Outdoor Infrared Sauna UK: Complete Buying Guide 2026 - Prices, Running Costs & Installation

An outdoor infrared sauna UK buyer should start with one simple rule: if the sauna is going in the garden, buy a model that is specifically built for outdoor use.

That matters because a proper outdoor infrared sauna gives you the lower-temperature, radiant-heat experience many people want from infrared, while keeping indoor floor space free. It also means construction details, roof protection, insulation and electrics are suited to British conditions. If you are comparing current options, the Outdoor Infrared Saunas collection is the right place to start.

Outdoor models are not all the same. Some are pure far-infrared cabins built only around infrared panels. Others are hybrid models that combine infrared with a traditional electric sauna heater. That difference affects price, running costs, installation and the kind of sauna session you will get.

What Is an Outdoor Infrared Sauna?

An outdoor infrared sauna is a sauna installed outside, usually in a garden, that uses infrared heating technology rather than relying only on a conventional stove and sauna stones.

Infrared panels produce radiant heat. In practical buying terms, that usually means a gentler cabin environment, enhancing relaxation and comfort, promoting wellness, and reducing muscle pain, contributing to overall health, with sauna benefits like improved circulation and detoxification, than a traditional sauna, with lower operating temperatures and a different feel in use. “Outdoor” describes where the unit is designed to be installed. “Infrared” describes how it creates heat. Those are separate points, and both matter.

A true garden infrared sauna is also built differently from a normal indoor cabin. Outdoor models may include insulated roofs and walls, weather-resistant cladding or exterior finishes, tempered glazing, and construction details intended to cope with rain, cold air and year-round exposure.

Can an Infrared Sauna Be Kept Outside in the UK?

Yes, but only if the manufacturer has designed that sauna for outdoor installation.

A standard indoor infrared sauna should not simply be moved into the garden and expected to cope with UK conditions. Indoor cabins are usually made for dry, sheltered interior spaces. Put one outside and you introduce rain exposure, temperature swings, damp from below, and electrical safety issues that the cabin may never have been built to handle.

A proper infrared garden sauna UK model needs weather-aware construction, a suitable base, correct electrical installation and regular care. In Britain, that means thinking about rainfall, cold winter starts, moisture around the base, and exterior timber treatment where the product guidance calls for it.

The clearest example in the current range is the Insignia MXOS1500 3rd Generation Outdoor Infrared Sauna. It is a dedicated outdoor far infrared sauna with insulated roof and wall sections, a composite aluminium roof and a specification intended for garden installation. Even so, the exterior timber still needs suitable weatherproofing treatment after installation.

Outdoor Infrared Sauna vs Indoor Infrared Sauna

The difference is not just location. It affects construction, preparation and ownership.

Feature	Outdoor infrared sauna	Indoor infrared sauna
Installation location	Garden, patio, exterior outbuilding setting	Inside the home
Weather protection	Built with outdoor-specific roof and exterior details	Not normally intended for direct weather exposure
Insulation	Often includes insulated roof and wall elements	Usually designed for stable indoor temperatures
Foundation	Needs a solid, level external base	Usually placed on a suitable indoor floor
Electrical considerations	Outdoor-rated supply planning and cable routing matter	Simpler access in many homes
Space impact	Saves indoor floor area	Uses room space indoors
Convenience	Separate garden destination	Fast access inside the home
Maintenance	Exterior checks and treatment may be needed	Usually lighter maintenance burden
Purchase price	Often higher due to outdoor construction	Often lower for like-for-like size
Typical buyer	Wants a dedicated garden sauna area	Wants infrared without external installation work

If you are still comparing formats, it is worth viewing Indoor Saunas, Indoor Infrared Saunas and the wider Infrared Saunas collection alongside this guide. The article Indoor vs Outdoor Sauna: Which Is Best for Your UK Home? is also useful when space is the main question.

Pure Infrared vs Hybrid Outdoor Sauna

This is one of the biggest purchase decisions.

