Energy-efficient infrared saunas have gained popularity over the past few years due to their many health benefits and their relatively low maintenance requirements compared to traditional wet saunas.
As I mentioned in my article about how to choose an infrared sauna, I’ve owned several different IR saunas at different price points, and I have researched and tested many more. In this article, I’ll share my top picks for a variety of use cases, taking into consideration factors such as features, comfort and overall value for the money.
- Best overall: Sunlighten mPulse
- Hottest IR sauna cabin: Sunlighten Amplify
- Best one-person option: Thera360PLUS
- Best EMF-free option: SaunaSpace Faraday
- Best budget option: Sunlighten Signature
- Best luxury upgrade: A custom-built sauna
- Best sauna blanket: Sun Home Saunas Blanket
- Best IR sauna on Amazon: SereneLife Oversize
Unlike most other “best infrared saunas” roundup posts I’ve come across, this article (as well as the company video, below) is predominantly based on my hands-on experience with the recommended models. I have owned many of these and tried all of them, except for the SereneLife sauna available on Amazon.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying an Infrared Sauna for Home Use
The price of an infrared sauna ranges from a few hundred dollars to over $10,000. In other words, buying one can be a significant investment. That’s why it’s vital to consider the following factors before making a decision:
- Space and electrical requirements. Walk-in sauna cabins are great, but there are smaller options that can deliver similar results if you don’t have space for one. It’s also worth considering the sauna’s electrical requirements, as larger, full-spectrum infrared sauna cabins often need a dedicated 240V circuit.
- Heater type and emissivity. Most lower-end infrared saunas emit only far-infrared rays, whereas many premium saunas offer full-spectrum infrared radiation. Beyond the supported infrared wavelengths, the emissivity of the sauna’s heaters strongly influences the benefits you can expect from the device. The best infrared saunas have 90% or higher emissivity; anything lower significantly reduces the benefits of the infrared rays.
- Wood type. For indoor saunas, you can pick a type of wood based on your personal preference. But for outdoor saunas, make sure to select a type of wood that’s known for its rot resistance (e.g., red cedar or eucalyptus).
- EMFs and VOCs. Look for saunas with low electromagnetic field (EMF) and volatile organic compound (VOCs) ratings (ask for test reports, if necessary), which could be detrimental to your health.
- Optional sauna features. Most infrared saunas offer additional features, such as chromotherapy, wireless connectivity, Bluetooth speakers, ionizers and/or acoustic vibration therapy. These features are nice to have, but I recommend directing your funds toward high-quality heaters instead.
To learn more about these and other factors, check out my infrared sauna buying guide.
What to Watch Out For!
Most of the infrared saunas on the market — including the majority sold on Amazon, at Costco, and at other discount retailers — feature low-emissivity heaters that don’t offer the same health benefits as those with emissivity ratings of 95% or higher. That’s why I highly recommend reviewing the tech specs of the heaters before making a purchase.
The same applies to EMFs and VOCs. Many imported saunas from China and other regions of the world are made using toxic glues and stains that off-gas and negatively impact your health.
Lastly, don’t get lured into purchasing a sauna because of its optional features such as WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth audio. None of those features offers additional health benefits.
Best Overall Infrared Sauna for Home Use: Sunlighten mPulse
Pros
- Full-spectrum infrared combined with red light therapy.
- High-emissivity heaters.
- Low EMF exposure.
- Doesn’t off-gas.
- Available in different sizes and wood finishes.
- Built-in Blaupunkt sound system.
Cons
- Requires a dedicated 240 volt, 20 amp outlet.
- Doesn’t include a backrest (can be purchased as an add-on).
- Price.
The Sunlighten mPulse is my favorite infrared sauna because it offers everything you could ask for, including broad wavelength support that includes near, mid and far-infrared radiation in combination with red light therapy (which bolsters the health benefits). Plus, all the heaters built into the mPulse have an incredibly high emissivity rating of 95-99%.
