Stop Looking! These Are The Best Infrared Saunas (2024)

Infrared saunas have become popular home performance and recovery equipment thanks to many influencers and podcasters who promote their potential benefits.

Research shows potential benefits for enhancing recovery, reducing muscle soreness, and improving perceived recovery. But with so many on the market, how do you know which infrared sauna is worth its weight?

So, we’ve curated the best infrared saunas to fit in your home or as portable options.

Best Infrared Sauna

Sun Home Equinox Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

Sun Home Equinox is a two-person infrared sauna that offers premium materials, innovative technology, and great features at a fair price.

This is a full-spectrum sauna, which means you will benefit from all three types of infrared light—near, mid, and far. However, Equinox is unique because its heaters can reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), which means you can maximize its effectiveness and achieve the desired heat levels quickly. It also has built-in medical-grade chromotherapy lighting.

Furthermore, Sun Home has patented a system for minimizing EMF/ELF radiation, which is a big plus for health risks, especially if you plan to use the sauna often.

The sauna is made of eucalyptus, a premium material that repels insects and rots. As such, it will last a very long time. The downside is that the cabinetry and heaters have a limited lifetime warranty (7 years), and the controls have a three-year warranty.

The assembly is simple, as Sun Home has developed its own magnet seals. All you have to do is “click” the parts in place. So there’s no nails, screws, or getting your hands dirty with DIY. Clicking it into place means it’s foolproof.

It is also easy to use, as you can set everything up using a digital control panel. For maximal enjoyment, there is a built-in Bluetooth surround system. One super convenient feature is its 24-hour timer, which allows you to set the sauna up in advance.

Best At Home Infrared Sauna

HigherDose Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

We chose the HigherDOSE Full Spectrum infrared sauna as the best option for homes primarily due to its aesthetics—it looks fantastic! Its charcoal gray exterior, mahogany interior, and LED lighting will fit in any modern home.

But this is not just about the looks—HigherDOSE made a full-spectrum sauna with all three infrared wavelengths and Chromotherapy capabilities. The technology behind this sauna is also outstanding, as it has low Electromagnetic Field (EMF) carbon and ceramic heaters. Ceramic heaters purify the air within the cabin, which is another benefit of this technology. As for the other tech, it has a built-in Bluetooth-enabled entertainment system, allowing you to listen to your favorite music or shows while relaxing.

The HigherDOSE Full Spectrum sauna has 2-person and 3-person models. However, a removable bench allows three people to fit into a 2-person sauna.

The only thing we don’t like is the guarantee—HigherDOSE Full Spectrum infrared sauna only has a 5-year limited warranty, and they don’t provide additional information about what it covers exactly.

Best Infrared Sauna With Red Light Therapy

Salus Sauna Polaris Full Spectrum Sauna

While saunas in other categories use full-spectrum infrared light, Polaris Full Spectrum has unique features that make it the best infrared sauna with red light therapy. It combines long-wave carbon 360 panels with their trademarked Spectrum Plus short-wave infrared panels. Because of this and the positioning, the waves penetrate the body much better, resulting in an improved sauna experience.

This sauna reaches the desired temperature very fast—170 degrees in less than an hour while using a standard outlet. This saves energy and makes use much more convenient, as you don’t need special wiring.

The sauna’s insulation is excellent, thanks to the combination of antimicrobial Canadian cedar and hypoallergenic thermal plus exterior. The door has 8mm thick tempered glass that keeps the heat inside well.

The assembly is simple and requires no expensive tools. The sauna has an LCD controller and a Bluetooth audio system with 6 speakers.

Overall, this is a great sauna. The only downside is the price, especially considering it is a 2-person sauna.

Best Outdoor Infrared Sauna

Sun Home Luminar Outdoor Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

We have another Sun Home model, this time Luminar, which is the best outdoor infrared sauna. At its core, it has Grade-A, carbonized, heat-treated Canadian cedar, an ultra-durable wood capable of withstanding outside weather conditions. The double-pane glass allows you to enjoy the view but prevents heat from escaping.

