What Type of Sauna Stones Hold Heat the Best?
Not all sauna stones perform the same way. The type, density, size, and quality of the stones you use can affect how they hold and release heat, how they handle repeated heating and cooling, and how they produce steam.
So, what type of sauna stones hold heat the best? Here's how the most common options compare, what to look for when choosing stones, and why using sauna-rated stones matters.
What Are the Main Types of Sauna Stones?
How Do Peridotite and Olivine Stones Perform?
Peridotite and olivine are dense volcanic stones commonly used in sauna heaters and are valued for their ability to absorb and retain heat. Their density gives them substantial thermal mass, allowing them to store heat and release it when water is poured over the stones.
Sauna-rated peridotite and olivine stones are selected for their ability to withstand the repeated heating and cooling that sauna stones experience. For frequent sauna users, their combination of heat retention and durability can make them an appealing choice.
How Do Vulcanite and Basalt Stones Perform?
Vulcanite and basalt are also volcanic stones used in sauna heaters, with performance characteristics that can vary depending on the specific stone. Basalt is widely available and can be a practical option for sauna owners looking for purpose-made stones at a lower price point.
Rather than choosing based solely on the name of the stone, look at the manufacturer's recommendations for your heater, including the approved stone type, size, and quantity.
Why Should You Avoid Generic River Rocks or Decorative Stones?
Generic river rocks and decorative landscaping stones aren't selected or tested specifically for sauna heating. Their internal structure may make them more susceptible to cracking or breaking when exposed to repeated high heat and sudden contact with water.
Use stones specifically intended for sauna heaters rather than rocks sourced from a riverbed, landscaping supplier, or decorative-rock retailer.
How Do You Choose the Right Stone Type for Your Heater and Goals?
Does Your Heater Type Affect Which Stones You Should Choose?
Your heater's design and manufacturer specifications should guide your stone choice. Different heaters can have specific requirements for stone type, size, quantity, and placement.
High-output heaters and heaters with larger stone capacities may have different requirements than smaller residential models, so check the specifications for your specific heater before purchasing stones.
If you're trying to improve overall sauna heat rather than simply choosing different stones, our guide on how to make your sauna hotter covers other factors that can affect temperature and performance.
How Do Cost and Performance Actually Trade Off?
Denser, longer-lasting stones like peridotite typically cost more upfront but need replacing less often, while lighter options like basalt cost less per bag but may need replacing somewhat sooner under heavy use.
Whether that premium is worth it really comes down to how often you're actually using your sauna. If you're in the sauna daily or several times a week, the longer usable life of a durable stone may help justify a higher upfront cost for frequent users. If you're an occasional user, the wear difference between stone types matters less, since neither option is likely to need replacement particularly soon regardless of which you choose. This isn't a case where everyone should default to the most expensive option; it's a genuine tradeoff worth weighing against your actual use pattern.
Where Should You Source Quality Sauna Stones?
Look for stones specifically labeled for sauna use and check:
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Stone type
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Recommended size
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Compatibility with your heater
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Quantity required
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Manufacturer or supplier specifications
Stone size matters because stones need to fit the heater correctly without blocking airflow or falling through the grate.
Does Sauna Stone Size Affect Heat and Steam?
Yes. Stone size affects how the stones fit around the heating elements and how air moves through the heater. Always use the size recommended by the heater manufacturer.
Smaller stones may be appropriate for certain heaters, while larger stones may be required for others. The goal isn't to choose the biggest or smallest stones; it's to use the size and quantity specified for your particular heater.
Which Sauna Stones Are Best for Different Uses?
What Stone Choice Fits Someone Who Wants Strong, Frequent Loyly?
If strong, frequent loyly is your priority, dense sauna stones such as peridotite or olivine may be a good option to consider. Their thermal mass makes them well suited to repeated heating and water application.
The upfront cost is higher, but for a heavy user chasing session quality over saving a few dollars per bag, that density pays off directly in the experience you're actually there for. This is the option worth reaching for if strong, reliable steam is the whole point of your sauna practice.
What Stone Choice Fits a Budget-Conscious First-Time Buyer?
For a first-time buyer on a tighter budget, purpose-made basalt sauna stones can be a practical option for standard sauna use. The important distinction is that a lower-cost sauna-rated stone is very different from using generic rocks that aren't intended for sauna heating.
Choose based on your heater's specifications first, then compare stone types based on price, durability, and the experience you're looking for.
The Bottom Line
The best sauna stones aren't simply the ones that hold the most heat. Look for sauna-rated stones that are compatible with your heater and offer the combination of heat retention, durability, and steam performance you're looking for.
Dense stones such as peridotite and olivine are worth considering for frequent use, while purpose-made basalt can offer a practical alternative. Whatever type you choose, follow your heater manufacturer's recommendations for stone type and size, and avoid using generic rocks that aren't intended for sauna heating.
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Let customers speak for us
I haven't even built this sauna yet (Rainelle), but I have to give an ENORMOUS shoutout to Adora and especially KELLY for their help on this one. This was a big purchase for us, and these ladies went way out of their way to make it work out for us. The first sauna that showed up was badly damaged in shipping, and from what it sounds like - that is not typical. At all. So Kelly helped us to get it squared away, and it took what could have been a horrible customer experience into a fantastic one. Give this woman a raise!
