The GGR Expert Panel is a network of specialized health and fitness professionals who help ensure we present the most accurate information to our readers. This includes physicians, certified trainers, elite-level coaches, and more. Learn more about our experts.
The GGR Expert Panel is a network of specialized health and fitness professionals who help ensure we present the most accurate information to our readers. This includes physicians, certified trainers, elite-level coaches, and more. Learn more about our experts.
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
We’re constantly told about the benefits of the best home saunas for muscle recovery, heart health, and pain relief from sore muscles, but let’s face it; if you’re not a fan of the heat, traditional dry saunas aren’t the most comfortable means of recovery on the market, reaching temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit—sometimes a bit more.
If you’re not interested in that level of heat, infrared saunas might be a great alternative, providing a lot of the same health benefits, but at lower temperatures, ranging between 120 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Considering an infrared sauna? You’re in luck; our team of expert product testers—certified personal trainers, lifting coaches, and lifelong athletes—have tested and compiled our picks for the best infrared saunas on the market, providing a variety of sizes and types of infrared saunas, from indoor and outdoor saunas to sauna blankets and tents.
In compiling our list, we tested each sauna according to our detailed fitness equipment testing methodology scored each product based on factors such as the overall cost, delivery and setup process, durability, and heat performance. Read on to see which infrared sauna can help you recover better and help you achieve your fitness goals.
Our testers rated the value a 3.5 out of 5 due to the high max temperature, solid construction, and high-tech features.
Capacity
2 people
Features
Full-spectrum infrared heaters, Bluetooth surround sound system, medical-grade chromotherapy LED lights
Wants Infrared Heat
You’ll get that in this Sun Home sauna for an average price.
Need Outdoor Options
The Sun Home Equinox sauna can work indoors or out.
Want Compact Sauna
With a footprint smaller than 4 feet by 4 feet, this sauna would work well in tight spaces.
Pros of the Sun Home Equinox 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna
Indoor/outdoor
Minimal Assembly
Full-spectrum heating
Small footprint
Cons of the Sun Home Equinox 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna
Heavy
Only 2 people can fit
Footprint
50.9” W x 45.9” D x 77.7” H
Temperature Range
Up to 165 F
Heaters and electric
4 far infrared heaters and 2 full-spectrum heaters, 120 volts
Warranty
Lifetime
The Sun Home Equinox Sauna is a full-spectrum infrared sauna, providing near, mid, and far infrared rays during a sauna session. With a controlled temperature adjustment, the sauna also features medical-grade chromotherapy LED lights and Bluetooth or auxiliary enabled surround sound.
The Equinox from Sun Home Saunas is the best full-spectrum infrared sauna because it delivers on two principles: first, it uses quality shielding to keep potentially dangerous ELF/EMF levels (extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields) low. It’s important to note that the radiating energy from infrared saunas doesn’t pose any real danger so long as the at-home sauna is used as recommended, with limited exposure of around 15 minutes at a time.
Secondly, the Sun Home Equinox uses full-spectrum infrared heating. Most infrared saunas utilize only far infrared waves, which produce mostly heat. Full-spectrum infrared also incorporates near- and mid-infrared waves. A recent study1 shows that a full-spectrum infrared sauna session after training helped reduce perceived muscle soreness of athletes.
While we haven’t used the Sun Home Equinox specifically, our GGR testers have tested Sun Home Saunas, and we’ve noticed their products are high-quality and well made, receiving a 4.5 out of 5 in durability and construction. Sun Home Saunas claims that their saunas are one of the only infrared saunas in the world to reach a maximum temperature of 165 degrees.
The two-person sauna is built with kiln-dried eucalyptus wood and features a Bluetooth-connected surround sound system, as well as medical-grade chromotherapy LED lighting. It’s one of the more expensive infrared saunas on the market, priced around $6,399, but Sun Home does provide a nice limited lifetime warranty on the sauna (three years on controls).
You’ll get that in this Sunlighten sauna for an average price.
