There is nothing more therapeutic than sitting in the best infrared sauna at a spa and letting all your worries melt away. Besides sweating your heart out, regular use of a sauna may also have several other health benefits, like clearing your skin, reducing stress, relieving tension, and so much more.
The good news is that you no longer need to hit your local spa or gym to enjoy a relaxing sweat, as you can now get a sauna for your home. Having an infrared sauna in your home can provide you with all the benefits of infrared heat in the privacy and convenience of your own space. With so many brands to choose from, deciding on the best infrared sauna on the market can be challenging. Selecting the best sauna is a matter of having the correct information, and we are here to furnish you with that.
We’ve done the research and brought you the best 8 infrared saunas on the market. Read our infrared sauna reviews to learn how to choose the best infrared sauna that best suits you.
OUR TOP PICK
Radiant Saunas 2 Person Hemlock
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- High tech interior
- Solid construction
- 7-year warranty
EDITORS CHOICE
JNH Lifestyles Joyous 2-Person Far
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect size for two people
- Dual-wall for superior insulation
- Digital control with a user-friendly interface
BEST VALUE
SereneLife Portable Home Spa
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Affordable
- Can be folded and stored away
- Sauna chair included
JNH 2-Person No EMF
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- No EMF
- Strong tempered glass
- 2 Premium speakers with Bluetooth connectivity
Dynamic Saunas 2-Person Far
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Far infrared
- Low EMF
- Auxiliary connection
- Easy to set up
JNH Lifestyles 4-Person
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Spacious than most home saunas
- Features 9 Carbon fiber heaters
- Digital controls
Dynamic Alicante Bio Ceramic
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Uses ceramic heaters
- Windows and doors with see-through glass
- Auxiliary media connection
Dynamic Saunas Maxxus 3-Person Corner
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Corner 3-person
- Includes foot and lower bench heater
- Can be set up in 30-45 minutes
How To Choose The Best Infrared Sauna – Buying Guide
Difference Between Traditional And Infrared Saunas
The first thing you need to understand when choosing a sauna is the difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared one. One of the main differences between a traditional sauna and an infrared is the heat in the unit. Traditional saunas use temperatures as high as 185 to 195 degrees F, which can overwhelm those who are more sensitive to the heat. However, because the heat of infrared saunas penetrates the body, they can cause a more vigorous sweat at a lower temperature of 120 to 150 degrees F.
A traditional dry sauna uses a stove to heat the air while infrared saunas use infrared heaters to emit a specific wavelength of infrared light. The infrared sauna elicits the same effects as a traditional sauna with less overall heat needed. Humidity is another difference. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas do not use steam and rely entirely on the heat from the infrared heaters for overall effects.
Another difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared one is the amount of power required to operate each unit. Traditional saunas require more overall power to run, with a typical sauna taking up 6 kW of power in comparison to the typical 1.6 kW needed for the infrared sauna. This means that a traditional sauna is almost three times as expensive to run as an infrared one.
Related Reviews: 1 Person Infrared Sauna & 2 Person Infrared Sauna
Near-Infrared Vs. Far Infrared
Infrared saunas work the same way as the sun does. The UV rays of the sun penetrate your skin and warm it in much the same way as the infrared rays of the sauna penetrate and warm your skin. When you are looking at the types of saunas to choose from, you will notice that there are near infrared saunas and far infrared saunas, but what does this all mean?
Related Post: Types Of Saunas
The difference between the two has to do with the spectrum of light. When you feel the heat of the sun, you are feeling a lot of near-infrared light. Half of the spectrum of light emitted by the sun is in the near-infrared spectrum. This light penetrates up to 5mm beneath the skin, and we use this energy to make vitamin D. This means that near infrared saunas are great for our skin and also for our overall health and wellness. The light raises our core temperatures, improves our circulation, and can even give relief from pain.
