You hit the sauna at your gym after a tough workout. On business trips, you might squeeze in a quick schvitz at the hotel’s facilities. Maybe you’ve visited the Russian spas in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach or the jjimjilbangs of L.A.’s Koreatown—variations can be found in every culture and date back thousands of years. One characteristic they all share, though, is that they’re communal spaces. An at-home sauna is strictly the domain of billionaires and Bond villains, right?
Absolutely nein, according to Klafs, the German brand that has been crafting sustainably sourced, premium-quality personal saunas for nearly a century. While in Europe the practice is most commonly associated with Scandinavian countries, the company has an expression: “Invented in Finland, perfected in Germany,” says Zach Hillesland, senior brand manager of wellness for Kohler, the Wisconsin-headquartered parent company behind the sauna manufacturer’s stateside debut. “Most saunas just deliver the standard Finnish high-heat, low-humidity setting, but Klafs excels at exact temperature and humidity control, offering a spectrum of climate experiences within the cabin. Flexibility is unique to our brand.” By equipping its meticulously made designs with the latest innovations in temperature control and immersive aesthetics, Klafs has transformed the traditionally humble sauna into a high-tech retreat.
Now, dovetailing nicely with the growing market for holistic interiors, home gyms and residential wellness suites, the brand is exporting a selection of its most popular models to the United States. Made from Scandinavian spruce, Canadian hemlock and dark walnut—woods chosen for their beauty, durability and thermal conductivity—and available in a variety of sizes and finishes, these saunas don’t belong crammed into a corner of the basement or out in the garage: They’re meant to be seen. Offering an abundance of climate scenarios for peak relaxation and detoxification, they demand to be experienced. And at prices commensurate with other high-end appliances, they won’t (all) burn through your project budget. The next must-have in luxury home design, Klafs saunas suit a surprisingly wide range of personality types. Which of these three styles most closely matches your clientele?
ARISO, THE RUSTIC SANCTUARY
Price: From $12,500
Client profile: Health-focused families, après-ski aficionados, aromatherapy fans, podcast listeners, burly lumberjacks, sauna purists
Classic aesthetics meet cutting-edge technology in this chic cabin, which comes in small, medium and large dimensions to accommodate up to four people. A five-sided option caters to corner placement, its faceted window providing a panoramic view onto the room. As with all Ariso models, full-height double-paned glass partitions let in just the right amount of natural light while still fostering a cozy sense of cloister. Inside the cabin, backrests are backlit and adjustable lamps create ambiances as soft as a candle’s glow or bright enough to read a book by. Crafted from pale Scandinavian spruce or dark walnut, wood paneling gives the style an artisanal, earthy appearance that’s at home in rustic country lodges and minimalist city lofts alike. To set the desired values for temperature and humidity, whether you’re in the mood for a Finnish-style dry sauna or a moist steam bath, simply tap the intuitive controls on the sleek exterior touchscreen. Inside, the compact, freestanding Fero heater—encased in flocking and a wooden cage for added protection against accidental bumps—generates the brand’s patented SoftClima heat in whisper-quiet, 30-second pulses to produce the selected heat experience. And for that authentic touch, a latticed basin of olivine stones on top of the machine encourages the traditional sauna ritual of spooning water over hot rocks for an extra blast of sizzle and steam.
“In Germany they call it aufguss, which loosely translates to ‘infusion,’” says Hillesland. In spirited competitions across the country, contestants not only create quick clouds of moisture, but mix custom blends of essential oils into the water, then deploy strategic towel-fanning techniques to disperse the perfumed steam. “Pouring water becomes a performative ceremony, but it’s not just for show,” he adds. “In Europe they have a saying: ‘Whoever has the ladle is the boss,’ because they control the heat in the cabin.” If such one-upmanship seems contrary to the chill vibes of a personal sauna, sprinkling the steam in the Ariso with soothing aromas of sandalwood and lavender will mellow things out.
