Home sauna quick picks
Expert-favorite home sauna: Maxxus Lifesauna Aspen 2-Person Infrared Sauna
Portable sauna: SereneLife Full-Size Portable Steam Sauna
Outdoor sauna: Sunray Grandby 3-Person FAR Infrared Sauna
Traditional sauna: Almost Heaven Traditional Steam Sauna
It wasn’t long ago that the idea of using a sauna meant a trip to a spa or gym, but in the last decade, variations made for the home have flourished. Increasing evidence that regularly raising your internal body temperature has a range of health benefits has motivated people to install their own personal sweat huts at home.
“The biggest known benefit is cardiovascular,” says Dr. Zeke McKinney, the residency program director of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. “The heat causes blood vessels to dilate, which increases blood flow.”
A 2019 study showed that using a sauna two to three times a week reduced their odds of sudden cardiac death by 30%, and heavy users (four or more times a week) saw a 50% reduction. The benefits included lower blood pressure, reduced arterial disease and less plaque buildup.
“Proponents say saunas help you sleep better, reduce pain and inflammation and help excrete toxins,” McKinney says. “The evidence for that is more anecdotal, although generally speaking, increased blood flow tends to be a good thing for healing, and it could allow the kidneys to process toxins more quickly. There’s also some evidence that your body removes toxins through the sweat.”
Dr. Hunter Scott Waldman, an assistant professor of exercise science and director of the Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory at the University of Northern Alabama, says beyond cardiovascular impact, there’s evidence of further-reaching health effects, although research on those factors is still in the early stages. “There’s some evidence that saunas improve insulin sensitivity, plus there are mental health benefits and even some research showing cognitive benefits,” he says.
What to look for in a home sauna
Waldman breaks the field of options into three groups: wet, dry and infrared. Most research has been done using dry saunas, he says, which work by heating the air. Many dry saunas also function as wet saunas, which use water poured over rocks to saturate the air and increase humidity. “They can have a calming effect,” he says, “but as far as cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, they’re not as impactful.”
Last are infrared saunas, which use an invisible part of the light spectrum to heat the occupants. “There’s not as much research on them, but in theory, they should have the same effects,” Waldman says.
McKinney points out that infrared saunas might not need to be as hot since the heat penetrates the skin. “They also have the benefit of being the least expensive,” he adds.
Both experts caution that anyone with a heart condition should consult their doctor before using a sauna, and that pregnant women and men hoping to conceive should avoid them. They also suggest starting at lower temperatures for shorter time periods and building up.
Best home saunas
Expert-favorite home saunas
At 77 by 49 by 40 inches, the Aspen is big enough to seat two comfortably, and it uses six carbon-tech heaters with low EMF emissions to reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.?It’s made from easy-to-assemble interlocking panels of reforested Canadian hemlock and includes an LED control panel, reading light, MP3 connection, built-in speakers and fresh-air vent.
Another Canadian hemlock construction, the MCP can function as either a dry or wet sauna, thanks to a 6kW heater as well as sauna rocks, a bucket and a ladle. It has an old-school sand timer, but at the same time, it offers an advanced Bluetooth-connected control panel and interior lighting. At 75.25 by 48 by 47.75 inches, it’s comfy for one and cozy for two.
Portable saunas
It isn’t fancy, but the SereneLife can deliver the essential health benefits of a sauna without breaking the bank. With its 4-liter steamer and aluminum film interior, it reaches its peak temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit quickly. It’s roomy enough for one person on an included folding chair, and the unit’s metal frame and cloth body take less than half an hour to set up, and the sauna weighs less than 40 pounds.?
With its canvas enclosure and stainless-steel frame, the Tatdol provides a roomy retreat for one. The 2.6-liter steamer has nine heat levels, adjustable with a remote control, and pushes the temperature to a sweaty— if not quite smoking — 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a folding chair, large window panels and a massaging foot rest.
Outdoor saunas
With its shingled roof and weather-sealed exterior, the Grandby summons a traditional Finnish heat shack, but it’s stacked with modern tech, including seven heaters that produce 140 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. It also has an air purifier, Bluetooth connectivity, interior lighting and cup holders for a relatively modest price.
Thanks to its heat-resistant Oxford fabric and stainless-steel frame, the SweatTent weighs only 30 pounds, can be set up in minutes and accommodates a wood-burning stove (another 50 pounds) that can crank the temperature to 200 degrees Fahrenheit in 30 minutes or less. A fiberglass roof-cover ensures weather resistance, and it comes with a poker, thermometer and carry bag.
Traditional saunas
Another option with a 6kW wet or dry heater, the Almost Heaven is unapologetically a one-person option, but it does well to make life comfortable for that occupant and can head to temps up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The homey touches include a foot rest, backrest, robe hanger, drink shelf and magazine rack, all made from cedar like the rest of the unit.
The Baldwin offers either dry or wet conditions via a 3.5kW heater that pushes internal temperatures as high as 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise the hemlock housing includes built-in cup holders, an ergonomically shaped bench and a ventilation system. A thermo-hygrometer displays the temperature and humidity level.
Family-size saunas
The Luminar line is known for its fit and finish, and its largest outdoor model is no exception. It has, according to the company, an industry-leading 10 heaters that come with EMF shielding and provide the full spectrum of infrared light. A digital control system is mobile-app connected, and there’s a surround-sound audio system. Contoured seating provides comfort even with a full house.
This one is a conversation piece as well as a health accessory. It’s delightfully low-tech, arriving with bench-seating for six, a heater, sauna rocks, a bucket and a ladle. Opt for the wood stove and have a real throwback experience or get an electric heater with a digital panel that connects to a phone or tablet so you can fire it up before stepping outside.
Splurge saunas
A three-person unit with a sleek mod design, the HigherDose looks and feels like a luxury amenity. It has all the bells and whistles, from chromotherapy lighting to a Bluetooth-connected sound system and tablet holder. It rises to 174 degrees Fahrenheit with low EMF tech, and with the bench removed, it becomes a personal hot yoga studio. Besides the sticker price, add the cost of a dedicated 30-amp circuit and a steep delivery charge. FYI: It's currently backordered and will start shipping in September.
Another sauna that looks great from the outside, the mPulse includes impressive tech, including Wi-Fi connectivity to streaming apps (Hulu, Netflix, etc.) and a Blaupunkt sound system. It also offers all three bands of infrared light — near, mid and far — and a touch screen allows you to control the mix or use preset combinations designed to address various health concerns.
How to choose the best home sauna
There are a number of things to look for when choosing a sauna. For starters, it should get to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit but preferrably 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Most available models are made of wood, with cedar and hemlock as top choices because they handle heat well and smell good. Ideally, the unit would have a control panel to regulate the temperature, and it’s also smart to have a timer and auto shutoff. Many models offer red light therapy or chromotherapy, which are nice additions.
Also, keep in mind that different units have different electrical needs. Installation may require a dedicated circuit and the help of an electrician in some cases, while others take less than an hour to put together and simply plug into an existing outlet.
Beyond that, it’s a matter of how fancy you want to get. Options to consider include Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi, internal speakers or sound systems, and creature comforts like the shape of the seating and the presence of book or tablet holders. Size matters too. How many people are you hoping to get steamy with at once?
