A home sauna can be a fantastic recovery tool, but choosing one can be daunting when there are so many brands and models on the market. How do you know which saunas are worth the money? Our goal is to help make the buying process as seamless as possible, so you can feel confident in your decision and create the ultimate relaxation space in your own home.
When we test saunas, we follow a multi-step testing methodology to ensure we cover the most important criteria that consumers want to know before making a purchase. Our proprietary analysis includes everything from how the sauna looks to how quickly it heats up, how durable it is, and beyond. We rate each sauna on a scale of 1 to 5 in individual categories, then average those scores together to create an overall GGR score. This combination of data and hands-on experience helps inform our recommendations.
Ready to join the club? Let our testers break a sweat and learn how we examine top-performing profiles to keep you informed on the best saunas of the bunch. The GGR panel of experts includes certified personal trainers, CrossFitters, marathon runners, home gym owners, and elite athletes. We’ve tested over 30 saunas and helped more than 500 consumers buy saunas last year.
Our Values
For the GGR staff, fitness isn’t just something we write about. We’re passionate about working out and recovering properly. As such, we also want you to be successful in your health and wellness journey. That’s why we only recommend products and brands we believe in and trust outright.
Sometimes, companies send us saunas free of charge. However, we never let that influence our reviews. In fact, many saunas we test don’t make it onto our website. If we don’t enjoy our experience, we won’t give you a dishonest review just to make a sale. Our goal is to provide you with unbiased, honest feedback to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Our Process
Our sauna testing process starts with extensive research. The GGR product experts first identify the brands that offer models across various price ranges, sizes, materials, and extra perks to ensure we cater to a wide range of preferences. We then whittle down the list and order the saunas that we feel can stand up to (and potentially outshine) their competitors.
From there, we evaluate each sauna according to our proprietary scoring methodology and narrow our lists down even further based on the examined product ratings. We also compare each sauna to the industry averages in multiple categories.
Below are some of the key metrics we traditionally see when researching and rating home saunas.
| Category | Average Sauna We Test |
| Price | $8,295 |
| Dimensions | 53.8” W x 51.5” D x 78.9” H |
| Temperature Range | Up to 165º F |
| Capacity | 2 people |
| Product Weight | 641 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Once we publish a roundup of our favorite saunas, we don’t just “set it and forget it.” We re-evaluate our panels every month to ensure we’re always providing you with the most up-to-date models and specs. As we test new indoor, outdoor, or infrared saunas, we consider them for our panels and remove outdated products or those that no longer meet our strict testing standards.
Sauna Performance Testing
The sauna performance tests involve us sitting in the sauna, analyzing how much room it requires, evaluating the quality of its materials, and assessing the user-friendliness of its tech features and extra perks (such as red light therapy).
Below are the main criteria we examine and what constitutes an average or stellar score.
Footprint and Portability
Space is a crucial factor to consider when buying a sauna. A compact sauna that only fits one to two people is suitable if you have a small home or don’t intend to sit in the sauna with friends. However, if you want to share the sauna experience with others, you’ll need to consider whether or not you can fit a big sauna in your space.
It’s also important to know if the sauna can fit the number of people it claims to. For example, for a five-person sauna to earn a 5 out of 5 here, it must actually fit five people without taking up an unnecessary amount of space. Multiple GGR product testers of various sizes and body types will sit in the sauna to test the accuracy of the brand’s claims. We’ll dock a few points from this rating if the sauna’s marketed capacity doesn’t align with its real-life capabilities
Portability also plays a role in this rating, as we know some people move a lot or just want the ability to transport their sauna as needed. Obviously, you can’t expect a seven-person sauna to be easy to move, so we don’t penalize the larger units for not being portable. However, we still analyze how easily it can fit into the average home.
Durability and Construction
Cedar, hemlock, basswood, aspen, and eucalyptus are common types of wood used for saunas. While that might read like a trip to your local lumber yard, the materials used can affect the sauna’s appearance, price, and durability.
For example, eucalyptus is often more expensive but can be aesthetically pleasing. Hemlock is known for its moisture resistance, making it a great choice for outdoor saunas. Aspen is not as durable as other types of wood and is commonly used for indoor saunas. That said, sauna companies that use aspen may thermo-treat it to help improve its longevity.
When we test a sauna, we’ll consider the wood type as well as how sturdy it feels after it’s built. We also check the sauna for holes or other flaws in construction that may affect its heating performance or ability to maintain temperatures. To get at least a 3 out of 5, there must be no obvious defects and the wood used must be suitable for the environment the sauna is intended for.
For portable saunas, sauna blankets, and sauna tents, we assess whether they are machine washable and if the material seems prone to rips and tears. Some sauna blankets require you to use a towel or insert to prevent sweat build-up and boost the sauna’s durability. We favor machine-washable products since they’re easier to maintain.
Performance
The performance score analyzes how quickly the sauna heats up, whether it actually reaches its advertised max temperature, and how well it holds its temperature for a 10- to 20-minute sauna session. Throughout our sauna protocols, we’ll also step in and out of the sauna five or six times to see if the temperature remains consistent, even after opening and closing the door repeatedly.
