Short answer
Only if the model is built or approved for it. Most infrared cabins are indoor products. Clearlight sells separate outdoor models and says its indoor Sanctuary may go outside only on a deck or pavers and with its optional canvas cover. Check the manual and warranty first, and have an electrician run the outdoor power.
If you have no room inside, putting an infrared sauna in the yard or on a patio sounds like an easy fix. Whether it works depends on the model. Most infrared cabins are designed for indoor use, and a few are made or approved for outdoor use. For a full comparison of sauna types, see infrared sauna types.
Can an infrared sauna go outside?
Yes, if the manufacturer builds or approves it for that. Clearlight’s Sanctuary manual lists a garden house among possible locations and says that outside, the sauna should sit on a deck or concrete pavers to protect it from ground moisture, and that outdoor installation requires its optional canvas cover. Clearlight also sells dedicated outdoor models. If your manual says indoor use only, do not put the cabin outside.
Indoor vs outdoor infrared saunas
| Indoor cabin | Outdoor model | |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Interior wood panels, no roof | Weather-resistant exterior; Clearlight: engineered wood exterior, mahogany interior, 9 in roof overhang |
| Outdoor use | Only if the manual allows it (Clearlight Sanctuary: deck or pavers plus canvas cover) | Designed for it |
| Warranty | Clearlight: lifetime warranty | Clearlight FAQ: 5 years on the exterior cabin, lifetime on everything inside |
| Example price | Clearlight Sanctuary 2: $7,299 | Clearlight Sanctuary Outdoor-2: $8,599 |
What to check before you put an infrared sauna outside
1. The manual and the warranty
Start here. The manual tells you whether outdoor use is allowed and what it requires. Clearlight’s FAQ gives its outdoor models a 5-year warranty on the exterior cabin and lifetime coverage on everything inside. An indoor-only cabin placed outside may not be covered.
2. A dry, level base
Do not set the cabin on grass or soil. Clearlight recommends a deck or concrete pavers so moisture from the ground cannot wick up through the wooden feet. The base must be level so the panels and door line up. See also can you put a sauna in your backyard.
3. Protection from rain, snow and sun
An outdoor model has a roof; an indoor cabin approved for outdoor use needs the maker’s cover. A covered patio or the side of the house gives extra shelter. Clear snow from the roof and check the cover for tears.
4. Power run by an electrician
Clearlight lists 120 V/15 A for its one- and two-person Premier cabins, 120 V/20 A for the Premier 3 and 240 V for several larger Sanctuary models. Its manual recommends a dedicated circuit and no extension cord. Outdoor wiring has its own code rules, so have a licensed electrician run it and check whether you need a permit. More on power: how much electricity an infrared sauna uses.
5. Cold weather
In cold weather the cabin starts from a lower temperature, so it takes longer to warm up. Infrared saunas run cooler than traditional ones anyway: Cleveland Clinic puts them at 110 to 135°F. See how long a sauna takes to heat up and how hot infrared saunas get.
Materials and insulation
Outdoor models use a weather-resistant exterior over the interior wood. If you are building a custom outdoor sauna room instead of buying a cabin, the walls and ceiling need insulation and a vapor barrier. Our guide to whether outdoor saunas need insulation explains the numbers, and best wood for a sauna covers the panelling. Ask the maker before you paint or seal any part of an infrared cabin; see can you paint an infrared sauna.
Care and maintenance outdoors
- Wipe the bench and floor after use and leave the door or vents open so the cabin dries. See how to clean a sauna and how to prevent mold in a sauna.
- Check the cover, roof and seals after storms and before winter.
- Keep plants, leaves and snow away from the walls so the wood can dry.
Indoor alternatives if outdoor is not an option
If your cabin is indoor-only, a garage or basement may still work. See can you put a sauna in your garage and where to put a sauna in your home. Not sure which type fits? Try the sauna picker.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put an indoor infrared sauna outside?
Only if the maker allows it. Clearlight’s Sanctuary manual says the cabin can go outside on a deck or concrete pavers and needs its optional canvas cover. Other brands may not allow it at all, so read your manual and warranty before you move a cabin outdoors.
What is the difference between an indoor and an outdoor infrared sauna?
An outdoor model has a weather-resistant shell and roof. Clearlight’s outdoor saunas have an engineered wood exterior with a mahogany interior and a 9 inch roof overhang, and the exterior cabin has its own 5-year warranty.
Does an outdoor infrared sauna void the warranty?
It can if the model is not approved for outdoor use. For Clearlight’s outdoor models, the FAQ says the exterior cabin has a 5-year warranty and everything inside has the same lifetime warranty as its indoor saunas. Check the exact terms for your brand.
What do I need to put an infrared sauna on outside?
A firm, level and dry base. Clearlight recommends a deck or concrete pavers so ground moisture cannot wick up through the wooden feet. Avoid placing it directly on grass or soil.
Does an outdoor infrared sauna need special wiring?
It needs the circuit the manufacturer specifies, run outdoors by a licensed electrician to local code. Clearlight lists 120 V for its small Premier cabins and 240 V for several larger Sanctuary models, and it does not recommend extension cords.
Can you use an outdoor infrared sauna in winter?
Yes, but expect a longer warm-up in cold weather. Keep the cover or roof in good shape, clear snow from the roof and let the cabin dry with the door open after use so moisture does not stay inside.
Sources
- Clearlight: Sanctuary 5 owner’s manual (locations, outdoor placement, cover, circuit)
- Clearlight: Outdoor saunas (exterior, roof overhang, prices), accessed 19.10.2026
- Clearlight: Saunas by model (indoor prices), accessed 19.10.2026
- Clearlight: FAQ (warranty for outdoor models)
- Clearlight: Electrical requirements for your infrared sauna
- Cleveland Clinic: Infrared sauna temperatures
This guide is based on the linked manufacturer pages, manuals and health sources. We did not test these products ourselves.