The Best Infrared Sauna for Home in 2023

Infrared home saunas allow you to experience the benefits of heat and light therapy in one session. These benefits include better sleep, reduced recovery time and increased longevity.

So in this post, I’ll look at the best infrared sauna for home use in 2022. I’ll cover what I like and don’t like about each product and if it’s worth it.

Our Top Picks

Here are our picks for the best home saunas:

1. Best budget infrared sauna: Luminati infrared sauna
2. Best large infrared sauna: Clearlight Sanctuary
3. Best two-person infrared sauna: HigherDose full spectrum sauna
4. Best infrared sauna blanket: HigherDose infrared sauna blanket
5. Best portable sauna: Therasage Thera360

Best Budget Infrared Sauna: Luminati Infrared Sauna

If you’re looking to experience the benefits of an infrared sauna without spending much money, the Luminati is an affordable option. 

Sauna Space uses organic, non-toxic bamboo that’s unvarnished and chemical-free. The organic cotton canvas tent is durable, so feel free to pop it in the washing machine. This ensures your setup lasts decades.

Sauna Space is so confident in this infrared sauna that it offers a 10-year warranty and a 100-day free trial.

Here are some benefits that caught my eye:

• It’s small yet powerful
• It’s easy to set up
• You can pay monthly installments at zero percent interest

This home unit weighs 50 pounds and is 63 inches high and 52 inches wide. It’s perfect if you don’t have much space to store a sauna. You can use it in your bedroom or living room. And if you have guests over, simply disassemble your Luminati and store it in a cupboard.

Even though it’s so compact compared to other home units, it’s still powerful. The Luminati uses four 250W infrared light bulbs that heat your body directly. This 1000W output optimizes infrared heat benefits without damaging the skin.

And if you can’t afford it immediately, opt for the monthly payment options. It’s interest-free, so you aren’t paying extra.

Best Large Infrared Sauna: Clearlight Sanctuary Y

If you need a spacious four-person infrared sauna, the Clearlight Sanctuary is for you. It’s 76 inches wide, 60 inches deep, 77 inches high and 715 pounds heavy.

I like that this four-person sauna plugs into a regular 240v outlet. So you can simply plug it into the wall. You’ll have to hire an electrician to do your wiring with other large saunas.

Here are some Clearlight Sanctuary benefits that’ll empower your life:

• The infrared panels are well-placed
• Clearlight offers convenient upgrades
• It has a lifetime warranty

When sitting in this four-person sauna, you’ll notice how well designed it is. The infrared panels on the sides are aligned with your mid and lower body. This maximizes the surface area of infrared light.

There are also panels on the roof and ground. The panels on top ensure infrared light hits your head. This is helpful if you’re using infrared saunas for hair growth. The LEDs on the ground also heat your body up faster, which is helpful if you’re in a rush.

On the Clearlight website, you’ll find upgrades like:

• Jacuzzi LED light therapy
• Halotherapy salt therapy
• Vibrational resonance therapy

This way, you can enhance your infrared sauna experience with a click of a button.

The last feature that stood out was Clearlight’s lifetime warranty. If anything is wrong with your unit, simply message Clearlight, and they’ll repair your sauna within days.

Best Two-Person Infrared Sauna: HigherDose Full Spectrum Sauna

But if you want something smaller, consider the HigherDose full spectrum sauna.

The low EMF carbon heaters ensure safe use for decades. 

The design is also beautiful. HigherDose constructed this wooden home unit using a chic black exterior. So feel free to impress your friends and family with this sleek design.

Here are some benefits of using the HigherDose full spectrum sauna:

• The infrared heating panels are everywhere
• The entertainment system makes your sessions more enjoyable
• You can lay down by removing the bench

When first stepping inside the HigherDose sauna, you’ll find heaters everywhere, maximizing the health benefits of infrared light. Heaters are placed on the walls, floor, glass door and under the bench.

The control panel also lets you access an entertainment system. Use your phone to connect via Bluetooth and listen to your favorite albums.

I like that HigherDose made the bench removable. So if you’re alone and want to lay down, simply remove the bench and lay on the red Canadian cedarwood.

