You’ve decided you want a sauna. Good call. But the second you start shopping, you hit a wall of confusing options. Finnish traditional. Infrared. Steam room. Barrel. Cabin. Pre-built kits. Each one heats your body through different physics. Each one fits different spaces and budgets.
This guide covers every major type of sauna you can buy or build in 2026. You’ll learn how each one works, what it costs, how much space it needs, and which types have the strongest health research behind them. No hype. Just data you can use.
The Main Types of Saunas Explained
There are three fundamentally different ways to heat a person in a small room: convective dry heat (Finnish traditional), direct radiant heat (infrared), and saturated steam (steam room). Everything else is a form factor choice, like barrel vs cabin, or a purchase format choice, like DIY vs pre-built kit.
Let’s break down each one.
Traditional Finnish Sauna
This is the original. A stone-topped heater (electric or wood-burning) brings the room to 80-100 degrees Celsius. Humidity sits at 10-20% baseline. You throw water on the hot stones to create löyly, a burst of steam that briefly spikes humidity to 40-60% and dramatically increases the heat you feel on your skin.
The heater stores 20-80 kg of stones at 300-400 degrees Celsius. Those stones radiate heat into the room while convection currents circulate hot air from ceiling to floor. Temperature varies by height. The ceiling might hit 110 degrees Celsius while the floor stays at 30 degrees. That’s why benches are tiered. You pick your intensity by picking your bench.
Heat-up time runs 30-60 minutes depending on heater power, room size, and insulation. A typical home sauna heater draws 6-9 kW and needs a dedicated 240V circuit.
What makes it different: Löyly. The ability to throw water on stones and control your heat experience. No other sauna type can replicate this. It’s the defining feature of the Finnish bathing tradition, and it’s what the major health studies actually tested.
Best for: People who want the full sauna ritual, those who prioritize health research backing, families and groups (scales well), and anyone building outdoors.
Cost range: $2,500-8,000 for a complete home installation including electrical work.
For a deep comparison of traditional vs infrared heating physics, see our Finnish sauna vs infrared analysis.
Infrared Sauna
An infrared sauna uses carbon or ceramic panels to emit far-infrared radiation (wavelengths of 7-15 microns). This radiation penetrates your skin 2-4 mm and generates heat directly in tissue. The room stays at 45-65 degrees Celsius because the panels heat your body, not the air.
Most home infrared saunas draw just 1.5-2 kW. That’s roughly a quarter of what a Finnish heater needs. They plug into a standard 120V outlet. No electrician. No dedicated circuit. No permit. Heat-up takes 10-20 minutes.
There’s no löyly. There are no stones. You can’t throw water on anything. The experience is dry radiant warmth at moderate air temperatures.
What makes it different: Low barrier to entry. Small footprint (a 2-person unit fits in a 120 x 105 cm space). Plugs into a wall outlet. Ready in 15 minutes. Operating cost is roughly $0.15-0.23 per session vs $0.68-1.35 for a Finnish sauna.
The honest trade-off: Most peer-reviewed sauna health research used traditional saunas at 80-100 degrees Celsius. The landmark Finnish cardiovascular studies didn’t use infrared. Small-scale infrared studies (10-50 participants over weeks) show promising results for pain relief and blood pressure, but the evidence isn’t comparable in scope or rigor.
Best for: Apartments and small spaces, renters who can’t modify wiring, heat-sensitive users, people who want a quick daily session with minimal setup, and tight budgets.
Cost range: $1,500-5,000 for a prefab cabin.
Steam Room
A steam room operates at 40-50 degrees Celsius with humidity at or near 100%. A steam generator boils water and pipes it into a sealed, fully waterproof room. The physics are completely different from a dry sauna.
Here’s the thing most people miss: 45 degrees Celsius in a steam room can feel as intense as 85 degrees in a dry sauna. Water vapor transfers heat to your skin roughly 25 times more efficiently than dry air. And because humidity is at 100%, your sweat can’t evaporate. Your body’s primary cooling system is disabled. That’s why the perceived heat is so much higher than the thermometer suggests.
Construction is fundamentally different from a sauna. Every surface must be fully waterproof: tile, stone, or acrylic over a continuous waterproof membrane. The ceiling must be sloped (minimum 1:12 pitch) so condensation runs to the walls instead of dripping on your head. A flat ceiling in a steam room turns into a constant hot rain.
What makes it different: Continuous humid heat. Excellent for respiratory relief. The warm, saturated air loosens mucus, clears sinuses, and hydrates skin. Construction costs roughly twice what a dry sauna costs due to waterproofing requirements.