A pure outdoor infrared sauna uses infrared heaters only. In the current range, the Insignia MXOS1500 is the clearest example. It uses eight far-infrared heaters, each rated at 300W, for 2,400W of infrared output and about 2,500W total including electronics. If you want a straightforward outdoor far infrared sauna experience, this is the benchmark style.

Side-by-side comparison of a pure outdoor infrared sauna and a hybrid outdoor sauna, showing differences in heat system, flexibility, and installation demands.

A hybrid outdoor sauna combines infrared heaters with a traditional electric sauna stove. The Insignia MXOS1700 Outdoor Hybrid Sauna and Insignia MXOS2000 Outdoor Hybrid Sauna both fall into this category. That gives you more flexibility, but it also means higher installation complexity and, often, higher spend.

Feature	Pure infrared outdoor sauna	Hybrid outdoor sauna
Heat system	Infrared panels only	Infrared panels plus traditional electric heater
Temperature experience	Lower-temperature infrared environment	Choice of infrared, traditional heat, or hybrid use if permitted by the model
Electrical demand	Often lower	Usually higher or more complex
Flexibility	Focused on infrared use	Broader sauna experience
Typical price point	Lower than premium hybrid models	Higher, especially in larger sizes
Best suited to	Buyers who mainly want infrared	Buyers who want infrared and traditional sauna options

Hybrid is not automatically better. If you know you prefer infrared and do not need a high-temperature traditional session, a pure infrared cabin can be the cleaner, simpler choice.

How Much Does an Outdoor Infrared Sauna Cost in the UK?

Current guide prices on Your Fitness Hub place the category in the mid to luxury part of the home sauna market.

The Insignia MXOS1500 sits at around £4,695. The Insignia MXOS1700 Outdoor Hybrid Sauna is around £5,695. The Insignia MXOS2000 Outdoor Hybrid Sauna is around £6,995. A lower-priced option, the CenturaHeat 3 Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna, has been listed at around £2,569, though buyers should confirm live stock status before treating it as a current option.

Your total project budget may also include:

• Electrical work
• Base preparation
• Delivery and access constraints
• Professional assembly if chosen
• Exterior timber treatment where required by the product guidance

That is why the cheapest cabin price is rarely the whole story when choosing an infrared sauna for garden use.

How Much Does an Outdoor Infrared Sauna Cost to Run?

The basic formula is straightforward:

Power in kW × hours used × electricity unit rate = approximate running cost

Using Ofgem’s average electricity unit rate of 26.32p per kWh for Direct Debit customers in England, Scotland and Wales, effective 1 October to 31 December 2026, a sauna rated at 2.5kW would cost about 66p per hour if running at full power for the entire hour. A 3.5kW sauna would cost about 92p per hour at full draw.

That gives useful buying examples:

• MXOS1500: about 2.5kW total rating, roughly £0.66 per full-power hour
• CenturaHeat HEAT-HS5002: about 3.5kW, roughly £0.92 per full-power hour
• MXOS2000 infrared mode only: about 1.98kW infrared output, roughly £0.52 per hour at full infrared draw
• MXOS1700 4.5kW stove only: roughly £1.18 per full-power hour

Real-world costs are usually lower than a simple maximum-draw calculation if the thermostat cycles power rather than drawing peak load continuously. Hybrid models vary the most because consumption depends on whether you are running infrared, the traditional heater, or both. For broader context, see the Your Fitness Hub Sauna Running Cost UK guide.

Outdoor Infrared Sauna Electrical Requirements

This is where buyers should slow down and read the product page carefully.

The MXOS1500 uses a 240V single-phase connection and is listed at roughly 10.45A at 240V, with a total rating of about 2,500W. That is a very different electrical requirement from the CenturaHeat HEAT-HS5002, which is listed at 3,500W / 16A and specifically requires electrician hardwiring according to its product specification.

The MXOS2000 hybrid is more complex again. Its infrared system operates on 240V single phase, while the traditional heater installation can vary by specification, including a 380V three-phase dedicated supply or a 240V single-phase option. That is exactly why blanket statements like “all infrared saunas plug into a normal socket” are unreliable.

