Backyard Discovery Paxton vs Smartmak Barrel Sauna: Which Outdoor Barrel Sauna Wins?

Backyard Discovery Paxton vs Smartmak Barrel Sauna: Quick Answer

The Backyard Discovery Paxton wins for most buyers because it is a purpose-built traditional barrel sauna: cedar construction, a 9 kW electric heater on 240 V power, LED lighting, a Wi-Fi control panel, and a covered front porch, sized for 2–4 people. The Smartmak Custom Barrel Sauna wins on flexibility and price: it seats up to 8 people, costs roughly $1,300 less at list price, and lets you choose between a wood-burning stove or an electric stove configuration.

If you want a polished, ready-to-assemble classic sauna experience, choose the Paxton. If you want maximum capacity, fuel-choice freedom, and a lower entry price, choose the Smartmak.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not test saunas hands-on; comparisons are based on manufacturer-published specifications and listing data current as of August 2026.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Prices change often — check the current Amazon listing before you buy.

Check Backyard Discovery Paxton price on Amazon

Check Smartmak Barrel Sauna price on Amazon

Backyard Discovery Paxton: Traditional Heat, Finished Package

The Paxton is a 2–4 person outdoor barrel sauna built from cedar, the wood most traditional sauna makers use because it handles heat and moisture well and stays comfortable to touch. According to the manufacturer's listing, it ships as a ready-to-assemble kit with pre-cut, pre-drilled components, which reduces the guesswork common in large outdoor builds.

Heating comes from a traditional electric sauna heater rated at 9 kW on a 240 V circuit. That is a serious heater for this size class: it heats stones that you ladle water over to create steam (löyly), which is the classic Finnish sauna cycle many buyers specifically want. Note the electrical requirement — a 9 kW / 240 V unit typically needs a dedicated circuit installed by an electrician, so factor that cost into your budget.

Where the Paxton pulls ahead on features is comfort and control. The listing includes LED lighting, a Wi-Fi enabled control panel so you can manage settings from your phone, a built-in front porch, and sauna rocks in the box. For buyers who want a backyard sauna that looks and behaves like a purpose-built retreat out of the crate, the Paxton is the more complete package.

See the Backyard Discovery Paxton on Amazon

Smartmak Custom Barrel Sauna: Capacity and Fuel Choice

The Smartmak Custom Barrel Sauna targets a different buyer. Its stated capacity is 2–8 people, nearly double the Paxton's upper bound, which makes it the practical option for families or anyone who regularly wants friends in the heat with them. The trade-off is interior space per person at full occupancy — eight adults in any barrel sauna is cozy.

The defining feature is stove choice. Per the listing, the Smartmak can be configured with a wood-burning stove or an electric stove. The wood-burning route delivers the crackle-and-smoke ritual traditionalists love and frees you from wiring constraints; the electric configuration is rated at 4.5 kW on 220 V, a lighter electrical load than the Paxton's 9 kW draw. One caveat: the product is sold as a DIY steam sauna box, so expect more self-directed assembly and planning than with the Paxton's pre-drilled kit.

Construction uses spruce rather than cedar. Spruce is a standard sauna wood and keeps cost down, though cedar generally earns higher marks for aroma, dimensional stability, and longevity outdoors. At a list price of $2,654.99 — about $1,344 below the Paxton at research time — the material downgrade is where much of the savings lives.

See the Smartmak Custom Barrel Sauna on Amazon

Head-to-Head: Where They Differ

Price

The Smartmak undercuts the Paxton by roughly a third at list price ($2,654.99 vs $3,999 at research time). Remember to budget for installation: the Paxton's 9 kW heater likely requires professional 240 V wiring, which narrows the gap somewhat. Even then, the Smartmak remains the cheaper path into a working outdoor barrel sauna.

Heating and Steam

Both are traditional-style hot-stone experiences, but they get there differently. The Paxton commits to one proven setup: a 9 kW electric heater on 240 V, sized generously for its 2–4 person cabin. The Smartmak offers two paths — wood fire or a 4.5 kW / 220 V electric element. Choose the Paxton for predictable, code-friendly electric operation; choose the Smartmak if off-grid wood firing or a lighter electrical load matters to you.

Capacity and Space

Stated capacity is 2–4 (Paxton) versus 2–8 (Smartmak). If your regular session is two to four adults, both fit; the Paxton gives each person more room at its stated maximum. If you need to seat more than four, the Smartmak is the only one of the two that claims to handle it.

Build and Features

Cedar versus spruce is the core material difference, and the Paxton layers on LED lighting, a Wi-Fi panel, and a front porch. The Smartmak counters with configurability rather than finish quality. Neither manufacturer's warranty terms appear in our research data, so verify coverage on the live listing before ordering — warranty support matters more the larger your investment.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Backyard Discovery Paxton if: you want the classic electric sauna experience, prefer cedar, value built-in lighting and app control, and your group is four people or fewer.

Buy the Smartmak Custom Barrel Sauna if: you want the lowest entry price, need capacity beyond four people, want the option to burn wood instead of wiring a high-amperage circuit, or enjoy a DIY build.

Verdict: Backyard Discovery Paxton

For most households comparing these two, the Backyard Discovery Paxton is the better barrel sauna. It pairs a properly oversized 9 kW heater with cedar construction, LED lighting, and Wi-Fi control in a package designed to assemble cleanly — the stronger long-term ownership proposition despite the higher price. The Smartmak earns the value and flexibility crown, and it is the right call for big groups or wood-heat fans, but the Paxton is the safer recommendation for the typical buyer.

Check the Backyard Discovery Paxton price on Amazon

Check the Smartmak Barrel Sauna price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Backyard Discovery Paxton need special wiring?

Yes, most likely. Its electric heater is rated at 9 kW on 240 V, which typically requires a dedicated high-amperage circuit installed by a licensed electrician. Confirm amperage requirements with the manufacturer before planning installation.

Can the Smartmak barrel sauna really fit 8 people?

That is the manufacturer's stated capacity for the largest configuration. Real-world comfort depends on the size you order and body sizes involved; treat 8 as the upper limit for shorter sessions rather than everyday seating.

Which one is cheaper to run?

It depends on local energy prices and usage. The Smartmak's electric configuration draws less power (4.5 kW vs 9 kW), but the Paxton's larger heater can reach temperature faster for its smaller cabin. A wood-burning Smartmak shifts running cost to firewood instead of electricity.