Depending on your available space, you can choose between cabins that fit anywhere from one to five people. We own the Sunlighten mPulse Conquer, which offers enough room to sit three adults comfortably next to each other. We particularly love the generously sized glass door of our mPulse because it affords us a view of our backyard. For us, there is nothing more relaxing than sweating in the sauna while watching our chickens do their thing.
The other things I like about the mPulse are how easy it is to assemble (it doesn’t require any tools other than a rubber mallet), its ultra-low EMF emissions, and its lack of off-gassing.
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (3) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (3)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/My-wife-and-I-love-our-Sunlighten-mPulse-Smart-Sauna.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Unlike the other saunas in Sunlighten’s lineup, the mPulse is equipped with an Android-powered touchscreen (with a companion mobile app) to control the sauna, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. The mPulse also features chromotherapy lighting and vibrational sound therapy to help reduce anxiety and foster relaxation.
While the mPulse isn’t the hottest infrared sauna I’ve tried, it gets hot enough to increase your core temperature and heart rate. As you can see in this Reel I recently published on my Instagram account, my heart rate frequently goes up to almost 120 beats per minute while sitting in the sauna. That’s more than 70 bpm over my resting heart rate of 45 bpm, and an excellent indicator of how much heat stress I was under.
While Sunlighten doesn’t publish pricing on its webpage (you have to request a quote using this link), I can share that the mPulse is the most expensive full-spectrum infrared sauna I’ve ever owned, and it might be out of many people’s budget.
The second downside to the mPulse is that it requires a dedicated 240 volt 20 amp electrical circuit, which can further increase the cost of adding the sauna to your home.
Shop Sunlighten mPulse
To learn more, read my in-depth Sunlighten mPulse review.
Hottest Infrared Sauna Cabin: Sunlighten Amplify
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (4) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (4)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Sunlighten-Amplify-is-the-hottest-infrared-sauna-Ive-come-across.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Pros
- Heats up quickly and sustains high temperatures.
- Combines full-spectrum with far-infrared heating panels.
- Has a deep bench that makes it comfortable for lounging.
Cons
- Only available in one-person and two-person sizes.
- Only available in two wood types.
- No WiFi connectivity or touchscreen.
- Limited options for upgrades.
The Sunlighten Amplify is the hottest infrared sauna I’ve ever tested. Not only can it heat up the air inside the cabin to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but it also offers a much shorter warmup time (up to 15 minutes faster) than most other IR saunas, which can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to heat up (depending on the ambient air temperature outside of the sauna).
The Amplify achieves such high temperatures thanks to the inclusion of halogen bulbs, which produce significant heat. While that’s not great if you’re trying to light up a room (i.e., halogen bulbs waste a lot of energy), they’re incredibly effective for quickly heating up a sauna.
Now, it’s worth noting that if you’re familiar with the extreme temperatures of traditional saunas — which can be more than 200 degrees — 165 might not seem like a lot. But most infrared saunas run at a maximum of about 145 degrees, so the Amplify is considerably hotter.
For what it’s worth, steam saunas and infrared saunas provide comparable health benefits, despite the fact that infrared saunas utilize lower temperatures.
As far as the quality and safety of the Amplify is concerned, it offers all the same specs as the more expensive Sunlighten mPulse, including high-emissivity heaters, ultra-low EMFs and no VOCs. The Amplify also includes chromotherapy, and offers vibrational sound therapy as an add-on.
The reason the Amplify costs less than the mPulse despite its higher temperatures is because some of its heaters emit only far-infrared light as opposed to full-spectrum. (The former are less expensive to manufacture than their full-spectrum counterparts.) Additionally, the Amplify doesn’t include a touchscreen and WiFi connectivity, further reducing its manufacturing cost.
As I mentioned above, Sunlighten doesn’t show pricing on its webpage (you have to request a quote using this form), but I can tell you that the Amplify is priced between the Sunlighten Signature and the Sunlighten mPulse. If you mention my name to Sunlighten, you can get up to $600 off your purchase.
