One possible solution for those looking for a home sauna is an outdoor sauna. These saunas are perfect for some people as they allow you to have a high-quality sauna, without actually having to build a room for the sauna. You simply just construct a kit and you’re ready to go.
Another benefit of these types of saunas is that you’re not confined to a small area. So you can find saunas that are much larger than most indoor saunas. In fact, some outdoor saunas can fit as many as 6 people. This is something that most indoor saunas cannot do since they are built for the small compact areas.
With that being said finding the top outdoor sauna for sale is easy once you know which type of sauna you want. There are many different types of outdoor saunas on the market. The two most common types that you’ll find are traditional electric saunas and infrared saunas. In this post, we’ll review these saunas and ultimately show you the best outdoor saunas on the market.
Outdoor Sauna Comparison Guide
SDI Saunas Outdoor Sauna- 6 KW Electric Sauna Heater.
- Can fit up to 4 people.
- Uses tempered glass door.
- Includes bucket, ladle, and thermometer/hydrometer.- 700 Pounds
- 72 x 72 x 77 Inches
- 220V / 30A
Western Pasific Outdoor Sauna- 8 ceramic heating panels.
- Sound system with 2 speakers and AUX port.
- 4 LED reading lights..
- Chromotherapy lighting and oxygen ionizer.- 550 Pounds
- 59.1 x 59.1 x 84.5 Inches
- 220V / 30A
RGX Outdoor Sauna- 4.5 KW eletric sauna heater.
- Can fit up to 4 people.
- Built in front sitting area.
- Tinted tempered glass door.- 694 Pounds
- 70.9 x 70.9 x 70.9 Inches
- 220V / 30A
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Best Outdoor Saunas
1. 4 Person Outdoor Traditional Sauna w/ Canadian Cedar
First on the list is the 4 person outdoor traditional sauna. This barrel type sauna can seat up to 4 and looks great in any backyard. In addition, its quality materials allow it to last years without any issues.
This canopy barrel sauna is built with Canadian Cedar wood. This type of wood is extremely durable and can withstand the outdoors with ease. The sauna also comes with stainless steel bands, hinges, and fasteners for additional security.
To power, this sauna is a 6KW sauna heater which is bigger than the 2 person sauna down below. This upgraded heater allows the sauna to heat up in a very short amount of time.
Inside the sauna are two separate benches that face each other. These benches are perfect for lounging and laying down. They are very comfortable and allow you to relax without putting a strain on your back.
For great visibility, this sauna comes with LED lighting and has a tempered glass door. This glass door allows natural light to get in without having to use more energy.
Overall this is one of the best outdoor sauna on the market. Its unique barrel design allows multiple people to use the sauna while staying hot. We highly recommend this product and advise you to check it out if you’re looking for a premium outdoor sauna.
- Can fit a total of 4 people.
- Possibly the most durable sauna available.
- Built with quality Cedar wood.
- None.
Technical Details:
Product Dimensions: 72 x 72 x 77 inches
Weight: 700 pounds
Electrical Requirement: 220v / 30 Amps
Heating Source: 6KW Traditional Sauna Heater
Max Temperature: 194 Degrees F.
2. 4 Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna w/ Hemlock Wood
The second outdoor sauna on this review is a 4 person infrared sauna. This sauna made it on the list because of its many features and overall great value.
This sauna is built with durable Hemlock Wood. The wood itself is made with tongue and groove construction. The roof of the sauna is fully shingled and waterproof. Overall this outdoor sauna is very strong and is built to last.
Within the sauna are 6 XL ceramic infrared heaters. Four of which are on the back walls and two of which are under the benches. These heaters are energy-efficient, but still produce the intense heat you need to sweat profusely.
Also within the sauna is a digital control panel. You use this to set the temperature and time duration. There is also a CD player/Radio with 2 speakers. Which are perfect for setting the atmosphere within the sauna. There is also 4 LED lights and an ionizer within the sauna.
For added light, there are multiple windows. Including one on the door itself. These weather-sealed tempered glass windows are built to last the wear and tear that the outside brings.
When turned on the sauna takes around 30 minutes to heat up. When it’s heated up it can reach temperatures as high as 140 degrees F. Even though this is much lower than traditional saunas, it’s still very effective at making you sweat. We found ourselves to be in a full sweat in only 5 minutes within the sauna (after it was already heated up).
Overall we found this sauna to be the best value. It has many features and is built with durable materials. So if you’re looking for a great outdoor sauna with a lot of features then this is the sauna for you.
- Packed with tons of features.
- Utilizes 6 large infrared heating panels.
- Offers the best value out of any other outdoor sauna.
- None.
Technical Details:
Product Dimensions: 59.1 x 59.1 x 84.5 inches
Weight: 550 pounds
Electrical Requirement: 220v / 30 Amps
Heating Source: 8 XL High Quality Ceramic Far Infrared Heaters
Max Temperature: 140 Degrees F.