The honest trade-off: Steam room health research is limited compared to dry sauna data. The Finnish cohort studies used dry saunas, not steam rooms. Steam generators need descaling every 1-4 months and replacement every 5-10 years (vs 10-20 years for a sauna heater). Maintenance is higher.
Best for: People with respiratory conditions, those who want skin hydration benefits, commercial gym and spa settings, and anyone who already has a waterproof tiled space that could be converted.
Cost range: $5,100-14,200 DIY materials, $10,000-30,000 contractor-built.
For the full physics breakdown, see our sauna vs steam room comparison.
A Note About Löyly: The Middle Ground
A traditional Finnish sauna with good stones actually gives you both dry and humid heat. The baseline is dry (10-20% humidity). Throw water on the stones and you get a burst of steam that spikes humidity to 40-60% for 30-60 seconds. Then it dissipates and you’re back to dry heat.
This means a well-built Finnish sauna with generous stone mass can deliver a taste of the steam room experience whenever you want it, without the waterproofing complexity, sloped ceiling, or steam generator maintenance. It’s exactly how the Finnish bathing ritual works. And it’s what the cardiovascular studies actually measured.
Barrel Sauna vs Cabin Sauna: Choosing Your Form Factor
Once you’ve decided on a traditional Finnish sauna (which most outdoor installations are), the next choice is form factor. Barrel or cabin? This is about shape, construction method, and performance trade-offs.
Barrel Saunas
A barrel sauna is a cylinder made from interlocking wood staves held together by steel bands. The round shape creates 35% less air volume than a rectangular cabin with the same footprint. That means faster heat-up times, roughly 23% faster with the same heater.
A 6 kW heater brings a standard barrel to 85 degrees Celsius in 25-35 minutes. The same heater in a cabin takes 40-55 minutes. The curved ceiling also creates natural convection patterns that spread heat more evenly than flat corners.
The downside is insulation. Barrel walls are single-thickness staves (38-45 mm), which gives you about R-1.5 to R-2.0. Compare that to a cabin wall at R-13 or higher. Even with an insulation wrap, a barrel tops out at R-5 to R-8.
In moderate climates (winter lows above -10 degrees Celsius), this is fine. In harsh winters below -20 degrees, the barrel’s heater runs constantly and still struggles to hold temperature. The cabin’s insulation wins when the mercury drops.
Barrel saunas also have less usable space. Curved walls squeeze the bench area. Anyone over 180 cm tall may find headroom tight on the upper bench. And they last 10-20 years vs 25-40+ years for a well-built cabin.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, moderate climates, groups of 2-4 people, properties where the distinctive barrel look is a plus, and anyone who values fast heat-up over heat retention.
Cost range: $3,500-9,000 installed (including foundation, heater, and electrical).
Cabin Saunas
A cabin sauna is a small rectangular building with proper wall construction: interior panelling, vapor barrier, insulation, exterior sheathing, and cladding. It’s built like a house, just smaller and hotter.
Flat walls mean nearly all interior volume is usable. Benches can run along two or three walls. Corners work. A 4-person cabin fits comfortably in a 180 x 240 cm footprint.
The big advantage is insulation. R-13 walls and R-19+ ceiling mean the cabin holds temperature with the heater cycling off for extended periods. In cold climates, this translates to 40-50% less energy use compared to a barrel. The structure also lasts longer because the insulation, vapor barrier, and exterior cladding protect the wood from weather in ways a barrel’s exposed staves can’t match.
The trade-off is cost and complexity. A cabin kit runs $5,000-10,000. Stick-built from scratch costs $7,000-20,000+. Assembly takes 2-5 days for a kit and 1-4 weeks for a custom build. You need a proper foundation (concrete slab, piers, or helical piles below the frost line).
Best for: Cold climates, daily year-round use, groups of 4+, properties where the sauna should match existing architecture, and anyone who wants a structure that lasts 25+ years.
Cost range: $6,000-20,000+ installed.
For the full data comparison including heat loss tables and total cost of ownership over 10 years, see our barrel sauna vs cabin sauna analysis.
