Barrel Sauna Buying Guide: Size, Wood, Heater and Installation
By the HEALTHandMED team, Cedar City, Utah. Updated October 13, 2026.
Choose a barrel sauna by answering four questions: how many people will use it, which wood you prefer, whether you want an electric or wood-burning heater, and where it will sit. HEALTHandMED sells five barrel saunas, all 6 feet in diameter: 6 ft models for 4 to 6 people and 8 ft models for 6 to 8, in Canadian White Pine or Canadian Red Cedar, priced from $5,863.98 to $8,476.98. Four use a 9 kW electric heater, and one uses a wood-burning heater that needs no electricity.
A barrel sauna gives you a warm, social place to unwind at the end of the day or after a workout. Every model here works as a wet or dry sauna: ladle water onto the heater for steam, or keep the air dry.
The barrel saunas we sell, side by side
| Model | Size (length x diameter) | Seats | Wood | Heater | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft Canadian Pine, 9 kW | 6 ft x 6 ft | 4 | Grade A Canadian White Pine, 1 3/8 in thick | 9 kW, 220V (see listing for heater details) | $5,863.98, with or without front porch |
| 6 ft Canadian Red Cedar, Harvia 9 kW | 6 ft x 6 ft | 4 to 6 | Canadian Red Cedar, 1 3/4 in thick | Harvia Vega 9 kW electric | $7,819.98, or $8,025.98 with waterproof dust cover |
| 8 ft Canadian Pine, Harvia 9 kW electric | 8 ft x 6 ft | 6 to 8 | Grade A Canadian White Pine, 1 3/8 in thick | Harvia 9 kW electric (4.5 or 6 kW on request) | $7,824.98 |
| 8 ft Canadian Pine, wood-burning | 8 ft x 6 ft | 6 to 8 | Grade A Canadian White Pine, 1 3/8 in thick | Wood-burning, with stainless steel vent kit | $8,476.98 |
| 8 ft Canadian Red Cedar, 9 kW | 8 ft x 6 ft, 6.5 ft high | 6 to 8 | Canadian Red Cedar with stainless steel bands | 9 kW electric, wet and dry | $8,472.98 |
Prices as of October 2026. All five are in our steam saunas collection.
How to choose the size
Every barrel is 6 feet in diameter, so the real choice is length: how many people will use it together, and whether you want room to stretch out.
6 ft barrels: couples and small families
The 6 ft Canadian Pine seats 4 and comes with or without a front porch at the same price. Without the porch, the walls run to the edge for more room inside. With it, you get a covered spot to cool down between sessions.
The 6 ft Canadian Red Cedar seats 4 to 6 on two benches, each 64 inches long and 17 inches deep, with 68 inches of interior height. Overall it stands 77 inches tall on its legs.
8 ft barrels: groups and room to recline
The three 8 ft models seat 6 to 8. Both pine versions have no front porch, so the full length is seating space. A porch can be added to the wood-burning model on request, but it reduces the interior by almost 2 feet.
The 8 ft Canadian Red Cedar includes a porch extension and benches 71.5 inches long and 16 inches wide, with room to sit upright or lie down.
Wood: Canadian White Pine or Canadian Red Cedar
Canadian White Pine
The three pine barrels use Grade A Canadian White Pine, 1 3/8 inches thick, for good insulation, strength and a warm, natural aroma. Among the electric models, pine is the lower-priced choice in each size.
Canadian Red Cedar
The two cedar barrels use Canadian Red Cedar with stainless steel bands, and the 6 ft cedar walls are 1 3/4 inches thick. The 8 ft cedar adds stainless steel hardware and a tempered, tinted glass door, and its cedar is described as naturally resistant to rot, insects and moisture. Cedar costs more but includes more as standard, such as a shingled roof kit, backrests and headrests.
Heater: electric or wood-burning
9 kW electric heaters
Four of the five barrels use a 9 kW electric heater. Two are from Harvia, a Finnish heater brand: the 8 ft pine electric model and the 6 ft cedar, which uses the stainless steel Harvia Vega. Three listings include about 40 lb of lava rocks, and the two electric pine models and the 8 ft cedar state heat-up to around 200°F. On the 8 ft pine electric, a 4.5 kW or 6 kW heater is available on request for lower power needs, although 9 kW is recommended.
Electrical requirements
The 8 ft pine electric model recommends a 50 amp breaker for its 9 kW heater. The 6 ft pine lists a 220V 9 kW heater, also with a 50 amp breaker recommended. For the cedar barrels, our team will confirm the circuit your heater needs before delivery.
