The 6 Best Home Saunas of 2024, According to a Certified Personal Trainer

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Home saunas are a really big investment, but if you’re already using a sauna—or want to start in 2024—you can’t beat the convenience of having one at home. In this article I’m going to walk you through the best home saunas, a quick description of each and the pros and cons to help you make the best decision for yourself.

Because saunas are growing in popularity, there is plenty of misinformation online about what saunas can actually do for your health. I have seen everything from "saunas burn fat" to "saunas stop your skin from aging." After highlighting our best home sauna selections, I’m dedicating space to going through the most common claims, what the research says about those claims and what you can really expect from regular sauna use. This analysis draws on my insights as a certified personal trainer and my own research.

The most important thing to remember is to always consult your doctor before you make any significant health-related decisions. That will help you mitigate any potential injuries or negative side effects, plus understand how your body will respond to regular sauna use.

Our Picks for the Best Home Saunas in 2024:

• Best Overall Home Sauna: Sun Home Equinox 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna
• Best Full Spectrum Sauna: Sunlighten Amplify Sauna
• Best Outdoor Home Sauna: Redwood Thermowood Barrel Sauna - 6 Person
• Best Infrared Sauna Blanket: Sun Home Infrared Sauna Blanket
• Best Traditional Home Sauna: Redwood Cedar Cube Outdoor Sauna – 6 Person
• Best Home Dry and Steam Sauna: SweatTent Outdoor Sauna

Best Overall Home Sauna: Sun Home Equinox 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna

Specs:

• Sauna type: Infrared
• Temperature range: Up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit
• Number of people: Two
• Dimensions: 39.9 inches L x 45.4 inches W x 70.3 inches H
• Extra features: Chromotherapy LED lights, Bluetooth surround-sound speakers, patented magnetic locking system for easier assembly
• Price at time of publication: $7,000
• Financing options: Affirm
• Warranty: Seven-year limited lifetime warranty on cabinetry and heaters, three years on controls
• Shipping: Free shipping included. Shipped on a pallet

If you’re looking for a premium home sauna loaded with features, check out our pick for best overall: Equinox, a full-spectrum infrared sauna by Sun Home. This sauna is made of sustainably sourced solid pine, which gives a natural aesthetic, perfect for minimalists or those who are going for rustic-chic decor. The build is also hand-sanded for quality assurance, and assembled with a patented magnetic locking system for ease of use and durability.

Inside this sauna are six low EMF (electromagnetic field) infrared heating panels (including near, mid and far infrared emissions) that will give you heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That is lower than traditional saunas, which can get up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. However, that doesn’t mean it’s less effective—infrared heat comes from light and directly heats your body, instead of heating the air around you (think dry heat or a steam room).

Related Post: Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro Review

You also get a modern audio system with both aux cord and Bluetooth connectivity to play music through built-in surround sound speakers. Reservation mode also allows you to "preheat" the sauna so it’s ready exactly when you are.

For more details, see our Sun Home Equinox review.

Pros:

• 500 watt full-spectrum infrared heating
• 100 percent solid wood framing
• Vibrational sound therapy upgrade is available

Cons:

• One of the pricier home saunas
• If you enjoy the presence of steam in your sauna, an infrared model may not be for you

Best Full Spectrum Sauna: Sunlighten Amplify

Specs:

• Sauna type: Infrared
• Temperature range: Up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit
• Number of people: 2–3, depending on model
• Dimensions: Amplify II–45.9 inches L x 50.9 inches W x 77.7 inches H, Amplify III–45.9 inches L x 62.3 inches W x 77.7 inches H
• Extra features: Built-in chromotherapy, premium sound system, Celliant heater covers
• Price at time of publication: Amplify II $8,049, Amplify III $8,749
• Financing options: Ally Lending
• Warranty: 7-year residential limited lifetime on cabinetry and heaters, 3 years on controls 1 year on stereo
• Shipping: 7–10 business days

According to Sunlighten, not all sauna infrared is the same. The patented SoloCarbon coating used on the infrared heaters in Sunlighten Amplify home saunas is designed to provide more and better infrared energy. The SoloCarbon process aims to maximize the emissive surfaces using a special ceramic pigment sprinkled with copper chromium. Inside the cabin are four infrared light therapy heaters and two full-spectrum high-intensity heaters that can provide temperatures up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit in an ultra-low EMF environment. Also, the heater covers have Celliant fibers designed to convert your body heat into infrared energy.

