The 5 Best Outdoor Saunas

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Saunas have been proven over the last few years to have incredible benefits for your heart health, mental health, and muscle recovery. With new research showing that saunas are great for more than just relaxation, many people have been anxious to add one to their homes. But purchasing a sauna is a big investment so it’s important that you do your research and choose wisely. Lucky for you, I have been in the health and wellness industry for over 20 years and have tested & purchased many saunas for both commercial and home settings. So in this article I’m glad to share all of the criteria that I analyze when buying a sauna and which ones are my favorites.

What are the best outdoor saunas?

Best Overall: Redwood Outdoors Sauna

The 6-Person Extra Wide Barrel Sauna is my top choice for outdoor saunas. This is the sauna that I personally own in my backyard and is the best all-around purchase as it hits on all cylinders. Firstly, I love the look of this sauna. It manages to be modern and rustic at the same time giving a unique modern carpentry look to your backyard. I love this cause it is a great look and environmentally friendly. When looking at Redwood Outdoors, I also love the amount of customization options you have as a customer. Many of their saunas offer multiple heater options as well as things like floor and roof upgrades and even an outdoor shower addition.

I highly recommend picking up a sauna from Redwood Outdoors. They are certainly worth the money and although they may not have the infrared lighting of some of the options listed below. It’s well worth the trade off in my opinion. Plus, we have an exclusive Redwood Outdoors discount code that will save you $250 on your order which is an amazing bonus!

Plunge Sauna

Plunge made my list cause I have a ton of belief in the founders and the brand as a whole. They sell my favorite cold tub and recently opened up pre-orders for their brand-new saunas. I know the brand well and they spare no expense on any of their products. Be sure to lock in your order today for only $250 which is fully refundable if you choose to not go through with your delivery. It will be offered in 2 sizes and features one of today’s best natural heating options to get all the way up to 230 degrees and features adjustable benches to comfortably seat multiple people.

SweatTent Outdoor Sauna

If you are looking for the cheapest or most portable option then the SweatTent should be your go-to choice. This tent goes up in about 3 minutes, with its own heater and a fireproof, insulated material to keep heat in. This is the ideal option for those who don’t want to commit to a permanent sauna in their backyard or travel often and want a sauna they can take with them.

Renu Therapy The Zeno 2 Person Barrel Sauna

I’m a big fan of the barrel sauna style and Renu is another brand that offers great options in this all-natural modern rustic design. You can choose from 3 different woods and everything from a solid wooden door or, my preference, an all-glass door for a great view of the outdoors and some natural light. The interior is cozy and comes with diffused LED lighting on the inside for a relaxing interior that promotes peace and great conversation.

If you are looking for a smaller more intimate sauna then this is a fantastic option and certainly worth a look.

Sun Home Linear Two Person Infrared Sauna

Diverting from the rustic style of wooden barrel saunas, the Sun Home Linear sauna is a much more modern-looking sauna. It features two levels of benches to choose a hotter or colder heat, as well as plenty of glass for an amazing view of the outdoors all the way around. The infrared lighting is nicely implemented along with LED color-changing lights to help repair and support your skin and fit any vibe you want. For more modern homes or ones that don’t have much land, this is a great option.

Outdoor Sauna FAQ’s

Is an outdoor sauna worth it?

If you are asking yourself whether an outdoor sauna is worth your money then ask yourself these questions. How much are you spending on medical costs? How much are you sending on supplements? How much do you spend on gym memberships? Ultimately you need to determine is is worth investing in your health because as you probably know by know the benefits of regular sauna usage are practically endless. So if you ask me investing in your health and buying an outdoor sauna is worth it if you can afford it.

What is the best shape for an outdoor sauna?

Personally, I think the barrel shape is the best shape for outdoor saunas. I love the look of it for one but also it is effective for heat distribution. Barrel saunas have a curved shape that pushes heat from all directions back to the center allowing for new heat from the heating unit to evenly distribute across the sauna. This is great especially if you have multiple people using your sauna.

Should you build or buy an outdoor sauna?

Whether you are building an outdoor sauna from scratch or buying one from a seller it’s important to keep in mind that there is still a fair amount of labor involved. When you buy an outdoor sauna you still have to assemble all the pieces and set up the electrical. This process usually takes a couple of people and a skilled electrician. I wouldn’t recommend trying to build one from scratch unless you are a very experienced carpenter as a couple of wrong measurements or cuts can very easily ruin the whole project which would be a waste of time and money.

Where is the best place to put your outdoor sauna?

Personally, I like to keep my outdoor sauna by my pool. Ultimately you want to make sure it’s in a place that is going to be free of large overhead branches or other things that could potentially cause damage to your sauna.

How much does an outdoor sauna cost?

Most outdoor saunas are going to cost between $5,000 – $8,500 dollars I would say on average. You also have to factor in the costs of hiring an electrician and possibly friends to help you out.

What does using the sauna do for your body?

Saunas have been proven to help the body in many ways. Some of the most notable ways that saunas improve your health are by improving sleep, workout recovery, heart health, and releaving stress. Each of these are vital for a healthy body and mind.

Is sauna use good for losing belly fat?

The heat of the sauna actually will increase the amount of calories your body burns while you are in the sauna. This can aid in a reduction of belly fat since it increases the amount of calories you burn and in combination with diet and exercise you’re sure to see the benefits.

How long should I sit in an outdoor sauna?

15-20 minutes is ideal but if you are a beginner, work your way up with a few 5-10-minute sessions to start. If you get dizzy or light-headed exit the sauna immediately.

Is it okay to use the sauna every day?

Yes, you can use your sauna every day if you wish! Just make sure you are staying hydrated before and after use.

Can I bring my phone in the sauna?

You can bring your phone in for a few minutes but if the sauna is hot enough it will notify you that it is overheating. If you simply need to respond to someone quickly it should not be an issue but using it in the sauna for the full 15-20mins would be ill-advised. Personally, I don’t think you should bring your phone to the sauna. Not only will it cause damage to the phone over time but sauna sessions should be a time to disconnect from technology and work on your mental health and breathing exercises.

Should I drink water in the sauna?

Yes, saunas are hot by design and you will sweat. Replacing fluids is crucial to maintaining a healthy body and a speedy recovery process.

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