Infrared Sauna vs. Traditional Sauna: Which is Better?

Infrared Sauna vs. Traditional Sauna: Which is Better?

The choice of infrared sauna vs. traditional sauna is an important one whether you are choosing one to buy for home use or using one at a gym or wellness center on a regular basis.

Both traditional dry Finnish saunas and infrared saunas offer an array of health benefits. The best sauna for you will depend on your personal goals, health status, and heat tolerability. Both types cause you to sweat, but do so in different ways and at different temperatures.

If you are choosing a sauna for home use, then space and budget restrictions will be important deciding factors as well.

Let’s take a look at the important differences between infrared and traditional saunas so you can make an informed decision.

What is an Infrared Sauna?

Infrared sauna use is really on the rise and has become a popular choice for home saunas, gyms, and health clubs. One major difference between a traditional and an infrared sauna is that the temperature is much lower, usually around 140 degrees. There is no stove in an infrared sauna.

Instead, an infrared sauna uses infrared light waves coming from wall panels to penetrate deeply into the body, heating the body’s core. 

Because infrared rays heat from the inside out, the temperature doesn’t need to be as hot. This can be very beneficial to those who cannot tolerate the high temperature of a traditional steam sauna.

Main Benefits of an Infrared Sauna

1. Infrared Light 

Infrared light penetrates deeply through the skin and into the body causing the body’s core to heat up. Some theories suggest that the body is heated more deeply due to the infrared light and can produce more healing benefits, however there is not a lot of research to verify this.

2. Increased Comfort

Due to the lower temperature of infrared saunas, many people will find it more comfortable than a traditional one. Also, certain health conditions may do better with less heat including those with chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

A Japanese study of 44 patients with fibromyalgia showed improvement in symptoms after a 12 week combination of underwater exercise therapy and far-infrared sauna use.

3. Technology Options

Many infrared saunas come equipped with surround sound, light therapy options (chromotherapy) including red-light therapy and even Wi-Fi enabled tablets and screens to watch your favorite shows.

If you like high-tech gadgets, you may enjoy this kind of sauna therapy.

4. Infrared Panels

There is no stove to deal with in an infrared sauna as infrared panels are the heating element. No water or steam is needed, no high voltage electrical outlet, and no wood to burn. If you want a very mess-free sauna session that is plug and play, you will like an infrared sauna. 

5. Compact Size

Infrared saunas can be very small and compact, making it an ideal option for an indoor sauna in a small space. You can easily fit one in a normal size master bedroom or in the corner of a basement or office.

Possible Drawbacks with an Infrared Sauna

While many things are positive about an infrared sauna, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of. There have been concerns about potential electromagnetic field risks (EMFs) and exposure to those in the sauna. Unfortunately this has not been verified or studied to a great extent.

Second, most of the health benefits and research that has been done were from studying the effects of those in a traditional sauna. There are very few studies comparing the traditional sauna to an infrared sauna in medical research.

What is a Traditional Sauna?

A traditional Finnish steam sauna is a wooden room or cabin heated with either a wood-fired stove or an electric sauna heater. Compared to infrared saunas, a traditional sauna heats the air in the sauna instead of directly into the body.

The air inside the sauna heats up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit with a low humidity point of around 10%. Humidity is increased by “throwing steam” or tossing water onto the heated rocks above the stove. 

The traditional sauna experience also involves cooling down between heat sessions in a cold pool, lake, or shower. Sitting in a sauna is very much a community and social event in countries like Finland and other Scandinavian cultures.

Main Benefits of a Traditional Dry Sauna

1. High Heat

For many, the high heat of the the traditional sauna and the positive effects it has on the body is one of the main factors in favor of a traditional sauna. There is a long list of benefits of high heat exposure in a traditional sauna.

For example, there was a reduced risk of cardiac death in a study of over 2000 Finnish men who used the sauna 3-7 times per week. The high heat increases the blood flow in the body and strengthens the cardiac muscle.

2. The Stove

One of the main benefits of traditional saunas are the stoves and the ability to control the heat and humidity by throwing water on the rocks of the stove. Not only does the steam feel good, it increases blood flow and cleanses the skin.

