The Best Sauna Tents: Your Steamy Guide for Portable Saunas in 2025

The Best Sauna Tents and Our Process

While there are indoor and outdoor sauna tents, this guide specifically focuses on outdoor tents. We went looking for sauna tents that you can take to the beach, camping, or use in the backyard, and don’t need to be plugged into the grid. For this reason, we excluded indoor sauna tents and infrared sauna blankets from this guide. 

We specifically looked at companies that provide the best portable saunas with various sizes and price options, are easy to assemble, and with stoves that bring the heat. We also wanted them to have all the aspects of a traditional sauna experience: High heat of 170-200 degrees Fahrenheit, the ability to create steam by throwing water on sauna rocks, and good ventilation.

Shadow Mountain Life Top Sauna Tent Picks

• Best Overall Sauna Tent: North Shore Nova 4 Premium Kit
• Best Budget Sauna Tent: Overland Sauna Kit
• Best Large Sauna Tent: North Shore Dome Premium Kit

What is a Sauna Tent and How Do They Differ From a Traditional Sauna?

A sauna tent is a portable sauna kit that allows individuals to experience the benefits of sauna therapy the same as they would in a normal Finnish sauna. It’s essentially a sweat tent. Unlike traditional saunas that are built into homes or require dedicated space outside, sauna tents are lightweight, collapsible structures that can be set up and used virtually anywhere.

They typically consist of a frame made of metal or plastic tubing, and covered with a heat-resistant fabric such as canvas or nylon. Inside the tent, there is a small wood-burning stove to heat the air.

Who a Portable Sauna Tent is For

Those who are looking for convenience, flexibility, and affordability should take a look at getting a sauna tent. From those who live in towns with small backyards to those who want to take their sauna on the road, portable saunas provide access and privacy for a personal sauna experience.

Outdoor Adventurers

Imagine coming back from a long day adventuring to a warm sauna, a quick jump in the lake, and a hot meal. Tent saunas are also a great choice for winter camping as the hot rocks continue to heat the tent even after the sauna session, keeping you toasty warm all night. For those spending time in the great outdoors, a portable sauna will be sure to take your trip to the next level!

Renters

Being a renter doesn’t exclude you from enjoying the benefits of a home sauna. With even a small backyard or patio, you can set up a sauna tent and enjoy the heat. And because most sauna kits pack up small, you won’t need to worry about where to store it afterward as a garage shelf will do.

Athletes

Studies have confirmed that athletes benefit from regular sauna use. Portable saunas allow access to training camps and other areas where a traditional sauna may not be available.

Top Benefits of a Portable Sauna Tent

Portable sauna tents offer some solid benefits over traditional saunas.

1. Take it With You (Off-Grid)

You can take your tent to the beach, the mountains, the river-you name it. As outdoor sauna tents are off-grid, you can enjoy your sauna far away from the noise and bustle of town. Enjoy the night sky, take a dip in a cold lake, and relax!

2. Small Footprint

Sauna tents don’t take up much space making them ideal for the backyard. And because they are portable, simply store them and return your yard back to normal in a matter of a few minutes.

3. Easy to Store

Sauna tents fold up into carrying cases and the stoves dissemble and pack within themselves. This makes them easy to store in garages, attics, or closets. They are also easy to stash in the back of a pickup or car trunk for transport.

4. Lower Cost

Sauna tents are more affordable than wood-built structures. Most good outdoor sauna tents cost around $1,200- 4,000 dollars depending on size and accessories. They also don’t use electricity, so other than the cost of wood, your sauna outing will be fairly cheap.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Sauna Tent

When you’re looking to purchase a sauna tent, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your needs. 

Size

How many people do you expect to be using the sauna regularly? Most sauna tents hold from two all the way up to eight people depending on the make and model. If you are unsure, a 4 person sauna is your best bet.

Type of Material Used in Construction

What kind of material are the walls made of and how well do they insulate? A good insulated sauna tent will hold the heat inside for a long time. Watch out for cheap tent saunas from big box stores. Many of these have been mass-produced in the quickest way possible.

It is worth it to buy from sauna tent companies who know their stuff when it comes to saunas. Companies like North Shore Saunas and Overland Saunas focus specifically on quality and user experience and they understand what sauna users are looking for.

