Outdoor Saunas

Find Your Style: Barrel, Cabin, Cube, or Pod

Outdoor saunas come in four main styles. The right one depends on your space, your climate, and how you want it to look in your yard.

Barrel saunas are the most popular outdoor style. The curved shape heats efficiently — less dead air at the top — and naturally sheds rain and snow. Most seat 2–6 people and they're typically the most affordable starting point. The trade-off is less headroom than a cabin, and the curved benches take some getting used to. Dundalk's Canadian Timber barrel saunas are built from Eastern White Cedar and designed specifically for northern climates, while SaunaLife's EE-series barrels feature full glass fronts for a more modern look.

Cabin saunas are the closest thing to a traditional Finnish sauna experience. Flat walls, flat benches, full standing height, and room for proper upper and lower bench layouts so you can choose your heat level. They cost more — the Dundalk Georgian starts at $7,199 — but you get significantly more usable interior space. True North's outdoor cabin sauna is one of our best sellers for families who want room to spread out.

Cube saunas are a newer style that's gaining traction fast. Clean lines, glass fronts, and a modern architectural look that works as a backyard statement piece. SaunaLife's CL-series cubes range from the 2-person CL3G up to the 8-person CL12GCP suite with a built-in changeroom. If design matters as much as function, this is where to look.

Pod saunas split the difference between a barrel and a cabin. Compact footprint, distinctive rounded shape, and easier to position on a patio or smaller yard. The SaunaLife G3 and Dundalk MiniPOD are two of our most popular models for tighter spaces. Browse all outdoor sauna pods to compare sizes and pricing.

For detailed comparisons and site preparation tips, read our complete Outdoor Sauna Buyer's Guide.

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Sauna

Size it for real use, not the spec sheet

A "6-person" sauna comfortably fits 3–4 adults who actually want to sit without bumping elbows. If you're buying for a family or plan to host, go one size up from what you think you need. Our outdoor saunas with changing rooms give you extra space to cool down and store towels without cramping the sauna itself.

Electric vs. wood-burning heat

Electric heaters from Harvia and HUUM are the practical choice — set the temperature, wait 30–60 minutes, and you're sweating. Wood-burning stoves don't need an electrical hookup, give you that traditional crackle, and work well for off-grid setups — but they take longer to heat and need a chimney. We carry both styles, and our wood-burning sauna heaters include everything you need for a fully off-grid setup.

Think about your climate

Northern states with real winters need thicker walls (minimum 1.5" solid wood), well-insulated doors, and a heater sized above the room's cubic footage. Dundalk and True North are Canadian-made and built specifically for this. Milder climates can go with thinner-walled models and save money — SunRay's outdoor traditional saunas are a solid option at a lower price point.

Set a realistic budget

Quality outdoor saunas range from around $4,990 for a 2–3 person cube to $12,000+ for large cabins with changerooms. Factor in $200–$800 for a foundation (gravel pad or concrete slab) and $300–$1,000 for electrical work if you're going with an electric heater. Most saunas also don't come with a heater integrated, so you can choose the right model for your needs. Most orders ship free (shipping varies by brand), and saunas up to $30,000 qualify for 0% APR financing.

Brands We Carry (and Why)

We don't carry every brand — we carry the ones worth owning.

SaunaLife — The widest range of outdoor styles we carry: glass-front barrels (EE-series), cubes (CL-series), pods (G3), and traditional cabins (G-series). Known for consistent build quality and modern glass-front designs across the line.

SunRay — Solid outdoor traditional saunas at accessible price points. Hemlock and cedar construction. A good entry point if you're buying your first outdoor sauna and want to keep the budget reasonable.

Dundalk LeisureCraft — Canadian-made from Eastern White Cedar ("Canadian Timber"). Built for harsh winters. The Georgian cabin and Harmony barrel are long-standing best sellers. These are the saunas people buy when they live somewhere that actually gets cold.

True North — Canadian barrel and cabin saunas with honest construction and competitive pricing. The Schooner barrel seats up to 8, and their outdoor cabin is consistently one of our top-reviewed models.

Kohler — Yes, that Kohler. The C2 outdoor sauna kit in Douglas Fir or weathered grey spruce brings bathroom-grade engineering to the backyard. Premium price, premium finish.

What's Included and What You'll Need

Every outdoor sauna ships with the structure, benches, door, and hardware. Most models don't include a heater — this is intentional, so you can choose the right heater for your space and preferences (we carry full ranges from Harvia and HUUM). The majority arrive as kits that two people can assemble in a weekend with basic tools — our step-by-step assembly walkthrough covers the full process.

You'll need to provide: a level surface (concrete pad, compacted gravel, or a deck rated for the weight), a dedicated electrical circuit for electric heaters (240V, typically 30A or 40A — each product page lists exact specs), and basic hand tools. Our team is available by phone if you hit a snag during assembly.

Browse Outdoor Saunas by Size

1-Person Outdoor Sauna | 2-Person Outdoor Sauna | 3-Person Outdoor Sauna | 4-Person Outdoor Sauna | 5-Person Outdoor Sauna | 6-Person Outdoor Sauna | 7-Person Outdoor Sauna | 8+ Person Outdoor Sauna

Frequently Asked Questions