Turning Up the Heat: Why Home Saunas are gaining Popularity Post-Pandemic

Since the pandemic has transformed our daily lives, one wellness trend has been steadily heating up across North America - home saunas. Once seen as a luxury reserved for upscale gyms and spas, saunas are now popping up in backyards, basements, and even bathrooms. But this growing interest goes far beyond simple indulgence; it reflects a deeper change in how people view health, comfort, and everyday self-care. 

How COVID Sparked a Sauna Revival 

COVID-19 flipped routines upside down. Gyms were shuttered, spa days disappeared, and stress hit an all-time high. For months, the home became the center of everything – our office, our gym, our recovery zone. In that shift, many began reevaluating what it meant to feel well and how to create that sense of wellness at home. 

That’s where saunas stepped in. More than just a source of warmth, they offered a soothing escape - a private space to decompress when the outside world felt anything but calm. And with growing awareness of heat therapy’s ability to support immunity, reduce anxiety, and promote mental clarity, the sauna emerged not just as a luxury but a logical investment in health. 

Hot Market, Hotter Opportunity  

This wellness shift is backed by numbers. The U.S. sauna market is expected to grow by $151.3 million between 2024 and 2029, with an annual growth rate of around 6.4%. For businesses in the home spa, pool, and wellness sectors, that means major opportunity to expand into a steadily growing market with enthusiastic, health-focused buyers. 

Saunas Made Simple 

Gone are the days when installing a home sauna meant a full-scale renovation. Thanks to modern engineering, today’s units are sleek, efficient, and surprisingly easy to set up. Many come in modular kits that can be placed in a spare room, garage, or even outside on a patio. And for those that want someone else to take care of everything, there is a fast-growing network of brick-and-mortar showrooms where a customer can step inside and test-drive a sauna before they buy. 

They’re also smarter. From app-controlled temperature settings and built-in audio systems to energy-efficient heating elements that plug into standard outlets for some smaller indoor models, home saunas now offer high-end features without requiring major electrical work or construction. 

Whether you're working with a compact city apartment or a spacious suburban home, there's likely a sauna solution that fits your needs and budget. 

Wellness Within Reach 

Residential saunas no longer carry the steep price tags they once did. Entry-level models with impressive quality now start around $3,000, making them more accessible to a wide range of homeowners. For many, it’s a practical way to invest in both personal well-being and property value - a perfect blend of luxury and function. 

Not Just a Trend - A Lifestyle Shift

The post-pandemic sauna boom is more than a passing fad. It’s part of a broader movement toward creating spaces of healing and calm at home. For today’s homeowners, the sauna is a daily ritual - a place to unwind, reflect, and prioritize wellness. And as self-care continues to become a top priority, demand for home saunas is only expected to rise.

References: 

1. Laukkanen, Jari A., et al. "Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence." Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 93, no. 8, 2018, pp. 1111–1121. 

2. Technavio. US Sauna Market Analysis, Size, and Forecast 2025–2029. Technavio, Jan. 2025, technavio.com.