Far infrared is similar to near-infrared, except for the wavelength of both lights. The water in our bodies mainly absorbs far-infrared and for that reason, penetrates only 0.1mm beneath the skin. Though being absorbed by the body’s water, Far Infrared light can cause alterations to the body’s protein structures. These can help kickstart your metabolism, strengthen your immune system, detoxify you, and help you to lose weight. Both have benefits, and whichever you use, it will benefit you.
Related Review: 3 Person Infrared Sauna
Carbon Fiber Infrared Saunas Vs. Ceramic Infrared Saunas
To choose between an infrared sauna with a carbon fiber heater and another with a ceramic heater, you need to understand their differences. Infrared saunas with ceramic heaters heat up quickly, allowing you to enjoy the sauna at your desired temperature typically within 8-10 minutes. Carbon fiber heaters are thin and have a large surface area that heats at a lower temperature. The heat disperses more evenly over larger surface areas making them more suitable for full-body therapy. Carbon fiber heaters are more energy-efficient, but ceramic ones are cheaper.
Capacity & Dimensions
When purchasing an infrared sauna, the capacity plays an important factor as most infrared saunas are built to fit only two to three people at a time. To accommodate more people, you need to get a bigger sauna. You also need to consider the dimensions of the sauna. Smaller infrared saunas will take a smaller space than bigger ones, so you need to make sure you have enough space for whichever you choose
Type of Heaters
Carbon and ceramic are the two main haters used in infrared saunas, but you can also find mica. As we already mentioned, carbon heaters are more efficient, but you will have to pay more for them. Ceramic heaters give a good performance, and you will not have to pay as much. Mica is the cheapest, but their performance does not compare to the other two. We would recommend carbon if you can afford it, but ceramic will do just fine if you want something more affordable.
Heating Surface Area
Small surface areas heat up faster than larger surface areas. If you have an infrared sauna made up of small plates, then the sauna will heat up very quickly. With ample surface areas, the heating time is more, but they give a more even heat in the sauna. They are also easier to manage, and there is less which can go wrong with them. The bigger the surface area, the better, but for cost and time, we would recommend something in-between to get the best balance between effectiveness and cost.
Build Materials
Better materials will cost you more money. They will also do a better job of containing the heat in your sauna. You do not need to spend a lot of money on the best materials, but you should also not skimp on your building materials. Cedar is traditionally used in infrared saunas (and any building affected by moisture). Cedar is always the right choice for your sauna.
Heater Covers
You should have a cover for your heater so that it does not become a danger. If the heat source comes into contact with your skin, then you can get a bad burn. The best infrared sauna will come with a cover included, but if it does not, you should think about investing in a good one. A good cover (if it is not included) may set you back some money. But it is better to spend a little more to ensure your safety (and that of your guests).
Safety
When it comes to buying the best infrared sauna, your safety should be your highest priority. One way to ensure the safety of your infrared sauna is to look for certified companies with a good reputation. Companies that are ISO certified or CE certified can be trusted. There are other certifications out there, so if you see a company advertising a certification, you should have a look into it. The other thing you can do is to check out the reviews. If the company has been operating for a long time, you should be able to see a history of reviews. If anything has gone wrong with the saunas in the past, you will find a review informing you of any hazards.
Warranty
With any large purchase, and especially with an appliance, you should expect to have a warranty with it. Your sauna will experience wear and tear over time. There is also the chance that an infrared sauna can break through misuse, accidents, or improper assembly. There may be a manufacturer’s problems or unforeseen breakages.
Most infrared saunas will come with a warranty, and you should make sure to check the warranty before you purchase the sauna. The more extended the warranty, the better, but you should read the fine print before committing. You should check to see what is covered. Some warranties have limited coverage, and some include everything. An extended warranty which does not cover much may be useless to you. Find the best balance between coverage and price.
FAQs
Q: What Are Infrared Saunas?
Infrared saunas are a type of sauna that uses light to create heat. Unlike traditional saunas, which use heat to warm the air, that, in turn, warms your body, this type of saunas heats your body directly without warming the air around you.
Q: How Does Infrared Saunas Work?