Comparison Table: All Sauna Types at a Glance
| Factor | Finnish Traditional | Infrared | Steam Room | Barrel (Traditional) | Cabin (Traditional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80-100°C | 45-65°C | 40-50°C | 80-100°C | 80-100°C |
| Humidity | 10-20% (40-60% with löyly) | 5-10% | ~100% | 10-20% (40-60% with löyly) | 10-20% (40-60% with löyly) |
| Heat source | Electric/wood heater + stones | IR carbon/ceramic panels | Steam generator | Electric/wood heater + stones | Electric/wood heater + stones |
| Heat-up time | 30-60 min | 10-20 min | 15-30 min | 25-40 min | 40-55 min |
| Cost range | $2,500-8,000 | $1,500-5,000 | $5,100-30,000 | $3,500-9,000 | $6,000-20,000+ |
| Space needed | 150x150 cm minimum | 120x105 cm minimum | 150x150 cm minimum | 180 cm diameter x 240 cm long | 180x240 cm minimum |
| Electrical | 240V / 30-50A dedicated | 120V / 15-20A standard | 240V / 30-60A dedicated | 240V / 30-50A dedicated | 240V / 30-50A dedicated |
| Session energy | 4.5-9 kWh | 1.0-1.5 kWh | 3-6 kWh | 4-6 kWh | 3.5-5.5 kWh |
| Cost per session | $0.68-1.35 | $0.15-0.23 | $0.45-0.90 | $0.60-0.90 | $0.53-0.83 |
| Large-scale health research | Extensive | Limited | Limited | Extensive (same as traditional) | Extensive (same as traditional) |
| Löyly capable | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| DIY friendly | Moderate | Easy (prefab) | Difficult | Easy (kit) | Moderate-difficult |
| Lifespan | 15-25 years (indoor) | 10-15 years | 15-25 years | 10-20 years | 25-40+ years |
| Maintenance | Low | Low | High (generator descaling) | Moderate (annual treatment, band tightening) | Low |
Pre-Built Sauna Kits: When You Don’t Want to DIY
Not everyone wants to build from scratch. Pre-built sauna kits bridge the gap between a full custom build and a plug-and-play appliance. The quality range is enormous, so knowing what to look for matters.
Indoor Panel Kits ($3,000-6,000)
The best indoor kits use pre-insulated panels. Each panel is a sandwich of cedar panelling, foil vapor barrier, mineral wool insulation, and backing board. They interlock or bolt together inside an existing room. Assembly takes 6-10 hours with two people.
The key advantage: the vapor barrier is factory-installed. Improper vapor barrier installation is the number one DIY failure point for indoor saunas. Pre-insulated panels eliminate that risk.
At the budget end (under $3,000), kits drop the insulation, use thinner wood, and include weaker heaters. These work in heated indoor spaces but struggle to hit proper temperatures and waste energy. If you go budget, upgrade the heater first. A great heater in a basic enclosure beats a basic heater in a fancy enclosure every time.
Barrel Kits ($3,000-7,000)
Barrel kits are the most popular outdoor option. Pre-cut staves, steel bands, pre-built end walls, door, benches, and heater. A handy person with a helper can assemble one in a weekend.
Look for 40-45 mm cedar or thermowood staves. Stainless steel bands (not galvanized, which rust within 2-3 years). Solid 40mm+ end walls with an integrated door frame. And proper drainage at the lowest point of the floor.
Cabin Kits ($5,000-10,000)
Cabin kits are small buildings. They include framing, exterior cladding, roofing, insulation, interior panelling, and usually a heater. Assembly takes 2-5 days. You need to provide the foundation.
Quality indicators: R-13+ wall insulation, cedar exterior cladding (or pre-stained softwood), a roof with at least 3:12 pitch, and a proper ventilation system with intake and exhaust vents.
What to Check Before You Buy
Five things to verify on any kit:
- Heater sizing. Calculate room volume in cubic meters. You need at least 1 kW per cubic meter, plus 1.2 kW per square meter of glass. If the included heater falls short, budget $400-800 for a replacement.
- Electrical requirements. Most heaters above 5 kW need a dedicated 240V circuit. Budget $300-800 for an electrician.
- Vapor barrier. Confirm it’s included and it’s foil-faced, positioned on the warm side of insulation.
- Ventilation. The kit should specify or include intake and exhaust vent locations.
- Wood species. If it says “cedar,” confirm it’s Western red cedar. If it says “thermowood,” confirm treatment temperature was 190-215 degrees Celsius.
For the full kit rankings with pricing tables and recommendations by category, see our best home sauna kits guide.
Which Types of Saunas Have Health Research Backing?
This matters. Sauna health claims drive a lot of buying decisions, and the claims get misattributed constantly.
The Research That Matters Most
The landmark sauna health data comes from the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease study. Over 2,300 middle-aged Finnish men followed for 20+ years. The headline findings:
- 4-7 sauna sessions per week was associated with 63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death.
- Frequent use was linked to reduced dementia and Alzheimer’s risk (65-66% lower in the 4-7 sessions/week group).
- Results held after adjusting for age, BMI, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and income.
These participants used traditional Finnish saunas at 80-100 degrees Celsius. Not infrared. Not steam rooms. Traditional dry saunas with löyly.
What About Infrared?
