Short answer: the Almost Heaven sand timer is a wall-mounted hourglass for tracking your session without a phone, priced at $54. The listing doesn’t say how long it runs. Confirm the duration before you buy, because a timer of unknown length is not much use.
Why a sand timer?
Phones and smartwatches aren’t built for sauna heat, and their makers warn against it. A sand timer has no battery and nothing to overheat. You flip it when you sit down and leave when the sand runs out. It also keeps you from losing track of time, which is easy to do in the heat.
Here’s what the spec sheet won’t tell you
The manufacturer’s listing doesn’t publish:
- The duration (most sauna timers run 15 minutes)
- The materials
- The size
It also notes that the color and finish may differ slightly from the photo. Ask Select Saunas for the duration in writing.
Run the numbers
The Harvia Sand Timer states a 15-minute duration and costs $22.70. This one costs $54, which is $31.30 more, and tells you less. Unless you want it to match an Almost Heaven cabin, the Harvia is the easier choice.
Where should it go?
Mount it at eye level from the bench where you sit, on a wall away from the heater. Sand timers use glass, so keep it clear of the door swing and anywhere a ladle or elbow might hit it. Don’t mount it directly above the stones, where the heat is strongest.
How long should a session be?
If you are new to saunas, start with shorter rounds and leave as soon as you feel dizzy or unwell, whatever the timer says. Your First Home Sauna Sessions covers length and frequency.
How it compares
Bottom line: buy it for the look, and only after you know the duration. Sauna Timers: How to Time a Session Without a Phone compares the options, including the timer built into some heaters.
