Sauna Blog
Honest guides, real comparisons, and practical advice for your sauna journey.
- Mar 18, 2026
Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna: The $4,770 Entry Point
The Almost Heaven Salem is a 2-person barrel sauna at $4,770 with heater and rocks included. We vetted the specs, the installation reality, and who should (and should not) buy it.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
Best Barrel Saunas in 2026: 4 We Vetted
Almost Heaven Salem ($4,770), Dundalk Serenity ($5,724), and 2 more barrel saunas vetted on wood type, heat, capacity, and what is actually included in the price.
Roundup - Mar 18, 2026
Best Cedar Saunas in 2026: Why Wood Type Matters
Cedar saunas last longer, resist rot, and smell better. The Dundalk Georgian ($7,009) and Serenity ($5,724) are eastern white cedar. Here is when cedar is worth the premium.
Roundup - Mar 18, 2026
Best Indoor Saunas in 2026: Infrared and Traditional
The best indoor saunas from $1,000 infrared to $4,933 traditional. OUTEXER, Golden Designs, Almost Heaven Rainelle, and Auburn vetted for real home installation.
Roundup - Mar 18, 2026
Best Outdoor Sauna for Your Backyard in 2026
Barrel, cabin, or hybrid? We vetted the best outdoor saunas for backyard installation. Cedar vs spruce, foundation requirements, and what nobody tells you about 240V.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
Dundalk Georgian Cabin Sauna: Is It Worth $7,009?
The Dundalk Georgian is a 2-6 person eastern white cedar outdoor cabin at $7,009 before the heater. We vetted the specs, the tradeoffs, and who should actually buy it.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
Dundalk vs Almost Heaven: Which Barrel Sauna Should You Buy?
Dundalk Serenity ($5,724) vs Almost Heaven Pinnacle ($5,715) and Salem ($4,770). Cedar vs fir. Porch vs heater included. We vetted both brands side by side.
Comparison - Mar 18, 2026
Golden Designs Carinthia Hybrid Sauna: Is It Worth $6,999?
The Carinthia does infrared and traditional in one cabin. Harvia SWS80 stove + PureTech IR panels. We vetted whether the hybrid concept actually delivers.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
How Much Does a Sauna Cost? The Real Numbers for 2026
Sauna blankets start at $170. Barrel saunas at $4,770. Infrared cabins at $1,000. We break down what you actually pay at every tier, including installation and maintenance.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
How to Finance a Sauna: Payment Options from $4,000 to $45,000
Sauna financing options: HSA/FSA through TrueMed, personal loans, credit cards, and HELOCs. Real monthly numbers for a $5,000 barrel and for the five-figure cabins, where the maths changes.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
Can You Buy a Sauna with HSA or FSA Funds?
Yes, you can use HSA or FSA funds to buy a sauna through TrueMed at Select Saunas checkout. Here is how it works, what qualifies, and what to know before you pay.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
Hybrid Sauna: What It Is and Who It Is For
A hybrid sauna has both infrared panels and a traditional rock heater. The Golden Designs Carinthia ($6,999) is the only one worth buying. Here is who it is for.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
Sauna Installation: What You Need to Know Before the Truck Arrives
240V circuit, level foundation, 3-10 ft clearances. Everything you need to plan before your sauna ships. Covers barrel, cabin, indoor, and infrared installation.
Guide - Mar 18, 2026
Sauna vs Hot Tub: Which One Should You Buy?
Sauna or hot tub? We compare cost, health benefits, maintenance, and resale value. One costs $150/month to maintain. The other costs $15.
Comparison - Mar 2, 2026
How Often Should You Sauna? The Research-Backed Frequency Guide
4-7x per week: 48% lower heart disease risk. 2-3x: 24% lower. Once: baseline. We vetted the frequency research so you know exactly how often to show up.
Guide - Mar 2, 2026
Are Sauna Blankets Worth It? Blanket vs Traditional Sauna
Sauna blankets cost $300. Traditional saunas cost $3,000+. We vetted the health data on both. Here is when a blanket delivers comparable benefits and when it falls short.
