Are you looking for the best infrared sauna? You have come to the right place! There are so many sauna reviews out there and so many options for the best sauna for your home that it can seem overwhelming. Unlike other websites on the internet that tell you what to buy with no experience, we have experience and have owned our very own infrared sauna.
We went shopping for the best infrared sauna and it took weeks of time to compare all of them. We scoured the internet and asked friends for suggestions. We wrote spreadsheets and compared. It took quite a long time and we know how much hassle that brings.
We do not want the same experience for you which is why we created this really easy guide on how to find the best infrared sauna for you. We used our own research and took out all the guesswork so all you have to do is consider what you are interested in and what is important to you when shopping for a sauna and then pick the one that is right for you!
If you are already looking for the best sauna you are probably already aware of the fantastic health benefits they provide! We loved them when traveling and visiting spas but having one in our own home really was life-changing. Just the simple process of heating up your body, sweating out the toxins, and them showering in cold water is extremely healthy for you. Even if you only have 10 minutes a day to use your infrared sauna, you are exposing your body to a very beneficial process.
Don’t stress because we did all the work! Check out our detailed list of the best infrared sauna options in 2019 and get ready to transform your life and take charge of your health. We couldn’t be happier with ours and hope that you have the same rejuvenating experience.
What Is An Infrared Sauna And How Does It Work?
Unlike a traditional sauna, you know, the kind where you splash water on the hot rocks, infrared saunas surprisingly don’t heat the air around you. We know that sounds really weird, but it is true! Infrared saunas actually use infrared lamps that employ electromagnetic radiation to heat up your body directly. The heat will penetrate your skin and will heat you up before heating the air up! This allows you to have a quicker and more enjoyable sauna experience because you don’t have to wait for a long time for the entire room to heat up with warm air.
As a result, this means that infrared saunas can operate at a lower temperature which, in turn, will save you money on your electric bill! A traditional sauna will heat the room up to around 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit in order to do the same job as an infrared sauna which will heat the temperature between 120-140 degrees. The infrared sauna will save you money because you are mainly heating you instead of heating up the air.
Affording to the makers of the saunas, the infrared technology is supposed to keep 80% of the heat on your body and only 20% of the heat in the air. This is why an infrared sauna may not feel incredibly hot upon when you first enter. This doesn’t mean the sauna isn’t working, this means that it is waiting for a body to heat up and is actually working exactly how it was designed!
Finally, unlike a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna’s lower temperature allows you to stay in the sauna longer. The infrared technology heats up your body better than simply warmed air does and you will experience a more intense sweating feeling than you may otherwise feel at a lower temperature. The combination between the lower temperature, money-saving aspects, and the fact that an infrared sauna focuses on you not the air are all reasons why we are huge fans of this heating technology and it is a great option for any home spa!
Infrared Sauna Health Benefits
There are so many health benefits of utilizing infrared saunas. Many people know they are great for the body but don’t exactly know why! Allow us to explain a few wonderful ways that saunas can benefit the body!
- Detoxification. This is the main one and something that most people already know! Infrared saunas are wonderful for detoxification. An infrared sauna heats up your body not the air which will allow your core temperature to rise faster and more efficiently. Compared to traditional Swedish saunas [the kind with the rocks and water] modern infrared saunas are said to help you release up to seven times more toxins due to the way the heat targets your body directly!
- Pain relief. This is a huge one! The heat from infrared saunas are a wonderful way to relieve pain in the body. Whether you pulled a muscle, worked long hours, or have chronic back pain, saunas are a wonderful way to help relieve the pain. The heat and infrared technology target your body specifically which is why you feel refreshed and in less pain after use. When you have muscle pain you either apply a hot pack or cold pack. This is the same but for your entire body!
- Weight loss. Did you know that infrared saunas can help you lose weight? In just 30 minutes you can burn up to 600 calories. Infrared saunas are wonderful to use in combination with a workout. Whether you want to swim or run or do something as simple as walking or yoga, your body is already in an elevated state and going into the sauna will help you burn even more calories.
- Improved Circulation. The way the infrared sauna technology targets your body will improve your circulation and help get the blood flowing in your body. Once your blood is pumping, there is a decrease in pain and inflammation so if you have circulation problems and infrared sauna will certainly help provide relief.
