Saunas are a massive investment so before you take the plunge, you need to figure out what kind of sauna you want: mobile or home?
Mobile Saunas
Mobile saunas are best for adventurous travelers.
Pro: Flexibility
Mobile saunas are designed to travel with you wherever you go. Whether you’re camping out at a lake, appreciating Minnesota’s scenic views, attending events or moving house, you can bring your sauna with you.
They’re a great option for people who frequently travel between Minneapolis and the cabins in northern Minnesota.
Con: Trailer Hurts the Aesthetic Appeal
BW Sauna Co’s mobile saunas are designed to match the aesthetic appeal of our home saunas. However, if you’re someone who deeply values the look of your yard, you might find the trailer to be a bit of an eyesore.
Pro: Faster to Setup
As soon as you get your hands on your mobile sauna you can start using it. All you need to do is ensure that it’s level, properly ventilated and has time to heat up.
Con: Constantly Exposed to Harsher Weather
Anyone who lives in Minnesota knows how harsh winters can be. While our saunas are designed to face all kinds of weather, it’s important to develop a maintenance schedule so your mobile sauna lasts to the end of its lifespan.
Pro: Great for Smaller Spaces
Because mobile saunas are on the smaller side, they don’t take up much space in your yard, which is great when said space is already quite limited, as it tends to be for those living in neighborhoods like Uptown, Northeast, or Linden Hills.
Con: Limited Customization
There’s only so much you can do with the interior design and layout of a mobile sauna. It’s also important to remember that the tow rating of your vehicle needs to meet or exceed the weight of your trailer.
Home Saunas
Home saunas are permanent structures that you build on your property. They can range from simple cedar barrel structures to custom wellness buildings.
Pro: Premium Sauna Experience
Home saunas are larger, sturdier and better equipped to deal with Minnesota’s harsh weather fluctuations than mobile saunas might be.
Con: High Initial Cost
There’s a lot that goes into the building and installation of a home sauna. They’re already quite pricey depending on the materials you want and all the extras you want to add to your sauna. However, you also need to get the correct building and electrical permits and excavate a portion of your yard to lay a proper foundation for the final structure.
Pro: Increased Property Value
A professionally built home sauna may increase buyer appeal and can become a desirable outdoor living feature.
Con: Longer Installation Timeline
It can take weeks or months to build and install your custom sauna, especially during peak construction seasons in Minneapolis, but BW Sauna Co. will do our best to have your sauna ready for you as quickly as we can.
Pro: Almost Endless Customization
You can personalize almost anything from the wood type and lighting to sound systems and changing rooms.
Con: Permanent Placement
While the permanent aspect of home saunas has a lot of benefits, it can cause a problem if you move and decide you want to bring your sauna with you to your new home. Not only is the process difficult, but it’s costly.
On the bright side, the steel frame we build our saunas around will protect it during transport.
Pro: Great for Frequent Use
If you’re someone who uses a sauna multiple times a week, having a sauna in your backyard can be incredibly convenient. Plus, it tends to be a lot more comfortable because you can adjust everything as you please without worrying about the heat tolerance of others like you must at a public sauna.
Which Option Is Best for You?
The answer depends on how you plan to use your sauna.
A Mobile Sauna May Be Best If You:
- Want flexibility and portability
- Have a smaller yard
- Own a cabin or travel frequently
- Prefer lower upfront costs
- Want to test sauna ownership before committing
- Enjoy hosting unique outdoor experiences
A Backyard Sauna May Be Best If You:
- Want a long-term home wellness investment
- Plan to use the sauna several times weekly
- Have sufficient yard space
- Want premium comfort and customization
- Care about integrating the sauna into your landscaping
- Value potential home resale appeal
Minneapolis Climate Considerations
Minnesota weather affects sauna ownership more than many people realize.
Winter Durability: Backyard saunas generally perform better during extreme cold due to stronger insulation and permanent utility connections.
Seasonal Mobility: Mobile saunas shine during cabin weekends, lakeside gatherings, and outdoor events throughout Minnesota’s warmer months.
Snow and Maintenance: Both sauna types require winter maintenance, but permanent structures typically handle snow loads and freeze-thaw cycles more effectively.
Cost Comparison
| Sauna Type | BW Sauna’s Typical Cost Range |
| Mobile Sauna | $40,000–$50,000+ |
| Backyard Sauna | $30,000–$80,000+ |
Entry-level backyard saunas can sometimes cost less than mobile saunas because the latter’s construction is transportation-specific and it needs a reliable, roadworthy trailer.
Ultimately, the best sauna for you depends on your lifestyle. BW Sauna Co. has plenty of options for you no matter what kind of sauna you go with. Check out our catalog or design your own custom sauna.
