1-Person Sauna

Should You Get a One-Person Sauna?

A 1-person sauna—sometimes called a mini sauna or condo sauna—is a compact personal retreat, perfect for apartments, condos, or smaller homes. These thoughtfully sized saunas deliver all the health benefits of a full-size model without the need for a large footprint.

Despite their smaller size, 1-person saunas don’t cut corners on performance. You’ll enjoy all the core wellness benefits, including:

• Deep detoxification and improved circulation
  

• Faster muscle recovery and pain relief
  

• Stress reduction and enhanced relaxation
  

Plus, you’ll have plenty of choices to match your style and needs, including:

• Traditional wood-burning or electric heaters
  

• Infrared heating options for gentle, efficient warmth
  

• Stylish wood and glass designs
  

• Optional upgrades like chromotherapy lighting and built-in sound systems
  
  

Unlike larger units, a one-person sauna heats up quickly, requires minimal upkeep, and often plugs straight into a standard household outlet—making installation fast, easy, and hassle-free.

Whether you're short on space or simply prefer a more private, personal experience, a 1-person sauna offers a powerful and practical way to bring the full spa experience home.

1-Person Sauna Comparison Table 

Benefits of a One-Person Sauna

• Perfect for small or asymmetrical spaces: as small as 3' x 3' to fit in your basement or corner of your bathroom—no need for a dedicated  room or home modifications.

• Efficient heat-up: From cold to toasty in under 20-30 minutes compared to 40-minutes to 1 hour for standard saunas (prep time varies by heater type)

• Custom vibe: Want to listen to a podcast while you sweat? Done; you don’t have to compromise with anyone else’s preferences.

• Lower running costs: 1-person infrared saunas are incredibly efficient; energy bills can be as little as $5.85 per month for a 1.5kW small infrared heater, used for 1 hour daily.

• Peaceful atmosphere: No more awkward sauna experiences; perfect for introverts.

Let’s Help You Choose the Perfect 1-Person Sauna

Select Saunas a comprehensive collection of premium saunas from top manufacturers in the US, Canada, and Europe. How do you choose the right mini sauna for your needs?

What looks great in a product photo might not feel so great once it’s in your space, so here are a few things I (and others) have learned the hard way:

Infrared vs.Traditional Single-Person Saunas

If you want that deep, slow heat that warms you from the inside out, go with infrared. It’s quieter, easier to install, and more energy efficient. 

Traditional saunas offer that steamy, almost ceremonial heat—but they are usually slightly more complex to set up, requiring an electrician to wire in the heater and ventilation planning.

Dimensions Matter More Than You Think

Don’t just measure your floor space. Check ceiling height, door clearance, and how much room you’ll have to move. Some saunas look compact but feel tighter once you’re inside. If you hate feeling boxed in, aim for wider interior dimensions over taller ones. Or consider upgrading to one of our 2-person saunas for some extra space to stretch and move around.

Accessories and Extras

Stuff like Bluetooth speakers, LED lighting, or oxygen ionizers sound nice, but ask yourself: will you actually use them? For many of our customers, heat and comfort are the priority. Music is cool, but most of us end up just zoning out or falling asleep in the sauna.

Wood Type Isn't Just Aesthetic

Cedar smells amazing and resists moisture over time, but it's often pricier. Meanwhile Hemlock  is more affordable wood that still does the job well. Our most durable material is thermally treated spruce (thermowood) which is moisture and mould resistant and lasts twice as long as cedar.  All our saunas are constructed from premium materials with tempered glass for maximum longevity.

Check Assembly Requirements

Most models are DIY-friendly, but if you're not handy, look for units with clasp or tongue-and-groove assembly—they’re faster and require fewer tools. You can usually put a sauna together in around half a day with two people and the right tools.

Sauna Financing Available at Select Saunas

We get it—dropping a chunk of change on a sauna isn’t always in the cards. But that doesn’t mean you should put your wellness and health on hold. Select Saunas offers easy financing options so you can bring home your own small sauna for home without draining your account.

Split your purchase into manageable monthly payments using Bread Pay financing. There are no hidden fees, no paperwork, and no catch. Just pick the sauna that fits your space and your vibe, choose “Bread Pay” at checkout, and buy your one-person mini sauna in affordable monthly installments.

Even better,  you can use your HSA or FSA funds toward your purchase. All you need is a letter of medical necessity from your doctor which we can help you get through our partner Truemed. Learn more about this here.