SaunaBox SmartSteam Kit Review

The popularity of at-home wellness devices has skyrocketed in recent years. No more is this evident than by taking a look at portable sauna sales - and their availability, in general. In this SaunaBox SmartSteam kit review, we’ll take a look at one of the more popular alternatives for portable home saunas.

What’s been behind this explosive popularity, though? A quick Google search reveals emerging evidence linking sauna bathing and a reduction in the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, headache, the flu, and even mortality, in general^[1].

While specific health benefits are a contentious topic, there’s no denying that saunas offer relaxation, and combined with cold plunges, they can strengthen the immune system^[2].

Accessibility has always been an issue with sauna bathing; however, with the increased popularity of portable saunas, enthusiasts today have quite a few options to pick from. Let’s see if the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit is the right choice for you.

SaunaBox SmartSteam Kit Review: Quick Overview

To start things off, here’s a detailed breakdown of the most important features of the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit:a

What’s in the Box?

The SaunaBox SmartSteam Kit Pro comes with:

1. A heating unit
2. A heat-insulated tent cover
3. A fiberglass frame
4. A portable chair
5. A special floor mat
6. A microfiber towel
7. A carrying case
8. Eucalyptus essential oils

A towel, a carrying case, essential oils - while it may not sound like much, these extra goodies are actually much appreciated. You won't find many sauna providers offering such extras, especially on the more affordable side of things.

Before You Buy

Data is cool, but it seldom tells the full story about a product - the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit is no exception. Let’s take a closer look at this portable sauna, and see what the pros & cons are for any potential buyers.

What I will say right off the bat is that this sauna presents itself to be the perfect product for beginners in the longevity space. It's affordable, made out of high-quality materials, and is very easy to both fit into your apartment or house, as well as to carry around, if need be.

That being said, the sauna might not suit everyone, due to the intense heat + humidity. We'll talk about it in a minute, though - first, let's focus on the positives.

Things We Liked

Now, we at Longeviters put a lot of care into researching the different wellness products out there. Judging by what we found out, as well as customer & expert reviews for the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit pro, the product in question features these benefits:

1. Affordable
2. Portable
3. Nearly 100% humidity
4. Multiple certifications

As I alluded to earlier, one of the bigger reasons why the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit Pro is considered to be a great option for beginners in the longevity space is the price. Starting at $534.26, the product leans on the affordable side, providing a great entry into the world of portable saunas.

This leads to the next big benefit associated with the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit - it’s a portable sauna. While portability has been a buzzword in the sauna world for some time now, it’s widely known that not every product that claims this actually offers a reliable and - more importantly - convenient portable design.

In the age of digital nomads and a wellness-conscious generation, (ease of) portability is highly sought-after. It's one thing to be technically able to assemble and disassemble a product to transport it - it's a whole different story when you can take down a sauna in a few minutes, toss it into a bag, and take it on a road trip.

While it may not be the easiest item to carry around, customer SaunaBox SmartSteam kit reviews note that the sauna can be used both indoors and outdoors, assuming that it’s protected from the elements in the latter scenario.

I mentioned this earlier, but this particular product is a ‘wet sauna’. This is notable for a few reasons. First of all, it’s going to get wet - and I mean, nearly 100% humidity levels of wet. The SaunaBox SmartSteam kit Pro comes with a washing machine-friendly floor mat, which, to be fair, is borderline mandatory for a sauna like this.

More and more experts claim the benefits of sauna bathing, including deeper sleep^[3] and the aforementioned improved blood circulation. Wet saunas, specifically, are considered great for those looking to boost their respiratory health^[4], and strengthen their immune systems.

A point that’s worth noting is that while the SmartSteam “only” goes up to 140°F / 60°C, the fact that it’s a wet sauna means that it’ll feel much hotter.

Lastly, among the most notable benefits of the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit Pro is the fact that it features quite a few certifications. Specifically, the product is certified for:

1. ETL
2. Microplastics-Free
3. REACH
4. OEKO-TEX
5. ROHS

ETL is an Electrical Testing Laboratories safety standard-proving certification. On the other hand, Simple Lab® certified SaunaBox SmartSteam portable steam sauna kit to be microplastics-free - a very notable certification, granted that you probably wouldn’t want to be breathing in microplastics while you’re sitting in the wet sauna.

The REACH certification is relevant to the European Union, and it essentially approves that no harmful chemicals were used in the production process of the SmartSteam sauna kit. OEKO-TEX refers to the SaunaBox GO tent, and that it’s void of harmful substances. Lastly, the ROHS certification is another nod towards the “restriction of hazardous substances” being used while manufacturing the product.

