Almost Heaven Sauna Review: How They Compare to SweatDecks

Almost Heaven has been a well-known name in the sauna world for years. They're based in West Virginia, they've built a solid reputation, and if you've been researching barrel saunas, their name has definitely come up. We get asked about them a lot.

So let's do an honest comparison. Almost Heaven makes good saunas. We think SweatDecks makes better ones for most buyers, and we'll explain exactly why - but we'll also tell you where Almost Heaven does well and who they might be a better fit for.

Company Background

Almost Heaven has been around since the late 1970s and has changed hands a few times. They were acquired by Harvia, the Finnish sauna giant, in 2019. That acquisition brought some benefits - access to Harvia heaters and Finnish sauna expertise - but it also shifted production and priorities. They're no longer a small West Virginia operation; they're part of a global conglomerate.

SweatDecks is an independent e-commerce brand focused exclusively on saunas and cold plunges. We don't manufacture our own shells - we source from vetted manufacturers and select the best materials, heaters, and components. Our focus is on giving buyers the best value without the markup that comes with brand legacy or corporate overhead.

Materials: Cedar vs Heat-Treated Hemlock

This is the biggest difference and where things get interesting.

Almost Heaven's Approach

Almost Heaven builds primarily with Western red cedar. It's a quality wood with natural rot resistance, a classic sauna scent, and a look that most people associate with saunas. Cedar has been the North American default for decades, and it works.

The challenge with cedar is that its protective properties come from volatile oils - thujaplicins - that gradually evaporate with repeated heat cycling. After a few years of regular use, cedar's natural rot resistance and that signature aroma both diminish noticeably. Cedar is also a soft wood. Benches, backrests, and high-contact surfaces dent and mark more easily over time.

SweatDecks' Approach

We build with FSC-certified, heat-treated Canadian hemlock - also called thermowood. The heat treatment process (400-430F in an oxygen-free environment) fundamentally changes the wood's cellular structure. It removes the sugars and organic compounds that attract mold and rot, and it reduces moisture absorption by 40-50% compared to untreated wood.

The result is a wood that's more dimensionally stable than cedar, harder, and more resistant to the wet-dry cycling that saunas go through every session. The durability is permanent - it doesn't degrade over time the way cedar's oil-based protection does. You can read more about the process on our thermowood page.

Product Lines

Almost Heaven offers a solid range: barrel saunas (their bread and butter), cabin-style saunas, and a few indoor options. Their barrel saunas come in several sizes, from 2-person to 8-person models. They also sell accessories, heaters, and replacement parts.

SweatDecks carries barrel saunas, outdoor cabin saunas, indoor saunas, and cold plunge tubs. We also sell heaters from both Harvia and Huum, giving buyers more flexibility in matching a heater to their setup. The cold plunge line is something Almost Heaven doesn't touch at all.

Almost Heaven vs SweatDecks: Full Comparison

Construction Quality

Almost Heaven's construction is solid. Their barrel saunas use stainless steel bands, quality hardware, and their cedar staves fit together well. They've been making these for a long time and the engineering shows. Since the Harvia acquisition, they've also standardized their heater installations, which means fewer compatibility headaches.

SweatDecks saunas use similar band and stave construction for barrels, with comparable hardware quality. The main structural advantage we claim is the wood itself - heat-treated hemlock's dimensional stability means the staves are less likely to gap or shift with seasonal temperature changes. Cedar swells and shrinks more with moisture cycling, which can create small gaps between staves over time. It's a subtle difference, but it matters in climates with big seasonal swings.

Pricing: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Almost Heaven's pricing reflects their brand history and the Harvia corporate structure. A 4-person barrel sauna typically lands in the $4,500-$6,000 range. Their premium cabin models push past $8,000. These aren't unreasonable prices - you're getting a known brand with established support.

SweatDecks' equivalent models come in 10-20% lower. A comparable 4-person barrel sauna runs $3,800-$5,200. Part of this is the wood cost difference (hemlock is less expensive than cedar), and part of it is lower overhead - we don't have showrooms, trade show booths, or a corporate parent taking a cut.

For buyers stretching their budget, that 10-20% savings can be the difference between getting the sauna you actually want versus settling for a smaller model.

Assembly and Setup

Both brands ship saunas as pre-cut kits that require assembly on-site. Barrel saunas from either brand are a 2-4 hour project with two people and basic tools. You're stacking staves, tightening bands, mounting the door and heater, and making electrical connections (which should be done by a licensed electrician for the heater hookup).

Almost Heaven's instructions have improved over the years, and they now include video guides. SweatDecks includes detailed printed instructions and video walkthroughs as well. Neither brand requires professional assembly - a reasonably handy person with a helper can get it done in an afternoon.

Warranty

Almost Heaven offers a 1-year warranty on most components, extending to 5 years on the wood structure for some models. Heaters carry their own Harvia warranty. It's decent but not industry-leading.

SweatDecks offers a 2-year standard warranty with 5-year coverage on the wood structure. Heaters carry the manufacturer's warranty (Harvia or Huum, depending on your choice). We think the longer base warranty reflects confidence in the materials - heat-treated hemlock doesn't develop the issues that shorter warranties are designed to cover.

Where Almost Heaven Wins

We'll be straight about this. Almost Heaven has advantages in a few areas:

• Brand recognition. They've been around for decades. If resale value matters to you, Almost Heaven is a name more buyers recognize.
• Cedar scent. If the classic cedar sauna smell is part of the experience for you, that's something hemlock doesn't replicate. The scent fades over time, but those first couple of years are undeniably pleasant.
• Showroom availability. You can see and touch Almost Heaven saunas at some retailers before buying. SweatDecks is online-only.
• Harvia integration. Since Harvia owns them, heater compatibility and support are seamless.

Where SweatDecks Wins

• Long-term durability. Heat-treated hemlock holds up better than cedar over 10+ years of regular use. The rot resistance is permanent, not oil-dependent.
• Pricing. 10-20% lower for comparable sizes and configurations.
• Heater flexibility. We offer both Harvia and Huum, so you're not locked into one brand.
• Cold plunge. If you want to build a full hot/cold setup, we carry both saunas and cold plunge tubs.
• HSA/FSA eligibility. Our saunas are eligible through TrueMed, which can save you real money if you have a health savings account.
• Sustainability. FSC-certified hemlock with full traceability.

Who Should Buy Almost Heaven?

If the cedar scent is a non-negotiable part of your sauna vision, Almost Heaven delivers it well. If you want to see a sauna in person before committing, their retail presence makes that possible. And if brand familiarity gives you confidence, they've earned their reputation over decades.

Who Should Buy SweatDecks?

If you care about long-term durability, want the best value for your dollar, and prefer sustainable materials with a clear chain of custody, SweatDecks is the stronger choice. If you're building a hot/cold wellness setup with both a sauna and a cold plunge, we're one of the few brands that covers both under one roof.

Browse our barrel sauna collection or outdoor sauna lineup to see what we offer. Free shipping on orders over $5,000, and every SweatDecks sauna is HSA/FSA eligible through TrueMed.