Short answer: choose a sauna if you want intense dry heat, a quiet ritual, and very little upkeep, since there's no water to treat. Choose a hot tub if you want to soak in warm water, use jets, and relax longer at a gentler temperature. Hot tubs need regular water testing, chemicals, filter care, and draining; a sauna needs a dry cabin and occasional wood care.
Blazin builds traditional outdoor saunas in Sugi cedar, handmade in East Idaho. We don't sell hot tubs, so here's an honest comparison of how living with each one differs.
How is the heat different?
A sauna heats the air; a hot tub heats the water around you. A traditional sauna runs much hotter than a hot tub, and you sit in it for shorter rounds. You can add steam by ladling water on the stones. A hot tub holds warm water, typically around 100 to 104°F, so sessions are gentler and often longer, and buoyancy takes weight off your joints.
Our pods, Pod Mini, cubes, 2 Person Barrel, XL Barrel, and Timberline list 175 to 230°F for the included heater. See How to use an outdoor sauna for a first-session walkthrough.
Which needs less maintenance?
A sauna, by a wide margin. There is no water to balance. After a session you let the cabin dry, and you wipe benches and do seasonal wood care (Cedar sauna maintenance). A hot tub needs ongoing water testing and chemicals, filter cleaning or replacement, periodic draining and refilling, and cover care.
Which works better in winter?
Both can, with different concerns. A sauna has no water lines to freeze, so you can let it sit cold for days and heat it when you want it. A hot tub usually runs all winter, since letting the water freeze can damage the plumbing. Blazin saunas are built in East Idaho, where winters are long and cold. Read Outdoor saunas in cold climates.
How do install and site prep compare?
Both need a level, solid base and, for electric models, a licensed electrician. A filled hot tub is very heavy, so its base has to be sized for that load. A sauna needs a level, draining base and, for an electric heater, a dedicated circuit. A wood-burning sauna heater needs clearances and venting instead of wiring. Details: Foundation and electrical and Electric vs wood-burning.
How many people fit?
Blazin saunas range from one person to large groups. The Pod Mini is a one-person sauna; the 2 Person Barrel and 2 Person Pod seat 2; the 4 Person Barrel and 4 Person Cube seat 4; the XL Barrel seats 6 to 8; and larger models such as the Timberline seat 6 (Small) or 8 (Large). Seating is on each product page, and the Size guide helps you choose.
Which one costs more?
It depends on the models you compare. For Blazin, kits start at $3,795 (Pod Mini, indoor), and the fully built Teton starts at $18,095 and the Blackwood at $30,995 (product pages, October 5, 2026). Kits are $1,250 off the regular price until we are booked up. Live prices are on Outdoor Saunas, and the full budget (base, electrical, optional assembly, accessories) is in Outdoor sauna cost. For a hot tub, budget for ongoing water care as well as the purchase and install.
Can you have both?
You can pair a sauna with a way to cool off, like a cold shower or plunge. If you're planning a full backyard setup, see Sauna and cold plunge in the backyard.
Is a sauna or hot tub better for health?
We don't make health claims. Both are ways to relax. What research has and hasn't shown about traditional sauna is on Sauna and wellness. If you have a heart condition, blood pressure concerns, are pregnant, or have any health condition, talk to your doctor before using either.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sauna easier to maintain than a hot tub?
Usually, yes. A sauna has no water to test or treat. You let the cabin dry after use and do occasional wood care. A hot tub needs regular water testing, chemicals, filter care, and draining.
Which is hotter, a sauna or a hot tub?
A traditional sauna. Blazin sauna heaters typically reach 175 to 230°F (as listed for our pods, Pod Mini, cubes, 2 Person Barrel, XL Barrel, and Timberline). Hot tub water is typically kept around 100 to 104°F.
Can I use an outdoor sauna in winter?
Yes. A sauna has no water lines to freeze, so it can sit unused and be heated when you want it. Blazin saunas are built in East Idaho for long, cold winters.
Do I need an electrician for a sauna?
For an electric heater, yes. A licensed electrician should install the circuit. Wood-burning heaters need proper clearances and venting instead.
Does Blazin Saunas sell hot tubs?
No. Blazin builds traditional outdoor saunas in Sugi cedar, handmade in East Idaho.
Where to go next
Compare the builds: Shop outdoor saunas · Which sauna fits me · Buying guide · FAQs.
Questions? Call or text (208) 520-6612 · (208) 270-5860 · support@blazinsaunas.com