If you are new to saunas, you are probably wondering which is better:

The Traditional Sauna or the Infrared Sauna?

I am going to answer that question in this article, explaining in detail the pros and cons of each.  And provide you with the information to help you choose the BEST SAUNA FOR YOU.

But if you’re looking for a quick answer:

The best sauna is the sauna you will use the most.  Both infrared and traditional saunas offer similar health benefits because they both are effective ways to raise your core body temperature.  The infrared sauna tends to be quicker to use and more convenient. The Traditional sauna allows for steam and a fuller, richer experience.   

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Now, to go into detail:  

Heat

Probably the most fundamental difference between an infrared sauna and a traditional sauna is the manner in which the sauna provides heat.  An infrared sauna radiates infrared (non-visable) light at wavelength that will be directly absorbed by the body. A traditional sauna heats the air inside the sauna which, in turn, heats the body.  

Infrared Heat Explained

Infrared panels create infrared radiation.  Don’t let the word “radiation” scare you. Visible light is radiation.  In fact, both infrared rays and light rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum.  Visible light is radiation with wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm.

Infrared rays have slightly longer wavelengths than visible light.  They have wavelengths between 700 nm and 1000 nm.  

In discussions of infrared saunas, you will often hear infrared saunas as creating a “deep penetrating heat.”  What is meant by this is that the infrared rays emitted by the panels pass through the air, through your clothes or towel, through you skin and directly into your body.

This is because the wavelength of infrared sauna is specifically matched to be absorbed by the body.  You will sometimes hear an infrared sauna referred to as a FIR sauna. This is the same as an infrared sauna, but more specific.  

FIR means Far InfraRed.  Far refers to a subdivision of the infrared spectrum.  These specific wavelengths just happen to be the perfect length to be absorbed by the body.   

Other things in the sauna, your towel, the wood, the air… will not absorb the rays. The rays will pass right through to your body. This makes the infrared sauna ultra efficient.  

Because the sauna is so efficient at heating the body, the air in the sauna only gets up to 120°F to  170°F.  

Traditional Sauna Heaters: Electric, Wood, Gas

Traditional saunas are much more intuitive than infrared saunas. Traditional saunas heat the same way your furnace heats your house and the same way that cavemen used fire to warm his cave.  

You put a heater in the room and everything gets hot–the heater gets hot, then the air gets hot, then you get hot, and everything else the air touches gets hot.

Nowadays, most traditional saunas are electric.  However, traditionalists may opt for a wood burning heater–the same as sauna enthusiasts have been doing for thousands of years. There are also sauna heaters which operate on gas.  These can be extremely convenient if you have an available gasoline.  

Winner:

Here the winner is the Infrared Sauna.  Infrared heat is simply a more efficient way of raising the core body temperature.  There are benefits of a traditional sauna related to heat, like control over the humidity or the sauna aesthetic, but these will be considered separately below.  

Humidity

One clear advantage that traditional saunas have over infrared saunas is the ability to control humidity.  

Traditional sauna heaters utilize a bed of rocks on top of the heat source to allow users to produce steam as desired.  Typically the sauna user will keep a bucket of water and a ladle to pour water onto the heated rocks creating steam.  

Sometimes traditional saunas are even referred to as steam saunas or traditional steam saunas.  This is a bit of a misnomer, because a traditional sauna can be used completely dry.  The ladling of water is by no means a requirement.

The term “steam sauna” can also lead to confusion concerning the difference between the traditional sauna and the steam room.  To be brief: a traditional sauna uses a heater to heat the sauna room with hot air. A steam room uses a steam generator to heat the room with steam.

The naming confusion doesn’t stop there.  Some people refer to traditional saunas as dry saunas, to distinguish traditional saunas from steam rooms.  

There is even such a thing as a “soft sauna.”  A soft sauna isn’t a type sauna, but rather a type of experience.  In a soft sauna, you will continuously pour so much water on the sauna that you create enough steam to essentially give you a steam room experience rather than a sauna experience.    

Infrared saunas, on the other hand, have no such feature.  The only increase in the humidity of an infrared sauna will be the result of the perspiration of the occupants.  

Winner:

The traditional sauna is the clear winner when if comes to humidity because it gives the sauna user the most control. With a traditional sauna, you can have a dry experience like you would get in an infrared sauna. Alternatively, you can increase the humidity to the point of simulating a steam room.  

Size

Both traditional saunas and infrared saunas come in a range of sizes, but you will find that the smallest saunas will typically be infrared saunas and the largest saunas will typically be traditional saunas.  

Infrared saunas contain flat infrared heating panels that are typically built into the wall.  A small single person sauna can be about the size of a phone booth. (For purposes of this article we aren’t considering the even smaller portable saunas and sauna blankets that are on the market)  

How Small Are the Smallest Saunas on the Market?

