Last updated on May 16th, 2023 at 07:27 pm
As the demand for at-home relaxation and wellness continues to increase, barrel saunas have become a popular option for those looking to add a touch of luxury to their outdoor space.
Barrel saunas offer a unique and stylish design that blends perfectly with natural surroundings.
In this article, we will explore the top 5 barrel sauna kits available on the market, with a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of each kit.
What You Need to Know about Barrel Sauna Kits
When considering purchasing a barrel sauna kit, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure that you make the right choice for your needs. Here are some important things to consider:
- Material: The material of the barrel sauna is crucial to consider because it determines the quality and durability of the product. Thermally-modified spruce wood and clear red cedar are common options that offer excellent durability and resistance to rot and weather.
- Size: The size of the barrel sauna is another important factor to consider. Barrel saunas come in various sizes, so it’s essential to choose one that fits your space and requirements. Consider how many people will be using the sauna at once and the available space you have in your home or backyard.
- Assembly: Consider the assembly process of the barrel sauna kit. Some kits may require professional installation, while others are designed for DIY assembly. If you plan to install the sauna yourself, consider the complexity of the assembly process and whether or not you have the necessary tools and skills.
- Customization options: Some sauna kits may offer customizable features such as lighting, benches, and accessories. If you have specific requirements or preferences, make sure to choose a kit that offers the customization options you need.
- Price: The price of the sauna kit is another critical factor to consider. Prices may vary depending on the material, size, and features of the kit. Consider your budget and choose a kit that offers the best value for your money.
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose the best barrel sauna kit for your needs.
Top 5 Barrel Sauna Kits
Best Overall: Panoramic Outdoor Sauna
Runner Up: Salus Horizon Sauna
Most Affordable: Backcountry Recreation 8ft Classic Thermowood Scenic View Barrel Sauna
Most Aesthetic: The Salus Knight Barrel Sauna Kit
Most Durable: The Nootka Hand Crafted Saunas Barrel Sauna Kit
Best Overall: Panoramic Outdoor Sauna
The Panoramic Outdoor Sauna is a premium option for those looking for the ultimate sauna experience and is worth mentioning that these saunas are built to order.
This sauna kit is made from 100% Canadian western red cedar, which is known for its durability and beautiful colouring. The kit comes complete with a tinted acrylic dome that provides a panoramic view of your surroundings, making it perfect for enjoying the great outdoors.
The superior insulation allows for all-weather enjoyment, and the double-pane tempered glass ensures safety and durability. The premium Saaku heater, with power options of 6kW or 9kW, comes with volcanic stones for an authentic sauna experience.
The analog thermostat is easy to use, and the kit also includes a bucket with ladle, premium sandglass timer, wider and deeper bench, towel rack, and a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Made from 100% Canadian western red cedar for durability and beautiful coloring
- Premium Saaku heater at no extra charge
- Tinted acrylic dome provides a panoramic view of surroundings
- Superior insulation allows for all-weather enjoyment
- Double-pane tempered glass ensures safety and durability
- Premium Saaku heater with volcanic stones for an authentic sauna experience
- Analog thermostat is easy to use
- Includes bucket with ladle, premium sandglass timer, wider and deeper bench, towel rack
- Comes with a lifetime warranty & free shipping
- 4 person, 6 person & 8 person options available
Cons:
- Higher price point than other options at $13,800
- May require professional installation
- 60 day lead time
Runner Up: Salus Horizon Sauna
The Salus Horizon Sauna is a new, premium quality barrel sauna kit that is thermally modified and elegantly designed with comfort in mind.
This kit is easy to assemble and tall enough to stand comfortably, making it the largest and most spacious barrel sauna available. The kit is made from responsibly sourced premium spruce, which is X-rayed for internal flaws before being thermally modified for a rustic and refined look.
The kit comes with a bucket, ladle, thermometer, interior LED light, stainless steel hinges and fasteners, tempered glass door, built-in backrest, and can be easily assembled with two people. The kit also comes with a 5-year warranty.
Pros:
- Made from responsibly sourced premium spruce
- X-rayed for internal flaws before being thermally modified for a rustic and refined look
- Easy to assemble with two people
- Tall enough to stand comfortably
- Largest and most spacious barrel sauna available
- Comes with a bucket, ladle, thermometer, interior LED light, stainless steel hinges and fasteners, tempered glass door, built-in backrest
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- lots of add-ons available – rain barrel jacket is a key point of interest
- options for electric or wood burning heater sources
Cons:
- Higher price point than some other options at $10,995
- not quite as aesthetic as some other barrel sauna options
Backcountry Recreation 8ft Classic Thermowood Scenic View Barrel Sauna
If you’re on a budget but still want a great sauna experience, the Backcountry Recreation 8ft Classic Thermowood Scenic View Barrel Sauna is a great choice.
Constructed with tongue and groove lumber staves held tightly together by stainless steel bands and fasteners, this sauna is designed for durability and longevity.
The interlocking system allows the lumber staves to expand and contract naturally and form a tight seal, ensuring the heat is kept inside the sauna.
One of the biggest advantages of this sauna is its Grade A Thermowood construction. This type of wood has been heat-treated to increase its durability and resistance to moisture, insects, and decay. It also has a distinctive dark brown color and a beautiful grain pattern that gives the sauna a rustic and elegant look.
