8 Best Home Saunas, According to Fitness Editors and Experts

Built with solid Canadian hardwood, this home sauna is durable and easy to assemble with interlocking panels. It’s compact enough to fit in tight indoor spaces (although it’s not suited for outdoor use) yet roomy enough to comfortably seat two adults. Giordano likes the great carbon tech heater (more durable than ceramic saunas), low EMF emission, and fresh air vent to keep you comfortable during longer sessions.

The built-in speakers and MP3 aux-in connection make it easy to listen to your favorite tunes or podcasts while you sweat. Free delivery makes this one an even better bargain.

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This infrared model from Dynamic Saunas ticks most of our must-have boxes. The design is minimalist, lightweight, and easy to install, with clasp-together panels that go together in less than an hour. With low EMF energy-efficient panels, it’ll save you a bit on electricity in the long run, too.

We found that its compact build can still house up to two people, making it ideal for tight indoor spaces where square footage is at a premium. Giordano loves the durable hemlock wood construction, chromotherapy lighting for a spa-like vibe, and safety settings. Plus: Free curbside delivery!

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Sunray Saunas’ Grandby is a compact, three-person outdoor model made with solid Canadian hemlock, which is resistant to weather, rot, warp, and mold. At nearly 500 pounds, it’s durable enough to survive the outdoor elements, yet it’s assembled relatively easily with just two people and a screwdriver.

Giordano likes the FAR infrared technology that heats up much faster than traditional dry saunas. A built-in oxygen ionizer ensures fresh, breathable air throughout your sweat sessions. We also like the extra features, including LED lighting, Bluetooth compatibility, and audio in/out jacks.

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Higherdose’s ultra-luxe home saunas are as good as it gets. The design is the swankiest we’ve seen all year, and the durable, premium construction is backed with a solid, five-year warranty. This full-spectrum infrared system maxes out at 174°F, courtesy of carbon/ceramic heaters with low EMF and added chromotherapy to boot.

On the downside, you’ll pay handsomely for the privilege of this model (plus a $1,000 delivery charge). However, you can save by opting for the smaller two-person model with many of the same features.

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For an ultra-compact, portable, and budget-friendly alternative to a legit home sauna, we like this steam/sauna box from X-Vcak. It’s a no-frills option, for sure. There’s only room for one and only a folding camp chair along with the portable steamer.

The trade-off is a crazy simple design that you can take almost anywhere and set up/break down in less than 20 minutes. The max 149℉ won’t compete with a genuine home sauna, but it’s still a great way to get a sweat session.

A traditional sauna like this Swedish-inspired model from Aleko Sauna offers the versatility of a wet or dry experience. With the included rocks, water bucket, an intuitive control panel, it’s easy to dial in the exact level of sweat you’re looking for.

The design is extremely heavy and durable, although it is only built for indoor use. Installation requires a dedicated electrical circuit and the help of a professional, however. It’s pricey compared to others in our roundup, but free delivery is included.

If money is no object, this five-person model is better than any other large home sauna on the market. The handsome, modern design is bolstered by all-weather, carbonized, heat-treated cedar (i.e. incredibly durable), and most features are handled via a dedicated mobile app. With 15 high-output heaters (including five infrared heaters), it heats up fast and evenly, especially compared to the cheaper options on this list.

Luxury features include Bluetooth surround sound and customizable LED lighting. Plus, it’s indoor- and outdoor-compatible. It’s big, heavy, and expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for. If only the best will do …

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How Often Should I Use a Home Sauna?

The more, the better! Dalleck says that there’s a clear relationship between how much you sauna and the benefits it provides. “Research shows people who use the sauna daily versus just 1-2 times can receive an additional 10-20% benefit,” he says. “Similarly, sauna times of 10-20 minutes come with significantly more health benefits relative to less than 10 minutes.”

Which Is Better: An Infrared or Dry Home Sauna?

Both can provide significant health benefits. Giordano says that it ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs. Traditional dry saunas usually have higher temperatures, according to Giordano. Water is poured on the heated surfaces to produce steam and increase humidity, but the primary heat source is dry. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, provide more gentle heat and potential deeper tissue penetration. They use infrared lamps or panels to emit infrared light. Infrared red light directly heats the body rather than heating the air around it.

Dalleck likes dry saunas because they tend to run hotter, and most of the available research has been done on dry saunas. He notes that infrared saunas are often more comfortable, but the primary driver behind all the above-mentioned health benefits would be improved core temperature. “So any sauna with a lower temperature [e.g., infrared saunas] would need a greater exposure time to begin to elicit the same benefits of the more traditional dry sauna,” says Dalleck. If you’re unsure which type is best for you, Dalleck suggests finding a local gym, hotel, or even a friend with a sauna to get a sense of how well it might work for you.

Do Home Saunas Really Work?

Numerous long-term scientific studies say yes! Giordano points to one Finnish study, in particular, from researchers at the University of Eastern Finland, published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2015. It followed more than 2,000 middle-aged men over the course of about 20 years, concluding a list of incredible health benefits through regular sauna use.

These included lower blood pressure, decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and decreased risk of respiratory diseases (e.g., things like pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/COPD). Giordano specifically notes a reduced risk of fatal cardiovascular events (e.g., sudden cardiac death, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and all-cause mortality), too. Most notably the risk of these CV events decreased as the frequency and duration of sauna sessions increased (e.g., twice weekly for 20 minutes per session to four times weekly for 20 minutes per session).

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