Barrel sauna for two: is the MINI 1.8 m enough?

Who really has room

Our model for two is the Barrel Sauna MINI 1.8 m: one room, about 1.55 m long inside, with two benches facing each other. Two people sit comfortably; a third fits, but it is tight. You cannot lie down – the bench is shorter than an adult.

The biggest advantage is time

About 25–30 minutes to 90 °C, the shortest in the range. A sauna for two is something you fire up after work without planning the evening around it – which is exactly why small saunas often get used more than big ones.

The lowest running costs

Less volume means less wood, or a shorter full-load phase with an electric stove. A stove of around 6 kW is enough, which with an electric stove also means lower demands on the connection.

How much space

The MINI measures about 1.85 m long and 2.2 m in diameter. With a metre in front of the door and 40–50 cm on the other sides you need roughly 3.3 × 3.2 m – about the size of a small patio. It arrives as a kit, and two adults assemble it in 1–2 days.

Want to sit outside afterwards?

The Barrel Sauna 2 m with Terrace adds a covered porch of about 0.4 m with a bench in front of the door. It is about 2.4 m long overall, with a 1.75 m sauna room, and seats 2–4. All models for two side by side: 2-person barrel sauna.

When the MINI is too little

• If children want to join: with three it gets tight.
• If the sauna is meant as a meeting place with friends.
• If you want a separate room to change in – then look at the 3 m with vestibule.

Is the step up to 3 m worth it?

The Barrel Sauna 3 m costs £2,790 instead of £1,690 for the MINI, delivered to the UK (excl. UK VAT). It does not cost twice as much, because only the length grows, not the diameter. In return you get a vestibule of about 0.85 m to change in and more room on the benches; heat-up takes roughly five minutes longer. If you always use the sauna as a pair and the garden is small, the MINI is perfectly sufficient.