Sauna Shopping Guide

Measure the space you have to dedicate to a sauna precisely—every inch counts! The options can change dramatically based on the area you choose, whether it’s the corner of a room or a dedicated section of the basement.

Are you limited on space? How many people would you like to fit in the sauna? Do you prefer to sit or lay down? Answering these questions will help you accurately select a sauna that suits your space and preferences perfectly.

Although installing a sauna outdoors usually gives you more flexibility on size, it can come with extra requirements. You’ll likely need to build a foundation, insulate, and create access points for power and water—which can add a sizable amount of labor and cost to the project.

Even indoor saunas can come with requirements. Check the specifications to find out if the sauna you are considering requires access to the water line, a special power supply, or a draining system. In the case of SaunaSpace, all you need is a regular grounded outlet.

If you don’t own your property, your options for getting a sauna can be more limited. Condos and apartments, for example, often prohibit residents from making major alterations. Fortunately, there are portable saunas (like the Luminati and Faraday) that work well in these spaces.

Even if you do own a home and the property it sits on, you should refer to your area’s building and electrical codes to learn about any permits or restrictions that apply.

What your sauna is made of matters. If you choose poor quality wood, your investment may not hold up to regular use. If your sauna includes other unnatural materials like synthetic fabrics or glues, it may offgas, releasing gasses and chemicals into the air.

Trust us, it won’t feel like you’re detoxing if you’re breathing in poor quality air. Take extra care to ensure that your sauna is built with your safety and long-term satisfaction in mind.

Purchasing your sauna is just the beginning. If something goes wrong, you’ll want to know that you have the support of a company that stands behind their products. A solid return policy may be useful if your sauna arrives damaged or if there’s trouble during installation, but a warranty is the only way to be sure you’ll be covered past the honeymoon phase.

Read the fine print and, if you still have questions, contact the company. You should feel confident that your warranty will cover common problems for a reasonable amount of time. It can also offer peace of mind to know if a company has quality customer service before you buy.

Operating your sauna can feel like a hidden cost that’s hard to calculate, but most companies have estimates they can share. If your sauna takes a while to warm up, or includes a lot of electrical features (lighting, sound systems, etc.), this can add up to higher utility bills.

It may sound luxurious to have a LED light show and immersive speakers in your sauna, but it may be doing more harm than good. In fact, all of these electronic extras contribute electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, that act as an environmental stressor. To experience the ultimate escape and rejuvenation, consider minimizing distractions and EMFs.