Infrared saunas are becoming more and more popular among people who are looking to improve their wellness — and enjoy comfort and relaxation — from the comfort of their homes. Unlike traditional saunas that warm the air around you using steam or heaters, infrared saunas generate heat through lamps that produce infrared light or radiation.
In this post, we’d be reviewing some of the best infrared saunas on the market, according to consumer reports and expert reviews.
Best Infrared Saunas (Consumer Reports)
Before now, the infrared sauna market comprised only top-quality options. However, as these appliances grew in popularity, tons of substandard models surfaced on the market. This explains why making the right choice can be a challenge if you’re not in the know.
To help you make a well-informed buying decision, we hit the market and compared dozens of infrared saunas in terms of material and build quality, size, heater positioning, durability, features, brand trust, and buyer reviews. And from our initial long list, we kept cutting out the subpar options until we were left with these top contenders.
1. Dynamic “Andora” 2-Person Infrared Sauna
If space isn’t an issue in your home, then you might want to get started with the Dynamic “Andora” 2-Person Infrared Sauna. The gorgeous sauna is rich in soothing features which include a chromotherapy lighting system that uses colors to adjust body vibrations to frequencies that result in health and harmony.
The sauna walls feature a double-panel construct with the thickest interior and exterior Reforested Canadian Hemlock wood planks which translate to a quality sauna that heats up faster, retains heat more efficiently, and wastes less energy.
The 2-Person modes come with 6 low EMF infrared carbon energy efficient heating panels plus an industry-leading foot heater that produces a wider, softer heat so you can expect the heat to be evenly distributed throughout the sauna. The use of carbon energy-efficient heating panel heaters offers a significant advantage over ceramic tube heaters. They are 30% larger and penetrate skin 40% more to maximize therapeutic benefits. Another advantage is maintenance.
Unlike ceramic heaters, you won’t have to worry about replacing Carbon Energy Efficient heating panels. The heaters also provide high efficiency at a lower and safer temperature of 130F allowing you to enjoy the sauna longer and maximize the health benefits.
One area of using a sauna that most users worry about is the ease of use. Dynamic 2-person sauna is designed to be easy to use featuring a dual (interior and exterior) soft-touch control panel and LED display featuring sauna temperature and time functions. This allows you to make adjustments to suit your preferences while inside or outside the sauna. There is nothing more soothing than playing your favorite tunes while you relax and this 2-person sauna provides such an option. You can play your favorite music through the sauna’s built-in MP3 aux connection with speakers.
Setting up the sauna is a stress-free experience. Assembly is a snap and takes less than 1 hour. If you’re skilled at it and you have someone to assist, it could take even less. The sauna plugs into any dedicated 15 amp 110-volt outlets so you won’t need any special wiring. It can also be installed on carpet and at any indoor location candling your garage, basement, or walk-in closet.
2. BOTARO Maxxus MX-J206-01 Sauna
BOTARO Maxxus MX-J206-01 SaunaBOTARO Maxxus MX-J206-01 Sauna is a great pick for any user looking for a 2-person sauna with a great deal of space. The large bench ensures that you won’t have to manage the space whether you’re using it as a couple or a single individual who wants a little more space. Crafted using Reforested Canadian Hemlock wood, this sauna is built to stand the test of time.
The sauna walls are double paneled and constructed with the thickest interior and exterior wood planks which provide more durability than regular saunas in the same industry. This only helps in durability but also promotes comfort. The high-quality design means the sauna will retain heat more efficiently and heats up faster. The dual-panel also protects from exterior hazards and provides superior insulation. This means damage to the outer panel won’t stop the sauna from functioning.
The Maxxus ‘Seattle’ Low EMF FAR Infrared Sauna is fitted with 6 Low EMF Infrared Carbon Energy Efficient heating panels. The panels are placed in a strategic position to ensure that the sauna is eve only heating. They are rated 1750 Watts and together with the foot heater ensure that the sauna remains the same amount of heat in all areas. The front side of the sauna sports a tempered glass designed to withstand high temperatures. The see-through glass helps to eliminate feelings of possible claustrophobia and makes a great choice for people that want to keep an eye on things while they relax.
