What is a sauna tent? - Everything you need to know before you buy!

"Do you dream of saunaing in the middle of nature, on the mountain or by a lake on the weekend? Then a sauna tent is the perfect solution!"

"With a portable sauna tent, you get all the benefits of a traditional sauna – but with total freedom to sauna wherever you want, and at a much better price!"

In this guide, we go through everything you need to know about sauna tents:

• How they work
• Which model suits you best
• What you should consider before you buy.

A sauna tent is a portable sauna, usually made of heavy heat-resistant fabric, and is used together with a wood-burning stove. It creates an authentic sauna experience, just like a traditional sauna but with the great advantage that you can take it anywhere.

Perfect for:

✅ Wilderness Sauna – sauna by a lake or in the middle of nature
✅ Camping & outdoor life – Bring the sauna with you to enjoy the warmth during recreational activities.
✅ Comnbine with Ice bathing in the winter – combine ice baths and sauna bathing
✅ Home Sauna – have a flexible sauna at home without having to build a permanent sauna or consider building permits or shoreline protection.

A sauna tent works by a wood-fired sauna stove heating the air inside the tent. The heat is retained by the tent's insulating walls, and by throwing water on the stones of the stove, steam is created – just like in a regular sauna.

Step by step:

1. Set up the tent – Takes about 5-10 minutes
2. Install the stove – Place the chimney through the heat-protected roof opening of the tent.
3. Light the fire – Use dry wood for quick heating
4. Let the tent warm up – After about 15-30 minutes it is ready
5. Sauna & enjoy!

There are different models of sauna tents depending on needs and budget. Here are the most important factors to consider:

Sauna tents come in various sizes, and the choice depends on how many people you plan to sauna with regularly.

Small (1-2 people) – Perfect for solo adventures or small groups. Easy to transport and quick to heat up.

Medium (4-5 people) – Good for family or friends, provides more space to move and can be used for longer sessions.

Large (6+ people) – For larger groups, associations, or serious sauna enthusiasts. Requires a larger stove to maintain even heat.

💡 Tips: Keep in mind that larger tents take longer to heat up – choose the right size based on how many will actually use it regularly.5

All sauna tents are more or less portable, but some models are more suited for mobile adventures than others.

✔️ Super portable – Lightweight models with smart packing systems and compact stoves, perfect for hiking and outings.

✔️ Medium portable – Requires car transport but has practical carrying systems and weighs reasonably.

✔️ Larger tents for permanent setup – More robust, but require more space during transport.

💡 Tips: If you want to take the sauna out into the wilderness, choose a tent with real carrying systems for easier transport.

A sauna tent is an investment, and the quality determines how long you can enjoy it.

• Durable fabric – Choose a thick, heat-resistant, and water-repellent material that can withstand tough conditions.

• Flame-retardant construction – Extra important for safety when using with a wood-burning stove.

• Weather resistance – Should withstand wind, snow, and rain without any issues.

💡 Tips: Avoid the cheapest options – they may work at first, but rarely last long enough to be a good investment.

One of the biggest advantages of a sauna tent is that you can sauna in the middle of nature, so why not choose a tent with panoramic windows to enjoy the view?

✔️ Tent with large windows – Perfect for enjoying the view of the landscape, mountains, or lakes while you sweat inside the heat.

✔️ Tent without windows – Usually better insulation but without a view. Many tents with windows often have window flaps that you can use to customize the view according to your needs.

💡 Tips: If you love wilderness sauna, choose a tent with large windows for an unbeatable sauna experience.

The wood-burning stove is what makes the sauna tent a real sauna. The heat output, construction, and portability determine how good your sauna experience will be – especially during the cold winter months.

🔥 Quick heating – A good stove makes the tent sauna warm in 15-30 minutes.
🔥 Right weight & material – Stoves usually weigh 20-25 kg, sturdy enough to retain heat, yet portable.
🔥 Winter sauna? – Choose a stove that is sturdy and offers quick heating even in the cold.
🔥  Transport-friendly design – A convenient stove should be easy to pack. The more loose parts there are, the more complicated the transport is likely to become. Even the stove's bag can be crucial for how far you can carry the stove.

💡 Tips: If you plan to take the sauna tent on an adventure, choose a compact, powerful, and easy-to-assemble stove that delivers 🔥 in no time.

✔️ The sauna tent can be taken anywhere
✔️ Quick heating – ready in about 20 min
✔️ Easy assembly & disassembly
✔️ Perfect for outdoor life, camping & winter bathing
✔️ Cost-effective compared to a permanent sauna
✔️ Requires no building permit or beach protection exemption
✔️ Gets as warm as a regular sauna.
✔️ Can be used year-round

Sauna tents are the ultimate solution for those who want to sauna anywhere. Whether you want to sauna in the garden, by a mountain lake, the sea, or far out in the wilderness, there is a model that suits you.