Ever pictured stepping out your back door into your own backyard sauna instead of driving across town for one?
If you’ve been comparing outdoor sauna options, you’ve probably noticed how many choices are out there, and how different the reviews can be.
I went through the full spec sheet and dozens of verified customer reviews for the Almost Heaven Huntington 6-Person Traditional Steam Sauna to help you sort out what’s fact and what’s just marketing.
This Almost Heaven Huntington 6 Person Traditional Steam Sauna review covers the build, the heater, and what real owners say after living with it.
Product Overview
The Huntington is a barrel-style traditional steam sauna built from cedar, rated for both indoor and outdoor use. It’s rated 4.6 out of 5 stars from verified buyers.
Unlike a FAR infrared sauna, this model heats the air with an electric heater and sauna stones, giving you the option of a dry sauna or a wet steam sauna. According to the product’s own spec sheet, an infrared sauna typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to heat up and runs about 30 degrees cooler, while a traditional steam sauna like this one takes closer to an hour to reach temperature.
The sauna is made by Almost Heaven Saunas, a manufacturer based in Renick, West Virginia, that’s been building sauna kits since the 1970s.
Key Features and Benefits of the Huntington Steam Sauna
8kW Electric Heater with Delayed Start
The Huntington uses an 8kW, 220V electric heater that requires a hard-wired 40-amp connection. You can start the heater right away or set a delay of up to eight hours, so it could be ready by the time you get home from work or wake up in the morning.
The heater also has an automatic shutoff after 60 minutes, which could give some peace of mind if you tend to forget things are running.
195°F Maximum Temperature
This traditional steam sauna reaches up to 195°F, noticeably hotter than most infrared models. If you’re used to the gentler heat of an infrared sauna, this is a meaningfully different, more intense experience.
Included Sauna Stones for Wet or Dry Use
The heater comes with 40 lbs. of sauna stones. Adding water to the stones creates steam, so you can switch between a dry sauna session and a more traditional wet steam experience depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Cedar Barrel Construction
The barrel is built from red cedar, a wood commonly chosen for outdoor saunas because it insulates well and resists rot, moisture, and pests. The barrel shape is held together with stainless steel band kits rather than a traditional box frame.
That said, one reviewer reported the wood warping and gaps forming around the barrel after about a year and a half of outdoor use, so weather exposure and climate could affect long-term durability.
Optional Vista Window
A panoramic Vista window can be added to the rear wall, made from 3/8-inch safety glass. If your sauna will sit somewhere with a view, this could make the space feel more open and let in natural light.
Horizontal Slat Benches with LED Backrest
The four seating benches use a horizontal slat design with an LED-lit backrest built in. Several reviewers mentioned the benches are sturdy and comfortable enough to stretch out on.
Weight-Resistant Cradles
The barrel rests on weather-resistant polymer cradles that keep it elevated off the ground. This helps prevent moisture from sitting against the wood, though a few buyers reported receiving the wrong size cradles and having to troubleshoot the fit themselves.
Weight and dimensions:
- Overall dimensions: 6′ 5″ H x 6′ 6″ W x 8′ D
- Interior dimensions: 5′ 11″ H x 5′ 11″ W x 6′ 3″ D
- Overall product weight: 875 lb.
- Seating capacity: 6 people on 4 benches (multiple reviewers say it’s more comfortable for 2 to 4)
- Heater requires a hard-wired 220V/40 AMP connection; lighting uses a 110V/15 AMP plug-in
At 875 lb. and 8 feet long, this is a significant installation, not something you’ll be moving around on your own. Budgeting for an electrician and a stable, level surface ahead of delivery is worth planning for.
Pros and Cons of the Huntington Steam Sauna

Here’s an honest look at what stood out based on the specs and the range of customer feedback.
Things We Liked:
- Cedar construction that most reviewers describe as attractive and well-built
- Delayed start feature lets you time the heater to be ready when you are
- Flexibility to run it as a dry sauna or add water for steam
- Many buyers say assembly took roughly a day or less with one or two people
- Optional Vista window adds a view and more natural light
- LED-lit bench backrests add ambiance to the space
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Realistic seating comfortably fits 2 to 4 people rather than a full 6
- Requires a hard-wired 220V/40 AMP circuit, meaning an electrician is likely necessary
- A small number of reviewers reported wood warping, a defective heater, or missing/incorrect parts
Verdict
Most owners describe the Huntington as solidly built and straightforward to assemble, though a handful of reviews point to inconsistent quality control on parts and, in one case, wood durability after extended outdoor exposure. Those issues appear to affect a minority of buyers, but they’re worth factoring into your decision, especially if the sauna will sit outdoors year-round.