This is a two-person full-spectrum sauna, meaning you can expect all of the benefits infra-red light offers. The powerful heaters emit low EMF/ELF, ensuring safe use. Medical-grade ChromotherapyChromotherapy LED lighting also provides added benefits.

The sauna has an entertainment system via the MobilaMobila app and built-in premium surround sound Bluetooth speakers.

Like other Sun Home models, this sauna has a unique Magne-Seal system for super-easy assembly—just “snap” the parts into place, and voila.

However, the premium design and features are expensive—this Sun Home Luminar is far from the cheapest model. Still, if you have the money and need a premium outdoor sauna, we can’t recommend it enough.

Best Portable Infrared Sauna

Therasage Affordable Portable Sauna

While other saunas from this list are great, they all require a dedicated room in your house. If you live in an apartment or have a small house, having that type of sauna is a no-go.

But Therasage has you covered with their Thera360 PLUS Personal Sauna. These models allow you to easily install them anywhere and enjoy a sauna experience in your home without a dedicated space. Even though this is a portable sauna, it can still reach up to 170° F.

Even though this is a portable sauna, it still emits full-spectrum infrared light, which is excellent. That means you will enjoy full spectrum infrared benefits, as with other saunas on the list, but without the space requirements. Moreover, the sauna emits low EMF, ELF, and RF, ensuring you stay safe.

The sauna’s interior is covered with non-toxic bamboo material to retain heat. It also has a natural bamboo wooden chair and an infrared foot panel. The dimensions are 33″W x 33″L x 46″H, meaning you can fit it pretty much anywhere.

The sauna has holes for your hands, which allow you to hold your phone or TV remote. You set up the program using its digital controller, which has a convenient 90-minute timer.

Now, is the level of comfort in a portable sauna like this the same as with full-sized saunas—no. But if the space is restricted, you will need to compromise, either getting this one or an infrared sauna blanket. Considering that, it is an excellent option.

Best Infrared Sauna On Amazon

SereneLife Portable Infrared Sauna

If you like Amazon and are looking for a portable sauna, SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa is your solution.

The design is very similar to other portable saunas (and the Therasage model we reviewed above)—you will sit inside the sauna with your head and hands on the outside. The sauna is simple, as the zipper design lets you quickly set everything in place. Because your hands are free, you can use the controller, phone, and a remote or hold a book.

The sauna’s temperature can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is around 60 degrees Celsius. This is lower than other models, including Therasage, which we previously reviewed.

Unfortunately, there are no details about the type of infrared light the sauna emits or the materials used. It heats your body only by using a foot pad, which is suboptimal. You get a foldable chair with which to sit, and it has a controller for setting up the temperature, but that is pretty much it. However, considering the super affordable price tag, you can’t ask for more.

Best Infrared Sauna Blanket

HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket

If you don’t like the design of a portable infrared sauna but still need something you can quickly put away, getting an infrared sauna blanket, specifically the one made by HigherDOSE, might be the solution.

This blanket is made of non-toxic materials, specifically PU-leather. Once you get in, it has an industrial zipper that lets you quickly put it in place. Inside, it has charcoal, clay, and magnetic layers to help fight pollutants and detoxify your body, as well as a layer of amethyst and tourmaline for even more negative ion benefits.

This sauna emits far infrared heat, which promotes full-body sweating. However, it is not a full-spectrum sauna, so you won’t get all the benefits full-sized saunas offer. Still, it is worth noting that this sauna emits a low electromagnetic field.

An infrared sauna blanket is a decent portable solution. Just read the instructions carefully, as you won’t be able to use it on any surface—only those that are heat resistant. You will also need to wear your clothes while inside (if you don’t want to buy unique cushions).

Best Low/No EMF Infrared Sauna

Sauna Space Luminati Infrared Sauna

The Luminati Infrared Sauna by SaunaSpace is also a portable model. But unlike the ones we previously reviewed, this sauna allows you to fully sit inside, which means your head and hands will be exposed to the soothing infrared heat.

