The costs for saunas vary based on the complexity of the design. For example, a basic Finnish sauna may cost as little as $2,000, while a decked-out infrared sauna may cost upwards of $10,000. If you aren’t interested in a permanent option, there are even portable, collapsable steam saunas for less than $100. As you shop around for a sauna, you should also consider where you plan to install it as some are better suited to indoor or outdoor use.
Used by cultures around the world for centuries, there are numerous health benefits to spending time in a sauna that have been supported by research. That said, the experience in a steam sauna will differ from the experience in a dry sauna. For specific health needs and concerns, you should consider the types of saunas and qualities unique to each.
Here are the pros and cons of different types of saunas.
In terms of the in-sauna experience, an electric sauna should feel pretty comparable to a wood-burning sauna—minus the wood-burning smell. Electric saunas still use stoves and stones for the heating components. As a result, the humidity level is quite low, although you can pour water over the stones as with a wood-burning sauna.
Electric saunas may be installed indoors or outdoors, although the outdoor models will still need a reliable electric hook-up, which can increase the installation cost. In terms of the upfront investment, electric saunas cost an average of $3,000 to $5,000. They also come in a variety of sizes, although it’s uncommon to find an electric sauna that is as spacious as a wood-burning model.