Space Savers
This sauna won’t take up a ton of space
Those with No Budget
You’ll have to contact this company to find out the final cost
Pros of the Sunlighten Amplify II
Two wood choices
Built-in stereo
Uses 120V outlets
Full spectrum, infrared heating
Cons of the Sunlighten Amplify II
Must call to get pricing
Footprint
50.9” W x 45.9” D x 77.7” H
Temperature Range
Up to 165 F
Heaters and electric
4 far infrared heaters and 2 full-spectrum heaters, 120 volts
Warranty
7 years on cabinetry and heaters, 3 years on controls; 1 year on stereo
The Sunlighten Amplify II is a full-spectrum infrared sauna with a built-in sound system and color therapy features.
For the best infrared sauna for home use, our pick is the Sunlighten Amplify II Infrared Sauna. Available as a two-person sauna, the Sunlighten Amplify II will be able to fit as large—or small—of a space as you have in your house.
While we haven’t tested out the Sunlighten Amplify II sauna, it has some nice features and customizations we approve of. You can choose between eucalyptus or basswood for the wood construction. Each wood has positives and negatives, but eucalyptus is a heavier, more durable wood, while basswood is hypoallergenic.
As with most indoor infrared saunas, the Sunlighten Amplify II sauna requires only 120-volt outlets, which is the standard power voltage of houses. Outdoor and traditional saunas can often require 240 volts, which will have an added cost of electrical installations. As such, we score the electrical requirements at 4 out of 5.
The sauna has six heaters, two of which are full spectrum high intensity heaters, which will help heat the body and safely raise your heart rate. The sauna is able to reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit fairly quickly so you can get your sweat on in no time. In addition, the Sunlighten Amplify II sauna also includes chromotherapy lighting, a built-in sound system, and a removable bench so you can make room for doing push-ups or crunches while you detox.
You will want to carefully consider the amount of space you have available before buying this sauna. You need to have eight-inches between the sauna and wall and twelve-inches above the sauna for safe use.
For exact pricing of the Sunlighten Amplify II sauna, you’ll have to request a quote—a process we rate at 3 out of 5 when compared to other profiles in the category. For a two-person sauna, you can make a safe bet that it’ll cost a few thousand dollars, which might be out of some people’s budget. Still, with its many features and amenities, this can be a great add to just about any home.
We rated the value at 3 out of 5. It’s a basic sauna blanket, but it’s easy to use and more convenient than traditional saunas.
Capacity
1 person
Features
Temperature controller, timer
Want Portability
This compact sauna blanket is lightweight and packs up nicely for heat treatment on the go.
Those Under 6ft
At 71 inches long, this sauna blanket isn’t the best choice for taller people
Those On A Budget
At only $600, the sauna blanket is one of the most affordable options we recommend.
Pros of the HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket
Promotes circulation
May aid muscle recovery
Portable design
Cons of the HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket
Takes 10 minutes to preheat
Costs extra for blanket inserts
Designed for one person at a time
Footprint
71” L x 71” W
Temperature Range
Up to 158 F
Heaters and electric
Coils, 120 volts
Warranty
1-year limited
The HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket offers a portable and affordable alternative to installing a sauna in your home. The sauna blanket uses far infrared technology to provide heat stimulation to your entire body while you’re inside the sauna blanket.
At-home saunas can take up quite a bit of space, so sauna blankets are a nice alternative when you need a portable or smaller option. As a weightlifter, I have experience with these since Team USA usually travels with sauna blankets for athletes making weight cuts or wanting to help with their recovery. Our pick for the best infrared sauna blanket is the HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket.
GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele tried out the HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket and rates its performance a 5 out of 5. She explains, “It’s super easy to use. It comes with a dial that lets you control the temperature, and it heats up in less than 10 minutes. Each session is 30 to 45 minutes long.”
The heating elements of the sauna blanket are surrounded by charcoal, clay, and magnetic layers, which are entirely encased in a non-toxic vegan leather coating. The sauna blanket is $699, which is far less expensive than a typical infrared sauna—although it’s a pricier sauna blanket. We score the overall value at 3 out of 5, accordingly.
Additionally, you can purchase inserts for the blanket, which will help catch sweat within the blanket while in use. “I would highly recommend buying extra inserts,” Lindsay says. “It seems like a better option to help keep things clean. I also used a towel as recommended, and the clean-up was much easier.”