The materials are top–of–the–line North American basswood with no chemicals or oils; untreated USA-manufactured stainless steel with no powder coating supports the construction; canvas is 100% cotton and organic, machine-washable; and bamboo used for the stool is also 100% organic, heat-treated, durable, and chemical-free.

This is a full-spectrum sauna, which means you can enjoy all of the benefits of full-sized saunas. But, what makes SaunaSpace saunas stand out from the competition is the EMF protection canvas made of organic cotton that minimizes EMF.

The downside of this sauna is its price—while it is cheaper than full-sized models, it is much more expensive than other portable ones we reviewed. Still, it has premium materials and emits full-spectrum infrared light, making it a decent purchase.

Infrared Sauna Benefits

Enhanced Recovery

Saunas can be another physiological stressor that’s detrimental to recovery. However, infrared saunas don’t use temperatures as high as traditional saunas. Infrared saunas may attenuate the decline in peak power and jump performance when used after training ^[1][2].

It may also enhance perceived recovery and reduce muscle soreness after maximal strength training and plyometrics ^[3].

May Reduce Blood Pressure

An infrared sauna may lower blood pressure and reduce waist circumference in people with type II diabetes ^[4].

How To Pick The Best Infrared Sauna

Full Spectrum vs. Far Infrared

Full-spectrum infrared saunas can emit near, medium, and far infrared light. As you probably expect, far infrared saunas only emit the far infrared light.

That said, far infrared light penetrates the body deeper than other waveforms. This is why some saunas only offer this option. Based on the current research, most interventions use far infrared light regarding neuromuscular and muscular recovery.

Full spectrum gives you far infrared, including the others, potentially offering you further health benefits.

Ease Of Setup

If you plan to build your sauna yourself, you will want to choose a simple model that can be set up without special tools.

Fortunately, most brands and models are pretty easy to assemble on your own. There are even models with simple magnetic seals, which are a breeze to mantle and dismantle and hold heat well.

Size

You should consider different sauna sizes depending on the space you have available, the size of your family, or the number of people you plan to share the sauna with.

As expected, bigger saunas will allow multiple people to use them simultaneously. Generally speaking, most saunas will fall in the two to five-person range.

It’s also worth noting that outdoor saunas take up more space than indoor ones, as more material is needed to protect them from the weather.

Lastly, if you don’t have dedicated space to install a sauna, choosing a portable model is also an option, as you can easily move it away once you finish your session.

Material & Construction

The most essential material in the sauna you choose is the wood used. You should make no compromises here, as the wood will determine how well the sauna keeps heat. The wood type will also determine the longevity, appearance, and even aroma of your sauna.

Going the traditional route is the best option here. Softwoods like cedar or hemlock are the best options, but eucalyptus also works great. These have excellent durability and have been the go-to choice of sauna builders for centuries. If you want something more affordable, pine and spruce are decent choices but aren’t as durable as the first two.

Price

Because saunas are something you usually only buy once, it makes sense to stretch your budget to get the best model you can afford. That being said, buying the most expensive option just for the sake of it is rarely good. To give you a rough estimate, here are some price ranges:

• Budget: Portable saunas can be found for less than $1000; full-sized saunas are relatively cheap, below $5000.
• Value: Full-sized saunas between $5000 and $7000 usually have the right mix of premium materials and features.
• Premium: anything over $7000 is considered a splurge. While you will undoubtedly get more features, consider whether that is worth the extra investment.

Warranty

As noted above, saunas aren’t something you buy daily, so getting a lengthy warranty matters a lot. Some brands offer true lifetime warranties, which is always preferable. However, be sure to read the fine print, as some brands offer limited lifetime warranties on some parts with shorter warranties on others (often electricals).

Frequently Asked Infrared Sauna Questions

Summary

Infrared saunas are getting increasingly popular, and it’s no wonder that more and more manufacturers are entering the market. That is a good thing, as competition allows us buyers to get more for the money we pay.