by Divine Saunas Team March 06, 2023 5 min read

What is the Best Size for a Barrel Sauna? (Complete Guide for 2023)

So, you’re considering investing in a barrel sauna. As a team of sauna goers ourselves, we can say doing so will pay off for years to come.

Every year, scientists conduct more studies on sauna usage. But early research shows regular sauna bathing can provide many health benefits—especially for your heart. (1)

But once you start shopping, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with all the options. There are so many ways to customize and upgrade barrel saunas. One of the questions we hear most often is “What is the best size for a barrel sauna?”

We put together this complete guide to help you answer that question. In a nutshell, it depends on your specific location and how you’ll use the sauna. Keep reading to find out which size is right for you!

Two Things to Consider When Choosing a Barrel Sauna

You can’t determine an answer to “What is the best size for a barrel sauna?” without considering a few factors. Here are the things you should consider while you narrow down options:

1. How many people will use the sauna?

We always advise opting for a sauna a bit bigger than you expect to need. Many of us find that a “two person” sauna is actually a bit tight for two people. It’s hard to really stretch out your arms and legs to fully relax.

It's true that our Thermory saunas can seat two to six people. But the six-seater, for example, is most comfortable for four or five people who want to kick back and decompress.

Our Dundalk Leisure Craft saunas can seat two to eight people. And just like our Thermory saunas, you can technically fit that many if they’re sitting with arms at their sides. But wouldn’t it feel better to have space for stretching out as much as you want?

That said, you also don’t want to grossly overestimate. Even if you have eight people wanting to use the sauna, men and women often like to have separate sessions.

2. How much space do you have for the sauna?

Even though we recommend choosing a sauna a bit bigger than you think you might need, this isn’t always possible. Certain homes—and the property they sit on—doesn’t allow for a bigger barrel sauna.

Weigh your estimated headcount against the space you have to work with. You should also think about any add-ons you might want, like a porch or change room. These upgrades give the sauna a slightly bigger footprint.

If you have a set amount of space, you might not be able to have a change room and an eight person sauna.

So, what is the best size for a barrel sauna? To answer this question, think about how many people on average will use the sauna, the customizations you want, and the space you’re working with.

Can You Automate a Barrel Sauna?

Yes, you can absolutely automate a barrel sauna. The way the automation works varies slightly depending on the sauna you choose.

With our Thermory barrel saunas, the heater has built-in WiFi controls. All you have to do is download the corresponding app for your phone, and you’re good to go. Instead of trudging outside to start pre-heating, you can start it as you leave the office or finish up a workout.

Our Dundalk Leisure Craft barrel saunas have a more traditional automation system. You can set the temperature you’d like using the thermostat and set the timer. It’ll automatically reach your set temperature and then shut off once the timer runs out.

What Type of Heater Should I Choose?

You should choose the type of heater for your sauna based on your location and the layout of your property. As sauna lovers ourselves, we suggest a traditional wood burning heater if possible. Something about the heat from burning wood feels smoother to us.

But some locations and layouts just don’t allow for this. And since 80.7% of the US population lives in urban areas, electric heaters are a very common choice. (2)

And we can’t ignore the convenience and utility of electric heaters. So, think of wood burning heaters as a nice luxury if you have the space. Electric heaters, on the other hand, are the pinnacle of practicality.

What Size Barrel Sauna is Right for Me?

“What is the best size for a barrel sauna?” isn’t an easy question to answer because your preferences and your home’s layout are unique to you. That’s why instead, you’ll want to ask “What size barrel sauna is right for me?”

All in all, the best size is whichever fits well on your property and serves your needs. You’ll want to consider all the factors we mentioned above while browsing our selection of barrel saunas. Start with considering how many people will use the sauna at any given time. (3)
“Ultimately, the size should be determined by the number of users, with about two feet of interior bench space per user.” –Forbes
Our panoramic barrel sauna and outdoor barrel sauna can seat anywhere from two to eight people. The Thermory barrel saunas we offer can seat anywhere from two to six people. Before clicking “Add to Cart,” just select the capacity you have in mind.

And remember not to be conservative at this stage. Even if you expect you and your spouse to be the primary users, consider guests you may have now or in the future.

You see, one of the best things about barrel saunas is they can heat up faster due to their round (instead of square) shape. Opting for a larger barrel sauna doesn’t mean you’ll have to wait ages for it to heat up—the design is incredibly efficient.

Basically, there’s no downside to buying a barrel sauna big enough to seat your future houseguests. You’ll still get maximum relaxation and spend about $30 per month on heating with a six- or eight-person sauna versus a two-seater. (4)

With all this new information in mind, all that’s left is picking your perfect barrel sauna. Every one of our offerings has many customizations so you can truly make it your own.

If you still have questions, call the dedicated and knowledgeable Divine Saunas team at 888-554-4332. We look forward to providing you with a truly divine experience!

References:
1. Harvard Medical School, Sauna Health Benefits: Are saunas healthy or harmful?
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health

2. US Census Bureau, Urban Areas Facts
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural/ua-facts.html

3. Forbes, How to Build a Sauna
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/bathroom/how-to-build-a-sauna/

4. Forbes, Do Saunas Add Value to Your Home?
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pool/do-saunas-add-value/

Divine Saunas Team
Divine Saunas Team

The team at Divine Saunas, brings years of combined expertise in the sauna industry and in creating helpful customer experiences online. With our unique perspectives we work together to help our customers fulfill their goals in creating a wonderful sauna oasis and spa. We do the research of high quality products, information and solutions and deliver that to you.


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