The 10 Best Home Saunas of 2023

Aug 20, 2023

Botaro’s Maxxus Saunas MX-J206-01 Seattle Carbon FAR Infrared Sauna is our top pick because of its high quality and thoughtful features.

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Better Homes & Gardens / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Buying a home sauna can be quite the splurge, but according to experts, it’s one that’s well worth it. With benefits to cardiovascular and vascular health, blood pressure, heart rate variability, lung issues, and even longevity, a sauna is a valuable piece of health equipment.

To learn about what users need in a home sauna, and some of the factors to consider when choosing one for home use, we spoke to Dr. Tom Ingegno, DACM LAC, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Charm City Integrative Health in Baltimore, Maryland, a clinic that offers sauna services as part of its holistic treatments.

“There are so many options out there for home saunas,” says Dr. Ingegno. “The most significant considerations are budget, the amount of space you have for a sauna, and the type of sauna you are interested in. The whole point is to sweat, so as long as the system you choose can get hot enough to get you doing that, you are already going in the right direction.”

Amazon

It fits two people at a time, has FAR infrared technology, and is reasonably priced.

It’s not suitable for outside use, even if it’s in a covered area.

Made from reforested Canadian hemlock wood, our top pick for the best home sauna—the Botaro Maxxus Saunas MX-J206-01 Seattle Carbon FAR Infrared Sauna—is a top-quality sauna with thick double-paneled interior and exterior wood planks. This allows the sauna to retain more heat, heat up faster, and waste less energy.

Two people can fit in this sauna (which can also help save further energy), and, as an added bonus, there’s also a foot heater. The sauna distributes soft heat smoothly and evenly, and while ceramic heaters may need their panels replaced every so often, the energy-efficient carbon heating panels in this sauna are made for life. Setup is simple, with the unit only taking around an hour to fully construct.

The heat is just the right temperature, allowing users to sit in the sauna for the maximum allowed period of around 40 to 60 minutes. There’s a soft-touch control panel with a clear LED display that shows the temperature, time, and settings. What’s more, you can even play music while you sweat away as there are built-in MP3 aux-connecting speakers.

Price at time of publish: $1,999

Product Details: Dimensions: 41.3 x 47.2 x 74.8 inches | Suggested Number of People: Two | Sauna Style: Infrared

Amazon

It’s compact and portable, so it’s easy to store or take on the go.

Your head won’t be in the sauna.

If you are on a budget or simply don’t have the space for a larger sauna, the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa is compact, economical, easy to use, and effective.

This mini sauna comes with its own foldable chair that you sit on inside the portable unit, and there are two holes for your hands if you’d like to read a book or get your inbox in order on your phone while you steam—something you are not able to do with a conventional sauna. You can even watch TV since your whole head is outside of the actual sauna. There’s also a foot heating pad to make sure you’re nice and toasty enough to get a good sweat.

You can adjust the temperature on this single-person sauna to your liking, up to 140 degrees F, and use it for up to 60 minutes at a time. The unit is available to buy in either black, gray, or white, however, once you’ve finished using it, you can compactly fold it up and store it away out of sight. It’s the best home sauna for anyone on a budget as it offers many benefits without breaking the bank.

Price at time of publish: $150

Product Details: Dimensions: 27.6 x 31.5 x 37.8 inches | Suggested Number of People: One | Sauna Style: Infrared

Wayfair

It’s a top-tier sauna for multiple people.

It’s large and doesn’t have speakers.

Similar to the saunas you’d find down at the gym, the professional-grade Almost Heaven Saunas Bridgeport Indoor Traditional Steam Sauna is one of the best home saunas you can buy. It’s a large and efficient model that’s perfect for anyone set on making their own spa room at home. It comes without a floor, meaning it uses the floor you already have in your bathroom, basement, or spa room. However, it’s compatible with almost any flooring type except for carpet, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

There are three roomy benches in the sauna, enough for six people to sit comfortably. There’s a tempered glass door with a large handle and soft lighting that creates a relaxing ambiance. Since it’s rather on the large side, it does need around 45 to 60 minutes of prep to reach optimal temperature. With its rust- and corrosion-resistant electric heater, the sauna can reach a maximum temperature of 190 degrees F.

