SaunaBox GO Review

One of the biggest pains when shopping for a portable sauna is the fact that 2-person-accommodating products are rare and far in between. Very few affordable saunas offer this perk - the SaunaBox GO is one of them. It's one of the bigger highlights mentioned in customer SaunaBox GO reviews online, as well.

Obviously, the size of the product isn't its only perk. Steam saunas have long been associated with various health benefits. Scientific studies have highlighted their potential in improving cardiovascular health. For instance, research indicates that sauna bathing may reduce the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, and improve heart function in healthy individuals^[1].

Additionally, the moist heat from steam saunas can aid in respiratory function by loosening phlegm and reducing breathing difficulties^[2].

Let’s take a closer look at the SaunaBox GO benefits and shortcomings!

SaunaBox GO Review: Quick Overview

To start things off, I've gathered the most important aspects relating to the product in question from customer SaunaBox GO reviews, and wrote them out in a handy table format.

We'll discuss all of those aspects throughout the review, but if you're in a rush, the table should help you form at least a surface-level opinion about the GO. 

Take a look:

What’s in the Box?

When you order the SaunaBox GO, what you receive is essentially the full set of what you'll need to start sauna bathing.

Here's everything included in the box:

1. SaunaBox GO tent
2. SmartSteam® Pro heating unit
3. 2 chairs
4. Floor mat
5. Steam hose
6. Control panel
7. Carrying bag
8. User manual

Not only do you get the sauna and the heating unit, but there's also a floor mat, a carrying bag, and even 2 chairs included in the package. Not that many affordable sauna brands spoil their customers this way - a notable perk!

Before You Buy

Customer SaunaBox GO reviews often praise this product to be the ideal choice for anyone who’s looking for a portable steam sauna experience.

The big question is - is that really the case, or is it overhyped?

The GO really does have a lot of hype built around it. At first glance, it's the perfect portable sauna - a bit big, sure, but it fits 2 people easily, is steam-based, lightweight, and easy to assemble and disassemble.

As with everything in life, though, there are caveats. But before we get to them, let’s take a closer look at the product - I’ll tell you what we at Longeviters liked about the GO, as well as what we found to be lackluster afterwards!

Things We Liked

Some of the most stand-out SaunaBox GO benefits include:

1. Affordable entry point for a steam sauna
2. Truly portable
3. 100% humidity
4. Backed by multiple certifications
5. Customizable experience via app control

With a starting price of $795.55, the SaunaBox GO comes out to be a very affordable portable sauna. Compared to many infrared or high-end cabin saunas that can cost well over $2,000 (or more traditional products like the Plunge Sauna Mini, retailing at over $10,000), the SaunaBox GO makes steam therapy accessible without cutting corners on quality or features.

Accessibility is kind of the keyword here. For this price range, you shouldn't expect super-fancy features or a luxurious sauna interior. But, the SaunaBox GO is certainly accessible, especially considering the overall quality of the product.

Portability is another very attractive point with this sauna. It comes with a carrying case, and while the steam generator isn’t featherlight, the entire setup takes around 10 minutes to assemble or disassemble. According to customer SaunaBox GO reviews, many users travel with it, use it at home, or set it up outdoors - as long as it’s sheltered from rain or extreme weather.

Now, note that this is a wet sauna, and it behaves like one: expect near-100% humidity levels during each session. Unlike many compact steam saunas that struggle to deliver consistent upper-body heat, the SaunaBox GO’s full-body enclosure ensures that steam is evenly distributed throughout. You’ll sweat fast, and it’ll feel hotter than the actual 130°F / 54°C max temperature suggests.

I do want to emphasize the heat distribution factor here. It's one of the bigger issues present in the steam sauna market - due to less-than-air-tight designs or poor quality of materials, many similar products collect heat at the bottom (floor level), but fail to disperse it evenly throughout.

Not a problem that you'll be having with the SaunaBox GO.

The included floor mat is also machine-washable, which is a nice touch that will aid with the sauna maintenance (especially since you'll be washing it quite often, unless you like mold forming inside of your sauna).

Moving on, a big standout feature of the SaunaBox GO is its range of certifications. These include:

1. ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) - a mark of safety compliance for electrical devices;
2. REACH - EU chemical safety standard, ensuring no harmful substances were used in the production of the sauna;
3. OEKO-TEX® - fabric used in the sauna tent is certified free of harmful substances.

These certifications give peace of mind that you're investing in a product that's safe, responsibly manufactured, and long-lasting.

Last but certainly not least, the Bluetooth-enabled SmartSteam® Pro unit allows you to fine-tune heat levels (15 options) and time settings (up to 60 minutes) from your phone. This level of control is rare in this price category and adds to the user-friendly experience.

