Infrared vs traditional sauna: which should you buy?
This is the first decision in any sauna purchase, and it shapes everything after it: how hot you get, what wiring you need, and what you'll pay. Here's an honest comparison.
| Infrared | Traditional | |
|---|---|---|
| Air temperature | 120-150°F | 150-195°F |
| How it heats you | Infrared light warms your body directly | Hot stones heat the air, which heats you |
| Steam (löyly) | No | Yes, pour water on the stones |
| Warm-up time | 10-20 minutes | 30-60 minutes |
| Power | Many 1-2 person models run on 120V | Usually a dedicated 240V circuit, or wood |
| Running cost | Lower (1.5-3 kW) | Higher (4.5-9 kW) |
| Typical price | $1,000-$12,000 | $1,500 (tent) to $15,000+ |
| Where it goes | Mostly indoors | Indoors or outdoors |
| Research base | Smaller, mostly small studies | Large long-term Finnish studies |
Choose infrared if…
- You find very hot air uncomfortable and want longer, gentler sessions.
- You're putting it in a spare room, basement or garage with a standard outlet.
- You want a quick warm-up for daily use.
- Lower running costs matter to you.
Top infrared picks: Clearlight, Sunlighten, Peak, Sun Home.
Choose traditional if…
- You want the classic hot, steamy sauna experience.
- You're building outdoors and like the look of a cedar barrel or cabin.
- You care about the long-term health research, most of which studied traditional saunas.
- You're happy to run a 240V line, or you'd rather burn wood.
Top traditional picks: Sweat Kingdom, Redwood Outdoors, North Shore (tent), Plunge.
What about "full spectrum"?
Full-spectrum infrared saunas add near and mid infrared to the usual far infrared, and often a red light panel. They're still infrared saunas: gentler air, no steam. Some brands also sell hybrid cabins with both an infrared system and a traditional stone heater, which gives you both experiences at a higher price.
Our take
If you're mostly after relaxation and recovery indoors with simple installation, infrared is the practical choice for most homes. If you want the real thing and have outdoor space or 240V power, traditional heat is hard to beat. Either way, warranty length and brand track record matter more than the heater type. See every brand ranked.