3. Traditional Feel

Saunas have been used for hundreds of years. In the Scandinavian countries, they are a big part of everyday culture. The sauna here is more of an experience, not just another thing to add at the end of a workout.

Many of those who enjoy the traditional sauna spend 1-2 hours at a time going from the hot sauna to a cold pool or lake and back into the hot sauna cycling between the cold and hot. Often this is done in community with other family members or friends providing a social aspect as well.

4. Ability to Sauna Off-Grid

Because a traditional sauna can use a wood-fired stove instead of an electric stove, this opens up a whole arena of off-grid possibilities. Picture locating your sauna at the edge of a lake or river for an unplugged get away.

Potential Drawbacks with a Traditional Sauna

You really can’t go wrong with a traditional sauna, unless you find that you cannot tolerate high temperatures. As long as you use the sauna correctly, monitor yourself before and after each sauna session, and stay hydrated, you will most likely enjoy your experience.

Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna for Home?

If you are looking to purchase a sauna for your home, there are a few maintenance and installation issues to be aware of when deciding between the two. 

Pros/Cons of Infrared Saunas at Home

Pros/Cons of Traditional Saunas at Home

Infrared and Traditional Saunas Combined

Still can’t decide which option is best for you? You won’t have to choose if you purchase a hybrid sauna like the Golden Designs Visby 3-Person Outdoor-Indoor Hybrid Sauna. This sauna offers both a sauna stove for throwing steam and also infrared panels when you want a faster lower heat sauna session.

While expensive, this type of sauna truly gives you the best of both worlds!

Health Benefits of Saunas

Both types of sauna use have been shown to provide numerous health benefits. A few of these include improved cardiovascular health and circulation in the body, detoxification of skin, relaxing tight muscles and decreasing stress. Both types have also been shown to increase mental health and decrease depression.

Traditional Finnish saunas may be better at helping with cardiovascular health and brain health, but this could be due to the lack of research with infrared saunas and these conditions.

Infrared saunas are possibly better at chronic pain relief and for those with certain health conditions that cannot tolerate high temperatures.

However, more research is needed as there are very few studies comparing the two types of saunas and their effects in comparison.

How to Use a Sauna

You will gain the most health benefits by using the sauna regularly. Two to three times a week is usually doable for most people if you have easy access to a sauna.

If your sauna is at a gym, add 20 minutes at the end of your workout for a sauna session. There are numerous science-backed benefits of using a sauna post-workout. If your sauna is located at home, there is no better way to relax before bed than to warm up in the sauna. 

Here are a few quick tips for sauna use:

1. Rinse off in the shower before using a public sauna
2. Hydrate first
3. Avoid alcohol
4. Go for only short periods of time when starting out
5. Take breaks if needed
6. Hydrate some more

Sauna Safety

Before starting to sauna regularly, be sure to check with your doctor, as certain medical conditions are not suitable for high temperatures. Some of these medical conditions could include those with unstable angina or other heart conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure, inability to tolerate heat, and certain skin conditions.

Pregnant women should consult with their medical provider beforehand. And couples who are wanting to become pregnant should hold off on a lot of sauna use as the heat can cause reduced sperm count and motility.

Be sure to exit quickly if you begin to feel faint, dizzy, sleepy or dehydrated.

FAQs: Traditional and Infrared Saunas

1. What is the difference between a far-infrared and near-infrared sauna?

The two main types of infrared saunas are far-infrared and near-infrared. Far infrared saunas penetrate the body most deeply and possibly have some powerful healing benefits, while near-infrared is more surface level and doesn’t penetrate into the body as far. 

Some infrared sauna companies also make full-spectrum saunas that will use both far and near-infrared as well as middle-infrared technology.

2.Can I use the sauna every day?

Yes, you can sauna every day depending on your goals and overall health. However, the heat of the sauna does stress the body, so when starting it would be better to do 2-3x a week per sauna session until your body is acclimated and you can see how you respond to the heat. 

The lower heat of the infrared sauna makes it an ideal choice for every day use as it produces less stress on the body than a traditional sauna.

3.Saunas can be expensive to buy. Are there budget-friendly options?

Yes, check out the North Shore Sauna Tents if you have a small backyard or patio. Or try a sauna blanket if you are looking for something very small and compact. You can still gain the benefits of a normal sauna at a much smaller price!