Thinking of adding a home sauna to your wellness routine? Alpine Spas – one of Australia’s popular spa and sauna retailers – offers a range of infrared and traditional saunas to bring that spa-day heat right to your home.
We’ve combed through Alpine Spas’ site and customer feedback to find the top picks in each category: the best infrared sauna, best outdoor sauna, and best traditional sauna.
In this guide, we’ll break down the standout model in each group based on real customer reviews, specs, and user experiences.
We’ll show you a rundown of the pros and cons so you can decide which home sauna might be your perfect match.
Quick Glimpse of the Best Alpine Spas Saunas of 2025
| Sauna Model | Highlight Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo 1-2 Person Infrared Sauna (Indoor) | Ultra low-EMF carbon heaters, compact design, budget-friendly ($2,195) | First-time sauna owners with limited space or apartments (easy setup) |
| Barrel Sauna – Cedar (4-6 Person) (Outdoor Traditional) | Rustic cedar barrel, 6kW electric heater, fast heating, outdoor-friendly | Backyard relaxation and social sauna sessions (authentic heat with a stylish look) |
| Cabin Sauna – Cedar (4-6 Person) (Traditional Steam) | Spacious cedar cabin, 2-tier bench seating, 6kW heater, ergonomic backrests | Traditional sauna enthusiasts who want a high-heat “Finnish” experience at home (with room to stretch out) |
Best Infrared Home Sauna: Alpine Spas Oslo 1-2 Person Infrared Sauna
Alpine Spas Oslo Infrared Sauna – The Oslo earns our pick for best infrared sauna because it packs a big punch in a small package.
This cozy 1-2 person unit has over 130 five-star customer reviews on Alpine’s site, making it their most popular infrared model by far.
- Pros: Ultra-low EMF; quick 30-minute assembly; fits in small spaces; energy-efficient (≈$1/hr); highly affordable for a home sauna.
- Cons: Max temperature (~60 °C) is lower than traditional saunas; not for those craving extreme heat; 2-person capacity is tight (ideal for 1 person comfort). Indoor-only – you’ll need a different model for outdoor use.
Users love its compact footprint (about 1.0 × 1.0 m floor area) that can tuck into a spare room or garage, and the fact that it’s plug-and-play – running on a standard 10A outlet (no special wiring needed). Despite its size, the Oslo is loaded with features: five ultra low-EMF carbon heaters, therapeutic light therapy, and Canadian Hemlock wood construction for that lovely sauna aroma. Alpine Spas advertises the Oslo’s EMF levels at under 0.5 milligauss (extremely low), and we were initially skeptical about the said EMF levels but ended up impressed that the unit was way better than I thought in performance.
Once assembled, the Oslo heats up to around 60–65 °C inside which is lower than a traditional sauna but plenty to work up a sweat. In fact, it got to 63 °C and could have gotten hotter and it felt so much hotter than the local pool sauna without the crowds. For many users, the more gentle heat of infrared is actually a plus – it’s easier to breathe and you can stay in longer, all while getting the same detoxifying sweat. Owners also mentioned their Alpine Spas infrared sauna was “excellent quality” and has been “highly recommended” after a year of use, which speaks to the build and durability.
The Oslo is also a winner on convenience. Assembly is a breeze – about 30 minutes for two people thanks to its click-in panels – and at ~2.2 kW total power draw, it’s energy-efficient (Alpine estimates less than $1 per hour to run. Many buyers appreciate not having to hire an electrician or reinforce the floor; you can literally set this sauna up in a bedroom or home gym and plug it into a normal socket. The ZenGlow™ chromotherapy lighting and digital control panel let you set the mood.
That said, we have to note a couple of cons typical of infrared saunas. If you’re a hardcore traditional sauna enthusiast, the ~60 °C max temp might feel mild, you won’t get the blistering 80–90 °C heat of a rock-and-steam unit. A few experienced sauna-goers online point out that infrared heat penetrates differently (heating your body more than the air), so while you will sweat profusely, it’s not the searing “hot air” feeling of a Finnish sauna. Also, the Oslo is a snug two-seater (dimensions ~100×100×190 cm; it’s perfect for one person to stretch out, or two seated close together. If you plan on sauna sessions with a friend or partner regularly, just know it’s friendly but cozy. Lastly, while the Hemlock cabin is well-made, it’s for indoor use only, not an outdoor unit. But for most Aussies looking for an affordable personal sauna, these drawbacks are minor. In fact, many folks choose the Oslo after considering cheap portable sauna tents and concluding those were “a waste of money” and underpowered.
People often say to “save up and get the Oslo” instead, which turned out to be legit in delivering a real sauna experience at home.