Small-scale studies (typically 10-50 people over weeks) suggest infrared may help with chronic pain, blood pressure, and congestive heart failure (the Japanese Waon therapy research). These results are promising. But they’re not comparable to 2,300 people over 20 years.
If a manufacturer tells you infrared provides “the same benefits as traditional saunas,” they’re making a claim the research doesn’t support. Infrared may have its own benefits. The large-scale evidence base belongs to traditional saunas.
What About Steam Rooms?
Steam room research is even more limited. No large, long-term cohort study exists. Steam rooms show benefits for respiratory conditions (warm humid air loosens mucus and clears sinuses), and the cardiovascular stress of any heat exposure likely provides some benefit. But “likely” isn’t “proven.”
The Bottom Line on Health
If cardiovascular and neurological health optimization is your primary motivation, match the conditions the studies actually used: traditional Finnish sauna, 80-100 degrees Celsius, 15-20 minutes per session, 4-7 times per week.
For a detailed review of the cardiovascular data, see our sauna health benefits overview. The type of heater you choose directly affects what temperatures and löyly quality you can achieve, so check our sauna heater rankings if you’re building or buying.
How to Choose the Right Sauna Type for You
Start with three questions:
1. Where Will It Go?
Indoor (spare room, basement, bathroom conversion): A pre-built indoor panel kit or an infrared cabin are your easiest options. Indoor traditional saunas need a dedicated 240V circuit and proper ventilation. Infrared plugs into a wall outlet.
Outdoor (backyard, lakeside, rural property): Barrel or cabin. Barrel is cheaper and assembles in a weekend. Cabin is better insulated, lasts longer, and fits more people.
Apartment or rental: Infrared is likely your only option. No permanent installation. No wiring changes. Takes it with you when you move.
2. What’s Your Budget?
Under $2,000: Budget infrared cabin. Will produce sweating and relaxation. Won’t match Finnish research conditions.
$2,000-5,000: Mid-range infrared cabin or budget indoor traditional kit. At the upper end, a barrel sauna kit.
$5,000-10,000: Quality indoor panel kit, mid-range barrel kit, or entry-level cabin kit. This is where you start getting a legitimate Finnish experience.
$10,000+: Premium cabin sauna, custom build, or contractor-installed indoor sauna. The best of everything.
3. What Do You Care About Most?
Löyly and the Finnish ritual: Traditional sauna. No substitute.
Health research backing: Traditional sauna. That’s where the data is.
Convenience and speed: Infrared. Ready in 15 minutes, plugs in anywhere.
Respiratory relief: Steam room, or a traditional sauna with generous löyly.
Lowest total cost: Barrel sauna kit for outdoor. Budget infrared for indoor.
Longevity and performance: Cabin sauna for outdoor. Well-insulated indoor build for interior.
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Saunas
What are the main types of saunas?
The five main types are traditional Finnish (dry heat at 80-100 degrees Celsius), infrared (radiant panels at 45-65 degrees Celsius), steam room (100% humidity at 40-50 degrees Celsius), barrel (cylindrical outdoor design), and cabin (rectangular insulated structure). Each uses different physics to heat your body.
Which type of sauna is healthiest?
Traditional Finnish saunas have the strongest research behind them. The 20-year Finnish cohort study showing 63% lower sudden cardiac death risk used traditional saunas at 80-100 degrees Celsius. Infrared and steam room studies exist but are much smaller.
What type of sauna is best for home use?
It depends on your space. For indoor use, a pre-insulated panel kit ($4,000-6,000) is the easiest to install. For outdoor use, barrel kits ($3,000-7,000) are the most affordable. Cabin kits ($5,000-10,000) last longer and handle cold climates better.
Is an infrared sauna a real sauna?
Infrared saunas use radiant panels at 45-65 degrees Celsius instead of heating the room to 80-100 degrees. They make you sweat but can’t produce löyly (steam from water on stones). Whether that qualifies as a “real” sauna depends on your definition.
What is the difference between a sauna and a steam room?
A sauna uses dry heat at 80-100 degrees Celsius with 10-20% humidity. A steam room uses wet heat at 40-50 degrees Celsius with nearly 100% humidity. The steam room feels equally intense at lower temperatures because water vapor transfers heat 25 times more efficiently than dry air, and your sweat can’t evaporate.
How much does each type of sauna cost?
Traditional Finnish: $2,500-8,000 installed. Infrared: $1,500-5,000. Steam room: $5,100-14,200 DIY, $10,000-30,000 with a contractor. Barrel kit: $3,000-7,000. Cabin kit: $5,000-10,000. These ranges include heater and basic installation but not electrical work ($300-800 extra for a dedicated 240V circuit).