This is probably the largest issue with the sauna blanket. Because it can’t be washed, the sweat could cause some premature breaking down of the vegan leather. Because of this worry, Lindsay rates the durability and construction a 3.5 out of 5. Still, the inserts and proper care should help prolong the life of the blanket.
Our tester rated the value a 4 out of 5. For the price, you get a compact sauna that performs well and is easy to store and clean.
Capacity
1 or 2 people
Features
Foldable chair, remote control, timer, heating foot pad
Want Portability
At only 27.5 pounds, this sauna can be taken just about anywhere
Want Indoor/Outdoor
This sauna can easily work outside, so long as you have an outlet nearby
Those On A Budget
At under $250, it’s one of the most affordable sauna options we recommend
Pros of the Smartmak Far Infrared Sauna
Inexpensive
Washable and foldable when not in use
Temperature control and timer
Lifetime warranty for consumer/home use
Cons of the Smartmak Far Infrared Sauna
Might be small for larger people and athletes
Can only sit in the sauna tent
Footprint
31.5″L x 27.6″W x 37.8″H
Temperature Range
Up to 140 F
Heaters and electric
110 volts
Warranty
Lifetime for consumer or home use
The Smartmak Far Infrared Sauna is an inexpensive and portable solution for an infrared sauna. Being compact, this sauna can be folded when not in use. Available in two sizes, this portable seated sauna tent may still be a tight fit for larger athletes.
For those who want the recovery benefits of infrared wavelengths, but don’t have the budget for a fully fledged infrared sauna, there’s the Smartmak Far Infrared Sauna. This sauna tent is a compact, portable one-person sauna that one can sit in, and is available on Amazon for under $200, which is an extremely low home sauna cost.
Unlike many of the saunas we’ve discussed so far, the Smartmak sauna is constructed with a cotton fabric exterior, with a waterproof fabric on the inside of the sauna tent. Within the compact space are three carbon fiber heating elements, as well as a heating foot pad. The user remains seated in the tent with an included foldable chair.
GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele gives the sauna a 4 out of 5 on performance, as it took another 20 minutes to warm up to its max temperature. Once the sauna reached its peak temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it performed well. “This held my set temperature the entire time,” Lindsay says, adding, “Even when I had my arms out of the sauna, using the arm pockets, the temperature didn’t drop.”
While this sauna is made to be very compact and portable, the size of the sauna may be a bit small for larger people—especially the folding chair. Lindsay explains, “The chair was comfortable for me—more comfortable than some wooden sauna seats. However, I am five feet and four inches tall and around 130 pounds. I could see someone bigger than me feeling uncomfortable in the chair. It’s like a cheap, small lawn chair.”
Another complaint Lindsay had was the sauna’s lack of aesthetic appeal, which she scores at 2 out of 5. She says, “This feels so silly to sit in, with your head and arms popping out of the sauna tent. I’d laugh so hard if I walked into someone’s home gym and saw them relaxing in this thing next to their squat rack.” Thankfully, the sauna can be folded and put away while not in use. Plus, the fabric covering of the sauna tent is machine washable, making clean-up a breeze.
Exterior dimensions
31.5″ L x 27.6″ W x 37.8″ H
Weight
20.6 lbs
Seating capacity
1
Max temperature
140° F
Material or wood
Cotton
Features
Foldable chair, remote control, timer, heating foot pad
We rated the value a 4 out of 5. It’s a comfortable, portable sauna but may not suit all body types.
Capacity
1 person
Features
Portable pad and dome, remote control with color-changing mode, pillow. Additional accessories available for purchase.
Want a Compact Sauna
The dome shape provides full-body coverage without taking a ton of space
Want an Indoor Sauna
The Sunlighten Solo is not meant for outdoor use.
Want to Solo Sauna
This sauna can only fit one person at a time
Pros of the Sunlighten Solo
Designed for small spaces and movability
5 zone-based digital heaters
4 color-changing modes
Infrared heater
Cons of the Sunlighten Solo
Pricing isn’t easily to find on website
Size may not be a suitable for all users
Footprint
69” L x 28” W x 18” H
Temperature Range
Up to 150 F
Heaters and electric
9 far infrared heaters, 120 volts
Warranty
7-year limited
The Sunlighten Solo Portable Infrared Sauna is designed for movability and compact storage. It has multiple zone-based digital heaters and built-in chromotherapy features.
