Barrel or cube — choosing the shape of your garden sauna is one of the first decisions you'll make when planning a home spa outdoors. Both have loyal fans, and the right choice really comes down to available space, garden style, and how many people the sauna needs to fit at once. Here's how they compare, and which one might suit your garden best.
Barrel saunas — how they work and who they suit
The round shape of a barrel sauna isn't just about looks — it's a genuinely practical heating solution. Heat spreads evenly throughout the interior, with no "dead" corners where air heats up more slowly. As a result, barrel saunas warm up relatively quickly and hold a stable temperature while using less energy.
Barrels also take up less space in the garden — their round footprint fits neatly into smaller gardens and corners where a rectangular cube simply wouldn't fit.
Cube saunas — a modern shape with more usable space
A cube sauna is a rectangular, minimalist structure that pairs naturally with contemporary garden and patio architecture. Its simple form gives you more usable space than a barrel with a similar footprint — it's easier to fit benches along the walls, plus extras like a shower or a changing area.
Cube saunas often come with a large glass front, creating a spacious feel and letting you enjoy the garden view even mid-session.
Barrel vs cube — a quick comparison
| Criteria | Barrel sauna | Cube sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-up | Fast and even, thanks to the round shape | Very good, may take slightly longer on larger models |
| Air circulation | Natural, no dead corners | Good, depends on ventilation layout |
| Footprint | Smaller, fits neatly into corners | Larger, needs a rectangular plot |
| Look and feel | Traditional, Nordic | Modern, minimalist, often glazed |
| Who it's for | Smaller gardens, a classic sauna atmosphere | Modern gardens, bigger groups, garden views |
Or maybe a large panoramic sauna?
If you're after a sauna for a large family or frequent get-togethers with friends, it's worth considering a third option — a large panoramic sauna seating 6–10 people. It combines the spaciousness of a cube with an even larger glazed front.
How long does delivery take?
Lead times depend on the model: the UKU, ICON, R-SONIA and R-ILLY models are delivered within 3–4 weeks, while the rest of the range takes 4–6 weeks.
Our recommendation
If you want to make the most of a smaller plot and love a classic, cosy sauna atmosphere, go for a barrel sauna, such as the RUKU 130 outdoor sauna for 2–4 people. If a modern design, a large glazed front and extra usable space matter more to you, a cube sauna is the better fit — like the R-ILLY 4-person cube garden sauna.
Browse our full range of barrel saunas in the barrel sauna collection, or see every model in the garden sauna collection.
Frequently asked questions
Which heats up faster — a barrel or a cube sauna?
Thanks to its round shape, a barrel sauna tends to heat up slightly faster and more evenly, since warm air circulates freely without settling in corners.
Which takes up less space in the garden?
A barrel sauna — its round footprint fits more easily into smaller plots and corner spaces than the rectangular shape of a cube.
Which is more expensive — a barrel or a cube sauna?
It varies by model and size, but cube saunas generally sit above barrel saunas in price, with large panoramic saunas at the premium end of the range.