Redwood Outdoors vs Almost Heaven: Outdoor Sauna Kits Compared
By James Mancebo, South Lake Tahoe, CA · Updated 2026-11-13
Short answer: Almost Heaven is the pick if the warranty matters most and you want a cedar kit made in the USA, or if you want someone else to build it. Redwood Outdoors is the pick if you’d rather skip staining, want cabin layouts with listed weights and interior volumes, or are buying during a sale. At matched sizes their prices are close, so compare the actual models.
The brands side by side
| Redwood Outdoors | Almost Heaven | |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Canadian heat-treated hemlock, 1½″ | Rustic Red Cedar (barrels: 1⅜″ ball-and-socket staves; Allegheny cabin: 1½″) |
| Exterior care | “No stain or sealer is required.” Untreated, it weathers “to a rustic grey” | “We strongly advise applying a stain” |
| Sauna warranty | “1-year limited warranty” | “Limited Lifetime Warranty covering manufacturing defects” |
| Harvia heater warranty | 1 yr elements / 5 yr other components | 1 yr elements / 5 yr other components |
| Made in | not stated on the pages we checked | “Country of Origin: USA” |
| Shipping | Freight in a wooden crate, appointment required, curbside delivery | “Ships within 6–8 weeks of purchase” |
| Install help | DIY kit, “no cutting, modifications, or special skills required”; showrooms in Seattle, LA, Salt Lake City | Professional install “across the U.S. starting at $1,400” |
| Snow and rain add-ons | Barrel ships with asphalt shingles; Beveled Roof Kit $599; Cabin and Cove metal roof kits $299 | Barrel rain jacket from $337 |
| Snow-load rating | none published | none published |
Matched-size prices (Nov 13, 2026)
| Size | Redwood Outdoors | Almost Heaven |
|---|---|---|
| 2-person | Duo: $4,899 (sale; $5,899) | Salem barrel: $4,485 |
| 4-person barrel | Barrel 6-Person (“spacious for 4”): $5,299 (sale; $6,299) | Pinnacle: $5,302.50 (sale; $7,575) |
| Cabin | Cabin 4-Person: $6,299 (sale; $7,299); Cove 3-Person: $6,699 | Allegheny 6-Person: $7,505.40 (sale; $10,722) |
| Compact cube | n/a | BlackWater Mini-Cube: $5,877.90 (sale; $8,397) |
These are the lowest configurations. Heater upgrades change the price and sometimes the breaker size. Redwood lists 30A for its 6 kW heater and 40A for 8 kW. Almost Heaven’s Allegheny lists 40/45/50A for its 8/9/10.5 kW heaters. Redwood’s page also advertised extra Black Friday discounts at checkout, which we didn’t include.
What matters in snow country
- Neither brand rates its roofs for snow load. Budget for a roof kit or cover, and plan to clear snow. See barrel vs cabin in snow country.
- Foundation rules differ by shape, not brand. Almost Heaven says barrels can sit on flat dirt or grass if needed, but cabins and cubes need a prepared foundation, typically concrete. Redwood lists concrete, a deck, compacted gravel or pavers. More in our foundation guide.
- The electrical bill is the same. Both brands’ 6 kW heaters need a 240V/30A hard-wired circuit. See Reno/Tahoe electrical install costs.
- Delivery to the mountains. Both ship by freight. Redwood delivers curbside by appointment. A crated 6-person barrel is 3′10″ × 7′11″ × 2′5″, so think about how you’ll get it from the street to the yard in snow.
One more option: Renu Therapy’s Rusticus indoor sauna page says it’s built by Almost Heaven.
See every model from both brands in the directory or the comparison table.
Sources
- Redwood Outdoors Barrel 6-Person, Duo, Cove, Cabin (specs, care, warranty, shipping sections), and the warranty page
- Almost Heaven Salem, Pinnacle, Allegheny, BlackWater Mini-Cube (specs, FAQ, warranty, shipping)
- Renu Therapy Rusticus
- Page text read Nov 12, 2026; prices checked Nov 13, 2026
FAQ
Which has the better warranty, Redwood Outdoors or Almost Heaven?
On paper, Almost Heaven. It lists a Limited Lifetime Warranty covering manufacturing defects. Redwood Outdoors says its saunas are 'backed by a 1-year limited warranty.' Both list the same Harvia heater terms: 1 year on heating elements and 5 years on other components.
What wood does each brand use?
Redwood Outdoors uses Canadian heat-treated (thermally modified) hemlock, 1½ inches thick on the models we checked, and says no stain or sealer is required. Almost Heaven's barrels use Rustic Red Cedar ('premium North American cedar') in 1⅜-inch ball-and-socket staves, and the brand 'strongly' advises applying a stain.
Can I get either one professionally installed?
Almost Heaven advertises professional installation 'across the U.S. starting at $1,400,' with a final quote before work begins. Redwood Outdoors markets its kits for DIY assembly 'in just a few hours using basic construction skills' and has showrooms in Seattle, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. We didn't find a Redwood install service on the pages we checked.
Not electrical or legal advice. Specs and prices are copied from brand pages on the date shown and change often. Have a licensed electrician size and install your circuit and confirm permit requirements with your local building department.