Home Saunas

What Type of Home Sauna Is Right for You?

Home saunas fall into three main categories: traditional Finnish, infrared, and hybrid, and choosing the wrong type is the most common (and most expensive) mistake buyers make. Each delivers a different experience, suits a different space, and carries different installation requirements. Here is what you need to know before you decide.

Traditional Finnish sauna

A traditional Finnish sauna uses an electric stone heater (kiuas) or a wood-burning heater to heat the air to 80-100°C. You add water to the stones to create löyly, the burst of steam that defines the authentic Finnish sauna experience. This is the format our Camilla and Camilla XL cabin saunas are built around, using kiln-dried Nordic spruce and fitted with Harvia electric heaters as standard. It is the most established format, the most studied in terms of health outcomes, and the one most customers who have done serious research tend to return to.

Our indoor saunas collection also includes several traditional stove-heated cabins built specifically for indoor rooms, including the Leil Como range and the Jaquar Kubix and Serene models.

Infrared sauna

Infrared saunas work differently. Carbon-fibre or ceramic panels emit far-infrared wavelengths (typically 4-14 microns) that heat your body directly rather than heating the surrounding air. Ambient temperature sits at 45-60°C, noticeably lower than a traditional sauna, and warm-up time drops to 10-20 minutes. EMF levels vary by manufacturer, so ask for the specification if this matters to you. The lower operating temperature makes infrared a practical choice for anyone who finds intense heat difficult to tolerate. Compact plug-and-play models such as Noir and Kuro are a straightforward way to try infrared without any electrical work.

Hybrid sauna

A hybrid sauna combines both systems in a single cabin. You can run it as a traditional sauna, as an infrared session, or as both simultaneously. The Insignia Hybrid Sauna is a good example. One of our customers with Parkinson’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis chose it specifically for its flexibility. Hybrid models cost more than single-format units, but for households where different users want different experiences, the versatility justifies the investment.

Steam showers

Steam showers operate at lower temperatures (40-50°C) with near-100% humidity. They are a distinct category from saunas and are not covered in this guide, though we are happy to advise if that is the direction you are considering.

Featured Home Saunas

A closer look at a few models from across our range, covering compact indoor infrared, traditional cabin saunas, and a premium hybrid option.

• Noir 1-2 Person Wi-Fi Infrared Sauna: A compact, plug-and-play far-infrared cabin built around low-EMF mica heaters and an adjustable red light therapy panel. It connects to home Wi-Fi so you can heat it remotely before you step in, runs from a standard UK 13A socket, and can be assembled in around 20 minutes with two people. A practical entry point for anyone wanting to try infrared without any electrical work.
• Jaquar Serene Sauna 3-4 Seater: A spacious hemlock-wood traditional sauna built for shared use, heated by a 4.5kW stove heater with chromotherapy lighting and an integrated music system. Ergonomic backrests and touch controls inside and outside the cabin make it a comfortable option for households that want a social sauna experience without upgrading to a full outdoor installation.
• Leil Como 3 Person Indoor Sauna: Part of the Como range of Finnish-style indoor cabins, built from 40mm Thermowood with Aspen benches and a tempered glass door. It arrives flat-packed for DIY assembly and does not include a floor or heater, so it suits a prepared wet room or spa-style space with the right electrical supply already in place.
• Jaquar Artize Bio Dual Stove and Infrared Sauna 6 Seater: A premium hybrid cabin combining a 3.6kW infrared heater with a 9kW stove heater so that you can run a gentle infrared session or a full traditional steam experience in the same unit. Built from genuine red cedar with chromotherapy lighting and integrated audio, it comfortably seats six and suits households or larger spaces wanting maximum flexibility.

Compare Our Home Sauna Range

Prices and warranty terms are correct at the time of writing and may change. Check the individual product page for current pricing, included accessories, and full specification before ordering.

The Health Benefits of Regular Sauna Use

Regular sauna use, generally understood as 4-7 sessions per week at 80-100°C, is widely associated with a range of wellness benefits, and the mechanisms behind them are reasonably well understood.

