Indoor or Outdoor Sauna: Which Is Better?

Our verdict

If you have the budget and the space, we recommend an outdoor sauna.

• Choose outdoor if you have the room and the budget. A dedicated space away from your house is a better experience and easier to expand later.
• Choose indoor if you are working with a smaller budget, limited space or a very simple install. Indoor saunas cost less, are easier to assemble and are not exposed to the weather.

Most of the time you are choosing between indoor and outdoor traditional saunas. Infrared and hybrid options are covered below.

Indoor vs outdoor at a glance

Why we recommend outdoor if you can

It separates the sauna from your home

A sauna out back lets you fully disconnect. It feels like a dedicated wellness space instead of something squeezed into an existing room.

It can grow with you

If you invest in a sauna now, you can add a cold plunge later. An outdoor space usually has room for both, so your wellness area becomes something you build on over time.

It gets you outside in winter

In the months when most people are cooped up, a sauna is a great excuse to spend an extra hour or two outdoors in the cold each week.

It adds to your property

Home builders, project managers and real estate agents we work with tell us dedicated outdoor wellness spaces tend to be better received than a basement sauna. Saunas are growing fast as a backyard amenity, in the same category as pools and hot tubs, rather than just an in-home feature.

It makes multiple rounds easier

It is more comfortable to step outside, cool down for a few minutes and go back in than to do that in your house while dripping sweat. That makes longer sessions and contrast therapy with a cold plunge much more enjoyable.

There are more options

There is a larger selection of outdoor traditional saunas than any other category: barrels, cubes and cabins, in a wide range of sizes and styles.

Why indoor can be the better choice

• Indoor saunas cost less up front.
• Most kits assemble with simple tools and no professional help.
• Electrical work is often simpler and cheaper because the sauna sits closer to your panel.
• They are not exposed to the weather, so they take much longer to wear out.
• You can use one any time of year without going outside.

What about infrared and hybrid?

We do not recommend outdoor infrared saunas. Too many customers call us to replace an outdoor infrared sauna from another brand because it does not keep up in the winter months. In cold climates you end up needing a traditional stove to preheat, so just buy an outdoor traditional sauna.

A few outdoor hybrid saunas do exist, with the caveat that you cannot fully use the infrared panels in the winter. If you are okay with that, a hybrid can work. For a full explanation of hybrids, see our infrared vs traditional guide.

Outdoor budget guide

Outdoor saunas span a wide range. Here is how we think about it by budget.

About $5,000 to $10,000, outdoor kits

There are good kits in this range, and barrel saunas are usually the cheapest and easiest to buy.

Premium, fully assembled

If you are willing to invest more, a custom, American-made sauna built in a factory and delivered fully assembled comes with studded framed walls, insulation and a roof structure built using home construction methods, instead of a kit you assemble yourself. These are built to last for many more years and can be repaired instead of replaced.

Our top picks

Also popular indoors: the SaunaLife X Series.

Frequently asked questions

Is an outdoor sauna better than an indoor sauna?

It depends on your budget and space. If you have both, we recommend outdoor. If not, indoor is a great choice.

Can I use an outdoor sauna in winter?

Yes, a traditional outdoor sauna works well in winter, and many people enjoy it most then. It will take longer to heat in very cold weather.

Are outdoor infrared saunas a good idea?

Not usually. They do not keep up in winter, and most owners end up needing a traditional stove to preheat, so we recommend outdoor traditional instead.

Can I put an indoor sauna outside?

No. Indoor saunas are not built for rain, snow and sun. If you want a sauna outdoors, buy one built for it.

Can I add a cold plunge later?

Yes, and an outdoor setup usually has the room. A traditional sauna paired with a cold plunge is how most people do contrast therapy.

Do outdoor saunas cost more to install?

Usually the electrical run is longer, so electrical work can cost more, and a foundation or base is needed. Indoor saunas are often simpler and cheaper to wire.

What is the cheapest way to get an outdoor sauna?

A barrel sauna kit. Our budget pick starts at $5,018.

Is a kit or a fully assembled sauna better?

A kit costs less up front. A fully assembled sauna costs more, includes real framing and insulation, and is built to last many more years.

As always, our team is here to help. Contact us to build a tailored list of options for your space and budget.