Made of rot-resistant cedar wood that comes in pre-fabricated tongue-and-groove sections, this antimicrobial sauna is fairly easy to put together, although it will take several hours due to its size. If you’re not feeling too confident about building it yourself, you might want to bring in some professional help. The only complaint is that speakers aren’t included, so you can’t play relaxing music while you sweat.

Price at time of publish: $8,619

Product Details: Dimensions: 63 x 86 x 78 inches | Suggested Number of People: Six | Sauna Style: Traditional steam

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It’s a quaint and charming outdoor sauna that’s resistant to corrosion, mildew, rot, and rust.

It needs to be placed on a sturdy and even surface.

Not all saunas are suitable for outdoor use—in fact, most of them are not—so it can be quite a task to find a good one for your outside space. The Almost Heaven Saunas Audra Traditional Steam Sauna is ideal for outdoor use and provides a mini rustic spa in the comfort of your own backyard.

This barrel-shaped sauna made from solid cedar wood can accommodate up to four people and has a maximum heat of 195 degrees F. The construction material is weather resistant plus mildew, rot, corrosion, water, and rust resistant.

This antimicrobial sauna is also suitable for indoor use, so it’s worth noting if you have the space for it. There’s a large full-length tempered glass door, and you can opt to have a vista window added at the back for a better view of your outdoor area.

There are two benches on the inside, as well as two smaller ones on the outside if you need to take a break. It also features soft LED lighting, a fresh air vent, and a timer. It comes with full setup instructions, but it’s a two-person job to assemble. If you’re after the best home sauna for outdoor use, then you’ll want to add this model to your cart.

Price at time of publish: $6,909

Product Details: Dimensions: 77 x 72 x 72 inches | Suggested Number of People: Four | Sauna Style: Traditional steam

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It features advanced FAR infrared technology, is Bluetooth compatible, and has a remote control.

It won’t reach maximum heat capacity if placed in a cold room with an ambient temperature lower than 68 degrees F.

If you’re looking for a sauna just for yourself, this is the best home sauna for you. The Dynamic Infrared Barcelona Single-Person Infrared Sauna is an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient unit made from reforested Canadian hemlock wood planks. The sauna’s construction is designed to retain more heat and heat up faster than competitor models. It features low EMF heating technology with FAR infrared that evenly distributes a soft, comfortable heat throughout the sauna.

This aesthetically pleasing sauna unit includes an easy-to-navigate control panel, a fresh-air vent, and a handheld control to operate it remotely. This unit comes with a floor, so you don’t have to rely on your basement, garage, or spa room flooring. There are six heaters and an adjustable temperature that goes up to a maximum of 140 degrees F.

Soft LED lighting makes the whole experience even more atmospheric, and there’s also a Bluetooth-compatible MP3 player auxiliary output so you can further set a relaxing mood. To assemble the sauna, you’ll need a screwdriver, ladder, and maybe an extra set (or two) of hands. The model comes with a reasonable five-year limited warranty for any defects and is recommended for indoor use only.

Keep in mind that if the sauna is placed in a cool room, like a garage or basement, with an ambient temperature lower than 68 degrees F, it will have difficulty reaching the maximum heat.

Price at time of publish: $1,899

Product Details: Dimensions: 36 x 39 x 75 inches | Suggested Number of People: One |Sauna Style: FAR infrared

Wayfair

This six-person sauna features 15 carbon heaters, a TV, and a stereo.

It isn’t bluetooth compatible.

For the best multi-person sauna, the Dynamic Infrared Monaco Six-Person Indoor is our top pick. It’s a six-person solid wood FAR infrared sauna that has two benches as well as two lounging seats.