- Better Sleep. Infrared saunas provide for better sleep because although it may feel like you are just sitting there, your body is working. See all of the benefits listed above and consider how you feel after a workout or a long day working or shopping. You feel tired because your body has expended energy. This is a similar result after you sit in an infrared sauna. Your body releases toxins and burns calories which may make you drowsy and provides for a much-needed sleep.
There are so many benefits to infrared saunas that we could write an entire guide on just that. Instead, we narrowed it down to just the top five. If you are interested in learning more, a quick Google search will show tons of results so you can continue to read more on all of the fantastic health benefits infrared saunas provide to the body!
How To Use An Infrared Sauna
Believe it or not, yes, there are proper ways to utilize an infrared sauna. The whole purpose of using a sauna for health benefits is to heat up your body and then to cool it down. If you simply use the sauna and then get out and take a hot shower or get into your warm bed to sleep, you will probably feel sluggish and not really the greatest. This is why following the suggestions outlined below will help you feel rested and relaxed after your infrared sauna experience!
- Hydrate. Before, during, and after your infrared sauna experience, you should be drinking plenty of water. While you are in the sauna, we highly recommend taking a bottle of water in the sauna with you. If you don’t like drinking warm water, consider an insulated bottle. This will continue to help you flush the toxins out of your body and will allow you to rejuvenate even after the experience is complete.
- Pick your temperature. Depending on your mood and how you are feeling, you can choose the temperature of your sauna experience. The temperatures usually range between 100-140 degrees. If this is your first time using an infrared sauna, keep it on a lower temperature and then adjust as needed.
- What to wear. You can wear anything you want. Most people wear swimsuits or go nude. You can choose to wear a towel around you with nothing underneath or go completely nude. From our experience, completely nude is the best way so that no fabric inhibits your experience. You are at home and alone so there shouldn’t be any issues going nude if you choose to!
- How long to spend. If this is your first time, stick to a shorter time such as 10-15 minutes. You can build up to staying in the sauna for 20-30 minutes. A great way to use the sauna is to sit in it for 10 minutes then sit out in the cold air for 2-4 minutes. Then back in for 10 minutes. If you feel too hot or lightheaded, then this will allow you a more relaxing way to experience the infrared sauna.
- What to do. We do not recommend bringing your smartphone in the sauna for extended periods of time. You can use it at will but pay attention to how hot it is so that it doesn’t become compromised. While you are enjoying the benefits of your infrared sauna, you can choose to relax with your eyes closed, meditate, do some light yoga or stretching, read a book or magazine, listen to music, or talk with anyone else using the sauna with you.
- How often to use the sauna. It is recommended by spas and sauna centers that you use the sauna 3-4 days a week. If you build up a tolerance to the heat and you know your body and how it reacts, feel free to use your infrared sauna every day! You will quickly get your money’s worth out of it!
- What to do after the sauna. This is important! After you exit the sauna, take a cold or room temperature shower to allow your body to equalize back to normal. If you do not do this, you may feel sluggish or irritated and that is the opposite reaction you are looking for. If it is cold outdoors, you can simply sit outside for a few minutes instead. Finally, make sure to drink plenty of water!
These rules apply to any of the infrared saunas on this list! We highly recommend you take them to heart and do your own research as well because proper use is the key to feeling rested and relaxed during and after your sauna experience!
10 Best Infrared Saunas For All Budgets
Best Cheap And Portable Infrared Sauna
If you are just starting to look for the best infrared sauna that is affordable and portable, check out the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa. If you are new to saunas, you may want to consider a less expensive and transportable option to get a feel for how you may like it. This option also makes our list for the best home sauna options as well, so you really can’t go wrong!
Alternatively, if you already own a sauna and love the health benefits, you can easily take this portable sauna when you travel or visit family and friends. This was our first sauna and although it isn’t a huge infrared sauna, it is quite useful and heats up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit! That is pretty impressive for such a small and lightweight product.
The SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa is perfect to help with weight loss and releasing toxins from your body. It is said to be able to burn 600 calories in just 30 minutes of proper use. This portable infrared sauna comes complete with a wired remote control that can help you set your desired temperature between 0-140 degrees as well as heating panels and an infrared heated foot pad. This infrared sauna is perfect for spasms, backaches, and chronic pain and fatigue. It also comes with its own sauna chair that folds up for travel and transportation needs.