You can choose between the two-person Amplify II or the larger, three-person Amplify III. Either model is available in one of two eco-friendly wood options, basswood or eucalyptus. The boards are magnetically sealed together to help ensure durability.

The Amplify home sauna's standard features include a built-in chromotherapy system and a premium sound system that you can pair with your personal devices via Bluetooth. To enhance your experience even further, you can add an Acoustic Resonance Therapy (ART) system that provides sound and vibration therapy.

Pros:

• Six-heater system (four infrared and two halogen)
• Designed to maximize infrared energy
• Chromotherapy and sound system included

Cons:

• Requires a dedicated electrical circuit
• Large panel size might not be ideal for smaller spaces

Best Outdoor Home Sauna: Redwood Thermowood Barrel Sauna - 6 Person

Specs:

• Sauna type: Steam or dry
• Temperature range: Up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on heater
• Number of people: 4-6
• Dimensions: 71 inches L x 72.8 inches W x 76.5 inches H
• Extra features: Multiple heater options (electric or wood stove), WiFi compatible heaters for remote control, dry and steam heat options
• Price at time of publication: $5,599
• Financing options: Affirm
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty on sauna, Harvia electric heaters and Harvia stoves
• Shipping: Cost depends primarily on your location. Saunas shipped in wooden crates, heaters and accessories shipped in cardboard or wooden crates

If you’re looking for an outdoor home sauna, why not consider one that truly looks at home outside? The Redwood Thermowood Barrel Sauna certainly looks the part, made with a traditional design using Scandinavian Thermowood. The effect is more than aesthetic, though—the Thermowood process is designed to produce heat-treated wood with better stability, durability and insulation.

Inside the sauna, you'll find room for six people with two 64-inch benches and your choice of an electric heater (two options) or a wood burning stove. The Redwood Thermowood Barrel Sauna can heat up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit in under an hour depending on which heater you choose. Most importantly this sauna gives you the versatility of dry or steam heat. The Harvia KIP heater is designed for dry heat (15-25 percent relative humidity) while the Harvia Cilindro is steamier (30 percent relative humidity). For the traditional steamy sauna experience, you can choose the Harvia M3 Wood Stove.

You will have to assemble this sauna after delivery, which can be intimidating. However, I watched the 33-minute instructional video and if you’ve ever put together furniture you should have the skills you need to handle this assembly.

Pros:

• Beautiful exterior made of Thermowood
• Large, spacious interior that can fit up to six people
• Several available add-ons like roof shingles, flat flooring kit, a recliner, an outdoor shower and a cold plunge tub
• Bluetooth connectivity available

Cons:

• If you choose the wood stove, you have to buy a chimney kit separately
• Assembly could be intimidating for some users

Best Infrared Sauna Blanket: Sun Home Infrared Sauna Blanket

Specs:

• Sauna type: Infrared sauna blanket
• Temperature range: 95-167 degrees Fahrenheit
• Number of people: 1
• Dimensions: 71 inches by 63 inches
• Extra features: Remote-controlled adjustable heat
• Price at time of publication: $499
• Financing options: Affirm
• Warranty: 1-year warranty
• Shipping: Free shipping included

Let's say you want a home sauna experience that doesn't cost thousands of dollars or take a huge bite out of your square footage. The Sun Home Infrared Sauna Blanket could be the answer. This one-person sauna blanket offers a detoxifying sweat and other sauna-related benefits in an easy, convenient package. 

One of the things that make the product great for home use is that it works anywhere that has a flat, heat-tolerant surface, including floors and yoga mats. You can also travel with it. The blanket comes with a canvas carrying bag, and the AC voltage is compatible with 100-120 volt systems used in the U.S. as well as 230 and 220-240 volt systems used in the United Kingdom and EU.

Inside the polyurethane leather outer shell, the blanket surrounds you with infrared heating layers above and below. You can set the temperature between 95 and 167 degrees and time your sessions for 30 or 60 minutes. The blanket takes about 10-15 minutes to heat up. If you're concerned about exposure to electromagnetic fields, Sun Home Saunas says its shielding technology provides the lowest EMF levels in the industry.

