The compact sauna market has exploded in recent years, with manufacturers racing to offer affordable, space-efficient solutions for home wellness. The SaunaLife CL3G 2-Person Cube Sauna is a hallmark of these models. This sauna is designed for tight spaces where every inch matters. But does it deliver authentic sauna performance, or does the compact design compromise too much?
After examining the construction methods, material specifications, and functional design of the CL3G, we compiled this guide to show you the pros and cons…and whether it's a good value for your money. Let's get started!
Assembly
The CL3G uses a tongue-and-groove panel system with pre-cut components, which is standard for DIY sauna kits at this price point. Since it’s DIY-friendly, you can install it in a day or two. Although this user on Reddit installed it in 6 hours:
Material Quality
The CL3G uses thermally-treated Northern European wood throughout, which is an upgrade over standard construction lumber and even untreated cedar. This matters more when you live in locations with extreme weather.
The exterior walls are constructed from Thermo-Spruce, a Finnish wood that's heat-treated in a controlled process that alters its cellular structure. This is called thermal modification. It reduces the wood's ability to absorb moisture, increases dimensional stability, improves resistance to decay and insects, and darkens the natural color to a rich, attractive tone.
SaunaLife claims Thermo-Spruce lasts up to twice as long as cedar in outdoor conditions, and the science supports this, as thermally modified wood has been extensively tested in Scandinavian climates and shows superior durability.
Here’s how it looks:
The interior benches and backrests use Thermo-Aspen, which is specifically chosen for surfaces that come in contact with bare skin. Aspen has naturally low thermal conductivity, and it stays cooler to the touch even when the air temperature is high. The ergonomically contoured benches and arched backrests are described as "satin-smooth," which is essential for comfort during extended sessions.
Check it out:
Ventilation
The CL3G implements a passive Finnish-style ventilation system with dedicated intake and exhaust vents positioned on the back wall. Fresh air enters through the lower intake vent, is warmed by the heater, rises as it heats, circulates through the cabin, and exits through the upper exhaust vent. This creates continuous air circulation that refreshes the air approximately 6-8 times per hour while maintaining temperature stratification. That is, hot air at ceiling level, progressively cooler as you descend. So, you're sure you'll always get fresh, continuous air without having to crack the door.
Bench Layout
The CL3G's bench configuration intelligently uses limited space, with an L-shaped arrangement that maximizes seating capacity while maintaining ergonomic principles.
See how it looks:
The specifications detail three bench sections:
- Back wall bench: 49.2" wide × 20.5" deep (upper tier)
- Lower bench: 30.7" wide × 8" deep
- Side bench: 22.8" wide × 11.8" deep
The sauna features a two-tier system where bathers can sit on either the upper back-wall bench or the side bench, with the lower bench serving as both a step and a footrest. The 20.5" depth on the upper bench is adequate for comfortable sitting with your back against the backrest. It's not deep enough for most adults to recline fully, but that's an acceptable compromise in a 2-person compact unit.
The ergonomic contoured backrests matter more than buyers might initially realize. In a sauna where you're sitting upright, proper back support reduces fatigue during longer sessions. The arched design conforms to the natural curve of the spine, distributing pressure more evenly than flat boards. The Thermo-Aspen construction means the backrests stay cool enough to lean against comfortably even when the air temperature is 180-190°F. We’ll share more details on this later.
Thermal Performance
The CL3G's thermal performance depends entirely on which heater you pair with the sauna, since the unit is sold as a bare cabin without a heater included. The $3,990 price point gets you the sauna structure, but you'll need to budget an additional $1,500-$3,500 for a heater, control system, and stones.
With approximately 90 cubic feet of interior volume, you'll want a heater in the 4.5kW - 6kW range for optimal performance. Undersizing (3kW or less) will result in sluggish heating and difficulty maintaining temperature, particularly in cold weather or during extended sessions with frequent löyly. Oversizing (8kW or more) wastes energy, since the small volume doesn't require that much power.
Assuming a properly sized heater, the compact volume means quick heat-up times, typically 25-35 minutes to reach 170-180°F depending on ambient conditions and target temperature. This is really convenient for spontaneous sessions.
Comfort
The CL3G's compact dimensions can create an intimate yet confining experience, depending on your expectations. Two average-sized adults can sit comfortably by using the L-shaped bench layout (one on the back bench and the other on the side bench), so you’re not sitting shoulder-to-shoulder or directly facing each other.
However, there's no excess room. We love that the glass front provides visual openness, psychologically enlarging the space. This way, you're not surrounded by solid wood walls.
This is how it looks from the inside:
If you plan to use it alone, better. You have the entire space to yourself, can stretch your legs, shift positions freely, and don't need to coordinate movements with another person.
