The Best Personal Saunas

Buying Guide for Personal Saunas

Why buy a personal sauna?

Saunas have been known to improve circulation, promote relaxation, and even help with certain health conditions. Installing a personal sauna in your home can be a luxurious and convenient way to unwind and rejuvenate, and there are plenty of options to fit any space or design aesthetic.

Owning a personal sauna can also save you money in the long run. Instead of paying for regular spa trips or gym memberships, you can enjoy the benefits of a sauna without the ongoing monthly expenses. Home saunas are energy-efficient and, thus, generally operate at a low cost. A personal sauna can last for years with appropriate care, making it a wise investment for your health and your house.

What should you look for in a personal sauna?

• Size: Personal saunas come in various sizes, from compact one-person models to larger models that accommodate several people. Consider how much room you have to spare at home, how much money you have to spend on one, and if you want more than one person to be able to use the sauna at once. A home sauna doesn’t have to be a giant wooden room, either; more compact, lightweight models of fabric are widely available and generally preferable for renters, those with smaller homes, or anyone who wants a single-person sauna.
• Heat Source: Saunas can be heated by various sources, including infrared or electric heaters and infrared heaters. Electric heaters are easy to use and maintain and don’t require a chimney or flue. They can be controlled with a thermostat, so you can set the temperature to your desired level. However, they are often more expensive. Infrared heaters are a newer option that uses infrared rays to heat the body directly rather than heating the air in the sauna. This can result in a more gentle heat, which some may find preferable, though this also means they don’t always provide the same traditional sauna experience.
• Features: Personal saunas have various features, including lighting, sound systems, and ventilation. Small models sometimes come with chairs to sit in, and almost all will have a slot for your hands and possibly your head so you can safely read a book or surf the web while you’re enjoying the sauna. A model with a timer and auto-shutoff features are also handy safety features to keep an eye out for.

What are the main health benefits of using a personal sauna?

Spending time in a sauna can provide a range of health benefits. In some cases, it can help improve blood flow and circulation throughout the body, leading to increased tissue oxygenation and improved cardiovascular health. Additionally, saunas have been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting relaxation and mental well-being. Heat therapy a sauna provides can help relieve muscle and joint pain, including the pain associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Saunas can sometimes promote respiratory health by opening up the airways and helping to clear mucus and other debris from the lungs, which can help relieve congestion and promote better breathing.

As with any health treatment, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before using a sauna, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Our Picks for the Best Personal Saunas

Pros: If you want to enjoy the relaxing benefits of a steam sauna in the comfort of your own home, this personal sauna is a great choice. It comes with everything you need to start your sauna experience, including a single pocket on the front to hold your phone or tablet and two zippered openings for your hands. The compact size makes it perfect for home use without taking up too much space, and the 800-watt steam generator heats up quickly to provide a relaxing sauna experience. Additionally, there are slots for your head and hands, so they’re free for reading, watching TV, or listening to music while enjoying the sauna. A chair comes included with your purchase, the setup is simple thanks to its inside-frame design, and any condensation produced during use can be easily wiped away with a towel.

Cons: The zippers may get stuck when opening or closing, rendering the sauna useless since an opening will cause hot air to escape. In addition, many found the provided chair to be uncomfortable. You’ll also want to follow the instructions to a T and wipe down the inside of this sauna after each use to prevent mold growth.

Bottom Line: This quintessential personal sauna is a great option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of a sauna in their home without breaking the bank. While it may not offer all the bells and whistles of a larger, more expensive home sauna, it’ll still provide a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

 

Pros: If you’re after a way to relieve sore muscles and aid in workout recovery, this infrared sauna may be just what you need. Not only is it effective in relieving sore muscles, but it’s also been found to help with arthritis, aches, and pains associated with autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the sauna is more spacious than most personal fabric saunas, as it’s tall enough for most adults to stand upright in if they so choose, though it comes with a sauna chair if you prefer to sit. Yet it’s still compact enough not to take up more than its share of space in your home. It’s easy to use, and its portability (despite its height) makes it easy to move from room to room. There’s also a built-in heating mat to provide extra warmth for your feet.

