The SaunaLife CL5G is a 4-person traditional cube sauna that's caught the attention of many looking to purchase an outdoor sauna, and it's easy to see why. This sauna draws inspiration from the barrel sauna and combines the comfort and efficiency of a cabin sauna layout. You get the curved roofline and compact footprint reminiscent of barrel designs, but with the vertical walls, flat floor, and ergonomic bench configuration of a traditional cabin. This hybrid approach addresses some of the common barrel sauna limitations – awkward seating angles, limited headroom on lower benches, floor instability – while maintaining the aesthetic appeal and thermal efficiency that make barrels popular.
But beyond looks, the real deal is in its performance. How hot does it get? How quickly? Is it comfortable for multiple people? Does the glass front cause heat loss issues? In this review, we'll break down construction quality, heating system, ease of assembly, comfort factors, and whether it delivers dependable value for the price.
Assembly:
The sauna arrives at your curb as a DIY kit. The pallet includes:
- Thermo-Spruce wall panels (42mm thick on sides, 28mm on front and back),
- The tempered bronze glass front wall (8mm),
- Pre-cut Thermo-Aspen bench components,
- Roof panels with shingles,
- Fascia boards,
- Complete fastener kit with installation instructions.
The heater is sold separately, so you need to purchase a compatible one alongside your sauna.
Overall, you can assemble the SaunaLife CL5G in one day, as long as you have the basic carpentry tools and an extra hand to support you.
Note: The CL5G requires a 240V/1PH single-phase circuit to function, so it's best to hire a licensed electrician to handle the electrical installation process for you.
Material Quality:
The CL5G uses Thermo-Spruce for all structural panels and Thermo-Aspen for benches and backrests. The thermal treatment changes the wood's cellular structure through high-temperature processing in a controlled, oxygen-free environment. This process reduces the wood's moisture-absorption capacity and increases its dimensional stability.
Practically, it means the thermal treatments make the wood:
- Resist warping.
- Remain the same despite humidity changes.
- Naturally repel decay and insects.
- Maintain structural integrity longer than untreated lumber.
The insulation is top-notch, too.
The walls are 42mm thick on both sides. The front and back walls use 28mm Thermo-Spruce, which is thinner, but paired with the 8mm tempered glass front, you still get solid insulation for the price.
Ventilation:
The CL5G uses a gravity-based ventilation system that allows air to circulate naturally in the sauna. It has an intake vent placed directly under the sauna heater to bring in fresh air, and another exhaust vent at the top corner to let out the stale, hot air.
In practice, this means that when you ladle water onto the heater rocks to create steam, the fresh air entering from beneath the heater helps burn off excess humidity and keeps oxygen levels comfortable, while the exhaust vent prevents the space from becoming stuffy. The result? A more balanced sauna climate where the heat feels softer.
📌Read more: Saunalife model G3 outdoor home sauna kit reviews.
Bench Layout:
The CL5G uses an L-shaped two-tier bench arrangement that runs along the back wall and one side wall. This configuration maximizes usable seating in the cube footprint while leaving the glass front wall clear for entry and visual openness.
The back wall bench spans 76 inches, nearly the full width of the interior. The lower bench on the back wall measures 73.2 inches long and is positioned below the upper bench. The side bench extends 17.3 inches from the adjacent wall.
With these dimensions, you can sit upright on the upper bench facing forward, recline along the back wall of the upper bench, sit on the lower bench with feet on the floor, or use the side bench for shorter sits or as a cool-down position. Two adults can even lie on both benches at the same time and not feel cramped:
Also, the benches are not entirely flat. They're shaped with a slight ergonomic contour that provides more support for your lower back and legs. This makes it easier to spend more time in the sauna, making longer sessions more comfortable.
The bench material (Thermo-Aspen) stays cooler to the touch than spruce benches would at the same temperature. You'll still want to sit on a towel during high-heat sessions (75°C+), but the aspen doesn't get hot after 30-40 minutes of running, unlike untreated spruce. This is a noticeable comfort upgrade, particularly for users coming from budget saunas with basic spruce or pine seating.