VALORA, THE SOPHISTICATED RETREAT
Price: From $25,500
Client profile: Marathon runners, Zen meditators, Pilates maestros, craft cocktail sippers, juice cleansers, self-care seekers, sauna enthusiasts
With its exclusive Bonatherm system housed beneath the bench—the first such design to be certified for use in North America—this modern, sophisticated sauna offers discreet, consistent heat in three sizes that maximize cabin space. On-trend yet adaptable to a broad range of interiors, the black satin exterior finish frames a facade of bronze-hued glass for a contemporary yet sequestered escape, while clear panes paired with the white satin construction make a fresh, clean impression in color-filled decors. Dimmable lighting is another luxe touch. A sleek, luminous standout in a primary bathroom or open-plan living area, the Valora combines its hidden heater with the brand’s best-in-class Sanarium hydrothermal touchscreen control panel, which presents a menu of five distinct, on-demand climate scenarios to match the moment. Each is accompanied by an optional ambient soundtrack that’s played through a speaker in the unit. Encompassing a gentle steam bath, a tropical steam immersion and more, it puts the ratio of heat to humidity in the hands of the beholder—then monitors it with a sensor to maintain the desired degree of moisture.
“The Bonatherm system runs beneath the full length of the bench, providing an even distribution of heat throughout the cabin, compared to the more localized corner placement of the Fero in the Ariso,” says Hillesland. “And you can ladle water over the rocks in the Valora as well,” he adds—a concealed door in the bench offers access to the rocks below it.
S11, THE ULTIMATE STATEMENT
Price: From $80,000
Client profile: Early adopters, art collectors, itinerant royalty, investment whizzes, Academy Award recipients, civilized sybarites, sauna connoisseurs
“The S11 is the concept car—for Klafs and for all saunas in existence,” says Hillesland. He’s not just being hyperbolic: This “pinnacle of saunas” was created in partnership with Germany’s prestigious Studio F.A. Porsche (yes, that Porsche), a bold collaboration that earned it a 2024 Red Dot Award for product design. Enclosed by an ergonomically rounded container, translucent washi-papered walls softly refract light across angled wooden slats, while benches appear to float in midair—a dreamy effect that’s intensified by customizable soundtracks and colored lighting schemes that can be programmed to languidly traverse the serene chamber. S11’s system supplements the Sanarium climate technology with freestanding Fero heat sources, a harmonious interplay of elements enveloping the occupant in warmth, sound and color. The seductive atmosphere of multisensory immersion prompts profound relaxation. “But if you want to bring in a masseuse or invite your friends to a light show, that’s your prerogative,” he adds. Considering that the S11 is an investment piece, showing it off makes perfect sense.
SWEAT EQUITY
Klafs saunas produce a temperature range of 104 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, with relative humidity of 3 to 55 percent. They require a 240-volt outlet, and Hillesland recommends a footprint of 30 square feet to accommodate the smallest models. Both the Sanarium and SoftClima systems automatically run for 20 minutes following a session to dry out the cabin—“It decreases the frequency at which you’d have to clean,” he says—and the wood itself is naturally breathable. “It kind of takes care of itself.”
From cardiovascular to respiratory to musculoskeletal, the curative claims of sitting and sweating in a hot, steamy space abound, but they’re hard to quantify, despite the longevity of the practice and all the folkloric wisdom surrounding it. At the most fundamental level, though, it’s safe to say that for stress relief and relaxation alone, Klafs saunas bring a new level of luxury to a home. “It definitely helps me recover from either intense workouts or intense parties,” says Hillesland. “Having a space you can easily fold into your wellness routines and go to in the morning, in the evening, to escape the chaos of the day and find a moment of peace—people of all types and lifestyle proclivities can benefit from that.” The only question now is which one you’ll pick.
This story is a paid promotion and was created in partnership with Klafs.
Homepage image: Klafs patented technology empowers users to indulge in a range of climate scenarios, from the classic dry Finnish sauna to a tropcial steam bath | Courtesy of Klafs
