More length within compact external dimensions
HC 180 – compact barrel sauna for two people
The Bloomcabin HC 180 is a compact seated sauna that provides extra length compared with the HC150 without reaching the dimensions of a substantially larger model class. Its interior is designed for two people to enjoy sauna sessions together. Before deciding, consider whether this seating-focused layout meets your expectations. Allow sufficient space beside the sauna body for the open door, access, cleaning and maintenance. Check early that every component can be transported to the installation site and that a clear, accessible work area is available for assembly.
Discover how dimensions, barrel form, thermally treated wood and technical requirements affect everyday use. For other designs, explore the Bloomcabin sauna range.
Everyday use
How the extra length helps in daily use
Compared with the HC150, the HC 180 offers approximately 34 cm more external length. This added room chiefly benefits legroom, a more comfortable seated position, and getting in and out. The HC 180 remains a compact seated sauna, however, rather than a walk-in sauna room. Its value lies specifically in comfort at the seat, not in a fundamentally different interior layout. When choosing between the HC150 and HC 180, weigh this comfort gain against the extra space needed at your own site.
Its compact format can suit small private gardens, suitable deck areas or holiday homes, provided the base and site conditions are right. It is not enough that the sauna body fits mathematically into the available space. The sauna should remain accessible for assembly, cleaning, visual checks and future care. Include the route from the house in your planning: a short, well-lit connection that remains safe when wet makes regular use easier. Also check whether open doors, garden furniture or nearby structures could obstruct access.
The sense of space is shaped by the low interior height and rounded ceiling. The HC 180 is therefore designed for sauna bathing while seated. Compare the stated interior height with the height and preferred sitting position of the main users. Anyone wanting to stand comfortably in the cabin, move more freely or use a sheltered transition area should choose a different size or design. With the HC 180, the heated sauna room is central; storage for robes, towels and shoes must be planned outside.
Key points at a glance
HC 180 dimensions and equipment
Capacity, external dimensions, interior height and heating type should be considered together. The dimensions determine whether the sauna fits the intended site and allows the desired seated position. With electric heating, the heater, controller, accessories, power supply and cable route must be coordinated in advance. Consider both professional installation and later operation in line with the relevant equipment instructions. The HC 180 suits sites where its compact seating concept matches the available garden area and local technical requirements.
Designed for 2 people
Designed for two people to enjoy sauna sessions together; solo users have correspondingly more room to move.
Approx. 187 × 194 × 204 cm
Allow additional space beyond the sauna outline for door opening, access, assembly and maintenance.
Approx. 175 cm interior height
The interior height is intended for seated use. Compare a taller model if you wish to stand in the sauna.
Electric heater
Electric heating is intended. Included components depend on the chosen configuration, so check the listed scope of supply before ordering.
Materials & construction
Thermowood and barrel construction in daily use
The HC 180 is made from FSC®-certified, thermally treated wood. Heat treatment reduces moisture absorption and improves dimensional stability. These benefits are useful for a sauna installed outdoors year-round, but they do not replace regular care. Wood remains a natural material and responds to sun, rain, temperature changes and moisture created during use. Variations in colour and grain, together with gradual colour change, are part of its natural appearance. To maintain a more even finish, use only care products expressly suitable for thermally treated wood and for the relevant indoor or outdoor area.
The barrel shape determines both appearance and the feeling of the interior. Its curve avoids tall, unused corners, keeping the space focused on seated sauna use. The curved exterior should nevertheless remain easy to reach at the site. Do not position the barrel so close to walls, fences or dense planting that cleaning and visual inspections become difficult. Adequate clearance makes it easier to remove leaves and debris, inspect the barrel bands and recognise changes in the timber early.
Clean exterior surfaces gently and avoid methods that roughen the wood or force high-pressure water into joints. Inspect barrel bands, fixings and sealing areas for loose connections, unusual gaps or persistent moisture. Remove organic deposits before they become established. Assess more exposed and sheltered areas separately, as colour and surface condition may develop differently. Do not use aggressive household cleaners or unsuitable coatings; use only products intended for the particular timber surface.