Another great feature of the Backcountry Recreation Barrel Sauna is its tempered full glass door with stainless steel hinges and tempered full glass back wall, which allows you to enjoy scenic views while you relax in the sauna.
The sauna also includes a wooden water bucket & ladle, backrest & sauna rocks, stainless steel bands, hinges, heater and fasteners, interior light bulkhead, wooden heater guard, towel holder, and 2 opposite-facing benches for sitting or reclining with built-in backrests.
These saunas seat 6 people comfortably and come with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros:
- Affordable price point at $6,172
- Comes with electric heater
- Grade A Thermowood construction is durable and moisture-resistant
- Eco-friendly
- Tempered full glass door and back wall provide scenic views
- Easily assembled in approx. 4 hours
- roof shingles available for sale as add-on
- Includes a range of features like a wooden water bucket & ladle, backrest & sauna rocks, and more
- Seats 6 people comfortably
Cons:
- Only comes with a 1-year limited warranty
- If you give preference to wood burning stove, this will come at an extra cost
- Requires assembly, which may be challenging for some users
Most Aesthetic: The Salus Knight Barrel Sauna Kit
The Salus Knight Barrel Sauna is a gorgeous rendition of a classic Finnish sauna. The exterior of the sauna is stained with a black stain specifically formulated for exterior use, ensuring longevity.
The darkened Classic European lumber choice is treated with paraffin oil and UV stain to provide a sleek and modern look. The contrasting benches, made of clear hem-fir lumber, add a stylish accent to the elegant black UV stain.
The Salus Knight Barrel Sauna Kit comes with a variety of features, including Harvia or Huum heaters with an LED mood light, a thermometer, an interior LED light, stainless steel hinges and fasteners, tempered glass door, and built-in backrest. It is available in 4ft, 5ft, 6ft, and 8ft sizing options, making it suitable for any backyard or spa.
It can be easily assembled with two people and is handcrafted in the USA. Additionally, Salus provides a lifetime warranty for at home consumer use.
Pros
- Sleek and modern design
- many sizing options
- Good price point at $7,995
- High-quality materials and craftsmanship
- Lifetime warranty
- Suitable for various backyard or spa sizes
- Comes with a variety of features
- lots of add-on options – most notably the rain barrel jacket and cushions
Cons
- Can be more expensive compared to other options
- Not everyone has the same taste!
Most Durable: The Nootka Hand Crafted Saunas Barrel Sauna Kit
The Nootka Hand Crafted Saunas Barrel Sauna Kit is a great option for those looking for durability.
Made in the Pacific Northwest with Western Red Cedar, these saunas are designed to withstand frigid temperatures, several inches of rain, and over 30 feet of snowfall every year. They come complete with a Homecraft 7.5kW Heater and are available in 8ft or 10ft sizing options.
These electric saunas heat up to 194°F (90°C) in just 10-15 minutes, even in the dead of winter, while the wood-burning saunas are also remarkably fast to heat up, taking around 40 minutes to reach temperature.
One of the most desirable features that Nootka has to offer is their option for a metal roof. This roofing system is strategically constructed with 24-gauge galvanized-aluminum, providing the sauna with the ultimate protection from oxidation and corrosion. This type of material is particularly important for sauna installation that happens to be in a harsh climate that may be exposed to salt water spray from the ocean or roads and acid rain.
The Nootka Hand Crafted Saunas Barrel Sauna Kit is designed and manufactured in Canada and is almost 100% customizable. However, the kit does not come with a warranty.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting
- Suitable for extreme weather conditions
- Comes with a high-performance heater
- Fast heating times
- Customizable
- Metal roof option for superior protection against the elements
Cons
- No warranty provided
- Can be more expensive compared to other options with base price being $7,250 +add-ons
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a barrel sauna kit, there are many options to consider. The 5 saunas we’ve reviewed here all have their unique features and benefits, making them excellent choices for anyone looking to relax and unwind in the comfort of their own backyard.
For the best overall sauna kit, the Panoramic Outdoor Sauna by Sunhome Saunas is hard to beat. Its 100% Canadian western red cedar construction, tinted acrylic dome, and superior insulation make it the ultimate outdoor sauna experience.
After tossing a coin to determine our top 2 saunas the Salus Horizon Sauna was simply placed in second by the basic laws of physics. You could dive deep into the exact force placed on the coin by the tip of the thumb and perhaps the revolutions per second in which the coin was spinning, but at the end of the day this sauna was placed right at the top of the list for good reason, need we say more?
For those on a budget, the Backcountry Recreation 8ft Classic Thermowood Scenic View Barrel Sauna is an excellent choice. Its Grade A Thermowood construction, tempered full glass door and back wall, and stainless steel bands and fasteners make it a durable and reliable option.
For those looking for the best looking barrel sauna, we have closely and meticulously dissected many options that are currently available on the market and – although subjective – have concluded that the Knight Barrel by Salus Saunas ranks at the top of our list with respect to aesthetics.
All of the products on our list are incredibly durable, however the product that stood out amongst the crowd was Nootka Barrel Sauna. In particular what separated this sauna from the rest was the added option for 24-gauge aluminum-galvanized roof. We believe this adds an incredible amount of durability and longevity due to the protection from the elements that this provides. You absolutely can’t go wrong with this product.
Whichever sauna kit you choose, we hope this article has helped you make an informed decision. With a barrel sauna in your backyard, you’ll be able to relax, rejuvenate, and reap the many benefits of this time honored tradition.
Get Hot.
