Types of Saunas: 10 Options Compared by Heat, Temperature and Price
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The main types of saunas are traditional electric, wood-burning, infrared (far and full spectrum), steam, and hybrid, and they come in formats such as barrel, outdoor cabin, tent, portable steam tent and sauna blanket. The heat source decides how hot and humid the session feels, while the format decides where it fits and what it costs.
Below we explain each type, then compare heat, temperature, power and price from our own catalog in one table.
Types by heat source
1. Traditional electric sauna
An electric heater warms a load of stones, which heat the air in a wood-lined room. You can ladle water on the stones for bursts of steam (löyly). Harvard Health describes sauna dry heat reaching as high as 185°F (85°C). Our Golden Designs Kuusamo 6-person indoor sauna lists 175–190°F (79–88°C) from an 8.0 kW Harvia stove on 240V/40A. Smaller rooms can use smaller heaters: the 4.5 kW 220V heater is rated for 105–210 cu ft (3–6 m³) rooms. Browse traditional saunas and sauna heaters.
2. Wood-burning sauna
The same stone-and-heat principle, fired with wood instead of electricity. It needs a chimney and no electrical service, which makes it popular for cabins, lake shores and tent saunas. The Mini Cube tent listing says it reaches 200°F+ (93°C+) in about 15–20 minutes with its wood stove. Portable stoves start at $259.99 for the folding wood-burning tent stove. Some outdoor cabins, like the Thermasol Nordic Misty, offer a woodburning heater as an alternative to an electric one. See wood-fired saunas.
3. Infrared sauna (far infrared and full spectrum)
Infrared saunas skip the stones. Heater panels (carbon, ceramic or similar) warm your body directly, so the air stays cooler. Many of our infrared cabins list a maximum of about 140–149°F (60–65°C); 140°F (60°C) is listed for the European Aspen Far Infrared Sauna Room and the Blisspod Milano. Power draw is far lower than a stove heater: the Medical 3 is rated at 1450W, and larger ones draw more, such as the Medical 6 Plus at 2250W.
- Far infrared cabins use far-infrared panels only. Browse far infrared saunas.
- Full spectrum cabins combine near, mid and far infrared emitters. Browse full spectrum infrared saunas.
For a side-by-side comparison, read infrared vs. traditional saunas.
4. Steam room
A steam room is a sealed, waterproof room fed by a steam generator. Harvia recommends 45–50°C (113–122°F), with the air saturated by steam. It needs tile or other waterproof surfaces, a floor drain and a ceiling sloped at least 15 degrees, and Harvia says no wood should be used inside. The equipment itself can be affordable: a 7.5 kW steam generator is $231.03, with the enclosure built separately. More in sauna vs steam room.
5. Hybrid sauna
Hybrids put a traditional stove and infrared panels in one cabin. The Golden Designs Kaskinen lists 170–185°F (77–85°C) on its 8.0 kW stove and 118–132°F (48–56°C) in full spectrum infrared mode. On the Gargellen, Golden Designs notes the two modes do not run at the same time; you pick one per session. Other hybrids in our range include the Carinthia (8 kW stove) and the Karlstad. Harvia's design guide notes that a sauna used together with infrared should not exceed 70°C (158°F).
Types by format
6. Barrel sauna
A cylinder of staves, usually outdoors. The round shape keeps the interior volume compact. Examples: the Golden Designs Klosters 6-person barrel ($6,999), the Blisspod Prague with a 6000 W heater (from $6,999) and the Mr. Steam Barrel Haus ($16,360). Read our barrel sauna buying guide or shop barrel saunas.
7. Outdoor cabin sauna
A freestanding sauna building with a roof, made for the backyard. Heat can be electric, wood or hybrid. Ours start at $4,199.95 for the 6000W Outdoor Traditional Steam Sauna and include the 9000W carbonized spruce cabin ($6,132.95) and the Mande MW12 ThermoWood with heater options including Harvia KIP models (from $6,599). Outdoor infrared cabins start lower, from $2,651.95 for the Two Person Far Infrared Old Fir Outdoor Sauna Room. See outdoor saunas.
8. Tent sauna
An insulated tent with a wood stove and chimney port. It packs down for camping or a backyard. The Mini Cube (2-person) is 5 x 5 x 5.5 ft (1.5 x 1.5 x 1.7 m) and from $599 tent-only; the Nova 6 is 7.5 x 9 ft (2.3 x 2.7 m) and from $999; the Dome is 9.5 ft (2.9 m) across for 8+ people, from $2,077.98. Shop tent saunas.
9. Portable steam sauna
A fabric enclosure with a plug-in steamer and a chair, for one or two people. Listings in our range give temperatures of roughly 95–149°F (35–65°C) and steamers from 800W to 1600W. The Portable Steam Sauna Box with Steamer is $119; the 2-person version with two steamers is $390.99, and the five-sided steam tent with a 1500W steamer is $569.80. Shop portable steam saunas. Portable infrared tents also exist, such as the far infrared tent with heated foot pad ($209.99, 86–140°F / 30–60°C).
