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Redwood Saunas by Redwood Outdoors is one of the most recognized sauna brands in North America. If you’ve been shopping around for a home sauna online, chances are you’ve already stumbled across their saunas.
In this in-depth Redwood Sauna vs Secret Saunas comparison, we’ll cut through the marketing noise and give you the raw, honest, and balanced insight you need so you can make a decision you won’t regret.
As this review will show, the choice between Redwood Saunas and Secret Saunas comes down to what matters most to you—whether it’s the most affordable entry-level kits or premium, feature-rich options. Picking the right brand ensures you’ll enjoy not only the sauna itself, but also personalized support, professional guidance, and a hassle-free buying experience.
We’ll let you decide for yourself after going through this indepth review.
Both Redwood Saunas and Secret Saunas carry a wide selection of home saunas and sauna kits, including popular barrel saunas, cube saunas, and indoor or outdoor models of varying capacity.
If variety is what you’re after, you’ll find no shortage of options from either retailer. But once you dig a little deeper, the differences in quality, customer experience, and long-term value begin to stand out.
Since its inception in 2019, Redwood Outdoors has grown quickly by offering a broad catalog of saunas at different price points. For shoppers looking to get started with sauna ownership, their lineup can be appealing because of its accessibility and wide availability.
You’ll find one-person indoor saunas for compact spaces, as well as large six-person outdoor builds designed for backyard entertaining. Redwood also offers cold plunges as well as accessories such as heaters, covers, and lighting kits.
The company’s wide reach has made them a go-to choice for many first-time buyers. Affordable entry-level models mean you don’t have to spend top-dollar to enjoy a traditional sauna at home, and their broad product range ensures there’s something to match most spaces and budgets.
Secret Saunas approaches the sauna experience differently. Instead of carrying every type of sauna on the market, they’re highly selective and only work with trusted manufacturers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Every model they sell meets strict standards for quality, safety, and durability.
In addition, the team at Secret Saunas believes in giving customers comprehensive support at every step of the sauna ownership journey. From research to purchase, assembly, and aftersales support, you have access to responsive, knowledgeable customer support.
For homeowners who value peace of mind and long-term reliability, Secret Saunas stands out as the more trustworthy choice. They deliver the same variety you’d expect from a leading sauna retailer, but without the hassles that can sometimes come with mass-market brands.
Explore the Secret Saunas collection and enjoy fast, reliable shipping with unparalleled customer support.
Redwood Saunas offers sauna kits built from sauna-grade softwoods, such as cedar and selected thermowoods. These offer superb moisture resistant, elegant fit-and-finish, and cool comfort.
That said, some long-term owners have noted fit-and-finish challenges, such as boards that require extra persuasion, occasional splits or warping, and hardware quality concerns, particularly on the lower-priced models.
These issues aren’t unique to Redwood and can occur with many sauna kits, but they do call for a bit of patience and some dexterity with basic tools to address.
Benefit: Attractive solid wood construction with that classic Scandinavian look, good curb appeal and proven heat and moisture resistance for fraction of the cost of a custom sauna.
Most Redwood sauna kits come equipped with popular heater brands, such as Harvia. This helps with reliability and parts availability. For the most part, Redwood saunas perform well without major reported issues with heat loss, ventilation, rot, or warping.
Sauna purists may have a bone to pick with minor details such as sensor placement, ceiling clearance, and stable airflow. However, these are the trade-offs for getting a compact and affordable sauna. When set up correctly, most owners report satisfying heat cycles and daily-use durability.
Benefits: Familiar heater ecosystems and solid thermal performance once dialed in, with community knowledge to troubleshoot finer points.
As with most sauna kits, Redwood Saunas tend to offer the best value for capable DIYers. Provided delivery arrives with all parts and clear instructions, one handy person with a helper can usually complete the build over a weekend.
That being said, some sauna designs are simpler than others. Barrel saunas, for example, are especially popular because they require no special tools and come together relatively easily, with only a steel strap holding things together.
The main challenges typically arise from shipping or build quality issues, such as damaged timber, hardware quirks, or unclear instructions. Without proper guidance, some owners find themselves improvising steps, like roofing or shingle placement, or even swapping out fasteners to make assembly smoother.
