Redwood Thermowood Panorama Sauna Review

If you’re looking to reduce inflammation or recover faster, a steam in the Redwood Thermowood Panorama Sauna might be just the thing. (1) Studies have also suggested that stress relief is another one of the potential benefits of saunas, and if your backyard has a view, the Thermowood Panorama Sauna might be the perfect one for busting stress. (2)

The Panorama Sauna is basically Redwood Outdoors’ Barrel Sauna but with one big twist: The entire back wall is made of clear glass, which lets in a ton of natural light and provides unobstructed views of the surrounding terrain. It has seating for four to six people, a footprint of roughly six feet by six feet, and three heater options that can reach temps of up to 220 degrees. Thanks to its high-end heaters, barrel-style exterior, and panoramic glass back wall, the Redwood Outdoors Panoramic Sauna is built to deliver a spa retreat-level sauna experience.

About Our Tester

Billy Brown is one of BarBend’s reviews editors. He’s a certified trainer and competitive athlete who has spent countless hours in saunas for both recovery and relaxation. He put together this review using a combination of his own personal experience, product testing notes from other BarBend testers, and reports from user reviews. 

Main Takeaways

Redwood Thermowood Panorama Sauna Highlights

• Price: Starts at $6,599
• Seating Capacity: 6
• Max Temperature: 220 degrees Fahrenheit
• Wood Type: Scandinavian Thermowood

A good home sauna can turn your backyard into a day spa, and the Redwood Outdoors Thermowood Panorama Sauna is an excellent example. Made from Scandinavian Thermowood, which is treated to resist rot and fungi, this barrel-shaped sauna stands out with its all-glass back wall. This wall lets in plenty of natural light, and if you happen to have a yard with a view, the Panorama will let you soak it in while you unwind. 

The price starts at $6,599, but the price depends on which heater option you choose. All of the heaters use traditional (or steam) heat, but users can select from three options: two electric heaters that put out temperatures of up to 220 degrees F, with varying amounts of humidity depending on the heater. There’s also a wood-burning option that comes with or without a chimney kit for those who want to keep things old-school. 

The Panorama seats up to six people within its 6’ x 6’ footprint, but if you’re not the cuddling type, four might be more comfortable. At 900 pounds, this is not a portable sauna at all, so be ready to commit when it comes to placement. Also, at that weight, you’re going to want a stable foundation like a concrete slab or deck for it to sit on. We’ve had testers report similar saunas actually sinking into their backyard lawns. And while the $6,599 starting price is nothing to sneeze at, the price hops up quickly if you go with a higher-end heater or any of the accessories. If you go top-tier with the heater and get all the add-ons, you’re looking at almost double the initial cost. 

Using the Redwood Thermowood Panorama Sauna 

We’ve tested several Redwood Outdoor Saunas, including the similar Extra-Wide Thermowood Barrel Sauna. Our testers have had positive things to say about everything we’ve tested from Redwood Outdoors, and the Panorama should prove to be of similar quality. The heaters range in top temperature from 165 to 220 degrees, and the WiFi versions can get the heat going remotely, so the sauna’s ready to rock when you get home. 

The sauna seats four to six, although six people may be a tighter squeeze. The glass back wall is the Panorama’s standout feature — it allows plenty of natural light in, and if your backyard has a view, you’ll be able to enjoy it from inside the sauna. It’s worth noting that assembling the Panorama will require at least one friend and some carpentry skills, so if you’re not sure what a spirit level is, you may want to hire out the work.

Assembly

Unless you hire a contractor, you’ll be putting the Panorama Sauna together yourself. Plan on recruiting a few pals, though — this beast has a 6’ x 6’ footprint and weighs in at 900 pounds. Our tester reported that setup was “a grind” and recommends either hiring a contractor or coercing some buddies to help you out. 

It’s also worth noting that both of the electric heaters will require a 220v outlet. If there isn’t one where you plan to park your sauna, you’ll need to hire an electrician to install one for you.

