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Your friends at Garage Gym Reviews are fans of active recovery methods along with using some of the best muscle recovery tools for an advanced approach. And when it comes to advanced recovery methods, one of the top benefits of infrared saunas is the infrared light’s ability to penetrate muscles deeper1 than traditional saunas.
We’ve tested many full-sized saunas but wanted to test the Sunlighten Solo System Portable Infrared Sauna to see if it’s worth the investment. While it’s portable and fairly easy to use at home, it’s a costly investment and will not suit every body type. In this Sunlighten Solo Sauna review, we’re going to share our insights on our sauna bathing experience, what we liked, and what we’d like to see improved.
Recovery and Mobility Pros at Your Service
Our team of experts at Garage Gym Reviews are fitness industry professionals who hold some of the industry’s top credentials and certifications. We’re well versed on strength, conditioning, and the top active recovery methods to recuperate from strenuous exercise.
For this Sunlighten Solo Sauna review, expert tester and ISSA-CPT Lindsay Scheele used the portable infrared sauna for several sessions before giving her full review. She’s a cold plunge and sauna enthusiast and our lead reviewer at Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube channel.
During her testing process, she was tasked with scoring the overall value, heat performance, and ergonomics (among other things) on a scale of 1 to 5 using our in-depth equipment testing methodology.
Sunlighten Solo Sauna
Sunlighten Solo Portable Infrared Sauna
Product Highlights
- Infrared sauna
- Zone-based heating
- Sliding double-dome system
- Lightweight design, easy to store
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Designed for small spaces and movability
- 5 zone-based digital heaters
- 4 color-changing modes
- Infrared heater
- Increases core body temperature
Cons
- Pricing isn't easily to find on website
- Size may not be a suitable for all users
Bottom Line
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.
A Quick Look at the Sunlighten Solo Sauna
The Sunlighten Solo System sauna is not a full-sized sauna nor is it a sauna blanket. Essentially, it’s a retractable half-dome made from bamboo carbon and sized for one person with a heated pad underneath. The Solo System is two separate pieces (dome and pad) and each part gets plugged in and has its own heat control.
The brand also manufactures full-sized saunas (like the Sunlighten mPulse Smart Sauna and the Amplify Full Spectrum Sauna) but for the purposes of this Sunlighten review, we’re going to focus on the one-person full-spectrum infrared light portable sauna.
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Before You Buy
- The upper and lower portions of the Solo System can be set to different temperatures.
- Our tester Lindsay found it took about 30 minutes to reach the maximum heat settings.
- The sauna features ultra low EMF (electromagnetic field) infrared wavelength currents.
Is the Sunlighten Solo Sauna Worth It?
Based on our experience with the Sunlighten Solo Sauna, it can provide numerous health benefits, but it may not be the best biohacking product to accommodate different body sizes or budgets. At the time of writing this review, the brand was running a sale for $700 off MSRP which brought the price down to $2,499.
When you explore home sauna costs, you’ll notice this type of recovery tool isn’t cheap. We’ve tested several full-sized infrared saunas, pop-up saunas, and sauna blankets. We found that the Sunlighten Solo Sauna offers the quality of a traditional far infrared sauna with a lower price point.
While sauna blankets are more affordable, the heat technology is not exactly the same. Sauna blankets conduct heat through electric coils while infrared saunas (including the Sunlighten Solo Sauna) use radiant heat to warm the body.
Most research around infrared saunas is done with radiant infrared heat and has been shown to reduce blood pressure2, reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue3, and potentially improve heart health 4. Sweating in a sauna may also help with detoxification from heavy metals5.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier in this review, infrared heat penetrates the muscles deeper1 than traditional saunas, which helps with muscle recovery from exercise.
All this to say, if you’re looking to reap the benefits of infrared heat, the Sunlighten Solo Sauna offers a portable and less expensive option compared to full-size cabins.