Cardiovascular and Recovery Benefits

Regular sauna use is widely associated with reductions in cardiovascular risk, improved muscle recovery, and lower cortisol levels. Frequent users are often reported to have a notably lower risk of fatal cardiovascular events compared with occasional users, and the general wellness benefits of sauna bathing are well established in Finnish culture, where the practice has been part of daily life for generations.

How the Body Responds to Heat

Repeated heat exposure triggers the production of heat shock proteins, which support cellular repair and reduce inflammation. Core body temperature rises, heart rate increases to a level comparable to moderate aerobic exercise, and blood pressure responses improve over time with consistent use. Sleep quality and skin health are also commonly reported improvements among regular users.

Infrared and Muscle Recovery

For infrared sauna specifically, far-infrared wavelengths penetrate tissue more deeply than convective heat, which some users find produces a more pronounced muscle recovery effect at lower ambient temperatures. This is why infrared and hybrid models are popular with athletes and anyone managing chronic musculoskeletal discomfort; one customer noted that after purchasing the Insignia Hybrid Sauna, they hoped it would help alleviate the pain and aching associated with Parkinson's and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Chromotherapy and Added Extras

Chromotherapy lighting, available on several models in our range, adds a further dimension: colour therapy integrated into the sauna environment rather than simple mood lighting.

A note on medical conditions. If you have a pre-existing condition such as heart disease, Parkinson's, or Rheumatoid Arthritis, please consult your GP before beginning regular sauna use. The benefits described here are supported by population-level research; individual responses vary, and sauna use does not treat or cure any medical condition.

Choosing the Right Size: How Many People Will Use Your Sauna?

As a rule of thumb, allow roughly 0.6 m² of bench space per person and match your heater output to the cabin volume. Harvia recommends 1 kW per 1 m³. Headroom should be at least 190 cm to allow comfortable seated and standing use.

For a 1-2 person sauna used primarily for solo recovery sessions, a compact barrel sauna, a 2-person cabin, or a model such as the Noir or Kuro infrared cabins is the most practical choice. For a household of four, or for anyone who wants to use the sauna socially, a 4-person cabin with a Harvia 6 kW heater, or a stove-heated cabin such as the Jaquar Serene, is the starting point. Larger garden installations accommodating six or more people will require a Harvia 9 kW heater or above, or a larger hybrid model such as the Jaquar Artize Bio.

If you are unsure which size suits your space, Keith and the team can work through the dimensions with you. If it helps, we can arrange a visit to a previously installed sauna near you before you commit.

Wood, Materials and Build Quality: What to Look For

The wood inside your sauna does more than look good, it directly affects heat retention, humidity response, and how the cabin feels against bare skin at 90°C. Here is what actually matters when comparing timber specifications.

Nordic Spruce for the Interior

Nordic spruce is the most widely used interior timber in Scandinavian sauna construction. It is low-resin, dimensionally stable under repeated heat and humidity cycles, and has a natural warmth underfoot and to the touch.

Thermoaspen and Hemlock for Benches

Thermoaspen (heat-treated aspen) is the preferred choice for benches and surfaces that come into direct contact with skin. The heat-treatment process drives out residual moisture and resins, producing a timber that is splinter-resistant, slow to absorb sweat, and comfortable at high temperatures. It handles the repeated thermal cycling of sauna use better than untreated softwoods. Hemlock is another option used across several of our indoor cabins, including the Jaquar Kubix, Serene, and Artize Bio models, valued for its clean grain and durability.

Cedar and Hemlock for Exterior Cladding

Western red cedar and hemlock are popular alternatives, particularly for exterior cladding. Cedar's natural oils provide inherent weather resistance without the need for annual treatment, a practical advantage for outdoor installations in the British climate. Hemlock offers a tighter grain and a cleaner, more contemporary appearance.

Why Kiln-Dried Timber Is Non-Negotiable

Kiln-dried timber across all structural components is non-negotiable for a sauna that will perform for years. Green or air-dried timber will shrink, warp, and open gaps in tongue-and-groove cladding as it dries out in service, particularly in an outdoor installation exposed to British winters. All Heracles Wellness saunas use kiln-dried timber as standard.