If you need a sauna that can travel, or that needs to be put away in between sessions, our pick for the best portable infrared sauna is the Sunlighten Solo System Portable Far Infrared Sauna. This sauna is pretty easy to set up and is super light. It’s basically just a matter of unfolding the pieces and laying them out in your chosen location.
As far as temperature goes, certified personal trainer expert product tester Lindsay Scheele says it takes up to 30 minutes to reach the maximum temperature of 150 degrees. “This holds heat fairly well, but there are several places where the heat can spill out,” she says. “The main two places are where the tubes overlap, and the top of the tub where your head’s at.” While there are a few places heat can escape, Lindsay adds that as long as you use the covering that comes with the product you shouldn’t have too much heat spill out.
Scheele also says it only takes about five minutes to set up and requires no professional knowledge. GGR gives it a 5 out of 5 for assembly.
The product consists of a portable nesting dome design that goes over your body while you lay on the SoloPad and a pillow. The dome has five SoloCarbon heaters inside and the SoloPad has four SoloCarbon heaters. This is important because the best infrared saunas with red light therapy provide a variety of health benefits, but you need to experience the light at all the different wavelengths to get all of the benefits. Having multiple heaters helps increase your chances of experiencing all wavelengths at one time since they all require different temperatures.
You can set this sauna up anywhere that gives you access to a power source and enough space to lay out the pad, which is just a few inches under six feet long and a bit over four feet wide. “Once out of the box, it is a little awkward to move around,” says GGR operations manager Sam “AsSAMbly” Presley. He mentioned that the various pieces mean multiple cords which can make moving it a bit of a struggle.
Since you may spend up to 20 minutes in this sauna, comfort is pretty important. Luckily, the SoloPad portion of this portable infrared sauna is made of memory foam so it’s pretty comfy.
“The floor pad is pretty comfortable honestly, I enjoyed using this for the two sessions that I did. This is a two-inch squishy pad that provided a good place to lay on the floor in the warehouse,” Lindsay says.
That being said, if you are a larger or taller-bodied person you may find this solo sauna to be a tight squeeze. Because of the size limitations, we rate this portable infrared sauna a 3 out of 5 for comfort.
Our testers rated the value a 3.5 out of 5 due to its premium finishes, multi-season durability, and high-tech features.
Capacity
5 people
Features
Full-spectrum infrared heating, mobile app-enabled control system, Bluetooth surround sound system, medical-grade chromotherapy LED lighting
Want Room for Others
With a 5-person capacity, you won’t have to sauna alone.
Like lots of Space
With a unique size and shape, you’ll be able to stretch out in this sauna.
Luxury Shoppers
This sauna isn’t cheap, but the value is there for the right person.
Pros of the Sun Home Luminar Outdoor 5-Person Sauna
Sleek design
Minimal tools for assembly
Outdoor infrared sauna
Full-spectrum infrared
Cons of the Sun Home Luminar Outdoor 5-Person Sauna
Requires 240V outlet
Heavy
Expensive
Footprint
82” W x 51.5” D x 82.5” H
Temperature Range
Up to 170 F
Heaters and electric
5 far infrared heaters, 240 volts
Warranty
6-year limited on carbon heaters, 1 year on all other components
The Sun Home Luminar Outdoor Infrared Sauna has a sleek aesthetic to its design, while also being functional. One of the only infrared saunas that are able to be set up outdoors, this sauna has an exterior built from Grade-A carbonized wood to prevent warping, cracking, and shrinkage of the exterior. This sauna is a full-spectrum infrared sauna, providing near, mid, and far infrared heat in the sauna.
Outdoor saunas are an appealing option, as the sleek design of many saunas stands out in an outdoor setting. When it comes to infrared saunas, though, there aren’t many outdoor options, mostly due to the infrared heating elements being fragile and not being able to survive the elements of the outdoors.
This isn’t the case with the Sun Home Luminar Outdoor Sauna. Available in a two- or five-person sauna, the Luminar’s carbon heaters are made to last, backed by a substantial six-year warranty. Additionally, the sauna uses carbonized red cedar wood, also known as charred wood, which adds to the stability and durability of the sauna, as well as resistance to decay and insects—one of the best woods for saunas in the outdoors. The sauna earns a 4.5 out of 5 for its construction.