Oh, and did I mention built-in Bluetooth speakers? Yup, that's right - you'll be able to listen to your favorite playlist while relaxing inside the SaunaBox GO - how cool is that!

A word of advice, however - don't bring your phone inside the sauna. While there is a designated pocket where you can store it during your session, the humidity will cause your phone's battery to die out much faster.

Things We Didn’t Like

The SaunaBox GO benefits are great- there’s no denying that. However, certain aspects have been highlighted by user SaunaBox GO complaints that warrant consideration:

1. Initial off-gassing odor
2. Potential durability concerns with frequent assembly
3. Lack of customer service responsiveness

Upon the initial few uses, some users have reported a noticeable chemical smell emanating from the sauna tent. While the materials are certified to be free from harmful substances, this off-gassing can be off-putting (pun intended). I recommend airing out the unit for several days and running a few steam sessions before regular use to mitigate this issue.

Furthermore, frequent assembly and disassembly of the SaunaBox GO may lead to wear and tear, particularly on the connectors and zippers. If you plan to move the sauna frequently, be cautious - don't yank the zipper, and treat the product with care. 

Some customers have also expressed concerns regarding the responsiveness of SaunaBox's customer service. Instances of delayed responses to warranty claims or inquiries have been reported, which can be frustrating. This doesn’t necessarily concern the actual product itself, but it’s still worth keeping in mind.

In summary, if you plan to purchase the product, you'd do well to consider the aforementioned SaunaBox GO complaints. For most, however, none of them will probably prove to be deal breakers.

SaunaBox GO Durability & Portability

When considering a portable steam sauna like the SaunaBox GO, durability and portability are paramount. The SaunaBox GO is designed to offer a balance between made-to-last construction and ease of transport, making it a suitable choice for home use and travel.​

The cover (tent) of the sauna is OEKO-TEX®-certified - it’s lightweight, very easy to pop up and disassemble, and antimicrobial on the inside. Same as with the heating unit, the tent itself falls under the 2-year warranty period, so the brand does stand behind the quality of its product!

The entire sauna (bar the heater) can be packed into a carrying case. Setup takes about 10 minutes, and takedown is even quicker, around 5 minutes. This makes it convenient for users who wish to transport the sauna for trips or relocate it within their home.

All of that being said, it’s important to highlight one big aspect that’s seldom mentioned in customer SaunaBox GO reviews - the GO is not weather-proof. If used outdoors, it should be placed under a protective cover to prevent exposure to rain or direct sunlight, which could damage the fabric and reduce the product’s lifespan.

Using SaunaBox GO

The SaunaBox GO is designed for ease of use, making it accessible even for those new to steam saunas. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up and enjoying your sauna sessions:​

Once the sauna has preheated, step inside and zip up the tent to retain the steam. Sessions can be customized up to 60 minutes, but beginners may start with shorter durations to acclimate.​

Personally, I prefer 15ish-minute sessions. It's the perfect sweet spot for me, but you should listen to your body and don't try to push it, whether it's 10 minutes or the entire hour.

After your session, turn off and unplug the steam generator, and allow the tent to cool before opening.​ Wipe down the interior surfaces with a clean towel to remove moisture.​ Leave the tent unzipped to air out and prevent mold growth.​

SaunaBox GO Heat Settings

Equipped with the SmartSteam® Pro heating unit, the SaunaBox GO provides 15 distinct heat levels, enabling precise temperature adjustments. The maximum internal temperature reaches approximately 130°F / 54°C, delivering a warm and steamy environment that promotes relaxation and sweating. ​

Of course, don’t forget that in steam saunas, the combination of heat and high humidity can make the environment feel a lot hotter than the actual temperature reading.​ So, while it might not sound like much (traditional dry saunas can go up to 210°F / 99°C), the heat itself is different.

I've mentioned this earlier, but the heating unit allows for easy time adjustments, ensuring that sessions can be tailored to individual needs and schedules.​

The heater is Bluetooth-enabled, allowing users to control heat levels and session duration via a dedicated mobile app. This adds convenience, enabling adjustments without interrupting the sauna experience.

Special Offers

If, after reading this SaunaBox GO review, you're considering purchasing the product, I’ve got both good and bad news for you.

The good news is that there’s currently a sale going on - while the original SaunaBox GO price is $795.55, you could acquire the product for $729.15 if you manage to grab it with this discount.

So… What’s the bad news, then?

The bad news is that the GO is often out of stock on SaunaBox’s official website. In a way, this kind of goes to show just how popular the sauna is!

