Last year, interest in the home sauna market in the US hit an all-time high, with internet searches up more than 40 percent on the previous year. Clearly, more Americans than ever are exploring the idea of having a sauna in their home.
This growth is partially fueled by an increased knowledge of the wellness benefits of a sauna, such as detoxifying skin, improving circulation and easing tense muscles.
But this has also been accompanied by better availability and affordability, thanks to online sauna suppliers serving the US market. Let’s take a closer look at how to go about shopping online for a home sauna, along with some of the decisions you will need to make along the way.
Choosing the style of sauna
For today’s US sauna enthusiasts, the internet is the best place to buy a sauna, as online suppliers have so many different styles available. Most are available in prebuilt kit form, meaning they can be assembled by anyone who has a basic set of tools and the skills to use them. Some of the most popular styles of home sauna kit that can be purchased online include the following:
- Cabin sauna – this is the traditional Finnish design, and looks a little like a small wooden house. Classic and understated, it will blend in to any garden or back yard environment.
- Barrel sauna – this fun and funky design has a cylindrical design with round ends. As well as looking great, the shape is highly efficient as the curved roof promotes better heat circulation.
- Pod sauna – this contemporary design works well in a more modern setting. The curved roof has the same benefits as a barrel sauna, but the pod sauna also benefits from better insulation.
- Corner sauna – here’s a clever space-saving solution that is ideal for smaller homes or apartments that lack outdoor space. It can be fitted into a corner of the bathroom, bedroom or even a walk-in closet.
- Portable sauna – another highly compact option, a portable sauna is handy for temporary use of for those living in short-term rented accommodation, as you can take it with you when it is time to move on.
Different heat sources and technologies
Once you have chosen the style of sauna, you will need to think about the technology that will power it. The most popular choices are log burners, electric sauna heaters, infrared saunas or hybrids, which use both traditional and infrared technology. You can also get sauna heaters that run on gas, but these are more commonly used in commercial saunas than the domestic market.
Log burners are the most traditional, and are certainly worth considering if you plan to install your sauna in an off-grid setting such as a forest cabin. But they do not offer the precision control that you get with electric, infrared or hybrid saunas, and if you live in a city, you also need to consider any smoke free regulations that might apply in your neighborhood.
For these reasons, most people choose either an electric sauna heater, an infrared sauna or a hybrid, which incorporates both technologies. The latter, in particular, is well worth considering as it means you can enjoy the instant heat and energy efficiency of infrared as well as the luxury and ambience of the traditional sauna, depending on your needs, mood or available time.
Small, medium or large?
The final consideration when shopping online for a home sauna is size. Of course, this depends on your personal circumstances, but it is worth taking some time to think about how you might want to use your sauna.
If you are only planning on using it yourself, then a 1-person sauna seems like the obvious choice. But a 2-person sauna gives you additional space to relax. Keep in mind, however, that saunas are traditionally places where friends and family can relax together. If that idea sounds appealing, saunas are available in prebuilt kit form that can accommodate four, six or even eight people. It’s a DIY project that can benefit the whole family and help bring you closer together.