There’s nothing like the rugged, classic appearance of an outdoor barrel sauna in the backyard. But these days, there are so many other types of saunas worth considering as well - like a square sauna.

There are pros and cons to each shape, and ultimately, it will come down to your personal preferences. We’ll help you make the right decision by comparing and contrasting barrel sauna vs square sauna below.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re in a hurry to make a decision - a barrel sauna heats faster and offers superior energy efficiency, but compromises on headroom inside. These are typically installed outdoors given their wider footprint and use a traditional heating element.

On the other hand, a square sauna allows a bit more room inside the sauna along and can be powered by infrared heating technology. They tend to be installed indoors but can be installed outdoors as well. They’re a bit more versatile.

Whether you’re looking for a barrel sauna for sale, infrared sauna for sale, or traditional sauna for sale, Nordica Sauna has all the top brands and models at unbeatable prices. Take our quiz below to eliminate any guesswork about which style is right for you!

What’s the Difference Between a Barrel Sauna and a Square Sauna?

The shape of a sauna is more than just a design choice. It influences how the sauna functions, feels and fits into your space. That includes everything from heat distribution and energy efficiency to the overall aesthetic and user experience. 

So, what’s the difference between these two common shapes - a barrel sauna vs square sauna? Let’s take a look at the unique characteristics of each below before comparing and contrasting them more directly.

Barrel Shaped Saunas

•  Pros: More energy efficient given the curved wall design, amazing rustic aesthetic.
• Cons: Larger footprint means these are typically only installed outdoors. Less headroom as well, and typically limited to traditional heating elements. 

Barrel saunas are instantly recognizable for their distinctive, rounded shape. The curved walls of a barrel sauna promote natural air circulation, which helps heat the space more efficiently and evenly. 

Moreover, the saunas have less space inside - which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. Sure, you won’t be able to stand up and move around as freely - but there’s also less air to heat!

This means you can reach the desired sauna temperature faster and maintain it with less energy, making barrel saunas an excellent choice for those who want quick, efficient heating.

The design also sheds rain and snow more effectively, which is a practical advantage for outdoor use, ensuring durability in various weather conditions. 

However, the curved interior can limit headroom and may reduce the flexibility of seating arrangements compared to square saunas. You’ll also find that most barrel saunas only support an electric or wood burning stove. 

You have a bit less flexibility with this style. Still, it’s a very popular choice, and one we’re proud to offer in a variety of sizes here at Nordica Sauna:

• 1 person barrel sauna
• 2 person barrel sauna
• 3 person barrel sauna
• 4 person barrel sauna
• 5 person barrel sauna
• 6 person barrel sauna

Before you start shopping, though, let’s look at the other half of the barrel sauna vs square sauna conversation below.

Square Shaped Saunas

• Pros: More space efficient, can be installed indoors or outdoors, and more affordable upfront. Available in infrared styles.
• Cons: Cost more to operate with a less energy-efficient design.

Square saunas, also known as cabin-style saunas, offer a more traditional sauna experience. Their boxy, room-like shape creates a more spacious interior, often providing more headroom and the ability to include multi-level seating. 

This makes square saunas a better option for those who prioritize comfort and want to accommodate more people, or who simply enjoy the feeling of a larger, open space.

The square design is versatile and can be customized more easily, with options for windows, different door placements, and even more complex layouts. 

Square saunas are typically installed indoors, but you can find plenty of outdoor varieties as well if you don’t have room inside for one of these. 

While they might take longer to heat and use more energy than barrel saunas, their design allows for more luxurious features and a traditional sauna experience that many users prefer. But which is right for you? 

Barrel Sauna vs Square Sauna: Which Style is Right For You?

Choosing between a barrel or square sauna ultimately comes down to your design preferences, the sauna experience you’re after, and where you’d like to place your sauna. 

However, we want to cover a few other important details as well to leave you with a clear understanding of your ideal choice. Remember, you can always get a personalized recommendation through our sauna quiz or customer service team as well!

Consider Your Available Space

The best starting point is figuring out the space you have to work with for the installation. Square saunas are far more space-efficient, with some being as compact as 3’ x 3’! 

This means you can install one in a spare bedroom, basement, closet, or maybe even a large bathroom. They fit snugly up against walls or in corners so you can maximize the available space you have. You’ll also end up with more room inside the sauna.

On the other hand, barrel saunas have a much wider footprint - what they lack in headroom they more than make up for in length and width. Thus, this design works well in outdoor settings where space might be less of a concern.

Heating Efficiency and Energy Usage

You know that saunas are quite the investment upfront, but so many individuals shopping for a sauna fail to account for the ongoing costs of operating their sauna. This is why considering energy efficiency is so important.