The maximum temperature of this sauna is 140 degrees F, and it features 15 carbon heater panels that helps to evenly distribute heat through the sauna. This sauna also includes a television, a stereo, a remote control, and color-changing lights. It’s not Bluetooth compatible, but there is an MP3 player auxiliary outlet so you can plug in your phone to listen to music.

The control panel is located inside the sauna, where you can control the temperature to your liking. You can see through the tempered glass door, and the flooring is included with the purchase as well. The rectangular-shaped sauna is also warp resistant and antimicrobial.

Assembly is required and you’ll want to recruit help with this project since it weighs 750 pounds. But thankfully, the only tools required for assembly are a Phillips screwdriver and a ladder. You will also need to make sure you have two separate dedicated 20 Amp/120 volt circuits for the sauna to run safely and efficiently. This sauna comes with a two-year warranty so you can have peace of mind.

Price at time of publish: $5,790

Product Details: Dimensions: 61 x 73 x 79 inches | Suggested Number of People: Six | Sauna Style: FAR infrared

Amazon

It features chromotherapy lighting and an oxygen ionizer for even more sauna benefits.

The packages are delivered curbside so you have to make your own arrangements to bring them indoors.

The Heat Wave Radiant Saunas Hemlock Infrared Sauna has plenty of features, including full-spectrum chromotherapy lighting, an oxygen ionizer to keep the air fresh at all times, and high-quality speakers and a CD player for listening to music. Two people can fit in this sauna at a time, and its six carbon heaters provide an even stream of warmth up to 141 degrees F.

This home sauna has its own floor, both indoor and outdoor recessed lighting for a more relaxing ambiance, and adjustable roof vents. There are also two LED control panels—one on the inside and one on the outside—for you to easily adjust the heat, timer, and lighting settings wherever you are. The tempered glass door on this solid hemlock wood sauna is bronze-tinted, adding yet another soothing element to this sauna for two.

A few extra perks the sauna offers are its built-in magazine rack, towel hooks, and cup holders, and it even comes with two ergonomic backrests for user comfort. It’s easy to assemble as all parts come labeled for easy identification, although the delivery person will only leave the package on your curb, meaning you might need some help bringing it in.

Price at time of publish: $2,516

Product Details: Dimensions: 49 x 39 x 75 inches | Suggested Number of People: Two | Sauna Style: Infrared

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It’s an affordable alternative to a wooden sauna, and it can fold away compactly for easy storage.

It has higher EMF levels than more professional-grade saunas.

At roughly the same price as our pick for the best home sauna for those on a budget (the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa Sauna above), the SereneLife SLISAU35BK Full Size Portable Steam Sauna offers a bit more of a real sauna-like experience, as all parts of the body get to be inside.

There are two sauna options to choose from—infrared or steam—and the steam version is available in black with a blue zipper or gray with a black zipper. All models come with a foldable chair so you can sit comfortably inside. Plus, the temperature goes up to an impressive 122 degrees F for the steam model or 140 degrees F for the portable infrared sauna.

It has an adjustable time setting for up to 60 minutes at a time, and it comes with a remote control. The sauna works with a 4-liter, energy-efficient heating mechanism that connects to the sauna “room,” and there are two windows to let in the light, so you don’t have to sit in complete darkness.

If you don’t find the included chair useful (it might not be comfortable for larger users), you can always replace it with a wooden stool or a larger folding lawn chair. Once you’re finished using it, you can simply fold it and store it away until your next sweat session or spa night.

Price at time of publish: $252

Product Details: Dimensions: 35.4 x 35.4 x 70.9 inches | Suggested Number of People: One | Sauna Style: Infrared

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It can be adjusted to multiple configurations and can fit up to four people.

It does not have its own floor, so it has to be placed on appropriate flooring.

To turn your bathroom or designated sauna area into a space that looks like something you’d find in a luxury hotel, the best home sauna is the Almost Heaven Saunas Worthington 4-Person Indoor Traditional Steam Sauna. It has a gorgeous minimal Scandinavian design, with light brown solid wood, ambient backlighting, and an entire front made from tempered and lightly tinted glass.