Upsides: Affordable and a great starter infrared sauna. Portable so you can take it anywhere. Small and doesn’t take up a lot of space in the home. Heats up to 140 degrees. Pockets for your hands so you can read or use your smartphone.
Downsides: Small and can only be used by one person. You have to remain in sitting position the entire time which may be taxing to some.
Best Infrared Sauna Blanket
Did you even know infrared sauna blankets existed? We knew about the chairs listed above but this one was known to us and we really love it! The Gizmo Supply Digital Far-Infrared Heat Sauna Blanket makes our list of the best infrared sauna options simply because of its size. It takes up even less space than the chair listed above and you can relax and lie flat while enjoying the heat. Personally, we often enjoy lying flat while in the sauna so this makes a really great choice because you can close your eyes and just really relax.
The Gizmo Zone Digital Far-Infrared Heat Sauna Blanket has two zones that you can choose form. The heat range is adjustable between 77 degrees and 158 degrees making it one of the best infrared sauna options for heat on this list. 158 degrees is incredibly hot! The blanket size is 5.5 feet in length and 2.7 feed in width and the materials are waterproof for when you inevitably sweat [because isn’t that the entire point?] Finally, it can roll up for storage and you can easily store it in your closet or under your bed or even at work so you can easily access it for a quick relaxation session during your day. If you are looking for one of the best infrared saunas for beginners that won’t break the bank and you are looking for extreme heat, this one is a clear winner!
Upsides: Affordable infrared sauna starter choice! Folds up small for storage. Allows you to lie flat while using it for great relaxation. Waterproof when you sweat for easy cleaning. Very, very hot!
Downsides: Your heat and shoulders don’t feel the heat. A little more expensive than the chair sauna option listed above.
Best Lower Body Infrared Sauna
Did you know that you can find an affordable infrared sauna that only heats up half of your body? The Dynamic Granada 1-Person Sauna does just that while leaving your head, neck and shoulders exposed. If you have an accessibility challenge, this infrared sauna is also easier to enter and exist [we cannot speak from experience for wheelchair users so please assess! Just from an older-adult perspective!] Some people also find a difficult time relaxing if their head is as hot as their body so this offers the best of both worlds! Your head and arms are free and breathing cool air while the remainder of your body is sweating it out in the lower-body sauna.
The Dynamic Granada 1-Person Sauna offers a full heating floor unit as well as a fully heated back unit. The chair itself isn’t heated but the heat rises up quite comfortably from the floor which will allow you to enjoy the experience. It comes complete with three carbon heating elements which is quite impressive for its small size.
Upsides: Smaller footprint and a great starter sauna. Good for those who don’t fare well in the heat and for those with mild accessibility challenges.
Downsides: More expensive than a sauna chair option listed above. Some may not like their head being exposed.
Best One-Person Infrared Sauna
If you are ready to make the leap from a small and portable infrared sauna to a more serious one, the JNH Lifestyles MG117HB Joyous 1 Person Far Infrared Sauna is the perfect choice for you! It offers the full body experience and takes up a surprisingly small amount of space. If you are looking for the best infrared sauna that doesn’t break the bank yet is perfect for your first starter, you will love this choice. The best part? It is delivered curbside so you don’t have to try and manage to fit it in your car or transport it. You can easily set it up and use it the same day which is pretty awesome!
The JNH Lifestyles MG117HB Joyous 1 Person Far Infrared Sauna comes with many fantastic features for a pretty affordable price tag. It is constructed out of Canadian hemlock wood and doesn’t use cheap plywood or other types of degradable woods. It comes equipped with digital controls that allow you to change the temperature to this infrared sauna with ease. There is also built-in aux controls with volume rocker capabilities and two premium speakers. There is even long-lasting LED lighting which adds to the mood and relaxation. Finally, there is a 2-year warranty should anything go wrong or you need assistance of any sort! This is easily the best infrared sauna on the market for one person and is perfect for new sauna addicts.
Upsides: Perfect starter sauna and great for personal use. Built out of quality materials and complete with high-tech features [sound, digital panel etc]. The infrared heaters are energy efficient and won’t run up your electric bill. Compact size doesn’t take up lots of space in the home.
Downsides: Doesn’t come assembled although you can hire someone to assemble it for you. This infrared sauna only fits one person so you can only use it one at a time. May be a downside for couples who want to enjoy the sauna together.
