Walmart's $90 Portable Sauna Is an At-Home Spa—Does It Really Work?
If you're sweating the details on this unique product, consider these expert opinions.
The irony of having a hectic schedule is that you often don't have the time in the day to sneak away to the spa and relax on a whim. Fortunately, products launched alongside the self-care craze made it easier than ever to bring some of those comforts right into your home, whether it's a foot bath, a nice face mask, or even your own personal sauna. And while some models involve constructing a small shed for schvitzing, there's another option that's more portable and can even fit right into your living room when you need it. Read on to learn more about Walmart's $90 portable sauna—and see if experts think the at-home spa device will really work.
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There's an easy-to-assemble portable sauna available at Walmart for less than $100.
Whether you're short on the time or the funds to make your way to the spa as often as you like, new products claim to be able to bring some of those rejuvenating techniques to your home. One of the arguably loftier items is the Yescom 2L Portable Steam Sauna, which Walmart sells for about $90.
While traditional saunas require hot coals, long wooden benches, and ample assembly space, this product provides the heat you need to sweat it all out in a much more compact format. It claims to be easily assembled in less than 10 minutes by connecting lightweight PVC pipes. Users then can step inside, sit on the included folding chair, zip up, and turn on the connected steam pot to begin their session. Settings can even be fine-tuned with an included remote control.
Some happy customers took to the reviews to gush about the product. "I love, love, love my sauna," one five-star reviewer wrote. "The setup was simple and it doesn't take up much room. Heats up within 5-8 minutes and it gets hot. I love that it has a remote so I can adjust the time/temperature while inside."
Another gushed about how easy it was to assemble. "It is a great investment for the price," they add. "I use it every evening in my small studio apartment!"
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Experts are immediately skeptical of how well the product will perform.
If the idea of landing an at-home sauna for less than $100 sounds too good to be true, you may be onto something. Retail experts point out that while these products are affordable, they're also becoming a common fixture online.
"This isn't the first of these products I've seen: They've definitely popped on sites like Amazon before," Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com, tells Best Life. "For $90, it's not the most expensive product in this category, but it can still be a risky purchase simply by its nature."
Customer gripes are also relatively common alongside the positive notes. "According to the reviews, this product is hit-or-miss with customers, averaging a 3.6-star rating," says Samantha Landau, consumer expert at TopCashback.com. "Some users praised it for giving off a good steaming experience, while others noted it was not living up to their quality expectations."
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It might be misleading to suggest the item will provide a real sauna experience.
Stepping into a traditional sauna can provide the sweat session you need to detox while you lounge and relax. But if you expect to feel the same exhilerating rush of heat after pouring water over the hot stones, experts caution that you will likely be disappointed.
"There's a chance this item will give you a kind of sauna experience, but if you've ever been in a real sauna, it likely won't measure up," says Ramhold. And far from lounging out on a long bench, she adds it may not be super comfortable given that it's just a folding chair inside a big bag with a PVC pipe frame.
There also appear to be some issues with putting it together. "Some reviews have also noted the bag is too small to easily fit over the frame, so it may be an issue to put together, not to mention this likely won't be a tightly sealed product," she tells Best Life. "Because of that, there's a chance that this sauna could go either way: It could be good enough for those looking for an in-home sauna experience, or it could end up being a frustration that ends up being relegated to the back of a closet after a few mediocre sessions."
And what's worse, the product could potentially become a safety hazard. "Instructions note that before you put the sauna together, you should make sure the tubes aren't bent, as that can block the flow of steam and cause the pressure to build, which can cause parts to pop off and result in burn injuries," warns Ramhold. "That's bad enough for adults, but if children are going to be around this product, it's another element to consider. The range of temperatures is from 110F to 149F, so this is not something to be careless with."
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Our experts agree that this may not be the best option if you're genuinely looking to relax.
Overall, the idea of quickly setting up a spa-style amenity in your home might feel like a good idea. But Ramhold says you might be better off going with another option in this case.
"Personally, I think there are better ways to try out a sauna or to get a regular treatment with one, but your mileage may vary," she says. "For the price, it may be worth trying, but I would read the reviews carefully, check other sites for even more reviews, and also know what steps you'll have to take in order to return the product if it comes to it."
Landau agrees, saying that while it has a much lower price than other similar options, it all feels a little too good to be true. "If you're interested in trying out a home sauna without putting down a large investment, Walmart's option could be a great fit for you—just keep in mind that you'll probably get what you pay for," she cautions.