Pros:

• Waterproof materials are easy to clean
• Less expensive than a cabin sauna

Cons:

• Emissions are far infrared rather than full-spectrum
• Not a full-body sauna experience

Best Traditional Home Sauna: Redwood Cedar Cube Outdoor Sauna - 6 Person

Specs

• Sauna type: Steam or dry
• Temperature range: Up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on heater
• Number of people: 4–6
• Dimensions: 71 inches L x 82 inches W x 82 inches H
• Extra features: WiFi compatible heater upgrade, roof shingles upgrade, stainless steel fasteners, multi-layered seating
• Price at time of publication: $8,999
• Financing options: Affirm
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty on sauna, Harvia electric heaters and Harvia stoves
• Shipping: Cost depends primarily on your location. Saunas shipped in wooden crates, heaters and accessories shipped in cardboard or wooden crates

The Redwood Cedar Cube comes with all of the quality and features of the Redwood Cedar Barrel, but with a twist. Instead of having two benches facing either other, the Redwood Cedar Cube has a multi-layered bench design with one above the other. This design gives you versatility in how you want to arrange yourself, plus more overall space that can fit up to six people, a little more comfortable than the Cedar Barrel model.

The Redwood Cedar Cube still has multiple heater options including a WiFi compatible upgrade that lets you control the temperature from your phone. It also plugs into a typical home outlet (though Redwood advises you only plug in the sauna), and it can handle heat up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The assembly will be your biggest obstacle, but Redwood provides a very helpful instructional video. If you’ve got some basic tools and you’re familiar with setting up Ikea furniture, you should do fine with assembly.

Traditional home saunas like the Redwood Cube are built to last, plus this particular sauna is made with hardened, treated lumber so you can leave it outside without worrying about the elements destroying it. However, there are also a handful of upgrades like roof shingles that will extend the lifespan even further.

Related Post: Redwood Outdoors Pacific Cold Plunge Kit Review

Pros:

• Large interior that should fit six people comfortably
• Multi-layered seating options
• Compatible with several heaters including a WiFi compatible upgrade for remote control

Cons:

• Premium pricing
• Assembly can be extensive, especially for inexperienced users

Best Home Dry and Steam Sauna: SweatTent Outdoor Sauna

Specs:

• Sauna type: Dry with a steam option
• Temperature range: Up to 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit
• Number of people: 1–3
• Dimensions: 72 inches L x 72 inches W x 84 inches H
• Extra features: Waterproof cover, ergonomic fire poker, heat resistant gloves, 20 pounds of sauna rocks with basket
• Price at time of publication: $1,599
• Financing options: Shop Pay
• Warranty: 1-year limited lifetime warranty for tent and stove
• Shipping: Free shipping inside the contiguous U.S.

SweatTent Outdoor Sauna is a portable sauna that is made from durable, double-insulated Oxford 210D nylon fabric. It also comes with a waterproof cover which means that you can leave the sauna setup outdoors indefinitely, according to the company.

SweatTent is heated by a wood fire stove that should be able to reach between 180 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit in about 30 minutes. Your purchase also includes 20 pounds of sauna rocks, an ergonomic fire poker and heat-resistant gloves that will help you stoke the fire as you find the perfect temperature.

Using a wood fire stove means SweatTent gives you dry heat. A chimney is also attached to the stove that keeps the smoke out of the tent. However, SweatTent is also versatile because you can pour water over the included sauna rocks to generate steam if you want to change up the type of heat.

For more details, see our SweatTent Outdoor Sauna review.

Pros:

• Can generate dry or steam heat
• Simple, three-minute set up and takedown
• Durable enough to stay set up outdoors indefinitely
• Wood fire heating means no EMF risk

Cons:

• Premium pricing for a tent sauna
• Does not include remote heat controls so you have to wait on the heat to build

Use code "SPORTSILLUSTRATED" to get 10% off your order.

Types of Saunas

In this section, I’m going to talk briefly about the different types of saunas you’ll see on the market (if you’re looking for a review of the benefits of sauna bathing, keep scrolling to the next section). When I say types of saunas, think about heat. There are plenty of different constructions, designs, materials and other elements of a sauna that you can choose from, but the most important question you should be asking yourself is what type of heat you’re looking for.

Dry

Dry heat is exactly what it sounds like: heat without moisture. The most common type of dry heat sauna will have an electric heater, but if you want to go the more traditional route you can find saunas that have wood fire ovens, and still others that have natural gas heaters.

Dry saunas also tend to come with a set of hot rocks (as part of your purchase or as a separate upgrade) that will sit on top of or around the sauna heater. When you pour water over these rocks you can generate steam if you want to switch between dry and steam heat.

