The Best Barrel Sauna and Most Common Mistakes in 2023
Choose a kit if...
- Budget is a major factor
- You have carpentry skills, and don't mind assembling and troubleshooting when (not if) something doesn't fit together perfectly.
Choose Custom if...
- You want to avoid some headaches
- You want to customize your sauna
- You want an experienced builder to oversee the project
Barrel saunas have become strangely divisive lately.
There are some traditional sauna builders who complain the bench height is too low, and its true that is a limitation of barrels.
But if you see someone hate on barrel saunas, ask yourself if they make money selling more expensive saunas.
That's not to say all barrel saunas are good.
In fact, there are more bad barrel sauna kits on the market than good ones. They leak, warp, and give barrel saunas a bad name.
But like sauna tents, barrel sauna kits have made saunas more affordable and attainable.
We believe when more people can access the undeniable benefits of sauna, the world will be a better place.
So if you can afford an expensive, custom sauna, that's great and we can help you connect with your local builders.
But barrel sauna kits also have amazing benefits, are affordable, and most owners absolutely love them.
Not sure if a barrel sauna is for you? We suggest finding a local sauna event or mobile sauna rental near you and trying one out first. You can do both at SaunaShare.com (our sister company).
Best Barrel Sauna Kits 2023
The best barrel sauna kits are now made with thermally modified wood that won’t expand, contract, and leak.
They are treated with heat and steam (just like humans in a sauna) so it's completely natural.
The result is a more dimensionally stable sauna that will outlast the others.
We are convinced a good, thermally modified barrel sauna with a roof or rain jacket that’s properly elevated will outlast many shed style saunas.
There are several companies selling Thermally Modified barrel saunas, but the one we trust is Thermory Barrel Saunas.
Full disclosure, we sell these barrels, but so do a lot of other companies so we recommend shopping around (spoiler alert, we all sell for the same price because we're not allowed to sell lower).
The difference is that when you buy from us, you know where they are being shipped from (Chicago) and you know you will be supported by the SaunaMarketplace and SaunaShare network.
We also work really hard to simplify the process. We list the actual barrel sauna dimensions and make it easy for you to add a panoramic window, porch, and custom heater options.
Check Out Thermory Barrel Saunas Here.
Work With a Custom Barrel Sauna Builder
For the price of a Thermory, there's really no reason to go with cheaper barrel sauna kits, or build a DIY barrel sauna (unless you just want an awesome but challenging woodworking project).
But working with a custom builder to get a prebuilt barrel sauna delivered is a great option if can afford it.
We like Nomad Saunas in Minnesota and Alpenglow Saunas in BC. We can also help you find someone to assemble your barrel sauna kit.
Most Common Barrel Sauna Mistakes
- Buying a non-brand name barrel sauna kit with unknown origins
- Not knowing where YOUR barrel sauna is shipping from
- Not having a plan for electrical connection
- Not knowing the stove can take as long to install as it takes to assemble the barrel
- Not knowing the chimney can cost more than a wood stove
- Not up-sizing in Northern climates
- Putting a random barrel sauna on a trailer and expecting it to last
- Buying a barrel sauna that doesn't call for a screw in each stave.
- Thinking you'll save money building a barrel sauna from scratch.
Best Barrel Sauna Kits
Thermory barrel sauna kits stand out as only barrel sauna kit designed for the outdoor elements.
Thermory itself is among the worlds most respected brand at naturally treated wood using a precise combination of heat and steam. Now they offer a barrel sauna which treats humans with heat and steam.
Sauna Marketplace became a Thermory dealer to provide the best deals, more options, and complete dedication to your successful project.
Check out Thermory barrel saunas and ask us how to design your dream barrel sauna here
- From 55" to 88" long. Diameter of over 7 feet.
- Front Porch Option
- Thermally Treated Nordic Spruce
- Back wall panoramic window option
- Wood or electric heat
Custom Barrel Sauna Builders
If you're looking for the best, these custom sauna builders know what it takes. Both are taking winter orders and can quote your project now.
Alpenglow Saunas
$8K and Up
Mobile options, local materials, customizable
Nomad Sauna
$15k and Up
Custom benches, Shou Sugi Ban, Quality craftsmanship, mobile options, panoramic options.
