Every figure comes from the maker's or seller's own page. Where a seller doesn't publish something, we say "not published" rather than guess. We don't test products.
The score (out of 10)
Saunas are scored against others of the same type (garden, infrared, indoor):
- per seat (25%)
- Easy to power and install (20%)
- Build and materials (20%)
- Warranty (20%)
- Specs the seller publishes (15%)
Cost per seat compares the ready-to-use cost divided by the most people it seats; each doubling of cost per seat over the best value loses 3 points. Easy to power: a 13 A plug scores highest, then wood-fired, then a , then 50 A or ; a heater sold separately loses 2 points. Build: , or hemlock score higher than plain spruce, and walls of 40 mm or more add points.
Cold plunges are scored against products with the same set-up (tubs with a , tubs alone, chillers alone):
- Gets cold without ice (30%)
- Price (25%)
- Easy to live with (20%)
- Warranty (15%)
- Build (10%)
Each part is marked from 4 to 10, so even the weakest product on a measure gets 4, and the total is out of 10. Commission plays no part in any score or order.
Back to the list of sections ↑
Our assumptions
| Electricity | 26.32p per (the current Ofgem price cap, updated each quarter) |
|---|---|
| Use | 2 sessions a week, 2 people (our default; change it on any product page) |
| Electric sauna session | 1.25 hours at full power (our estimate) |
| Infrared session | 1.0 hour at full power (our estimate) |
| Heater not included | The seller's add-on price, or £910 (Summerhouse24's Harvia add-on) |
| Electrics | £0 for a plug-in, £450 for a (a short run; a long run down the garden in armoured cable can pass £1,000), £1,150 for 50 A or (sellers' guides, midpoints). Not published counts as a dedicated circuit. |
| Base | £550 for garden saunas (Summerhouse24 cost guide, midpoint) |
| Upkeep | £150 a year for garden saunas (same guide) |
| Firewood | £130 a year for wood-fired saunas (same guide, midpoint of £80 to £180) |
| Not included | Assembly labour and any delivery surcharge: check the seller's page |
| Community sauna | £10 a person (British Sauna Society) |
| Chiller | 3 hours a day; 650 W where not published (our estimate) |
| Plug limit | 13 A × 230 V = 2,990 W; anything rated higher can't be a plug-in |
Back to the list of sections ↑
Keeping it current
Prices and stock come from each seller's own page and are re-read automatically; specs are checked every month. Every product page lists its sources.
Back to the list of sections ↑
What we don't do
We don't give health, electrical or planning advice. For those, ask your GP, a registered electrician or your council.
Back to the list of sections ↑
Editorial policy and corrections
Scores come only from the published rules on this page, never from commission: a seller that pays us nothing can rank first, and many do. We don't accept payment, free products or sponsored placements in return for coverage. Our research comes from makers' and sellers' published details, cited on every product page. Spotted a wrong price, spec or claim? Email hello@homespafinder.co.uk and we fix errors within a working day.