Steam

If you want a steam sauna specifically, you don’t necessarily have to get a sauna with hot rocks and pour water yourself. That is certainly an option, but there are also saunas that have automatic steamers built into the heater.

Steam heat is fairly straightforward: once the heater gets hot enough, liquid is either poured over it or released from a pressurized system to generate steam. That steam builds up in the sauna because it is a sealed space. As the steam continues to build up, the heater maintains the temperature of the enclosed space, and your sauna bathing is done in a moist heat rather than a dry one.

Infrared

Dry and steam heat do the same thing: heat up the air around you to a certain level (many saunas on our list can handle heat up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit). Your body heats up in response to the external heat. Full spectrum infrared saunas take an entirely different approach.

Infrared heat is created by light, which means infrared saunas have heating panels that heat your body directly. You might have noticed in my list that infrared saunas tend to have lower maximum temperatures, and that’s why. You don’t want 195 degrees of heat directly heating your body.

Far infrared heat takes it even further by directly heating the body, allowing the heat to penetrate deeper into the skin. Far infrared saunas provide a more soothing warmth to your home spa compared to the sensation of direct sunlight that regular infrared offers.

Some Potential Health Benefits of Saunas

Now I can get to the real question you’ve probably been asking yourself: do saunas work? The short answer is, it depends. The long answer is, it depends on what you’re expecting. In this section I’ll walk through the most common claims I’ve found online, and what kind of support, if any, there is for those claims.

This section is not meant to look down on traditional medicine or to imply that certain benefits are impossible without scientific evidence. But this is your health and well-being, and I want to make you aware of what has been tested and proven so that you can make the best decision for you.

Weight loss

The claim: Saunas expose you to high heat which makes your body expend energy regulating temperature, and therefore you’ll burn calories.

The research: Exposing your body to extreme heat (or cold) opens up your blood vessels, raises your heart rate and forces your body to work harder to try and regulate your temperature. Theoretically, that means you are burning more calories (expending energy). However, there are a couple of studies I found that you should be aware of.

The first was a small study of 45 overweight, sedentary men who agreed to four 10 minute sauna bathing sessions with a five minute break in between. Researchers observed significant effects on heart rate, energy expenditure, blood pressure and body mass after these sessions. Energy expenditure did increase, but so did heart rate and blood pressure—which can be problematic for people with a history or higher risk of heart disease.

The second was a study of 674 college students who agreed to two 10 minute sessions with a five minute break between. The researchers measured BMI (body mass index) and BML (body mass loss). All subjects showed a decrease in BMI with BML depending on their starting weight (underweight individuals lost the least, overweight individuals lost the most). The researchers tested whether this BMI loss was just due to dehydration, but they found that rehydrating after the session did not undo the positive BMI loss.

The bottom line: Saunas do appear to increase your metabolism (how much energy your body burns) which can be a beneficial addition to your weight loss program to help reduce BMI. However, if you are at a higher risk of heart disease you need to consult your doctor before using a sauna. You also need to monitor your hydration because saunas deplete your body’s fluids.

Anti-aging and longevity

The claim: Regular sauna bathing slows the effects of aging and helps your body fight against age-related diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The research: One of the most well-known studies on the benefit of saunas was done in Finland. This study found that regular sauna bathing was associated with significantly lower risks for Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory-related diseases. Further studies need to be done to confirm the exact reason for this, but the link is established.

As far as anti-aging, one study suggests that mild heat exposure (like you would get in a sauna) can activate your internal antioxidant and cell repair processes. That means your cells, skin included, repair themselves more efficiently and take less permanent damage from sun and other exposures. You can also pair sauna bathing with vitamins for inflammation which can bring relief from conditions like arthritis.

The bottom line: Research shows a link between regular sauna bathing and anti-aging effects like healthy skin and reduced risk for memory-related diseases. However, both of the major studies cited above showed benefits when using saunas moderately—2-3 times per week.

Stress relief

The claim: Regular sauna use reduces the stress hormone cortisol, and can have beneficial effects on anxiety.

The research: The research on this claim is very limited, and all of the studies I could find were extremely small. One overview of over 40 clinical studies found that the psychological benefits of sauna bathing have far less evidence than physiological effects (like improved metabolism). Most of the studies in the overview used “self-reported” data to measure the psychological benefits on stress and anxiety, and therefore more studies need to be done.