Barrel saunas have a dramatic edge here over their square counterparts. The curved walls of a barrel sauna promote better air circulation, allowing the space to heat up more quickly and maintain a consistent temperature with less energy. Plus, there’s less volume inside the sauna to heat!

In some cases, though, the superior insulation of a square sauna can help retain heat longer once the desired temperature is reached. It’s also worth noting that the specific heater you use will influence how energy-efficient your sauna is. 

Like we said earlier, many square saunas can be powered by an infrared heater. These are far more efficient than the traditional heating elements more common in barrel saunas.

Aesthetic Preferences and Design

There’s one right or wrong answer as to which style you think looks better. You could make a case for both the barrel sauna or square sauna.

Barrel saunas offer a rustic, traditional look that blends seamlessly with natural outdoor environments, making them a popular choice for backyard installations. Their unique shape can also serve as a visual focal point in your outdoor space.

Square saunas, on the other hand, offer a more versatile and modern design that can complement both indoor and outdoor settings. They can be easily customized with windows, different door placements, and interior finishes.

Comfort and Interior Space

While barrel saunas take up a larger footprint, they actually have less space inside. As we’ve said a few times, this is great from an energy efficiency perspective.

However, it may be a drawback from a comfort standpoint. This can limit headroom and seating options, making them feel more cramped, especially for taller users or larger groups.

On the other hand, square saunas are typically more than 6 feet tall inside. They also have multi-level benches in some cases, which can enhance the sauna experience by allowing users to choose their preferred level of heat intensity.

Cost and Budget Considerations

The sauna cost will also be something you need to consider, and you may already have a budget in mind for this investment. 

You’ll find that barrel saunas are more expensive upfront, as our cheapest option at Nordica Sauna right now is the SaunaLife Model E6 Sauna Barrel at $3,790. In contrast, our cheapest square sauna is the Sunray Baldwin 2-Person Traditional Sauna at just $2,996.

Remember, though, price isn’t everything. The barrel saunas may be more affordable to run given their energy-efficient design. Ultimately, you’re making an investment in your health and happiness, and you shouldn’t shop based on cost alone!

Installation and Maintenance Needs

We mentioned that barrel saunas tend to be installed outdoors, while square saunas can be installed anywhere you see fit. As far as the actual installation process goes, though, it all depends on the specific model you’re going with. 

Maintenance needs for both types are generally similar, though barrel saunas might require more frequent checks for weather-related wear if installed outdoors and subjected to harsh elements.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong either way if you’re investing in a sauna. This is going to elevate your health and wellness regimen while unlocking the convenience of having a sauna right in your own home. 

Hopefully, you have a clear understanding of which is right for you after this comparison of the barrel sauna vs square sauna. If not, reach out to our customer service team for a personalized recommendation or take our sauna quiz below. You can also weigh your options by browsing our catalog today!

Browse the Best Selection of Barrel Saunas and Square Saunas in Our Catalog!

We’ve made it our mission to help you create your own personal sanctuary at home, whether you go with a classic barrel sauna or a more modern cabin-style sauna. 

You’ll gain access to the best sauna brand selection and all the different sauna sizes you could need here at Nordica Sauna. Browse our most popular brands below:

• Auroom sauna
• Finnmark sauna
• Golden Designs saunas
• Harvia sauna
• Huum sauna
• Morozko Forge sauna
• Sauna Life saunas
• Saunum sauna
• Almost Heaven sauna

Whether you want an indoor vs outdoor sauna or an infrared sauna vs dry sauna, you can rest assured the perfect pick is just a few clicks away. You can read our sauna buying guide for more assistance.

No matter the style you choose, you’ll also get the lowest prices online with our price-matching policy, free shipping, and hassle-free financing. We even allow you to use HSA/FSA funds for the purchase!

With our satisfaction guarantee you can place your order with confidence. So what’s holding you back? Elevate your health and happiness with a sauna today.

Final Thoughts on Barrel Sauna vs Square Sauna

That does it for our comparison of these two main sauna shapes. We hope you feel clear on the differences, advantages, and shortcomings of each. 

Barrel saunas are ideal for those seeking efficient heating and a rustic outdoor look, while square saunas provide more interior space and customization options, making them a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor settings.

Only you can determine which is right for you - but our customer service team or sauna quiz can help you arrive at the ideal conclusion. No matter which you land on, remember we have the best selection here at Nordica Sauna. 

Narrow your search based on size below and take the first step towards elevating your wellness routine today!

• 1 person sauna for sale
• 2 person sauna for sale
• 3 person sauna for sale
• 4 person sauna for sale
• 5 person sauna for sale
• 6 person sauna for sale
• 8 person sauna for sale