📌Read more: Saunalife cube review.
Thermal Performance:
The CL5G requires an 8–9 kW electric heater for optimal performance. However, the amount of steam the heater can generate depends on its rock capacity. HUUM and Harvia heaters include substantial rock chambers that allow for generous water dosing and produce traditional löyly – the soft, enveloping steam that defines Finnish sauna bathing.
Also, the 42 mm thermo-spruce side walls provide solid insulation for a prefab outdoor sauna. Thermally modified wood has lower thermal conductivity than kiln-dried or untreated lumber due to structural changes during heat processing, so it retains heat better than its raw thickness might suggest.
Overall, the CL5G heats up very quickly:
Comfort:
The CL5G delivers strong comfort for a mid-range outdoor sauna, primarily due to three factors:
- The glass front wall that opens up the sauna space
- The Thermo-Aspen contoured benches, and
- The curved ceiling design.
The glass wall transforms the interior atmosphere. Traditional wood-walled saunas can feel enclosed, especially for users who experience any claustrophobia or just prefer open spaces. The bronze-tinted glass floods the interior with natural light during the day, creates a visual connection to your outdoor space, and makes the interior feel larger than its actual square footage.
At night, the included WiFi LED lighting system provides adjustable illumination. You can adjust brightness from your phone or the wireless remote, set the lighting for different moods (bright for entry/exit, dim for relaxation during sessions), and control it without getting up from the bench. The dotless LED design provides even illumination without visible individual bulb points, creating a smooth, ambient glow.
As we mentioned earlier, the benches inside the sauna are made with thermo-aspen because it’s cool to touch. The ergonomic contours also support your back and legs during extended sessions. With these perks, you can stretch out fully on the lower bench if you're under 6 feet tall, or sit crosswise on the upper bench and lean back against the wall.
As an add-on, you get ergonomic, thermo-aspen backrests that provide lumbar support when sitting upright.
Aesthetics:
The CL5G is simply…. beautiful. It blends elements of cabin and barrel sauna design, creating a feel that's modern yet still traditional. Compared to standard barrel saunas, which can look utilitarian or rustic, the CL5G gives a more architectural silhouette with clearer lines that fit well into modern homes without looking out of place:
And when you turn on the light at night, the entire glass-fronted barrel glows like a warm lantern in the dark. Feel free to use it as the focal point of your backyard!
Value for Money:
The CL5G is priced at $5,990, putting it in the mid-to-upper range of DIY outdoor sauna kits. This price includes the complete structural kit, WiFi LED lighting system, and all installation hardware. Although you need to purchase the heater separately, the sauna still gives you the best value for your money. Don’t take our word for it, though. Our customer, Drake, said it’s the “best purchase of the year.”
Who's This Sauna Best For?
The CL5G is for you if:
- Your household is 2-4 adults, or you have kids, bringing the count higher without needing adult-sized personal space.
- You value material quality and long-term durability over the absolute lowest purchase price.
- You appreciate Scandinavian design aesthetics, clean lines, natural materials, and modern touches like app-controlled lighting, and you want your sauna to look intentional and attractive in your outdoor space, not just functional.
- You're planning traditional heat-based sauna experiences with rock-generated steam.
- Budget-wise, you're looking to invest $7,500-$8,500 all-in (sauna, heater, electrical installation).
Final Thoughts
The SaunaLife CL5G is a well-executed mid-range outdoor sauna that successfully bridges barrel and cabin design approaches. It combines the thermal efficiency and compact footprint of barrel designs with the comfort, headroom, and ergonomics of cabin layouts, while adding the distinctive aesthetic of a full glass front wall.
Overall, the CL5G is not the last sauna you'll ever buy if you become an enthusiast. Rather, it's a good choice for starters and will serve you well for years if you maintain it properly.