Temperature Settings

According to Redwood Outdoors, Harvia sauna heaters are among the highest-quality sauna heaters in the world, which is why Redwood Outdoors uses them in its saunas. And we’re inclined to agree: Harvia heaters are ETL-certified for safety and quality, and the electric heaters come in manual or Wi-Fi versions. Manual operation on those two comes in the form of two dials, one that sets the temperature and one that acts as a timer. The timer has up to an eight-hour delay, so you can start it while you’re out and have it ready when you get home. 

The Wi-Fi options let you control the sauna’s temperature and time from a smart device, which can be convenient. But you’ll have to make the choice when you buy the sauna. Redwood says that the manual and Wi-Fi heaters are so different that you can’t buy a manual one initially and update it later. Our tester also appreciated the automatic shut-off feature, which turned off the Kip when it reached 220 degrees, as well as the built-in timers, which prevent you from steaming for too long.

Both of the electric heaters will come to full heat (165 degrees for the Cilindro and 220 degrees for the Kip) in about an hour. If a high-temperature dry heat is your preference, the Kip offers a higher max temperature of 220 degrees and a drier heat. For steamers, the Cilindro heats up to a more moderate 165 degrees, which Redwood says is ideal for allowing more steam to accumulate.

Materials

The sauna is made up of Scandinavian Thermowood, which is heat-treated in temperatures between 180 and 230 degrees. This treatment takes place over the course of 96 hours, drying the wood to its core to remove all of its internal moisture and resin.

The Panorama is made up of Scandinavian Thermowood, which is treated to resist fungi and wood rot. The wood is heated in temperatures between 180 and 230 degrees for 96 hours — a process that dries the wood to its core, removing all internal moisture and resin. 

This heat treatment is a toxin-free way to make the wood more resilient, but it doesn’t stain the wood. It will eventually turn gray from sun exposure, so we recommend brushing the wood with a non-toxic stain to keep it looking fresh.

What makes the Panorama really stand out (and where its name comes from) is the back wall, which is made entirely of glass. This lets in an abundance of natural light and provides a clever view of your surroundings while (the company claims) still retaining heat. 

Dimensions

The Panorama Sauna is 6’ long by 6’ wide, which will comfortably fit four to six, but it will consume a solid chunk of space in your backyard. And at 900 pounds, you’re not going to want to move it around, so make sure you’ve got the perfect place for it before you buy. 

It’s 6.38’ tall, so most people should be able to stand up in it. It’s not as big as Redwood Outdoor’s 8-person Garden Sauna, but the rounded walls of this barrel sauna and the glass back wall will make it feel more spacious than it is. 

What to Consider Before Buying the Redwood Thermowood Panorama Sauna 

A backyard sauna is a big commitment, so make sure you’re considering some important factors before taking the plunge on the Panorama. Here are some of the things you’ll want to consider if you’re thinking about picking one up.

Price

The Redwood Outdoors Thermowood Panorama Sauna starts at $6,599 before adding on shipping fees and paying for an electrician to add a 220-volt outlet to your backyard (if you don’t already have one). 

If you choose to upgrade your heater and tack on accessories like protective roof shingles (which also look really cool), a flat floor kit, an outdoor shower, and even a cold plunge. If you go big and get the priciest heater and all the upgrades, the Panorama will set you back $11,974 before shipping and electrician costs. 

The starting price is fairly low as far as similar models go, with the Redwood Outdoors Garden Sauna and the Higher Dose Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna starting at $7,500 and $8,300. But, as we said, the price only goes up as you start to tack on the accessories. 

If you can’t swing that price, Redwood Outdoors offers less expensive models, and there are also ways to mimic the benefits of a sauna without actually having to buy one.

Dimensions

At 6’ long by 6’ wide and 6.38’ tall, the Thermowood Panorama Sauna isn’t the biggest sauna in Redwood Outdoors’ lineup, but it’s up there. Make sure that you have enough room on your property to house this sauna. 

Also, the Panorama weighs 900 pounds, so you’ll need a deck or a concrete pad on which to house it. When testing another Redwood Outdoors sauna with a similar weight, our testers noted that the sauna’s weight actually caused it to sink into the lawn a bit. 

