What Should I Look for When Buying a Sauna? A Beginner’s Guide

Shopping for a sauna is exciting, but the number of options can feel overwhelming: barrel or cabin, traditional or infrared, indoor or outdoor, compact or spacious. The “right” choice depends on your space, lifestyle, and the kind of experience you want to create.

The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert to choose well. Once you understand a few key factors—sauna type, location, size, materials, heater, and features—your decision becomes much clearer.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn:

• The difference between traditional and infrared saunas
• How to choose between barrel, cabin, and indoor infrared designs
• What to look for in wood quality and construction
• Why the heater is one of the most important components
• Common mistakes to avoid when buying your first sauna

What Does “Buying the Right Sauna” Actually Mean?

Buying the right sauna isn’t about finding the most expensive model—it’s about matching three things:

• Your preferred sauna experience (gentle heat vs. classic intense heat)
• Your installation space (indoor vs. outdoor, compact vs. expansive)
• Your long-term routine (quick evening sessions, weekend rituals, or both)

When these three elements line up, your sauna becomes a part of your weekly lifestyle instead of an item that looks beautiful but rarely gets used.

1. Decide Between Traditional and Infrared Saunas

The first major choice is whether you want a traditional sauna or an infrared sauna. Both offer a relaxing heat experience, but they feel different in practice.

Traditional Sauna

Traditional saunas use a heater filled with stones (electric or wood-burning) to warm the air inside the room. You can enjoy a dry heat or gently pour water over the stones to create steam.

Best for people who:

• Love the classic Nordic sauna experience
• Enjoy higher temperatures and a strong heat sensation
• Want an outdoor retreat like a barrel or cabin sauna

If the Leisurecraft barrel sauna shown above matches your dream aesthetic, you’re likely a traditional sauna person. You can explore more options in our barrel sauna collection or browse more spacious layouts in our cabin sauna collection.

Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas use infrared elements that create a gentler heat experience at lower temperatures. The air temperature is cooler than a traditional sauna, which many beginners find easier to ease into.

Best for people who:

• Prefer a milder, soothing heat
• Want longer, more relaxed sessions
• Plan to install their sauna indoors in a dedicated wellness space

To see what this style looks like in practice, you can explore our curated infrared sauna collection.

2. Choose the Right Location: Indoor vs. Outdoor

Your available space has a huge impact on which sauna style makes sense. Ask yourself:

• Do I want my sauna to be a backyard escape or part of my home’s interior?
• How close is the space to power and drainage, if needed?
• Is there enough room for the door to open comfortably and people to move around?

Outdoor Saunas

Outdoor saunas, like the Leisurecraft barrel or a classic cabin sauna, turn your yard or cottage property into a nature-focused retreat. They work especially well in cooler climates where stepping from crisp outdoor air into warm wood is part of the ritual.

Barrel saunas are popular because their curved design encourages efficient air circulation and they make a striking visual statement. Cabin saunas, on the other hand, offer a more traditional room-like layout with extra headroom and flexible bench positioning.

Indoor Saunas

Indoor infrared saunas are ideal if you’d like a wellness corner that’s easy to access year-round, no matter the weather. They fit well in spare rooms, basements, home gyms, or large bathrooms where proper clearances and ventilation are available.

3. Think About Size and Capacity

Before falling in love with a model, think about how many people will regularly use your sauna:

• Is this mainly for solo sessions?
• Do you want space for a partner or a friend?
• Would you like the option to stretch out or lie down?

Key size considerations:

• Seating capacity: 2-person, 4-person, or 6+ person layouts
• Bench depth: deeper benches are more comfortable for reclining
• Interior height: more height gives heat room to circulate

Even if you mainly plan to use the sauna alone, choosing a slightly larger model can offer more flexibility and comfort for years to come.

4. Pay Attention to Wood and Construction Quality

The wood used in your sauna affects its durability, stability, and overall feel. Look for:

• Thick, solid boards rather than thin paneling
• Carefully milled staves on barrel saunas for a tight, even fit
• Heat-treated or kiln-dried woods that handle changes in temperature and humidity well
• Thoughtful details like sturdy benches, smooth edges, and quality fasteners

Quality construction not only looks better—it helps your sauna age gracefully and stay comfortable to use season after season.

5. Understand the Heater: The Heart of Your Sauna

The heater is one of the most important components to consider when buying a sauna. It determines how quickly the room heats up, how evenly heat is distributed, and how enjoyable each session feels.

Traditional Sauna Heaters

In traditional saunas, electric heaters like the HUUM Drop 6 or other high-quality brands are designed to hold a large number of stones. More stones generally mean softer, more enveloping heat and the option to create gentle steam by adding water.

Things to look for:

• A heater size that matches your sauna’s cubic volume
• Reliable controls and clear safety guidelines
• A design that complements the look of your sauna interior

Infrared Sauna Heaters

Infrared saunas don’t use stones or steam. Instead, they rely on infrared panels or emitters positioned along the walls, backrest, and sometimes the floor.

Look for:

• Even heater placement for consistent warmth
• Balanced coverage across the back and sides
• Clear information from the manufacturer about operating guidelines

6. Consider Features and Comfort Details

Once you’ve chosen the type, location, and size, smaller details can make a big difference in how much you enjoy each session.

Comfort and design features to consider:

• Backrests or headrests for relaxing comfortably
• Exterior seating or a small porch, as seen on many barrel saunas
• Windows for natural light or forest views
• LED interior lighting for a calming evening ambiance
• Thermometers, timers, and ventilation controls

Choose features that you’ll actually use. A simple, well-built sauna that fits your lifestyle is often more satisfying than a feature-heavy model that doesn’t match your routine.

7. Set a Budget with Long-Term Value in Mind

Saunas are available at many price points. While it’s important to stay within your budget, it’s also worth considering long-term value:

• Quality wood and construction can extend the life of your sauna
• Reliable heaters reduce future replacement costs
• A layout you love encourages consistent use over many years

Instead of asking, “What is the cheapest sauna I can buy?” a better question is, “Which sauna will I be happy using three or five years from now?”

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Sauna

• Choosing a sauna that’s too small for how you’d actually like to sit or recline.
• Overlooking installation requirements such as electrical needs or clearances.
• Focusing only on appearance rather than heater size, materials, and build quality.
• Not thinking about where it will live long-term (yard layout, deck space, or indoor room flow).

Conclusion: Your Next Step Toward the Right Sauna

When you ask, “What should I look for when buying a sauna?” the real answer is a combination of type, location, size, materials, heater quality, and comfort features. Once you understand these pieces, the decision becomes far less complicated—and much more exciting.

If you’re dreaming of an outdoor retreat surrounded by nature, explore our barrel sauna collection and cabin sauna collection. If an indoor wellness corner is more your style, browse our infrared saunas to see which layout and design feels right for your home.

Take your time, compare a few options, and choose the sauna that you can see yourself enjoying week after week. That’s the one that truly fits.