This Barrel Sauna Can Withstand the Elements and Looks Great in Any Backyard

4 min readI REALLY ENJOY trying out new products and gear, especially when it comes to home gym equipment and recovery products. That's probably one of the reasons I ended up as the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. If there is a chance to try out a new squat rack, punching bag, cold plunge, or massage gun, I'm taking it.So when some space opened up in my backyard, enough to install a Finnish-style sauna, I jumped on the opportunity. I took my time and drew on all my previous experience with the best saunas to make a selection, and after careful consideration, I decided on the Almost Heaven 2-Person Salem Barrel as a new recovery oasis. It just so happened that our Editorial Director Richard Dormant had also recently installed a new sauna, but his was for a basement recovery area. So the difference here was that I needed a unit that could withstand the elements outdoors.ProsPerfect aesthetic and build for outdoor useQuick-heating with efficient heat circulationEasy DIY assemblyConsNot ideal for indoor useInvestment-level priceThe ExperienceI went with the Almost Heaven Salem Barrel Sauna because it offers a distinctive, rustic charm that instantly elevates any backyard or outdoor space. The aesthetically pleasing barrel shape, combined with its cedar construction, made it the perfect piece to have out amongst the trees. Built from high-quality, thick cedar, the Salem feels sturdy and has a satisfying natural aroma that enhances the overall sauna experience. Bonus points go to Almost Heaven for building these saunas here in the United States.The barrel design isn’t just for aesthetics either—the curved shape promotes efficient heat circulation and minimizes warm-up time, creating a consistently cozy environment inside. On top of that, it allows the top to shed rain and snow naturally, and given that this unit was for use in Upstate New York, that was a big plus.Charles Thorp (@charlesthorp)The barrel is designed to shed the elements like rain or snow.Set UpThe sauna usually arrives in four boxes of various sizes. In addition to the instructions that come in the box, there are a few tutorials that Almost Heaven has on its site. You can manage solo thanks to pre-cut components that slide in easily, but ideally you have someone who can jump in to help from time to time. It took me just about four hours with a few breaks, though I’ve had experience setting up saunas in the past.On top of the pieces that come in the box, you will need a cordless drill, step stool, rubber mallet, tape measure, and a level to really do the build correctly.If you live in an area that has a lot of tough weather, you might want to consider also investing in a sauna jacket or a some sort of covering. If you don't, the unit still should be fine; just know you might start seeing some weathering on the wood. Staining it after installation is another way to avoid anything looking too roughed up.A big must is picking an area for it to live that’s level and on solid ground (preferably a deck, concrete pad, pavers, or stone) or you could experience warping over time, which is common in most wood saunas as they heat up.The HeatCharles Thorp (@charlesthorp)The Almost Heaven Salem comes with a Harvia electric heater and stones.Speaking of heat, I found the Harvia electric heater that comes with this unit extremely effective, and it usually reaches a suitable temperature in just 20 minutes. It comes with sauna stones that you douse with water to kick up the heat a notch while you are in there. The temperature can be adjusted fairly quickly, and I’m usually not topping out the heat, sitting around 180 degrees, and keep it around 15 minutes.For powering the heater, you will need a 240V outlet on a 30-amp circuit for the heater (a standard 110V and 15-amp circuit is needed for the lighting). It is recommended that the heater be on its own dedicated circuit. If you don’t have these outlets already available, you’ll definitely want to hire a licensed electrician to install them or hardwire everything into your electrical panel.I am more of an evening sauna guy, so I usually turn on the sauna sometime after dinner. I find that my sleep hits a little better after I’ve had a nice sauna and shower, especially when I’ve worked out. Keep in mind that sauna can affect your cardio, so doing a session before your workout or training might slow you down a bit.Final ThoughtsThe Almost Heaven Salem is a very solid pick for anyone looking for a barrel sauna for their backyard, patio, or deck. Sure, there are more expensive units out there with more tech and more glass, like the Sunlighten or the Sun Home, which offer a more premium experience, if you are looking for something in-home.But I do really enjoy this kind of design and the wood-centric sauna experience. The 2-person option is great because it allows you to recover with a partner, or if you are doing a solo session, gives you even more space to spread out and soak in the heat.ProsPerfect aesthetic and build for outdoor useQuick-heating with efficient heat circulationEasy DIY assemblyConsNot ideal for indoor useInvestment-level priceOther Saunas We RecommendmPulse AspireCredit: Courtesy of RetailerSun Home Luminar 5-PersonNow 4% OffCredit: Courtesy of RetailerCharles Thorp is the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world. Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.