Great for:
- Portable sauna bathing
- Self-care and deep relaxation
- Muscle recovery from exercise
- Increasing blood flow
Not recommended for:
- Easy-to-clean surfaces
- Larger folks
- Anyone on a tight budget
Sunlighten Solo Sauna Specs
| Price | $3,199 |
| Footprint | Solo dome: 69” L x 28” W x 18” H Solo pad: 69” L x 23.6” W x 4” H |
| Number of people | 1 |
| Weight | Solo dome 49 lbs; Solo pad 13 lbs |
| Max temp | 150 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Heat type | Full-spectrum infrared (near infrared and far infrared) |
| Materials | SoloCarbon coating (bamboo carbon exterior); celliant and cotton pad |
| Extras | Chromotherapy lighting |
| Power requirements | 120 volt |
| Warranty | 7-year warranty on heaters; 3-year on controllers; 1-year on fabric and memory foam |
Using the Sunlighten Solo Sauna
The Sunlighten Solo Sauna dome design offers a way to heat the body and core temperature without touching the skin. In the Sunlighten sauna, infrared technology heats objects with peak infrared heat waves, which is called emissivity. The brand uses this infrared technology—also referred to as its SoloCarbon heater—in the dome only, not the separate sauna pad. However, both are heated and have separate controls.
Our tester, Lindsay Scheele, used the Solo Sauna for several 20-minute sauna therapy sessions and mostly enjoyed her experience. Lindsay enjoyed the comfortable, 4-inch padding and the adjustable LED light strip for a nice-to-have chromotherapy vibe (aka light therapy).
The downside to her testing experience was the dome shape and size. “The telescoping dome design is a cool concept, but in reality it’s not executed to accommodate folks of all shapes and sizes,” says Lindsay who admitted to feeling a bit claustrophobic sweating inside the solo dome. However, that is her personal experience and she notes that some folks may enjoy the Sunlighten Solo Sauna.
RELATED: Sun Home Sauna Review
Footprint and Portability
The Solo System is under 6 feet long and less than 3 feet wide. While it’s not the largest sauna we’ve tested, it’s not nearly as portable as some of the sauna blankets we’ve used.
The website suggests it can easily be stowed upright, but Lindsay thinks it’s going to be a bit cumbersome to store it upright or stow it away after every use. The two remote control panels, sauna dome, and sauna pad are all connected with power cords and could easily end up in a tangled bird’s nest. For this reason, she docks a point and rates the footprint and portability of this Sunlighten infrared sauna at 4 out 5 stars.
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Temperature and Controls
The Sunlighten Solo Sauna earns a 4 out of 5 stars for temperature performance and controls. The dome-like sauna can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit (and takes about 30 minutes to heat up) and holds the temperature as well as many of the traditional saunas our experts have tested. Plus, Lindsay appreciated the fact the Sunlighten’s exterior wasn’t hot to the touch nor did it make the surrounding floor area hot.
Lindsay notes you can use the fabric curtain around your chest area to prevent heat loss out of the top of the dome. However, the one area for potential heat loss is where the sauna dome telescopes, which she says is a fairly easy place to create a gap if you’re not careful.
During her first sauna session, Lindsay didn’t think the temperature controls were intuitive compared to the other saunas she’s tested. However, with a quick look into the owner’s manual of the controls she found detailed instructions on how to use the timer control, level control, and how the levels correspond to both Fahrenheit and Celsius.
The sauna dome and the sauna pad each have their own control panel that are hard-wired to each. The dome has a coconut-shaped control box with the ability to control the upper and lower section of the telescoping dome, each with a selection of 1 to 9. The sauna pad has a traditional-looking remote control and can be set from level 1 to 12.
RELATED: How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna?
Durability and Construction
Lindsay found both the bamboo carbon exterior and non-flammable memory foam and cotton sauna pad were high-quality and durable. She rates the Solo System at 4 out of 5 stars in this category because while it’s a durable product, it won’t be as durable as a stand-alone wooden sauna.
During her sauna sessions, Lindsay used the CELLIANT sauna pad cover (which is sold separately) to protect the pad from her sweat. CELLIANT is a type of fabric that uses your body heat to emit full-spectrum infrared energy.
Other than washing the optional sauna pad cover, to keep the sauna clean and long-lasting Sunlighten recommends keeping the sauna on for 10 to 15 minutes after a regular sauna session to help kill germs. The site notes the SoloCarbon far infrared heaters are antibacterial and have anti-mold and anti-germ properties.
Aesthetics and Ergonomics
We’re not going to lie about the ergonomics of this one-person sauna: It’s not going to work for everyone. Lindsay was able to fit inside the dome with arms and legs snug as a bug—but she’s about 5 feet and 4 inches tall and quite lean.