We really like our sauna! Quality of the sauna seems decent. The quality of the accessories was not! The back recliner was all busted up out of the box.
My wife and I would occasionally sit in the sauna at our gym after a workout. It was hot but a little gross. I can't tell you how many times we bailed on the gym sauna session because someone else was playing their phone too loud, someone was breathing like they were gasping for air, someone decided to be shirtless in public, someone is weird or any number of other reasons. Loved the sauna feeling but HATED the gym sauna.
We bought a sauna for our home and installed it in our basement to escape the gym sauna experience. We absolutely love it! We sauna daily. Without the angst and frustration of hoping to avoid an awkward gross experience at the gym sauna.
If you are considering a sauna purchase, spend a little extra and get the WIFI enabled heater. This is the best way to make sure you get the benefit of owning a sauna. The app on our phone is easy to use. Just click the on/off button on the app and set your temperature to your desire. I like 171. My wife likes 153. Once it hits the temperature, the app will let you know. You can even turn on your sauna while you are on the way home from the gym. The WIFI version and the app make all the difference in usability and enjoyment of your investment. If we did not have the app and the WIFI version, we probably would probably skip 2/3 of the sessions we currently take.
The sauna is well made. Wood quality is excellent. Very few knots and blemishes. Hillsboro Almost Heaven saunas are a great choice for quality components, solid electronics, easy to use controls and an enjoyable sauna experience.
This is a standard kit sauna. I made several modifications but I am very satisfied with it so far. I have a few shingles left to install tomorrow and then will move onto to interior. MSW has been easy to work with and I recommend them.
I really love this sauna. I use it about four times a week to help me wind down before bed and calm my ego. Customer service at MySaunaWorld was great.
Assembly took me roughly 8–10 hours total over two days, and I’m not a particularly handy person. The step by step instructions video was straightforward and easy to follow.
I paired the sauna with the HUUM Drop 9 heater (the largest HUUM Drop), and it performs very well. I hired an electrician to install it (about $900 extra). It easily heats the sauna to 190°F plus. I personally like it around 180°F, which it reaches in about an hour. Also, you can pour water over the hot rocks to make the air hotter and steamier. Make sure to mount it low so that it can heat everything above it. (I mounted mine 6” from the ground to the base of the heater.) I love that I can start heating the sauna from my iPhone, even when I’m not on my home Wi-Fi.
I got the double-bench configuration going across the back of the sauna which lets two people lay down. The area around the lower bench is cooler which is nice to have different temperature seating options.
The sauna looks fantastic, smells great, and feels solid. I would recommend this sauna to a friend.
We love our new Almost Heaven Pinnacle barrel sauna!
Delivery was perfect, the assembly was a breeze, and the sauna fits perfectly in our space.
The only regret we have is not to have made this purchase 10 years ago!
I had been thinking about installing a sauna for quite some time. I kept going back and forth between framing one in or a prefab that I assemble. I spent several weeks going over the various websites looking at designs for both and writing out the pros/cons for each. After much deliberation, I reached out to My Sauna World to purchase an Almost Heaven Greyson.
It came way sooner than expected which was a good thing, so I had to arrange for my electrician. I assembled it very easily, with my wife holding just one panel, and then I ran into a problem. The last wall was short. It took a lot of head scratching and measuring and remeasuring as well as back and forth communication with both My Sauna World and Almost Heaven. It turned out that I had been sent 2 glass panels that were the same dimension when the 2 glass panels are actually designed with different dimensions. The new panel was sent out without question, and the rest of the assembly went easy.
I will say that the folks at My Sauna World were extremely responsive and did a great job as liaison back to the manufacturer.
Overall, I had a really positive experience, and we are very happy with the Greyson with the Harvia Spirit 8kW stove.
We also have the duckboard flooring (that is a must) sitting on top of the concrete floor. The back and leg rest are also recommended.
Note: this is advertised as a 3-4 person but in reality it is a good 2 person. And lastly, I grew up with sauna my whole life, starting with my grandpa’s wood burning sauna. This non insulated Greyson type will not get up to the same temperatures, but it does get the job done. Very pleased with the product and do recommend (to frame one in my self and buy a pre-cut kit would have cost a few thousand more overall)
Their customer service is refreshing in a world where most companies fail miserably with service. They should teach customer service to other companies and government agencies. We have only tested the actual product to make sure it works, but along the way, we had multiple questions and the replies were quick and helpful. The sauna was easy to assemble.
Frankly, I was stunned at the quality of this product. Equally stunning is how easily everything fits together. It’s well and I’m looking to an improved lifestyle.
Back rests are a nice size and fit perfectly in my Lugano 3-person sauna. They are very comfortable (especially considering they are wood) and make sitting in the sauna an even more pleasant experience. To think that they were added in free to my purchase of the sauna is hard to believe. Very pleased with customer service from My Sauna World.com !
Well built, good quality, reliable, and matches my barrel sauna very well
I purchased this since it was significantly more affordable than from the brands website. It arrived quickly and is function perfect. It's easy to install and looks great. I had issues with water leaking into the sauna before that used to annoy me. Now it stays completely dry and the wood also is protected from damage and weathering.
The best Sauna ever, and the quickest delivery, 100% recommend !!!!
Works exactly as advertised. Easy install and perfect coverage. Highly recommend.
Very good customer service. My sauna came as expected.