What wood is best for a sauna?
- 149 saunas, 11 brandsEvery spec linked to its source
- True cost, upfrontInstall and running costs
- Fit and wiring checkedCheck your space
Three woods cover most of the 140 saunas we list: hemlock (53), cedar (46) and thermally modified woods (23). None is "best" for everyone. Here's what each offers, and what the saunas cost.
| Wood | Saunas | Median price | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemlock | 53 | $3,399 | 11 |
| Cedar | 46 | $7,099 | 29 |
| Thermally modified wood | 23 | $10,094 | 9 |
| Other woods | 12 | $11,576 | 7 |
| Not published | 6 | $9,057 | 6 |
Cedar
The U.S. Forest Products Laboratory's Wood Handbook rates western red cedar heartwood as resistant to decay, which is why it's common outdoors. It has a strong scent. See cedar saunas we list.
Hemlock
Hemlock is light-colored with little scent, and the Wood Handbook rates it low for natural decay resistance, so it's mostly used indoors. It's the most common wood in our catalog's infrared cabinets.
Thermally modified wood
Heat-treated wood, such as thermally modified aspen or spruce, is made more stable and resistant to moisture by the treatment, according to its makers. Several outdoor cabins and barrels here use it.
Why we don't score wood
No published test compares sauna woods side by side, and how a sauna is built matters as much as the species. Our spec score uses published wall thickness instead. See our methodology.
Compare wood, warranty and price
Matchup lists each sauna's wood side by side.
Before you buy
Check what your panel needs, installation cost and running cost. Still deciding on a type? Read infrared vs traditional and indoor vs outdoor, or see how the brands compare. A licensed electrician should confirm any wiring before you order.
Questions buyers ask
What's the most common sauna wood?
In our catalog, hemlock: 53 of 140 saunas, mostly indoor infrared cabinets.
Is cedar or hemlock better?
Cedar's heartwood resists decay better, which matters outdoors, and it has a strong scent. Hemlock has little scent and usually costs less. Choose by where the sauna goes and what you like.
Related guides
Independent by design. We order saunas with our published method. Cedar Scout may earn a commission when you buy through affiliate links on this page. Commissions never change which saunas appear, their scores or their order. How we earn money.