Sweat It Out: The Best Splurge-Worthy At-Home Saunas That’ll Bring the Spa to You

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Unless you’re a frequent spa-goer with a monogrammed bathrobe to your name, chances are that it’s been a minute since you last entered a sauna. But what if you could sweat it all out whenever you want with your own, at-home sauna? Not only will it let you skip that trip to the spa entirely, it’s an investment into your self-care that’ll feel more luxurious than slipping on yet another sheet mask (although we have our favorites).

With sauna culture growing in popularity, you won’t need to install an entire spa suite to reap the therapeutic benefits of the best home saunas. Having your own sauna will let even a staycation feel more indulgent, and can be much more than just a place to enjoy some warmth before or after a workout. While there are more portable options, the top-rated at-home saunas are easily accessible, permanent fixtures that can be installed in just under a few hours.

Before you crank up the heat, know that home saunas are a really big investment. But if you’re frequenting the sauna at your local health club, or just want to reap the relaxation benefits, you can’t beat the convenience of having one at home. That being said, these are our favorite home saunas available online that’ll make every day feel like a stress-easing retreat.

In This Article

The Best Home Saunas

Home Sauna Buying Guide

The Best Home Saunas

We’ve broken down the best saunas to buy for your home, considering comfort, design, ease of construction, and overall value. Here are our top picks.

BEST OVERALL: Almost Heaven Saunas Worthington 4-Person Indoor Traditional Steam Sauna

BEST INFRARED: Sun Home Saunas Equinox 2 Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna

BEST TRADITIONAL: Golden Designs Copenhagen 3-Person Indoor Sauna

BEST BUDGET: Dynamic Barcelona 1 to 2-Person Hemlock Wood Low EMF FAR Infrared Sauna

BEST OUTDOOR: Redwood Outdoors Cedar Barrel Sauna

1. Almost Heaven Saunas Worthington 4-Person Indoor Traditional Steam Sauna

When you picture a sauna at a spa, it probably resembles this traditional steam model from Almost Heaven Saunas — sleek, minimalist design, low lighting, and filled with calming steam. You can’t beat the classics, and if you’re really looking for a pore-opening, full-body-dripping-with-sweat experience, we can think of no better option than this one.

The setup and instillation are fairly straightforward, with a full-length top bench and L-extension long enough for you to stretch out and relax, or invite a few friends over. One downside? The sauna doesn’t actually come with a floor, with Almost Heaven Saunas recommending you place it on vinyl, ceramic, concrete, laminate, or tile. While this may limit your options for where you can set it up, or whether you want to add additional flooring, it does come with a lifetime limited warranty (plus a five-year warranty on the heater) to help protect your investment.

Once you set up the steam and heating elements, the steam can crank up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit at maximum temperature. Elegant and relaxing, the Worthington will complement any home looking to benefit from the traditional sauna experience.

2. Sun Home Saunas Equinox 2 Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna

Looking for an infrared sauna instead? Go with the Equinox 2-Person, a full-spectrum infrared sauna from Sun Home Saunas packed with some pretty worthwhile extras (more than your average traditional sauna).

Unlike the industrial look of other infrared saunas, this one is made of hand-sanded, sustainably-sourced solid pine that will fit in with the vibes of any home (especially if you’re into minimalist decor). What we like: it’s assembled with a patented “Magne-Seal” system, so not only is it durable, it requires zero screws or nails to assemble so you can get to relaxing faster. A Reservation mode also allows you to “preheat” the sauna so it’s ready to go whenever you want some primo relaxation.

Inside, there are six low EMF (electromagnetic field) infrared heating panels that will heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s admittedly lower than traditional steam saunas (which can get up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit), but that doesn’t mean it’s less effective — infrared light directly heats your body instead of heating the air around you, so it’s better if you want more of a dry heat than getting clamy in a steam room.

The best part? This sauna is tricked out with an audio system with both aux cord and Bluetooth connectivity to play your favorite tunes through built-in surround sound speakers. Overall, its chic and rustic aesthetic combined with modern features make the Equinox 2 break from tradition in the best way possible.

