In order to enjoy the full experience of the sauna, it’s necessary to relax your body as well as your mind. Serene music – even played quietly – is a great way to enhance a calming environment and allow your mind to wander. What’s the best way to incorporate music into your home sauna?
It is possible to install either a permanent sauna sound system or incorporate a Bluetooth speaker into your home sauna experience. No matter which option you choose, you’ll need to invest in a speaker (and auxiliary accessories) that are compatible with the sauna environment and able to withstand temperatures of up 200°F and extreme humidity.
Keep reading to learn more about the requirements for your new sauna speaker, plus a couple of great recommendations.
Can you use speakers inside a sauna?
Some sauna enthusiasts may recall going to a sauna and hearing a mellow sound in the background, but is it possible to set up speakers in your sauna?
It is possible to use a speaker in the sauna, but it must be able to withstand sauna conditions. To be safe, you’ll need to purchase a speaker or system that is waterproof and heat resistant to 200°F.
The speaker should also be placed as far away from the heat source as possible, typically either in the corner of the room or directly underneath the sauna seat.
Can steam ruin a speaker?
Choosing the incorrect speaker can end in disappointment, both in the form sauna silence and wasted money.
Steam from a hot sauna can ruin a speaker if you’ve purchased one that isn’t waterproof. Waterproof speakers typically have thicker exteriors and the wiring is sealed to avoid exposure to water. In this case, that prevents the steam from condensing and collecting inside the speaker and ruining the components.
Keep in mind that some speakers are weatherproof and will withstand outside elements (think rain and wind), but can still be ruined by humidity and steam.
Can heat ruin a speaker?
Just like steam and humidity can ruin a speaker, intense heat can cause irreparable damage.
Extended exposure to even moderate heat can dry out a speaker and damage the appearance of the exterior, although the function is unlikely to be affected. The extreme heat of a sauna, however, can actually melt any plastic elements and compromise the sound and function of your speaker. Be sure to purchase a speaker that is rated to at least 195°F.
For best results, speakers should be placed or installed at a low level as heat rises. Directly on or under the sauna bench is a very popular location for the speakers because it means:
- The speaker is not immediately obvious.
- The sound is closer to the user.
- The low placements helps protect the speaker from both heat and humidity.
Using bluetooth speakers inside a sauna
Bluetooth speakers are popular for their portability and ease of use, but can you use one inside your sauna?
Waterproof Bluetooth speakers are perfect for sauna use as they are typically small and constructed with showers and poolside use in mind. For best results, make sure to:
- Place the speaker as far from the heat source as possible. While the sauna area will still be hot, the ambiant temperature will affect the electronics less than direct heat will.
- Rest the speaker on a towel on the floor or next to you on the bench. The towel will help absorb any of the moisture that may collect on the speaker, and will help insulate it from the heat of the room.
- Limit speaker use. The average sauna session will last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, but don’t expect your Bluetooth speaker to be able to last that whole time. You’ll probably get 15-25 minutes of music before the speaker starts to overheat.
- Turn the speaker off if it starts to get hot. Obviously everything in the sauna will feel warm, but if the speaker starts to overheat, turn it off immediately and allow it to cool off before attempting to use it again.
As long as you keep these tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy your favorite Spotify playlist throughout your sauna time!
Are there heat-resistant Bluetooth speakers for the sauna?
Locating a Bluetooth speaker that is heat-resistant for the sauna can prove to be a daunting task. It is not that there are none to be found. It’s just that for the most part, when searching for Bluetooth speakers, many of them do not specify if they are capable of withstanding the amount of heat present in a sauna.
The safest route would be to purchase from a location or site that specializes in saunas. At least this way, you can rest assured that the device is sauna-approved.
To find a heat-resistant Bluetooth speaker online, your best bet is going to be to search for waterproof speakers and read through reviews to find out what people are using their speakers for. Even highly reviewed speakers may not be perfect for sauna use, but it’s a good start.
Are there waterproof Bluetooth speakers?
Bluetooth speakers have become very accessible in recent years, but how do you know which ones are waterproof?
For use in your sauna, look for a Bluetooth speaker with an ingress protection rating of IPX7 or higher. While some lower ingress ratings may claim to be water-resistant, they will not be able to withstand the ongoing steam and humidity.
Water-resistance merely means that a device can be subjected to limited exposure to moisture without damage. Whereas waterproof devices can potentially be submerged in water for a given amount of time without damage.
The best Bluetooth speakers for a sauna
Choosing the best Bluetooth speaker for your sauna boils down to a personal preference and need. What is best for you may equate to cost and for someone else may be the sound quality.
Here are some great choices for Bluetooth speakers you can use in the sauna:
- cjc Shower Speaker – This $40 shower speaker is designed for use in the shower. It has an ingress rating of IPX7 which means it can be submerged in 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes. While it does not include a heat rating, many users mentioned that they have used in it successfully in the sauna over several months.
- JBL Flip 5 – This IPX7 waterproof speaker comes with a hefty $130 pricetag, but features a sound quality and playtime to match.
- Herdio Bluetooth Home Speaker – This $100 speaker is a different type of Bluetooth speaker than you may be used to. This recessed speaker is designed to be installed in the ceiling (not recommended for your sauna) or wall. Intended for use in bathrooms, it will withstand the steam from your home sauna.
Sauna sound systems and permanent speakers
There are many easy to assemble saunas that come with some type of audio/sound system, but it is possible to either choose a different type of sound system or install a new system in your old sauna or your upgraded bathroom.
For use in your sauna, look for a speaker system that is designed for sauna installation. These speakers will be waterproof and have a plastic exterior (rather than paper/cardboard or metal). A standard home speaker system will not be able to withstand the ongoing steam and humidity.
When installing your sauna sound system, ensure that all components are properly insulated and the speaker is installed low – typically below the sauna bench – and away from the heat source.
Are there heat-resistant speaker systems for saunas?
Heat can be very damaging to the inner workings of a speaker. Therefore, when selecting a speaker for your sauna, you want one that can withstand high temperatures.
Installed speakers for home saunas should be heat-resistant to a minimum of 120°F, although many speaker systems that are specifically designed for sauna use will be good for 140°F.
This is great news for infrared sauna users because it falls within their temperature range. However, dry saunas go up to a temperature of about 200°F.
Are there waterproof speaker systems?
Think back to the time you were in a sauna or steam room and there was lite music playing in the background. That means waterproof speaker systems must exist, right?
Waterproof speaker systems are easily available and come in both wall-mounted and recessed versions. Either of these will require some wiring work in your sauna and you may need to bring in a professional to ensure everything is installed and insulated correctly.
Keep reading to learn a little more about the best options for installing a permanent sound system in your sauna.
The best sauna sound systems to install in your sauna
If you’re ready to invest the time and money to install a great sound system in your sauna, do your research and make sure that the one you choose will have the power, quality, and heat/water resistance you’re looking for.
The $249 Polk Audio RC80i speaker pair is described as being ideal for use in the bathroom and sauna. These round speakers are white with a paintable grill to ensure that they blend seamlessly into your sauna.
Don’t forget that an installed sound system includes more than just the speakers! You’ll probably also want amps and a subwoofer, plus you’ll need basic wiring, and, of course, something to play music from.
If you’re not ready to do a full installation, check out the earlier Herdio Bluetooth system recommendation.