Overall Best Infrared Sauna [Our Choice!!]
If we could recommend the overall best infrared sauna for anyone it would be the JNH Lifestyles MG217HB Joyous 2 Person Far Infrared Sauna. It is very similar to the one-person sauna above except that it fits two people. The price difference is pretty small between the two but this one fits two adults which makes it nice for couples like us who want to relax together in a spa-like setting. Assembly isn’t included however you can add it on when purchasing to have the whole thing done for you so you don’t have to lift a finger.
What we love about the JNH Lifestyles MG217HB Joyous 2 Person Far Infrared Sauna comes complete with 7 heating panels and is constructed from 100% Canadian Hemlock wood in a tongue and groove fashion so no heat escapes. For the perfect relaxing atmosphere, this infrared sauna uses LED lights to create a mood and the lights are built to last through the extreme heat. One of our favorite features is the digital control panel which allows you to choose your temperature and duration of your sauna session as well as professional-grade speakers and an AUX cord port so you can set the mood of your spa experience. If you are on the hunt for the best infrared sauna that is energy efficient yet heats up very well and holds two people, this is the choice for you!
Upsides: Holds two people and is very affordable. High-quality construction and high-tech features. Easy installation with the option to add in-home installation. Digital controls allow for ease of use and temperature setting. Heats up to 140 degrees.
Downsides: Takes up a larger amount of space in the home. Some may experience colder air entering under the door [if this happens to you, contact the company for a fix!]. May be too small for groups or families.
JNH Lifestyles 3-Person Infrared Sauna
You guessed it! The JNH Lifestyles MG301HCB MG317HB Far Infrared Sauna is the 3-person option for the same two saunas listed right above this one. It fits 3 people sitting or one person lying down. If you are a couple and are looking for more space to spread out and sweat it out, then this may be the best infrared sauna for you. If you want more space, you can easily utilize the 3-person sauna into a roomier 2-person sauna or, our favorite, an infrared sauna that you can lie flat in.
JNH Lifestyles MG301HCB MG317HB Far Infrared Sauna comes with all the same wonderful features as the two options listed above including the 100% Canadian Hemlock wood, professional-grade speakers, digital control panel so that you can easily control the temperature and length of experience, 2-year warranty in case anything goes wrong, and 8 carbon fiber infrared technology heaters. It is the larger version of the 1-person and 2-person models above and a great choice for someone looking to use the sauna with a group or for a couple that likes more space to relax. This may be the best infrared sauna if you are a solo person and want to lay out as you can lie flat on the bench for the ultimate relaxing experience.
Upsides: Fits 3 people or one person lying flat. Roomier for couples. High-quality construction. Professional sound system and digital control panel. Heats up to 140 degrees.
Downsides: Takes up more space due to its larger size. More expensive. Smartphones may become overheated after an extended time playing music in the infrared sauna depending on temperature.
Radiant Saunas 2-Person Hemlock Infrared Sauna
If you are looking for a visually stunning 2-person sauna, the Radiant Saunas 2-Person Hemlock Infrared Sauna is a great choice. It is priced competitively and is very good looking and visually appealing. It will add to any home or pool area and will blend right in. This is the best infrared sauna as far as warranties come because it comes with a whopping 7-year warranty! That is pretty impressive considering competitors warranties range from 2-3 years! If something goes wrong, just simply let the company know and they will take care of it.
The Radiant Saunas 2-Person Hemlock Infrared Sauna is built to last with Canadian Hemlock construction that is visually appealing as well as bronze tinted glass doors that are easy to assemble. If you don’t want to pay for the package that allows someone to assemble it for you, this is a wonderful feature and another reason this product makes our list as a best infrared sauna. The 6 carbon heaters provide up to 141 degrees of heat and there are no reported gaps or colder spots in this sauna. Finally, there is a high-quality sound system with aux inputs so you can enjoy whichever soothing sounds you like while you relax in your at-home infrared sauna.
Upsides: Great warranty for a 2-person sauna. Very easy to assemble. Heats up to 141 degrees. No gaps or cold spots.
Downsides: Not many downsides for this option!
