We may earn a commission if you buy through brand links on this page. It does not change what we write. How this works.
- Steam room
- About 110–120°F
- Infrared
- About 120–150°F
- Finnish sauna
- About 150–195°F
How each one heats
A traditional sauna heats the room. An electric or wood stove warms a bed of stones, the stones warm the air, and the hot air warms you. Throwing water on the stones briefly raises the humidity and makes the room feel hotter.
An infrared sauna uses emitter panels, usually carbon or ceramic, mounted in the walls and sometimes under the bench. They give off radiant heat that warms your skin and the surfaces around you more than the air. Air temperature stays lower, but you still sweat.
Side by side
| Traditional | Infrared | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical air temperature | About 150–195°F | About 120–150°F |
| Steam from water on stones | Yes | No |
| Warm-up time | Longer; depends on room and heater size | Usually shorter |
| Typical power | Dedicated 240V circuit for most electric heaters | Many small cabins on dedicated 120V; larger ones 240V |
| Indoor fit | Needs ventilation and moisture-tolerant floor | Easier; runs dry |
| Outdoor options | Wide: barrel, cabin, cube, wood-fired | Fewer, and only outdoor-rated models |
| Session feel | Intense heat that builds fast, social | Gentler, often longer sessions |
How a session feels
Traditional sauna users tend to do shorter rounds in high heat, cool off, and repeat. Steam from the stones is part of the experience, and a group can share it easily.
Infrared users tend to sit for longer at a lower temperature. Because the air is cooler, breathing feels easier for people who find high heat uncomfortable. People who love the sharp hit of löyly often find infrared underwhelming.
Installation differences
Infrared cabins are usually the simpler indoor install: most arrive as interlocking panels, run without water, and some plug into a dedicated household outlet. Traditional saunas need the right heater size for the room, a correctly rated circuit, fresh-air ventilation and, ideally, a floor that tolerates water. Read the spec sheet’s electrical section before ordering. Any new dedicated circuit should be installed by a licensed electrician. See the heater guide for sizing a traditional heater.
What about EMF?
Some infrared brands advertise “low EMF” emitters. EMF here refers to the electric and magnetic fields produced by any electrical device. If it matters to you, ask the brand for its measurement method and the distance it measured from, because readings vary hugely with distance.
Which should you pick?
- Go traditional if you want high heat and steam, plan to use it with other people, or want it outdoors.
- Go infrared if you want an easier indoor install, prefer lower temperatures, or plan long solo sessions.
If you are still undecided, try both at a gym or spa before spending thousands. It is the cheapest test you can run.
Frequently asked questions
Is an infrared sauna a real sauna?
It depends who you ask. Sauna traditionalists define a sauna by hot air, heated stones and water thrown on them, which infrared cabins don't have. In shopping terms, infrared cabins are sold and used as saunas; they just work and feel differently.
What temperature does an infrared sauna get to?
Air temperature in most infrared cabins sits around 120°F to 150°F. Many models list a maximum on the spec sheet. Traditional saunas typically run around 150°F to 195°F.
Which costs less to run, infrared or traditional?
Infrared cabins usually draw less power and warm up faster, so they tend to cost less per session. The real figure depends on the model's wattage, how long it runs and your electricity rate, so compare spec sheets rather than relying on general claims.
What is a full-spectrum infrared sauna?
It is a cabin that combines near, mid and far infrared emitters. Brands make various claims about the benefits of each wavelength; treat those as manufacturer claims rather than settled findings.