Two thousand years ago, the Finnish started sauna bathing to heal their sick and prepare expecting mothers for birth. Over the centuries, science has proven that, yes, saunas are good for you. From increased heart health to preventing Alzheimer’s, this form of heated therapy is somewhat of a miracle. There are many options for your preferred sauna method, whether it’s an infrared sauna or a traditional wood-heated room. Only recently have portable saunas entered the scene, and they are quickly gaining traction.
What exactly are portable saunas? We’ll answer this question and more in this article. When you’re done reading, you’ll know the differences between a portable and built-in sauna, the pros and cons of a portable heated room, and how to choose your mobile sauna. Let’s get started!
Portable vs. Built-In Saunas
Before we explore the specifics, it’s essential to know what a portable sauna is and how it’s different from a traditional, built-in sauna. Built-in saunas are heated rooms permanently built into a home or spa. In contrast, portable saunas are mobile warmed structures that can be moved to different locations, outdoors or indoors, depending on your preferences. There are 4 different types of portable saunas, including the following:
- Towable Sauna: If you want the benefits of an at-home sauna but desire the flexibility to move it around, a towable sauna is an option. Often custom-made, these portable saunas can be towed to various locations, from outdoor gardens to inside personalized wellness rooms.
- Semi-Portable Freestanding Sauna: A semi-portable sauna kit can be built indoors or outdoors and relocated to a desired location with a bit more intensive effort. Freestanding saunas are durable, solid structures that offer the most authentic heated room experience. These semi-portable spaces are the perfect compromise between a fully portable and a built-in sauna!
- Sauna Blanket: The affordable sauna blanket looks and functions similar to a sleeping bag. You zip yourself inside, lie down, and relax as the infrared heat begins to warm your body. If you’re constantly on the go, a sauna blanket is an ideal heat therapy method for your active lifestyle.
- Tent Sauna: These are small, one-person collapsable tents heated with steam or infrared techniques. You can zip yourself in with your head protruding outside. There are also bigger tent saunas that fit two people, allowing space for your head to stay inside the structure.
While sauna blankets and tents are primarily heated with infrared lights or steam, towable saunas can take on various forms, including infrared rooms and traditional wood-burning heated spaces. Portable towable saunas are the most similar to built-in saunas, with the main difference being their easy mobility.
Are Portable Saunas Worth It? 3 Pros & Cons of a Portable Sauna
Portable saunas are quickly growing in popularity, but do they deserve the hype? Here are 3 pros and cons to consider:
3 Pros of Portable Saunas:
- Convenience: No doubt, one of the most significant benefits of a portable sauna is its flexibility and mobility. Who doesn’t want a sauna you can bring anywhere? Even if you invest in a towable sauna, it can easily be moved to a new place every few months. Whether you’d like to have a sweat session in the woods or in the comfort of your home, portable saunas can be set up anywhere, anytime. If you move homes or take a vacation, these heated rooms don’t have to stay behind!
- Health Benefits: Similar to built-in heated rooms, portable saunas offer numerous health benefits. From relaxing sore muscles to improving brain health, it’s hard to pass up the opportunity to enhance your well-being with portable saunas.
- Cost-Effective: Building a permanent sauna into your home or outdoor space is not always financially feasible. What if we told you that portable saunas are the cost-effective alternative to your problem? Whether you invest in a towable heated space or an infrared blanket, portable saunas are often more wallet-friendly than their permanent counterparts.
3 Cons of Portable Saunas:
- Smaller Size (on select models): Sauna tents and blankets are considerably smaller than built-in rooms, only allowing 1–2 people inside at a time. Fortunately, towable saunas can be just as spacious as permanent spaces, depending on the model.
- Higher Electricity Bill: Since portable saunas use electricity, you may experience a higher power bill month-to-month.
- Less Durability: Depending on the type of portable sauna, it may not last as long as a built-in heated room. Over time, wear and tear can become evident, meaning you’ll need to replace portable saunas more often than permanent spaces. Compared to semi-portable or freestanding rooms, fully mobile saunas don’t last as long and are more fragile than their counterparts.
Do Portable Saunas Really Work?
