The 8 Best Home Saunas for Post-Exercise Recovery and Less Stress

This blanket is a great way to get a sauna-like experience at home if you live in an apartment or a smaller space. You can use this anywhere in your home, as long as you’re near an outlet. The “blanket” is really more like a sleeping bag — it features dual zippers, so you can slide in on either side, and there are armholes so you can leave your arms out, if you prefer. It can heat up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit in about 20 minutes, and you can use the remote control to set the temperature and timer. It also comes with a carrying bag, so you can fold it up and store it in a closet or under your bed.

While an infrared sauna session after exercising may help with recovery, there’s currently no research that extends those same benefits to sauna blankets. But getting burrito-ed in a warm blanket after a long day or a tough workout may be just what you need to relax and reset.

Portable saunas are inexpensive, but reviews are often riddled with complaints about cheap materials and off-gassing odors. The Thera360 Plus, however, is made of nontoxic, easy-to-clean bamboo and features full-spectrum infrared heating panels with tourmaline gemstones. Reviewers say it’s easy to assemble and helpful for relief of chronic pain.

“I am a dedicated user of the Therasage portable sauna and incorporate it into my daily routine,” says Morgan Lucas, ND, a naturopathic doctor at Vibrant Health in Greenland, New Hampshire. “One of the main reasons I prefer this brand is its full-spectrum capabilities, combining the advantages of both far-infrared and near-infrared therapy. Additionally, it includes a red light panel, offering a comprehensive three-in-one experience. The Therasage sauna is renowned for its excellent quality, low EMF emissions, compact design, and quick heat-up time. I absolutely love mine.”

Plus, while many portable saunas are designed to be full-enclosure tents, the Thera360Plus leaves your head free, which may be a more comfortable experience for some people. If you need a sauna you can fold up and store out of sight, this option puts a luxe spin on the typical portable sauna.

If you’re sauna-curious or prefer not to spend a lot of money on a home sauna, this lightweight portable steam sauna is the way to go. You just assemble, add water to the steamers, plug them in, and 10 minutes later, you’ll be sitting in a relaxing sauna. It comes with a lightweight frame, cloth cover, and two steam generators. The quick-drying cloth cover has five layers, including a heat-reflective inner layer and two waterproof layers. It can reach the maximum temperature of 130°F in 10 minutes and comes with two remote controls, so you don’t have to go in and out to get the temperature right.

Pro tips from users include adding a water-resistant clip light to the sauna, using hot water in the steamers to speed up heating, and adding your favorite essential oils for a scented spa experience.

Want to share the benefits of sauna bathing with your favorite people? This roomy sauna seats up to six people on two levels of bench seating, so you have plenty of space for guests.

While the Rusticus has topped several lists of the best steam saunas, it can also be used as a dry sauna, with a stainless-steel heater that reaches up to 185 degrees F in about an hour — the hottest temperature rating on this list. To use it as a steam sauna, just ladle water onto the sauna stones for a burst of humidity.

It comes in either aromatic cedar or fir, and the tongue-and-groove lumber helps to simplify installation, but you’ll still need some patience and an extra set of hands. Expect it to take around six hours for two people to assemble it. The heaters require 40 amp service, so you may also need to enlist the help of an electrician.

Sunlighten, a reputable sauna brand and a staple on multiple best home-sauna lists, is a top recommendation from Lauren Thayer, RN, of the RN Writer, and Mindy Pelz, a doctor of chiropractic and the author of The Reset Factor. The four-person mPulse Discover in particular has garnered rave reviews from wellness bloggers. While it’s one of the priciest options in its product line, the bells and whistles make it a standout.

Made from fragrant basswood or eucalyptus, the mPulse Discover offers full-spectrum infrared heating along with chromotherapy (color therapy) lighting and an integrated Blaupunkt sound system. Customized presets let you select specific blends of infrared and red light therapy. If you’re looking for a sauna that feels like a true home sanctuary, this is a worthy splurge.

Indoor saunas aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing addition to your home decor, so we have to give this sauna bonus points for its eye-catching black louvered exterior. Made from solid eucalyptus wood, the framework features tongue-and-groove construction for easy assembly, so you can soak up the health benefits in no time.

Beyond the elegant design, the Equinox also delivers on functionality. It features four far-infrared heaters and two full-spectrum heaters, along with chromotherapy lighting, a programmable 24-hour timer, and built-in Bluetooth surround sound.

Designed for outdoor sauna bathing, this sauna features a traditional barrel design that distributes heat evenly for maximum efficiency — plus it’ll give your backyard instant mountain-retreat vibes.

One standout feature is the ability to choose from two different Harvia heaters. The KIP is a traditional Finnish wall-mounted electric heater; the Cilindro is a cylindrical electric heater that holds 200 pounds of sauna rocks; and the M3 Wood Stove pairs with a chimney kit for a timeless off-the-grid experience. If you’re looking for a steam sauna specifically, the Cilindro will deliver the most intense humidity of these three options.

Along with the heater, each sauna kit comes with a heater guard, water bucket, ladle, sauna rocks, and seating benches — and not much else. The design of this outdoor sauna is rooted in tradition and authenticity, so it’s not loaded with high-tech extras. But the trade-off is a no-frills sauna that’s designed to last up to 20 years.