Both outdoor saunas and hot tubs are popular garden wellness choices. The right choice depends on your priorities, space, and how you plan to use the product.
Experience and Heat Medium
The primary difference between a sauna and a hot tub is the heat medium. Saunas use dry heat (or steam, if water is added to the stones) to warm the air and the body. Hot tubs use warm water immersion.
Many people find both experiences relaxing. Saunas offer a quiet, intense heat environment that increases sweating and skin blood flow. Hot tubs provide buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure, which can create a comfortable reduced-loading environment.
Both heat exposure and warm-water immersion have different bodies of research regarding their physiological effects. Neither product replaces exercise or healthcare, and customers with relevant conditions—such as cardiovascular disease, blood-pressure problems, or pregnancy—should seek individual clinical advice before use [1][2].
Social Capacity and Use
Hot tubs are often viewed as more social spaces, allowing multiple people to sit and converse in warm water. Saunas can also be social, but the intense heat often makes them a quieter, more introspective experience.
Maintenance and Water Care
Hot tubs require regular water chemistry management, including pH balancing, sanitiser dosing, filter cleaning, and periodic water changes. This is an ongoing commitment to ensure the water remains safe and clean.
Saunas require different maintenance. The interior wood needs occasional cleaning and periodic treatment, but there is no water chemistry to manage.
Running Costs and Electrical Requirements
Running costs depend heavily on the selected products, their insulation, and how they are used. A hot tub typically maintains its water temperature 24/7, which requires continuous energy input. A sauna is usually heated only when in use.
For accurate running costs, it is important to compare specific models, their insulation, and your intended usage pattern.
Electrical requirements also vary. Both saunas and hot tubs may require dedicated electrical circuits. Electrical installation work in a garden must meet applicable Building Regulations and safety requirements [3]. Customers should consult a qualified electrician and refer to the specific model's electrical schedule.
Space and Installation
Space requirements depend on the specific model chosen. When planning your space, consider not only the footprint of the unit but also the required access space for maintenance and ventilation.
Most standard installations generally do not require planning permission; however, listed buildings and protected areas may require checks. The property owner remains responsible for confirming requirements with the relevant local authority where circumstances are unusual.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sauna or hot tub better for your health?
Both heat exposure and warm-water immersion have different bodies of research regarding their physiological effects. Neither product replaces exercise or healthcare, and customers with relevant conditions should seek individual clinical advice before use.
Which is cheaper to run — a sauna or a hot tub?
Running costs depend heavily on the selected products, their insulation, and how they are used. A hot tub typically maintains its water temperature 24/7, which requires continuous energy input. A sauna is usually heated only when in use. For accurate running costs, it is important to compare specific models, their insulation, and your intended usage pattern.
References
| Ref | Source | URL |
|---|---|---|
| [1] | Blum and Blum, "Beneficial effects of sauna bathing for heart failure patients" | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2359619/ |
| [2] | NHS-linked pregnancy guidance | https://collingwoodsurgery.nhs.uk/new-york/common-questions/pregnancyis-it-safe-to-use-a-sauna-or-jacuzzi-if-i-am-pregnant |
| [3] | GOV.UK, "Electrical safety: Approved Document P" | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-approved-document-p |