Saunas make a wonderful addition to your home or holiday let, and with more styles and designs than ever before, they are now more accessible than ever. Aside from our indoor saunas from Tylö, we also offer a selection of beautiful outdoor cube saunas from Estonian manufacturer, Luksus, as well as the wood-fired PortaSauna.
Looking to add a sauna to your home or holiday let but not sure where to start or what to look for? Read on for our sauna buying guide! Learn the difference between traditional and soft saunas, steam rooms and infrared rooms and panels, and explore our indoor sauna range, outdoor saunas, wood-fired portable saunas and more! 👇
What to consider when choosing a sauna
Before you choose a sauna, here are some of the questions to ask yourself:
What space do you need to have a sauna?
Do you have room indoors, and, if so, how much? For limited indoor space, single-person infrared sauna rooms can be ideal, needing very little room, or Tylö’s Harmony customisable saunas (either as traditional or soft saunas) allow you to choose from a range of sizes. If you have a large indoor space, a designated building for your home spa or a holiday let with additional indoor space, then the world is your oyster, opening up the possibility for larger Harmony or Reflection saunas, the Panacea Twin sauna and steam room, and more.
Is an indoor or outdoor sauna better?
An indoor sauna provides convenience and ease of access – particularly when the weather is poor and you may not feel like going outside! It can also be a stylish addition to your home and a great way to make use of wasted space (such as a an unused walk-in closet, free space in a large bathroom or small spare room), as well as an addition to an indoor home spa.
An outdoor sauna, however, can be very atmospheric, allowing you to enjoy your sauna with a beautiful view or surrounded by nature, or from the comfort of a private garden. It’s also a good solution if you have free space outdoors, but limited room inside your home, especially if you want to create a complete outdoor spa experience, including a hot tub and chill tub or swim spa/outdoor Endless Pool area.
How much does a sauna cost?
As with any luxury purchase, the more money you have to put aside for it, the greater your choices. However, a sauna isn’t out of reach even if you have a small amount to spare. Our infrared saunas start from as little as £4,999 (plus installation costs), or you can pick up a small and simple Harmony sauna for under £10,000 (plus installation costs). If your budget is really tight, then you still have the option of the PortaSauna. Not only does it clock in at just £1,860, but there are no installation costs, and, as it’s a wood-fired sauna, you have a lot of control over fuel costs too. (See below for a full list of price bands.)
Are you looking for a permanent or temporary/flexible sauna?
The more complex and customised the sauna, the harder it will be to move it if you decide to move house, so consider this when purchasing. The PortaSauna is designed to be moved and transported, so, if you travel a lot, or are planning to move in the next year or two, then this could be a good solution. Some of the simpler saunas, such as our infrared range, may also be moveable with specialist support. If this is a concern, speak to your dealer about the practicalities when making your choice.
Traditional sauna vs soft sauna – what’s the difference and which one should you choose?
This is about the type of heater you choose for your sauna, and is used to describe the heat vs humidity it generates, and the type of control you have over that. A traditional sauna typically reaches temperatures of 75-90C and has a low humidity, usually around 5-15C. This means the heat is high and dry. People who prefer this type of heat may believe it offers greater wellness benefits, or may simply enjoy the sensation. However, some people can find it a little harsh on the sinuses, or find they have to keep sauna sessions quite short.
A ‘soft’ sauna, on the other hand, typically reaches temperatures between 45-65C, but has a much higher humidity of 30-65%, meaning you still feel the heat, but it’s more gentle, and some people find it easier to tolerate. A soft sauna is powered by a combi heater, which allow you to switch between a traditional and soft sauna experience.
Our Tylö Harmony and Reflection saunas come with a selection of heaters to choose from, whether you just want a traditional output or also want the option of a soft sauna. These include:
Our sauna heaters
Harmony
The Sense range:
Sense Sport (traditional)
Sense Elite (traditional)
Sense Pure (traditional)
Sense Commercial (traditional)
Sense Combi Pure (traditional & soft)
Sense Combi Elite (traditional & soft)
Sense Combi Sport (traditional & soft)
Harmony & Reflection
The Crown range
Crown Elite (traditional)
Crown Elite Combi (traditional & soft)
If you choose a traditional sauna heater, but want to enjoy a softer sauna experience, pouring water on the coals will increase the humidity, although you’ll have less of an exact control over this than you do with the combi/soft sauna heaters. Likewise, if you purchase a combi sauna heater, you can enjoy both a traditional and soft experience, giving you the best of both worlds.
