The best home saunas can provide a brief escape from everyday life and make any staycation feel more indulgent. Having your own sauna lets you skip the trip to the spa, and your physical health may even get a boost. And there’s science behind that: According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have found benefits for people with high blood pressure, headaches, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. Similar to working out on an exercise bike or treadmill, saunas induce vigorous sweating and an elevated heart rate. (But beware the inevitable pseudoscience that gets connected with saunas; for example, the claim that you’ll “sweat out toxins” is not just unproven, it’s a myth.)
With eight far-infrared heaters and an ergonomic bench, the Sunlighten Signature I adds a luxury ... [+] feel to your home. Steam Generator For Home
If you’re ready to get the comfort of a sauna at home (and reap the health benefits), don’t worry about building a custom steam sauna—the best home saunas are easily accessible. To help us find the best options for home use, we connected with Michael Clarke, founder of online home management platform Pulled. He gave us insight on the best types of home saunas and features to prioritize like construction, capacity and safety features. With these guidelines in mind, we researched dozens of options to bring you the eight best. These are our favorite home saunas available now.
Type: Infrared | Capacity: 1-person | Dimensions: 37.8 x 39.8 x 77.7 inches | Additional features: Magnetic locking system
Clarke’s top recommendation is the Signature I from Sunlighten, which he says is ideal for small spaces and features a premium sound system. “Not only is it lightweight and compact, but also durable and sustainable,” says Clarke.
Sunlighten offers two choices of wood for this sauna: eucalyptus and basswood. “Basswood makes a great choice for those who have allergies or sensitivities to other types of wood, and it’s free of odors, which helps to create a more pleasant sauna environment,” says Clarke. “Cedar has a strong scent, especially when heated, and an elegant finish, but it can be more expensive.” The company’s basswood is FSC-certified, which means that it comes from responsibly managed forests.
The outer dimensions are 37.8 x 39.8 x 77.7 inches, with a 28-inch door opening. The ergonomic bench, which has a rounded edge for comfort, measures 32.1 by 20.2 inches and stands 19.5 inches off the floor. The sauna is amply powered by eight FIR (far infrared) carbon heaters and has a programmable 24-hour timer that will have your sauna ready for you whenever you like.
Type: Infrared | Capacity: 1-person | Dimensions: 39 x 36 x 75 inches | Additional features: Interior and exterior LED control panels, light therapy, Bluetooth capability
California-based Dynamic Infrared designed this compact sauna for single-person use, meaning you get its six carbon heating panels all to yourself. This sauna measures 39 x 36 x 75 inches and the phone booth-like structure is constructed from reforested Canadian hemlock wood with tempered safety glass.
The Dynamic Infrared Barcelona Hemlock Infrared Sauna also features interior and exterior LED control panels, a remote control, LED lighting, an interior reading light, light therapy, a handy timer and a vent. The sound system has Bluetooth capability and two speakers with preamp; note that this sauna model doesn’t include a radio (likely not an important feature for most people). The company provides customers with a 5-year limited warranty.
What the reviews say: One of the customers who contributed to this sauna’s 4.9 rating shared, “We love our sauna. It’s very well made, easy to assemble and its a wonderful experience for home.” Another customer gave it this high praise, “One of my best purchases ever.”
Type: Infrared | Capacity: 2-person | Dimensions: 75 x 48 x 42 inches | Additional features: Bluetooth speakers, mood lighting system
While most saunas have either carbon (Clarke’s preference) or ceramic heaters, the Maxxus Lifesauna Aspen 2-Person Infrared Sauna has both. Especially welcome are the under-bench and feet heaters.
Made from Canadian hemlock wood and tempered safety glass, the sauna is designed to be easy to assemble—and customers confirm this is the case. It has a roof vent for fresh air, and its tech specs include two Bluetooth speakers for access to your favorite music or podcasts, a digital timer, interior and exterior touchscreen controls, an MP3 player aux connection (a blast from the past), and what Maxxus describes as a “mood lighting system.” Maxxus offers a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty for this sauna model.
What the reviews say: “I couldn't be happier with this unit. It is roomy enough for two people—my husband and I have used it several times together, all heaters work perfectly, the chromotherapy [multicolor light therapy] is nice. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this sauna to anyone.”
Type: Infrared | Capacity: 3-person | Dimensions: 83 x 72 x 47 inches | Additional features: Bluetooth compatibility, CD player, FM radio, MP3 player aux, cup holders
With its rugged, cabin-like style, this outdoor sauna is in stark contrast to the modern look of most indoor infrared saunas.
Made from Canadian hemlock wood with tempered safety glass, it’s mildew-, UV- and rot-resistant, though it should be placed on a dry, level surface in your yard. (It also includes a protective cover.) Recommended operating conditions are 41 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit at a relative humidity below 85%.
This sauna’s features include seven ceramic heaters; recessed interior lighting; Bluetooth compatibility; a sound system with CD player, FM radio and MP3 player aux input; three movable ergonomic backrests; a vent and all-important cupholders.
