Sauna buying checklist
- 191 saunas, 14 brandsEvery spec linked to its source
- True cost, upfrontInstall and running costs
- Fit and wiring checkedCheck your space
A sauna is easy to fall for and hard to send back. These 24 checks cover what to know before buying a sauna, in the order you'll need them: space, power, heat, budget, delivery and warranty. The figures come from the 181 saunas we list.
Space
- Measure floor space where it will go, and add the clearances the maker's manual asks for.
- Measure ceiling height. Indoor saunas we list stand 67 to 88 in tall before clearance.
- Measure your narrowest door, hallway and stair turn. Panels have to get through them.
- For outdoor saunas, find a level spot and plan the base the maker requires.
Power
- Find out what the sauna needs: 47 we list plug into a standard outlet, 28 need a dedicated 120V circuit, and 106 need 240V or 30A and up.
- Check whether your panel has room for a new circuit.
- Measure the distance from the panel to the sauna. Longer runs cost more.
- Get a licensed electrician's quote before you order.
Heat and comfort
- Decide on infrared or traditional. Published top temperatures have a median of 140 °F for infrared and 180 °F for traditional and hybrid.
- Check the seat count against how many people will use it at once, and the bench length if you want to lie down.
- Note the wood species and which parts use it.
Budget
- Add sales tax to the listed price.
- Check freight. 117 listings say shipping is free, 26 list a charge and 38 don't say.
- Add wiring, and for outdoor saunas a base and possibly a permit.
- Estimate electricity from the heater's wattage.
Delivery and assembly
- Ask whether it arrives as a kit or assembled, and how long assembly takes.
- Check that the heater, stones and controls are included in the price.
- Plan how the crates get from the curb to the spot.
- Inspect the delivery and note damage before you sign.
Warranty and seller
- Read the cabin and heater terms separately.
- For outdoor use, confirm the warranty covers outdoor installation.
- Ask whether self-assembly or the electrical hookup affects coverage.
- Find out who handles claims: the seller or the maker.
- Ignore countdown timers, "only 2 left" banners and health promises.
Where to check each one
- Space: Make Sure It Fits and how much space a sauna needs.
- Power: electrical requirements and 120V vs 240V.
- Budget: home sauna cost, installation cost and operating cost.
- Warranty: our sauna warranty guide.
Electrical details here are preliminary. A licensed electrician should confirm the circuit for your home.
Check most of this in two minutes
Find My Sauna asks about your space, wiring and budget and shows only the saunas that pass.
Questions buyers ask
What should I know before buying a sauna?
Where it will go, what power it needs, whether it fits through your doors, the full cost including wiring and freight, and what the warranty covers. The checklist above covers each one.
Do I need an electrician for a sauna?
For most of them. 47 of the 181 saunas we list plug into a standard outlet; the rest need a dedicated circuit, and a licensed electrician should confirm it.
Is shipping included in the sauna price?
Sometimes. 117 listings say shipping is free, 26 list a separate charge and 38 don't say, so ask before you order.
Related guides
Independent by design. We order saunas with our published method. None of the sauna links on this page is an affiliate link today, so we earn nothing if you buy. If that changes, links will be labeled, and commissions will never change which saunas appear, their scores or their order. How we earn money.