This single person infrared sauna, by JNH Lifestyles is among the smallest saunas on the market. It only occupies a space measuring 3’ by 3’.  

Traditional saunas, will need to be a bit bigger as even a single person traditional sauna will also need room for a heater.  This sauna, by RGX, is the smallest traditional sauna kit on the market. It will occupy a space that is 4’6” by 4’6”.  

How Big Are the Biggest Saunas on the Market?

Very large saunas will almost always be traditional saunas.  This is because, in order to provide infrared rays, infrared heating panels must be distributed relatively evenly throughout the sauna. 

For the most part, infrared saunas usually max out at 6 people per saunas.  This infrared sauna from Dynamic Saunas is among the largest (and most expensive) on the market.  Click this link to go to amazon to find out the price.  

With a traditional sauna, you can heat the entire sauna room with a single heater.  If the room is large, than it is simply a matter of using a larger heater. Large public saunas are almost always traditional saunas.  

If you are looking for a traditional sauna kit, this one by ThermaSol is one of the largest you will find.  You can check it out at amazon. It is 8’ wide by 6’ deep–a total of 336 cubic feet.

If you are constructing your own traditional sauna, then it can be as large or as small as you want it to be.  This sauna heater from Harvia will heat a room of up to 1,000 cubic feet.   That is three times the size of ThermaSol sauna discussed above.  

Winner:

I’m going to declare Infrared Saunas the winner when it comes to size.  While you are going to be able to build a larger traditional sauna, the reality is that most people are looking to buy a home sauna for their own personal use and will not need a large sauna.

More than likely, you are trying to conserve space in your home.  The ability to fit a 1 or 2 person sauna in a small corner of your home will be much more desirable than building a massive sauna.

That said, if you are planning on using your sauna to entertain and want space for multiple people to stretch out, then you best bet is to hire a contractor to custom build a traditional sauna to your desired specifications.

The Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas and Traditional Saunas are Virtually Identical

While you will find plenty of advocates for each, when it comes down to it, infrared saunas and traditional saunas provide the same health benefits.  

Most if not all of the health benefits provided by saunas come as a result of increasing the body’s core temperature.  Both the traditional sauna and the infrared sauna are effective at this.

One isn’t even necessarily faster than the other.  While traditional saunas typically heat the air temperature higher than your typical infrared sauna, this is compensated for by the fact that the infrared sauna rays penetrate your body, thereby directly raising your core temperature.  

Typically a 15 to 20 minute session will be effective for both infrared saunas and traditional saunas.

Raising the Core Body Temperature Causes Heat Stress

When you purposely raise the body’s core temperature, a processes called hyperthermic conditioning, you cause the body to experience heat stress.  

Don’t let the word “stress” scare you.  Heat stress resulting from safe and responsible sauna use is similar to the good stress you experience as a result of safe and responsible exercise.  In both cases, the stress triggers your body to adapt and this process results in a myriad of benefits. 

Studies have shown that heat stress produces benefits ranging from relieving sore muscles to reducing depression.  

Perhaps the most all-encompassing testament to the general health benefits of heat stress was the study of 2,315 Finnish men.  Participants were initially examined in the mid 1980’s and then were followed for a period of twenty years. In addition to decreased cardiovascular disease, men who used the sauna 4 to 7 times per week had a 40% lower all cause mortality rate than men that used the sauna only 1 per week. (Source)

What about EMF (Electromagnetic Fields)?

ALL electronics, everything from your cell phone to your infrared sauna, emit an electromagnetic field (“EMF”).  Of late, there has been a ton of controversy about whether EMFs are safe or not.  

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) does not consider exposure to EMFs to be a proven health hazard. While these issues are being further studied, the NIOSH does recommend that those who are concerned should attempt to reduce exposure times. (Source)

Concerned infrared sauna users should note that these NIOSH recommendations are in the context of occupational safety.  They have in mind workers who are exposed to EMFs throughout an 8 hour workday. Using an infrared sauna for just 20 to 30 minutes presents a significantly reduced exposure time.

Concerns should also be eased by the fact that healthcare providers are increasingly recommending and even proscribing infrared sauna treatments as therapy for things like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, pain, chronic fatigue and other conditions.  

Winner: 

This a tie.  Hyperthermia (hyperthermic conditioning, heat stress…) whether caused by infrared saunas or traditional saunas has been shown to produce a myriad of health benefits.  And more and more benefits are being discovered as more research is done.

Both infrared and traditional saunas can be used to increase core body temperature.  One isn’t better at this than the other.

If you are particularly concerned about EMFs, then you should go with a traditional sauna.  

Convenience

Preheat Time: Infrared Saunas Take Less Time to Heat Up

You should preheat your sauna before getting in.  Infrared saunas require less preheating time, so they clearly have the edge in this regard.  

