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Intrigued about the benefits of saunas and ready to install one at home but not sure which one to pick?
One of the most common questions I get is : “What sauna do you recommend?”
Check out today’s article on my recommendations for picking a sauna.
The two biggest decisions to start with are :
Let’s start with the question of Infrared vs. Traditional. This is a heavily debated topic.
Here are the main reasons infrared has become very popular lately :
So far, infrared saunas sound pretty compelling. So, why would anyone want a traditional sauna?
The biggest benefit of traditional saunas by far , and the reason the rest of this article is solely focused on traditional saunas, is that all the scientific research related to the regular usage of saunas has only been done on traditional, Finnish style saunas. You’d struggle to discern this from all the marketing material pumped out by infrared sauna companies, but I’ve yet to see any true scientific studies on infrared saunas specifically (please forward them along them to me if you know of any!) I’m not saying that infrared saunas aren’t beneficial. But given the choice between a proven, long term solution (traditional saunas) and a very much hyped modern solution without supporting scientific evidence (infrared saunas), my preference is the proven, traditional route.
There are other reasons I think traditional saunas are superior :
The rest of this post will focus specifically on selecting the right traditional sauna.
If you’re still reading, you’ve either decided on a traditional, Finnish style sauna or are leaning in that direction. So, which sauna brand should you pick?
My experience : Brand is less important than a shape and style you like combined with the right heater. A sauna is, at its core, a wooden box, so any brand that uses quality wood will work just fine. I’ll share a few specific recommendations below, but here are the basic requirements :
Sauna size and price are highly correlated. No shocker there. Once you’ve figured out how much space you have for your sauna and have an idea of your budget, picking size becomes easier. 2-person saunas are the least expensive. If your budget allows, you can pick a kit sauna that fits up to 8 or 10 people. If space and budget allows, its a nice luxury to have an 8 or 10 person sauna even if you only plan to have a few people use the sauna because it will allow you to completely lie down on the top bench.
When you’re deciding on size, remember also that the bigger the sauna, the bigger ( and more expensive) the heater you need , the longer it takes to heat up, and the more expensive it is to operate.
Saunas come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most affordable options on the market are barrel saunas. These come in different sizes, with the smallest being ideal for two people. A small, two-person barrel sauna is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable option without sacrificing the quality of the experience.
Barrel saunas are often available for the best pricing. One of the biggest things you don’t get with barrel sauna is lots of ceiling space. Saunas are hottest near the top and coolest at the bottom. To say it another way, if its 70 degrees outdoors the bottom of your sauna will be around 70 degrees while the top might be 200 /220 or more. The hottest part of the sauna is usually where most aficionados want to spend the most time, and you get the least amount of that space in a barrel.
If you’re looking for something beyond the typical barrel shape, there are options like cube-shaped saunas. I currently own a cube sauna, and the biggest advantage is the consistent ceiling height, allowing for benches along the walls. This positioning brings you closer to the top of the sauna, where the heat is more concentrated.
You can even find saunas with enough space to practice yoga or stretching inside. These larger configurations will cost more than standard barrel saunas, but they offer added flexibility. Dundalk’s cube sauna, which I use, is a great option for those who want more space and functionality.
Wood type and quality makes a big difference in aesthetic and price. There is a wide variety of wood that works well for saunas : cedar, aspen, etc. Typically, you will pay for more for certain types, kinds, and colors of wood. For example, with cedar wood you can purchase regular cedar versus knotty cedar. Knotty cedar has more imperfections, while regular cedar is hand-picked to avoid flaws. Aesthetically you may prefer one over the other, but from a performance stand point there’s little difference.
After deciding on size and style of your sauna, the next critical factor in creating the perfect sauna experience is the heater. When it comes to heating your sauna, you’ll have to decide between three options : a wood fired, electric, and propane.
Propane heaters are preferred by those with mobile saunas. Because they’re fueled by portable propane tanks, they are the most convenient for mobile saunas.
Traditionalists prefer wood fired saunas where you use burning wood in a stove to generate heat in the sauna. The intensity of the heat and the soothing nature of burning wood plus its aromas are highly preferred. The biggest down side of wood burning saunas is the time it takes to setup and heat the sauna and then the time it takes to clean-up afterwards.
Electric heaters are the go-to option for convenience and my preferred option. They’re simple, efficient, and perfect for frequent sauna users. While fire heaters do offer a traditional, rugged experience, I think they’re best for someone who has the time (or a dedicated helper!) to light the fire and maintain it.
Personally, I’m all about convenience. If something isn’t convenient, you’ll find reasons not to do it, so I want to remove as much friction as possible. I’ll focus the rest of this section on electric heaters.
Most saunas come prepackaged with a heater, but if you’re looking to reach higher temperatures (200°F or more), you’ll typically need to pick your heater separately. Most pre-packaged heaters are regulated to reach around 180°F due to US health regulations, but true sauna lovers don’t find that hot enough. I recommend looking into more powerful heaters to push your sauna into the 200°F-230°F range. NOTE : European countries typically don’t have the same health regulations as there is a long standing culture of sauna very hot sauna temperatures.
The heating capabilities of electric heaters are most easily measured in terms of their wattage. My rule of thumb is to select a wattage that is at least one size larger than what is pre-packaged by the sauna company. For example, if a 6 kW heater size is pre-packaged with the sauna, pick a 9 kW heater that will fit in the sauna.
Heater brands I’ve had good personal experience with including Tylo, Harvia, and Huum.
To make the selection and configuration process easier, there are a number of sauna brands that sell packaged kits. Here are a few brands I’ve had good personal experience with, or know others that have had good experiences with.
If you’re looking for a high-quality sauna brand, Dundalk is an excellent choice. It’s a Canadian brand that I personally use and recommend. I’ve bought two Dundalk saunas, and the quality is top-notch. I originally learned about this brand from Laird Hamilton who’s purchased several of their products.
Sisu Saunas has been getting good press lately and a number of my friends have had good experiences.
A third option to look at is Almost Heaven
If aesthetics are a priority for you, there are also some luxurious sauna designs out there. For example, mirrored saunas have become popular for their striking appearance, though they can cost five times more than standard saunas. While they may look stunning in your backyard, the function remains the same as a regular sauna.
I hope this helps in selecting your perfect sauna. Got questions? Message me for more information.
