SaunaLife vs Redwood Outdoors: Which Outdoor Sauna Kit?
SaunaLife vs Redwood Outdoors: thermo-spruce kits with a lifetime warranty but no heater, against kits with a Harvia heater included and a one-year structural warranty.
The short answer
Choose SaunaLife for the better materials and a lifetime warranty if you're happy to source a heater and pay freight. Choose Redwood Outdoors for a complete kit with a Harvia heater included and a lower total cost, accepting a one-year structural warranty and long lead times.
SaunaLifeSaunaLife CL5G Cube
About $6,000 + about $950 shipping (heater extra)
Check priceRead the full review
SaunaLife vs Redwood Outdoors at a glance
| Warranty | SaunaLife Limited lifetime vs 1-year limited on the Redwood structure. |
|---|---|
| Heater included | Redwood Outdoors Every Redwood kit ships with a 6kW Harvia KIP; SaunaLife heaters cost $1,200–$3,000 extra. |
| Materials | SaunaLife Thermally modified spruce and knotless thermo-aspen throughout; Redwood uses FSC heat-treated hemlock/Thermowood. |
| Total cost | Redwood Outdoors Cabin ~$7,300 with heater vs CL5G ~$6,000 + ~$950 freight + heater. |
| Lead time | SaunaLife (typically) Redwood owners report 10 weeks to 4+ months. |
| Instructions | Neither Owners of both criticise assembly and roofing instructions. |
Specs side by side
| SaunaLife CL5G Cube | Redwood Outdoors Cabin | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Traditional; electric heater sold separately (6–8kW recommended) | Traditional, 6kW Harvia KIP heater (included) |
| Capacity | 4 people (comfortable for 2–3) | 4 people |
| Max temperature | Traditional heat (owners report 150–230°F depending on heater and climate) | Traditional heat (an owner’s high-limit switch cut in near 175°F; recalibration offered) |
| Power | 240V for the heater (electrician install) | 240V for the heater + 120V lighting |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | 1-year limited on the sauna; Harvia heater warranty separate |
| Price | About $6,000 + about $950 shipping (heater extra) | About $7,300 (heater included) |
| Best for | The best all-round outdoor sauna kit | A complete cabin with the heater in the box |
Specs from manufacturer pages; prices checked October 2026.
SaunaLife and Redwood Outdoors are two of the most popular outdoor sauna kit brands in the US, and their four-person cube cabins, the SaunaLife CL5G and the Redwood Outdoors Cabin, are close rivals. As of October 2026, the core trade-off is simple. SaunaLife has better materials and a lifetime warranty but no heater. Redwood includes a Harvia heater but warrants the structure for just one year.
What’s in the box
SaunaLife CL5G (about $5,990): thermo-spruce shell, full bronze-glass front, knotless thermo-aspen benches, backrest, heater guard and Wi-Fi LED lighting. No heater. Freight is about $950.
Redwood Outdoors Cabin (about $7,299): cabin with two-level seating and gravity venting, a 6kW Harvia KIP heater, rocks and roofing, with Wi-Fi heater upgrades available.
Add a $1,200–$3,000 heater and freight to the SaunaLife and the totals converge, often with Redwood cheaper.
Materials and build
SaunaLife uses 42mm thermally modified spruce for the shell and knotless thermo-aspen for the benches, handcrafted in Northern Europe. Owners describe the CL5G as “solid and sturdy”. Redwood uses FSC-certified heat-treated wood. A 4-person Cabin owner praises the Thermowood’s look and “very good firewood smell”, while other Redwood owners report trim cracking after a rainy year and heater screws loosening. Several Redditors say Redwood sources from overseas factories.
Heat
Both reach proper traditional temperatures. A SaunaLife owner in Iowa reports just over 200°F at head height in sub-20°F weather. A Redwood Cabin owner found the included heater’s high-limit switch cut in near 175°F, and Redwood offers a recalibration to reach 195°F.
Warranty and service
- SaunaLife: limited lifetime warranty, the best of any kit we compared. Owners praise knowledgeable dealer staff.
- Redwood Outdoors: 1-year limited on the structure, with the Harvia heater warranted separately. Trustpilot 4.3/5 from about 359 reviews. Support experiences range from “excellent” to missed callbacks.
Delivery and assembly
Redwood owners report 10 weeks to four months, with pallets left in the driveway. Both brands’ instructions draw criticism: SaunaLife owners say “the instructions are bad for sure”, and Redwood’s roofing instructions are a common Trustpilot complaint. Both are realistic weekend builds for handy owners with a helper.
Which should you buy?
- Choose SaunaLife if you want the best materials and a lifetime warranty, and don’t mind choosing a heater.
- Choose Redwood Outdoors if you want everything in one box at the lowest total, and can live with a one-year warranty.
Read the full SaunaLife CL5G review and Redwood Outdoors Cabin review. For two-person options, compare the SaunaLife CL3G with the Redwood Duo.
FAQ
Is SaunaLife or Redwood Outdoors better?
SaunaLife is better built and better warrantied, with thermally modified wood and a lifetime warranty. Redwood Outdoors is the more complete package, with a Harvia heater included, and usually costs less all-in.
Does SaunaLife include a heater?
No. SaunaLife kits ship without a heater, and SaunaLife recommends 4.5–8kW depending on the model. Redwood Outdoors includes a 6kW Harvia KIP with every sauna.
How long does Redwood Outdoors take to deliver?
Owners report 10 to 12 weeks commonly, and up to four months or more. One buyer passed 15 weeks with missed callbacks before receiving a new estimate.