Before assembly and commissioning
Confirm the site, electrical connection and access route early
The HC 180 is intended for an electric sauna heater. Delivered components depend on the selected product configuration. Before ordering, check whether the heater, controller, sauna stones and desired accessories are included or must be ordered separately. Also ensure that every selected component is intended for this sauna model. Product images may show equipment examples and do not replace the details of the chosen configuration. The product description and associated assembly and operating instructions are decisive.
Have the electric sauna heater connected by a licensed electrician, and involve them before the base and cable route are finalised. They should assess the available power supply, required cabling, route to the sauna, and the heater and controller requirements. Early coordination avoids reopening finished garden areas or running temporary cables across walkways. Do not use the sauna until installation and connection are complete and have been checked against the technical documentation.
The kit construction with prefabricated elements can make transport along garden paths easier, but it does not replace a careful assessment of the route. Measure gate widths, passageways and narrow points; also allow for steps, slopes, tight turns and sensitive surfaces. Every component must be moved safely from the unloading point to the installation site. Assembly requires a clear work area, suitable tools and enough time for accurate alignment. A second person is particularly helpful for larger elements. Keep components dry and protected until assembly, and organise fixings clearly. Follow the specified sequence, as early inaccuracies in a barrel structure can affect the whole build.
Before ordering or assembly, ask the relevant council whether building or resource consent is needed and which district-plan, boundary, fire-safety or stormwater rules apply. The answer depends on the site, design, use, foundations and services; a building-consent exemption does not remove Building Code or district-plan duties. Arrange sauna electrical work with a licensed electrician. For rented, unit-title or shared property, also check owner, title and body corporate requirements. General guidance cannot decide an individual project. Find further guidance under Useful information.
Typical use
Who the HC 180 suits especially well
Whether the HC 180 is right depends less on the building type than on the intended routine. The heated seating room is the focus; changing, storage and cooling down must be arranged outside. Also decide who will operate the heater and controller, and who will ventilate, clean and report visible changes after sauna use. Clear responsibilities are especially important where the sauna is used by different people. This helps you assess in advance whether this compact room concept will work in everyday life.
Shared sauna sessions
The seating concept is tailored to two people and suits couples who enjoy sauna sessions together regularly.
Limited garden space
The compact exterior can be planned precisely. The door zone, access route and reachable surrounding areas must still remain clear.
Electric heating
The electric version suits users who want to operate the sauna through its intended controller and have a licensed electrician complete the connection.
Holiday homes
In a holiday home, the straightforward layout can be useful where operation, cleaning and regular checks are reliably organised.
Model comparison
HC 180 compared with HC150, HC225 and N 210
The HC150 requires even less external length. It is therefore the natural alternative where every centimetre at the installation site matters and the smallest possible version takes priority over additional room to move. Do not decide between the two models from a product photo alone. Compare the full external dimensions, mark out both options at the planned site, and assess how much space remains for access and maintenance after installation.
The larger HC225 is worth considering where additional interior space matters more than particularly compact external dimensions. Whether the larger version is worthwhile depends on intended use and available garden area. In addition to the sauna body, the base, delivery and integration into the outdoor area also require more room. Within this comparison, the HC 180 remains the compact two-person option between the shorter HC model and the larger version.
The N 210 follows a different spatial concept: it incorporates an anteroom and offers approximately 195 cm of interior height. This matters if you want a transition area between the garden and hot sauna room, or more headroom. The HC 180 omits this extra area and concentrates its dimensions on the actual seated sauna. An anteroom is not automatically better, but it changes the routine: without one, you need a suitable dry place outside the HC 180 for robes, towels and shoes. This comparison helps guide model selection by intended use rather than external appearance alone.
Planning the outdoor area functionally
Plan access, cooling space and privacy around the sauna
Start planning with the route between the house and sauna. It should remain safe to use in darkness, wet weather and cold conditions. A slip-resistant surface, clear walking route and appropriate lighting make use more enjoyable. Allow enough space in front of the door to enter and exit without restriction. Also decide where you will cool down and rest after sauna use, and how much privacy you want there. An outdoor shower or cold-water tub can complement the area, but neither is required to use the HC 180.
The base must be stable, level and suitable for the structure. Reliable drainage is equally necessary so rainwater does not remain beneath the sauna. Check where water from the roof area, adjacent surfaces and, where relevant, the cooling area will drain. A persistently damp environment puts stress on timber and makes care harder. The underside should remain ventilated and accessible for inspection as far as the assembly requirements allow. Do not plant so closely around the barrel that branches, leaves or growth constantly touch its surface. A clean perimeter makes visual checks easier and prevents early changes being hidden by vegetation.