Things We Didn’t Like

While the Pro kit comes equipped with a wide range of benefits (especially for a beginner longevity enthusiast), customer SaunaBox SmartSteam kit reviews highlight certain negative aspects, as well.

I've looked into it, and a lot of the criticisms thrown at the SmartSteam Pro kit (and SaunaBox, in general) appear to be valid. Namely, users aren’t happy with:

1. High maintenance (wet sauna)
2. Increased price, shortened warranty

Earlier in this review for SaunaBox SmartSteam kit pro, I praised SaunaBox for being a wet sauna product - it’s true that this comes with a selection of specific benefits. However, as you might have figured by now, there are also a few shortcomings associated with the fact, with the biggest one being maintenance.

The SmartSteam kit will require strict maintenance after every use, specifically - cleaning the floor mat (washing it and letting it air-dry), wiping down the inside of the sauna tent, and letting it dry out. Failing to do so could result in bacteria and mold starting to form inside of your sauna.

The other common complaint that I’ve noticed during my research is very different from the first one, and has to do with the pricing + warranty of the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit Pro. Customer claim that not even a year ago, the sauna would cost a bit over $300, and come with a 2-year warranty.

A quick glance at the product’s landing page on the SaunaBox official website will reveal that this is no longer the case. Even with the currently-present discount, the Pro Bundle will cost you $534.26 ($601.21 without the promotion), and it’ll only come with a 1-year warranty.

It’s unclear why SaunaBox made these changes, but they’re certainly worth keeping in mind before considering the purchase, especially seeing as there have been complaints floating online regarding the company’s customer support, as well (nothing major - just that the support can be unresponsive at times).

SaunaBox SmartSteam Pro Durability & Portability

As you might imagine, it’s not uncommon for more affordable products to take shortcuts in the area of durability (i.e. the quality of the materials). I’m glad to say that, judging by customer reviews for SaunaBox SmartSteam kit Pro, SaunaBox doesn’t possess this issue - the sauna in question is well-designed, and also uses high-quality materials.

This is true for both the tent portion of the product, as well as the fiberglass frame. While you shouldn’t expect the end result to be able to take a heavy beating, or be super resistant to the elements, it still serves the purpose of being durable for everyday use.

The tent is made from 3 layers of materials - an outer shell of water-resistant Oxford fabric, a middle thermal insulation core layer, and an inner layer made with anti-microbial materials. The three layers are sewn together with reinforced seams to further enforce durability.

Portability is also kind of a given with the SmartSteam Pro. As I’ve mentioned earlier in my SaunaBox SmartSteam kit review, the sauna comes in a carrying case - you can pack it up without much issue, and throw it into the trunk of your car, together with the heating unit.

Using SaunaBox SmartSteam Kit Pro

Setting up and using the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit Pro is actually very straightforward, and can be boiled down into 3 simple steps:

The assembly process shouldn’t take long - you don’t need any special tools for it, and as soon as you get the frame in place, you’ll be able to simply slip the tent on it.

Once the heating unit is full of water and turned on, it’ll take about 15 minutes for the steam to start pouring into the tent.

From that point onwards, all you need to do is step inside of the sauna and enjoy! Once again, it’s all very beginner-friendly, and while the sauna lacks some advanced features, if you’re looking for a straightforward wet sauna experience, the SmartSteam Kit will provide you with just that.

SmartSteam Kit Pro Heat Settings

Both customer SaunaBox SmartSteam kit reviews and the company itself state that the sauna can get up to around 140°F / 60°C. On paper, that doesn’t sound too hot (comparatively speaking), but since water has a higher heat capacity than air, the sauna will feel much hotter than that.

I want to elaborate on something I mentioned earlier - the sauna may elicit higher strains on the cardiovascular system. This is very important to keep in mind for anyone who’s suffering from a heart condition - if you have doubts about whether or not the SmartSteam kit would fit your longevity journey, it’s best to consult with a physician before committing to a purchase.

Special Offers

As of writing this SaunaBox SmartSteam kit review, there’s currently a promotion going on, both for the Pro kit, as well as two other packages from SaunaBox.

1. Pro Bundle - $534.26 (original price - $601.21)
2. Ultimate Recovery Bundle - $668.17 (original price - $867.68)
3. SaunaBox GO - $735.12 (original price - $802.07)

The Pro Bundle is the product that we’re discussing in this review. The Ultimate Recovery Bundle is actually the Pro kit, plus the PlungeBox XL.

Lastly, the SaunaBox GO is a 2-person portable sauna with additional features and built-in app support.

On the topic of special offers, if you purchase the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit during the current ongoing promotion, you will also get a 1 month free BetterHelp subscription.