It’s also worth noting that larger sauna models may need a hardwired electrical connection. In those cases, it’s best to consult a licensed electrician ahead of time and get a quote, so there are no surprises on installation day.
Benefit: You get to enjoy your sauna without hiring a sauna installation contractor.
Redwood Outdoors sits in the mid-to-upper price band for kit saunas. For $4k-$8.5k, you get a two to six-person sauna of your choice complete with a heater and some basic accessories.
This is right within the price range of most sauna shoppers and well below the cost of a fully customized sauna, which can exceed $15k depending on your needs.
From reviews and forums, we can tell most buyers consider Redwood Outdoor’s saunas to be good value if no issues emerge outright. However, the company only offers one year warranty coverage, which many buyers feel is insufficient for such a high-ticket purchase.
With reports of long-term durability issues, this can be a deal-breaker for many buyers. Premium manufacturers and resellers, such as Secret Saunas, offer a limited lifetime warranty, which covers the sauna structure, hardware (such as door locks), controls, and electric components.
Benefit: Competitive entry to “real wood, real stones” sauna ownership—but be sure to weigh the price against your expectations.
As you would expect with any popular sauna brand, feedback on Redwood Outdoors spans the spectrum. You’ll find happy customers praising quick shipments and helpful troubleshooting, alongside various complaints about long lead times.
The thing is, the unhappy customers tend to be very vocal, especially when missing or damaged parts are involved and it takes months for replacement parts to arrive. This is typical of brands whose manufacturing or customer service is not local.
Benefit: When it goes smoothly, buyers report a fast and effective solution for a home sauna, but do factor in time for potential delays or post-delivery parts coordination.
Redwood Saunas has plenty of appeal, especially for budget-conscious buyers looking for lots of options. But they aren’t the best fit for everyone.
Importantly, Redwood Saunas may not be ideal for buyers who need fast, guaranteed delivery or highly responsive post-purchase support.
While some customers report smooth experiences, there are many reports of extremely long shipping timelines (often months), delayed replacement parts, and slow communication during peak seasons.
Secondly, Redwood Saunas may not be for you if you want long-term warranty protection. The company’s limited one-year coverage may feel restrictive compared to competitors who offer longer peace of mind. It may imply lack of confidence in the saunas’ long-term durability.
When it comes to kit saunas, you want to be absolutely sure you get the best in terms of quality and support. At some point you’re going to need replacement parts, upgrades, or help with other issues.
If you want worry-free ownership with guaranteed support and extended coverage, you may want to consider alternatives with more comprehensive support such as Secret Saunas..
Secret Saunas is much more than a sauna reseller. They carefully curate their sauna selection to only include high-quality saunas from manufacturers based in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
In fact, the founders have visited each brand, vetting manufacturing processes to ensure only top-tier craftsmanship makes it into their collection. This thread of selective sourcing is apparent in popular models such as the SaunaLife Model G2 shown below.
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SaunaLife Model G2 Outdoor Home Sauna Kit 4 Persons |
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The SaunaLife G2 features Grade-A Nordic spruce wall beams, knot-free Aspen benches, tempered glass doors, and LED lighting with Wi-Fi app control, among other top performance features.
Heating performance is the foundation of any great sauna. By partnering directly with trusted manufacturers, Secret Saunas ensures that every model delivers consistent, efficient heating and reliable ventilation.
A well-designed sauna isn’t just about getting hot. It’s also about how evenly the warmth circulates, how quickly the room reaches temperature, and how well that climate is maintained without excessive energy use, even in the depths of winter.
Details like vent placement, air channels, bench height, and heater quality all play a role in creating a comfortable environment that stays inviting during longer sessions without feeling stuffy.
To give customers the best options, Secret Saunas also carries heaters from respected brands such as HUUM, Harvia, and Saunum.
Benefits: Even warmth distribution with no cold spots, balanced humidity control, and long-term reliability with the best of everything.
In addition to helping you source for the absolute best quality saunas, Secret Saunas also takes pride in giving our customers a streamlined ownership journey.
The entire team—including the founders—is hands-on and available to provide personalized guidance. From shipping to installation and beyond, Secret Saunas delivers comprehensive support every step of the way, giving them a clear edge in an area where the sauna industry often falls short.
