A barrel sauna is the classic backyard sauna: curved cedar staves held by steel bands, a wood or electric stove, and stones you can pour water over for a burst of steam. The round shape heats efficiently and sheds rain and snow. Most cost $6,000 to $10,000 at list price, and the big makers run sales often.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overallAlmost Heaven Pinnacle$7,575 list
- Best compactDundalk Canadian Timber Luna$6,945 list
- Best for big groupsAlmost Heaven Lewisburg$9,083 list
Almost Heaven Pinnacle
- Price
- $7,575 list
- Size
- 4 person
- Heat
- Traditional, Harvia electric heater
- Power
- 240V dedicated circuit
- Warranty
- See Almost Heaven
Four seats, a Harvia heater and Almost Heaven's large dealer network. Lists at $7,575; it was $5,302.50 on sale in August 2026.
What we like
- Four seats
- Harvia heater
- Frequent sales
What to know
- 240V circuit
Dundalk Canadian Timber Luna
- Price
- $6,945 list
- Size
- 2–3 person
- Heat
- Traditional, Harvia Kip 6 kW heater
- Power
- 240V, 30A breaker
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts only
Dundalk's Luna is 6.5 feet long in Eastern White Cedar with a Harvia Kip 6 kW heater. It seats two or three and was $6,945 at a major retailer.
What we like
- Small footprint
- Thick cedar walls
What to know
- Electric only
- 3-year parts warranty
Almost Heaven Lewisburg
- Price
- $9,083 list
- Size
- 6–8 person
- Heat
- Traditional, Harvia electric heater
- Power
- 240V dedicated circuit
- Warranty
- See Almost Heaven
Six to eight seats for $9,083 list, or around $6,400 on sale.
What we like
- Seats a family
What to know
- Big footprint
How they compare
| Model | List price | Size | Heat | Power | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almost Heaven Pinnacle | $7,575 list | 4 person | Traditional, Harvia electric heater | 240V dedicated circuit | See Almost Heaven |
| Dundalk Canadian Timber Luna | $6,945 list | 2–3 person | Traditional, Harvia Kip 6 kW heater | 240V, 30A breaker | 3 years, parts only |
| Almost Heaven Lewisburg | $9,083 list | 6–8 person | Traditional, Harvia electric heater | 240V dedicated circuit | See Almost Heaven |
Other barrels worth a look
- Almost Heaven Audra ($7,575 list): two to four people with a canopy over the door.
- Almost Heaven Huntington ($8,932 list): four to six people with a canopy.
- Dundalk Harmony and Georgian: 7 ft with a porch and 8 ft with a changing room, each with an electric or wood-burning stove.
- SaunaLife E7 and E8: thermally treated wood with a Harvia electric heater included.
Setup
Barrels ship partly assembled on a pallet. Two people with basic tools can usually finish one in two to four hours. You'll need a level base and, for an electric heater, a 240V circuit. An electrician typically charges a few hundred dollars to add one, more for long runs. See where to put an outdoor sauna.
Questions
Wood-burning or electric?
Electric heaters are easier: set a temperature and go. Wood stoves need no wiring and suit remote spots, but take more tending. Dundalk offers both on most barrels.
How long does a barrel sauna last?
With a good base, a cover or shelter from standing water, and occasional band tightening and exterior finishing, many last decades.
