A backyard sauna and cold plunge setup needs four things: a sauna, a heater, a plunge tub and a plan for the space between them. With the Canadian Timber line, the sauna and the plunge are both Eastern White Cedar from the same maker in Ontario, so they look like one design. A complete setup starts at about $9,700 for a MiniPOD, a Harvia KIP and a Baltic plunge, before bases and installation.
Owners who share their builds online say the same thing again and again: plan the electrical and the layout before anything arrives. This guide walks you through it.
Three setups with real prices
| Starter | Mid-range | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sauna | MiniPOD, seats 4, $5,956.50 | Harmony barrel, seats 4, $5,976.50 | Luna, seats 4, $7,391.50 |
| Heater | Harvia KIP, $1,211 | Homecraft Revive, from $2,986 | Huum DROP with WiFi control, from $3,097 |
| Plunge | Baltic, ice or chiller later, $2,554.50 | Polar HDPE, $3,444 | Flow, clear cedar, $8,336 (chiller separate) |
| Total | $9,722 | $12,406.50 | $18,824.50 plus a chiller |
We confirm the heater's kW rating for your sauna before you order, so the heater in each bundle may change. The Luna is electric only. Barrels, cabins and the MiniPOD can also take the TimberGlow 14 wood stove (from $2,339).
Step 1: pick the sauna by size and heat
Count how many people will use it at once. Most Canadian Timber models seat 4; the Serenity barrel seats 5 and the Tranquility 6. Then choose electric or wood. Electric is simpler day to day; wood needs a chimney but no circuit. Compare all models in Canadian Timber saunas compared.
Step 2: pick the plunge by space and routine
The Baltic is a compact upright barrel, 37.5 inches across. The Polar is 71 inches long for full immersion. The Flow hides the chiller inside its cedar cabinet. If you will plunge daily, plan for a chiller. Read ice vs chiller and how much space a plunge needs.
Step 3: plan power before delivery
Electric sauna heaters are hardwired by an electrician, and a chiller needs its own power connection. Plan both at once, so the electrician comes out one time. A forum owner with a sauna and plunge setup mentioned needing two separate 240V runs, which is common when both are electric. Your electrician will size it to your actual heater and chiller.
Step 4: bases and layout
- Each piece needs a level base that carries its full weight. The Polar needs at least 34 by 72 inches; the Baltic holds about 1,100 lbs of water when full.
- Put the plunge a few steps from the sauna door, on a path that will not get slippery.
- Keep the plunge and any chiller outside the heater and chimney clearances. See outdoor sauna fire safety.
- Leave room for the chiller's airflow, the plunge drain and a bench or hook for towels.
- An outdoor cedar shower nearby completes the circuit and matches the cedar.
Step 5: budget the extras
- Bases and site prep
- Electrical work and any permits
- A chiller, if you want one
- Running costs: an electric sauna routine runs about $15.94 a month at the US average rate, per our electricity cost study
Freight is free curbside in the lower 48.
Sauna and cold plunge: common questions
Can I start with a sauna and add the plunge later?
Yes, and many owners do. Just plan the spot and the power for the plunge now.
Do the sauna and plunge match?
Yes. Both are Canadian Timber cedar from Dundalk LeisureCraft, and the plunges are designed to match the saunas.
What warranty do they have?
The saunas and plunge tubs carry 5-year residential warranties. The plunge warranty excludes the chiller. Heaters ship with their makers' warranties.
Which setup should you buy?
- Starter ($9,722) if you want to try the routine on a modest budget.
- Mid-range ($12,406.50) for a classic barrel and a full-length plunge.
- Premium (from $18,824.50) if the setup sits in full view and you want WiFi heat and a hidden chiller.
Browse outdoor saunas and cold plunges, or send us your yard size for a suggested layout.