Choosing between Steam and Infrared

Traditional saunas and infrared therapy saunas are the most common for home use.

Home saunas or domestic saunas can be custom-designed or pre-built. They can be installed indoors or outdoors.

The beauty of pre-built saunas is they are usually portable, generally a lot cheaper than custom-built options, can be bought ‘off the shelf’ and easily installed in around one to two hours, and come in a range of styles and sizes.

Heating Method

The way infrared saunas and conventional saunas use heat is the primary distinction between them.

The air in a traditional sauna is heated by a single heater, which also heats the user.

This kind of sauna involves sitting in a wood-paneled room that is heated by a rock-filled electric sauna heater. You may create steam by pouring water over the heated pebbles.

On the other hand, the quality of the infrared heat in an infrared sauna is more significant than the air temperature. You can enter your infrared sauna after it has warmed up for around fifteen minutes. The sauna will help you get warmer.

Your body may gain thermal energy as a result of the infrared heat absorption, resulting in a deep and relaxing sweat.

Temperature

Infrared saunas can maintain internal air temperatures well below 140 degrees while producing higher amounts of detoxifying sweat than conventional "hot rock" or steam saunas, which require air temperatures of approximately 158 to 175 degrees (F) to create sweat.

While traditional saunas can reach temperatures of up to 185 degrees, infrared saunas typically operate in the range of 115 to 135 degrees.

Depending on your needs, you might enjoy the hotter, steamier ambiance of a regular sauna or the cooler, drier infrared environment. Our recommendation? To determine which type best suits you, try them on before making a purchase.

The Experience

Traditional saunas offer a hot and humid environment suitable for brief sauna sessions. With temperatures reaching up to 175 degrees Fahrenheit, these sessions typically last around 20 minutes due to the intensity of the heat. Some individuals prefer to follow their sauna session with a cold shower or dip in cold water before repeating the process.

In contrast, infrared saunas emit a dry, soothing heat that allows for longer sessions lasting 40 minutes or more. Operating at temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit with minimal humidity, these saunas induce deep detoxification through perspiration. The comfortable temperature enables relaxation over extended periods, maximizing the benefits of each session.

Choosing between traditional and infrared saunas depends on your preference for heat type and desired effects on the body.