The SunRay Saunas 3-Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna measures 83 x 72 x 47 inches and weighs 487 pounds—an acceptable weight for a deck. The company’s warranty covers seven years, aside from the heaters (18 months), workmanship (18 months), electrical components (18 months) and radio/CD player (12 months).
What the reviews say: One buyer shared, “I love this sauna. Fairly simple to put together as long as you have at least one other person to help. It gets really hot, and I’m someone who likes to crank up the heat so that’s nice. The radio works amazingly well. This sauna definitely surpassed my expectations.”
Type: Infrared | Capacity: 3-person | Dimensions: 75 x 39 x 47 inches | Additional features: Auxiliary port, two ergonomic, solid hemlock back rests, a double towel hook, and two cupholders
The Majestic Hemlock Fir Wood 3-Person Sauna combines several features for extra comfort. The interior of the sauna boasts built-in recessed interior reading lights (no wrinkled pages in a steam-less sauna), extra deep benches with ample room for three people, comfort-fit backrests, towel hooks, eight-color lighting and vents in the ceiling and floor to boost air circulation.
Other features include interior and exterior LED control pads, exterior accent lights and a two-speaker sound system with FM radio, a CD player, and MP3 player aux connection.
Measuring 60 x 60 x 75 inches, the sauna is designed to conveniently fit into a corner of a room. It’s made with Grade A Hemlock wood with tongue and groove joints and tempered safety glass. Majestic says that its carbon heating panels emit very low EMF levels (though the actual value of that specification is questionable).
Majestic includes a respectable 7-year warranty on the wood structure, a 5-year warranty on the heating elements and electrical, and a 1-year warranty on the radio.
What the reviews say: Customer reviews note that setup went smoothly; it’s also worth noting that customers point out that the sauna requires its own circuit (which is advisable for any major appliance).
Type: Infrared | Capacity: 4-person | Dimensions: 73.62 x 58.25 x 76 inches | Additional features: Sound system with radio, CD player, Bluetooth connectivity
This sauna’s interior is full of features to give users—up to five of them, in fact—a more pleasant place to spend time. Inside, you’ll find oversized bench seating, two cedar ergonomic backrests, two built-in speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, a radio and CD player, a reading light, remote-controlled LED accent lighting, eight-color light therapy and air vents for added circulation. The exterior features ambient lighting.
The sauna is made with Grade A reforested Canadian cedar, whose distinctive scent will attract some customers while putting off others. The construction combines the wood with tinted, tempered safety glass and commercial-grade heating panels (with ultra low EMF, if that is important to you). This sauna measures 73.62 x 58.25 x 76 inches.
Radiant Sauna provides a 7-year limited warranty that covers the wood structure, a 5-year limited warranty for the heating elements and electronics, and a 1-year limited warranty for the radio and CD player.
What the reviews say: Reviewers report that the sauna is easy to assemble, but does require more than one set of hands. “I was a tad dubious about spending 3,000 on a sauna, but the sauna works fantastic. It was easy to assemble and goes together very quickly but you need two to do it—it comes in 3 large and heavy boxes.”
Type: Infrared | Capacity: 2-person | Dimensions: 47.25 x 39.25 x 75 inches | Additional features: Sound system with radio, CD player and Bluetooth connectivity, light therapy
While some sauna companies overstate the potential effects of EMF exposure, it’s understandable that some customers prefer the peace of mind that accompanies an ultra-low-EMF sauna like the Radiant Sauna 2-Person Hemlock Infrared Sauna. It has six strategically placed carbon heaters.
This sauna is made from premium hemlock wood with tongue and groove joints, and has a scratch-resistant, tinted, tempered safety glass door. Exterior measurements are 47.25 x 39.25 x 75 inches, and the company estimates assembly at 30–45 minutes. Customers confirm the claims of easy setup.
The sauna boasts several features that add comfort, including an extra deep bench, backrests, a sound system with built-in speakers (with a radio, CD player and MP3 player aux connection), a seven-color light therapy system, reading lights, a magazine rack, a towel hook and adjustable roof vents for added circulation.
What the reviews say: One of the customers who left a 5-star review noted, “We are absolutely thrilled with our radiant sauna. My husband is 6'5" tall with very long legs and he fits comfortably sitting towards the door and sideways both. It's pretty roomy for its overall size and quite sturdy. And it smells so good. We are extremely pleased with this purchase and would highly recommend this sauna to anyone.”
Type: Steam | Capacity: 1-person | Dimensions: 33.5 x 28.5 x 39 inches | Additional features: Front pocket storage
While home saunas are considered big investments because of their price and size, a portable option doesn’t come with the same level of commitment or high price tag. The Durasage is a steam sauna that has a detachable frame, making it easy to assemble and store. It also has two zipper openings, allowing you to easily access the exterior storage compartment when needed. Compact and portable, the Durasage also comes with an included 800-watt steam generator and a 60-minute timer, so no need to worry about making sure the unit is turned off.
What the reviews say: “I was apprehensive to purchase because I am 6 '4 and used to commercial saunas,” writes one reviewer. “It took about 10 minutes to start steaming (you can hear it start working) and within 20 minutes I was soaked. I fit just fine, but you may want to purchase a different chair for comfortability.”