The sauna has an operating range of 120F to 140F which is a better and safer range allowing you to enjoy the sauna longer as well as the health benefits. It also comes with a built-in MP3 aux connection with speakers. Usage is pretty easy using soft-touch control panels and a LED display featuring sauna temperature and time functions.
Assembly and installation are also easy thanks to the high-tech design. It should take about an hour to get the sauna temperature and time functions. The sauna plugs into any dedicated 15 amp 110-volt outlets so you won’t require any special wiring to install it.
3. Dynamic Barcelona 1 to 2 Person Sauna
Dynamic Barcelona 1 to 2 Person Sauna is another pick with the famed Reforested Canadian Hemlock wood construction. It also comes with double panel walls constructed with the thickest interior and exterior wood planks. There are no chemicals added to the construction making it one of the safest picks. Plus, the double panel construction ensures better insulation allowing for optimum heat retention.
As with most picks on the market, the Dynamic 1-2 Person model offers 6 Low EMF infrared Carbon Energy Efficient heating panels that come with a foot heater. The positioning of the heating panels ensures that heat is evenly distributed throughout the sauna. Unlike regular saunas that make use of ceramic heating panels, the Dynamic 1-2 Person model features infrared Carbon Energy Efficient heating panel heaters. They provide more skin penetration than ceramic tubes. In addition, they are more durable and will stand the test of time.
The windows are made from tempered glass, which is designed to tolerate high temperatures generated when the cabin is in use. The see-through glass also provides a good view of within and outside the sauna allowing you to feel more relaxed and eliminating feelings of claustrophobia.
4. SereneLife Portable Full Size Infrared Home Spa
If you live alone or you don’t have a lot of space to spare, there is still a chance you can enjoy the warming experience of a sauna. The SereneLife Portable Full Size Infrared Home Spa is designed to fit one person while providing a similar experience to other top options. Portability is the keyword here as the sauna is designed to fit into small spaces and go mobile. This means you can take your beautiful space with you when moving from one room to the other or whenever you feel like traveling somewhere. Packing it up is a breeze and setting it up again shouldn’t be a problem.
Unlike top saunas that come with a built-in bench, this SereneLife Portable Full Size Infrared Home Spa comes with a sauna chair. This makes this pick a great choice for the money. Competitor models might require that you build your own stool or chair, considering the price, but you get a portable and foldable sauna chair to indulge in your relaxation session. The full-size sauna room is built to last and will offer service for a long time. It could save you some costs on going to the spa and gives the convenience of enjoying some alone, relaxing time anytime you wish rather than having to book days to do so.
One thing most users worry about when it comes to saunas is energy consumption. SereneLife doesn’t just design saunas that ensure your comfort, but also offer energy efficiency. The sauna has a 1,300-watt high-power heating element and offers a max temperate of 140F. You will find a wired controller to help you set the time you want to get cozy as well as the heat. The time setting has a max of 60 minutes which is enough time to relax.
The sauna also features a convenient hand access zipper for book/magazine reading so you won’t be bored sitting all by yourself. It also features an integrated footpad and heating mat. while this is claimed to help with weight loss and detox, it will most likely ensure that the heat is evenly distributed.
Overall, the SereneLife Portable Full Size Infrared Home Spa is a great choice for those living alone or anyone looking for a portable option with only a little bit of space to accommodate the sauna.
5. 1Love Sauna Dome
The 1Love Sauna Dome stands out in many ways from most saunas you will come across. However, its most distinguishing feature is that it is a Zero EMF sauna. Another thing is that the 1Love Sauna Dome Premium ZERO is designed for single individuals that won’t want to go through the stress of sitting in a chair just to get cozy.
It is designed so that you get into a sleeping position with ensures the deepest absorption as the infrared rays are just inches away and surround the body. Since you will be lying down, you can enjoy long periods in the sauna without feeling discomfort. A big plus is that the sauna comes with an opening so that you can keep your head out and cool throughout the relaxation period.
The sauna measures 71 inches long which is almost 6 inches. That is more than enough space for the average person to fit in with their heads out of the sauna and on a comfy pillow. There are three independently controlled heating zones with a temperature range of 77-194 degrees allowing you to choose how you want to be heated and just how hot you want to be. The temperature settings going above the 140F limit of most modern saunas means you get more freedom to choose your preferred heating temperature. The 1200-watt carbon fiber heaters are durable and will provide better heat distribution than their ceramic counterparts.