Comparison - Mar 2, 2026
Sauna Before or After a Workout: What the Science Says About Timing
After for recovery. Before only for flexibility. Pre-workout sauna can hurt performance. We vetted the research on sauna timing for athletes and gym-goers.
Guide - Mar 2, 2026
Sauna Health Benefits: What 20 Years of Finnish Research Actually Shows
48% lower heart disease risk. 66% lower dementia risk. The largest sauna study ever (2,315 men, 20 years) vetted and explained. Here is what it means for your routine.
Guide - Feb 26, 2026
Almost Heaven Salem Barrel Sauna: Is It Worth $3,299?
We vetted the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna. Installation, heat performance, maintenance, and whether it justifies $3,299. The honest breakdown.
Guide - Feb 26, 2026
Best Sauna Blanket for Muscle Recovery in 2026
The best sauna blankets for post-workout recovery, vetted by heat output, infrared penetration, and value. Which one actually helps athletes recover faster.
Roundup - Feb 26, 2026
Best Sauna for Your Home Gym in 2026
The best saunas for home gym recovery, vetted by heat output, footprint, and gym integration. From $400 blankets to $3,000+ barrel saunas.
Roundup - Feb 26, 2026
Cold Plunge + Sauna Routine: The Complete Contrast Therapy Guide
15-20 min sauna, then 2-3 min cold plunge, repeat 2-3x. The vetted contrast therapy protocol with exact temps, timing, and home setups starting at $270.
Guide - Feb 26, 2026
HigherDOSE vs LifePro Sauna Blanket: Which One to Buy?
HigherDOSE ($699): better build, lower EMF. LifePro ($400): hotter, lifetime warranty. We vetted both sauna blankets on heat, EMF, and long-term value.
Comparison - Feb 26, 2026
Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna: What's the Difference?
Infrared: 110-150°F, direct body heat, $200-$5,000. Traditional: 175-200°F, ambient heat, $2,000-$10,000. We vetted the health data on both types.
Guide - Feb 26, 2026
Sauna Blanket vs Infrared Sauna: Which Is Better for You?
Blankets: $400-$700, fold flat, no install. Cabins: $800-$3,000, real sauna feel. We vetted both formats on cost, heat, and health benefits to help you choose.
Comparison - Feb 25, 2026
Best Infrared Sauna Blanket in 2026: 3 Vetted Side by Side
HigherDOSE ($699), LifePro ($400), Heat Healer ($698). Temp range, heat-up time, EMF disclosure, and warranty compared from the spec sheets.
Comparison - Feb 25, 2026
Best Portable Sauna Under $500: The Ones Worth Buying
Every portable sauna under $500 vetted on heat output, build quality, and how long it actually lasts. SereneLife, Smartmak, LifePro compared with real numbers.
Comparison - Feb 25, 2026
Low EMF Sauna Blankets: What to Look For (and What to Ignore)
"EMF-free" is impossible for any heated device. Which sauna blankets publish independent EMF testing, which only market the claim, and what the safety guidelines actually say.
Guide - Feb 25, 2026
HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket: What $699 Actually Buys You
The HigherDOSE blanket costs $699 against a $400 competitor with a higher max temp. We vetted the specs, warranty, and owner reports to see what the premium buys.
Comparison - Feb 25, 2026
Infrared Sauna for Sleep: How Heat Therapy Improves Your Rest
Sauna 1-2 hours before bed. Core temp rises, then drops, signaling sleep onset. We vetted the research on sauna timing, cortisol, and deep sleep improvement.
Guide - Feb 25, 2026
Sauna Blanket for Weight Loss: What the Science Actually Says
The "burn 600 calories" claim is misleading. You lose water weight, not fat. We vetted every sauna blanket weight loss claim against the actual research.
Guide - Feb 24, 2026
Best Portable Sauna Under $200: SereneLife vs Smartmak
SereneLife ($194) vs Smartmak ($170). We vetted both budget portable saunas on Amazon. One has better insulation, the other is machine-washable. Here is which to buy.
Comparison - Feb 24, 2026
7 Infrared Sauna Benefits Backed by Research
Heart health, recovery, pain relief: strong evidence. Weight loss, detox: overstated. We vetted every infrared sauna benefit claim against the actual clinical research.
Guide