Have a licensed electrician run a dedicated circuit before delivery day. The 8 ft cedar's interior light also needs wiring sourced locally.
Wood-burning heater
The 8 ft Canadian Pine wood-burning model comes with its heater and a stainless steel vent kit, and needs no electricity. It suits cabins, gardens and rural sites for a traditional, off-the-grid sauna.
Indoor or outdoor
The 6 ft Canadian Red Cedar is listed for indoor or outdoor use. The other four are outdoor saunas. Outdoors, plan for:
- Roof: both cedar barrels include a shingled roof kit at no extra charge. On the two 8 ft pine models, a shingled bitumen roof is an optional $200 extra and is not required. A replacement shingled roof kit for 6 ft or 8 ft barrels is sold separately for $520.98 in red or brown.
- Cover: the 6 ft cedar can be ordered with a zippered waterproof dust cover for $206 more.
- Off the ground: the 6 ft pine sits on two support legs and the 8 ft pine barrels on three. The 8 ft cedar uses weather-resistant polymer support cradles.
Delivery, assembly and foundation
Every barrel sauna ships flat-packed by LTL freight with assembly instructions, because a fully assembled barrel cannot be shipped. Delivery is curbside: the carrier calls to schedule, and the driver cannot unpack or carry it inside. The 8 ft models ship in a thick wooden crate, with listed shipping weights of 500 lb (pine) and 800 lb (cedar), so arrange helpers and a clear path to the site.
The 6 ft pine ships to most of the mainland US at no additional charge, and the 8 ft pine models ship for $500 to most mainland addresses. Some areas cost more, including New York City, Long Island and the Florida Keys.
Before delivery, prepare a flat, level, firm base that can carry the sauna and everyone in it, with space to open the door. Check local building and permit rules, and for the wood-burning model follow the heater and vent kit instructions for clearances.
What comes with each barrel sauna
- 6 ft pine: 220V 9 kW heater with about 40 lb of lava rocks, water bucket, ladle, thermometer and hygrometer.
- 6 ft cedar: Harvia Vega 9 kW heater with 40 lb of lava rocks, cedar shingle roof kit, 2 backrests, 2 headrests, water bucket and spoon, sand timer, thermometer and hygrometer, and waterproof interior light.
- 8 ft pine, electric: Harvia 9 kW heater with 40 lb of lava rocks, water bucket, ladle, thermometer and hygrometer.
- 8 ft pine, wood-burning: wood-burning heater with stainless steel vent kit, water bucket and ladle, thermometer and hygrometer.
- 8 ft cedar: 9 kW wet and dry heater, wooden heater guard, full glass door, porch extension, shingled roof kit, backrests, headrests, footrests, water bucket, ladle, thermometer and hygrometer, sand timer and waterproof light.
Warranty
The 6 ft Canadian Pine barrel sauna includes a 1-year warranty, and our US-based team at 1-888-649-3650 can walk you through the warranty on any other model. Both 6 ft models ship fully insured against damage.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit in a barrel sauna?
The 6 ft barrels seat 4 (pine) or 4 to 6 (cedar). The 8 ft barrels seat 6 to 8.
Can a barrel sauna be used wet and dry?
Yes. All five are wet and dry saunas. Ladle water onto the heater for steam, or keep it dry. Each comes with a water bucket and a ladle or spoon.
What electrical service does a 9 kW heater need?
A 50 amp breaker is recommended for the 9 kW pine models, on a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician. The wood-burning model needs no electricity.
How long does delivery take?
Barrels are in stock in a US warehouse and ship within a few days of confirming your address and phone number. Transit averages 7 to 14 business days.
Do you ship to Canada and Alaska?
Yes. We ship to the mainland United States and Canada, and to Alaska by ocean barge from Seattle. Contact us for an Alaska rate. We do not ship overseas.
Is there anything to know before the first session?
Drink water before and after. If you are pregnant, take certain medications or have health concerns, ask your health care provider before using a sauna.
Find your barrel sauna
Compare every barrel and cabin model in our steam saunas collection or the full saunas collection. Short on space? See our portable saunas. To complete a backyard spa area, browse our cold plunge tubs and outdoor hot tubs.
HEALTHandMED has sold saunas from Cedar City, Utah, since 2009. Call our US-based team at 1-888-649-3650 for help with sizing, wiring or delivery to your address.