Included in the sauna purchase are therapeutic stones. According to the manufacturer, these tourmaline or germanium stones do provide some decent benefits. They can act as heat sinks to help maintain smooth and consistent heat for full-body therapy. However, you won’t really need to add stones to your therapy session to get the best experience from this sauna. There is also a 1-year warranty on this sauna which gives more assurance on its quality.
Quality is something you won’t have to actually worry about. The 1Love Sauna Dome Premium Zero is one of the top-selling options and this is not only due to the affordable price and user-friendly features, but also due to its durability, decent build quality, and reliability. For those single individuals that want to enjoy some alone time for extended periods, the 1Love Sauna Dome Premium Zero does make for a good buy.
6. Durherm Infrared Sauna
The Durherm Infrared Sauna is not your regular sauna as it does come with a rather different design. The sauna looks more like a tent but it does fulfill its purpose. If you’re not interested in a sauna that has you in the lying down position and you want something that can heat your body in a closed area, then the Durherm Infrared Sauna does meet the mark.
This portable sauna measures 41 inches high, 33 inches deep, and 31.5 wide. Portability is one of the main selling points here. For those that want to move their saunas around with them on trips or during vacations, the Durherm Infrared Sauna does provide such an option.
The Durherm Infrared Sauna also provides tons of privacy with its enclosed design and makes for a nice choice for users that don’t have large spaces to accommodate a large size sauna. It also provides extra room for the legs with desirable features that are only common in fancy saunas.
The sauna comes fitted with 3 heaters made of hi-tech super conductive and ultra-thin carbon fiber heating elements. The quality not only ensures they provide the right amount of heat at the right time, but also that they remain durable. The entire sauna is built using tough materials that deliver superb performance and also ensure longevity.
The product allows for a time setting of 5 – 30 minutes with increments up to and down of 5 minutes. While the time setting is nowhere near the offer of high versions, it does give enough relaxation time. For a portable sauna, it is quite impressive.
Heating options allow the air inside the sauna to reach up to 110+ degrees which is plenty of heat though not up to the standard range. The surface temperature on the heat panels ranges from 104 – 140 degrees Fahrenheit. You can make increments of 9 degrees till you get the optimal temperature that gets you to relax.
If affordability is the main feature on your mind, then the Durherm Infrared Sauna is one of those options that will never disappoint. However, you might want to compare the lower temperature range and time setting on this sauna. Still, the portability feature is second to none allowing you to keep the sauna in small spaces and still enjoy maximum comfort.
Speaking about comfort, the sauna comes with a sitting chair so you will have to sit throughout the session. There is a space just about the top of the sauna where you can stick your head out and read a magazine while you enjoy your steamy relaxation time. Considering all the features it has on offer, the Durherm Infrared Sauna does stand out in many ways and does make for a reliable pick. It also has some good ratings from users to prove it is a top choice.
7. SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa
SereneLife is one of the best picks when it comes to portable saunas and as such, the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa does not fail to impress. For those people that want something small that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag, the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa will do the trick. This personal sauna offers the full sauna treatment regardless of its small size and portability.
The mobile beauty spa will fit into those small spaces in your room while providing the best comfort. The collapsible design means you can take the sauna around, especially if you’re going on trips and won’t want to spend extra visiting spaces. It folds easily for transport or storage. The moisture-resistant fabric allows for outdoor use, making it a great addition to your campsite activities.
The infrared sauna features a folding chair where you can sit and enjoy your relaxing sessions. Convenient hand access zippers for both hands and your head allow you to read a magazine throughout the sessions without getting uncomfortable. In addition, there is a footpad heating mat that ensures the heat is evenly distributed.
Unlike other portable saunas that are unable to run for long hours, the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa allows for long relaxing sessions. The timer can be set up to 60 minutes. The temperature setting ranges between 57 – 140f which is just within the acceptable range to enjoy all the heat benefits that come from relaxing in a sauna. The product does take a while to reach the set temperature but not longer than the average portable sauna. It will maintain the set temperature as long as it is in use without fluctuations. The timer and heat controller are wired so you might want to keep it within range. but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Considering its affordability and portability, the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa is a great pick for users that are on a tight budget and still looking for a great option that helps them save a lot of space.
