A traditional sauna heats the air to 80–100 °C (176–212 °F): you sweat from the hot air and the steam when you throw water on the stones. An infrared sauna warms your skin and body directly while the air stays around 45–65 °C (113–149 °F).
So we never compare their temperatures head to head in the score: each is rated against the heat it is made for (194 °F / 90 °C for traditional, 149 °F / 65 °C for infrared). Most long-term research on sauna and health comes from traditional Finnish saunas.
✓ better figure
Heat
Heat source
Electric stove with stones
Electric stove with stones
Max temperature
194 °F (90 °C)UL 875 cap for US electric heaters
194 °F (90 °C)maker’s figure
Heat-up time
Not published
45 min
Heater power
6 kW
4.5 kW
Steam (water on stones)
Yes
Yes
Materials and health
Wood inside
Cedar
Eastern white cedar
Wood outside
Cedar
Eastern white cedar
Inside surfaces
Wood, finish not published
Untreated wood
EMF at the seat
No infrared panels
No infrared panels
Wall thickness
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.38 in (35 mm)
Build and warranty
Warranty
Limited lifetime
Limited lifetime
Safety listing
Not published
ETL, CE
Size and setup
Seats
4 people
2 people
Where
Outdoors
Outdoors
Size (W × D × H)
78 × 71 × 81 in (198 × 180 × 207 cm)
72 × 60 × 77 in (183 × 152 × 195 cm)
Weight
714 lb (324 kg)
628 lb (285 kg)
Electrical
Hardwired by an electrician240 V / 30 A
Hardwired by an electrician240 V
Heater included
Yes
Yes
Assembly
Not published
2 people, about 4 h
Price and reviews
Price
$6,060≈ €5,270 · was $7,575
$5,499€4,800
Customer reviews
4.8/5 · 21 reviews (almostheaven.com)
4.8/5 · 110 reviews (Almost Heaven)
Score breakdown
Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person BarrelAlmost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel
Heat · 25 %
88
91
Materials and health · 25 %
84
96
Build and warranty · 20 %
90
100
Comfort and setup · 15 %
74
59
Value for money · 15 %
68
78
Our verdict
The Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel scores 87/100, the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel 82/100.
Choose the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel if you have a garden and want a classic outdoor barrel for four.
Choose the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel if you want a durable outdoor barrel sauna for two on a smaller patio or garden footprint.
Infrared panels, full spectrum (near, mid, far) + red light
171 °F (77 °C)maker’s figure
Not published
0.9 kW
No
Bamboo fabric and PVCMaterial
—
Synthetic
“Low EMF” claimed, no figure
Not published
Not published
Not published
1 person
Anywhere (folds away)
33 × 33 × 46 in (84 × 84 × 117 cm)
24 lb (11 kg)
Standard outlet120 V
Yes
Not published
$1,428≈ €1,240
4.9/5 · 80 reviews (therasage.com)
Questions
Which gets hotter, the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel or the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel?
Both top out around 194 °F (90 °C).
Which is cheaper, the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel or the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel?
The Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel costs about $5,499, against $6,060 for the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel.
Which is better, the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel or the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel?
The Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel scores 87/100, the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel 82/100. Choose the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel if you have a garden and want a classic outdoor barrel for four. Choose the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel if you want a durable outdoor barrel sauna for two on a smaller patio or garden footprint.