We use timers to monitor how long it takes to reach the highest temperature. For a sauna to earn at least a 3 out of 5, it must get up to its highest setting in about 35 minutes. This can vary, though, as different types of saunas may heat up more quickly. An infrared sauna, for example, can reach its highest temperature within 20 minutes, while a sauna tent or blanket may take just 10 minutes to heat up all the way.
We also assess the maximum temperature based on the type of sauna. Traditional dry saunas can go as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas an infrared sauna typically maxes out at about 150 degrees. A portable sauna or sauna tent may only reach 130 degrees. We use thermometers to confirm how hot each sauna gets.
Features
At the very least, a sauna should have a thermometer so you can easily read and adjust the temperature. Such profiles get, at least, a 3 out of 5 in this category.
Many modern saunas are also decked out with wireless speakers, digital control panels that you can sync via Bluetooth to a mobile app, and chromotherapy lighting. For these cases, we assess the quality of the speakers and how easily we can connect our devices to the control panels. A sauna will only get a perfect 5-out-of-5 rating in this category if its features really impress us.
Traditional saunas often require hot rocks, but some sauna companies don’t include them for free. We give bonus points to the saunas that do include them for no additional charge.
Customer Experience Testing
In addition to testing each sauna’s performance, we also analyze the overall customer experience. How easy it is to order and assemble the sauna, the brand’s reputation, and the responsiveness of each company’s customer service staff all play a large role in our overall ratings.
Delivery and Setup
Unless you opt for something small like a sauna blanket or sauna tent, you’ll likely need to spend a couple of hours assembling your sauna. Not only that, but you’ll also need to be prepared to receive the pieces in multiple boxes. Many sauna brands offer professional delivery and/or assembly services for an extra cost. However, if you don’t want to pay the additional fee, you’re on your own when it comes to setting up the sauna.
The GGR product testers independently assemble each sauna we receive so we can give you honest feedback about how easy or complicated the process is. We time how long the assembly process takes and are always upfront about how many people we need to assist.
We’ll also be forthcoming if the assembly instructions are unclear and/or if you need extra tools that aren’t included with your purchase. Our assembly team has put together over 30 saunas, so we have a good idea of how long the assembly process should take based on the sauna’s size. However, you should also be honest about your own DIY skills when determining how long it will take you to assemble your sauna.
Because the assembly process is different for sauna blankets or tents and standalone sauna units, we’ll factor that into our score. A large five-person sauna, for example, may take 10 hours to assemble and require the help of four or five people. That said, if we think the length of time and amount of help needed makes sense for the sauna’s size, we’ll still give it a 4- or 5-out-of-5 rating in this category.
Value
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a higher price tag means a higher-quality product. While that’s true in many cases, it’s also sometimes the complete opposite. The cost of a sauna can range from under $300 to over $15,000, but the super pricey ones aren’t always worth it.
That’s why we analyze the overall value of each sauna we test. We carefully consider whether the features and materials justify the cost. If the sauna is significantly more expensive than other saunas with similar features, we may only score it a 3 out of 5. If we feel the price is fair and in line with the sauna’s competitors, we’ll bump up the score.
Customer Experience (Warranty, Financing, Returns, Customer Service)
Appearance, performance, and cost aren’t the only factors we consider when testing saunas. Those things matter, naturally, but the overall customer experience is just as important. We want our readers to feel just as confident as we do in the brands we recommend. As such, we’ll evaluate the sauna’s warranty, whether or not the company offers financing, and how approachable and communicative the customer service staff is.
For saunas, we like to see warranty periods of at least five years. Such saunas earn at least a 3 out of 5 for customer experience. To earn a higher score, the sauna must also offer 0% financing and at least a 30-day return window. Sauna companies that earn a perfect score in this field also offer multiple contact methods—such as phone, email, and online chat—and are quick to respond to any inquiries or complaints.
We also know that, sometimes, despite all the research you do before making your purchase, the product just isn’t the right fit for you. For that reason, we’ll take the return policy into account. If the customer is responsible for return shipping costs, or if the company charges restocking fees on returned products, we’ll remove some points from our scores in this category.
Customer Reviews
Oftentimes, the GGR product testers represent just a small percentage of people who have used the saunas featured on our best-of lists. That’s why we like to look at other customer reviews to see if additional consumers have the same experience as us.
If multiple customers mention the same pain points we did, we’ll call that out in our reviews. If several customers loved a specific feature but it didn’t work as intended, we’ll highlight that, as well, so you can get a comprehensive understanding of how the sauna functions.
We gather the average customer rating from sources such as the brand’s website, third-party retailers like Amazon, or anywhere else the sauna is sold, and factor that into our overall rating.
Overall Score
Once we’ve compiled all the individual scores, we then average them together to create an overall GGR rating for each sauna. The overall scores play a large role in determining which products make it to the top of our lists.
