Solace 200SH

A 2-seat red cedar barrel at $4,790 with a 10-year warranty, but at $2,395 a seat it is dear for its class and the heater power is not stated.

Solace ranks third-dearest of the 37 barrels on cost per seat, 81 percent above the barrel median. Its closest rival, the Almost Heaven Salem, seats two for $4,037 and the Vienna for $4,665, though both state a Limited Lifetime warranty. The 10 years here is the main reason to pick Solace, along with a light 601 pound kit.

One gap matters: the data records an electric heater but no kilowatt rating, while the Salem, Vienna and Sweat Barrel all list 6 kW. Get that figure before you compare. At 49 by 72 inches it is about as compact as the Salem, which suits a couple with a small patio. Topture is the only store we list.