Sauna Accessories Buyer's Guide

The right accessories make a home sauna safer, more comfortable, and easier to maintain. This guide covers the gear worth buying, from the essentials every owner needs to the upgrades that turn a good sauna into a great one. We focus on what actually improves your sessions rather than gadgets you will never touch twice.

Sauna accessories at a glance

If you are short on time, here is the core list. Every sauna owner benefits from a thermometer and hygrometer to track conditions, a wooden bucket and ladle for traditional and steam setups, a backrest and headrest for comfort, and good towels for hygiene and to protect the benches. From there, a sand timer, a quality light, and a few maintenance supplies cover almost everything. Infrared owners need fewer items than traditional owners, since there are no rocks or water to manage. Spend first on comfort and safety, then add extras once you know how you like to use your sauna. You can pair any of these with a cabin from our infrared saunas or traditional saunas collections.

Essential accessories every owner needs

Thermometer and hygrometer

A combined thermometer and hygrometer shows you the temperature and humidity inside the cabin so you can dial in a consistent, comfortable session. It is inexpensive and one of the few accessories that affects safety, since it stops you from overheating the room.

Bucket and ladle

For traditional and steam saunas, a wooden or stainless bucket and ladle let you pour water over the stones to create steam, called loyly. Look for a bucket with a plastic liner to extend its life. Infrared saunas do not need this since they do not use water on rocks.

Backrest and headrest

An ergonomic backrest and headrest make longer sessions far more comfortable by keeping you off the hot bench slats. Cedar and aspen are popular because they stay cooler to the touch and resist moisture.

Towels

Use one towel to sit on and one to dry off. Sitting on a towel protects the wood from sweat, which keeps benches cleaner and lasting longer. Quick-dry options are easiest to manage.

Comfort and experience upgrades

Once the basics are covered, a few additions noticeably improve the experience. A sand timer helps you pace sessions without staring at a phone. Chromotherapy lighting and a dimmable LED add ambiance and are common on modern infrared cabins. A Bluetooth speaker setup, often built in, makes it easy to relax with music or a podcast. Aromatherapy is popular too: essential oils added to the water in a traditional sauna, or an aroma cup near an infrared heater, with eucalyptus and pine among the favorites. If you use your sauna with a cold plunge, a robe and slides make the transition more comfortable; see our cold plunge tubs if you are building a contrast setup.

Maintenance and safety supplies

A small kit keeps your sauna clean and lasting longer. Stock a soft brush and a wood-safe cleaner for the benches, plus a microfiber cloth for glass and panels. Traditional owners should keep spare sauna stones on hand, since stones break down over time and need replacing every year or two with regular use. A non-slip mat for the floor outside the door adds safety after a sweaty session. For a deeper routine, our sauna maintenance guide walks through cleaning step by step.

What infrared owners can skip

Infrared saunas are simpler to outfit. Because they heat your body directly rather than heating rocks and air, you do not need a bucket, ladle, water, or sauna stones. That leaves a shorter list: a thermometer, a backrest and headrest, towels, a timer, and basic cleaning supplies. This simplicity is part of the appeal for first-time buyers and for anyone who wants low upkeep. To compare formats before you buy, read our sauna types comparison or browse the full Restore Suite collection.

Frequently asked questions

What accessories come with a new sauna?

It varies by model. Many cabins include a backrest, an interior light, and sometimes a thermometer or speaker. Traditional kits often include a bucket and ladle. Check the product details so you only buy what is missing.

Do I need special oils for an infrared sauna?

You do not need oils at all, but if you want aromatherapy, use products made for sauna use and place them in an aroma cup rather than pouring oil directly on a heater. Never pour water or oil on infrared panels.

How often do sauna stones need replacing?

With regular use, sauna stones typically need replacing every one to two years. Crumbling or cracked stones restrict airflow and steam quality, so swap them when they start to break down.

Ready to outfit your space? Explore our infrared saunas, traditional saunas, and full catalog as an authorized retailer with free US shipping, HSA and FSA eligibility, and financing. Questions about a specific model or accessory? Contact our team.