Forbes Vetted editors and contributors have written dozens of health and wellness stories over the years; our library spans everything from fitness to recovery. Author and contributor Kate Antoniades has years of experience testing and reviewing the latest home products, including baby swings, outdoor toys for kids, white noise machines and more. Co-author Raena Loper is also a commerce editor with seven years of experience in the lifestyle space.
To get industry advice, we also looked to Michael Clarke, founder of online home management platform Pulled, for insight on what to look for in a home sauna as well as recommendations on the best models.
This article was last updated in August 2023 to expand on how we chose the best saunas and to include tips on what to look for when selecting a sauna. We also crowned a winner for best portable home sauna for those needing a less expensive, more compact option and added a few FAQs to help answer commonly asked questions about home saunas.
When compiling our list of home saunas, we first consulted with Michael Clarke to get the lowdown on which models are highly rated and best for home use. Then, using Clarke’s guidance on factors like construction, capacity and safety features, we narrowed down our options to only include saunas that are well-made, able to fit at least two people (with the exception of our portable pick) and come equipped with the right safety mechanisms.
And because customer feedback is telling, we combed through dozens of reviews, selecting models with at least a 4-star rating and excluding picks with any concerning customer feedback.
Once we had a solid list, we narrowed it down to selections that could suit various homes and preferences. We included models that could suit solo sauna users, families or those who need of something more portable. If you want something that won’t break the bank and can be used almost anywhere, the Durasage Steam Sauna is available for less than $200. For those looking for a one-person option that doesn’t take up lots of space, the Sunlighten Sauna is more compact, plus it came highly recommended from Clarke.
There are three main types of home saunas: dry, steam and infrared. Dry saunas use dry heat, often powered by an electric or natural gas heater; some dry heat models use wood fire ovens as a heat source. There are some dry versions that come with rocks where you pour water over hot rocks to create steam, providing a dry and steam option.
Steam-specific home saunas have built-in steamers that automatically create steam when use. While the steam builds up in the sauna, the temperature is regulated so you can relax in the moist heat.
The last type of sauna is infrared, which is the preferred type by our expert Michael Clarke. He explains that store-bought infrared saunas are more versatile and affordable, whereas “traditional steam saunas... need plumbing, drainage, ventilation and electrical connections. Infrared saunas can be installed almost anywhere inside your home or outside under shelter.”
At-home saunas come in a range of sizes, though the average size is 4 x 6 to 5 x 7 feet. However, you can find smaller saunas made to accommodate tighter spaces. It's also imperative to keep the space around your sauna clear as well, as the surrounding area will be used for heating equipment. Make sure to leave plenty of room around your sauna both for installation and for ease of movement.
If you want to invest in an infrared sauna, Clarke says that you have options when it comes to wood type (like basswood or cedar), heater type (carbon is better than ceramic, but pricier) and extra features. Add-ons can range from roof vents to Bluetooth.
Features that Clarke recommends prioritizing include non-toxic materials, tempered safety glass, an auto shutdown mechanism and electrical certification. But be wary of pseudoscientific claims that have no bearing on quality or benefits. For example, many sauna product pages talk about EMF (electromagnetic field) and ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) radiation. The WHO states no evidence exists that low-level EMF is harmful, and OSHA notes the health effects of ELF are ELF are “very controversial.”
Before purchasing your sauna, consider the location and placement of the sauna. If you’re thinking about putting your sauna outside, pick a model that can withstand outdoor elements. Regardless of whether you choose an indoor or outdoor model, the sauna should be placed on a finished floor—think bathroom flooring, a garage or basement. Also, remember saunas are heavy, so your placement should be permanent. Saunas also aren't small so be sure to plan accordingly when setting yours up. Recruit help from a friend and understand that installation may take some time.
The best type of sauna depends on personal preference but according to Clarke, the best type of home sauna is infrared because they’re easy to install, less expensive and more versatile than other types. Our selection for the best home sauna overall is the Sunlighten Sauna, which is a 1-person infrared pick. That said, choose a model that works best for you, whether that be an infrared, dry or steam model.
Dry, steam and infrared saunas are all safe to use, but the most important factor to consider for health is the sauna’s construction. Look for models that have non-toxic materials to avoid inhaling potentially toxic fumes.
The great thing about infrared saunas is they heat up much more quickly than dry and steam versions. Dry saunas can take up to 30 minutes to reach the correct temperature, while infrared can reach the appropriate temperature in half the time. Infrared are also easier to install and more versaitle than dry saunas.
I'm a reporter covering the intersection of sports, business and technology. My byline has appeared at CNBC.com, The Hockey News and Narratively. I started this journey covering a handful of New Jersey Devils stranded in Albany during the 2012 NHL Lockout, with stops on the beats of the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. I graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism where I specialized in Sports Media.
Hrsg Steam Generator I'm a reporter covering the intersection of sports, business and technology. My byline has appeared at CNBC.com, The Hockey News and Narratively. I started this journey covering a handful of New Jersey Devils stranded in Albany during the 2012 NHL Lockout, with stops on the beats of the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. I graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism where I specialized in Sports Media.