Best Outdoor Sauna: Alpine Spas Barrel Sauna – Cedar
When it comes to outdoor saunas, nothing beats the charm of a cedar barrel. Alpine Spas’ Barrel Sauna (4-6 person) is their most-reviewed traditional model, boasting over 60 customer reviews with a 5-star average.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a rustic backyard sauna experience, the Barrel Sauna delivers: it’s a cylindrical Western Red Cedar cabin with two little porch seats on the front and a roomy interior bench for 4 to 6 people.
- Pros: Beautiful rustic design that enhances any backyard; solid cedar wood (FSC certified) and bitumen roof built for Aussie outdoors; heats up quickly with a powerful 6 kW heater (full sauna temperatures 80–90 °C achievable); roomy social seating for 4 (up to 6); lots of happy customers – the most reviewed Alpine sauna – praising its value for money.
- Cons: Requires electrician setup for 32A supply; assembly is more complex (hundreds of pieces vs. pre-fab panels) – expect to spend a day or hire help. Single-wall cedar means no insulation, in cold climates heat loss can be higher (one user went custom at double the cost mainly to add insulation and other tweaks). Barrel shape leads to uneven heat distribution (toasty up top, cooler at feet) and less headroom; also backrests are needed for comfort against curved walls. Overall, a bit more upkeep and nuance compared to an indoor unit – but these come with the territory for outdoor barrel saunas.
The design isn’t just for looks – the curved shape naturally circulates heat efficiently and limits excess volume, so this sauna heats up fast (no cold corners!). The included 6 kW electric heater (paired with sauna stones) can easily push temperatures above 80 °C for that authentic Finnish-style sweat. In practice, wesay it gets plenty hot even if the air near the floor stays a bit cooler (a common thing in barrel saunas). We remarked that “for the price it’s a lot of value”, especially given the quality cedar construction.
The Barrel Sauna is definitely built for outdoor use, the cedar wood and stainless steel bands can withstand Aussie weather, and Alpine includes a bitumen shingle roof on top to protect from rain (as you can see in the image above, the grey shingles cover the upper half of the barrel). This model really becomes a feature in your backyard; several users mention the lovely cedar aroma and how the barrel design impresses guests. At roughly 190 cm (W) x 228 cm (D) x 204 cm (H) in size, it’s like a large outdoor wine barrel turned into a spa – and you can indeed sit 4 people comfortably (6 if everyone squeezes). Many families use it as a social sauna spot on weekends. And while the heater is electric, you can splash water on the hot rocks for steam, getting that traditional löyly kick.
Keep in mind: this is a substantial unit – about 9 feet long – and assembly is more involved than the indoor saunas. Alpine provides manuals and videos, and handy buyers have assembled it themselves, but if you’re not DIY-inclined you might want a builder or a couple of mates to help. One owner reported that assembly was doable but “a big job” without prior experience. The sauna weighs over 350 kg, so you’ll need a solid, level base (think concrete pad or deck) to install it. Also important: power requirements. The Barrel Sauna runs a 6 kW heater that draws 32 Amps, which will require a dedicated electrical connection by a qualified electrician. This isn’t a plug-in appliance like the Oslo; expect to have an electrician wire it to your mains (a common requirement for any high-power traditional sauna). It’s an extra step, but once it’s set up, you’re good to go.
What do users say about the experience? Owners overwhelmingly love the ambiance and authenticity. The spacious interior, soft ambient light, and even the slight cedar wood expansion/contraction sounds make it feel like a true sauna retreat. Bathers often highlight the quick heat-up time – the small volume means you can be sweating within 20–30 minutes of turning it on, much faster than larger indoor sauna rooms. On the flip side, enthusiasts on sauna forums point out the inherent cons of barrel designs: because of the round walls, the bench is lower relative to the ceiling peak, so your feet might be a bit cooler than your upper body. You can actually feel the difference of these cold, dead spots when in winter. The curved walls also mean you can’t lean back comfortably without a backrest (Alpine includes movable backrests for this reason, which is a nice touch).
And unlike a rectangular cabin, you can’t install a higher second bench – so if you love super high heat, you might miss that adjustable seating aspect. These are trade-offs common to all barrel saunas, not just Alpine’s. Many owners say it’s worth it for the unique aesthetic and the fact that “barrels aren’t airtight”, so you get good ventilation and a gentle steam when water’s added. Just remember to occasionally tighten the barrel bands and apply a wood oil or stain each year to keep the cedar in top shape – basic maintenance for any outdoor cedar sauna.
Best Traditional Sauna: Alpine Spas Cabin Sauna
For a classic “hot and steamy” sauna experience, Alpine’s Cabin Sauna is the top choice. This 4-6 person traditional sauna is essentially a mini log cabin made of beautiful rustic cedar, complete with a full glass door and two windows.
It’s a newer model that Alpine Spas improved based on feedback – now featuring 2-tier bench seating (so you can sit high or low) and even convertible ergonomic backrests that let you turn the benches into reclining seats.
