Indoor or outdoor sauna?
The short answer
An indoor sauna is cheaper, from about €2,099, and an infrared cabin can often plug into a socket in a spare room. An outdoor sauna starts at €3,550, needs a base and a certified cable from the house, but holds more people, keeps heat and moisture out of the house and is closer to the classic sauna experience.
Side by side
| Indoor | Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | From €2,099 | From €3,550 |
| Typical size | 1 to 4 people | 2 to 8 people |
| Type | Infrared or traditional | Mostly traditional, some infrared |
| Base | An existing floor | A solid, level base |
| Electrics | Often a socket (infrared) | A cable from the house, certified |
| Planning | Not needed | Usually exempt; counts towards the garden building limit |
| Warm-up in winter | Starts from room temperature | Starts from outdoor temperature |
| Running cost example | €0.47 a session, 1-person infrared | €3.81 a session, 9 kW traditional |
Choose indoor if
- Your garden is small, shared or overlooked, or you live in an apartment.
- You want the lowest total cost, with no base or new cable.
- You want infrared, which most sellers offer as indoor cabins.
- You have a spare room, attic or garage with a level floor and space around the cabin.
In an apartment, check your lease or management company rules first.
Choose outdoor if
- You want a traditional sauna for a group of 4 or more.
- You want to cool off outside with a shower, cold plunge or just the fresh air.
- You'd rather keep heat and steam out of the house.
- You have a level spot behind the house that a cable can reach. See base and siting and planning permission.
Common questions
Can you put a sauna inside a house?
Yes. Indoor saunas are sold as cabins for a spare room, attic, garage or large bathroom. Infrared cabins are the easiest because many plug into a socket. A traditional indoor sauna needs a suitable circuit and some ventilation; follow the seller's instructions and use a registered electrician.
Is an outdoor sauna more expensive than an indoor one?
Usually. Garden saunas are listed from €3,550, against €2,099 indoors, and need a base and an electrical connection. They also cost more to heat in winter.
Sources
More in choosing a sauna
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