What Is a Barrel Sauna?
Barrels are shaped like barrels, so barrel saunas are outdoor saunas that are set sideways. Saunas with this design have cylindrical walls that are encased in long staves (lengths of wood with rounded or notched edges) that fit together to surround curved front and back walls.
When assembled, the staves are held in place by a tight closure around the circumference. The sides of some barrel saunas are straight so they form a classic cylinder, while other barrel saunas have “cooped” sides so their sides bulge a bit at the center.
It is almost always necessary to assemble barrel saunas yourself. All-inclusive kits include everything you need to build a home, including the structure, stove, lava rocks, windows, doors, and accessories such as a water bucket and ladle, wooden footrests and clothing hooks.
Adding Nordic flair to your backyard while simultaneously creating a spa-like atmosphere was the focus of our research.
Best Barrel Sauna Kits
Huntington Cedar Electric Canopy Barrel Sauna ($5,520) by Almost Heaven Saunas stands out for its excellent price/quality ratio, spacious interior and durable construction.
Electric heaters are capable of producing both wet and dry heat, reaching temperatures up to 195 F in an hour or less. There are two long benches spanning the length of the sauna, with plenty of space for six or two people to lie down. There are two built-in seats under the canopies so you can sit outside when the temperature soars. If you want to buy the best backyard barrel sauna kits you should choose it.
Best Electric Barrel Sauna Kit
By comparison, this Cedar 4 Person Electric Barrel Sauna ($4,468) by Almost Heaven Saunas has a powerful six kW heater, making it stand out among similar-sized home saunas. Regardless of the weather outside, the electric heater quickly reaches its maximum temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cedar staves are thick and insulating, and their ball-and-socket profiles fit tightly together, so you will not experience heat dispersion. It is made of cedar with a window as opposed to tempered glass because cedar is better at retaining heat.
Best Wood-Burning Barrel Sauna Kit
With its wood-fired heater designed by the world’s sauna expert, Finland, this four-person Allwood Barrel Sauna ($5,250) takes first place when it comes to going old school.
The roof is protected from precipitation by bitumen shingles. Spruce walls don’t bleed resin at high temperatures like pine, and the walls don’t bleed resin like pine. The sauna’s entrance canopy features a playful circular cut that gives it a fairytale appearance.
Sauna Kits with the Best Compact Size
Despite its compact size, BZB Cabins and Outdoors’ two-person Barrel Sauna W20 ($5,490) packs a punch despite its five-foot length.
The spruce sauna kit includes a tempered glass door, a wood-fired or electric heater, and roofing shingles to add an extra layer of protection from the elements for small yards or patios. The back wall of the kit can also be customized with a half moon-shaped window, or with two square or two round windows.