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 or wood-burning stove
Max temperature
194 °F (90 °C)UL 875 cap for US electric heaters
194 °F (90 °C)UL 875 cap for US electric heaters
Heat-up time
Not published
20 min
Heater power
6 kW
6 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
Wood, finish not published
EMF at the seat
No infrared panels
No infrared panels
Wall thickness
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.5 in (38 mm)
Build and warranty
Warranty
Limited lifetime
3 years
Safety listing
Not published
Not published
Size and setup
Seats
4 people
4 people
Where
Outdoors
Outdoors
Size (W × D × H)
78 × 71 × 81 in (198 × 180 × 207 cm)
79 × 79 × 79 in (200 × 200 × 200 cm)
Weight
714 lb (324 kg)
571 lb (259 kg)
Electrical
Hardwired by an electrician240 V / 30 A
Hardwired by an electrician240 V / 30 A
Heater included
Yes
No
Assembly
Not published
2 people, about 8 h
Price and reviews
Price
$6,060≈ €5,270 · was $7,575
$5,954≈ €5,180 · was $6,996
Customer reviews
4.8/5 · 21 reviews (almostheaven.com)
Not published
Score breakdown
Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person BarrelDundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity
Heat · 25 %
88
96
Materials and health · 25 %
84
84
Build and warranty · 20 %
90
60
Comfort and setup · 15 %
74
64
Value for money · 15 %
68
56
Our verdict
The Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel scores 82/100, the Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity 75/100.
Choose the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel if you have a garden and want a classic outdoor barrel for four.
Choose the Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity if you want an outdoor barrel you can heat with wood or electricity.
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 Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity?
Both top out around 194 °F (90 °C).
Which is cheaper, the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel or the Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity?
The Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity costs about $5,954, against $6,060 for the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel.
Which is better, the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel or the Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity?
The Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel scores 82/100, the Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity 75/100. Choose the Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Barrel if you have a garden and want a classic outdoor barrel for four. Choose the Dundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity if you want an outdoor barrel you can heat with wood or electricity.