SaunaLife CL5G Review: The Best Outdoor Sauna Kit?
SaunaLife CL5G review: a 4-person thermo-spruce cube with a glass front and lifetime warranty. Owners report 200°F in Iowa winters and warn about instructions and freight.
The SaunaLife CL5G is the best all-round outdoor sauna kit. Its thermo-spruce cube has proper two-tier benches and a limited lifetime warranty, and owners report 200°F in sub-20°F weather, but the heater and about $950 freight are extra.
- Best for
- The best all-round outdoor sauna kit
- Skip it if
- You want a single price with the heater included. Redwood includes one.
- Price
- About $6,000 + about $950 shipping (heater extra)
SaunaLife CL5G Cube specs
| Type | Traditional; electric heater sold separately (6–8kW recommended) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 people (comfortable for 2–3) |
| Max temperature | Traditional heat (owners report 150–230°F depending on heater and climate) |
| Power | 240V for the heater (electrician install) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
| Price | About $6,000 + about $950 shipping (heater extra) (checked October 2026) |
| Size | 80.7″W × 63″D × 82.7″H (exterior), 1,680 lb shipping |
What we like
- Thermo-spruce shell is rot-resistant and built for year-round outdoor use
- Flat walls allow a proper two-tier bench layout
- Full-height glass front keeps it bright
- Limited lifetime warranty
What we don't
- Heater sold separately (budget $1,200–$3,000)
- About $950 freight on top of the kit
- Owners say the instructions are poor
The SaunaLife CL5G is a four-person outdoor cube sauna made from thermally modified spruce, with a full-height bronze-glass front and knotless thermo-aspen benches. As of October 2026, it’s our #1 pick for the best outdoor sauna. One owner reports holding just above 200°F at head height on a sub-20°F Iowa night. The kit is $5,990, but the heater, freight and electrical work are extra.
Is the SaunaLife CL5G worth it?
The SaunaLife CL5G is worth it if you want a proper traditional sauna outdoors without a custom build. Its flat walls allow two-tier benches across the full width, which gives a hotter, more even session than most barrels. The limited lifetime warranty is the best of any kit we compared.
Great for
- Two to three adults who sauna together regularly
- Cold climates (thermally modified wood handles freeze-thaw cycles)
- Buyers who want real steam (löyly) on hot rocks
Skip it if
- You want everything in one box. The Redwood Cabin includes a heater.
- You only need room for two. The SaunaLife CL3G is smaller and cheaper.
Heat and performance
The SaunaLife CL5G’s heat depends on the heater you choose (6–8kW recommended), and owners report strong results. A CL5G-class owner in Iowa sees just over 200°F at head height after an hour’s warm-up with outside temperatures under 20°F. They add that the foot bench is noticeably cooler, so they sit on the upper bench leaning on the side wall.
Another CL5G owner with a HUUM Drop 7.5kW heater runs it at 150–160°F by choice, and says it will push far hotter in their warm climate. They placed the temperature sensor at shoulder height and the thermometer about head height on the opposite wall from the heater.
Size, power and installation
The SaunaLife CL5G measures 80.7″ W × 63″ D × 82.7″ H outside and 77.2″ × 55.1″ × 74.8″ inside. It ships flat-packed by LTL freight at about 1,680 lb, so plan delivery access and help to move it.
Power: 240V for the heater, hardwired by a licensed electrician. A 6kW heater draws about 25 amps, and an 8kW heater about 33 amps.
Base: one owner built a raised platform and poured a concrete base so storm runoff could flow underneath. Check setback rules first. Requirements range from none to several feet from property lines.
Assembly: the same owner did nearly all of it alone, needing help only for the front and back panels. Another says, “the instructions are bad for sure”, and recommends watching general barrel and cube build videos first.
Build quality and durability
The SaunaLife CL5G uses 42mm thermally modified spruce for the shell and knotless thermo-aspen for the benches, handcrafted in Northern Europe. Thermal modification improves rot and moisture resistance without chemicals. Owners call it “solid and sturdy”. Sauna purists note the interior height of 74.8″ is lower than a custom build, which limits how high the top bench can sit, a common kit compromise.
Features and extras
- Full bronze tempered glass front (8mm). Owners say it removes any claustrophobic feeling.
- Wi-Fi LED lighting with app and remote
- Double-layer shingled roof with drip rails
- Heater guard and built-in ventilation
Several SaunaLife owners add an inline duct fan on the lower vent to reverse airflow and reduce head-to-toe temperature differences. One calls it a “huge upgrade”.
What owners say
- Heat: 200°F at head height in sub-20°F weather, and comfortable for two to three people.
- Build: “solid and sturdy”, and assembly is mostly a one-person job.
- Instructions: consistently criticised.
- Shipping: SaunaLife charges about $950 freight. Several owners got it waived by asking their dealer.
- Doors: owners of SaunaLife’s glass-front barrels report hinge and seal problems, so inspect the CL5G’s door hardware at assembly.
Warranty and customer service
The SaunaLife CL5G carries a limited lifetime warranty, the longest of the outdoor kits we compared. Owners praise dealer staff who know the product well. One dealer’s representative helped a buyer through the design trade-offs.
Price and total cost
| Cost | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| CL5G kit | $5,990 |
| Freight | About $950 (sometimes waived) |
| 6–8kW heater + controls | $1,200–$3,000 |
| 240V electrical + permit | $500–$2,500 |
| Base or platform | $500–$2,000 |
| Typical total | $9,000–$14,000 |
A 6kW heater costs roughly $1 per session to run.
SaunaLife CL5G vs Redwood Outdoors Cabin
The Redwood Outdoors Cabin is a similar four-person cabin that includes a 6kW Harvia heater, rocks and roofing for about $7,300, so its total is often lower. The CL5G has the stronger warranty (lifetime versus one year), thermally modified wood throughout and a full glass front. Read our Redwood Outdoors Cabin review.
Final verdict
The SaunaLife CL5G is the outdoor kit we’d choose for most backyards. It combines a well-made thermo-spruce shell, a real bench layout and a lifetime warranty. Budget honestly for the heater, freight and electrical work, ask your dealer to waive shipping, and plan to watch some build videos before you start.
How we rated the SaunaLife CL5G Cube
Our rating is based on verified specifications and owner reports, not hands-on testing. How we research and score.
| Heat and performance | 4.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Build quality and owner-reported reliability | 4.6 | |
| Ease of setup and installation | 3.6 | |
| Warranty and customer service | 4.0 | |
| Value for money | 4.3 | |
| Overall | 4.2 |
Head-to-head: SaunaLife vs Redwood Outdoors
Featured in: Best outdoor saunas (#1)
SaunaLife CL5G Cube FAQ
How hot does the SaunaLife CL5G get?
It depends on the heater you pair it with. A CL5G-class owner in Iowa reports just above 200°F at head height after an hour's warm-up with outside temperatures under 20°F. Another owner with a HUUM Drop 7.5kW says it can exceed 200°F in a warm climate.
Does the SaunaLife CL5G include a heater?
No. The CL5G kit includes the shell, glass front, benches, backrest, heater guard and Wi-Fi LED lighting, but the electric heater and controls are chosen separately. SaunaLife recommends 6–8kW.
How much does the SaunaLife CL5G cost in total?
The kit lists at $5,990, plus about $950 freight, $1,200–$3,000 for a heater, $500–$2,500 for 240V electrical work and a level base. Most owners land between $9,000 and $11,000.
How hard is the SaunaLife CL5G to assemble?
One owner built nearly all of it alone, needing a second person only for the front and back panels. Owners agree the instructions are poor and recommend watching build videos first.