Which sauna should I buy?
- 191 saunas, 14 brandsEvery spec linked to its source
- True cost, upfrontInstall and running costs
- Fit and wiring checkedCheck your space
There's no single best sauna, only the best one for your space, wiring and budget. Four answers narrow 181 saunas to a short list: where it goes, which heat you want, how many people use it, and what you can spend. Here's how each answer splits the catalog.
Step 1 and 2: where it goes and which heat
These two answers matter most, because they decide which saunas are possible at all. Indoor saunas don't take weather, and most traditional saunas need a 240V circuit.
| Setting and heat | Saunas | Price range | Plug into an outlet | Top spec rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor, infrared | 75 | $999 to $10,950 | 45 | Finnmark FD-1 Full Spectrum 1-Person, rated Excellent |
| Indoor, traditional or hybrid | 28 | $3,496 to $17,157 | 0 | Finnmark FD-4 Trinity 2-Person Hybrid, rated Strong |
| Outdoor, infrared | 9 | $3,790 to $16,750 | 2 | Finnmark FD-6 Infrared Barrel, Cedar, rated Excellent |
| Outdoor, traditional or hybrid | 69 | $4,790 to $34,763 | 0 | SaunaLife CL3G 2-Person Outdoor Cube Kit, rated Excellent |
Not sure about the heat? Infrared panels warm you directly at lower air temperatures; a traditional stove heats the air and stones. Our infrared vs traditional guide compares them on published specs.
Step 3: how many people
Seat counts are the maker's figure and assume people sitting close together. If two of you want to lie down, look one size up.
- 1 or 2 people: 81 saunas, median $3,796. Start with Best 2-person saunas.
- 3 to 5 people: 78 saunas, median $6,226. Start with Best 4-person saunas.
- 6 or more: 22 saunas, median $10,204. Start with Best 6-person saunas.
Step 4: what you can spend
Price is what the seller lists today. Wiring, a base for an outdoor sauna and delivery come on top; our home sauna cost guide adds them up.
- Under $5,000: 74 saunas, median $3,248. Start with Best saunas under $5,000.
- $5,000 to $9,999: 75 saunas, median $7,145. Start with Best saunas under $10,000.
- $10,000 and up: 32 saunas, median $11,907. Start with Best premium home saunas.
If one thing limits you
- You don't want to call an electrician: 47 saunas plug into a standard outlet. See Best plug-in saunas.
- Space is tight indoors: Best saunas for small spaces lists indoor saunas under 16 sq ft.
- The yard is small: Saunas for small backyards lists outdoor saunas under 40 sq ft.
- It's going in the basement or garage: read basement saunas or garage saunas first.
- It's for a rental or a second home: see saunas for Airbnb and rentals or saunas for cabins and second homes.
Before you order, run through our sauna buying checklist and the mistakes buyers make most.
Let the finder do the narrowing
Find My Sauna asks these four questions, plus your wiring and priorities, and shows the saunas that fit.
Questions buyers ask
Which sauna should I buy?
Start with where it goes and which heat you want. Those two answers split our 181 saunas into four groups, each with its own price range and wiring needs. Then filter by seats and budget, or let Find My Sauna do it.
What is the best type of sauna for a home?
It depends on your space and power. Of the saunas we list, 84 are infrared and 97 are traditional or hybrid. Infrared models are more likely to plug into an outlet; traditional ones reach higher air temperatures.
What sauna is best for a first-time buyer?
We don't rate saunas for beginners. If you want the simplest setup, an indoor sauna that plugs into a standard outlet avoids new wiring; we list 47 of them.
How do I know a sauna will fit?
Measure floor space, ceiling height and your narrowest door, then use Make Sure It Fits, which checks every sauna's published size at once.
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.