Almost Heaven Pinnacle
Score
- Traditional barrel
- Up to 4 seats
- Red cedar
- 6kW Harvia KIP heater
Almost Heaven Timberline
Score
- Cabin with wrap porch
- 4–6 seats, 2-level benches
- Nordic spruce
- 8kW Harvia KIP
On this page
Short answer: buy a barrel if you want the lowest price per seat, a sauna that sheds snow on its own, and short sessions for 2–4 people. Buy a cabin if you want to stand up straight, sit on a hotter upper bench, lie down, or host groups. The deciding question for most buyers: do you need to stretch out or stand up inside? If not, a barrel does the job for less. Prices and specs are from each seller’s product page on Oct 9, 2026. We haven’t tested these saunas ourselves.
Barrel vs cabin at a glance
| Factor | Barrel | Cabin |
|---|---|---|
| Price, same brand & seats | Lower. Paxton 2–4: $3,499 | Henley 2–4: $3,999 |
| Headroom | Full height only at the center (Paxton: 73.6") | Full height wall to wall (Timberline: 88" interior) |
| Benches | Two facing benches, one level | Stacked upper + lower, hotter seat up top |
| Lying down | Only on longer barrels’ benches | Easier; Timberline’s upper bench is 75" × 36" |
| Air volume to heat | Less wasted space above the bench | More, but heat collects at the upper bench |
| Snow and rain | Curved top sheds snow; add shingles or a roof | Needs a pitched roof rated for your snow load |
| Assembly | Simpler; staves and bands on cradles | More parts; walls, roof, often a porch |
| Footprint (2–4 seats) | Smaller. Paxton: 76" × 65.6" | Henley: 62.3" × 90.8" incl. overhang |
| Look | Classic Nordic barrel | Modern shed or cabin, blends with outbuildings |
Backyard Discovery and Almost Heaven specs from their (or Select Saunas’) product pages, Oct 9, 2026. Exterior sizes as listed (W × D).
Real price pairs
| Model | Shape | Price* | Seats | Heater | Circuit | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard Discovery Paxton 2–4 | Barrel | $3,499 | 2–4 | 9kW, Wi-Fi | 240V/50A | 5 years |
| Backyard Discovery Henley 2–4 | Cabin | $3,999 | 2–4 | 9kW, Wi-Fi | 240V/50A | 5 years |
| Backyard Discovery Henley 4–6 | Cabin | $4,999 | 4–6 | 9kW, Wi-Fi | 240V/50A | 5 years |
| Almost Heaven Pinnacle (at Select Saunas) (paid link) | Barrel | $5,303 | Up to 4 | 6kW Harvia KIP | 240V/30A | Limited lifetime |
| Almost Heaven Timberline (at Select Saunas) (paid link) | Cabin + porch | $9,963 | 4–6 | 8kW Harvia KIP80B | 240V/40A | Limited lifetime |
*Listed price, Oct 9, 2026. Almost Heaven models link to Select Saunas, a dealer that pays us a commission; Select doesn’t say which door or lumber its price includes. Backyard Discovery links are plain links; we earn nothing from them. The Timberline’s roofing shingles aren’t included and it ships by flatbed, so plan for offloading. Delivery, foundation and electrical work aren’t included in any price.
Choose a barrel if…
You want 2–4 people, sessions of 15–30 minutes, snow that slides off, and the lowest cost per seat. The Pinnacle is 71" deep with a 63¼" bench, red cedar, a 6kW Harvia heater on a 30-amp circuit and a limited lifetime warranty on the room. Need it cheaper? The two-seat Almost Heaven Salem (paid link) is $4,176, and our outdoor saunas under $5,000 guide starts at $3,499. Skip a barrel if anyone over about 6' wants to stand, or you want to lie flat.
Choose a cabin if…
You host groups, want an upper bench for more heat, or want room to lie down. The Timberline has an 88"-tall interior, a 75" × 36" upper bench, a 75" lower bench, an 8kW Harvia heater (240V/40A), insulated ceiling, adjustable vents and a wrap-around porch with privacy panels. Tradeoffs: nearly double the Pinnacle’s price, shingles not included, and a 128" × 112" footprint with the porch. On a tighter budget, the Backyard Discovery Henley 4–6 is a cabin at $4,999.
Five questions that decide it
- How tall is the tallest user? A barrel’s full height is only at the center. If someone wants to stand or sit upright on the upper half of the room, go cabin.
- Do you want to lie down? Most 2–4 seat barrels have benches under 64". A cabin’s upper bench is the easy way to stretch out.
- How much snow do you get? A barrel’s curve sheds snow; a cabin needs a roof built for your snow load. See our cold-climate install guide.
- How big is the pad? Measure before you shop. The cabins here run deeper than the barrels at the same seat count.
- What can your panel handle? 30A (Almost Heaven 6kW), 40A (Timberline 8kW) or 50A (Backyard Discovery 9kW). The circuit can cost as much as the shape difference.
What a barrel sauna really costs, installed
The sticker price is only part of the bill. Use this to see a realistic all-in range before you order. Change any input and the total updates.
Still deciding on heat type? Traditional vs infrared covers that choice. For more barrels, see best barrel saunas; for winter-ready cabins and barrels, best outdoor saunas for cold winters.
FAQ
Is a barrel sauna or cabin sauna better?
Neither is better for everyone. Barrels cost less per seat, shed snow and assemble more simply. Cabins give full standing headroom, stacked benches and room to lie down. Pick a barrel for 2–4 people and short sessions; pick a cabin for groups, tall users or lying down.
How much more does a cabin sauna cost than a barrel?
At Backyard Discovery, the Henley 2–4 cabin ($3,999) costs $500 more than the Paxton 2–4 barrel ($3,499) with the same heater and warranty, as of Oct 9, 2026. Almost Heaven’s Timberline cabin ($9,963 at Select Saunas) costs nearly twice its 4-person Pinnacle barrel ($5,303), but it is larger and includes a porch.
Do barrel saunas heat faster than cabin saunas?
A barrel has less air above the bench for its seat count, so with the same heater it has less space to heat. Actual heat-up time depends on heater size, insulation, wind and outdoor temperature, and makers rarely publish comparable numbers.
Are barrel saunas good in snow?
The curved shape helps snow slide off, which is one reason barrels are popular in snowy climates. Most makers still recommend shingles or a roof kit for weather protection, and a small heater can struggle in deep cold.
Can you lie down in a barrel sauna?
Only if the bench is long enough. The Almost Heaven Pinnacle’s bench is 63¼" and the Backyard Discovery Paxton 4–6’s is 75". A cabin’s upper bench, such as the Timberline’s 75" × 36" bench, is usually more comfortable for lying down.
- Sources (accessed Oct 9, 2026):
- Backyard Discovery: Paxton 2–4 https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/products/paxton-2-4-person-outdoor-barrel-sauna · Paxton 4–6 https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/products/paxton-4-6-person-outdoor-barrel-sauna · Henley 2–4 https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/products/henley-2-4-person-outdoor-cabin-sauna · Henley 4–6 https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/products/henley-4-6-person-outdoor-cabin-sauna
- Select Saunas: Pinnacle https://selectsaunas.com/products/almost-heaven-pinnacle-morgan-4-person-classic-barrel-sauna-6x6-ft · Timberline https://selectsaunas.com/products/almost-heaven-timberline-6-person-outdoor-cabin-sauna