The sauna arrives partially pre-assembled, which helps make installation easier. The roof and walls come ready, so once you’ve put them up all you have to do is set up the heating element and the steam function.

It is roomy enough for four people to sit in comfortably, and you can configure the upper and retractable lower benches however you prefer. It comes with backrests that are also adjustable for added comfort.

It heats up to a maximum of 195 degrees F, and the unit is antimicrobial and resistant to rot, rust, and corrosion. Since the unit doesn’t come with its own floor, it should be placed on either concrete, tile, ceramic, concrete, or vinyl.

There are accessories you can purchase separately, like Sauna Essentials Kit which includes a wooden bucket and ladle, a thermometer/hygrometer, a backrest, a leg rest, and two robe hooks. Though the sauna is a big investment, it’s backed by the manufacturer’s lifetime limited warranty, with a five-year warranty for the heater.

Price at time of publish: $10,192

Product Details: Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 61 inches | Suggested Number of People: Four | Sauna Style: Steam

Sun Home Saunas

It’s an easy and less expensive way to get sauna benefits without having a designated home spa space.

It has to be laid flat to use and must be used on a heat-tolerating surface as the bottom gets quite hot.

Owning a full-sized home sauna just isn’t feasible for many due to either budget or space constraints, so we were excited to receive a Sun Home Saunas Infrared Sauna Blanket to try out. If you’d still love the benefits of having an infrared sauna at home without having to splurge or have a designated home sauna room, this option is an excellent alternative.

This innovative, low-EMF sauna blanket takes around 10–15 minutes to reach maximum temperature and is designed to be used while wearing moisture-absorbing clothes. As with most saunas, make sure to remove all jewelry before using it as these items could get quite hot and cause burns.

To use it, simply unfold it and lay it flat on any heat-tolerant surface like a carpeted or hardwood floor, a yoga mat, or even your couch or bed (not a waterbed, or latex or foam mattress as the bottom gets hotter than the top). The connected controller allows you to set the temperature from 95 to 167 degrees F. It also has a timer that you can set for up to 60 minutes.

For your first time, it’s best to start at around 120 degrees F for 20 minutes, then increase this by 10 minutes for each session until you can comfortably stay in for 60 minutes for maximum sauna benefits. Once you’ve set the temperature and timer, get in it and close yourself in with the Velcro straps that are designed to seal in the heat.

After use, the blanket should be cleaned using either a regular multipurpose household cleaner or a gentle detergent. You’ll also want to wipe it down dry once it’s completely cooled down before you store it away. It folds down to the size of an average chunky blanket, so it can be put away in a linen closet until the next time you want to use it.

Price at time of publish: $499

Product Details: Dimensions: 71 x 63 inches | Suggested Number of People: One | Sauna Style: Infrared sauna blanket

The Botaro Maxxus Saunas MX-J206-01 Seattle Carbon FAR Infrared Sauna is our top pick for the best home sauna. It’s a great value, easy to set up, heats up quickly, and retains heat. It also has speakers, so you can listen to relaxing music while you relax.

There are a few types of sauna styles you should know about—traditional steam saunas, infrared saunas, and dry saunas. To help, Dr. Ingegno shared the differences between the main types of home saunas.

Traditional saunas, sometimes called Finnish saunas, tend to run the hottest, with maximum temperatures over 200 degrees F. Usually, the sessions are shorter, lasting for 15 to 20 minutes at most. These units often have heated rocks that a small amount of water can be splashed on to create a little bit of steam. This type of sauna is still relatively dry, other than your sweat.

Steam saunas, like the tiled steam rooms at some gyms, have quite a bit of steam. They tend to run at lower temperatures, between 110 to 120 degrees F, yet some people prefer moist rather than dry heat. These units require some plumbing and are usually made of tile, so this raises costs. Many must be custom-built into the space and require cleaning to keep mold away.