Best Affordable 2-Person Infrared Sauna
Believe it or not, the DYNAMIC SAUNAS AMZ-DYN-6106-01 Barcelona is the best infrared sauna for those of you looking for something sleek yet affordable! We were shocked at the price and if the price isn’t low, the company often runs sales via Amazon so be sure to keep an eye out and see if you can strike a deal. Put it in your wishlist and “watch” it until the price goes down. You can tell this because there will be a strikethrough on the previous price. This is your time to buy because this infrared sauna is great for both one or two people!
The DYNAMIC SAUNAS AMZ-DYN-6106-01 Barcelona is created with reforested Canadian Hemlock [which we love!] and comes with free curbside delivery. You can add white glove delivery for an additional fee. There is an MP3 aux cord connection so you can play music and there are 6 infrared carbon heating panels so you can stay extra warm during your spa experience. Finally, this infrared sauna uses a 110v/15amp plug. It doesn’t take up a ton of space but has a sleek darker wood design that will look nice in any home or pool area, depending on where you want to store it! Even if this product is 5-10% off, we highly recommend scoring this best infrared sauna during this deal time! Maybe you can use your savings toward paying for the setup!
Upsides: High-quality construction. Often goes on sale, even 5% which will help you save. 6 infrared heating panels and smaller footprint.
Downsides: Not many downsides to this sauna! A little higher priced but often goes on sale!
3-Person Hemlock Corner Infrared Sauna
If you are looking for a durable, stylish, and reasonably affordable 3-person sauna, the 3-Person Hemlock Corner Infrared Sauna is the perfect choice for you! This makes our list as one of the best infrared sauna choices due to heat and the fact that it is often on sale! This sauna comes with 7 carbon heaters and integrated chromotherapy lights that you can easily alter to suit your mood and how you are feeling! We also love that it comes complete with an air purifier which allows you to breathe easy for total relaxation.
The 3-Person Hemlock Corner Infrared Sauna has a built-in stereo and unlike other choices, it even has a CD player! If you still have CD’s like we do, you can play them while you enjoy this sauna. It also has an aux port where you can connect your smartphone and a radio so you can listen to the latest news and songs on demand. The sauna also features a towel and magazine rack as well as easy to use controls so you can set the mood and temperature to your demand! Finally, this option has a fantastic 7 year manufacture warranty which sets it apart from many other 3-person options. This choice made our list as a best infrared sauna option because it offers so many unique features such as a radio and CD player that other choices don’t include!
Upsides: Heats up quickly and the 7 heaters ensure it is hot. Includes many features other infrared saunas don’t such as magazine and towel rack, CD player, radio and more. Eco-friendly construction. Often goes on sale.
Downsides: A bit more expensive than other 3-person sauna options. Will take up more room in the house due to its larger size.
Radiant Saunas BSA1320 4 Person Cedar Corner Infrared Sauna
If you want to go big or go home, the Radiant Saunas BSA1320 4 Person Cedar Corner Infrared Sauna is the best infrared sauna for you! It is massive and easily fits four adults but can fit three adults with plenty of extra room. It is built with two windows and a large tempered glass door so you can see your surroundings while you are enjoying your spa experience. It is built specifically for home use and is recommended to use in your master bathroom, basement, pool or gym area. It features 10 low-EMF carbon heaters that can produce heat quickly and efficiently.
Like the three-person model listed above, the Radiant Saunas BSA1320 4 Person Cedar Corner Infrared Sauna offers upgraded features such as backrests [like in a real spa!], towel hooks, a magazine rack, CD player, radio, and smartphone integrated sound system. The gorgeous softwood is a wonderful thermal insulator because it offers the lower density and the high proportion of air spaces. This allows the sauna to resist warping and keeps the heat in and allows for you to have a long-lasting product. This product made our list as a best infrared sauna option due to the myriad of features and quality construction!
Upsides: Quality constructions for a long-lasting product. Backrests, CD player, radio, and sound system. 10 infrared sauna heaters. Easy to operate LED lights. Fantastic 7-year warranty. Fits up to four adults comfortably.
Downsides: Larger size so you need a place to store it. 20A socket is required.
We hope you found this list of the best infrared sauna options for 2019 to be helpful and enlightening. No matter what your budget, there is an infrared sauna that is right for you and you will be able to bring one home for a small investment or a a slightly larger one depending on where you are at. We can attest that there is truly a sauna for everyone. Even if you live in a small space you can use a sauna blanket. We are happy to answer any questions we can in the comments and hope you enjoy your new investment in your health!
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