Infrared saunas use infrared heaters to heat your skin. This is different from how traditional saunas work, which is by heating the air around you, which in turn, heats your skin. The result is the same, but the methods are different. Infrared saunas use light instead of heat, and that light is absorbed into your skin to heat it. The light is also able to penetrate deep into your skin and give some added health benefits.
To give a better example of how this would work, imagine it is a chilly but sunny day. You're bundled up, and you can feel the air around you is cold, but when you stand directly in the sun, you can feel the warmth. The sun can warm you without warming the air around you. This is how Infrared saunas work.
Q: What Does Infrared Saunas Do?
There are many things an infrared sauna does for you, and it can help to transform your body. Heating your body can give you real benefits, and doing so using infrared technology can increase your wellbeing.
When your body sweats, it begins to naturally detoxify. Your core temperature rises, and you start to sweat. Toxins in your skin are forced out with the sweat. These poisons in your skin are taken out and leave you feeling better and fresher.
When your core temperature rises, your circulation is improved. An increase in circulation means better health overall. Better circulation is great for muscle and joint pain. Massage and other methods can treat muscle pain, but it is hard to get to the root of joint pain from outside the body. Infrared penetrates to boost your circulation and lets your body take care of the pain.
The increased circulation is also excellent for your skin. As the toxins get removed through sweat, and your circulation is improved, your skin is going to look and feel healthier. With heat penetrating your skin and muscles, your muscles gently become more relaxed, and your body feels better. This helps with your stress and mental wellness.
At a cellar level, your immune system gets boosted. With a healthier body, you are less likely to contract diseases and things such as colds and flu.
Q: What Are The Benefits of Infrared Saunas?
Infrared saunas have numerous benefits. They can help increase blood circulation and stimulate the sweat glands, releasing built-up toxins in the body. Regular sauna sweating can help detoxify the body as it releases heavy metals, as well as alcohol, nicotine, sulfuric acid, and other organic and inorganic compounds.
Sauna therapy promotes relaxation by helping to balance your body’s level of cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone. The heat generated by the infrared sauna will also help to relax muscles and relieve tension throughout the body, allowing you to relax and de-stress.
Infrared saunas can help relieve inflammation, stiffness, and soreness. By increasing blood circulation and allowing the deep, penetrating infrared heat, infrared saunas help to relax muscles and carry off metabolic waste products. All while delivering oxygen-rich blood to the muscles for a faster recovery.
The heat generated by infrared technology will cause your core temperature to increase. This can also lead to an increased heart rate — the same increase in heart rate that you experience when exercising. When your body works harder to lower your core temperature or keep up with an increased heart rate, your body burns more calories, resulting in weight loss.
The profuse sweating achieved after just a few minutes in an infrared sauna carries off deeply embedded impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and clean. Increased circulation draws the skin's natural nutrients to the surface for a natural glow.
Q: Are Infrared Saunas Good For You?
Infrared saunas are good for you as they promote overall health. They encourage relaxation; relieve muscle aches, arthritis, and joint inflammation. They also increase metabolism, circulation, and enhance the immune system.
Q: Which Sauna is Better Infrared or Steam?
Before you can conclude which is the better and more beneficial option—a steam room or an infrared sauna—you must learn the simple mechanics of each and decide from there. Because of the type of heating mechanisms that steam saunas use, they are generally far hotter than an Infrared Sauna. The nature and degree of heat, of course, comes down to personal preference. Generally speaking, the length of time spent in a steam sauna will be much shorter due to the degree of heat experienced. Both saunas will cause a decent sweat response. Steam saunas get you sweating from the hot air around you, opening your pores up and releasing toxins in the skin.
Humidity is another difference. Traditional saunas often have steam, which can assist with clearing up the lungs and opening blocked sinus’. Infrared saunas do not use steam and rely entirely on the heat from the infrared heaters for overall effects.
Another difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared one is the amount of power required to operate each unit. Traditional saunas require more overall power to run, with a typical sauna taking up 6 kW of power in comparison to the typical 1.6 kW needed for the infrared sauna. This means that a traditional sauna is almost three times as expensive to run as an infrared one.
