Barrel & Infrared Saunas | Outdoor Saunas NZ

Saunas Built Properly

A straightforward approach to quality saunas.

Bayther provides well-built barrel and infrared saunas for New Zealand homes.

The aim is a proper sauna in your backyard, without you having to become an expert in saunas, construction, heaters, freight and installation to get there.

Learn more

Bayther outdoor barrel sauna installed in a backyard garden in New Zealand

Find the right sauna in a minute

Five questions about where it's going, who's using it and how you like your heat. Answer them right here.

One recommendation, not a shortlist
What your site needs before it arrives
A text to Tim with your answers already in it

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Three kinds of sauna. Pick the one that suits you and see the models.

Barrel saunas

From $7,800

Outside on a deck, pad or gravel
Wood fired or electric
Sizes for 2 to 8 people

See barrel saunas

Infrared sauna

From $4,100

Goes indoors: a spare room or garage
Flat floor, no groundwork
Gentler heat, for 2 to 3 people

See the infrared sauna

Portable sauna

From $15,800

Nothing to prepare on site
Tows to events, retreats and hire
Comes registered, with a year of rego

See the portable sauna

The questions we get asked most

Barrel or infrared, what's the difference?

Barrel saunas are traditional Finnish heat: 70 to 90°C, hotter again with wood fired, with stones you pour water over for steam. Electric or wood fired, and built for outdoors. Hot, intense and immersive. See the barrel saunas

Infrared saunas are gentler radiant heat at 55 to 65°C, so you can stay in longer. They warm the body directly rather than the air, are designed for indoors and run off a 15 amp outlet. See the infrared sauna

How long does it take to heat up?

Infrared from 10 minutes, electric from 20mins, wood-fired from 35. Bigger saunas take longer: the 2-4 person electric is 20 to 35 minutes, the larger one 30 to 40.

How hot does it get?

Barrel saunas run 70 to 90°C (can get hotter with woodfired), with stones you can pour water over for steam. Infrared sits lower at 55 to 65°C, which is why sessions can be longer and more comfortable.

Can it go indoors?

Infrared is built for it. A barrel sauna can go indoors too, as long as the space is flat, well ventilated and suited to high heat. Plenty end up in garages or covered areas.

What do I need on site?

A flat, level surface: a concrete pad, deck, pavers or compacted gravel. Electric saunas need a 32 amp connection put in by a licensed electrician.

Do I need council consent?

In most settings, no. Local rules vary, so check with your council if you are unsure.

Do I need a builder?

Barrel saunas suit a competent DIY build or your own builder, and we can recommend one in Auckland. Infrared saunas assemble indoors with two able-bodied people.