Shop Sunlighten Amplify
Best Personal/Portable Infrared Sauna: Therasage Thera360 PLUS
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (5) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (5)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Therasage-360-PLUS-in-our-family-room.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Pros
- Excellent value.
- Full-spectrum infrared +red light heaters with 98% emissivity.
- Comes with all the bells and whistles.
Cons
- Doesn’t provide the stereotypical in-cabin sauna experience.
The Therasage Thera360 PLUS is by far my favorite one-person sauna because it offers a unique combination of full-spectrum infrared heaters, red light therapy, a ground/earthing mat, and EMF remediation technology.
The premium heaters built into the Thera360 PLUS feature impressive 98% emissivity and heat the inside of the sauna up to a whopping 167 degrees (even hotter than the Amplify, thanks to the smaller area that needs to be heated).
What’s cool about this personal sauna is that you can use it with the included bamboo chair or with an optional seat cushion. Using the foldable chair, your head sticks out of the cabin making your sauna experience feel more comfortable. However, you can also use a seat cushion if you want to treat your face and eyes to the healing infrared and red light.
Another neat feature of the Thera360 PLUS is its two zippers that enable you to stick out your hands to read a book or work on your laptop while you’re inside the sauna. Plus, you can plug the Thera360 PLUS into a regular wall outlet without requiring potentially expensive electrical work.
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (6) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (6)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Therasage-provides-360-degrees-of-red-and-full-spectrum-infrared-light-coverage.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Arguably the main advantage of the Thera360 PLUS is that it doesn’t take up a lot of space. We have ours in a corner of the family room. However, if space is tight, you can also fold it up and store it using the included carrying pouch, making it the ideal portable sauna.
The Thera360 PLUS retails for $1,197 but if you use code MKUMMER during checkout, it’ll knock 15% off the purchase price.
Get the Thera360 PLUS
To learn more about how we use this device at Kummer household, check out my Therasage Thera360 PLUS review.
Best EMF-Free Infrared Sauna: SaunaSpace Faraday
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (7) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (7)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SaunaSpace-uses-silver-fabric-to-block-EMFs-much-like-a-Faraday-cage-1920x1440.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Pros
- Offers the broadest wavelength coverage (mimics natural sunlight).
- Blocks 99% of all EMFs.
- Lightweight and easy to move/store.
- Can be upgraded with additional bulbs for better coverage.
- Long warranty.
Cons
- Includes only a single light array.
- No sauna stool included.
- Price.
If you’re a purist who wants to get the most out of each sauna session without any distractions from electronic devices, the SaunaSpace Faraday might be your best bet.
SaunaSpace makes premium full-spectrum infrared saunas with hand-blown tungsten bulbs that emit light in the 550 to 3000+ nm spectrum, including near, mid and far-infrared as well as broad-spectrum red light. In other words, the bulbs used by SaunaSpace mimic natural sunlight without exposing you to ultraviolet or blue light. No other infrared sauna on the market offers such broad wavelength support.
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (8) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (8)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-tungsten-bulbs-get-incredibly-hot-while-emitting-a-wide-range-of-healthful-frequencies.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
The other feature that sets the SaunaSpace Faraday apart from the competition — and what causes its relatively steep price — is the EMF-blocking fabric that consists of a combination of organic cotton and silver. SaunaSpace claims that the fabric blocks 99% of all EMFs, comparable to a Faraday cage (hence its name).
I had a chance to try the Faraday at a biohacking conference and couldn’t believe how hot the tungsten bulbs got, despite the comparatively low ambient air temperature of 120 to 130 degrees. I felt like I was being baked in an oven while sitting for only a few minutes in front of the powerful light bulbs.
Besides the relatively high price point, the main downside to the SaunaSpace Faraday is that it emits light from only one direction. In other words, you have to rotate your body by 90 degrees every few minutes to expose all four sides. I don’t think that’s a big deal if you leverage a small stool. Unfortunately, SaunaSpace doesn’t include a stool, so you have to provide it yourself (or buy one from SaunaSpace for a whopping $445).