Infrared saunas use infrared heat to warm the body from the inside out. It may take longer to start sweating, but the heat may be more tolerable for some people. These temperatures range from 120 to 140 degrees F, and sessions usually last 30 to 60 minutes. Many of these units ship flat and can be assembled quickly since the heating panels are flat.

If you are installing a home sauna, there are various sizes and shapes available to buy to fit into whatever space you choose. Full-size options typically range from 60-70 inches in height, and 35-85 inches in width, depending on how many people it has capacity for. Depths usually vary between around 35-70 inches. “If you choose a larger sauna, be aware that it will take longer to reach optimal temperature,” Dr. Ingegno says.

In relation to capacity, some home saunas have a capacity of one to two people, while others can hold up to around six people, like the Dynamic Infrared Monaco Six-Person Indoor Sauna. The suggested number of people is clearly stated on each sauna, and this should be adhered to for safety and optimal benefits.

If you’re planning on solo use, portable saunas, such as the SereneLife SLISAU35BK Full Size Portable Steam Sauna, are available which are much smaller and more economical than full-sized versions. Portable saunas are made for the user to sit down in, and some only come up to the neck. Most portable units can fold relatively flat to fit under a bed or in a closet for convenient storage.

Home saunas can be placed either inside or outside (if specifically stated for outdoor-use), and typically need to be placed on a suitable finished floor and in a covered area to stay protected from the elements. Basements with adequate flooring, large tiled bathrooms, and garages with some extra space are also popular places for home sauna installation.

Ava Johanna, avid sauna user and Founder of the breathwork and meditation platform The Academy of Breath suggests first properly preparing the room or environment you will be keeping the sauna in as it won't be moving after you install it. “For example, we cleaned out the entire garage, swept and washed the floors, laid down high-impact rubber floor mats to keep the sauna off the ground, and organized the area around the sauna so we had space to install it,” Johanna explains. “Even with a one-person sauna, it’s best to plan the space around the sauna versus trying to fit the sauna into a space.”

In addition, she advises taking measurements of where the sauna is going to be, then building the space around the sauna measurements, especially if you're planning to put the sauna in a room or garage that has other items already in it. Saunas for home use typically come ready to install with connectable pieces and detailed instructions, and many don’t even require power tools in order to set them up. You will, however, often need a basic screwdriver, and it’s a two-person job.

“Once you have your space planned around the sauna and the box arrives, give yourself a buffer of time to unpack the box and put the sauna together,” Johanna says. “We cleared five hours of our schedule to set it up, and you can absolutely build it with two people. Just make sure to read the directions first before you start building so the build goes faster and less mistakes are made.”

When it comes to the best home saunas, you can expect to spend anywhere from $200 for a compact style to upwards of $10,000 for a more advanced pick. The price is mainly impacted by the size, material, and additional features the home sauna offers, like multiple settings or speakers to play music.

Regardless of which type you choose, it will require electricity to run it, which makes for an additional cost. For some larger styles, you may also have to account for an additional assembly fee.

Most of the research today is done with Finnish or infrared saunas. Steam saunas do have benefits, but fewer studies include them. “If you prefer moist heat, steam saunas may be better for you,” Dr. Ingegno says. “If you are looking for more options regarding sizes and shapes, infrared will be your best option.”

Home saunas are an investment but depending on your needs and usage, it may be worth considering the splurge.

"If you are going to use them regularly, yes, they’re worth it,” Dr. Ingegno says. “With options for portable units under $200, you could end up spending more per month on a gym membership.”

This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over ten years of commerce writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, Kat reviewed and tested multiple saunas, researching factors such as each sauna's dimensions, style, and capacity. She also spoke to Dr. Tom Ingegno, DACM, LAC, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Charm City Integrative Health in Baltimore, Maryland, which offers sauna services as part of its holistic treatments, and Ava Johanna, the Founder of meditation and breathwork platform, The Academy of Breath.