Walmart's $90 Portable Sauna Is A Home Spa: Does It Really Work?

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The irony of having a busy schedule is that you often don't have time in the day to hit the spa and unwind on the spur of the moment. Fortunately, products launched alongside the personal care craze have made it easier than ever to take some of these comforts right in your home, whether it's a foot bath, a nice face mask or even your own personal sauna. And while some designs involve building a small shed for schvitzing, there's another option that's more portable and can even fit right into your living room when you need it. Read on to learn more about Walmart's $90 portable sauna and see if the experts think the home spa device will really work.

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There is an easy to assemble portable sauna available at Walmart for less than $100.

A Yescom portable at-home sauna in gold
walmart

Whether you lack the time or the money to visit the spa as often as you want, new products claim to be able to bring some of these rejuvenating techniques to your home. One of the most noble elements is undoubtedly the Yescom 2L Portable Steam Sauna , which Walmart sells for around $90.

While traditional saunas require hot coals, long wooden benches and a lot of mounting space, this product provides the heat you need to sweat it all out in a much more compact package. It claims to be easily assembled in less than 10 minutes by connecting lightweight PVC pipes. Users can then walk in, sit on the included folding chair, zip up and turn on the connected steamer to begin their session. Settings can even be adjusted with an included remote control.

Some happy customers have looked at the reviews to rave about the product. "Love, love, love my sauna," wrote one five-star reviewer. "Set up was easy and doesn't take up much space. Heats up in 5-8 minutes and it's warm. Love that it has a remote so I can adjust the time and temperature inside ."

Another said how easy it was to put together. "It's a great investment for the price," they add. "I use it every night in my little studio!"

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Experts are immediately skeptical of the product's performance.

walmart website
leerogers / iStock

If the idea of getting a home sauna for less than $100 sounds too good to be true, you might be right. Retail experts point out that while these products are affordable, they are also becoming mainstream online.

"This is not the first of these products that I have seen: they have certainly appeared on sites like Amazon before", Julie Ramhold , consumer analyst with DealNews.com, tells Better life . "At $90, it's not the most expensive product in this category, but it can still be a risky purchase simply by its nature."

Customer complaints are also relatively common alongside positive ratings. "Based on reviews, this product is a hit or miss with customers, with an average rating of 3.6 stars," says Samantha Landau , consumer expert on TopCashback.com. "Some users praised it for its good steaming experience, while others noted that it didn't live up to their quality expectations."

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It might be misleading to suggest that this item will provide a real sauna experience.

sauna has safe health benefits as workout, study says
Shutterstock

Stepping into a traditional sauna can provide the sweat session you need to detox while you relax and unwind. But if you expect to feel the same exhilarating rush after pouring water over the hot stones, experts warn you'll likely be disappointed.

"It's possible that this item will give you some sort of sauna experience, but if you've ever been in a real sauna, it probably won't measure up," says Ramhold. And far from lounging on a long bench, she adds that it might not be very comfortable considering it's just a folding chair in a big bag with a PVC tube frame.

There also seems to be some issues with assembling it. “Some reviewers have also noted that the bag is too small to easily fit in the frame, so it may be a hassle to assemble, not to mention it likely won't be a tightly sealed product,” she explains. Better life . "Because of this, there's a chance that this sauna could go one way or the other: it could be good enough for those looking for a home sauna experience, or it could end up being a frustration that will end by being relegated to the back of a closet after a few mediocre sessions."

And even worse, the product could potentially pose a safety hazard. "The instructions state that before assembling the sauna, you must ensure that the tubes are not bent, as this could block the flow of steam and cause a pressure build-up, which could cause parts to burst and cause burns,” warns Ramhold. "That's bad enough for adults, but if kids are going to be around this product, that's another thing to consider. The temperature range is 110F to 149F, so it's not something with which one must be negligent."

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Our experts agree that this may not be the best option if you're really looking to relax.

Walmart store on a sunny day, south San Francisco bay area
iStock

All in all, the idea of quickly installing spa-style equipment in your home might seem like a good idea. But Ramhold says you might be better off going with another option in this case. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

"Personally, I think there are better ways to try a sauna or get regular treatment with a sauna, but your mileage may vary," she says. "For the price it might be worth a try but I would read the reviews carefully, check other sites for even more reviews and also know what steps you will need to take to return the product if at all. "

Landau agrees, saying that while its price is much lower than other similar options, it all sounds a bit too good to be true. "If you want to try a home sauna without investing a lot of money, Walmart's option might be just right for you. Just keep in mind that you'll probably get what you pay for," she cautions.


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