Best Infrared Sauna Blanket: HigherDose Infrared Blanket

But let’s say you want to experience infrared heat benefits while lying in your bed. Opt for the HigherDose infrared blanket. It’s more portable, affordable and easier to install than larger units.

Look out for these benefits when using the HigherDose blanket:

• It uses non-toxic PU leather
• You can move your hands around when lying under the blanket
• It offers an automatic timer

HigherDose passes all non-VOC standards, meaning it’s better for the environment and your long-term health. The non-toxic PU leather enhances the sauna experience, and it’s waterproof, fireproof and meltproof. 

HigherDose also added an industrial zipper to its latest model, making it easier to use than previous versions that contained velcro.

So if you want to watch videos on your phone or listen to music, the HigherDose blanket allows you to move your hands around.

The last feature that caught my eye was the automatic timer. Set this timer before laying in your blanket, and it shuts off automatically. This makes it perfect after a long day at work because you can fall asleep in it.

You may also like our guide on the best infrared sauna blankets.

Best Portable Infrared Sauna: Therasage Thera360

The Thera360 is a blend between a complete home unit and an infrared blanket and is one of the most popular portable infrared saunas. This makes it practical if you don’t have much space at home. It’s also easy to assemble, so feel free to store it under your bed or in a closet.

Its reinforced bamboo frame keeps the unit light yet strong.

Here are some reasons why the Thera360 is such a popular option amongst sauna enthusiasts:

• It shins red and near-infrared light
• They provide biohacking consulting post-purchase
• You get a two-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee

Most infrared saunas only shine infrared light. Although this wavelength is beneficial, studies show red light boosts collagen production and upregulates melatonin. This improves skin and sleep quality. So if you’re looking to expose yourself to a broader range of light, consider the Thera360.

But what sets Therasage apart from other brands is their free consultations. During these video calls, you sit down with industry professionals that help you on your sauna journey. They also provide biohacking tips that leave you feeling more energetic and focused.

Therasage is so confident you’ll fall in love with their portable sauna that they offer a 30-day free trial. There’s no risk on you, and if you don’t like it, simply return it and get your money back.

Make sure to check out our list of the best home saunas!

Benefits Of Using An Infrared Sauna

Many doctors consider infrared sauna therapy the best tool for bettering your health besides following a healthy diet. So what are the benefits of infrared heat therapy? Here are some that stood out to me:

1. Better sleep
2. Increased longevity
3. Improved heart health and cell function
4. Mental clarity and faster reflexes
5. Increased mood
6. Better physical performance

Better Sleep

The most noticeable benefit of regular sauna use is improved sleep because it empowers every aspect of your life. This includes:

• Physical performance
• Mental sharpness
• Heart health 
• Immune function
• Better memory

You’ll notice you have this deep wave of relaxation when you get out of an infrared sauna. 

This is because infrared heat promotes melatonin production. Melatonin is the sleep hormone, and increased levels make it easier to fall asleep. Your sleep quality is also better because you spend more time in REM sleep, and you won’t wake up feeling groggy.

When I sit in the sauna for a few minutes after work, I fall asleep within minutes of laying down. I’ll also wake up before my alarm clock the next day and feel more energized.

So if you suffer from low sleep quality and your mornings are a struggle, consider infrared light therapy.

Increased Longevity

A detailed 2014 study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine tracked over 2,000 Finnish participants for 21 years. Researchers found that the more subjects used a sauna, the longer they lived.

Participants who sit in a sauna three times per week were 24 percent less likely to die of natural causes during the 21-year study. And those who did heat therapy four to seven times a week were 40 percent less likely to die.

It’s also important to note that this isn’t a small study that looked at a handful of people. They tracked over 2,000 subjects for 21 years.

This doesn’t mean that an infrared sauna is a magic bullet to lowering mortality. You still need to eat a ketogenic diet that reduces inflammation and controls blood sugar and insulin. But infrared sauna use is an effective supplement that takes your health to the next level.

Improved Heart Health And Cell Function

Infrared saunas put your body and heart through stress. This stress is good because it forces your heart to become stronger. It pumps blood to your body more effectively. This is the same reason why exercise is so effective for heart health.

You also improve the flexibility of your arteries because it needs to accommodate more blood flow.

So if you’re struggling with heart disease, consider infrared sauna therapy.

But it goes further than just optimizing heart function. 