Cheap Barrel Sauna
For those who want our quick pick for the best barrel sauna kit, our top choice might surprise you because it isn't a brand name. We always recommend these generic barrels when they are in stock. It's a cheaper barrel sauna than you'll find anywhere (even cheaper than building from scratch in some cases) and they are really great quality.
We've been recommending them for years, and many of you have seen our happy customer posts.
For the money, this may be the best barrel sauna kit whenever they are in stock - if they show up below you're in luck:
Totally Fine, Cheap Barrel Sauna on eBay
We've been sending folks to these barrels on eBay for over three years with no complaints. If you're looking for a small, electric barrel sauna that's relatively easy to assemble, this is a good option.
BZB Barrel Saunas
If you want a barrel sauna kit with a changing room, these may be the best option in the USA.
Barrel Sauna Companies and Builders
Dundalk Leisurecraft
Based in Ontario, Dundalk Leisurecraft is the biggest sauna manufacturer in North America. They sell to the trade market and dealers throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. They are an eco-friendly company that is careful about sourcing wood.
Dundalk offers a Panoramic Barrel Sauna and several unique outdoor saunas designs.
Dundalk Barrel Sauna Review
The Sauna Guys
The Sauna Guys have been serving the heat for over a decade. Specializing in preassembled, wood-fired barrel saunas delivered all over the midwest. Just check out the reviews.
Costco Barrel Saunas
While Costco and Walmart were probably not on your radar for buying a barrel sauna, we’re all about getting you the best deals and sale prices on quality saunas.
Unfortunately Costco has stopped supplying barrel saunas in the US (Canada still can order online). Here’s the deal: the barrel saunas Costco used to offer were made by a brand called ‘Almost Heaven’. While you can’t buy a barrel sauna from Costco, you can get the same Costco Barrel Saunas for less. Check out Almost Heaven Barrel Saunas on sale below…
Almost Heaven
Almost Heaven is the number one selling barrel sauna kit builder in North America. They used to sell them at Costco but they no longer carry them in USA.
Believe it or not, you can actually buy almost heaven barrel saunas at Walmart. And regardless of your views on Walmart, they are MUCH cheaper and ship faster than ordering directly from Almost Heaven.
[content-egg-block template=offers_list groups=”Almost Heaven”]
We did a comparison of Almost Heaven Barrel Saunas with the same ones ordered at Walmart and were shocked.
Here’s the popular Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna ordered directly from Almost Heaven:
And here’s the same sauna with the same futures from Almost Heaven, but ordered through Walmart with FREE SHIPPING, which makes a huge difference.
Aleko Barrel Sauna
Aleko is a low cost sauna kit manufacturing company selling western red cedar and white pine barrel sauna kits of various sizes including changing room models. Primarily serving North American markets, Aleko also has panoramic barrel saunas for sale. Aleko is based in Kent, Washington and was founded in 2005.
If you’re looking at an Aleko Barrel Sauna, be careful. Aleko reviews are all over the place, and we haven’t heard great things. We recommend the generic eBay saunas in this price range.
With that said, they do have some good deals right now.
Dundalk Sauna
Based in Ontario (see Ontario Saunas here), Dundalk Sauna (Dundalk Leisurecraft) is one of the biggest sauna manufacturer in North America. They sell to the trade market and dealers throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. They are an eco-friendly company that is careful about sourcing wood.
Dundalk offers a Panoramic Barrel Sauna and several unique outdoor saunas designs.
Dundalk Saunas are pricey and we’re told they’ve had some inventory issues since the pandemic started. If you need a sauna for next winter and you’re not looking for a cheap sauna, check them out.
Thermory Saunas
Aptly named Thermory Barrel Saunas are thermally modified. They are the only high-priced barrel sauna that may actually be worth the price.
Expansion and contraction, weather, and solar UV are the enemy of the sauna, and Thermory Saunas have a process that naturally enhances the wood through heat and steam treatment.
They are beautiful and they will last longer than other barrel saunas. If your barrel sauna is going to be exposed to the elements, we recommend putting a roof on it or going with a Thermory.
Northern Lights
Northern lights is a family business thats sold saunas and hot tubs for 25 years. Located in Manitoba, Canada – they used to offer a 7′ diameter model which provides more headroom and interior space (standard is 6′). It looks like they have discontinued them to focus on hot tubs, unfortunately.
Saunacore
Saunacore is based in Ontario, Canada with a USA office in Niagara Falls, NY. They are one of the biggest sauna manufacturers in North America, and they make a premium barrel sauna.