“I don’t think heavy or larger people were considered for this sauna,” says Lindsay. “If you can fit, you’ll be fine, but it’s not the most inclusive sauna design.”
We had another expert tester at GGR HQ hop into the Solo dome who is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. The telescoping dome covered most of his body but the height and width of the dome made his upper body feel a bit cramped, so he shifted the dome further down and kept his arms outside.
Lindsay and our other GGR expert testers agree that people on the heavier side may not find this sauna as comfortable. We plan to perform more testing for larger body sizes and will update this review when we have more information on this front. That said, if you’re looking for an alternative, the brand manufactures a traditional sauna with a spacious cabin for two people, which we’ll touch on below in the comparison section.
And lastly, we’re a bit disappointed in the aesthetics of the Solo System. The high-end price tag leaves a bit to be desired. “The design is rather cool-looking, but the rats nest of cables sort of ruins the sleek look,” says Lindsay, who scored this category a 3 out of 5 stars.
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Sunlighten Solo Sauna vs Sunlighten Amplify II
Sunlighten Amplify II
Sunlighten Amplify II Infrared Sauna
Product Highlights
- Infrared sauna
- Durable eucalyptus or aesthetic hypoallergenic exterior
- Plugs into standard 120V outlets
- Built-in sound system
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Two wood choices
- Built-in stereo
- Uses 120V outlets
- Full spectrum, infrared heating
Cons
- Must call to get pricing
Bottom Line
The Sunlighten Amplify II is a full-spectrum infrared sauna with a built-in sound system and color therapy features
Sunlighten not only manufactures the Solo Sauna System, the brand has a line of full-size cabin infrared saunas, too. The Sunlighten Amplify II is a two-person sauna worth considering if you have the space indoors. It’s worth noting that neither are designed for outdoor use.
The Sunlighten Solo System offers all of the same benefits with a portable design and smaller price tag. If you’re a bigger person and want room to stretch out (or sauna bathe with a friend) the Amplify II offers more space with a two-person capacity.
| Sunlighten Solo Sauna System | Sunlighten Amplify II | |
| Price | $3,199 | $5,898 – $6,098 |
| Dimensions | 69” L x 28” W x 18” H | 45.4″” W x 39.9″” D x 70.3″ H |
| Voltage | 120 volts | 120 volts |
| Number of users | 1 | 2 |
| Warranty | 7-year heaters, 3-year on controllers, 1-year on fabrics | Limited lifetime |
Sunlighten Solo Sauna vs Dynamic Infrared Sauna
Dynamic Andora Infrared Sauna
Dynamic Sauna Dynamic Andora Infrared Sauna
Product Highlights
- 2 person in home sauna
- Low EMF FAR infrared carbon heating system
- Includes Chromotherapy lighting system
- Increases blood circulation
- May help soothe sore muscles
Pros & Cons
Pros
- LED display and control panel
- Features reforested hemlock wood
- Includes MP3 auxiliary connection and two speakers
- Customers reviewed the sauna positively
- In home use
Cons
- Recommended consult a certified electrician before use
- Dedicated circuit recommended (110V/15 AMP)
- Difficult installation process according to reviews
- Vague warranty information
- Customers note poor customer service
Bottom Line
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.
Sunlighten Solo Sauna is also comparable to the sauna we tested for our Dynamic Infrared Sauna review when it comes to price range. It’s a two-person cabin with a max temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 10 degrees shy of the Solo Sauna System max temperature. The Dynamic sauna is even larger and requires more space than the Sunlighten Amplify II, making this a cumbersome choice for folks looking for a portable option.
| Sunlighten Solo Sauna System | Dynamic Andora Infrared Sauna | |
| Price | $3,199 | $2,399 |
| Dimensions | 69” L x 28” W x 18” H | 48” W x 42″ D x 75” H |
| Voltage | 120 volts | 110 volts |
| Number of users | 1 | 2 |
| Warranty | 7-year heaters, 3-year on controllers, 1-year on fabrics | 5 years on heating elements and electronics, 1 year on electronics and wood structure |
Customer Experience
If you run into a problem, you can start with the extensive Sunlighten FAQ webpage. You can also fill out a general inquiry form, email, call, or use the live chat function. We like that Sunlighten lists business hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday) so you know what to expect on response times.