Who Is This Sauna For?
This might be a good fit if you want a traditional wet-or-dry steam sauna for your backyard or covered porch and have the electrical setup to support an 8kW heater.
It may not be the right choice if:
- You need it to comfortably seat a full 6 people at once
- You’d rather avoid hiring an electrician for a hard-wired 220V connection
- You live somewhere with harsh, prolonged outdoor weather and want the lowest-maintenance option available
What Customers Are Saying
The Huntington holds a 4.6 out of 5 star average. Most reviewers praise the look of the cedar barrel, the heat performance, and how manageable assembly was, while a smaller number ran into part defects or wood issues over time.
- “Super happy with our sauna purchase. The kit was packaged very well, delivered by a great crew and easy to put together with the included instructions.”
- “This sauna is amazing. Takes about 20 minutes to get hot and says it seats 6, but it’s more like 4.”
- “My husband put it together in a day, said it was pretty easy. Gets super hot and works great. Sits four comfortably but can definitely seat six a little close.”
- “The wood has warped to the point that there’s holes a quarter inch to a half an inch around the whole sauna… I would’ve never bought this sauna and spent almost $7,000 to only last a year and six months.”
- “We love the sauna, it is perfect for us with the window, the porch, and being 6’3″ inside length. The only negative is that the instructions were wrong in several places and there weren’t enough screws included.”
- “The heater would turn on but turn off after a few minutes… I need help from Wayfair to either replace the defective heater.”
- “It heats up to 200 degrees F in just 40 minutes. It has an automatic shut off after an hour for safety… We are thrilled with the product.”
FAQ & Additional Tips
Where can I buy the Huntington sauna?
It’s sold through Wayfair, linked throughout this review.
Do I need an electrician?
Yes. The 8kW heater requires a hard-wired 220V/40 AMP connection, which several reviewers had installed before or shortly after delivery.
How long does assembly take?
Most reviewers reported anywhere from a few hours to a full day, typically with one or two people. A few buyers noted the included instructions weren’t always clear for this larger model and recommended watching an assembly video alongside the written manual.
Can I run it as a wet sauna?
Yes. The heater comes with 40 lbs. of sauna stones, and you can pour water over them to create steam whenever you want a wet sauna session instead of a dry one.
What’s covered under warranty?
The sauna comes with a limited warranty that varies by part. It covers defects only, requires inspection, and doesn’t cover consumer misuse or normal wear and tear.
Is the sauna weatherproof if I leave it uncovered?
No. The manufacturer’s own spec sheet notes the design won’t keep water out if left uncovered, so a rain cover or roof is worth considering if it will sit outdoors full-time.
How should I use it safely?
Given the higher temperatures a traditional steam sauna reaches, staying hydrated before and during your session matters even more than with an infrared model. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or take medication that affects heat regulation, check with your doctor before regular use.
Final Verdict
Based on the specs and the range of buyer feedback, the Almost Heaven Huntington 6 Person Traditional Steam Sauna looks like a solid option if you want a genuine wet-or-dry steam experience and have the electrical work and outdoor protection sorted out ahead of time.
If a full 6-person capacity or a lower-maintenance material is more important to you, it may be worth comparing this model against a smaller barrel sauna or an infrared alternative before you decide.
- Revitalize Your Body and Mind: The Quest for the Best Traditional Steam Sauna
- Best Infrared Saunas: Our Top Picks for Every Budget and Space
- Best One-Person Infrared Saunas: Which One Fits Your Space (and Your Routine)?
- Best 2-Person Infrared Saunas: 25 Top-Rated Picks for Couples Who Want to Sweat Together
- Best 3-Person Infrared Saunas: Top Picks for Family Wellness
- Top 7 Best 4-Person Infrared Saunas for Spacious At-Home Heat Therapy
- Best 5-Person Infrared Saunas: Our Top Picks for Group Wellness at Home
- Discovering the Best Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna: A Comprehensive Guide

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