You may join the waitlist in order to be informed whenever the sauna gets stocked again. Alternatively, you could also purchase the Pro kit - a smaller sauna designed for 1 person. This particular product comes in a couple of options:

1. Pro Bundle - $534.26 (original price - $601.21)
2. Ultimate Recovery Bundle - $668.17 (original price - $867.68)

If you’ve got your mind set on the GO, though, don’t fret - chances are that SaunaBox will restock it soon. If it's not available at the time you're reading this review, don’t forget to join the waitlist in order to fully utilize the discounted SaunaBox GO price!

Comparison to Other Saunas

We’ve analyzed the SaunaBox GO rather thoroughly, as a standalone steam sauna product. Time to put it into context - let’s compare this particular sauna with some other popular options on the market, in order to form a more comprehensive picture for this SaunaBox GO review!

SaunaBox GO VS SaunaBox SmartSteam Pro Kit

I’ve mentioned the SmartSteam Pro kit earlier in the SaunaBox GO review, so let’s take a closer look at this particular sauna, and how it compares with the GO.

Both saunas are offerings from SaunaBox, and are also both designed to provide portable steam sauna experiences. As you might probably come to expect, both being steam saunas from the same company, they do share a lot of similarities.

First of all, both the SmartSteam Pro kit and the GO are highly portable - they are compact enough to fit into a carrying case, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

They are also similar in their design philosophy, being tents with foldable chairs inside, placed on a sweat-absorbing, machine-washable mat.

​There is one core difference, however - the GO model is designed for 2 people, while SmartSteam Pro will only house 1 longevity enthusiast at a time.

Naturally, this does impact the price differences for the two products, as well. While the SaunaBox GO price (without a discount) is $795.55, the SmartSteam Pro kit will set you back $534.26 - so, over $250 less.

I’ve included a quick comparison table above, for all of the core features of both saunas. At the end of the day, it really only boils down to whether you’ll be using the sauna alone or with another person, and if you have both the additional room and an extra $250 to dish out on a bigger sauna.

If you’re interested, check out my dedicated review for the SaunaBox SmartSteam Kit Pro!

SaunaBox GO VS Sunlighten Solo Sauna

The Sunlighten Solo Sauna offers a different approach to steam saunas, utilizing infrared technology instead of steam. This fundamental difference results in varied user experiences and benefits.​

The SaunaBox GO uses steam to create a humid environment, promoting sweating and relaxation. In contrast, the Sunlighten Solo employs infrared heaters to directly warm the body, offering benefits like improved circulation and detoxification.​

The GO is also a walk-in, tent-like structure, allowing users to sit comfortably inside. The Sunlighten Solo is a dome-shaped device where users lie down, enveloped by infrared heat.​

Both saunas are portable, but the Sunlighten Solo's compact design may be more suitable for users with limited space.​

Lastly, the Sunlighten Solo is priced at $2699 - that’s quite a bit more expensive than the SaunaBox GO model!

In short, for users interested in the traditional steam sauna experience with high humidity, the SaunaBox GO is ideal. If, however, you’re seeking the benefits of infrared therapy in a compact form, and are not afraid to spend a bit more on a sauna product, Sunlighten Solo could be a great option.

SaunaBox GO VS Plunge Sauna Mini

The Plunge Sauna Mini represents a more permanent and luxurious sauna solution compared to the portable SaunaBox GO. Indeed - the two saunas in question are very different, and will likely cater to largely different types of enthusiasts.

First of all, the SaunaBox GO requires minimal setup and can be used in various locations. The Plunge Sauna Mini is a pretty much fixed installation, requiring a dedicated space and professional assembly.​

A huge difference is the fact that the GO utilizes steam, creating a humid environment. The Plunge Sauna Mini uses a traditional heater, capable of reaching higher temperatures, providing a dry heat experience.​

And, of course, the price. The Plunge Sauna Mini is a significant investment, retailing at $10,990, whereas the SaunaBox GO is a much more budget-friendly option.​

If you’re just starting out in your longevity journey, then the GO is likely a better fit. However, if you already know what you prefer, and are looking for a traditional Finnish sauna experience, then you might want to give the Mini a chance - I’ve written a dedicated review about the Plunge Mini sauna, as well, so make sure to check that out!

Conclusions: Is SaunaBox GO Worth It?

With all of that being said and done, do the benefits of the GO model outweigh the SaunaBox GO complaints, and is this sauna worth checking out?

I would argue that it certainly is!

The SaunaBox GO stands out as a practical and affordable solution for individuals seeking the benefits of steam therapy without the commitment of a permanent installation. Its ease of use, portability, and effective performance make it a valuable addition to any wellness routine.

While there are minor considerations regarding maintenance and initial use, the overall value proposition of the SaunaBox GO is strong, offering a convenient path to relaxation and health benefits at home.