Pros:
- Spacious, high-heat sauna experience
- Steam functionality with rocks and water
- Two-tier seating lets you pick your heat level
- Comfortable recline bench option
- Great cedar scent and outdoor durability
- Full accessory pack included
Cons:
- Not cheap, and it takes up a decent footprint
- Needs professional electrical setup (no plug-in option)
- Single-wall design isn’t as efficient in cold climates
- Once built, it’s not something you can easily relocate
With these upgrades, it’s no surprise the Cabin Sauna is getting strong feedback from owners – it’s currently rated 5.0 based on 19 reviews on the Alpine site. Sure, that’s not as many reviews as the barrel model, but it’s a bigger investment and still relatively new. From what I’ve seen and experienced, it genuinely delivers a sauna session that feels just like a day spa.
When I was looking into outdoor saunas, I actually considered custom-building one from scratch. But after doing the math and comparing options, the Cabin model from Alpine stood out. The price was hard to beat for the size and features, especially when I compared it to other Aussie brands like Southern Cross and Ukko, which were all noticeably more expensive.
I had a few concerns about the single-layer cedar walls at first, but honestly, for an Australian climate with milder winters, it seems to hold up just fine. The fact that it comes as a ready-to-assemble kit made it an easier decision—I didn’t want to stress about building something from the ground up.
So what do you actually get? It’s a 6 kW electric heated sauna using a Finnish-made Sawo stove with rocks, which means it can hit proper sauna temperatures and you can pour water on the stones for that steam boost. It’s about 216 cm (H) × 196 cm (W) × 196 cm (D) externally, and the inside has both a lower and upper bench. That layout makes a big difference—you get the usual “hotter on top, cooler on the bottom” setup, which works well if not everyone in the family wants the same level of heat.
The upper bench gets impressively hot (easily comparable to gym saunas I’ve tried), while the lower area stays a bit more moderate. What I really like is that the upper bench panels can flip up into lounger-style seating, which is much more comfortable if you’re someone who wants to lean back and relax your legs. Small touches like that really make a difference.
The cedar build gives off that great wood scent, and it holds heat reasonably well even without extra insulation. It also comes with a shingle roof kit, so if you’re placing it outdoors, it’s ready for the weather. I’ve seen others place it under patios or even directly in the yard, and the design works well—it actually looks like a stylish wooden hut in the garden.
As for controls, the digital panel is pretty straightforward. It’s usually wall-mounted and includes a timer and thermostat. I like that you can add water to the rocks to make it feel more like a steam sauna. The heat definitely gets intense enough to satisfy anyone who’s used to traditional saunas.
I personally think the two-tier bench design is a major upgrade. Some older models or other brands don’t include that, and it really changes the experience—you’re not forced to sit at one temperature level the whole time.
Now, on the practical side—like the barrel sauna, this one requires a 32A hardwired electrical connection. So you’ll need a licensed electrician to get it set up properly. The unit is also heavy—almost 450 kg without any occupants—so you’ll need a solid base to install it on.
Assembly takes some time, but the panels come pre-built, so you’re really just bolting the structure together. It took me and a friend a solid few hours to finish, especially with the roof kit, but it was manageable with the included instructions.
Do keep in mind the walls are single-thickness cedar (about 4–5 cm), so in colder areas, the heater will work a bit harder to keep temps up, and it cools down faster if you open the door often. I’ve read debates about insulated versus non-insulated walls, but for most people in Australia, this setup strikes a pretty good balance between performance and price. Honestly, you’d have to spend nearly double to get those marginal gains from a custom or heavily insulated build.
At around $10,995 AUD on sale (down from the usual $16k), it’s definitely an investment. But when you factor in the included accessories—like the bucket, ladle, backrests, and more—it feels like a well-rounded package. Compared to importing a kit or hiring a builder, this just made the most sense for me.
What Do You Think of Alpine Spas' Saunas?
Choosing the “best” sauna really comes down to your personal needs and space. If you want an easy indoor solution for daily wellness, the Oslo infrared sauna is a fan favorite for good reason – it’s affordable, low-maintenance, and gets the job done in a small space. For those with a backyard and a love of traditional sauna heat, Alpine Spas’ barrel sauna offers a rustic escape just steps from your door (imagine winter evenings under the stars, then a cold plunge – bliss!).
And if you’re serious about sauna and have the room, the cabin sauna gives you a full-fledged Finnish spa experience at home, complete with the sizzle of water on hot rocks and that enveloping cedar heat. Each of these models has garnered praise from Aussie customers and online communities, but they’re not without quirks – hopefully this review gave you a realistic snapshot with both pros and cons. In the end, the best home sauna is the one you’ll use and enjoy regularly. Stay warm, happy sweating, and here’s to creating your own relaxing retreat right at home!