3. 4 Person Outdoor Traditional Sauna w/ Hemlock Wood
The third outdoor sauna on the list is a 4 person traditional sauna. This is a very powerful sauna that offers the same type of experience that most sauna users are conditioned to.
This outdoor sauna is a canopy barrel sauna made with Hemlock Wood. On the outside of the sauna is an exterior porch. The porch provides a space to cool down and to place towels and drinks. This little add on is extremely convenient and adds a stylish and functional component to the sauna.
This sauna is a larger model so it fits up to 6 people, but can realistically sit up to 4 comfortably. This is great as it allows you to spread out in the sauna and not feel claustrophobic.
To power the sauna is a 6KW sauna heater. This heater is very powerful and can reach a top temperature of 194 degrees F. This sauna gets very hot and will successfully leave you in a sweat after a few minutes. On the heater itself is a control for the temperature and the time duration.
The sauna is very durable and is made to last the wear and tear of the outdoors. With the looks of the sauna, we found it to be perfect in any backyard or garden setting. It’s honestly a beautiful sauna and the outside porch adds on to the looks. Overall we found this to be an awesome outdoor sauna. If you’re looking for something very powerful and durable than this is the sauna for you.
- Made with quality Hemlock Wood.
- Gets very hot in a short amount of time.
- Can handle the wear and tear of the outdoors.
- None.
Technical Details:
Product Dimensions: 60 x 72 x 77 inches
Weight: 585 pounds
Electrical Requirement: 220v / 30 Amps
Heating Source: 6KW Traditional Sauna Heater
Max Temperature: 194 Degrees F.
4. 3 Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna w/ Canadian Cedar
The next outdoor sauna on the list is a 3 person infrared sauna. We found this sauna to have the most features out of any sauna on this list. For this reason in landed third on the list.
This particular model is made from Canadian Cedar and can sit a maximum of 3 people. The sauna is environmentally friendly and retains heat more effectively than most other saunas on the market.
The sauna is heated by 8 dual force ceramic carbon heaters. 8 heaters is a lot for the space inside the sauna so you’ll sweat profusely as this sauna can get very hot.
This 3 person sauna also has many features. These features include radio/CD/MP3 players, 2 speakers, carbon floor heaters covered by ceramic tile, LED color chromotherapy w/ a remote, ionizer, dual digital controls, cup holder, towel rack, inside and outside lights, magazine rack, and tempered glass for the door and window.
When testing this sauna we quickly fell in love with all the features. They just made the sauna seem more luxurious and added onto the value. The only negative thing is that it only seats 3 people. This might be perfect for some people, but we like more room so we would rather have a 4 person. Still, the sauna is very good. We recommend it to anyone who needs a quality outdoor sauna, that has many features and can seat 3 people.
- Most features out of any other outdoor sauna.
- Large glass window helps visibility.
- Gets very hot with its 8 infrared heaters.
- Only seats 3 people.
Technical Details:
Product Dimensions: 51.5 x 61.5 x 82 inches
Weight: 400 pounds
Electrical Requirement: 120v / 20 Amps
Heating Source: Dual Force Ceramic and Carbon Heaters
Max Temperature: Unknown
5. 4 Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna w/ Canadian Cedar
Last on the list is 4 person infrared sauna. Like the first sauna, it’s built with quality materials but is a little more expensive. Since you essentially get the same product as the first sauna, we put it in last place because of its price.
This particular sauna is made with Canadian Cedar. The great construction of the sauna allows it to retain heat efficiently. Along with this, the sauna is also very durable. So the outdoor weather won’t destroy the unit.
To heat the sauna is 8 carbon fiber heaters. These are dual force heaters so they heat the sauna easily and effectively. Along with this there are covered carbon floor heaters. They are covered by ceramic tile and give the sauna a luxurious feeling.
Also inside the sauna are multiple features. These features include a radio/CD/MP3 player, speakers, LED chromotherapy, a remote control, ionizer, dual digital controls, a cup holder, towel rack, indoor and outdoor lights, magazine rack, and tempered glass on both the door and the windows.
Overall this is a great outdoor sauna. It’s tough and can handle the wear and tear of being outdoors. It also has many features to make it seem luxurious. The only negative thing is that it’s a little more expensive than the first sauna.
With that being said if you like the features on this sauna and want to purchase it then go for it. It’s a great sauna and offers a wonderful value.
- Built with quality and durable materials.
- Included carbon floor heaters.
- Most expensive outdoor infrared sauna.
Technical Details:
Product Dimensions: Back Walls: 61″, Side Walls: 28″, Front Wall: 50″, Height: 82″
Weight: 500 pounds
Electrical Requirement: 220v / 30 Amps
Heating Source: 8 Dual Force Infrared Heaters
Max Temperature: Unknown
Outdoor Sauna: What To Look For
Outdoor saunas are a convenient option for those looking for a home sauna. These unique devices are shipped and constructed in your backyard. This is ideal as this it typically gives you more square footage in your sauna. In addition, you don’t have to worry about renovating a room in your home for a sauna. When looking for your own outdoor sauna we recommend contemplating the following factors.