Cons: Setup can be more complicated than the average. Some customers noted that the sauna does not get as hot as advertised, with temperatures maxing out at 112 degrees instead of the promised 140 degrees. Others experienced issues with the wiring within the circuit board, which caused the sauna to stop working after a few weeks of use.

Bottom Line: This personal sauna boasts several unique features that make it an attractive option for those looking to enjoy the benefits of sauna therapy in their home. The infrared technology, extra-tall design, and a built-in heating foot mat make this home sauna a versatile and effective tool for promoting relaxation and relieving muscle pain.

 

Pros: This unique sauna blanket is an excellent option if you’re looking for a convenient and effective way to enjoy the benefits of sauna therapy at home or on the road. One of the key advantages of this product is its portability– since it’s a blanket, it can be used anywhere, making it a great option for those who don’t have the space for a traditional sauna. You can also pack it in your luggage or a car to bring it on the road with you if you so desire. Despite this sauna’s compact size, it’s been reported to help with back pain and improve sleep quality. In addition to its health benefits, many have found the sauna blanket convenient and easy to use.

Cons: Be sure to read the manual carefully and follow the instructions—not being hydrated before and during use can cause nausea and lightheadedness. In addition, this blanket comes in multiple sizes, and using one that doesn’t fit you properly will reduce its effectiveness, so be sure to check the dimensions to determine the right size for you before you buy.

Bottom Line: Despite some minor issues, this unique sauna blanket is still an excellent choice for anyone seeking an affordable, convenient, and extra-portable way to experience the benefits of a sauna. You can easily bring it camping or on vacation to enjoy a stint in the sauna, even on the road.

 

Pros: The personal spa experience provided by the portable steam sauna is a convenient and effective way to enjoy the many health benefits of a sauna. With an estimated one minute of setup time, it can be enjoyed anywhere in your home, making it a great option for those who want to relax without leaving the comfort of their home. The sauna provides numerous health benefits, such as improving skin tone, reducing stiffness and joint pain, and increasing blood circulation, leading to better sleep, reduced stress, and increased energy levels. The handheld control offers six automatic timer options, allowing for easy customization of the sauna experience to your exact liking. It’s also portable and convenient, folding up for easy storage. A foldable chair, 2-liter steam pot, and remote control all come included with your purchase. The powerful 800-watt heating element ensures rapid heating, with a maximum temperature of 149 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing for a relaxing and rejuvenating sauna experience every time.

Cons: You may find the instructions vague and difficult to follow; quick setup aside. Some buyers reported that the remote control didn’t work properly for them. Others found the included chair may also be too small to fit into, requiring them to purchase a separate chair.

Bottom Line: This personal steam sauna is a convenient, portable, and effective way to enjoy the health and relaxation benefits of a sauna experience. It’s quick and easy to set up, comes with handheld control for customization, and can be used anywhere you go.

 

Pros: This portable personal sauna is another compact model perfect for at-home use. It includes a foot pad heating mat, providing extra warmth and potentially helping reduce foot fatigue or soreness. Additionally, this sauna has a timer and auto heat setting, allowing you to set the temperature and duration of your sauna session to your liking. It also includes a foldable chair for comfortable seating, convenient hand-access zippers that allow you to slip your hands-free for book or magazine reading, and a wired controller for easy operation. It’s an energy and power-efficient design, making it a low-cost heating option.

Cons: While this sauna’s compactness makes it an excellent choice for smaller living spacing and increases its portability, the flip side is that it may be too small for taller individuals. Some have reported poor temperature control, with the unit only reaching a maximum of 140 degrees Fahrenheit and not heating up again without manual intervention. Additionally, there are some reported durability issues, including torn bottoms and failed zippers.

Bottom Line: This sauna is convenient, compact, effective, and easy to use. Its comfortable seating, hand-access zippers, and easy-to-use wired controller make it the perfect way to relax and unwind while potentially giving your feet a little extra TLC.

Final Thoughts

A personal sauna can greatly invest your health, energy, and well-being. With the right model, you can enjoy a range of benefits and create a relaxing oasis in the privacy of your own home.