Additionally, the Sun Home Luminar performs exceptionally well, earning a 5 out of 5. GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele says, “This heats up in less than 10 minutes, which is wild for its size; when you turn on the sauna, you can feel the heat within seconds.” The spacious five-person sauna boasts 15 total infrared heaters—five far infrared heaters and 10 full-spectrum heaters (far, mid, and near infrared)—and reaches a top temperature of 160 degrees.
At just over $9,000, it’s not cheap by any means, but the Luminar’s biggest feature is its exterior capabilities, although it also boasts Bluetooth connectivity and chromotherapy lighting, too. With that said, the assembly can be time-consuming, as Lindsay rates it a 3 out of 5. It wasn’t the most difficult assembly we had, but the bulk of the sauna will require a team of people.
“The panels come pre-assembled, which is nice, but each panel at this size weighs a lot, so you’ll need multiple people,” Lindsay says. “We had two people holding a wall on one side while two other people held a wall on the back of the sauna. Then a fifth person screwed those two walls together.” Fortunately, the five-person sauna will fit all the people who help you build out this sauna at least.
You can check out our Sun Home Sauna review for a more in-depth look at the Sun Home Luminar sauna line.
Exterior dimensions
82” W x 51.5” D x 82.5” H
Weight
1,270 lbs
Seating capacity
5
Max temperature
170° F
Material or wood
Carbonized red cedar wood
Features
Full-spectrum infrared heating, mobile app-enabled control system, Bluetooth surround sound system, medical-grade chromotherapy LED lighting
Warranty
6-year limited on carbon heaters, 1 year on all other components
We rated the value a 5 out of 5 due to its sleek design, easy installation process, and water-resistant materials.
Capacity
2 people
Features
Soft-touch control panel, LED display, MP3 auxiliary connection
Want an Indoor Sauna
The Dynamic Infrared Sauna can’t be used outdoors
Room for Others
You can fit two people in this sauna.
Want a Compact Sauna
At less than 4 feet by 4 feet, this won’t take up much space in your home
Pros of the Dynamic Andora 2-Person Infrared Sauna
LED display and control panel
Features reforested hemlock wood
Includes MP3 auxiliary connection and two speakers
Customers reviewed the sauna positively
Cons of the Dynamic Andora 2-Person Infrared Sauna
Recommended consult a certified electrician before use
Dedicated circuit recommended (110V/15 AMP)
Footprint
48” W x 42″ D x 75” H
Temperature Range
Up to 140 F
Heaters and electric
Not disclosed
Warranty
Not disclosed
The Dynamic Andora in home sauna fits two people and reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The sauna also features MP3 auxiliary connection with two speakers and Chromotherapy lighting system which uses colored light and their vibrations to help improve physical health. The sauna has a large number of positive reviews but many customers had difficulty reaching customer service when issues arose.
Infrared heat can produce some levels of EMF, or electromagnetic fields, which could be harmful at higher frequencies2. To keep frequencies this low, some infrared saunas will use shields to minimize EMF output. For those worried about EMF frequencies, there’s our pick of the best low-EMF infrared sauna from Dynamic Saunas: the Andora 2-Person Infrared Sauna. This sauna is made with six dynamic low-EMF infrared carbon heating panels that provide even far infrared heating to a maximum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The sauna performed well in our testing, with GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele saying, “This took 39 minutes to heat up to the full 140 degrees, which is within the time frame the website gives. We even shot pictures in it for the first 10 minutes while it was heating up; the door was open and shut several times during the photo shoot, and it still managed to heat up pretty well.” She rates the performance a 5 out of 5.
A pleasant surprise is that the assembly of this sauna is fairly simple. Due to its size, you’ll need two people, but GGR operations manager Sam Presley says the assembly process is pretty straightforward. “The wall and floor panels slide in together, so you’ll just need one person holding up walls while another slides the panels in place. Compared to many saunas we’ve built out, this one was fairly easy to put together, and the instructions were written well.” He gives the setup a 4 out of 5.
