Start with how you will actually use it
A sauna is not a generic wellness purchase. It is a fixed piece of home equipment you will live with for years, so start with use, not with a brand name. How many people will use it at once? How often? Will it sit in a spare room, a garage, a basement, or outside? Those answers narrow the type, the size, and the power supply faster than any feature list.
Infrared, traditional, or steam?
Infrared saunas heat the body directly with panels and typically run at lower air temperatures, which many first-time buyers find easier to tolerate. Traditional saunas heat the air with an electric heater or wood stove and deliver the classic high-heat, steam-on-stones experience. Steam systems are a different category again: they turn a shower enclosure into a steam room rather than a standalone cabin. If you want a freestanding cabin for daily heat, compare infrared and traditional first, and treat steam as a bathroom project.
Sizing: measure twice, buy once
Measure the room, the doorway, and the delivery path before you fall in love with a model. A two-person cabin is the practical starting point for most homes; a three- or four-person model needs noticeably more floor space and a wider delivery route. Check ceiling height, ventilation, and a level floor. For outdoor models, also confirm drainage, a stable base, and protection from standing water.
Electrical: check this before checkout
This is the step that causes the most delays. Small infrared cabins may run on a standard household circuit, while larger traditional heaters often need a dedicated 220-volt circuit installed by a licensed electrician. Read the product page for voltage, amperage, and circuit requirements, and confirm them with your electrician before ordering. Do not assume an existing outlet will do.
Indoor vs outdoor
Indoor saunas are easier to protect from weather and simpler to wire, but they demand ventilation and a dry, level space. Outdoor saunas offer the classic backyard ritual and need a weatherproof build, a solid base, and a realistic plan for power and water. Either way, confirm how the unit arrives: many saunas ship by freight, in large cartons or on pallets, and need a clear path to their final spot.
What to budget beyond the price tag
Budget for delivery and freight, any electrical work, a suitable base or flooring, and accessories you will actually use, such as a thermometer, bucket, or backrest. Prices at CLT Contrast Therapy reflect manufacturer MAP pricing, and every sauna ships direct from the brand with the full manufacturer warranty. If a specification, warranty term, or delivery detail is unclear, send a message through the contact form and we will reply within one business day.
A short pre-order checklist
Seats needed, and the room it must fit
Infrared or traditional heat, and why
Voltage, amperage, and circuit confirmed with an electrician
Delivery path measured, including doors and turns
Freight, warranty, and return terms read on the product page
Still deciding? Start with the saunas collection, compare dimensions and electrical requirements side by side, and use the contact form for a specific fit question. We are an authorized dealer, we do not list a phone number, and we answer through the contact form.