Outdoor electrical work should be planned and installed appropriately, with a suitably qualified electrician and with the manufacturer instructions followed exactly. Garden sauna installations also sit within wider UK electrical safety rules, including Part P considerations for outdoor power installations associated with a dwelling.

What Base Does an Outdoor Infrared Sauna Need?

A garden infrared sauna needs a stable, level and load-bearing base. If the base is wrong, doors can go out of square, panels can be stressed, and damp can shorten the life of the installation.

For the MXOS1500, product guidance states that it should be installed on a solid, level base, and that bearers should be used to create a gap and help prevent damp transfer. In practice, buyers often look at properly prepared concrete, paving or a suitable engineered platform, depending on site conditions.

Keep these points in mind:

• Solid support: no soft ground, sinking corners or rocking
• Level surface: important for assembly accuracy and long-term stability
• Drainage: standing water around the base is a bad sign
• Moisture separation: a gap beneath the structure can help reduce damp transfer
• Clearances: follow the manufacturer’s stated spacing requirements

If sizing is still under review, the guide What Size Sauna Do I Need? 1, 2, 3 & 4+ Person Sauna Guide UK is a useful companion read.

Are Outdoor Infrared Saunas Weatherproof?

They are better described as outdoor-suitable rather than permanently maintenance-free.

Products designed for garden installation include features intended for exterior use, such as insulated roofs, weather-aware cladding, glazing and protected construction details. That does not remove the need for good siting, drainage, regular inspection and proper aftercare.

The MXOS1500 is a good example. It is built for outdoor use, yet the exterior timber still requires weatherproofing treatment after installation. The aluminium-clad Insignia hybrid models have a different ownership profile, with less timber exposure on the exterior, but they still need sensible checks around seals, roof condition, ventilation and water management.

Outdoor Infrared Sauna Sizes

The most common starting point for this category is the compact 2 person outdoor infrared sauna.

2 Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna

The Insignia MXOS1500 measures about 1510 × 1310 × 2100mm. That suits couples, solo users who want more elbow room, and smaller gardens where a dedicated pure-infrared setup with a touch of luxury is the priority.

Larger and hybrid outdoor sauna options

The MXOS1700 has a footprint of about 1700 × 1500mm, while the MXOS2000 expands to around 2000 × 2000 × 2400mm. More internal space is welcome, but it also means a larger base, more electrical planning, more visual impact in the garden and a higher overall budget.

Outdoor Infrared Sauna vs Outdoor Traditional Sauna

Some buyers are really comparing heat style rather than product category.

Feature	Outdoor infrared sauna	Outdoor traditional sauna
Heat style	Radiant infrared heat	Hot air heated by stove and stones
Typical temperature	Lower	Higher
Heater technology	Infrared panels	Electric or wood-burning stove
Warm-up characteristics	Often faster to get comfortable for infrared use	Often longer, depending on stove and size
Electrical requirements	Can be modest or moderate, depending on model	Can be higher with electric heaters
Steam capability	No stone-based steam effect	Yes, where the heater is designed for water on stones
Maintenance	Exterior care plus infrared system upkeep	Exterior care plus stove, stones and ventilation checks
Best suited to	Buyers who want infrared sessions	Buyers who want a classic Finnish-style sauna feel

If traditional heat is your priority, compare the Outdoor Saunas range with Outdoor Traditional Saunas, and read Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna: Which Is Best for Your UK Home?.

Best Outdoor Infrared Saunas for Different Buyers

The current Your Fitness Hub range gives three clear routes for purchase-ready buyers.

The best outdoor infrared sauna UK option for someone who wants dedicated infrared is the Insignia MXOS1500. It is purpose-built for outdoor use, compact enough for many gardens, and simple to position within the category as a pure-infrared choice.

The best outdoor hybrid sauna UK options are the Insignia MXOS1700 for a two-person format and the Insignia MXOS2000 for a larger, more premium installation.