Although the combination heaters tend to be more expensive, you will benefit from improved energy efficiency when used as a soft sauna, as you don’t need to get the sauna as hot to enjoy the wellness benefits and experience.
Infrared sauna vs traditional sauna – which should I choose?
The main difference between an infrared sauna and a traditional sauna is that traditional saunas heat the air in the sauna room, while infrared saunas heat your body using an infrared light. This means you can get the wellness benefits at a lower temperature, making infrared saunas generally more comfortable for people who are sensitive to heat.
So, which should you choose? Well, if you…
- don’t like the feeling of a high heat but want the sauna wellness benefits
- need a very quick heating time
- are looking for a more gentle experience
- have a small space and a low budget
- are looking for a simple install
- want a very energy efficient sauna solution
… choose an infrared sauna.
However, if you…
- enjoy high heats and want the traditional sauna experience
- want to be able to increase humidity (either by pouring water on the coals or by installing a combi heater)
- want a lot of customisable options and more choice
- need to fit a specialist space, need a larger size, etc
- have more space or budget to play with
- want more choice between outdoor and indoor models
…choose a traditional/soft sauna.
Sauna vs steam room – which should I choose?
The health benefits of saunas and steam rooms largely overlap, but saunas offer a dryer, higher intensity heat, while steam rooms offer a very high humidity. Which one is right for you depends on the kind of environment you prefer.
If you…
- tolerate high humidity better than high heat
- want the sauna wellness benefits, as well as respiratory/sinus and skin health benefits
- are looking for a more gentle experience
- have plenty of space and more budget available
- have a sauna and want to complete your home spa
… choose a steam room
However, if you…
- prefer higher and dryer heats
- enjoy the traditional sauna experience and rituals
- want more options for space customisation, budget and look and feel
- want more choice between outdoor and indoor models
…choose a traditional/soft sauna.
I can’t decide! Can I get the best of both worlds?
In many cases, yes! If you’re torn between the type of sauna you want, or if you have family members with different needs and so need a few options, there are a few solutions that can give you the best of both worlds. If you can’t choose between:
Infrared and traditional….
Combine them! If you install a traditional sauna (or have one already), you can simply add infrared panels, giving you flexibility to switch between the two.
Sauna and steam…
If you have a large budget and space to play with, you can shop the Panacea Twin range, which features both a sauna and steam room in one stylish package, and is particularly suited to commercial enterprises or those looking for an all-bells-and-whistles home spa. If that’s beyond your price range, or you have a smaller space, then you could opt for a steam shower to get the benefits of a steam room in a smaller space and get a separate indoor, outdoor or even PortaSauna to enjoy the traditional sauna benefits.
Traditional and soft sauna…
While you can increase the humidity of a traditional sauna by throwing water on the coals, choosing a combi heater for your sauna will allow you to control the humidity, providing you with a choice of traditional or soft sauna, with humidity up to 65%. If you want the best of both worlds, then a combi heater is the best choice.
What are the health benefits of a sauna?
The sauna/steam bathing have many health and wellness benefits for body and mind, including the following:
EXERCISE RECOVERY
If you workout or are a pro athlete, then thy can hep with quicker recovery from exercise, cutting lactic acid build up easing joint and muscle pain.
SKIN CLEANSING
Steam can help to open pores, while the deep sweating from a hot sauna can help to remove dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria.
LUNG FUNCTION SUPPORT
Heat and steam can open the airways, supporting lung health, as well as clearing congestion.
IMPROVED STATE OF MIND
Saunas and steam rooms can aid in relaxation and reduce stress, and have been known to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.
BRAIN HEALTH SUPPORT
There’s evidence to show that regular sauna bathing can reduce the risk of stroke and dementia.
HEART HEALTH SUPPORT
Improved circulation and lower blood pressure from sauna and steam bathing can help in the fight against heart diseases.
IMPROVED ENERGY LEVELS
The relaxation benefits of a sauna and steam room can improve sleep, helping to reduce fatigue and boost energy levels.
SOCIALISING
Sauna and steam bathing are great ways to relax and spend time with family and friends.
