On a recent trip to Costco, one of the first things that caught my eye was a barrel sauna—strategically placed right at the entrance. This prime location is usually reserved for trending or high-demand products, which made me think about this popular health item. Saunas are a trendy wellness topic, but what is special about a barrel sauna?
Are barrel saunas worthy of the trend status they have attained? Are they the best type of sauna for your health, or was the product placement simply clever marketing for a product that needs a sales boost? How do they compare to other types of saunas, and, importantly—are they worth the investment?
In this post, we’ll explain what barrel saunas are and the health benefits of saunas and take a closer look at how barrel saunas differ from other saunas.
What Is A Barrel Sauna?
A barrel sauna is a cylinder-shaped sauna typically made from wood. They can also be made from steel or aluminum for a more modern exterior and weather resistance. Some manufacturers use wood-plastic composites for durability and to minimize warping, though these are less common. The barrel shape maximizes heat efficiency and looks great! Barrel saunas are popular for their rustic charm, energy efficiency, and ability to withstand outdoor conditions.
Barrel saunas are typically dry saunas, which use heat from an electric heater or wood-burning stove to warm the air and stones inside. Adding infrared lighting in your barrel as the primary heat source is also possible. If more humidity/moisture is desired, you can add steam to the barrel sauna by pouring water over the heated rocks.
However, barrel saunas are not the same as steam saunas, which rely on a steam generator and have nearly 100% humidity. Barrel saunas use dry heat unless water is added manually.
What Are The Different Types Of Saunas?
Finnish/traditional, infrared, and steam saunas are some of the words used to explain saunas. It is confusing. Let me simplify the types of saunas out there and where barrel saunas stand amongst them.
- Traditional (aka Finnish) Sauna – Uses dry heat, using a wood-burning or electric heater to heat stones. Pouring water over the rocks creates steam in a dry heat environment. Most health research has been done on traditional saunas.
- Wood-Burning Sauna – A traditional type of sauna that heats up using a wood-burning stove, offering an authentic experience with natural heat and steam.
- Electric Sauna – Similar to the wood-burning sauna but powered by an electric heater, making it more convenient and easier to control.
- Smoke Sauna – An old-style Finnish sauna without a chimney; smoke from burning wood fills the room and is then ventilated before use, leaving behind gentle heat. These are not commonly used.
- Infrared Sauna – Uses infrared light to directly heat the body instead of the air, operating at lower temperatures but still providing deep heat penetration. These differ from the traditional Finnish saunas, which heat the air. Overall, research using infrared saunas is limited. Research comparing the two types of saunas is not conclusive—it’s unknown whether the lower temperature of the infrared sauna means fewer health benefits than traditionally heated saunas.
- Steam Sauna (Steam Room) – Also known as a Turkish bath, it uses a steam generator to create a high-humidity environment with lower temperatures than dry saunas.
Barrel Saunas can be either traditional or infrared, depending on how they are heated. They are not typically classified as a steam sauna given they use dry heat.
Amy Burkhart MD RD
What Makes Barrel Saunas Special?
Barrel sauna’s advantages over square or rectangular saunas.
- Faster Heating -The cylindrical design allows heat to circulate efficiently, warming up the space more quickly than traditional box-shaped saunas. It can be heated by a wood-burning stove, electric heater, or infrared panels.
- Energy Efficiency – Less interior space means less energy is required to maintain high temperatures.
- Comfortable Seating – The curved walls create a natural backrest for comfort.
- Even Heat Distribution- The rounded design prevents hot air from getting trapped in corners, ensuring a more even heat distribution, i.e., no hot or cold spots.
- Ideal for Outdoor Use– They are designed to withstand various weather conditions, making them perfect for backyards. They are typically built with weather-resistant wood (like cedar or spruce) for durability.
- Compact & Space-Saving- They provide a more efficient use of space compared to traditional square saunas and can fit into smaller areas while providing enough room for multiple users.
- Aesthetic Appeal-The natural look blends well with outdoor settings. Customizable options like panoramic glass windows or LED lighting can improve the visual appeal even more.
- Lower Cost & Easier Installation-Generally more affordable than custom-built saunas but more expensive than portable infrared. They are often sold as pre-fabricated kits that are easier to assemble than large traditional sauna rooms.
- Durability & Longevity- The circular design helps with rain and snow runoff, preventing water damage. Tight-fitting wooden planks naturally expand when heated, improving insulation.