SDI Saunas
These are barrel sauna kits imported from (usually) China, though they ship from a warehouse in California.
That said, they are inexpensive and get the job done. Note that the electric heaters may or may not have UL safety listings.
They offer a 6′ Finland Pine Barrel Sauna for under $3,500.
Almost Heaven
Almost heaven is the number one selling barrel sauna kit builder in North America. They used to sell them at Costco but they no longer carry them in USA. Primarily selling in North America. Believe it or not, you can actually buy almost heaven barrel saunas at Home Depot.
Aleko Barrel Sauna
Aleko is a low cost sauna kit manufacturing company selling western red cedar and white pine barrel sauna kits of various sizes including changing room models. Primarily serving North American markets, Aleko also has panoramic barrel saunas for sale. Aleko is based in Kent, Washington and was founded in 2005.
If you’re looking at an Aleko Barrel Sauna, be careful. Aleko reviews are all over the. place, and we haven’t heard great things. We recommend a Toule in this price range.
With that said, they do have some good deals right now.
Northern Lights
Northern lights is a family business thats sold saunas and hot tubs for 25 years. Located in Manitoba, Canada – they offer a 7′ diameter model which provides more headroom and interior space (standard is 6′).
Saunacore
Saunacore is based in Ontario, Canada with a USA office in Niagara Falls, NY. They are one of the biggest sauna manufacturers in North America, and they make a premium barrel sauna.
SDI Saunas
These are barrel sauna kits imported from (usually) China, though they ship from a warehouse in California.
That said, they are inexpensive and get the job done. Note that the electric heaters may or may not have UL safety listings.
They offer a 6′ Finland Pine Barrel Sauna for under $3,500.
Toule
What is a barrel sauna?
The sauna barrel itself is a cylindrical sauna made with wood staves and two circular walls. The staves are notched out to fit snuggly into the walls and strapped together when complete.
The result is a barrel shaped, cozy sauna that looks great in any backyard.
The method comes from Finnish immigrants who built wooden water towers. Some ‘Coopered’ barrel saunas have bent staves resembling wine barrels but those are hard to find.
Barrel Sauna Benefits
“The convection in a barrel sauna creates an automatic circular heat all by itself – it circulates from top to bottom – there’s nowhere for heat to be trapped in the top of the ceiling.” -Red McCoy, Keweenaw Saunas
Because they use a single layer of wood that acts as the interior and exterior surface, barrel saunas don’t have much insulation to keep the heat in and the cold out. The barrel sauna cleverly overcomes the lack of insulation by efficient use of space and convection to rapidly and evenly heat up.
First, a barrel sauna has 23% less interior space to heat than a cabin style sauna of the same dimension. This is a huge advantage and goes a long ways to compensating for its lack of insulation, but that’s only part of it.
The signature circular design keeps heat from settling at the top of the barrel. The hottest air inside is constantly being created at the heat source (either wood stove or electric heater), and due to convection, the hot air rises to the top. The less dense air at the top of the sauna circulates back to the bottom where it becomes hot again. The circular design of a barrel sauna means that the hottest air is constantly in motion, resulting in a steady, efficient heat throughout the interior space.
The wood expands as it heats up, creating a better seal to keep moisture and hot air from escaping through the staves.
Pros
- No foundation required! Just put the cradles on some pavers, blocks, deck, or concrete pad. This means you can install the barrel sauna when the ground is frozen.
- Less Area To Heat – should be able to reach sauna temps in 45 minutes
- Rolling Heat and Humidity
- Inexpensive, minimal materials
- Easy To Transport and Assemble
- No Vapor Barrier Needed (Can “breath” to exterior)
- Rounded roof makes it exceptional at handling heavy snow loads
But there are disadvantages to barrel saunas you’ll want to consider.
Cons
- No Insulation besides one layer of wood
- Exposed To Elements
- Can Leak without additional roofing material
- Looses a lot of heat when door opens (solved with changing room)
Barrel Sauna Cost
What does a barrel sauna cost? A barrel sauna costs between $2500 to 15,000. Most barrel sauna kits are around $5,000, but you can really find excellent deals on barrel sauna kits.
Don’t believe you can get an authentic outdoor sauna for less than $4,000 USD? We’ve been helping folks find the perfect barrel sauna for years, and our go to recommendation for inexpensive barrel sauna kits have been these from Toule:
Hot Tip 1: Find your sauna in our new buyers portal and see if there are any additional discounts available.