Portable saunas work well and are great alternatives to permanent heated rooms. From improved circulation to affordability, portable saunas are a trend you should consider investing in. Are portable saunas right for you? Here are a few signs you may need to invest in these mobile heated rooms:
- You value flexibility: Are you constantly on the go, or do you want to move your sauna every few months? A portable sauna may be the right fit for you. Sauna tents and blankets are ideal for those who are constantly moving. If you’d like something closer to the real experience, invest in a towable sauna that can be moved however often you prefer.
- You’re on a budget: Do you want to experience the benefits of sauna therapy without breaking the bank? Portable saunas are the cost-effective path to heat therapy. Specifically, heated tents and blankets are considerably cheaper than built-in rooms, allowing you to reap the benefits of sauna therapy without the high cost.
- You want the health benefits of a built-in sauna: Have you heard about the transformative rewards of consistent sauna therapy? Portable saunas enhance your well-being just as much as permanent heated rooms. Mobile heated rooms offer countless benefits, including stress relief, improved brain function, strengthened heart health, and reduced inflammation.
How to Choose the Right Portable Sauna
Are you feeling the urge to try out a portable sauna? With multiple options available, deciding which portable sauna is the perfect fit can be overwhelming. Below, we’ve outlined which portable sauna you should choose, depending on your familiarity with heat therapy and lifestyle choices:
For Beginners: If you’re new to sauna therapy, invest in a sauna blanket. These are often the cheapest portable options, allowing you to try them out before fully committing. If you enjoy your experience, consider upgrading to a tent or towable sauna!
For On-the-Go Travelers: Buy a heated tent if you need something small and easily foldable. It’s incredibly convenient for explorers and can be assembled and taken down within minutes. Remember these only allow 1–2 users max, which can be the ideal fit for solo travelers.
For Sauna Users Who Value Flexibility: If you’d like to have a sauna session in a different location every month, the towable sauna is an ideal fit! These heated rooms are easily mobile and can be taken practically anywhere, offering a durable and lasting sauna room for those who enjoy variety.
For Dedicated Sauna Users: If you’re a dedicated sauna user and crave the real deal, purchase a semi-portable, freestanding sauna. These heated rooms are the most authentic sauna experience and can be placed outdoors or indoors. While freestanding saunas are pricier, they’re well worth the cost due to their high-quality, lasting design and mobility—who could say no to sauna therapy in the garden on a spring day?
Every portable sauna is different. Consider what features, design, flexibility, and heating methods you’d like your portable sauna to carry. From there, you can choose the best portable sauna that fits your needs.
3 FAQs
1. Do portable saunas use a lot of electricity?
On average, portable saunas use about 1000–1500 watts of electricity annually. However, this number depends on several factors, including the session duration, the type of portable heated room, the wattage of the warming elements, and the sauna’s set temperature. For example, infrared saunas usually use less energy than steam rooms.
If you’d like to calculate the electricity usage of your portable sauna, you’ll need to find out the wattage of the heating elements and the amount of time the sauna is used. Then, you can use the formula below:
Electricity Usage (in watt-hours) = Wattage x Time (in hours)
For instance, if you use the sauna for one hour with a wattage of 1300 watts, you will use 1300 watt-hours of electricity.
2. Can you use tap water for a portable sauna?
It’s recommended that you use only still or distilled water for your portable sauna (if it requires water). Hard water can damage your portable sauna over time, causing unnecessary buildup from calcium and magnesium.
3. Can I use a portable sauna every day?
Yes, it is safe to use a portable sauna every day. Drink water and limit your sessions to 20 minutes to prevent dehydration. If you’re new to sauna therapy, we recommend limiting sauna therapy to 2–3 times a week, gradually working your way up to every day if desired.
Add a Semi-Portable Sauna to Your At-Home Wellness Routine With Tubzz
Are you ready to fully commit to portable sauna therapy sessions? With the help of Tubzz, you can own a customized, semi-portable freestanding sauna in your home in no time. When you partner with our team, we offer a highly customizable experience regarding your sauna’s shape, size, and advanced features. Our freestanding sauna heater options range from infrared technology to the cozy ambiance of wood-burning systems, whether you’d like to place your freestanding sauna in the mountains behind your home or inside your self-care wellness room.
For over 20 years, Tubzz has been Utah’s choice provider for luxurious jetted tubs and we’re proud to now offer the same level of outstanding quality and service with our freestanding and built-in saunas. If you’d like to find your ideal sauna today, contact our team to schedule an appointment at our showroom!