Model	Heating type	Capacity	Dimensions	Infrared output	Traditional heater	Approx. price	Best suited to
Insignia MXOS1500	Pure far infrared	Up to 2 person	1510 × 1310 × 2100mm	2,400W	No	£4,695	Buyers who want a dedicated outdoor infrared sauna
Insignia MXOS1700	Hybrid	Around 2 person	Approx. 1700 × 1500mm	4 low-EMF heaters	4.5kW Harvia electric stove	£5,695	Buyers wanting infrared and traditional options
Insignia MXOS2000	Hybrid	Larger premium format	2000 × 2000 × 2400mm	1,980W	6kW Harvia electric stove	£6,995	Buyers with more space and a larger budget

If your shortlist starts here, the strongest next step is simple: Explore Outdoor Infrared Saunas.

For those who prioritize flexibility and convenience, a portable infrared sauna could be an ideal solution. These saunas bring the benefits of infrared therapy right to your doorstep without the need for complex installations or permanent setups. Portable options are typically lightweight and easy to assemble, providing a versatile wellness experience that can fit anywhere in your home or garden. With technological advancements, these saunas still offer efficient heat distribution and therapeutic benefits comparable to their larger, more permanent counterparts.

Does an Outdoor Infrared Sauna Need Planning Permission?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Many garden saunas may fall within permitted development rules, but that depends on height, position, boundary distance, listed status, designated land and how much of the property’s curtilage is already covered by outbuildings. UK Planning Portal and GOV.UK guidance are the right starting points, not assumptions. For a fuller site-planning overview, read Garden Sauna UK: Planning Permission, Costs & Outdoor Sauna Setup Guide.

Is an Outdoor Infrared Sauna Worth It?

For the right buyer, yes.

It makes strong sense if you want a permanent garden sauna, prefer infrared to a high-heat traditional setup, or simply do not want to give up indoor room space. A hybrid model makes more sense if flexibility matters and you want both infrared and traditional sauna use in one garden building.

A sensible shortlist usually looks like this:

• Choose pure infrared: if your priority is lower-temperature infrared sessions and simpler ownership
• Choose hybrid: if you want infrared and traditional heat in one cabin
• Choose indoor infrared: if outdoor installation work feels unnecessary
• Choose traditional outdoor sauna: if stones, steam effect and higher heat matter most

For broader range browsing, compare Outdoor Saunas, Infrared Saunas and Best Outdoor Saunas UK: 5 of the Best Garden Saunas for 2026.

Outdoor Infrared Sauna FAQs

Can you put an infrared sauna outdoors? Yes, if it is specifically designed for outdoor installation.

Can an infrared sauna stay outside all year? An outdoor-rated model can, provided it is installed correctly and maintained in line with the product guidance.

What is the best outdoor infrared sauna in the UK? For a pure infrared outdoor model in the current range, the Insignia MXOS1500 is the clearest benchmark.

How much does an outdoor infrared sauna cost? Current examples run from the mid-£4,000s for dedicated premium infrared models to around £7,000 for larger hybrid designs, with some lower-priced listings appearing when stock is available.

How much does an outdoor infrared sauna cost to run? Using Ofgem’s 26.32p/kWh figure for Q4 2026, a 2.5kW sauna costs about 66p per full-power hour.

Does an outdoor infrared sauna need an electrician? Often, yes. Requirements vary by model.

Can an outdoor infrared sauna plug into a normal UK socket? Some smaller infrared saunas may, but not all. Never assume this. Check the exact product specification.

What base does an outdoor infrared sauna need? A solid, level, well-drained base with suitable support and moisture management.

Do outdoor infrared saunas need planning permission? Sometimes. It depends on the site and the structure.

Are outdoor infrared saunas waterproof? It is better to think of them as outdoor-suitable, not invulnerable. Correct installation and maintenance still matter.

How hot does an outdoor infrared sauna get? Usually lower than a traditional sauna. Exact temperature depends on the model and heater system.

What is the difference between an outdoor infrared sauna and a hybrid sauna? A pure infrared model uses only infrared heaters. A hybrid adds a traditional sauna heater as well.

Is an outdoor infrared sauna better than a traditional outdoor sauna? Not in every case. It depends on whether you prefer infrared heat or a classic high-temperature sauna experience.

What maintenance does an outdoor infrared sauna require? Regular cleaning, visual inspection, exterior care, and timber treatment where the product guidance requires it.