Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content may reference third-party research or studies and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Salus Saunas. No content on this site should be interpreted as a recommendation for any specific treatment or health-related action. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before using a sauna or making any changes to your health or wellness routine. Salus Saunas disclaims any liability for decisions made based on the information presented in this blog.
Almost nobody regrets owning a home sauna. What people regret are the small decisions made in the week before they clicked "buy": the size they chose because it was a little cheaper, the outlet they assumed would work, the delivery day they didn't plan for, or the corner of the basement where the sauna now sits, mostly unused. Each one is minor on its own. Together, they're the difference between a sauna that becomes part of your day and one that becomes very expensive furniture.
The good news is that every one of these regrets is predictable, which means every one is avoidable. This guide walks through the decisions first-time buyers most often wish they'd thought through, from sizing and electrical work to delivery, returns, warranties, running costs, and financing, so you can make yours once and never second-guess it.
Regret #1: Buying for One When the Whole Household Wants In
The most common sizing mistake is buying for the person who wanted the sauna rather than for everyone who will end up using it. A partner who was lukewarm at checkout often becomes a nightly regular, and suddenly a compact unit means taking turns, waiting for it to reheat, or giving up the shared session that made the evening feel like a ritual.
Before choosing a size, think about how you'll actually use it: alone in the morning, with a partner after dinner, or with family on weekends. Also consider whether you want room to lie down or stretch, which a 2-person bench rarely allows. Our guide on what sauna size is best for a family goes deeper, but the rule of thumb is simple: if you're torn between two sizes and have the space, the bigger one is the decision people rarely regret.
Regret #2: Discovering the Electrical Requirement After Delivery
Many buyers assume a sauna plugs into any wall outlet. Most infrared saunas do run on 120 volts, but the specifics matter: some models call for a dedicated 15-amp circuit, others a dedicated 20-amp circuit, and traditional and larger saunas often need 240-volt service. Finding that out after the boxes arrive can mean weeks of waiting for an electrician while your new sauna sits in the garage.
Check the electrical line on the product page before you order, and have a licensed electrician look at your panel if you're unsure whether a dedicated circuit is available where you want the sauna. Don't plan to run it from an extension cord: the Electrical Safety Foundation International notes that extension cords are meant to be a temporary solution and should not be used long-term or permanently. Getting the circuit sorted before delivery day is one of the easiest regrets to avoid.
Regret #3: Underestimating Delivery Day
A home sauna arrives as several heavy boxes on a pallet, not as a small parcel on your porch. Under the Salus shipping policy, standard delivery is curbside or to your driveway, the driver isn't obligated to move or break down the pallet, and the carrier usually calls about 24 hours ahead to set a delivery window. Salus recommends having at least two people available to accept and review the delivery, and four to six people for flatbed deliveries.
Plan the path from the curb to the sauna's final spot before the truck arrives: doorways, stairs, tight turns, and who will help carry. Inspect the boxes immediately and note "subject to inspection" on the delivery receipt, because there is only a five-day window from delivery to file a shipping damage claim. A little planning turns delivery day into an afternoon project instead of a scramble.
Regret #4: Opening the Boxes Before You're Sure
Second thoughts happen, and the timing of them matters. Under the current shipping policy, an order cancelled within 24 hours receives a full refund, while cancellations after that grace period and before shipment carry a 20% restocking fee. Returns are possible within 14 days of receipt only if the pallet or packaging was never opened, and they involve return shipping and a restocking fee of up to 20%.
The practical lesson: do your measuring, electrical check, and size decision before you order, and confirm everything once more before you cut the first strap. If you have a question about fit or features, ask before the packaging comes off. Policies can change, so read the current terms on the day you buy.
Regret #5: Skipping the Health Conversation
Some buyers find out after purchase that their doctor wants them to be cautious with heat. Harvard Health flags uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, low blood pressure, valve disease, and heart failure as reasons to check with a physician before starting sauna use. Pregnancy, certain medications, and other conditions can also change how your body handles heat.
A five-minute conversation with your doctor before you buy is far better than a surprise after. It can also shape your choice: many people prefer the lower air temperatures of an infrared sauna, and Harvard Health suggests starting with sessions as short as five minutes and building up gradually. Our Sauna Safety 101 guide covers the basics of a safe first week, including hydration and the warning signs to step out.
Regret #6: Putting It Where You'll Never Use It
The sauna you use is the one that's convenient. Owners who tuck theirs into a far corner of an unfinished basement or a cold garage often find the routine fades within a few months, while those who place it near the bedroom, the home gym, or the shower tend to use it daily. For infrared models, placement also affects performance: some product pages recommend an indoor ambient temperature of around 70°F for the sauna to reach its intended range.
This is where owning a sauna beats a spa membership: the best session is the one you can take at 6 a.m. or 9 p.m. without driving anywhere. Choose a spot along your daily path, with enough ventilation, clearance for the door, and a nearby place to cool down, and the habit tends to take care of itself.
Regret #7: Not Reading the Warranty and Running Costs
Warranties vary more than buyers expect, by model, by component, and by where you bought. The Federal Trade Commission recommends reading a warranty before you buy so you understand what's covered and for how long. For Salus, the warranty page lists terms by model and component, and coverage applies to saunas purchased directly from Salus, so check the specific terms for the model you're considering.