Although it claims to fit two people, we don’t really think it’s the best 2-person infrared sauna. The bench width is only 43 inches, which might be narrow for two larger people. “Unless you are really comfortable with the person next to you, I don’t think this is a good amount of space for two people,” Lindsay says. The bench height is also only 18 inches tall, which may be a little short for taller people, as well.
We looked at a lot of saunas, both infrared and traditional, when testing out this muscle recovery tool. Here are a few honorable mentions that didn’t make our top picks.
Sunray Heathrow 2-Person Infrared Sauna: Packed with features like Bluetooth audio, an LED control panel, and LED lighting, this sauna looks promising, but we haven’t had a chance to test it out yet.
In making our list of the best infrared saunas, we looked at aspects of each of the top brands and products on the market. In testing them, our team of experts looked at certain aspects, giving them scores on the following criteria:
Delivery and setup: Saunas can be large and difficult to put together, so this is a very important aspect of a customer’s experience. Some saunas just require sliding panels together, while others might require putting lots of pieces together and some power tools.
Construction: You want a sauna to feel sturdy since you’ll be leaning on its wood pieces for extended periods of time. Certain woods also provide better protection against extreme weather for outdoor saunas as well.
Footprint: The size of the infrared sauna needs to make sense for your own home. Since most infrared saunas are designed for indoors, you need to make sure these saunas can actually fit at home.
Performance: Each sauna will perform somewhat differently, but the heating panels of an infrared sauna provide infrared heat, which will get the temperature up quicker than traditional saunas, although it won’t go as warm.
Features and amenities: Not every sauna has the same features, but common sauna features are Bluetooth connectivity for a sound system, temperature controls through a panel or remote, and chromotherapy lighting.
Value: Saunas are already pricey, so the cost of a sauna needs to make sense for its size and features.
We also looked at company policies, such as warranties and returns, as well as how well customer service performed. After looking at each of these aspects, we narrowed our selection even further and selected the best saunas to cover a broad range of needs—our best infrared saunas.
Benefits of Infrared Saunas
Before we get into the possible health benefits of an infrared sauna, let’s talk about the practical convenience of infrared home saunas. Traditional dry and steam saunas work by warming up the air through heat and humidity, which over time can lead to water damage or mold if not properly kept clean.
Infrared saunas use infrared bulbs and heaters, which will keep your sauna actually dry, so you won’t have to worry about moisture in the air. Infrared saunas will also warm up quicker than traditional dry saunas.
While there are fewer studies on the health benefits of infrared saunas specifically, there are quite a few benefits of general sauna use.
Typical of use in all dry saunas, the increased temperature of a sauna is able to help increase blood flow and circulation. Specifically, a 2018 review3 points out that hot, dry sauna usage increases body temperature. This in turn makes blood flow around the skin more efficiently, although it decreases blood flow to internal organs.
The increased blood flow can help people recover from exercise faster. A small study from 20154 showed that infrared saunas penetrate heat into the body deeper than traditional saunas typically do—about 3 to 4 centimeters deep—and was found to be helpful in reducing soreness and recovering muscles after resistance training.
May Improve Heart Health
Infrared therapy has been shown to have the potential to improve heart health over repeated use, although research is still pretty new and more is needed. A study from 2009 from the Journal of Cardiology5 observed 129 patients suffering from chronic heart failure, who were exposed to infrared sauna therapy for weekly 15-minute sessions. A control group was also observed; after 5 years, the infrared therapy group had an 84% survival rate, significantly higher than the control group.
Another small study from 20086 showed that infrared sauna use can potentially help reduce blood pressure, as well as increase exercise tolerance in patients with COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this study, patients were given 15-minute sauna sessions daily.
Helps Sweat Out Toxins
While not a unique feature of infrared light therapy or saunas, detoxification is often a buzzword around infrared saunas. In essence, infrared saunas can help you detox, but in the same way that any raised temperature would help you detox: by sweating. Sweating is one of the ways7 that your body can expel harmful toxins like heavy metals—aluminum, cadmium, and lead, amongst others.
There are quite a few things to consider when buying an infrared sauna. Since saunas in general can be pricey investments, make sure to do your research on the best saunas before making your final purchase.
