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SaunaBox just released the Forge — a big departure from what we’ve seen from them so far. It’s their first outdoor-rated sauna, and their first true dry sauna, ditching the infrared setup used in the Solara for a traditional wood-and-steam experience powered by a 3.5kW Harvia Vega Compact heater. I’ve had it set up for a few days now, and here’s a full breakdown of the specs, the setup process, and two things you need to know before you buy.
Quick Verdict
The Forge is a strong first outdoor entry for SaunaBox. It looks great, heats fast, uses a well-known heater brand, and held up fine through a heavy downpour in our testing. The two catches: it ships on a ~570 lb crate you have to break down yourself, and it requires a hardwired 240V electrical connection — meaning an electrician visit is almost certainly part of your total cost.
Price: $4,990 (regularly $5,500) at time of publishing.
Discount automatically applied at checkout.
SaunaBox Forge Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $4,990 (MSRP $5,500) |
| Type | Outdoor/indoor-rated, one-person traditional dry sauna |
| Heater | Harvia Vega Compact BU, 3.5kW |
| Exterior | Matte black aluminum cladding over cedar framing |
| Interior | 100% Canadian hemlock wood |
| Exterior dimensions | 43.3″W x 41.3″D x 80.7″H |
| Interior dimensions | 39.4″W x 37.8″D x 72.8″H |
| Heat-up time (observed) | 150–160°F in 25–30 minutes, ambient-dependent (manufacturer rates 170°F in ~25 min, 200°F max in ~40 min) |
| Max rated temp | 200°F |
| Electrical | Hardwired 240V, 14.4A draw, dedicated 20A double-pole breaker, 12/2 wire (electrician required) |
| Assembled weight | 472 lbs |
| Shipping weight (crate) | 571 lbs, single LTL freight crate |
| Assembly | 2 people; manufacturer estimates 1–2 hrs, we clocked closer to 2–3 hrs |
| Weight limit | ~300 lbs |
| Included accessories | Sauna rocks, bucket + ladle, foot stool, ergonomic backrest, LED ambient lighting w/ remote |
| Warranty | 2-year cabin warranty, 1-year heater warranty |
Note: our hands-on measurements and heat-up times ran slightly under SaunaBox’s published specs — likely a mix of measurement rounding and the hot ambient temps we tested in. Official manufacturer specs are listed above; see the “What We Tested” notes throughout for our real-world observations.
Design and Build Quality
The Forge is covered in aluminum-clad siding on three sides, with cedar wood trim on the front and corners finished in a black coating — we’ll be watching over time to see how well that coating holds up outdoors. The shingled roof channels water off the back, and in testing, a strong downpour left zero water intrusion inside the sauna.
Inside, it’s 100% Canadian hemlock — the industry-standard wood for sauna interiors thanks to its mold resistance and durability. The bench is set intentionally higher than you might expect, which matters because sitting higher puts you in hotter air for a more effective session.
Related: Why I’m Obsessed with My SaunaBox Solara
Features
- LED backlighting — fully adjustable color via the included remote’s scroll wheel
- Built-in thermometer/hygrometer — tracks temperature and humidity, and reads accurately in our testing
- Sand timer — old-school 15-minute increment timer included as a low-tech backup
- Adjustable roof vent — manual control over air circulation
- Ventilation fan — pulls in cooler air
- Wooden cup holder and step platform — small touches that add convenience
The Heater: Harvia Vega Compact (3.5kW)
This is the headline feature. The Vega Compact is a well-known name in traditional saunas, with simple manual dials for heat and timer — no digital fuss. It holds sauna rocks, so you get the full löyly experience: pour water over the rocks and the heat and steam intensity spike almost instantly. Worth a caution here — even when the display reads 150–160°F, the burst of steam off the rocks gets hot fast, so be careful pouring.
In testing, the Forge reached 150–160°F in about 25–30 minutes, though that’s heavily dependent on outdoor ambient temperature since this is an outdoor unit.
With a longer warm-up time of around 45-60 minutes, a 200°F temp is attainable.
Interior Space
This is a one-person sauna, and it’s not massive — but it doesn’t feel cramped either. At 5’10”, there was full standing headroom, and the raised bench gave comfortable seated space with room to prop up your legs.
Two Things to Know Before You Buy
1. Delivery Is a Project
Shipping is free, but the Forge arrives via freight truck on a pallet that weighs around 600 lbs. Expect heavy-duty packaging — foam, insulation, the works — and you’re responsible for breaking down and disposing of both the packaging and the crate itself. Budget time and possibly help for that step alone, separate from assembly.
Assembly itself takes two people and roughly 2–3 hours. It’s not difficult, but the panels are heavy and there are a lot of steps — expect it to take longer if you’re not used to this kind of build.
2. It Requires a Hardwired 240V Connection
This is the big one. Unlike a plug-and-play unit, the Forge’s heater must be hardwired to a 240V circuit tied directly to your electrical panel. If you don’t already have that in place, you’ll need to hire an electrician — and that cost varies a lot based on the distance from your panel to the sauna. In this case, a roughly 100-ft run cost about $1,700. If your install spot is close to the panel, expect significantly less. Either way, budget for this as a real line item, not an afterthought.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – True traditional dry sauna with rock/steam (löyly) experience – Held up well through heavy rain — no water intrusion — Well-known, reputable heater (Harvia Vega Compact) – Fast heat-up (25–30 min to 150–160°F) – Quality hemlock interior, thoughtful extras (lighting, thermometer, vents) – Free freight shipping | – Requires hardwired 240V electrical work — added cost, often $1,000+ – 600 lb crate delivery; you handle disposal of packaging – Two-person assembly required (2–3 hours) – One-person capacity only – Too early to speak to long-term durability of the exterior coating |
Who Should Buy the SaunaBox Forge
This is a strong fit if you want a genuine outdoor dry sauna experience (not infrared) and already have — or are willing to invest in — proper 240V electrical service near your install site. It also pairs naturally with SaunaBox’s cold plunge tubs and chillers if you’re building out a full contrast therapy setup at home.
It’s a tougher fit if you want something you can plug into a standard outlet with minimal setup, or if you’re not prepared for freight delivery logistics.
Where to Buy
The Forge is $4,990 (regularly $5,500) direct from SaunaBox, and currently ships as a pre-order. We’ll be doing a longer-term follow-up review once we’ve had more time with it. In the meantime, if you want to grab one:
Check current price on SaunaBox →
Clicking the link above automatically applies a 5% discount at checkout — no code needed.
Editor-In-Chief at Recovatech. Dr. Ben is a board-certified Doctor of Chiropractic with over 10 years of clinical experience. He specializes in structural and neurological imbalances with an emphasis on functional movement patterns, exercise performance, and muscle recovery. He has been the team chiropractor for professional baseball and soccer organizations, as well as collegiate athletes. In his personal life, he’s always been driven when it comes to athletics and personal performance.