3. Golden Designs Copenhagen 3-Person Indoor Sauna

Traditional home saunas like the Golden Designs Copenhagen are built to last, and with its superior build, this steam sauna that can be placed in almost any room of your home for a relaxing, invigorating escape.

It’s designed to be free-standing, with a slatted floor that lays on top of your existing home floor, so it’s really up to you where you want it to live in your house. Plus, to make sure this sauna heats up effectively for maximum performance, Golden Designs included a Sauna Core stove that’s manufactured with the strictest guidelines in Canada and certified by CSA.

While it’s a great choice on durability alone, there are a couple key features that also up the calming factor. Instead of staring at slotted wood, the interior ceiling has a galaxy star lighting system, along with a light-up backrest for some soothing color therapy. You can also use the touch screen control panel to play with the built-in FM radio and Bluetooth connection for the performance speakers, so you can turn up those spa sounds (or turn up the bass). For a traditional steam sauna, the Copenhagen definitely punches above its weight.

4. Dynamic Barcelona 1 to 2-Person Hemlock Wood Low EMF Infrared Sauna

If you’re looking to start your home sauna journey, but the sticker shock is what’s holding you back (believe us, we get it), then Dynamic Barcelona’s 1-2 Person Indoor Sauna is an affordable, entry-level pick that will still give you all the benefits at a lower price point.

Constructed from natural hemlock wood that is lightweight yet durable, you won’t struggle too much with this sauna’s simple clasp-together assembly compared to other models. The sauna features six carbon heating elements and a roof vent that’ll help provide safe heat and air circulation. If you’re worried about EMF (electrical magnetic field) exposure from infrared saunas, this low-EMF sauna can give you some peace of mind, too. Although this sauna does include an interior chromotherapy lighting (basically color therapy) so you can read inside or just enjoy a brighter sauna atmosphere.

While you won’t be able to invite your entire crew into this tight sauna, convenient features like an MP3 auxiliary connection and interior and exterior control panels make it perfect for enjoying by yourself or with another person.

5. Redwood Outdoors Cedar Barrel Sauna

Don’t have enough room in your home, but still want the quintessential sauna experience? Consider the Redwood Cedar Barrel Sauna, a six-person outdoor sauna made with the traditional Scandinavian design using 100% high-quality Canadian red cedar planks.

While it’s on the more expensive side, the round design of this home sauna adds an undeniably timeless, unique element to your backyard or patio, as well as giving you a relaxing outdoor oasis fit for an entire party. While the Redwood Cedar Barrel can heat up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit in under an hour, this sauna gives you maximum versatility in the form of dry or steam heat (including a wood-burning stove option for steam from. acrackling fire).

Its digital Wi-Fi heater can also be controlled via the wall pad mounted nearby your sauna, or from any smartphone or tablet. This allows you to pre-heat your sauna from anywhere — whether at the office or on the slopes. With few taps on your phone, your sauna will be ready when you get home, or early after you wake up the morning. A towel rack (included) is a great place to keep towels for drying off and cooling down between rounds.

While you’ll have to assemble this sauna yourself after delivery (which can be intimidating if your level of expertise is Ikea-based), the instructional video is helpful and easy to understand.

Home Sauna Buying Guide

Here’s what we consider when picking the saunas on our list, from size and material, to other important features when shopping for one:

Size: Saunas come in a range of sizes, from small, 1-2-person options to larger models that can accommodate up to 6-7 people. If you’re looking for a sauna that you can use on your own, a smaller size will likely suffice. However, if you plan on sharing the sauna with others, an outdoor model might be your best option.

Material: Home saunas are typically made from either wood or PVC. Wooden saunas are generally more durable and can provide a traditionally authentic sauna experience, but they’re heavier and difficult to set up, not to mention more expensive and not easily portable. PVC may be a more affordable option, but they may not last as long as wooden sauna models.

Heat: When it comes to heating, there are two main options: infrared saunas and traditional saunas. Infrared heaters raise the temperature inside and give off a dry heat, while traditional saunas use heat from a wood-burning stove or steam to warm the air. Infrared saunas tend to be more energy-efficient and can heat up more quickly than traditional saunas. Traditional saunas may take longer to heat up, but can provide a more authentic experience.