By partnering with trusted American, Canadian, and European manufacturers, Secret Saunas ensures exceptionally fast delivery times along with responsive customer support. Unlike resellers that rely on lower-cost imports with long wait times, Secret Saunas guarantees reliable quality, straightforward assembly, and full support from start to finish.
Benefit: Few surprises and plenty of support from ordering through installation and aftersales, which is a big help if you’re building without a contractor.
Note that Secret Saunas does not offer any Chinese or Asian manufactured saunas and all shipments are made from inside the United States or Canada.
Secret Saunas positions itself clearly in the premium segment. With a carefully curated sauna selection and comprehensive professional support, the premium pricing is well worth the peace of mind.
For instance, the Model G2 we highlighted above comes with free shipping, free returns within 30 days, and a lifetime warranty, which is a reassuring package for high-investment purchases.
Note that Secret Saunas offers a lowest price guarantee. If you find a lower price for any products you purchased, they will beat it by $50 for products listed over $2000.
Benefit: You're buying premium saunas at the best prices, plus comprehensive coverage and professional support for peace of mind and long-term value.
Secret Saunas customers often highlight the boutique buying experience. The company earns consistent praise for attentive, proactive customer service, with stellar feedback across Trustpilot and other platforms. Over 90% of reviews are 5 stars, many noting the personal guidance and support received throughout the process.
Of course, minor build challenges can happen with any sauna kit, but Secret Saunas makes resolving them simple. Customers benefit from responsive support, quick shipping on replacement parts, and direct connections to manufacturers for bigger issues.
In many cases, they can even provide real-time support during assembly, thus helping to make the setup process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Benefit: When you purchase a sauna from Secret Saunas, they don’t just dump a crate of parts in your front yard. They offer professional support throughout, including after-sales support to minimize hassle and inconveniences.
Secret Saunas strives to offer the best sauna purchase journey for all customers. However, some people may not find it a good fit.
In particular, if you’re primarily searching for the lowest-cost sauna option, you may find Secret Saunas outside your budget. The company focuses on quality craftsmanship, responsive customer support, and long-term durability, which comes at a higher price point than some mass-market alternatives.
As noted above, Secret Saunas only stocks American, Canadian, and European saunas and sauna accessories. They do not offer any Chinese or Asian-made products, which can be found for lower prices in other online stores.
If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest sauna and don’t care too much about heating performance, durability, or quality materials, we encourage you to explore the cheaper options.
In short, Secret Saunas is best for buyers who want a reliable, lasting investment in their wellness routine. If your main hurdle is money, explore the more affordable infrared saunas in the Secret Saunas collection.
You can also check your eligibility for sauna financing with HSA/FSA funds.
When deciding between Redwood Saunas and Secret Saunas, it really comes down to what you value most in your sauna experience.
Redwood Saunas by Redwood Outdoors is a great option if you’re looking for a more affordable entry point into sauna ownership and want access to a wide variety of styles and sizes.
For casual buyers who just want to add a sauna to their backyard or home without making a long-term, high-end investment, Redwood’s broad lineup can be an attractive option. Just be prepared for a more hands-on assembly process, a shorter warranty, and some variability in customer service.
On the other hand, Secret Saunas is built for the discerning buyer. Whether you’re purchasing your very first sauna or expanding an existing wellness routine, this is the option for those who value premium craftsmanship, dependable coverage, and personalized support.
Because Secret Saunas is highly selective about the products it carries, customers avoid the pitfalls of mass-produced, low-end imports. By partnering only with trusted North American and European manufacturers, the company ensures sauna ownership is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Explore both brands and weigh each one’s strengths against your needs to help you make your decision.
I'm Jasper Knight, the founder of SecretSaunas.com. During my travels through Finland and Scandinavia in 2018 I was introduced to the thrilling local ritual of taking daily hot saunas and then cooling off by plunging into the dark icy waters of a frozen lake. This experience was so fulfilling that it felt like an addiction. My desire to return to the forests and lakes of Northern Europe led me to set up Secret Saunas with the mission of bringing that authentic Finnish sauna experiences home.