Alternatively, you could purchase another tungsten infrared sauna panel with four bulbs for $1,495 and position it behind you for 180-degree coverage.
The Faraday retails for $6,400 and comes with an outstanding 10-year warranty. If you like the SaunaSpace concept but don’t care about the EMF-blocking fabric, you could consider the Luminati, which retails for $3,900 and offers the same features as the Faraday (except for the silver fabric).
Shop SaunaSpace Faraday
Best Budget-Friendly Infrared Sauna: Sunlighten Signature
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (9) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (9)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Sunlighten-Signature-is-limited-to-far-infrared-only-but-doesnt-compromise-on-emissivity-or-any-other-quality-aspects.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Pros
- Best-in-class far-infrared sauna.
- High-emissivity heaters.
- Programmable timer.
- Low EMFs and no VOCs.
- Available in different sizes and wood finishes.
Cons
- Doesn’t emit near and mid-infrared rays.
- Limited upgrades and add-ons.
I like the Sunlighten Signature because it offers the best overall bang for your buck of any option on this list. For example, the Signature includes the same premium carbon heaters as Sunlighten’s more expensive saunas. Paired with excellent build quality, numerous size and wood options, ultra-low EMFs and no VOCs, it’s one of the best far-infrared saunas on the market.
Despite its lower price point, the Sunlighten Signature includes chromotherapy and a programmable timer.
The main downside of the Signature is that it doesn’t emit any near-infrared or mid-infrared rays. However, if you’re on a budget, you can purchase a high-quality red light therapy panel (like the MitoPRO 1500 I have) and still spend much less than you would on a full-spectrum infrared sauna.
The bottom line is that the Sunlighten Signature is an excellent infrared sauna that offers most of the benefits of higher-end saunas but at a much lower price point.
To find out how much the Sunlighten Signature would cost you, based on the size, wood type and any add-ons you may choose, fill out this form and mention my name to get up to $600 off the list price.
Shop Sunlighten Signature
Best Luxury Upgrade: A Custom Sauna
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (10) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (10)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A-custom-built-infrared-sauna-would-be-a-dream-come-true.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Pros
- Commercial-grade build.
- ADA compliance upon request.
- Designed based on your vision and needs.
Cons
- Price.
If money isn’t an issue and you want the best possible infrared sauna experience for your home spa, building a custom sauna is the way to go.
I don’t have unlimited funds and can’t afford a custom sauna. But if I were to consider buying one, I’d reach out to Sunlighten, considering their expertise in IR heater technology and building saunas of different shapes and sizes.
One of the advantages of building a custom sauna is that you don’t have to follow existing floor plans and designs. Instead, you can maximize your sauna’s square footage based on your available space and vision.
The second advantage of going with a custom build from a reputable company like Sunlighten is that you can pick the exact materials and features you want in your sauna. You can even make sure your sauna is ADA-compliant in case you have a disability that might make it difficult to use a regular sauna.
Of course, the main disadvantage of going with a custom build is the price. In other words, there is no limit to how much you can spend on a custom sauna. But to give you an idea, a five-person custom sauna with full-spectrum heaters may run you in the area of tens of thousands of dollars.
If you’re interested in exploring custom Sunlighten saunas, you can request a quote using this link.
Learn About Custom Sunlighten Saunas
Best Sauna Blanket: Sun Home Saunas Blanket
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (11) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (11)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Our-German-Shepherd-enjoys-the-sauna-blanket-as-much-as-I-do.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Pros
- Inexpensive.
- Gets incredibly hot.
- Easy to clean and store.
- Low EMF exposure.
Cons
- Low-emissivity heating elements that rely on conduction rather than radiation.