10. Sauna blanket
A heated wrap you lie inside, usually with infrared heating elements. It is the smallest and cheapest format. The Infrared Sauna Blanket with Arm Sleeves lists 90–180°F (32–82°C) at 400W for $151.99; the Nushape Sauna Wrap lists 95–167°F (35–75°C) at 600W for $649.99; the Nicebeam Infrared Sauna Blanket Pro (600W) is $629 to $729. Shop sauna blankets.
Comparison table: types of saunas in our catalog
Temperatures and power figures are as listed on the example products named in this guide. Prices span the example products named; other models in our catalog may sit outside these spans, so check the collection pages for the full range.
| Type | Heat | Listed temperature | Power (examples) | Price range (our catalog) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional electric (indoor cabin) | Electric heater + stones, dry with optional steam | 175–190°F / 79–88°C (Kuusamo) | 3000W (African Pine) to 8.0 kW (Kuusamo) | $3,126.95–$12,199 |
| Wood-burning | Wood stove + stones | 200°F+ / 93°C+ (Mini Cube tent) | No electricity | Tent stoves $259.99–$949; Thermasol Nordic Misty $31,883 |
| Far infrared | Infrared panels heat the body | Up to 140°F / 60°C (European Aspen) | 1020W (single mini) to 2250W (Blisspod Vienna Corner) | $1,018.25–$9,999 |
| Full spectrum infrared | Near, mid and far infrared emitters | Up to 140°F / 60°C (Blisspod Milano) | 1450W (Medical 3) to 2250W (Medical 6 Plus) | $3,199–$11,999 |
| Steam room | Steam generator, saturated air | 113–122°F / 45–50°C (Harvia guidance) | 7.5 kW generator | Generator $231.03 (enclosure extra) |
| Barrel | Heater + stones in a round shell | 0–90°C / 32–194°F control range (Blisspod Prague) | 6000 W (Prague) | $6,999–$16,360 |
| Outdoor cabin (heater + stones) | Electric or wood heater + stones | Depends on heater | 6000 W to 10.5 kW | $4,199.95–$75,028 |
| Tent (wood-fired) | Portable wood stove | 200°F+ / 93°C+ (Mini Cube) | No electricity | $599 (Mini Cube tent only)–$8,999.99 (top Dome package) |
| Portable steam | Plug-in steamer in a fabric tent | About 95–149°F / 35–65°C | 800W to 1600W | $119–$569.80 |
| Sauna blanket | Infrared elements in a wrap | 90–180°F / 32–82°C (arm-sleeve blanket) | 400W to 600W | $97.99–$729 |
| Hybrid | Stove + infrared in one cabin | 170–185°F stove; 118–132°F IR (Kaskinen) | 8.0 kW stove | $6,999–$18,999 |
How to choose the right type
- You want classic Finnish heat and löyly: traditional electric, wood-burning or a hybrid. Many electric heaters need 240V (the Kuusamo's stove needs 240V/40A), though 120V models such as our 2 kW heater exist. Size the heater with our sauna heater size calculator.
- You want plug-in convenience indoors: an infrared cabin. Check the outlet requirement; the Dynamic Lugano 3-person, for example, needs a dedicated 120V/20A circuit.
- You have backyard space: a barrel or outdoor cabin. Plan a level base and power or a chimney.
- You want humid heat: a steam room if you are remodeling, or a portable steam sauna if not.
- You are on a tight budget or short on space: a sauna blanket or portable steam tent.
- You want to travel with it: a wood-fired tent sauna.
Budgeting? See how much does a sauna cost. Choosing wood? See our sauna wood guide.
Safety
Whatever type you choose, Harvard Health advises limiting sessions to 15–20 minutes, avoiding alcohol, drinking water afterward and leaving if you feel unwell, and says people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease should check with their doctor first.
Talk to your doctor before using a sauna or steam room if you have a heart condition or are pregnant.
FAQ
What are the main types of saunas?
By heat source: traditional electric, wood-burning, infrared (far and full spectrum), steam and hybrid. By format: indoor cabins, barrel, outdoor cabin, tent, portable steam tents and sauna blankets.
Which type of sauna gets the hottest?
Heater-and-stone saunas, electric or wood-fired. Harvard Health cites dry heat up to 185°F (85°C), and our Kuusamo lists a 195°F max. Infrared cabins we carry typically list maximums around 140–149°F (60–65°C).
Which sauna type is cheapest?
Sauna blankets and portable steam saunas. In our catalog blankets start at $97.99 and portable steam saunas at $119.
What is a hybrid sauna?
A cabin with both a traditional stove and infrared panels, such as the Golden Designs Kaskinen, so you can choose hot traditional sessions or cooler infrared sessions.
Is a barrel sauna a different type of heat?
No. Barrel describes the shape. Most barrel saunas use an electric or wood heater with stones, just like a traditional cabin.
Do infrared saunas need special wiring?
Many plug into a standard household circuit, but larger models can need a dedicated circuit. Always check the listing's electrical requirements and consult an electrician when in doubt.
Sources: Harvard Health Publishing, "Saunas and your health"; Harvia, "How to build a steam room"; Harvia, "How to design a sauna". Temperatures, power and prices are from our catalog listings.