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Saunas have been around for at least a thousand years and have many derivations. Finnish sauna made their way to the upper Great Lakes States along with the new immigrants. Many of the old Finnish and Swedish homes had saunas built into the home structure. Due to the increased fire hazard when using a constant heat sauna many people had the sauna built as a separate building located adjacent to the home. Old style smoke saunas due to their nature were always located away from the house and frequently located near a natural water source.

In both cases wood was required to fuel these traditional sauna which required spending time cutting firewood each spring and summer. All these factors meant that if you wanted a sauna you must have not only a source of wood but also enough land to construct the sauna. When you moved to an urban setting you most likely had to give up your sauna. There was no such thing as a portable sauna that you could take with you.

New sauna stove technology that uses electricity, gas or propane has greatly increased the number of locations that a sauna can be built. New Far infrared sauna technology has really changed sauna sales.

Portable saunas use steam heat that will allow you site a sauna just about anywhere. In most cases a small portable sauna will consist of a PVC frame covered with a special insulating water proof cloth. The floors of most portable saunas have a sponge or drip pad that catches the users sweat. These units are designed to be folded up into a suit case size package that can be easily stored in a closet or utility room.

In most cases the heat source for a portable sauna comes from a steam generation unit that sits outside the sauna. A hose is attached between the steam generator and the sauna. In most cases portable units are set up so that the user sits on a chair inside the unit with their head protruding out the top. Some portable saunas have optional hoods that cover the head as well. Most portable sauna units have slits in the front that allow your hands to protrude so that you can hold and read a book during your sauna.

Operating temperatures are normally in the 90c (100F) heat range. Most units have digital controls and a timer that make the sauna very easy to use. The steam generator is powered by ordinary house current and in remote locations be powered by a generator. Depending on the individual unit it takes between 30 and 60 minutes for the portable sauna to reach its maximum temperature.

The new portable infrared saunas are basically constructed of the same materials however the heat source consists of Far infrared emitters that heat the sauna and the user. Unlike the steam heat that other portables use an infrared sauna is a dry sauna. The only moisture comes from the sweat of the users body.

Prices for a portable sauna vary greatly and range from about $75 to $750. Differences in heat sources and insulating clothe account for the majority of the price range.