Nootka Saunas vs Redwood Outdoors
We’ve broken down the design, durability, performance and fulfilment differences between Nootka Saunas and Redwood Outdoors to help you decide.
We'll be upfront:we make Nootka Saunas. That means we have an obvious interest in how this comparison reads and you should weigh that accordingly.
What we've tried to do here is set that aside and let the specifications speak. Every figure in this comparison comes from publicly available product listings, manufacturer specifications, and our own verified measurements. We haven't cherry-picked categories we know we win; we've included dimensions, materials, heater specs, fulfillment details, and warranty terms as they are published.
We've tried to surface those differences honestly. If you find anything here that's inaccurate or out of date, we genuinely want to know, so please reach out to us.
Base Unit: $7,250
9kW Heater: $950
Total As Compared: $8,200 USD
Base Unit: $6,999
6kW Heater: Included
Total As Compared: $6,999 USD
The Nootka Saunas has significantly more space in all directions (height, width and depth).
Inside a Nootka Sauna, you can feel the difference.
Interior Space
Proper Space to Move Around
Nootka's design is 8.75" wider and taller than the equivalent Redwood Outdoors sauna.
Note: Both saunas have a flat flooring option which raises the walking surface by approximately 1.5-2".
Bench Length
A Significantly longer bench
While both saunas are advertised as a 4-6 person sauna, it would be very tight to fit 3 people on each bench in the Redwood Outdoors sauna.
Note: The electric heaters in both saunas are mounted on the rear wall, which obstructs leg room in the last 18-24" of the sauna. This is why we suggest 4-6 people for our 8ft sauna and 6-8 people for our 10ft sauna.
How it's built
| Nootka Saunas | Redwood Outdoors | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufactured | AdvantageHand-crafted in-house in our Pacific Northwest facility. The same facility that our customer satisfaction team works out of. This ensures a great customer experience. | UnknownThe brand has not publicly disclosed the origin or manufacturer of this product. It is worth noting that the specifications, plans, and imagery closely match those of sauna kits offered by suppliers on Alibaba. |
| Wood Species | AdvantageSpeciesWestern Red Cedar
Only full length boards used | DisadvantageSpeciesThermowood
Finger-jointed boards are used. Finger jointed boards are shorter boards that have been glued together. This is done as a cost-saving to the manufacturer but means the boards have been glued and joint lines at random locations. |
| Wall Thickness | Comparable1.5" staves and wall thickness | Comparable1.5" staves and wall thickness |
| Wall Thickness | Advantage2"x6" staves and front wall panels (~5.5" actual width) | 2"x4" staves and front wall panels (~3.5" actual width) This equates to 55% more joints over the same span. This increases possibility of poor connections and air gaps. 2x4's are a lower cost alternative to 2x6's so this is a common approach taken by manufacturer's trying to prioritize cost savings. |
| Interior Height | Taller78" interior height | 8.75" Shorter69.25" interior height |
| Bench Width | Wider21" bench — more comfortable for sitting and lying | 2" Narrower19" bench width |
| Roofing | Optional Add-on24-gauge galvalume with metal flashing. | IncludedBlack Asphalt Shingles |
| Snow & Wind Engineering | CertifiedEngineered and certified for extreme snow and wind loads. Documentation available. | Not FoundNo engineering certification found. |
| Glass and Windows | Thicker10mm tempered glass door | Thinner8mm tempered glass door |
Heater and Contoller
| Nootka Saunas | Redwood Outdoors | |
|---|---|---|
| Heater Size | Advantage9kW with touch screen controller.
A 9kW heater heats faster, holds temperature better in cold climates | Comparable6kW Harvia Kip with basic controls mounted on the heater base — no remote control in base configuration. Can be upgraded to 8kW heater and WiFi controller. |
| Remote / Smart Control | Best ValueLTE and Wi-Fi options from $375 USD. Preheat from anywhere — LTE option requires no home network. | AvailableHarvia Fenix controller upgrade and wifi compatible heater is $2,099 USD |
| Wood-Burning Alternative | AvailableWood-burning configurations available with Harvia M3 Stove | Not Available |
| Lighting | Underseat LED LightingUnder-seat lighting $180 USD. No extra wiring or new breaker required. | Multiple OptionsSingle Light Fixture Included. Requires Separate 120v power supply. Light bar options also available. |
Getting it to you
| Nootka Saunas | Redwood Outdoors | |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping Method | 1/2" thick plywood crate — structurally protected, minimal damage risk. | Plywood crate |
| Installation | We offer [delivery_message] in [user_city]. If your sauna is going somewhere else, just update you location on the bottom left pop-up | DIY Assembly. |
Customer Experience
| Nootka Saunas | Redwood Outdoors | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Included5-year warranty on the sauna structure — included in purchase price | 5 YearsNo warranty included. $975 USD separately through Xcover.com |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★★ 5.0 Stars (222 Google Reviews) | ★★★★☆ 4.1 Stars (135 Google Reviews) |
| Heater & Controller | IncludedNootka's Standard 1, 2, 5 Year Warranty. Details Here | Optional Extra1-year limited warranty. Harvia heater carries a 1-year warranty on heating elements and a 5-year limited warranty on other components for residential use. For Homecraft heaters, there is a 2-year limited warranty limited to residential use. |
Competitive comparison accuracy & disclaimer: The product specifications, pricing, and feature information presented in this comparison are based on publicly available information sourced from Redwood Outdoors' official website and published marketing materials as of the date this page was last updated. Specifications and pricing are subject to change without notice; we make no guarantee that the information reflected here is current. Nootka Saunas Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way connected to Redwood Outdoors or any of its parent, subsidiary, or affiliated companies. All trademarks, trade names, brand names, logos, and registered marks referenced on this page are the exclusive property of their respective owners. Their appearance here does not imply sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of any kind.
Product imagery: Product images displayed on this page include AI-generated or computer-rendered depictions intended for illustrative purposes only. These images are not official photography provided by or approved by Redwood Outdoors and may not accurately represent the current appearance, finish, dimensions, or configuration of their products. For accurate product imagery, consult the manufacturer directly.
No disparagement intended: This comparison is provided for informational purposes to assist consumers in making an informed purchasing decision. Nothing on this page is intended to constitute false advertising, trade libel, or disparagement of any competitor's products or business under applicable U.S. federal law (Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125), any U.S. state unfair competition statute, or Canadian federal or provincial consumer protection and competition laws including the Competition Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34) and applicable provincial consumer protection legislation. All comparative claims are based on verifiable published specifications and are believed to be accurate at time of publication.
Pricing: All prices referenced are in USD unless otherwise noted and reflect publicly listed retail pricing at time of last review. Prices do not include applicable taxes, shipping, installation, electrical work, permits, or any other ancillary costs unless explicitly stated. Actual total cost of ownership may vary.
Last Reviewed, April 2026. Originally written in February 2026. For corrections or requests, contact us here.