Size
How much room you have for an infrared sauna is going to be a big factor in the options you have available. Make sure to look at each sauna’s exterior dimensions to determine if its footprint will fit in the space you’ve set aside for it. There are portable and compact options too, such as infrared tents and blankets. You can also consider indoor or outdoor saunas, although infrared saunas are more often made for indoors.
The interior space of a sauna will be just as important, too. Many infrared saunas can hold one or two people, but if you’re wanting to seat more at once, you may consider a larger sauna. It’s also important to consider that the maximum capacity of a sauna may be a tight fit. For example, if a sauna says it seats three people, it probably seats two comfortably, but for three people, you’ll be pretty crammed inside.
Cost
The budget will be a big factor as infrared saunas can range from a couple hundred dollars for portable sauna tents, to over $7,000 for large five-person sauna rooms. Your budget available will determine the overall size of the sauna you can buy. Fortunately, lots of infrared saunas have financing options available, so you’ll rarely need to drop thousands of dollars all at once on a sauna.
Also, the value needs to make sense for the infrared sauna you’re considering. If a sauna is particularly pricey, there should be a reason behind it. It could be larger, made with finer materials, or have a lot of extra features to it. Find the sauna with the most value to you, with a budget you’re able to afford.
Performance
Infrared saunas can vary a bit by their peak temperature, but the best temperature for an infrared sauna is typically between 140 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the infrared heaters start producing infrared rays immediately, infrared saunas can warm up fairly quickly, reaching their top temperature within 20 to 30 minutes, getting you through the sauna experience quicker.
Infrared saunas can have quite a few additional features and amenities, depending on the product. Common additional features include a temperature control panel (along with remote control through a WiFi connection), Bluetooth or auxiliary sound support, and even LED lighting.
Sometimes, the LED lighting can be adjusted through different colors, which is associated with chromotherapy lighting—an alternative medical treatment that supposedly can help alter the moods of patients. It has also often been regarded as pseudoscience. However, as scientists have developed more of an understanding of electromagnetic fields and radiation, there has been more research done8 on this unique treatment.
Infrared Saunas FAQs
Are infrared saunas just as good as traditional saunas?
Infrared saunas have many of the same health benefits as dry, traditional saunas, so they can be very beneficial when used. However, because infrared saunas are a more recent product, there isn’t as much research to support its benefits.
Another thing to consider is that a dry sauna’s increased temperature (between 176 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit) can provide more benefits than the lower temperature of infrared saunas (topping out at around 160 degrees). One study9 even suggests that heat stress and exercise can help increase healthy brain proteins able to help with anxiety and depression10 or even memory function.
Do infrared saunas just plug in?
Infrared saunas tend to have an easier assembly process than traditional saunas, and one major reason for that is that most infrared saunas only require a 110- or 120-volt power supply, which is the normal voltage inside most American homes. So yes, most infrared saunas can just plug into your wall once fully assembled.
Many traditional saunas will require 220- or 240-volt outlets, which most houses don’t normally have, and it’ll mean extra costs for electrical installations.
What brand is the best infrared sauna?
The best brand of infrared sauna will depend on what you’re looking for in an infrared sauna. You’ll need to consider things such as the sauna’s footprint, performance, and its overall price and value. As a starting point, here are our picks for the best infrared saunas:
Both a steam room and infrared sauna can help with inflammation and muscle recovery, but there’s more research on saunas in general (although more research on infrared saunas needs to be done). An infrared sauna can provide a bit more penetration to deeper muscle tissue to the muscles because of the higher temperatures; steam saunas don’t get as hot due to the added humidity.
While both options are healthy and helpful in your recovery, the drier infrared sauna makes more sense for most at-home users.
Infrared waves are non-invasive, so generally, it’s safe to use an infrared sauna daily. However, some people may need to consider certain factors. Because infrared saunas heat up and make you sweat, make sure you’re hydrated before using the sauna.
Also, people with pre-existing skin and heart conditions may want to consult a specialist before using an infrared sauna, as there is a potential to aggravate or irritate those conditions.
Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.
You can’t reach your full potential without a proper warm-up! Work these triceps stretches into your next triceps training day and let the gains rain down! Read more
Check out the 10 best lat pulldown alternatives picked by a strength coach to enhance your back workout and maximize your muscle strength and size. Read more