Choosing the Best Portable Outdoor Sauna

for Your Needs

Saunas have become a cornerstone for the self-care aficionado. Some use them to chase away Monday blues after back-to-back meetings, while others take steamy sessions to reduce muscle soreness and prevent injuries after a hard workout. 

 

However, if sharing a sweaty space with gym-goers makes you cringe, installing a full-blow sauna at home isn't an option; a portable outdoor sauna might be worth buying. Since there are hundreds of brands out there, each offering their version of sauna bliss, it can leave you scratching your head, wondering where to even start. 

 

To help you, we'll discuss key factors pertaining to portable outdoor saunas and share some of our favorite models from GRIM PARENT LIMITED so you can easily choose one for your space.

 

Different Types of Portable Outdoor Saunas

 

During your market visit, you'll encounter three types of saunas—traditional, steam, and infrared. Each has its unique charm and many benefits to help you improve your wellness journey. 

 

Traditional Saunas

 

Also known as the Finnish sauna, the traditional sauna is a classic option most people favor for its authentic, rustic appeal. These saunas come equipped with a wood-fired or electric heater that heats a stack of rocks placed above them. This whole process increases room temperature, usually between 150 and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The dry heat encourages a deep sweat, promoting relaxation, easing muscle pain, improving liver health, and detoxifying the body. 

 

Steam Saunas 

 

Often called Turkish baths, steam saunas boast a steam generator that heats up water past the boiling point and releases it into the sauna room through vents or pipes, increasing the room's air moisture levels significantly.

 

These steam rooms operate at a lower temperature, usually around 110 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, but crank the humidity to almost 100%. This ingenious combination of temperature and humidity creates a wet heat that feels much hotter than it actually is. 

 

As for the sauna benefits, this thick, warm mist helps open up your pores, cleanse your skin, and help you breathe a little easier. This makes it quite beneficial for people suffering from respiratory issues like asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD.

 

Infrared Saunas

 

Traditional saunas can be quite intense, while steam saunas may feel overbearing. Infrared saunas may just hit the sweet spot if you're after a sauna experience that's neither too hot nor thick with moisture.

 

These saunas sport infrared heating panels that emit low electromagnetic rays. As you sit back and relax, infrared energy works its way through, specifically targeting your body rather than the air around you. 

 

The temperature inside is between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, while the humidity level is close to the room's ambient humidity, typically around 20% to 40%. This makes it an exceptional choice for those who want all the health perks of a traditional or steam sauna but prefer a cooler, less intense environment.

 

Infrared saunas improve skin health, reduce muscle soreness and mobility, support the immune system, and reduce stress levels. 

 

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Portable Outdoor Sauna

 

Regardless of the sauna, you must consider a few factors before purchasing a portable outdoor sauna. This includes:

 

Size and Capacity

 

The charm of a portable outdoor sauna lies in its just-right size. These saunas are designed to offer flexibility and convenience, fitting snugly into various outdoor spaces—a modest backyard, a garden, or even a more oversized balcony. However, size isn't just about footprint; it's about capacity, too. Decide how many people will typically enjoy the sauna. 

 

Are you planning solo relaxation sessions or a more communal detox with friends and family? Portable saunas come in various sizes, accommodating anywhere from one to six people or more if you don't mind getting cozy. 

 

It's important to remember that a larger sauna means more people and higher heating time and energy consumption. Plus, it won't be as portable as a smaller model. Therefore, you must balance your space, your company, and your eco-footprint to find the perfect size. 

 

Material

 

When you think portable, you might wonder if durability takes a backseat. Not at all! The best portable outdoor saunas are crafted from woods that withstand the elements while being light enough to maintain movability. 

 

Look for weather-resistant woods like cedar or Nordic spruce, which are sturdy and retain that subtle yet therapeutic aroma after many uses. You may also find hemlock fir saunas on the market. While these saunas have impressive longevity, they are unsuitable for harsh outdoor environments. 

 

If you plan on getting an infrared sauna, ensure the materials used can handle frequent temperature fluctuations without warping.

 

Heater

 

A great sauna experience boils down to a great heater. Traditional saunas rely on electric, wood-burning, or gas heaters, requiring some pre-session planning to reach your desired heat. 

 

Furthermore, if you choose a wood-burning heater, you must invest in quality firewood and a chimney kit to ensure proper ventilation and safety.

 

Infrared saunas, on the other hand, use radiant heat panels, allowing for a quicker startup and a different kind of warmth that directly heats the body rather than the air. Before buying a portable outdoor sauna, consider your preferred style of bathing, the startup time, and the operational costs to choose a heater that suits your sauna ritual.

 

Safety

 

Never compromise on safety, especially if it's a traditional wood-burning sauna. Ideally, it should have a solid ventilation system to handle the smoke and heat. Besides that, check for reliable construction, stable doors, and secure bases that ensure the sauna stays firmly in place once set up. 

 

It should have appropriate safety certifications tailored to outdoor use, including weatherproof electrical components. This way, you'll be able to focus on the sauna session rather than worrying about accidental burns or potential fire hazards.

 

Additional Features

 

Before investing in a portable sauna, look at its features. Does the sauna offer built-in chromotherapy lighting for ambiance? 

 

Perhaps Bluetooth speakers can play your calming tunes. How about a control panel to adjust the temperature? These features might seem small but can make a substantial difference.

 

Add-On Accessories

 

When you're enjoying your sauna session, having a few accessories at your disposal is important. 

 

This includes ergonomic backrests and headrests to support your posture, a Himalayan salt panel that emits negative ions to purify the air, a bucket, and ladle to pour over the scorching sauna rocks to create that delightful steam, timers to keep track of your blissful sessions, and a thermometer and hygrometer to monitor heat and humidity level.

 

Don't forget the essential oil kit to infuse the air with soothing scents like eucalyptus or lavender and aromatherapy diffusers to disperse your chosen essences gently and evenly. If you plan on buying a barrel sauna like Almost Heaven Barrel Sauna, consider getting a barrel sauna rain jacket to prevent water leakage during inclement weather.

 

Installation

 

One of the best things about portable outdoor saunas is their ease of installation. Many models are designed for DIY assembly with minimal tools required. 

 

Check for quick-connect panels or simple hook-and-loop systems that let you set up or break down your sauna within minutes. This feature is a game-changer for those who love the flexibility or might think of moving their sauna as the seasons change.

 

Maintenance Requirements

 

A well-maintained outdoor sauna lasts longer and ensures each steam session is as fresh as the first. Since it will be placed outside, you must understand the maintenance requirements before you commit. 

 

Wood saunas might need occasional treating or staining to withstand the whims of weather, whereas infrared saunas might call for less care but more tech-savviness. 

 

Still, portable outdoor saunas are generally designed for easy maintenance, with materials and construction that minimize the cleanup process, so you can easily focus on reaping the most sauna benefits. 

 

The Takeaway

 

Choosing a portable outdoor sauna combines form, function, and a little flair. Before buying any sauna, weigh the above-mentioned considerations, align them with your wellness goal, and choose a sauna that not only heats up but lights up your life. 

 

When in doubt, contact GRIM PARENT LIMITED. Our friendly staff will help you sift through the choices to find the perfect model and add-on accessories to kick the sauna experience up a notch.