The short answer
Start with the kind of heat you want: steam for a proper sweat on a budget, dry heat for the closest thing to a real sauna, or a sauna blanket if space is tight. Then check it fits your room and your height, see what it costs to run, and buy from a brand with a UK warranty. For most homes, a full-height steam tent at around £200 is the best place to start.
A portable sauna is one of the cheapest ways to get regular heat sessions at home. But “portable sauna” covers very different things, from a £150 pop-up steam tent to a £700 sauna blanket. This guide walks you through the six things that matter, in the order that matters.
1. Pick the type of heat
This is the biggest decision, because it changes how the sauna feels every time you use it.
| Type | How it feels | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam tent | Hot and humid, like a steam room. Usually around 45 to 50°C. | £154.99 to £199.99 | A proper sweat on a budget |
| Dry heat pod | Hot, dry air like a Finnish sauna. Rated up to about 85°C. | £299 to £399 | The most “real sauna” feel |
| Infrared | Gentle radiant heat that warms you directly. Dry, no damp. | From £289 | People who find steam too intense |
| Sauna blanket | You lie down and zip in. Infrared warmth, gentle but sweaty. | £199 to £699 | Small homes, lowest running cost |
If you have used saunas before and loved the dry heat, look at a dry heat pod. If you want the most sweat for the least money, choose steam. If you want something you can slide under the bed, choose a blanket. Our infrared vs steam guide goes into the difference in more detail.
2. Check your space
Most one-person steam tents and pods need a patch of floor roughly the size of an armchair, plus room to step in and out. Two-person tents need about twice that. A sauna blanket needs only a bed, sofa or yoga mat.
Think about where it will live between sessions too. Pop-up tents fold into a flat round bag, poled tents pack into a long box, and blankets roll or fold flat. If it is a pain to put up, you will use it less.
Steam adds moisture to the room, about as much as a long shower. A bathroom with an extractor fan or a room with a window you can open is ideal. If damp is already a problem in your home, choose dry heat, infrared or a blanket.
3. Check your height
This is the most common regret with cheap portable saunas. Many compact tents are only around 5 ft 6 in tall, which leaves anyone over 5 ft 10 in hunched over with their head pressing the roof.
If you are tall, look for a full-height tent (around six feet) or a pod that lists a maximum user height. The Pod Company, for example, says its Sauna Pod fits people up to 6 ft 7 in.
4. Look at running costs
Portable saunas are cheap to run because they use a normal plug-in heater. Running at full power for 30 minutes, a 1,200 W steam tent costs about 16p and a 350 W sauna blanket about 5p at 26.32p per kWh, the current price cap. Real costs are usually lower, because heaters switch off and on once they are hot.
Use our running-cost calculator to work out a year’s cost at your own electricity rate.
5. Check the build and warranty
A sauna you use several times a week takes a lot of heat, steam and zipping. These are the details that separate a good one from a cheap one:
- Fabric and insulation: thicker, insulated walls hold heat better and warm up faster.
- Zips and frame: metal zips and sturdy poles last longer than thin plastic ones.
- Safety marks: look for UKCA or CE marking and a UK three-pin plug.
- Materials: some brands test their fabrics for fumes and plastic smells. If a new tent smells strongly, air it out before use.
- Warranty and returns: at least a one-year warranty from a UK seller, and a returns window long enough to try it at home.
This is why we rank established brands above very cheap unbranded tents. A £90 tent that tears after a month costs more than a £150 tent that lasts for years.
6. Set your budget
- Under £200: good steam tents from established brands, and entry-level sauna blankets.
- £200 to £400: full-height steam tents, dry heat pods and mid-range blankets.
- £400 and up: premium blankets and larger saunas with extras such as red light panels.
Check our sauna discount codes before you buy. Some brands and stores give our readers money off.
Quick checklist
- Steam, dry heat, infrared or blanket: which heat do you want?
- Do you have the floor space, and somewhere to store it?
- Will you fit inside sitting upright?
- Can you air the room after a steam session?
- Does it have a UK plug, UKCA or CE marking and at least a one-year warranty?
- Have you checked for a discount code?
When you are ready, see our ranked best portable saunas and best sauna blankets.
Questions
What type of portable sauna is best for beginners?
A pop-up steam tent is the easiest place to start. It sets up in a couple of minutes, gives a proper sweat, and costs under £200 from established brands. If you are short on space, a sauna blanket is the smallest option.
How much should I spend on a portable sauna?
Expect to pay £154.99 to £199.99 for a good steam tent, £299 to £399 for a dry heat pod, and £199 to £699 for a sauna blanket from a known brand. Much cheaper unbranded tents exist, but they often have thin fabric and no UK warranty.
Is a steam or infrared portable sauna better?
Neither is better for everyone. Steam feels hotter and makes you sweat faster but adds moisture to the room. Infrared is drier and cheaper to run but feels gentler. Choose the kind of heat you will actually enjoy using.
Can I use a portable sauna in a flat?
Yes. Portable saunas plug into a normal UK socket and pack away. With a steam model, open a window or run an extractor fan afterwards, the same as after a long shower.
What warranty should a portable sauna have?
Look for at least one year, ideally from a UK seller who will handle repairs or replacements. ThermoLab, for example, gives a 3-year UK warranty.
Sources
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, speak to your GP before using a sauna.