Q: Are Infrared Saunas Bad For You?
Researchers say there are minimal dangers associated with infrared saunas. However, there are so few things you need to avoid when using one. The most important of these is to avoid overdoing it, which could cause overheating and lead to dehydration or fainting. Older adults are more prone to overheating, as sweat gland function decreases with age. A child's body temperature also rises more quickly than that of adults, so parents should consult with a pediatrician before allowing a child to spend time in a sauna.
Alcohol increases the risk of overheating, so avoid using a sauna if you’ve been drinking.
One potential danger particularly associated with an infrared sauna compared to a wet sauna regards silicone implants of any sort. Silicone absorbs infrared heat, so anyone with a silicone implant should check with a doctor before using this type of sauna.
Although saunas are safe for most people with heart disease, certain cardiovascular conditions call for avoiding saunas. It's essential to consult your physician if you have any diagnosed heart condition.
Q: How Often Should You Use A Sauna?
Research has shown infrared saunas to be safe. Now, we are not saying that you should use a sauna every day for 12 hours a day, but you can use them every day. If you are using a sauna daily, you will start to see some health benefits from doing so.
We would recommend using your sauna 3-4 times a week, though you can use it every day if you wish or only 1-2 times a week. When you are in the sauna, we recommend at least 30 minutes to get the best out of your sauna.
Q: What Do You Wear In An Infrared Sauna?
Nothing! Well, only if you want to, and perhaps not if you have your friends around. The longer answer is that you should wear whatever you find comfortable. Infrared light can penetrate through clothes, but not as well.
Imagine that you are out in the sun; you can feel the warmth of the sun on your bare arms, but not as much on your covered shoulders. The same is true for an infrared sauna. To get all of the recommend benefits, you should be in there completely nude.
Of course, you may not feel comfortable being completely nude in a sauna, even if you are entirely alone. In this case, we would recommend wearing a swimsuit. If you need to wear more than just swimwear, then bear in mind that you are going to be hot and sweaty. Try to find loose-fitting, breathable clothes. You should also try to wear as little as possible when you are choosing your clothes. A pair of shorts and a t-shirt will work fine. Make sure they are loose and made from breathable fabrics.
Q: Do Infrared Saunas Burn Calories?
Yes. The heat generated by this type of sauna will cause your core temperature to increase. This can also lead to an increased heart rate — the same increase in heart rate that you experience when exercising. When your body works harder to lower your core temperature or keep up with an increased heart rate, your body burns more calories, resulting in weight loss.
A sauna bath is, however, not a replacement for exercise. You should not think that using your sauna is going to be all you need to lose weight, but it will contribute to it. Studies have shown that you can burn up to 600 calories in one session. This becomes significant when you combine this with exercise.
Q: How Much Do Infrared Saunas Cost?
There many infrared sauna models available on the market, and depending on the size, features, and technology, each will have its price. We have highlighted the best 8 models from which you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Q: How Long Should You Sit In A Sauna?
The duration of the sauna sessions your body can tolerate will gradually increase as you become accustomed to the sauna experience. If you're ill or you're experiencing some health issues, you'll need to be more careful with your sauna sessions. An average sauna session lasts around 30 minutes, but some people like to extend their sessions to 45 minutes or even an hour. However, the longer you stay in the sauna, the more you risk dehydration. The safest time you should spend is between 15-20 minutes per session.
Globo Surf Overview
Yes, you really can own your sauna. It has never been a better time. If you are the pinnacle of good health, an infrared sauna can help you to feel even better. If you suffer from any muscle or joint pains, then a sauna can help you. We are not saying that infrared saunas can cure everything, but they can certainly improve your health and wellbeing.
Everything you need to know about infrared saunas has been addressed in our reviews. Once you know what you are looking for, you can choose the best infrared sauna from our list. Enjoy the many benefits of infrared saunas in the privacy and convenience of your own space. Invest in an infrared sauna and invest in your future happiness.