I get this question all the time.

“Should I just buy a sauna from Costco?”

Short answer… yeah, you can.

Longer answer… it depends on what you think you’re getting.

I actually have a very similar setup at home — a 6x6 barrel sauna with an 8kW heater — so this isn’t theory. I’ve lived with it, used it a lot, and worked through some of the limitations. Full disclosure, I didn't buy from Costco, but I have an Almost Heaven sauna, which is commonly sold at Costco. 

So if you’re looking at Costco, here’s how I’d think about it.

Why Costco Saunas Are So Popular

Costco has done a really good job making sauna feel accessible.

You don’t need to research 10 different vendors.
You don’t need to design anything.
You don’t need to figure out heater compatibility.

It shows up, you build it (or have someone build it), and you’re in the game.

Most of what you’re seeing is from Almost Heaven, which is honestly a solid entry point.

That’s the key word though: entry point.

Is It Actually a Sauna?

This is the first question I’d ask — and most people don’t.

There’s a big difference between:

• Infrared sauna

• Traditional sauna (heater + rocks)

If you’re going infrared, just know it’s a completely different experience. No water on rocks, no steam, no real control over the environment.

If you’re buying a traditional unit, now we’re getting closer.

But even then… just having rocks doesn’t mean you’re having a proper sauna.

What I Noticed Right Away Using a Barrel Sauna

The first thing you notice is the heat. It gets hot. No issue there.

The second thing you notice… there's a differnt in tempiture from high (your head) to low (your legs and feet). 

For me, it was this constant feeling of:

• hot upper body

• cooler legs and feet

That’s not how sauna is supposed to feel.

And it took me a bit to understand why.

The Bench Height Problem (This Is the Big One)

Most Costco and barrel setups have one major flaw: you’re sitting too low.

In a proper sauna, your feet should be at or above the top of the heater. That’s where the heat pocket lives.

In a barrel sauna, because of the curved walls, your bench sits lower. So what happens?

• Heat rises above you

• Your lower body stays cooler

• The experience feels uneven

This is probably my biggest issue with the setup.

It’s also why I ended up building the first “sauna seat” with Löy — something that mounts to the wall and lets you sit higher and actually get into the heat pocket.

It’s a simple fix, but it changes everything.

Barrel Saunas: What They Do Well (and Where They Don’t)

I use my sauna all the time. I like it.

But there are tradeoffs.

What Works

• Heats up relatively fast, and the round barrel moves air well

• Simple, clean setup

• Good entry point for most people

With my 8kW heater, I’m usually getting in within 15 to 20 minutes. It might not be maxed out, but that’s not really the goal. I’d rather get in, start throwing water on the rocks, and build the session from there.

Where It Falls Short

• Bench height (already covered)

• Limited space to move

• Harder to create a proper löyly pocket

And one that people don’t think about at first…

The Door Placement

On most of these saunas, the door is positioned higher up.

So every time you open it:

• Heat escapes quickly

• The löyly pocket drops

• You’re essentially resetting the room

Not a deal breaker, but something you become very aware of over time as you start to understand how heat and airflow actually work in a sauna.

The Missing Piece: Water on the Rocks

This is the part I care about the most.

Most people get a sauna… and never really use it properly.

They sit in dry heat, sweat, and leave.

But sauna is meant to be dynamic.

• You throw water on the rocks

• Steam rises (löyly)

• Heat wraps around you

• Then it settles

That cycle is the experience.

That’s what makes sauna feel alive.

With my setup, I’m often getting in before it’s fully heated, just so I can start working the rocks early and build that rhythm.

A Few Practical Things I’d Pay Attention To

If you’re about to buy a Costco sauna, here’s what I’d actually focus on:

Heater Size

Make sure it’s properly sized for the space. My 8kW heater makes a big difference in how quickly things get going.

Bench Position

If you can’t change the structure, think about how you can get higher.

Even small adjustments here can dramatically improve the experience.

Ventilation

Most kits don’t emphasize this, but it matters.

Good airflow keeps the experience feeling clean instead of heavy.

How You Use It

This is the biggest unlock.

Not hotter. Not longer.

Better rhythm:

• heat

• steam

• cool down

• repeat

A Quick Note on Aromas

Most people grab essential oils and call it a day.

Not the same thing.

Traditional sauna aromas (see here) are made to:

• mix with water

• handle high heat

• disperse evenly

Essential oils can burn, leave residue, and get overpowering fast.

It’s a small detail, but it changes the feel of the session more than people expect.

So… Would I Buy One Again?

Yeah, I would.

But I’d go into it differently.

I wouldn’t expect it to be perfect.
I’d understand the limitations.
And I’d focus on getting the most out of it.

Because even a “good not perfect” sauna, used the right way, is still a great tool.

Final Thought

Costco has made saunas easy to access - and if you are a Costco member, you know about their return policy that offers a lot of comfort. 

That’s a good thing.

But if you actually want to experience what sauna is supposed to be, you might have to look beyond the barrel.