Sauna blankets are considerably less expensive than sauna cabins. However, it’s worth noting that sauna blankets work differently than their larger cousins by transferring heat via conduction (much like conventional heating blankets) rather than radiation.
As a result, you can’t expect the same benefits (e.g., improved skin health or deep tissue penetration) as you’d get from any of the other infrared saunas mentioned in this article.
I’ve tested various sauna blankets and really like the one from Sun Home Saunas. It’s fairly large (I’m six feet tall, have fairly broad shoulders and have more than enough room inside the blanket), easy to clean, and it gets incredibly hot. In preparation for this article, I measured the actual temperature inside this sauna blanket and was surprised it heated up to 165 F (74 C).
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (12) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (12)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-wired-remote-control-makes-it-easy-to-set-the-desired-temperature-and-timer.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
The high heat produced by this sauna blanket makes it an excellent tool to induce heat stress (to boost your immune system) and to increase your heart rate. The latter is a great way to mimic a mild cardiovascular workout, reduce stress and anxiety, and support weight loss.
Our kids love using our sauna blanket any time they don’t feel 100%. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen very often. But when it does, using the sauna blanket speeds up their recovery and helps them feel better.
While measuring EMF levels using an EMF meter outside a controlled lab environment isn’t an exact science, I’m happy to report that the Sun Home Sauna blanket didn’t cause any changes to measured EMF levels inside the blanket. The only part of the blanket that caused a slight increase in EMF readings was the control panel, which you can position away from your body.
The major downside to this infrared sauna blanket (and any other IR sauna blanket on the market) is that it doesn’t emit a lot of far-infrared radiation that will penetrate your tissue.
Instead, all the sauna blankets I’ve seen rely on conduction to transfer heat into your body. While that offers some benefits (such as the ones discussed above), it’s not the same as transferring energy deep into your tissue via radiation. As a result, you shouldn’t expect benefits such as improved mitochondrial function, faster tissue healing, or sleep improvements.
However, if you live in a tiny apartment and have a limited budget, a sauna blanket might give you the best bang for your buck.
Shop Sun Home Saunas Blanket
To learn more about how we use this sauna blanket in our household, check out my dedicated Sun Home Saunas infrared sauna blanket review.
Best IR Sauna Available On Amazon: SereneLife Oversize Portable Infrared Home Spa
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Includes a sauna chair.
Cons
- Low-emissivity heaters.
- Made in China.
- White-labeled product from a company with no expertise in infrared saunas.
I researched countless infrared saunas sold on Amazon and, to be honest, I would not recommend any of them. All of the saunas I have seen on Amazon are manufactured in and imported from China, and are white-labeled by companies that have no expertise in making high-quality infrared saunas.
While the pricing of infrared saunas sold on Amazon might look enticing, you’ll get what you pay for, including:
- Low-emissivity heaters that don’t deliver the health benefits you might be expecting.
- Poor customer support if something breaks.
- High EMF and VOC levels.
- Cheap materials that won’t last.
With that warning in mind, the best IR sauna I could find on Amazon is the SereneLife Oversize Portable Infrared Home Spa.
The shell looks similar to the Thera360 PLUS. But unfortunately, that’s where the similarities end. Instead of high-quality, full-spectrum infrared heaters with red light therapy, you get low-emissivity far-infrared panels that won’t penetrate your tissue very deep and offer only limited health benefits.
And instead of a ground mat you get a heated foot pad, which might feel comfortable but doesn’t provide any additional benefits.
The bottom line is that this sauna might be one of the best you can find on Amazon, but it’s still nothing I’d ever purchase or recommend spending money on.
At-Home Infrared Sauna Side-By-Side Comparison
The table below illustrates some differences between the individual sauna models covered in this article.