For exterior cladding on outdoor models, heat-treated wood (thermowood) provides enhanced durability and weather resistance without the need for chemical preservatives, an important consideration if the sauna is positioned near a garden pond or planting.

Installation, Electrics and Planning: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Every electric home sauna in the UK requires a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a Part P-registered electrician. This is non-negotiable and affects your total budget from day one. It is not a complication, it is a safety requirement under BS 7671 wiring regulations, and any electrician who suggests otherwise is not someone you want working on your installation.

Note that plug-and-play infrared cabins such as Noir and Kuro are the exception: both run from a standard UK 13A socket and do not require a dedicated circuit or an electrician, provided the socket is not shared with other high-power appliances.

An RCD-protected consumer unit must protect the heater and control unit, and the heater itself should carry a minimum IP24 rating for use in a sauna environment. These are standard specifications for all Harvia heaters supplied with our saunas.

What you need to arrange before delivery:

• A suitable base, a concrete slab, level decking, or compacted hardcore for outdoor installations; a level, load-bearing floor for indoor models
• A dedicated 240V circuit run to the installation point (not required for plug-and-play infrared cabins)
• A Part P-registered electrician to make the final connection
• Adequate ventilation, a fresh-air inlet near the floor and an exhaust vent near the ceiling are standard requirements

Planning permission for outdoor sauna structures in the UK falls under permitted development rules in most cases. Structures under 2.5 m in height that sit within the curtilage of a dwelling and do not occupy more than 50% of the garden area generally do not require planning permission, but always verify with your local planning authority before installation, particularly if you are in a conservation area or a listed building.

The cabin assembly itself is straightforward for most of our kits and can be completed by two people over a day. A qualified electrician must complete the electrical connection for hardwired models, this is the one step where cutting corners creates real risk. Several of our customers have arranged their own electricians; others have used our professional installation service, which covers delivery, build, and electrical liaison end to end.

Installation checklist:

• Dedicated 240V circuit (traditional and hybrid models)
• RCD-protected consumer unit
• Suitable base (concrete slab, decking, or level ground)
• Adequate ventilation (inlet near floor, exhaust near ceiling)
• Planning permission check (outdoor structures above 2.5 m height, conservation areas)

Typical lead time from order to installation is around two weeks. If you would like a quote for our professional installation service, call us on 0330 043 0870 (Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm) or contact the team directly.

Home Sauna Costs: What Is the Total Investment?

A quality home sauna in the UK typically costs between £1,500 and £15,000 all-in, including the cabin, heater, delivery, installation, and electrical work, depending on size, format, and specification. Here's how it breaks down.

Entry-level (£1,500-£3,000): Smaller 1-2 person cabins, typically with a basic electric heater and standard timber specification, or a plug-and-play infrared cabin such as Kuro or Noir. Suitable for solo use and compact gardens or spare rooms. Build quality at this price point varies considerably, timber specification and heater brand are the two areas where corners are most commonly cut.

Mid-range (£3,000-£6,000): The most popular segment for home buyers. This is where you find well-specified 2-4 person cabins with Harvia heaters, kiln-dried Nordic spruce interiors, and thermoaspen benches, as well as hemlock-built stove saunas such as the Jaquar Serene. Our Camilla range sits in this bracket. As one customer noted, Heracles was competitively priced against every other company they researched, and the specification held up to scrutiny.

Premium (£6,000-£15,000+): Larger 6-person-plus cabins, hybrid infrared/traditional models, bespoke designs, and commercial-grade builds. The Insignia Hybrid Sauna and the Jaquar Artize Bio sit in this bracket depending on configuration.

Additional costs to budget for:

Running costs are lower than most people expect. A Harvia 6 kW heater running for one hour costs approximately 90p-£1.50 at current UK electricity rates (15-25p/kWh). A typical 30-minute session at operating temperature costs considerably less. Over a year of regular use, the running cost of a home sauna is modest compared with a gym membership or regular spa visits.

Personal finance and commercial finance options are available, speak to the team for details.

Frequently Asked Questions