Comparison to Other Saunas

Now that you have a bit of a better idea of what the SmartSteam Pro kit is all about, it’s a good idea to place it side-by-side with some other popular alternatives, and see how they compare.

SaunaBox SmartSteam Pro Kit VS Sunlighten Solo Sauna

The Sunlighten Solo sauna is one of the more notable options for anyone looking to get into the portable sauna space. Comparison-wise, the two products in question are quite different - and thus, it’s likely that they’ll suit different types of longevity enthusiasts, as well.

As we’ve established up to this point in the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit review, this sauna is a solo, box-shaped option where you step in, sit on a foldable chair, and relax. In other words, it offers a more “traditional” sauna experience - getting in and out of it is a breeze, and you’re able to, say, scroll on your phone while you’re inside of it (although I wouldn't recommed it, if you want the battery of your mobile device to last).

The Sunlighten Solo sauna, on the other hand, is a product that envelopes you as you lie inside of it. If you can imagine an MRT scan machine, the Sunlighten kind of reminds me of that - just a much smaller, less scary, memory foam version of it. No terrifying sounds included, either.

This sauna comes in two pieces - a pad, and a dome-shaped top. Both work to heat every inch of your body, with 9 different heat settings to pick from.

On top of that, the Sunlighten is an infrared sauna - the heating comes from a set of electronic heaters built into the aforementioned dome and pad.

Finally, as far as major considerations go, pricing is probably going to be a big factor for which sauna it is that you decide to go with. While you could get the SaunaBox SmartSteam portable steam sauna kit for as low as $534.26, the Sunlighten sauna retails for $2699 - an over 5x more expensive option!

✨ Explore More: Sunlighten Solo sauna review

SaunaBox SmartSteam Pro Kit VS SereneLife Portable Steam Sauna

The SereneLife portable steam sauna is a strong contender to be a viable alternative to the SaunaBox Pro kit.

First of all, same as the object of our current review, the SereneLife is a wet sauna. It comes with a 4-liter (1-gallon) external steamer, and works (and looks!) similar to the SaunaBox. You’d assemble the tall box-shaped sauna, hook up the steamer, heat it up with a remote control, and get inside to sit on a portable folding chair (which also comes in the package).

When it comes to differences between the two, users report that while the SereneLife sauna is super-quick to assemble and disassemble, it might feel a bit wobbly, construction-wise, since it utilizes a PVC pipe frame. Furthermore, this sauna heats up to around 122°F / 50°C, which is a tad lower than the SaunaBox.

All of that being said, it’s worth pointing out that the SereneLife steam sauna is a bit cheaper than its competitor, as well, retailing at anywhere from $219.99.

SaunaBox SmartSteam Kit VS Dynamic Barcelona Infrared Sauna

Lastly, while we’ve been comparing the product with other portable saunas up to this point in the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit review, let’s switch things around and take a look at an alternative - a sauna that you assemble, and that becomes a permanent addition to your home.

The Dynamic Barcelona infrared sauna is often regarded as one of the best saunas that you can purchase. It’s made out of natural Canadian hemlock wood, with a tempered glass door. The sauna is constructed in a clasp-together assembly manner, for ease of setup.

Heating-wise, the Dynamic Barcelona heats up to around 140°F, which is the same as the SaunaBox. Although, while with the latter the heat will feel more intense, the Dynamic Barcelona is a dry, infrared sauna - something to keep in mind, depending on your personal preferences.

Another point to keep in mind is that this sauna is going to take its time to heat up. Customers report that it can take upwards of 30-40 minutes to reach its maximum heat setting.

Now, the Dynamic Barcelona does start at $1899.99. It’s a much more expensive option, sure, but it’s also a more permanent one - its wooden construction makes it a more long-term addition to your home, rather than something that you could easily pack up and drive around.

Furthermore, it comes with additional features, such as 2-person seating (although users report this to be debatable), ambient lighting, and built-in Bluetooth speakers. Whether or not all of these features are worth the extra cost is a point of preference!

In Summary: Is SaunaBox SmartSteam Kit Worth it?

We’ve discussed the SaunaBox SmartSteam kit in full - looked at its features, shortcomings, pricing, and even how it compares with some other top-shelf products on the market today.

What’s the verdict here - is the SaunaBox SmartSteam portable steam sauna kit worth it?

I’d say - yes!

The SaunaBox presents itself as the perfect middle-of-the-road product for anyone who’s looking for a portable sauna option. While it won’t accommodate 2 people at a time, and requires some additional maintenance, as far as wet saunas go, the pricing of the product makes it a very approachable, beginner-friendly option. It’s very simple to assemble, and won’t overbear you with a bunch of features that you really don’t even need.