Heater Options

When you buy the Thermowood Panorama Sauna, you’ll have to choose from one of three heaters — two electrical and one wood-burning. All of them use traditional (or steam) heat, but the electric heaters differ in maximum temperature and humidity. Plus, there’s a wood stove option if you want to go off-grid with your sauna, but installation will require some extra carpentry.

Harvia Kip Electric Heater

The Harvia Kip Electric Heater is the default heater and offers the highest temp and lowest humidity between the two electric heaters. The Kip can reach 220 degrees and offers a relatively low humidity at 15 to 25 percent. It’s available with either manual or Wi-Fi controls and either 6kW or 8kW options. 

Harvia Cilindro Electric Heater

Want a steamier experience? The Harvia Cilindro Electric Heater tops out at a relatively low 165 degrees with a higher humidity of about 30 percent. It is available with either manual or Wi-Fi controls. 

Harvia M3 Wood Stove

If you want a more off-grid experience, the Harvia M3 Wood Stove is your huckleberry. It’s worth noting that it’s larger than the electric heaters, so it’ll reduce the Panorama’s seating capacity to four. Also, it will require a chimney setup to keep you from getting smoked out. Fortunately, Redwood Outdoors offers an optional chimney kit with this stove.

Electrical Requirements

The heaters require 220-volt outlets. If you don’t have a 220 outlet, you’ll have to hire an electrician to install one wherever you plan to use your sauna.

Redwood Thermowood Panorama Sauna Vs. The Competition

A sauna can be a sizable investment, so it’s worthwhile to shop around, and make sure you’re buying the right one for your needs. Here’s how the Thermowood Panorama Sauna compares to other saunas on the market. 

If you’re tight on space and/or money and you plan on flying solo, the SereneLife Portable Full Size Infrared Home Spa is the most apparent choice. The SereneLife sauna also offers infrared heat, which runs at lower temperatures than steam heat. In the case of this SereneLife sauna, the heat maxes out at 140 degrees.  

Using infrared therapy from saunas like the Sunlighten mPulse or Higher Dose Full Spectrum saunas can be ideal for people who prefer infrared saunas, but they do have a higher price point than the options from Redwood Outdoors. If you’re a fan of traditional steam heating and you plan to steam with friends, the Thermowood Garden Sauna is the best choice — it can seat eight and has several traditional heater options to allow you to customize your experience.

The Thermowood Panorama is another great choice for steam fans, especially if they live somewhere with a view. The six-person barrel sauna’s glass back wall provides plenty of natural light and an unobstructed view of the surrounding area. 

Places to Buy

You can buy the Thermowood Panorama Sauna directly through the Redwood Outdoors website. 

Company Information

Redwood Outdoors offers an extensive line of saunas, cold plunges, and hot tubs. In addition to their one-year warranty, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of their products and financing options through Affirm. To speak to a team member, you can contact them at 1-800-567-8036, or head over to their Contact page, fill out a form, and someone will email you.

In Conclusion

Redwood Outdoors has a well-earned reputation for making great saunas, and the Thermowood Panorama Sauna meets the company’s high standards. It has room for up to six people, the Scandinavian Thermowood is rot- and fungus-resistant; different heater options allow for a customizable experience, and the glass back wall lets in plenty of natural light and offers a panoramic (ahem) view of the surrounding area.

All that luxury isn’t cheap — if you go with all the available accessories and the highest-priced heater, you’ll be shelling out just under $12,000. But if you want a sauna that can fit some pals and give you a great view, the Redwood Thermowood Panorama Sauna might be the way to go. 

FAQs

Resources

1. Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Apr 24;2018:1857413. doi: 10.1155/2018/1857413. PMID: 29849692; PMCID: PMC5941775.
2. Sutkowy P, Woźniak A, Boraczyński T, Mila-Kierzenkowska C, Boraczyński M. The effect of a single Finnish sauna bath after aerobic exercise on the oxidative status in healthy men. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2014 Mar;74(2):89-94. doi: 10.3109/00365513.2013.860616. Epub 2013 Dec 5. PMID: 24304490.

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