Imagine it: a healing, rejuvenating sauna, in the comfort of your own home.

It’s hard to think of a more luxurious addition to a home than a sauna. They don’t just feel good, they can have real and measurable health benefits, from promoting longevity and cardiac health, to protecting against muscle atrophy and a range of chronic illnesses.

But those looking to install a sauna on their property are faced with a choice: a traditional sauna or an infrared sauna.

Which is the best home sauna? Read on to find out.

 

 

What are infrared and traditional saunas?

Traditional saunas and infrared saunas both have the same aim – to deliver the unique experience, including all the health and wellness benefits, that come with sitting in heat. They just go about that task in slightly different ways.

Traditional saunas

Traditional saunas feature a stove or electric heater that heats stones. Water is then poured on the hot stones to create heat and humidity in the air. Temperatures generally sit between 70°C and 100°C, with the hot and humid air warming the body through convection.

Infrared saunas

Infrared saunas –  sometimes called portable infrared saunas because many are built as easily transportable, self-contained units – take a totally different approach. These machines feature panels that emit infrared light, which heats the body directly, without significantly warming the surrounding air. Infrared saunas lack humidity and operate at lower temperatures, typically between 40°C and 60°C, so provide a gentler, and slightly more penetrating heat.

In short, traditional saunas heat the air and create steam, while infrared saunas heat your body directly.

Key benefits of each sauna type

Why might you choose each type of sauna? Here are a few compelling reasons for each:

Traditional saunas

  • The health and wellness benefits of traditional saunas are more established and better understood than those of infrared saunas, spanning everything from managing chronic illness to enhancing cardiac health.
  • The high temperatures can help to flush out impurities through the skin, cleansing pores and promoting skin health.
  • The hot and humid environment can promote mental and physical relaxation, reducing stress and improving mood.

Infrared saunas

  • Many people find that infrared saunas offer a far more comfortable experience than traditional saunas, as humidity is replaced by a penetrating type of heat that typically sits at a far lower level: between 40C and 60C.
  • Where traditional saunas are often custom built, portable infrared saunas are simple and cost-effective to buy and install, while also being very energy efficient.
  • Infrared saunas have been found to promote relaxation, particularly with regular use (ideally 5-15 times per week).

Which sauna is best for home use?

Beyond your personal preferences in terms of the sauna experience, there are a few factors you should consider before making the call on your preferred home sauna:

Cost

Infrared saunas are generally more affordable than traditional saunas, as they tend to be pre-built, so benefit from economies of scale. Traditional saunas are usually pricier, as even off-the-shelf options can use extra materials and bring extra setup requirements.

Ease of setup

Portable infrared saunas are very simple to set up. They typically come pre-built and can simply be plugged into a standard power outlet. They take up minimal space and can be placed on most types of surface. Traditional saunas, meanwhile, often demand a larger, dedicated area, as well as professional installation.

Energy use

Operating at lower temperatures and featuring efficient lamps, infrared saunas tend to use far less energy than traditional saunas. They also heat up instantly, so no energy is wasted waiting for the space to warm. Traditional saunas use more energy – whether electricity or wood – to heat the stones and create the steam that lets them reach higher temperatures.

Maintenance

Infrared saunas don’t produce steam, which makes them ultra-low maintenance – cleaning needs are minimal, they’ll typically just need a quick wipe down from time to time. The moisture and steam within a traditional sauna means they require regular cleaning, and you’ll also need to conduct regular checks on the stove and/or heating elements.

In terms of the ownership experience infrared saunas offer simpler setup, lower costs, minimal maintenance, and use less energy than traditional saunas.

Maintenance and safety tips

Sauna maintenance is key to ensuring your sauna works like new, and perfectly safely, in the long-term. Here are some ways to guarantee the quality of your sauna experience:

Infrared sauna maintenance tips

  • Give it a regular wipe: After each use, wipe down the benches, walls and floor with a damp cloth to remove sweat and prevent bacteria buildup. Occasionally wipe the heaters (while cool) to ensure optimal performance.
  • Use a sauna towel: Sit on a towel when you use the sauna to keep the sauna cleaner for longer.
  • Do a deep clean: Every few months, gently clean surfaces with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner.

Traditional sauna maintenance tips

  • Wipe down surfaces: After each session, use a damp cloth to clean benches and walls to prevent residual buildup from sweat and steam.
  • Check and clean sauna stones: Regularly check the stones for cracks and replace any that are damaged. Remove built-up mineral deposits by rinsing the stones.
  • Maintain timber: Sand down and re-treat the sauna structure when required.
  • Do a deep clean: Every few months, vacuum or sweep out dust and debris, and clean surfaces with mild soap and water to keep the sauna fresh.

In terms of sauna use, it’s important to listen to your body. Don’t set the temperature too high, and take regular water breaks to stay hydrated throughout every session. It’s wise to limit the length of your sessions too, beginning with 10-15 minute saunas. You can increase this length over time.

GymQuip: the home of infrared saunas

Between comfort, cost, setup and maintenance, infrared saunas are a compelling option for anyone wanting the most convenient access to this type of health, wellness and relaxation machine.

At GymQuip we offer a range of stunning Kiva infrared saunas, from compact and cost-effective single-person options through to large and luxurious four-person models.

As the home of Australia’s largest fitness showroom, and with an even more sprawling online store, at GymQuip you’re sure to find the perfect portable infrared sauna for your situation. 

We deliver Australia-wide, and we even offer a price beat guarantee: if you find one of our products cheaper elsewhere, we’ll beat it by 5%!