Best Home Saunas: A Shortlist by Budget and Space
The best home sauna for most people with a backyard and a 240V circuit is a 2 to 4 person barrel with a 6 kW heater, from about $4,500. With only a 120V outlet indoors, the best home sauna is a small infrared cabin like the Sun Home Solstice 2.
By John Voll · Updated Oct 27, 2026 · We may earn a commission from links
The list is sorted by where the sauna goes and what power you have, since that decides more than the brand. Every model is from the maker's own store, with the price and the date I read it. I have not sat in any of them; the picks are based on the published specs, which are shown so you can check them. Run your room through the heater size calculator before you buy any traditional sauna.
Backyard, 240V, on a budget
A barrel with a 6 kW electric heater is the cheapest way to get a traditional sauna outside. The Salem was the lowest price I found with the heater included.
Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel
$4,485
with a 6 kW Harvia KIP heater
- Heater
- 6 kW KIP (included)
Two people means two people sitting upright. If you want to lie down or have guests, buy the next size up.
Backyard, room for four
Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel
$6,060$7,575
with a 6 kW Harvia KIP heater
- Heater
- 6 kW KIP (included)
On sale when I checked (regular price $7,575). It uses the same 6 kW heater as the Salem in a bigger room, so check it against the calculator if you live somewhere cold.
Redwood Outdoors Cabin 4-Person
$6,299$7,299
cabin price; heater chosen separately
A cabin instead of a barrel: flat walls and two bench levels. The price is the cabin only. Redwood sells a Harvia KIP 6 kW heater package for $1,195.
Backyard, six people
Almost Heaven Princeton 6-Person Barrel
$8,932
with an 8 kW Harvia KIP heater
- Heater
- 8 kW KIP (included)
- Heat-up
- 180°F in about an hour (maker)
This steps up to an 8 kW heater, which on a typical package means a 40-amp breaker and #8 wire instead of 30 amps and #10. Ask your electrician before you order.
Indoors, 240V available
Almost Heaven Hillsboro 2-Person Indoor
$5,299
with a 6 kW Harvia heater
- Heater
- 6 kW Harvia (included)
- Top temperature
- 185°F (maker)
Sun Home Nova 3-Person Traditional
$12,499
- Heater
- HUUM DROP 6 kW
- Top temperature
- 230°F (maker)
About $7,000 more than the Hillsboro for one more seat and a HUUM heater rated hotter. I don't think that is good value unless you want this particular design.
Indoors, only 120V
Without a 240V circuit, a traditional heater is mostly off the table. A 120V infrared cabin is the practical choice.
Sun Home Solstice 2-Person Infrared
$6,199
- Type
- far infrared only
- Top temperature
- about 145°F
- Power
- 120V, 2,006 W, dedicated 20A circuit
- Outlet
- NEMA 5-20
- Weight
- 522 lb
The 145°F rating is normal for infrared. These cabins run much cooler than traditional saunas because the panels heat you more than the air. See infrared vs traditional.
Outdoor infrared
Sun Home Luminar 5-Person Outdoor
$14,499
- Type
- full spectrum, 10 heaters
- Range
- up to 170°F
- Power
- 240V, 7,200 W, dedicated 30A circuit
- Plug
- NEMA L6-30
- Weight
- 1,070 lb
This one needs 240V and 7,200 watts on a 30-amp circuit. Outside, infrared loses its main advantage, the plug-in circuit, so compare it with a barrel and an electric heater.
Sources
- Almost Heaven, Salem 2 Person Barrel Sauna
- Almost Heaven, Pinnacle 4 Person Barrel Sauna
- Almost Heaven, Princeton 6 Person Barrel Sauna
- Almost Heaven, Hillsboro 2 Person Indoor Sauna
- Redwood Outdoors, Cabin Outdoor Sauna 4 Person
- Sun Home, Solstice 2-Person Infrared Sauna
- Sun Home, Luminar 5-Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna
- Sun Home, Nova 3-Person Indoor Traditional Sauna
Prices and specs are from each maker's own product page on the date shown next to them. Prices change; the store is always right and we may be out of date.
Related guides
Costco saunas
Costco sauna buying guide: what to check on any Costco sauna listing (heater, 240V circuit, base, returns) and what the same money buys direct.
Infrared vs traditional
Infrared vs traditional sauna: temperature, wiring (120V vs 240V), steam and warm-up compared from maker specs, and which to buy for your room.
Barrel, cabin or cube
Barrel sauna vs cabin vs cube: price, heat-up, floor and foundation for each outdoor sauna type, and which one to buy first.
Heater size calculator
Sauna heater size calculator: enter room dimensions and glass to get the right kW, using Harvia's published room-volume ratings.
Sauna electrical
Sauna electrical requirements: 120V vs 240V, breaker and wire size for 6 and 8 kW heaters, and when a plug-in infrared sauna is enough.
What size sauna
Sauna size guide: how 2, 4 and 6 person saunas compare on real bench space, heater size, circuit and price, and which size to buy.