Hot Tip 2: You may prefer a POD sauna, which has a lot of the benefits of a barrel sauna, but more head room. Check them out here.
Considerations When Buying
Thickness of wood
Because the single layer of (usually) cedar is the only insulation, it’s important for those in cold climates to compare thickness of wood, as it will make a big difference. Look for at least 1″ wood staves for cold climates. 1.5″ and 5/4 (1 1/4″) thick. Standard 2×6’s are perfect, and will give you an 1 1/2″ staves.
Luckily, the low density of softwoods like Western Red Cedar mean they are better at insulating your sauna than hardwoods. The r-value of Western Red Cedar is approximately 1.41/inch. This is better than hardwoods, at around .71/inch, but very low compared to a traditional sauna build with insulation in the walls (around R-13+).
Thermal Mass
The barrel sauna itself has very little thermal mass. Make sure to add plenty of rocks near the heat source, under the floor boards, or anywhere else you can squeeze them. Water also makes excellent thermal mass but it can freeze. Thermal mass slows down the heating process but makes a more steady heat that lasts longer and doesn’t loose heat as fast when the door opens.
Heater Size
Also, because the temperature difference can be so extreme between inside and outside, you will probably want to oversize your heater or sauna furnace to make sure you can reach your desired temperature, especially in colder climates or with thinner cedar planks.
A perfect wood sauna stove for most barrel saunas is the Harvia M3.
No upper benches
We consider the uniform heat as a positive, but having a barrel sauna does exclude the option of sitting on the top bench, where it’s warmer and more humid. Some people have different heat and humidity preferences and the double bench design of many cabin style saunas allows the choice.
Outdoor Barrel Sauna Tips
- When designing your sauna, allow enough bench length to lay down. A 7+ ft sauna is ideal for 2 people and also works great for guests.
- As with any outdoor structure, consider building codes, safety, and regulations early on!
- Split wood into fine pieces to generate more heat.
- Build barrel sauna with wood of at least one inch thickness, ideally 5/4″ or more addresses most concerns with reaching high temperatures. In addition to keep the heat in, building your sauna with thicker staves means they will maintain their shape and last longer.
- Consider insulating the barrel sauna under the floor boards to prevent cold feet. Alternatively, you could lay down and put feet on the wall near the stove to really warm your toes.
- Add a changing room: a major complaint with barrel saunas is they can loose heat quickly when the door is closed. Most barrel sauna builders and kits have premium options with a changing room to prevent heat loss. This is especially recommended if you have parties, rent your sauna, or have many people enter and exit.
- Consider shingling or other roofing: the ball and socket joints are designed to prevent leaking, but if your staves shrink after a few months of hot saunas, you may wish you were better protected. A roof on the top of your barrel sauna will also help keep the heat in and provide some extra insulation. Consider adding another layer between the barrel sauna and the roofing of reflectix bubble foil vapor barrier/insulation.
- Put fire brick on the bottom near the stove to make it last longer.
- Ensure there is no ground contact between the barrel wood and the ground. The stand can be replaced, but to get decades of use out of a barrel sauna, you must avoid ground contact with the barrel itself to avoid rot.
- If using a wood stove, make sure to use a damper and double walled vent through the chimney.
- Make sure your sauna isn’t a fire hazard. Follow local codes, clearances, and use fire bricks. Have a fire extinguisher handy.
- Make sure you’re starting on a solid ‘foundation.’ You need a firm and fairly flat surface, though a very slight might could help with drainage.
- Don’t put latex paint or other exterior finish that will seal it. Painting the exterior of a barrel sauna, though usually against manufacturers recommendations, is probably OK if you use a paint that allows moisture to escape.
Panoramic Barrel Sauna With Window
What You Need (And Don't Need)
Tools Needed For Barrel Sauna Assembly
What You Need to Know about Barrel Sauna Kits
Barrel sauna kits are a great way to to have an outdoor sauna up and running quickly without woodworking skills or expensive equipment.
The cylindrical shape of barrel saunas make them unpractical to transport long distances after they’re assembled. Most barrel saunas ship as kits that need to be assembled on site, allowing them to be transported almost anywhere.