Aesthetics
The CL3G features a striking contemporary design that will be either a primary selling point or a reason to look elsewhere, depending on your design preferences.
The full bronze-tempered glass front wall is the first visual feature to catch your eye. Instead of the traditional wooden façade, you get a sleek, almost architectural look that blends natural materials with clean, minimalistic lines.
The bronze tint softens visibility from the outside while giving the interior a warm, inviting glow, especially when paired with evening lighting. If your sauna is positioned overlooking a garden, forest, or other natural setting, this connection to the outdoors becomes part of the bathing experience. This creates a sense of openness inside the sauna without sacrificing privacy.
The Thermo-Spruce exterior presents a rich, dark wood tone that's more visually interesting than the lighter color of untreated lumber. We also love the black detailing on the front, including the shingle roof elements and trim, which creates visual contrast. The barrel bands are stainless steel, which is both functional (providing structural support) and aesthetic (adding industrial-modern visual interest).
Overall, if you appreciate minimalist, purpose-driven design, the CL3G delivers that aesthetic. If you prefer more traditional sauna styling with decorative elements or rustic detailing, this won't satisfy that preference.
Value for Money
At the current sale price of $3,990 (regular price $4,940), the CL3G positions itself in the mid-range of the compact sauna market. However, this is only the cabin. You still need to add:
- Sauna heater: $1200-$3000, depending on brand and output
- Sauna accessories: $50-$150, depending on the specific one you want
- Electrical installation: $300-$800 for professional wiring if not DIY
When you factor in these necessary expenses, your true all-in cost will typically land around $5,500–$7,000, depending on the heater you select and local electrical rates.
What you're getting for the base $3,990:
- Complete sauna cabin structure with premium thermally-treated wood
- 8mm tempered bronze glass front wall
- Ergonomic Thermo-Aspen benches and backrests with a contoured design
- WiFi app-controlled LED lighting system
- Shingled roof with weather protection
- Proper Finnish-style passive ventilation system
- Foundation cradles, mounting hardware, and assembly instructions
- Lifetime warranty on the cabin structure (non-electrical components)
Comparing this to alternatives in the $4,000-$6,000 cabin-only range, the CL3G offers competitive value.
What Customers Have to Say
The SaunaLife CL3G has garnered several admirers thanks to its user-friendliness, functionality, and aesthetics. We sold several units, but this review from Catherine G stood out the most for us:
This is how it looked after installation:
Another customer who got this from our website, Aramik P., loves it for its quality materials and aesthetics:
Such a cute setup:
Overall... Who's This Sauna Best For?
The SaunaLife CL3G is best for:
- Space-constrained urban dwellers who have 25-35 square feet available but not the 50-80 square feet that larger saunas require. If you're in an apartment, condo, or urban home where every square foot has competing uses, the CL3G's footprint may be the only viable option.
- Solo sauna users who occasionally accommodate a second person but primarily use the sauna alone. The compact dimensions are much less limiting for one person, and many of the comfort concerns diminish when you're not sharing the space.
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking an entry point into sauna ownership without four-figure investments in larger custom builds.
This sauna is NOT ideal for:
- Taller individuals (over 6 feet) will find the headroom constraining and the overall spatial volume uncomfortable.
- Regular two-person use, especially if both users are average or larger in size. The compact dimensions that work adequately for solo sessions become genuinely tight when shared. If you envision regular couple's sauna sessions, this likely won't meet expectations.
- Users seeking an authentic traditional sauna experience with proper löyly (steam throw), substantial thermal mass, and the spatial volume that creates the characteristic sauna atmosphere. The CL3G will deliver heat, but it won't replicate the experience of a properly built traditional sauna.
- Those with serious ventilation concerns or respiratory sensitivities place a high priority on air quality if you need assurance of excellent air circulation, whether for health reasons or simply preference, the CL3G's potentially limited ventilation is a risk factor.
Final Thoughts
The SaunaLife CL3G occupies a practical niche in the home sauna market: it's an affordable, space-efficient kit that brings traditional sauna bathing into reach for buyers who can't accommodate larger installations. It succeeds at being compact, relatively affordable, and DIY-friendly – all legitimate priorities for many prospective sauna owners.
Before you choose, be honest about your priorities and realistic about the experience a compact kit can deliver. If you're buying the CL3G, understand that it's an entry-level traditional sauna designed to provide authentic heat and löyly within a small footprint.
More importantly, pay attention to:
- Ventilation to ensure adequate air circulation
- Heater quality and placement
- Bench layout
Ready to purchase the CL3G-2 person sauna? Check out our product page now! We included all the essentials (heater, stones, and operational controls) you’ll need to get your sauna up and running straight out of the box.