Our sauna and steam range
Check out some of the range of items we have on offer, as well as our handy comparison table to help you to decide what’s right for you.
Indoor saunas
Our range of indoor saunas from top Swedish manufacturer Tylö include high-end and customisable indoor saunas to suit all spaces and budgets, as well as infrared sauna rooms and panels, and steam rooms.
Traditional saunas
Products: Tylö Harmony, Tylö Reflection
Heater options: Harmony – Sense (Sport, Elite, Pure, Commercial, Combi Pure, Combi Elite, Combi Sport), Crown (Elite, Elite Combi); Reflection – Crown (Elite, Elite Combi)
Temperature: 75-90C
Humidity: 5-15%
Price range (approx): £6,000-£45,000+
What you need: a small to medium indoor space, such as a spare room, walk-in closet, empty bathroom space or outbuilding that can fit your sauna of choice (your dealer will fit the sauna, aid in design and work with you to advise on full requirements such as space measurements, electricals and ventilation)
Perfect for: the classic sauna experience; if you’re comfortable with high heat, looking for the most intense sauna/heat experience and associated wellness benefits
Note: you can increase the humidity by pouring water on the coals to get a softer sauna experience.
Explore our Harmony customisable saunas
Soft saunas
Products: Tylö Harmony, Tylö Reflection
Heater options: Harmony – Sense (Combi Pure, Combi Elite, Combi Sport), Crown (Combi); Reflection – Crown (Combi Elite)
Temperature: 45-65C
Humidity: 30-65%
Price range (approx): £6,000-£45,000+
What you need: the same as a traditional sauna – a small to medium indoor space, such as a spare room, walk-in closet, empty bathroom space or outbuilding that can fit your sauna of choice (your dealer will fit the sauna, aid in design and work with you to advise on full requirements such as space measurements, electricals and ventilation)
Perfect for: the classic sauna experience with added comfort, greater control over the humidity, those sensitive to higher heat, those looking for increased energy efficiency
Note: you can also have a traditional sauna experience with a combi heater, giving you the best of both worlds
Explore our Harmony customisable saunas
Steam rooms
Products: Tylö Panacea
Temperature: 40-50C
Humidity: 100%
Price range (approx): £17,000-62,000+
Perfect for: those looking for a gentle, soothing heat and are comfortable with high humidity.
Steam showers
Products: Tylö Stella steam showers or Vista steam shower rooms
Temperature: 40-50C
Humidity: 80-100%
Price range (approx): £8,000-£35,000
Perfect for: those looking for a more affordable steam solution.
Infrared saunas
Products: Infrared sauna rooms, infrared sauna panels
Temperature: 40-60C
Humidity: 5-10%
Price range (approx): £4,999-£6,999
Perfect for: those who want the health benefits of a sauna with the comfort of a lower temperature environment; a compact, low-energy use home sauna option
Outdoor saunas
For those looking for an outdoor sauna, we offer stylish cube saunas from Estonian brand Luksus, in three sizes. For those with a smaller budget and space, we also offer the PortaSauna – a moveable, wood-fired option that could be the ideal solution if you’re looking for flexibility without compromising on heat.
Cube Saunas
Products: Luksus ThermoZen
Heater options: Sense Sport
Temperature: up to 90C
Humidity: 5-15%
Price range (approx): £4,995-£7,995
Perfect for: those looking for a traditional outdoor sauna
Portable Saunas
Products: PortaSauna (wood-fired)
Heater options: 430 Stainless Steel Wood Burning Stove with Sauna Stone Box
Temperature: up to 90C
Humidity: 5-15%
Price range (approx): £1,860-£2,250
Perfect for: those who want portability and flexibility, who would prefer a wood-fired sauna and are looking for an affordable option that still offers all of the benefits of a traditional outdoor sauna
Combinations
Combined Infrared and traditional saunas
Products: Tylö Harmony sauna and infrared sauna panels
Price range (approx): varies, depending on requirements
Perfect for: people who want the best worlds or want to add infrared panels to enhance their traditional sauna.
Explore Our Harmony Customiser
Combined Steam Room and Sauna
Products: Tylö Panacea Twin
Price range (approx): £50,000-£70,000+
Perfect for: businesses, such as large holiday lets, looking to enhance their guest experience; domestic properties with a large indoor space or dedicated spa area looking to get the benefits of both steam and sauna in a simple and stylish package.