Although it may be intimidating to build a giant outdoor barrel, a good barrel sauna kit should be no more difficult to put together than Ikea furniture. The holes should be predrilled and the lumber will be milled to fit snuggly in place.
The barrel sauna design is an efficient use of materials, and everything can be shipped on a pallet the length of your barrel sauna.
With two people and the right tools, a barrel sauna kit can be assembled in 3-8 hours, depending on the kit. In contrast, building a barrel sauna from scratch requires 3-5 days depending on difficulty sourcing materials and tools.
How much do barrel sauna kits weigh?
Barrel Sauna Kits Packing List
- 2-3 Walls which May Come In Sections
- Staves which connect the walls. Staves are milled with a ball and socket joint along the full length that allows them to fit snuggly and hinge into the barrel shape.
- Door
- Heater, either electric or wood
- Straps that lock in the staves, usually stainless steel
- 2-3 Cradles that the sauna sits on
- Door hardware
- Seats
- Vent Kit
- Chimney if wood-burning
- Timer of electric
Your kit may also come with accessories such as roof kits, backrests, leg rests, sand timers, and a sauna bucket / ladle.
Barrel Sauna Kit Assembly
Barrel sauna kits are assembled by preparing the ground, placing the cradles, securing the first stave, securing the circular walls with temporary upper staves, then placing the staves alternating up the sides of the barrel.
You may have to cut a stave at the end to have a tight fit without gaps. The straps are then used to tighten and secure the barrel together.
A mallet is used to even out the staves, making sure there are no “lumps.”
Now place your electric heater and run power as specified and to your local code. You’ll probably want to hire an electrician if. you are not comfortable and qualified doing this.
If you purchased a wood burning barrel sauna kit, you’ll have to cut your chimney hole after assembly. To do this, place your sauna stove where you want it and add the first couple sections of your chimney until you can pinpoint where it will exit the roof.
Mark that point and cut the specified hole with a reciprocating saw after tracing the desired circle.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it’s actually quite easy and even enjoyable to assemble a barrel sauna kit. It can be compared to assembling a very large piece of furniture from Ikea.
Barrel saunas are used habitually by people who seem to have superpowers – like Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, author Tim Ferris, and world holder for extreme temperatures, Wim Hof.
Barrel saunas heat up fast, get very hot, good airflow, are efficient, and can please even the most serious sauna snobs. Yes, barrel saunas are good.
Barrel saunas can cost anywhere between $2500 USD for the cheapest, most basic model to $12,000 USD for a premium mobile barrel sauna with all the bells and whistles. Most people pay around $6,000 USD for a barrel sauna but if you know where to look you can find ones that are just as good for less than $3,000.
It depends on where you live! But our readers have been the happiest with barrel saunas from Casa De Sauna, Toule, and Keweenaw Saunas. Dundalk, Almost Heaven, and The Sauna Guys also good saunas.
Yes, you can build a barrel sauna from scratch but unless you have a good source for inexpensive, quality lumber you will likely pay nearly as much as you would have for a barrel sauna kit. Building from scratch also takes about a week, while a kit can be assembled in a day.
Top Barrel Sauna Mistakes to Avoid
Make sure your electric panel can handle the heater, or that you have clearances for the stove.
Either way, this is a costly mistake. If using an electric stove, bring an electrician in early. You not only need room in your panel, but you need adequate power service and a way to safely get the power to the barrel.
Wood stove barrels will need to have a minimum distance from other structures or flammable materials.
Don't leave the roof exposed
Sure, many people do not put a roof on their barrel saunas, but why shorten its life? It's always worth putting the sauna under a structure, or putting a roof on it. Over time, a barrel sauna without a roof WILL leak.
We like to install barrel saunas without a roof first, and wait for the first rain whenever possible. Making sure it's water tight is a sign of a good instal, but it won't last forever.
Thinking there won't be challenges installing a barrel sauna kit
As much as we'd like them to be as easy as Ikea furniture, a small imperfection can create huge headaches when putting together a barrel sauna.
The final bits of assembly can be challenging, no matter how good the barrel sauna kit is. You can do it, but don't think it's going to fit together perfectly right away.
Underpowering or using an Infrared Barrel Sauna
Barrel saunas are not insulated, and although they are small, efficient spaces they need some serious kilowatts to reach sauna temperatures.
An infrared barrel sauna might make sense in California, but most sauna climates are going to require traditional heating elements or a wood stove for a good experience.
