor shower. In many Scandinavian cultures, it is popular to jump in the snow between sessions in the sauna. Cycling between extreme heat and cold has shown significant health benefits.
Buyers Guide: How We Conducted Our Research
We researched a variety of outdoor saunas including traditional saunas that operate using electric stoves, wood-burning stoves and infrared saunas to accommodate a variety of different types of saunas and potential preferences. When doing our research to find the best saunas, we determined using the following factors.
Pricing: We decided to only include outdoor saunas that ranged in the price range of $1,500 up to $25,000 as most popular saunas at home fit in this range. There is a wide range of styles and prices available with many custom options running much higher.
Features: We looked for a variety of features including stove options, manual or Wi-Fi control options, sound system availability, and off-grid availability.
Support: Most of the smaller saunas, especially, are DIY kits where you build your sauna at home. The majority of the saunas we recommended are either easy to assemble or have a good company support system if you need extra help whether through online videos, downloadable instructions, or phone support.
Conclusion
We here at Shadow Mountain Life are regular backyard sauna users ourselves. We use our sauna each week for relaxation, health, and social activities.
We are passionate about getting more people into sauna culture!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most effective type of sauna?
- While all saunas provide benefits, far-infrared saunas have wavelengths that penetrate the deepest and possibly provide the greatest healing benefit. To read about the types of saunas in more detail, check our post here.
- Do outdoor saunas need electricity?
- It depends. If you choose an off-grid wood-burning stove model, then the answer is no. However, most people will need an electric outlet for either their electric stove or infrared heat. You will need the correct voltage hook-up for the stove that is best installed by a licensed electrician.