Sunlighten mPulse | Sunlighten Amplify | Thera360 PLUS | SaunaSpace Faraday | Sunlighten Signature | Sun Home Saunas Blanket | SereneLife | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | Check price | Check price | $1,197 | $6,610 – $6,930 | Check price | $499 | $244.99 |
Max temperature | 167 F (75 C) | 170 F (77 C) | 167 F (75 C) | N/A | 167 F (75 C) | 167 F (75 C) | 140 F (60 C) |
Measured temperature | 145 – 153 F (63 – 67 C) | 165 F (74 C) | 167 F (75 C) | 120°F – 130°F (49 – 54 C) | 145 – 153 F (63 – 67 C) | 165 F (74 C) | N/A |
Emissivity | 95% to 99% | 95% to 99% | 98% | 99% | 95% to 99% | 86% | 86% |
Type of light | Full-spectrum IR, red light | Hybrid of full-spectrum and far infrared | Full-spectrum IR, red light | Full-spectrum IR, red light | Far-infrared | Far-infrared (conductive heat) | Far-infrared |
Size | 1 to 5 people | 1 to 2 people | 1 person | 1 person | 1 to 4 people | 1 person | 1 person |
Inside dimensions | 64.8” W x 41.6” D x 71.5” H* | 45.4” W x 39.9” D x 70.3” H** | 33″ W x 33″ L x 46″ H | 52” W x 52” L x 62” H | 45.4” W x 39.9” D x 70.3” H** | 65” (circumference) | 33″ W x 31.4″ L x 40″ H |
Outside dimensions | 70.6” W x 47.6” D x 78.5” H* | 50.9” W x 45.9” D x 77.7” H** | 33″ W x 33″ L x 46″ H | 52” W x 52” L x 62” H | 45.2” W x 20.2” D x 19.5” H** | 63” W x 71” L (unfolded) | 33″ W x 31.4″ L x 40″ H |
Weight | 606 – 677 lb* | 456 – 541 lb** | 24 lb | 53 lb | 438 – 522 lb** | 10 lb | 21.6 lb |
Electrical requirements | 240V 3600W 20A | 120V 1880W 15.67A | 120V 900W 10A | 120V 250W 10A | 120V 2006W 20A | 120V 500W 5A | 120V 1050W 10A |
Finishes | Basswood, eucalyptus, eucalyptus/cedar | Basswood, eucalyptus | Fabric, bamboo (frame) | Organic cotton/silver blend | Basswood, eucalyptus | Polyurethane | Fabric |
Extra features | Red light therapy, chromotherapy, vibrational sound therapy, touchscreen, WiFi, BT audio | Chromotherapy, deep benches, vibrational sound therapy | Red light therapy, grounding/earthing mat, ionizer, gemstones, zero VOCs, EMF remediation, bamboo chair | EMF blocking, tungsten bulbs (550 – 3000+ nm), grounding mat | Chromotherapy, programmable timer, vibrational sound therapy | Low EMF | Heated foot pad, sauna chair |
Warranty | 5 years for heaters; 1 year on cabinetry and controls | 5 years for heaters; 1 year on cabinetry and controls | Two years | 10 years | 5 years for heaters; 1 year on cabinetry and controls | 1 year | N/A |
I don’t recommend getting too hung up on the maximum temperatures reported by sauna manufacturers. Very often, the ambient air temperature is much lower than the temperature you can set your sauna to, especially in sauna cabins that offer more interior space than a sauna blanket or a smaller one-person sauna.
The good news is that lower air temperatures don’t necessarily translate into fewer benefits. That’s because infrared saunas work by delivering energy (in the form of heat) directly into your tissue instead of trying to heat you up from the outside (like traditional saunas do).
As a result, you’ll get all the benefits from high-quality infrared rays even at ambient air temperatures as low as 100-120° F (38-49° C).
Other Infrared Saunas Worth Considering
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (14) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (14)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sunlighten-Solo-IMG_0251.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (15) The 8 Best Infrared Saunas: Hottest, Most Affordable, Best Upgrade and More (15)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sunlighten-Solo-IMG_0419.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
While my hands-on experience is limited to the brands and models mentioned in this article, there are other reputable infrared sauna manufacturers that are worth exploring, including the following:
- Sun Home Saunas (the brand behind our favorite sauna blanket) offers a range of high-quality infrared saunas that might fit your budget and needs, including the far-infrared Solstice and the full-spectrum Equinox series.
