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Sauna Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

August 29, 2025

In our previous article, we walked you through the most popular types of saunas — and maybe some of you already made a decision based on what you found there. But if you’re still unsure, or if all the information felt a little overwhelming, don’t worry. This simple guide is here to help. We’ll highlight the key factors you should consider when buying a sauna, including a few points we haven’t mentioned before.

This is the same way we help our clients every day — by focusing on the most important questions and making sure you feel confident in your decision.

Choose the Right Type of Sauna for You

Traditional (Wood-Burning or Electric)

Traditional saunas are the classic option most people imagine — a room heated by a stove with stones piled on top. You can create steam by pouring water over the hot stones, which adds a burst of humidity to the dry heat. Wood-burning saunas use real fire to heat the stones, giving a very authentic and rustic feel, while electric saunas use a powered heater for quicker and easier setup. Despite the difference in how they’re heated, both wood-burning and electric saunas offer the same main benefits: deep muscle relaxation, improved circulation, heavy sweating, and stress relief. The choice mostly comes down to how much you enjoy the ritual of fire-building versus the convenience of flipping a switch.

These types of saunas are what we’re known for at Eden Hut — and we take great pride in offering some of the best traditional saunas the market has to offer. If you want to dive deeper into everything traditional saunas bring to the table, feel free to check out our detailed Types of Saunas guide.

Infrared

Infrared saunas are a different experience compared to traditional saunas. Instead of heating the air, they use special panels that send infrared light directly into your body, warming you from the inside out. The air stays cooler, but you still get a deep, therapeutic heat. Because of this, infrared saunas are great for people who don’t tolerate high heat well but still want the benefits of sauna therapy. The main benefits here focus more on deep tissue relief, detoxification, skin health, and improved recovery after exercise — all without needing to sit in extreme temperatures.

Steam (Wet) Sauna

Steam saunas, often called steam rooms, work a little differently than traditional saunas. Instead of dry heat and hot stones, they use a steam generator to fill the room with warm, moist air. The temperature is usually lower than a traditional sauna, but the humidity is extremely high — almost 100%. This type of heat is especially helpful for respiratory relief, easing congestion, and hydrating the skin. While the setup and feeling inside a steam room are different, the relaxing and health-boosting effects are very similar to sauna use, just with a heavier focus on moisture and breathing comfort.

Steam sauna

Indoor vs Outdoor Installation

Indoor Saunas

Indoor saunas are a great choice if you want a sauna that's easy to use all year round, no matter the weather. They’re often installed in existing spaces like bathrooms, basements, or spare rooms. Most indoor saunas are designed to fit the available space, which means there’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to custom work. If you have a unique area or specific needs, custom-built indoor saunas can be tailored perfectly to match your home's layout and style.

Outdoor Saunas

Outdoor saunas offer a completely different atmosphere — a chance to relax in a natural setting, whether it's your garden, backyard, or near a pool. They can really transform an outdoor space and add a beautiful focal point to your property. When choosing an outdoor sauna, it’s important to make sure you have enough space and that the sauna is built with weather-resistant materials like cedar, thermowood, or specially treated spruce. At Eden Hut, we offer a range of outdoor saunas, from fully custom-built designs to ready-made models that can be delivered and installed with ease, depending on what fits your needs best.

Finding the Perfect Sauna Size

When choosing a sauna, it’s important to know that they come in many different sizes and capacities. Some models are marked by a strict maximum capacity, while others give you a range — giving you a better idea of how much space and comfort you’ll actually have inside. Thinking about how you plan to use your sauna, and whether you prefer a cozier feel or a bit more room to stretch out, will help you pick the right size.

  • 1–2 Person: Compact and perfect for personal use or very small spaces. A great choice if you’re mainly looking for solo sessions or occasionally sharing with one other person.

  • 3–4 Person: A comfortable fit for families, couples, or small groups. These saunas give you a nice balance between space and efficiency, making them one of the most popular sizes for home use.

  • 5+ Person: Ideal for larger families, entertaining guests, or anyone who simply enjoys a spacious sauna experience. Bigger models also make it easier to lie down fully or enjoy longer, more relaxed sessions.
People sitting in sauna

Pick a Sauna That’s Built to Last

When you’re choosing a sauna, it’s natural to think first about the type or the size — but the materials and craftsmanship behind it are just as important. The kind of wood used makes a big difference in how your sauna will feel, how well it will hold up over time, and even how it will smell when heated. Below, we’ll walk you through some of our favorite wood options — the same ones we trust and recommend because of their quality, durability, and overall experience they bring.

  • Cedar: Cedar is one of the most popular choices for saunas, and for good reason. It’s naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and decay, which makes it perfect for the humid, high-heat sauna environment. Plus, it gives off a pleasant, soothing aroma that adds to the relaxation experience. Cedar also stays relatively cool to the touch even at high temperatures, making it a comfortable and durable option.

  • Hemlock: Hemlock is another great sauna wood, known for its strength and clean look. It’s durable, hypoallergenic, and doesn’t have a strong scent, which some people actually prefer if they’re sensitive to smells. Hemlock saunas often have a smooth, even finish and hold up very well over time, especially when properly maintained.

  • Spruce: Spruce is a light-colored wood that gives saunas a bright, traditional appearance. It’s often used in classic European sauna designs. While it’s slightly less resistant to moisture compared to cedar, when properly treated and cared for, spruce can make for a beautiful and long-lasting sauna. It’s a great choice if you want that clean, timeless sauna look.

Set a Clear Budget

Setting a clear budget is something we always recommend to our clients right from the start. When you know how much you're willing — and able — to spend, it becomes much easier to narrow down your options and focus on the saunas that truly fit your needs. It’s also important to keep in mind that the initial sauna price isn't the only cost. You should also factor in installation, any custom work you might want, and possible upgrades if you plan to place your sauna outdoors, like weatherproofing or stronger insulation. Always make sure you understand exactly what you're paying for and that you’re getting real value for your investment.

As for general pricing, infrared saunas tend to be the most affordable, usually ranging between $1,000 and $4,000 depending on the size and features. Traditional saunas — whether wood-burning or electric — typically start around $2,000 and can go well over $6,000, especially if you want custom designs, larger sizes, or outdoor-ready models. Outdoor saunas tend to be a bit more expensive overall because of the materials and extra work needed to handle the elements.

Conclusion

Now that you have a clear idea of what to look for, you’re one step closer to finding the sauna that’s right for you. If this guide helped you narrow down your needs, we invite you to explore our full range of saunas at Eden Hut. And if you still have any lingering questions or dilemmas, don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re always here to help you make the right choice and bring the full sauna experience into your life.

August 29, 2025

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