Types of Home Saunas Explained
Sauna blankets, portable tents, infrared cabins, and barrel saunas — which type is right for you?
Choosing a home sauna can feel overwhelming with so many types available. Each offers a different experience, price point, and space requirement. Here's a breakdown of every major type to help you decide.
Sauna blankets ($170-$700) are the most accessible entry point. You lie inside a heated blanket that wraps around your body, generating infrared heat up to 140-176°F. They fold up for storage, require no installation, and plug into a standard outlet. Best for: apartments, beginners, anyone who wants to test sauna therapy before committing to bigger equipment. Top picks: the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket and the LifePro RejuvaWrap.
Portable tent saunas ($170-$300) are collapsible, tent-like enclosures with infrared heating panels. You sit on a chair inside the tent with your head sticking out. They set up in minutes and fold flat for storage. Best for: budget buyers, small spaces, anyone who prefers sitting upright. Top picks: the SereneLife Infrared Home Sauna and the Smartmak Far Infrared Sauna Tent.
Indoor infrared cabin saunas ($800-$3,000) are the closest to a real sauna room you can get at home. Made from wood (usually hemlock or cedar), they feature multiple infrared heating panels, often with Bluetooth speakers and chromotherapy lighting. They require dedicated floor space and are semi-permanent. Best for: homeowners with a spare room or garage, daily users, anyone who wants the full sauna experience. Top picks: the OUTEXER 1-Person Infrared Sauna.
Outdoor barrel saunas ($2,500-$8,000+) are the premium choice for traditional sauna purists. Made from solid wood, barrel saunas use an electric or wood-burning heater with rocks for authentic dry and steam heat up to 190°F+. The barrel shape is naturally strong and retains heat efficiently. Best for: homeowners with outdoor space, traditional sauna enthusiasts, anyone building a backyard wellness area. Top pick: the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna.
When choosing, consider three factors: your space (apartment vs. house vs. backyard), your budget (one-time cost plus ongoing electricity), and your preference for heat type (infrared heats the body directly at lower air temps; traditional heats the air for a more intense experience). If you're unsure, our sauna quiz can help you narrow it down in under 2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Smartmak Portable Sauna Tent at $170 or the SereneLife at $194 are the cheapest options. For blankets, the LifePro RejuvaWrap at $400 is the best value. All three are effective for beginners.
Outdoor barrel saunas with traditional heaters reach the highest temperatures — up to 190°F+ with steam. Infrared saunas and blankets max out around 140-176°F, but heat the body directly so you still sweat intensely at lower air temperatures.
Most sauna blankets, portable tents, and compact infrared cabins run on a standard 120V household outlet. Larger cabin saunas and all barrel saunas with electric heaters require a 240V dedicated circuit, which may need professional installation.
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