Type of Sauna
One of the most important factors when searching for an outdoor sauna is the type of sauna. There are three different options to choose from: electric traditional saunas, infrared saunas, and wood-burning saunas. All of these options have their own benefits and negatives.
Out of those three, traditional saunas and infrared saunas are the most popular. These saunas heat up in different ways and thus have different maximum temperatures. Traditional saunas can reach a temperature of 194 while infrared saunas can typically reach a max temperature of 150-160.
If you’re looking for an extreme heat sauna then we recommend going with the traditional route, but if you like cooler sauna sessions then an infrared sauna might be the best option for you. It should also be noted that infrared saunas typically contain more features since they don’t run as hot.
Size
The next factor you should consider is the size of the sauna, specifically the number of people that can fit in the sauna. Outdoor saunas can typically accommodate anywhere from 2-8 people, which is a lot more than most home saunas. So if you have a large family or plan on sauna bathing with a lot of people then its wise to get a larger unit.
One thing you should keep in mind is that the larger saunas typically have more features and have much larger heaters. These features can be highly beneficial and add the sauna bathing experience. At the same time, their larger heaters typically mean they consume more energy which will increase utility bill.
Design
The next factor you should think about is the design of the sauna. There are multiple design types, but the two most common are barrel saunas and square saunas. In our opinion barrel saunas look better in a backyard area and tend to last longer than other options.
On the other hand, square saunas look like small houses and are typically taller then barrel saunas. Their triangle roofs are typically shingled and give it a cute cozy feeling. Ultimately the best design is completely subjective, so look at various models until you find the one you like the best.
Materials
The next factor you should think about is the materials used for building the sauna. In most cases, outdoor saunas are built with hemlock, cedar, or pine wood. These are highly durable and can withstand the extreme environment that saunas promote. Any saunas using woods other then these will degrade quickly and begin to fail.
Other materials you should look out for include the glass and metals of the sauna. Some saunas are built with metal bands and fasteners to hold the sauna together. You want to make sure these fasteners are made with steel or other durable metals. In addition, the glass door or windows should be tempered for safety reasons.
Features
The last thing you should contemplate about when looking for an outdoor sauna is its features. In today’s modern age saunas contain multiple features to enhance your sauna bathing experiences. Some of these features can greatly improve your physical results from the sauna session while others increase your mental relaxation.
Some of these features include glass doors, backrests, magazine holder, internal and external temperature controls, internal and external LED lights, AUX port, CD player, speakers, ozone therapy, chomo therapy, and etc.
One great feature that only some outdoor saunas provide is a small exterior porch area. This area allows you to sit and cool down after your sauna session. This is highly beneficial as cooling down is essential to sauna bathing and it also adds a great cosmetic appeal to the sauna.
Outdoor Sauna Benefits
One great thing about outdoor saunas is that they give you a lot of options to choose from. What I mean by this is that you can choose from 2, 4, or 6 person saunas. You also have the ability to choose what type of sauna you would like. The most common types of outdoor saunas are traditional saunas and infrared saunas.
With these many options, you are able to find the perfect match for your particular situation. So if you want an outdoor sauna that has many features then an outdoor infrared sauna will be best for you. On the other hand, if you simply want the most powerful outdoor sauna then a traditional sauna is the best option for you.
With that being said there are some notable differences between these outdoor saunas. Infrared saunas use infrared carbon panels to create their heat. The infrared light that these panels produce heat up the surface of your skin. Which then makes you sweat. Since this is so, infrared saunas usually reach a maximum temperature of around 150 degrees F. One negative aspect about infrared saunas is that they cannot produce steam. So keep that in mind when deciphering which sauna is best for you.
Traditional outdoor saunas are much different from infrared saunas. These sauna types use heating elements and sauna stones to produce their heat. Traditional saunas heat up by convection and can reach a max temperature of around 194 degrees F. As you can see this is a much higher temperature than infrared saunas. With that being said traditional saunas use more energy and usually have fewer features than infrared saunas.
With the above information in mind, we do want to clarify that both saunas have the same health benefits. Even though one reaches a higher temperature, they both are very effective at making you sweat. They are also both very effective at pain relief, detoxification, improved circulation, weight loss, lower blood pressure, anti-aging benefits, and etc.
One huge benefit that outdoor saunas allow is the convenience of having more space. Since you’re not building a sauna room within the house you don’t have the limitations of a small space. Instead, you have a lot of room for a larger sauna (if you prefer one). This is also perfect as you don’t have to make a custom sauna specifically for your house. Instead, you can purchase an awesome kit that has everything you need and is much cheaper than something custom.
Overall outdoor saunas have many benefits and are a possible solution to your sauna bathing needs. If outdoor saunas are too big for your needs then we recommend checking out portable saunas.
