Collection: Cedar Saunas

Cedar is the classic sauna wood, prized for the way it handles heat and humidity without warping and for the soft aroma it gives a hot room. Western red cedar stays cool to the touch, shrugs off moisture, and carries natural oils that fight mold and odor, which is why it sits at the top of most buyers' lists.

What makes cedar the top sauna wood

Cedar earns its reputation on a few practical traits. It is a soft, light wood full of tiny air pockets, so benches and walls stay comfortable to touch even when the room is hot. It barely absorbs water, so it resists the swelling, warping, and cracking that affect denser woods in a humid sauna. Its natural phenolic oils resist mold, mildew, and bacteria and keep the wood smelling fresh for years with very little upkeep. For an outdoor cabin or a high-humidity traditional room, that durability is worth the premium. See our traditional saunas and outdoor saunas for cedar-built options.

Cedar vs hemlock vs basswood

The three woods buyers compare most are cedar, hemlock, and basswood. Cedar offers the best moisture resistance and the signature scent, and it usually costs about 15 to 30 percent more than a comparable hemlock model. Hemlock is the budget-friendly choice with similar structural strength but no strong aroma, and it does best with good ventilation and an occasional wipe-down. Basswood is nearly odorless and very low in resins, which makes it the usual pick for people with allergies or chemical sensitivities, though it is best kept to indoor rooms. Our sauna wood guide breaks down the trade-offs in full, and the sauna wood quiz can point you to a match.

The cedar aroma and one honest caveat

Most people love cedar's scent, but it is worth one honest note. A small share of users are sensitive to the natural oils in western red cedar, and in a hot room that can show up as mild respiratory irritation, a skin reaction, or a headache. If you know you react to cedar or strong wood scents, a hemlock or basswood cabin is the safer pick. When in doubt, start with short sessions and see how your body responds.

How to choose a cedar sauna

Match the cabin to where it will live and how you like your heat. A cedar infrared sauna warms your body directly and runs cooler, which suits an indoor room, while a cedar barrel or cabin with a traditional heater delivers the hotter, steam-friendly Finnish experience outdoors. Size it to the number of bathers, confirm the wood grade, and look for a solid warranty. For placement ideas indoors, see our indoor saunas, and our sauna buying guide walks through the rest.

Financing and help choosing

A cedar cabin is a long-term piece of your home, so build quality matters. Restore Suite offers financing and possible HSA/FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity, plus real human support if you want help matching a cabin to your space. Compare other woods and heat types across our full sauna lineup.

Frequently asked questions

Is cedar the best wood for a sauna? Cedar is the most popular sauna wood because it resists moisture and warping, stays cool to the touch, and carries natural oils that fight mold and odor. It costs more than hemlock, so the best choice depends on your budget and whether you want the cedar scent.

Do cedar saunas smell strongly of cedar? New cedar has a noticeable, pleasant aroma that softens over the first months of use. Most people enjoy it, but anyone sensitive to cedar oils may prefer a low-aroma hemlock or basswood cabin.

Can a cedar sauna go outdoors? Yes. Cedar's natural oils and low moisture absorption make it one of the best woods for an outdoor sauna, where it weathers well with minimal maintenance.