Cleanliness, drying and regular checks
Practical routines for use and care
Before heating, check that the interior is tidy, ventilation areas are clear and no textiles or other objects are lying on the heater. Operate the heater and controller only in accordance with their instructions. Do not cover the heater. If there are unusual smells, visible damage or technical irregularities, keep the sauna switched off until the cause has been professionally assessed. A brief check before every use is particularly sensible when several people or changing guests use the sauna.
After use, the cabin needs to release moisture. Remove wet textiles, dry heavily used surfaces where necessary, and ventilate according to the sauna and heater instructions. Robes and towels should not remain permanently in the warm interior. A clean sauna towel protects the seating surface from direct soiling and must then dry completely. Use little water for cleaning and a product suitable for the relevant surface so the interior is not unnecessarily soaked. Regular ventilation, drying and light cleaning are more effective than rare, intensive cleaning.
At the start and end of longer periods of use, a more thorough visual inspection is recommended. Check exterior timber, internal surfaces, door operation, sealing areas, barrel bands, fixings and the condition of the base. Remove leaves and other deposits, and keep designated drainage paths clear. Inspect technical components according to their documentation; electrical irregularities require a licensed electrician. Recording or photographing visible changes helps track their development. This makes it easier to distinguish normal timber colour changes from issues that should be checked promptly.
Before an extended break in use, the interior should be clean, dry and free of textiles. Keep operating instructions, details of the chosen configuration and electrical installation documents together in an accessible place. Before using the sauna again, check that the door and access remain fully usable and that there is no visible damage to technical components; a licensed electrician must assess electrical irregularities. Orderly documentation simplifies future maintenance and is especially useful in holiday homes or when ownership changes, helping pass on reliable information about the installed version.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ – Bloomcabin HC 180
Can I use the HC 180 on my own?
Yes. When used alone, you have more personal space inside. The seating-focused layout and low interior height remain unchanged.
How can I assess garden space realistically?
Mark out the external outline at the intended site. Add the door swing area and the space needed for access, assembly and maintenance. This shows more clearly than a product photo whether the site works in daily use.
Is the stated floor area enough for installation?
No. The stated floor area of approximately 3.63 m² describes only the sauna body. Also allow for the door area, work space, walkway and accessible surrounding areas.
Is the HC 180 intended for standing sauna use?
No. The HC 180 is designed as a seated sauna. If you want to stand comfortably or move upright inside, compare a taller model before ordering.
Where can robes, towels and shoes be stored?
Plan a dry, easily reached storage place outside the sauna. This keeps textiles and shoes close at hand without taking up the heated interior.
How do I check whether the heater and accessories are included?
The selected product configuration is decisive. Before ordering, check whether the sauna heater, controller, sauna stones and desired accessories are listed or required separately. The electrical connection must be prepared and completed by a licensed electrician.
When is the HC150 the better alternative?
The HC150 is the better choice where a shorter external length is the priority at the installation site. If legroom and easier entry and exit matter more, the HC 180's extra length is an advantage.
Bloomcabin HC 180
Does the HC 180 suit your sauna plan?
The HC 180 is a good option if you are looking for a compact barrel sauna for two people and mostly enjoy sauna bathing while seated without needing an anteroom. If that matches your plans, next check practical implementation: does the external outline, including the door area, fit the intended space? Is the access route suitable for the components? Can the base, drainage and electrical connection be prepared as intended? Only when model and site work together is the HC 180 the right choice.
If you need more interior space, greater interior height, an anteroom or a different use concept, compare other outdoor saunas and barrel saunas from Bloomcabin.
Confirm these points before ordering
✓ Site sketch prepared with external outline, door area and access route
✓ Dry storage place and preferred outdoor cooling area identified
✓ Stable, level base and drainage arrangement confirmed
✓ Power supply, cable route, heater and controller discussed with a licensed electrician
✓ Chosen configuration and scope of supply checked; separately required accessories noted
✓ Transport route checked; council and licensed-electrician advice obtained on building, planning, boundary, electrical and fire-safety requirements
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