The bottom line: There is limited evidence suggesting sauna bathing can reduce stress and anxiety directly. There are other natural ways to reduce stress like ashwagandha supplements, and regular exercise if you’re looking for a more studied method.

Heart health

The claim: Sauna bathing helps lower blood pressure, and reduce your risk for cardiovascular diseases.

The research: Heart health is one of the most studied benefits of sauna bathing that I could find. All of the evidence suggests that long-term sauna bathing can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and pulmonary diseases. It can also lower your blood pressure. As more studies emerge the evidence for heart health benefits gets stronger.

The bottom line: Saunas offer positive effects on your heart health, particularly by reducing your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, before you start using a sauna regularly you should consult your doctor because other factors such as weight and lifestyle can counteract these positive effects and turn them negative (raising a heart rate too much at once, for example).

How to Choose the Best Home Sauna for You

No two homes are the same, no two saunas are the same and, most importantly, no two sauna users are the same. Here are the major considerations you should take into account as you shop for a home sauna.

• How big you want to go. Decide whether you're interested in a full-fledged walk-in sauna or something smaller, such as a sauna tent or even a sauna blanket. If you prefer a large sauna, you'll also need to consider how many people will be using it. Specifications generally range between two people and eight people.
• Indoor vs. outdoor. This decision hinges on the amount of space you have to work with, whether you have an outdoor area that can accommodate a sauna and other factors. An indoor sauna will involve other space considerations, including the size of the room and the size of the halls and doorways the sauna will have to fit through during installation.
• Steam or dry. Some prefer a traditional steamy experience, while others would rather focus on the detoxifying sweat. Infrared heat from electric heaters is by definition dry, although some heat systems also have steam generators. With some saunas, you can control the steam by pouring water on sauna rocks.
• Basic or full-feature. A lot of today's best saunas have advanced features such as built-in chromotherapy lighting and sound systems. While these models are expensive, it's a trade-off between price and a more luxurious experience.

Which is Better, a Dry Sauna or Steam?

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a scientific consensus either way in terms of health benefits. A 2018 study on the effects of regular sauna bathing concluded that the question of whether steam saunas "invoke the same degree of physiological responses" as dry saunas remains unclear. The study cited limitations on in-depth research and variables that make head-to-head comparisons difficult to analyze.

In a general sense, though, you can probably make a few common-sense conclusions on your own. For example, people with chronically dry skin might prefer steam over dry heat. On the other hand, dry heat is a less hospitable environment for mildew. 

Until scientists and health experts reach a consensus, the question might come down to your personal preferences and individual concerns.

How We Chose our List of Best Home Saunas

We use several criteria in evaluating our best home sauna selections to ensure that the list includes:

• Products covering a range of types, including infrared, dry, steam, indoor and outdoor
• Products that use quality materials, such as cedar, redwood or pine for saunas with wood cabins
• Products offering different options for heating (electric or wood stove, etc.)
• Multi-person saunas as well as single-person sauna blankets
• Pricing options, with multi-person saunas priced in the $1,500-$9,000 range
• Products that offer at least one year of warranty coverage

To learn more about how we evaluate saunas and other products, see our product review process.

Home Sauna FAQs

Which type of sauna is best for home use?

Which type of sauna to use in your own home is entirely up to you in terms of health benefits. However, infrared saunas tend to be the most energy efficient which can save you money on your electric bill.

How long should you sit in a sauna?

According to Harvard Health, you should stay in a sauna between 15 and 20 minutes to maximize potential benefits. However, if you are a beginner I would recommend you limit yourself to five or 10 minute sessions until you know how your body reacts.

Do saunas use a lot of electricity?

How much electricity your sauna uses depends on the type of sauna you get, the size of it and how frequently you use it. Most home saunas use about as much electricity as your oven or clothes washer since you use it once then turn it off. However, larger saunas can use as much electricity as your refrigerator.

Do saunas burn fat?

Saunas don’t burn fat directly, but they can work similar to fat burners that boost your metabolism. Saunas work using extreme heating elements which forces your body to regulate your temperature, which means your metabolism burns more energy (calories). If you don’t replace those calories with food then you could burn fat.

Should you shower after using a sauna?

Showering after your sauna is a matter of personal preference. However, showering after your sauna can rid your skin of all the sweat, plus you can bring your body back to a normal temperature quicker with a shower.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.