Consider the Best Sauna Models Before Buying an Outdoor Sauna: The Complete Buying Guide
Outdoor Sauna Buying Guide: Premium Craftsmanship and Custom Options
WELLBEINGHOME DECOR
8/18/20265 min read
What to Consider Before Buying an Outdoor Sauna: The Complete Buying Guide
An outdoor sauna is the ultimate backyard upgrade especially when there are several options to suit every lifestyle.
How big should it be? Where should it go? How much space do you need? What about installation? Do you want a sauna by itself, or are you dreaming about a complete wellness retreat with a cold plunge and somewhere to relax afterward?
Still dreaming about the possibilities? Start with How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Private Wellness Retreat .
And then there's the big question:
How much is this actually going to cost?
If you're seriously considering an outdoor sauna, don't start by choosing a model.
Start by figuring out what you actually want from the space.
Here's what I'd consider first.
1. How Much Space Do You Actually Have?
Before falling in love with a beautiful sauna, it is important to pay attention to the size of the sauna and the size of your available space. A reputable company will make sure your site and paperwork are ready before they build.
And don't just measure the footprint where the sauna will sit.
Think about the entire experience.
You'll need to consider:
Access to the sauna
Space around the structure
Entry and exit
Electrical requirements
Drainage and the surrounding ground
Privacy
Seating or relaxation space
Access for delivery and installation
Future additions such as a cold plunge or outdoor shower - if you don't get the total experience the first time around.
I would map out the entire area before ordering anything.
Even better, use tape or temporary markers to outline the proposed footprint in your backyard. Stand inside the space and walk around it.
You'll get a much better sense of what you're working with.
2. How Many People Will Actually Use It?
This sounds obvious, but it's one of the easiest things to overlook.
Think about your normal use, not the occasional scenario.
Are you creating a private retreat for yourself?
Will you and your partner use it together?
Do you want enough room for family or friends?
The answer affects the size and layout you should consider.
If this is going to become a shared family wellness space, choosing something too small could become frustrating very quickly.
3. Think About the Experience, Not Just the Sauna
This is probably the biggest piece of advice I'd give you.
Don't think: "Where can I put a sauna?"
Think: "What do I want this part of my backyard to feel like?"
Those are two very different questions.
Maybe you want a quiet place to unwind after work.
Maybe you're creating a wellness space for you and your partner.
Maybe you want a luxury backyard retreat.
Maybe you're interested in combining sauna time with a cold plunge.
Or perhaps you want a sauna alongside a workout space.
Your answer will influence everything from the sauna you choose to the landscaping around it.
4. Decide Whether You Want a Sauna or a Complete Wellness Setup
This is where your options can get much more interesting.
A standalone sauna gives you the core experience.
But some homeowners may want something bigger.
For example, Sweaty Yeti currently offers several configurations, including standalone sauna options as well as setups incorporating features such as cold plunges and workout space.
That opens up several possibilities.
Sauna only
A straightforward choice if your primary goal is creating a dedicated sauna space.
Sauna + Cold Plunge
A more comprehensive wellness setup for someone who wants both experiences together.
Sauna + Workout Space
Interesting if you're already thinking about creating a backyard fitness and wellness area.
Larger configurations
Worth considering if you have the space and want the sauna to become a significant part of your outdoor living area.
The right choice isn't necessarily the biggest one.
It's the one that matches how you're actually going to use the space.
Explore the current Sweaty Yeti sauna configurations here.
5. Don't Forget Privacy
A sauna is supposed to be relaxing.
Feeling like you're on display isn't.
Before choosing the location, look at your backyard from your neighbors' perspective.
Can they see the sauna entrance?
Will you have enough privacy when you're sitting outside afterward?
You don't necessarily need a massive fence.
Depending on your property, you could use:
Privacy screens
Fencing
Trees
Shrubs
Tall ornamental grasses
Pergolas
Strategic landscaping
This is also where you can make the sauna look like it belongs in your backyard instead of looking like something you simply dropped onto the lawn.
6. Think About Installation Before You Buy
This is the boring part.
And it's also the part you don't want to ignore.
A premium outdoor sauna is a major purchase, so the sauna itself isn't necessarily the only cost you need to consider.
Depending on the product and your property, you may need to think about:
Site preparation
Foundation or suitable base - A level ground, gravel, or concrete pad.
Electrical usage
Delivery access
Landscaping
Drainage
Requirements can vary depending on the sauna model and your location, so get the manufacturer's specifications and speak with qualified local professionals where necessary before committing.
Don't calculate only the price of the sauna. Calculate the price of the finished project.
7. What Type of Sauna Experience Do You Want?
Different sauna types can provide different experiences, and the right choice depends on what you want from your sauna.
Consider:
Traditional sauna experience
If you're looking for the classic sauna environment.
Infrared
If you're specifically interested in infrared technology and prefer that type of sauna experience.
Customization
If design, size, layout and the overall look of the structure are particularly important to you.
The goal isn't to find the sauna with the longest feature list.
It's to find the sauna experience you'll actually enjoy using.
8. Think About the Surrounding Space
Here's where I think homeowners sometimes miss a huge opportunity.
The sauna doesn't have to be the entire backyard wellness experience.
Think about what happens before and after your sauna session.
Maybe there's a comfortable chair nearby.
Maybe there's an outdoor shower.
Maybe there's a cold plunge.
Maybe there's a small table where you can keep water or tea.
Maybe there's a place for towels and robes.
Maybe there's soft outdoor lighting so the space still feels inviting in the evening.
Those details can turn a sauna installation into a destination.
And that is exactly what we're trying to create.
9. Set Your Budget Before You Fall in Love With a Sauna
Let's talk money.
Sweaty Yeti Offers Financing
If paying for the entire project upfront isn't how you want to approach a big investment, Sweaty Yeti currently offers financing through a third party.
So, Is an Outdoor Sauna Right for You?
If you've got the space, the budget and a genuine desire to make sauna time part of your lifestyle, an outdoor sauna can become much more than another home improvement project.
It can become a place to slow down.
A place to spend time with your partner.
A place to create a wellness routine.
Or simply a place where you can shut the door, take a breath and have a little peace and quiet.
And if you're going to invest in one, take the time to design the whole experience, not just the structure.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you're seriously considering an outdoor sauna, Sweaty Yeti is a premium option worth exploring.
Their current collection includes standalone sauna configurations as well as larger wellness setups, including options that incorporate cold plunge and workout space.
Take a look at the available configurations and consider which one fits your space, your budget and the way you actually want to use your backyard.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
