Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Buying a Sauna (and How to Avoid Them)

Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Buying a Sauna (and How to Avoid Them)

Buying a sauna for your home is an exciting investment in your health and wellness—but it can also be overwhelming. With so many options on the market, it’s easy to make costly mistakes that can lead to disappointment, wasted money, and missed benefits. In this guide, we’ll cover the top 5 mistakes people make when buying a sauna and show you exactly how to avoid them.

If you're shopping for an infrared sauna kit or a full-sized traditional sauna, read this first.

1. Choosing the Wrong Type of Sauna for Your Needs

The first major mistake? Not understanding the difference between infrared saunas and traditional saunas. Infrared saunas heat your body directly and operate at lower temperatures—perfect for pain relief and detox. Traditional saunas use steam or heated air to warm the room, offering a more intense experience.

✅ Avoid It: Think about your health goals. Want relaxation, detox, and low-heat therapy? Go infrared. Want the old-school sweat lodge feel? Traditional might be for you.

2. Ignoring the Quality of Materials

Low-quality saunas are often made with cheap wood that emits odors, warps over time, or isn’t safe for long-term use. The type of wood matters for performance, longevity, and even how your sauna smells!

✅ Avoid It: Look for premium, non-toxic wood like Canadian Hemlock or Western Red Cedar. These are naturally antimicrobial, durable, and perfect for high heat and humidity.

3. Not Considering Installation Requirements

Many people buy a sauna and then realize they don’t have the electrical setup or space to install it. Some saunas need 240V wiring, while others are plug-and-play.

✅ Avoid It: Always check the sauna’s electrical requirements, dimensions, and ventilation needs. Work with a company that offers support or clear setup guides.

4. Forgetting About Warranty and Return Policies

A sauna is a big investment—and yet, many buyers skip reading the warranty or understanding the return policy. If something goes wrong, you’ll want coverage.

✅ Avoid It: Choose a brand with a transparent return policy and at least a 5-year warranty on heaters and electrical components. Bonus points if they offer a money-back guarantee like we do.

5. Falling for Gimmicks Instead of Proven Features

Some brands promote fancy features that sound good but don’t actually improve your sauna experience—like over-the-top lighting or Bluetooth overloads.

✅ Avoid It: Focus on the essentials: quality heating panels, safe construction, ergonomic seating, and energy efficiency. Extras should complement—not distract—from the core benefits.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Skip the Guarantee

At Alpine Saunas, we offer a 12-month health results guarantee. If you don’t feel the difference after a year of consistent use, you can return your sauna at no cost. Plus:

• Free ergonomic backrest ($99 value)

• Free shipping across the U.S.

🧠 Ready to buy smart?