It’s important to verify that the tent you are choosing has been tested for any off-gassing from the tent materials and is low emf. The last thing you want is to prepare yourself for a healthy spa experience only to have it ruined by foul chemical smells coming from the sauna’s walls. 

Ease of Transport and Set Up

Can the sauna be assembled by one to two people? How heavy is it when packaged up? Can you carry it by hand, or do you need a cart to move it? Depending on the size of the sauna, you may be able to carry it by hand if you aren’t going far. However, if you are assembling an 8-person sauna down by the lake, it will be handy to have a wagon to haul it with.

Most sauna tents will take 10-20 minutes to set up. Weight varies between tents based on size but generally around 60-80 lbs. including stove weight as well. 

Type of Stove and Adequate Ventilation

Consider what type of wood-burning stove the sauna has. You want a stove with adequate room for wood as well as a rock basket to place all the sauna rocks used for creating steam. Also, does the kit come with a chimney package or is that sold separately?

Most wood-fired sauna tent stoves will take about 20- 30 minutes to heat up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Some may heat up even faster.

Check how the main ventilation handled. Smaller tents will have one chimney, while larger tents may have two. Are there easily-accessible windows available for extra ventilation if needed?

Accessories and Add-Ons

Some portable outdoor sauna kits come with stoves, while others will be an additional charge as an add-on. The same with chimneys, sauna stove rocks, and sitting benches for inside the sauna. Be sure to read the descriptions to see exactly what is included in your tent kit.

Our Top 3 Picks for the Best Portable Sauna Tents

Best Overall: North Shore Sauna Nova 4

We like that North Shore Saunas is an American veteran-owned company out of Minnesota from people who know and understand saunas. North Shore has 4 models of tent saunas with 3 levels of pricing from a starter package up to a premium package for each one.

The Nova 4 model is a newer version of their well-known Prism sauna tent. The Nova 4 Premium package is your one-stop shop to getting all the accessories you need along with your tent package.

Best Budget Sauna Tent: Overland Sauna

The Overland Sauna Kit is a basic kit with all of the main components you need to get started. The only downsides to this kit is that you will need to buy a few accessories like a sauna bucket and ladle and a bench separately.

Best Large Sauna Tent: North Shore Sauna Dome

If there is a large group you are taking camping, the North Shore Dome Sauna will be the perfect fit for you. It holds 8 people comfortably with benches and two stoves to keep the heat spread evenly throughout the tent.

Portable Steam Sauna Health Benefits

Just as regular steam saunas do, steam sauna tents offer numerous health benefits for both the body and mind. The heat generated in the sauna can help improve cardiovascular function, promote detoxification, and relieve muscle tension and soreness. Additionally, sauna therapy has been shown to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.

Some research also suggests that sauna therapy can boost the immune system and help the body fight off infections. If you would like to learn more, we’ve listed 25 of the best health benefits here.

Do Sauna Tents Work as Well as Traditional Saunas?

Although tent saunas work as well as normal steam saunas when it comes to sweating, relaxing, and warming up, they do have some potential drawbacks.

Durability and Longevity

Portable steam saunas are made to be durable and of strong material. However, they are still a tent with soft material sides and a bad windstorm, hail, or heavy snowfall could affect how long your sauna lasts. Look for the type of sauna tent with a protective cover option and tent stakes to hold it down.

Set-up and Take Down

Because you have to assemble and take down the portable sauna each time you use it, the time involved in this may dissuade last-minute sauna sessions. However, most hard-core sauna lovers would say the benefits far outweigh any inconvenience.

FAQ: Sauna Tents

Q: Are sauna tents safe to use? A: Sauna tents are generally safe for most individuals when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, individuals with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or pregnancy should consult with a healthcare professional before using a sauna tent. When using a wood-fired sauna, use extra care when handling the fire and sauna stove.

Q: How long should I stay in a sauna tent? A: The recommended time for sauna sessions can vary depending on the individual and comfort level. It’s generally recommended to start with shorter sessions, around 10-15 minutes, and gradually increase the duration as tolerated. Be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks to cool off as needed.

Q: Can sauna tents help with weight loss? A: While sauna tents can help promote detoxification and relaxation, they are not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise when it comes to weight loss. Any weight loss experienced while using a sauna tent is likely due to water loss through sweating and will be temporary.

Q: How hot does a sauna tent get? A: Most sauna tents we looked at routinely get up to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The benefits of a sauna are best felt between 170-200 degrees Fahrenheit.