If you need to return your Solo Sauna System, you’ll have a 30-day window to request a return and you’ll have to send it back in the original packaging. You’ll be on the hook for return shipping fees and be subject to a 3% administrative fee.
You may like knowing the Solo Sauna System comes with a fairly lengthy warranty policy. The website states limited lifetime warranty on heaters but in parenthesis it clearly states 7 years. That said, you can expect a 7-year warranty on the heaters, 3-year warranty on controllers, and 1-year warranty on fabrics. Keep in mind this is for at-home use. If you intended to use this sauna as part of your business, the commercial warranty is a bit different (and shorter).
RELATED: Sauna Etiquette 101
Ordering and Assembling the Sunlighten Solo Sauna
Ordering from Sunlighten is pretty easy and Lindsay scored her experience 5 out of 5 stars. Our team got a little turned upside down on the website for a hot minute because the navigation takes you through an instant quote process, but doesn’t automatically take you to the product page where you can click “check out.”
That said, we made sure to provide you links that won’t get you turned around like we did. But, once we navigated to the correct place, ordering was straightforward. You’ll be able to make a one-time payment with your credit card or take advantage of payment plans.
Shipping costs are estimated based on your location and we noticed at time of writing this review that Sunlighten was running an exclusive offer on shipping. Once it arrives, it’s a breeze to get it set up and ready for your first solo sauna experience. Our tester Lindsay notes it only takes about 5 minutes to set up, since there are only three main parts to the Solo System.
“Everything comes in one box and is easy to unpack,” says Lindsay. “All three parts of this sauna are connected with power cords, so I suggest setting it up where you think you want it so it’s less to drag around.”
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Customer Reviews
At the time of writing this review, there are very few customer reviews on the Solo System featured on the website. Of the few featured customer reviews we read, there is one 4-star review and five 5-star reviews. Most reviews note the ease of use and deep relaxation.
Final Verdict of Our Sunlighten Solo Sauna Review
The Sunlighten Solo Sauna System offers the same benefits of a stand-alone infrared sauna in a smaller package. Our testers enjoyed the comfortable cushioning, fun chromotherapy lighting, and portability. However, its size is not suited for a wide range of people. We think it’s a great option if you:
- Want a semi-portable sauna option
- Are under 6 feet tall
- Prefer to sauna bathe alone
- Are not concerned with the cost of recovery and mobility tools
Full Rating
Sunlighten Solo Sauna
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.
Product Brand: Sunlighten
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 3199.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.3
Sunlighten Solo Sauna: FAQs
What are the benefits of Sunlighten solo?
While there is more research supporting the benefits of traditional saunas, general sauna bathing can increase your heart rate and dilate your blood vessels, much like what happens during cardio exercise. There is evidence to support that infrared sauna sessions may lower blood pressure,2 improve heart health4, and support weight loss6.
What temperature is the Sunlighten solo sauna?
The Sunlighten Solo Sauna dome portion can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do Sunlighten saunas have EMFs?
Nearly all electric-powered devices emit some level of EMF (electric and magnetic fields). Sunlighten reports its saunas produce low EMF levels.
References
- Mero A, Tornberg J, Mäntykoski M, Puurtinen R. Effects of far-infrared sauna bathing on recovery from strength and endurance training sessions in men. Springerplus. 2015;4:321. Published 2015 Jul 7. doi:10.1186/s40064-015-1093-5
- Umehara M, Yamaguchi A, Itakura S, et al. Repeated waon therapy improves pulmonary hypertension during exercise in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Cardiol. 2008;51(2):106-113. doi:10.1016/j.jjcc.2008.01.004
- Soejima Y, Munemoto T, Masuda A, Uwatoko Y, Miyata M, Tei C. Effects of Waon therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study. Intern Med. 2015;54(3):333-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3042. PMID: 25748743.
- Kihara T, Miyata M, Fukudome T, et al. Waon therapy improves the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. J Cardiol. 2009;53(2):214-218. doi:10.1016/j.jjcc.2008.11.005
- Sears ME, Kerr KJ, Bray RI. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:184745. doi:10.1155/2012/184745
- Podstawski R, Boraczyński T, Boraczyński M, Choszcz D, Mańkowski S, Markowski P. Sauna-induced body mass loss in young sedentary women and men. ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:307421. doi:10.1155/2014/307421
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