- The Sunlighten Solo is a high-quality, one-person at-home sauna that I have reviewed in the past. It’s an excellent alternative to the Thera360 PLUS if you enjoy lying down instead of sitting upright (see the photos above).
- Clearlight offers a range of infrared saunas a lot of people seem to enjoy. I have no first-hand experience with those saunas but I like the limited lifetime warranty the company offers.
Regardless of what brand or sauna model sparks your interest, I recommend carefully reading my infrared sauna buying guide to avoid costly mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any safety concerns to be aware of when buying an infrared sauna?
There are potential safety concerns associated with infrared saunas, considering the combination of flammable materials (i.e., wood), electrical wiring and high heat. That’s why I always recommend asking the sauna manufacturer for an ETL certification to make sure all the electrical work meets all safety and performance standards.
Additionally, I recommend opting for sauna models with low EMF and VOC ratings to avoid any potential long-term impact from their exposure. I suggest asking for test reports to make sure the sauna of your choice doesn’t emit electromagnetic fields above 1 mG and it doesn’t off-gas chemicals such as airborne metals, sulfur dioxide or carbon black.
Do infrared saunas need ventilation or space for heat dissipation?
No, infrared saunas don’t need extra exhausts or ventilation, considering they usually don’t have any vaporous or gaseous emissions. If your sauna comes with vent holes (our Sunlighten mPulse has a vent in the ceiling), you might want to leave a few inches of space for the hot air to escape. Beyond that, there are no special space or venting requirements.
Are infrared saunas waterproof?
Depending on the type of wood your infrared sauna is made of, you can use it outdoors. If your sauna is made from basswood, birch, fir or Canadian hemlock wood, I don’t recommend using it outdoors because the wood may decay and deteriorate within a few years.
If you plan on using your infrared sauna outdoors, look for red cedar and eucalyptus finishes, which are much more resistant to rot and decay. But even if you choose the right type of wood, you might still need a sauna cover to protect the electronics. For example, our Sunlighten mPulse sauna has two amplifiers and wiring in the ceiling that shouldn’t get wet. That’s why we had to cover the sauna with a waterproof fabric to make it fully outdoor-compatible.
Final Thoughts On the Best At-Home Infrared Saunas
Heat therapy and sauna bathing is an excellent way to step up your wellness game and to improve your overall health, and IR sauna use in particular has a wide range of therapeutic benefits.
My wife and I love spending time in our infrared saunas (many of which we have acquired so I could review them on this blog and my YouTube channel) after tough workouts or to wind down in the evening.
We also enjoy combining sauna bathing with cold plunging. Together, these two tools are an important part of our workout recovery regimen. (You can learn more about the health benefits of cold plunging here.)
Unfortunately, not all infrared saunas are created equal, and many of the lower-cost options come with low-quality heating technology that doesn’t offer the same health benefits as the ones mentioned in this list.
I hope this article helps you in your buying journey by guiding you in the right direction. Should you have any questions about any of the saunas mentioned in this blog post or about a model I didn’t cover, please leave a comment below.
I also encourage you to check out my article comparing the benefits of infrared saunas with that of traditional steam saunas for pain relief, blood pressure control, detoxification and improved blood flow before making a purchasing decision. (We also have a Redwood Outdoors steam sauna, which provides similar health benefits but offers a different overall experience.)
Medical Disclaimer
The information shared on this blog is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dieticians (which we are not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan or overall health. MichaelKummer.com and its owner MK Media Group, LLC are not liable for how you use and implement the information shared here, which is based on the opinions of the authors formed after engaging in personal use and research. We recommend products, services, or programs and are sometimes compensated for doing so as affiliates. Please read our Terms and Conditions for further information, including our privacy policy.