Running costs are the other overlooked line item. The U.S. Department of Energy's appliance energy guide offers a simple formula: wattage times hours used per day, divided by 1,000, gives daily kilowatt-hours, which you can multiply by your utility's rate. Look up the sauna's wattage and your rate before you buy, and you'll know the monthly cost instead of guessing.
A Free Checklist Before You Click Buy
Most of these regrets come down to a handful of questions answered too late: how many people, which circuit, what path in, which room, and what the fine print says.
Our free At-Home Sauna Buyer's Guide puts those questions in one place, with sizing, electrical requirements, and how sauna types and temperature ranges compare, so you can work through them at your own pace before you commit to a model.
The Size Most Households Grow Into
If sizing is the regret you most want to avoid, the Luxen 4-Person Near Zero EMF Infrared Sauna is a practical middle ground. Its interior measures 68 by 37 inches, roomy enough for two to stretch out or for three or four to sit together, while its 74-by-42-inch exterior fits in many spare rooms and basements. As an infrared sauna, it uses nine near-zero EMF far-infrared carbon heating panels, with an ideal range of 118°F to 132°F and a maximum of 140°F.
It also addresses several regrets on this list. It runs on a dedicated 120-volt, 20-amp circuit rather than 240 volts, so you know the electrical requirement up front. It ships in three boxes, assembles with two people in two to six hours using clasp-together construction, and is built from reforested Canadian hemlock with chromotherapy lighting, Bluetooth audio, and a bronze-tinted tempered glass door. It is designed for indoor use only.
Explore other sizes and price points:
Prices shown reflect pricing on the date this article was published. Contact us for current pricing and more information.
Read the Reviews Before You Read the Spec Sheet
The best way to avoid someone else's regret is to read about it first. Salus Saunas keeps a public, third-party profile on Trustpilot, where owners describe the whole experience: the sauna itself, delivery, assembly, and customer service. Read the critical reviews as closely as the glowing ones, because they show you exactly what to plan for.
Look for patterns rather than single stories. If several reviewers mention planning the delivery path or checking the circuit in advance, that's the kind of practical lesson this article is built on. Reviews won't tell you which model is right for your home, but they will tell you what questions to ask before you choose.
Paying for It Without a Financing Regret
The Luxen is $4,695, with compact models in the carousel above starting at $2,995. Salus Saunas offers financing through Affirm and Synchrony, with Synchrony currently offering financing starting at 0% APR over 18 months for qualified buyers. For the Luxen, that works out to roughly $261 a month over that term before any down payment.
The financing regret to avoid is misreading the terms. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that with a true 0% offer, interest applies only to any balance left after the promotion ends, while with deferred interest, unpaid balances can be charged all the interest that built up from the purchase date. Ask which kind of offer you're getting before you sign. Salus accepts FSA cards but is not currently set up to accept HSA cards directly; it also works with Truemed, which uses a health survey to determine individual HSA/FSA eligibility.
The Best Sauna Is the One You Never Second-Guess
Every regret on this list has the same cure: a few honest questions asked before you buy instead of after. How many people will really use it? Which circuit will power it? Who will help on delivery day? Where will it sit so you'll use it every day? What does the warranty cover, and what kind of financing offer is it? Answer those, check in with your doctor, and the sauna that arrives will be the one you meant to buy.
If you'd like a second set of eyes on those answers, our sauna specialists can walk through your space, your electrical setup, and how many people will use it, and help you choose a model you'll be glad you picked a year from now.
Frequently Asked Questions for First-Time Sauna Buyers
1. What's the most common first-time sauna buying mistake?
Choosing a size based on price rather than real use. If others in your home are likely to join you, size up. Harvard Health's overview of sauna use is a good starting point on how sessions work.
2. Can I plug a home sauna into an extension cord?
No. Use the dedicated circuit the product page specifies. ESFI advises that extension cords should not be used long-term or permanently.
3. Do I need an electrician?
If you don't already have the required dedicated circuit, yes. ESFI recommends a qualified electrician who is licensed, insured, and bonded in your state and pulls any required permits.
4. How many people do I need on delivery day?
Salus recommends at least two for standard deliveries and four to six for flatbed deliveries. OSHA notes that loads over about 50 pounds raise injury risk, so plan on two or more people per heavy box.
5. What should I do if a box arrives damaged?
Note "subject to inspection" on the receipt and report it within five days of delivery. The FTC's mail-order rule also explains shipping rights for online orders.
6. What should I look for in a sauna warranty?
Coverage length for each component, who the warranty applies to, and what voids it. The FTC's warranty guide lists the key questions to ask before you buy.
7. How do I estimate what a sauna will cost to run?
Multiply wattage by daily hours, divide by 1,000, and multiply by your utility rate, per the Department of Energy's formula.
8. Is 0% financing always interest-free?
Not necessarily. The CFPB explains how deferred-interest offers differ from true 0% APR offers. Ask which one you're getting.
9. Should I talk to my doctor before buying a sauna?
Yes, especially with heart or blood pressure concerns, which Harvard Health flags as reasons to consult a physician first.
10. Can I use an HSA or FSA for a sauna?
It depends on your situation. See IRS Publication 502 for the rules on qualifying medical expenses, and check with your plan administrator.
11. What are the warning signs to stop a session?
Dizziness, headache, nausea, or weakness. The CDC lists these among the signs of heat-related illness.