Explore our Panacea Twin Range
*Prices exclude installations and extras
What are the pros and cons of saunas, steam rooms and more?
Still struggling to choose what’s right for you? See our handy table summary below for the pros and cons of traditional/soft indoor saunas, outdoor saunas, steam rooms and the PortaSauna.
|
Traditional Sauna (indoor) |
Soft Sauna (indoor) |
Infrared Sauna (indoor) |
Steam Room |
Traditional Sauna (outdoor) |
PortaSauna (outdoor) |
|
|
Price Range |
£6,000-£45,000+ |
£6,000-£45,000+ |
£4,999-£6,999 |
£15,000-18,000+ |
£4,995-£7,995 |
£1,860-£2,250 |
|
Temperature |
75-90C |
45-65C |
40-60C |
40-50C |
Up to 90C |
up to 90C |
|
Humidity |
5-15% |
30-65% |
5-10% |
100% |
5-15% |
5-15% |
|
Pros |
✅ Traditional/ authentic sauna experience ✅ Very customisable Can fit a variety of spaces, such as spare rooms, home gyms, etc ✅ The high temperatures mean it’s great for deep sweating and associated sauna health benefits ✅ Low maintenance, reliable, easy to use ✅ A lot of choice for a range of budgets |
✅ Gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to switch between a traditional and soft sauna – offering all of the same benefits as a traditional sauna, as well as soft sauna benefits ✅ The higher humidity means it can be more comfortable and gentle on the sinuses ✅ Lower heat option means it could be better for families ✅ Running costs can be lower, as it doesn’t need to be heated to as high a temperature |
✅ One of the most affordable sauna options in terms of upfront cost ✅ Very energy efficient, so running costs are low ✅ Easy to install, generally requiring no structural changes ✅ Simple to use, quiet and low maintenance ✅ Compact, so ideal if you have limited indoor space ✅ Lower heat makes it a gentler sauna experience, but still with therapeutic benefits |
✅ Many wellness benefits overlap with traditional sauna, plus skin, sinus and respiratory benefits ✅ Spa-like luxury at home ✅ Moist heat can be easier to tolerate for some ✅ Can be enhanced with body scrubs, aromatherapy etc |
✅ Traditional/ authentic sauna experience ✅ The high temperatures mean it’s great for deep sweating and associated sauna health benefits ✅ Atmospheric as you can take in the views or create your own outdoor spa retreat ✅ Ideal if you don’t have space for an indoor sauna but have a large garden ✅ Can be larger than most indoor saunas ✅ Can have a cheaper upfront cost |
✅ Traditional/ authentic sauna experience ✅ Very flexible – can be placed outdoors in a garden or taken on a camping trip, to the beach, etc ✅ Wood-fired, so no electricity costs ✅ Offers all the associated sauna benefits ✅ Easy to set up and take down – no installation costs ✅ One of the cheapest sauna options ✅ Can change its location |
|
Cons |
❌ Not everyone can tolerate high heats and dry air, which can be uncomfortable on the sinuses for some ❌ You need to have space indoors ❌ Prices can get high if you want to have a very large sauna or a lot of customisations |
❌ A higher upfront cost for the combi heater ❌ You need to have space indoors ❌ Prices can get high if you want to have a very large sauna or a lot of customisations |
❌ No real customisation options, and generally quite small, so not as social as a traditional sauna ❌ Can take time to heat up in winter ❌ No traditional sauna feel ❌ No humidity/steam options |
❌ No traditional sauna feel ❌ Initial price can be high ❌ Requires space indoors ❌ Running costs may be higher ❌ More complex installation |
❌ May take longer to heat up in winter ❌ You need to have space outdoors – and you may have limited privacy if you are in a town or dense residential area ❌ No real customisation options, and generally quite small, so not as social as a traditional sauna |
❌ You need a large enough outdoor space to set it up ❌ Will need somewhere to store it when it’s packed down ❌ Will need to be packed down in extreme weather ❌ Will need to spend time setting it up and waiting for it to heat up ❌ No customisation options, so less choice |
If you think a sauna or steam room could be right for your home spa or holiday let, or would like more information, then check out our full list of products on our website’s sauna page, or get in touch to speak to our friendly team for support or advice at enquiries@welshhottubs.co.uk or on 01974241542.