An infrared sauna should be preheated to at least 115℉ before using. This will take about 15 minutes. (You technically don’t need to preheat an infrared sauna, but you’ll probably enjoy it more if you do.)  

A traditional sauna will need a good half hour to get the temperature up to about 170℉. 

Time In Sauna: Traditional Saunas Sessions Take Longer

Your traditional sauna session will be about 15 to20 minutes.  An infrared sauna session will be about 30 to 40 minutes.

You might want to spend longer amounts of time in the sauna, simply because you enjoy it and find it relaxing.  But in terms of convenience, if you need to save time, then know that your traditional sauna session will be quicker.

Cleaning and Maintenance:  Infrared Saunas are Less Work

Traditional saunas will require more time and effort to maintain than an Infrared saunas, because they have more parts and are more humid.

Traditional saunas have a lot of parts that require care and attention. With a Traditional sauna, you need to keep the wood clean–benches, floors, backrests and walls.  You also need to care for and maintain the sauna heater. Every now and then you even need to clean and replace the sauna rocks.  

On top of this, the increased humidity caused by adding steam to the sauna means that water can and will get in every nook and cranny of the sauna–making traditional saunas more prone to mold and mildew.

Infrared saunas will not require all this extra effort concerning the sauna heater. Because you aren’t ladling water from a bucket, dripping water everywhere, and to filling the sauna with steam, cleaning efforts can be directed specifically at areas where you are sitting and sweating.  

Winner:

Because they are quicker to heat up and easier to clean and maintain, I think it is safe to say that infrared saunas are more convenient than traditional saunas.

Click here to check out my article on sauna cleaning and maintenance.  

Infrared Sauna vs. Traditional Sauna: Total Cost

Cost to Buy

Infrared Sauna – Cost to buy

2-Person Infrared Saunas usually cost between $1,200 and $1,700. 4-Person Infrared saunas usually cost between $1,800 and $2,800. As you would expect, the difference in prices is related to size and build quality.  

More expensive saunas will typically have more infrared panels allowing them to heat more evenly and efficiently.

Regardless of price, most saunas will claim to be low-emf. The most expensive infrared saunas on the market, however, typically claim to be “close to zero” emf.  

Traditional Sauna – Cost to Buy

The 2-Person Traditional Sauna Kits will usually cost between $1,800 to $2,400 and include the heater.  4-Person Traditional Sauna Kits will cost between $2,400 and $3,200.  

Like the infrared sauna, the size and build quality are major factors in their prices.  Unlike the infrared variety, you will need to pay attention to the heater cost. Be sure to determine the value of the heater with respect to any “great deal” you may find.

While heaters are typically included in new sauna kits, these heater can be purchased separately for between $400 and $1200. There are even more expensive heaters on the market, but these are more appropriate for larger public saunas, rather than 2-4 person home saunas.

Cost to Use

Both infrared saunas, and the sauna heaters found in most traditional saunas, are electrical.  With both your biggest expense will be the amount of electricity used by each. You can click this link to read about this subject in greater depth.

Infrared Sauna – Cost to Operate

As discussed above, Infrared Saunas are all about efficiency.  A small 2-person sauna will only use about 9 cents worth of electricity per session.

Traditional Sauna – Cost to Operate

To operate a small 2-person traditional sauna, it will cost about 27 cents.  This factors in both usage time and the time it takes to preheat the sauna. A larger 4-person sauna will cost about 54 cents.  

Winner:

Here the clear winner is the Infrared Sauna.  How could it not be, it is significantly cheaper both in price and in cost per use.  

Experience and Atmosphere

Yes, most infrared saunas can be used by 2 or more people at the same time.  And 2 or more people can certainly chat in an infrared sauna.

But traditional saunas have been communal for literally thousands of years.  In parts of the world, the traditional sauna has served the same social function as the local pub.  

The  Infrared Sauna cannot compete with the social aspect of the traditional sauna.  

The traditional sauna also provides for a richer, fuller experience. 

When you reach into your bucket and ladle water on the rocks of a traditional sauna, you feel the steam on your face and breathing it in through your nose.  You hear the sizzle. You get the full sauna experience.

Winner:

The infrared sauna just cannot compete with the experience and atmosphere of the traditional sauna.  

And the WINNER is…

The TRADITIONAL SAUNA.  While providing the same health benefits as the infrared sauna, the traditional sauna provides an experience and atmosphere that is more fulfilling than the in-and-out nature of the infrared sauna. 

The presence of steam and the ability to control it is a big deal.  

The traditional sauna feels more organic.

And you just can’t help but feel the history of the traditional sauna and the feeling of connectedness–the feeling that you are doing something your ancestors did.

Reality check: The best sauna is the sauna you will use most often.

So if you prioritize convenience, then you’ll probably prefer the infrared sauna. Get an infrared sauna and don’t feel any regrets.

But for me, the traditional sauna is the clear winner.