Amy Burkhart MD RD
Health Benefits Of Saunas
Sauna bathing originated in Finland, has been a health practice for thousands of years, and is now popular worldwide. Regular sauna bathing has been associated with various health benefits, many of which are supported by scientific research:
- Heart Health: Frequent sauna use is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Brain Function – Potentially reducing the risk of neurocognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimers.
- Respiratory Function: Regular sauna sessions may lower the risk of respiratory conditions such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being: Sauna bathing promotes relaxation and stress relief, improving mental health.
- Longevity: Frequent sauna use is associated with a lower risk of sudden cardiac death, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.
- Sleep: Regular sauna use improves sleep without the morning after fatigue of sleep medications.
- Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects: Regular sauna bathing has been linked to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress. Lowering overall body inflammation decreases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and many other common health conditions.
- Pain Relief: Because sauna use decreases inflammation, and inflammation causes or increases pain, it lessens pain in conditions such as arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.
- Immune Boost: Repeated sauna use improves the body’s immune response and may improve the ability to prevent or fight infections.
- Skin Health: The increased blood flow to the skin from sauna use stimulates collagen production, which may help minimize wrinkles. It can also aid in unclogging pores and help those suffering from acne. Cleansing the skin after each sauna session is vital. It may also help improve psoriasis.
- Cancer: Current research does not show conclusive evidence that regular sauna use directly combats cancer. A study focusing on Finnish sauna bathing found no benefit OR risk between frequent sauna sessions and cancer risk. However, given that sauna use decreases inflammation and lowers cortisol /stress, it may benefit cancer via that route, but more studies are needed.
Amy Burkhart MD RD
Can Saunas Replace Exercise?
Interestingly, the psychological and physiological responses to sauna use mimic those seen with high-intensity physical activity. While further research is needed to establish causal links, these findings suggest saunas could complement other health-promoting practices just as exercise does. They may even provide an alternative for individuals unable to engage in high-intensity exercise due to physical limitations.
Amy Burkhart MD RD
Potential Risks Of Sauna Use
Saunas are typically safe as long as hydration is ensured, alcohol is avoided before or during a sauna, and session times are limited to 5 minutes for beginners and 20 minutes for experienced users. Longer use times increase the risk of overheating and dehydration. If you have any underlying health conditions, including but not exclusive to heart disease, high blood pressure, dysautonomia, asthma, or blood pressure disorders, please consult your doctor before use. If you are pregnant, sauna use is not recommended.
Amy Burkhart MD RD
Cost Of Barrel Saunas & Low-Cost Sauna Options
The cost of barrel saunas ranges from approximately $1500.00 ( used) to over $10,000.00 for extravagant build-outs. The Costco Sauna is nearly $4000.00. A custom sauna is cost-prohibitive for most people. A low-cost alternative if you are seeking to reap the health benefits of saunas is to look for a local gym or recreation/community center with a sauna. For gyms, the fee is typically included in the gym membership price, and community centers may be free or on a pay-per-use or membership basis. Some companies rent mobile saunas on a 24-hour basis or longer. There are some commercial/storefront sauna centers, but they are less common. The infrared saunas are less expensive, but most research on the health benefits of saunas has been done on traditional saunas. There is also a very low-cost option for a portable steam sauna, but again, the health benefits of a steam room are not the same as those of a traditional sauna.
Barrel Saunas Wrap Up:
Combining Innovation, Efficiency and Health Benefits
Barrel saunas have a unique shape that improves heat efficiency, which translates to lower heating costs compared to traditional square saunas. The sleek design lets you place the sauna outdoors and know it will fare better than a square sauna against the elements. They are also customizable with windows, lighting, and heat sources to meet your preferences. If you are interested in purchasing a barrel sauna, you can purchase a new sauna or look for gently used saunas wherever used products are sold.
The health benefits of saunas are numerous. While portable infrared saunas are gaining popularity, most of the research on the health benefits of saunas has been done on traditional dry heat saunas. So, if your goal is to achieve the health benefits of a sauna, a traditional sauna ( like a barrel sauna with a dry heat source) may be a more reliable bet. I am sure more research will come. Whether prioritizing relaxation, health benefits, or energy efficiency, barrel saunas present an excellent option for those seeking to get the health benefits of sauna in a compact and visually appealing design.