When your body is under heat stress, it prioritizes the survival of healthy cells and kills off weaker ones. 

Mental Clarity And Faster Reflexes

When you’re lying in a sauna, you increase your levels of three important hormones:

• Norepinephrine
• Prolactin
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF

Norepinephrine is your fight or flight hormone. By boosting norepinephrine, you become mentally sharper. So if you’re an athlete and want to improve your reflexes and hand-to-eye coordination, sit in an infrared sauna before your game.

Infrared and heat therapy also increases prolactin production. Prolactin allows brain cells to communicate faster. Your brain sends signals more quickly, making you more mentally acute.

The last hormone that infrared light promotes is BDNF. BDNF allows you to grow new brain neurons, and it’s crucial for combat athletes. If you have high levels of BDNF, your brain cells grow and repair quicker, making you more resilient to concussions.

Increased Mood

Whenever you get out of a sauna, you feel like a new person. 

This is because saunas spike feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin. But heat therapy also triggers your brain to release a natural opiate called dynorphin.

Initially, this isn’t a good thing. Dynorphin causes you to feel unwell. So your body produces beta-endorphins which counteract this. When you’re sitting in a sauna, these dynorphins and beta-endorphins compete.

But when you get out, the dynorphins die down and you’re left with an elevated level of beta-endorphins.

I like sitting in an infrared sauna for 30 to 45 minutes after a long day at work. It allows me to relax and repair. If I feel stressed before climbing into the sauna, I know I’ll feel better within a few minutes.

Better Physical Performance

A big reason why the performance of athletes drops is that their core body temperature is too high. This interferes with bodily functions.

So if you can get your body used to high temperatures, it’ll become better at cooling. Your body is more resistant to heat and can perform at a high level for longer.

You also get more blood to flow to body parts, improving glucose and oxygen delivery and energy levels.

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine and Sport looked at athletes who used a sauna for 30 minutes twice a week. After three weeks, they found that athletes had a 32 percent increase in their time to exhaustion when running. Note that they stuck to their regular training regime for these three weeks.

This means that you can run 32 percent longer before becoming exhausted from just sitting in a sauna three times per week.

Are Infrared Saunas Better Than Traditional Saunas?

Which sauna is better will depend on your needs and what experience you’re going for.

A traditional sauna is like an oven. It heats the air around you, and that causes your body temperature to increase. 

But an infrared sauna is almost like a microwave. Instead of heating the air, infrared saunas heat your body so it can use lower temperatures. Although an infrared sauna isn’t microwaving you, it uses the same principle. It warms your body directly so the temperature can remain low.

Medical research says both saunas offer similar health benefits.

But traditional steam saunas have a stronger effect on heart health. This is because it triggers a stress response in your body. This stress is good and causes your heart and other organs to get stronger.

Infrared saunas have the edge when it comes to injury recovery and clearer skin. Because infrared light penetrates the bone and organs, it increases blood flow and reduces inflammation, decreasing recovery time.

Infrared light also stimulates collagen and elastin. This helps you clear skin issues like:

• Acne
• Psoriasis
• Wrinkles
• Dark spots
• Rosacea

So if you’re looking for the heart benefits, dry saunas work better. And if you’re trying to recover from injuries and clear skin conditions, infrared therapy is for you.

Factors To Consider When Choosing An Infrared Sauna

Consider these factors when shopping for a far-infrared sauna:

• Dimensions
• Materials used
• Extra features
• Maximum temperature
• Heating time
• Warranty 

Dimensions

The most crucial factor is the size of your sauna. When looking for a sauna, you’ll find products ranging from 50 inches long to entire sanctuaries. 

Avoid going for the largest sauna you can afford. You’ll need a place to put it. And if you don’t have much space, getting a big sauna is pointless.

But even if you have a spare room to fit your sauna, you’ll want to consider maintenance costs.

Many larger home units require electricians to install because you won’t be able to plug it into an outlet. They also take a lot of watts. So your monthly electricity bill will rise significantly.

Materials Used

Next, look at the materials manufacturers used to build your sauna. Materials that’ll last long include:

• Cedar, hemlock and pine wood
• Bamboo 
• Canvas

Large home units typically use a combination of wood and a glass door. Or, if you’re going for a more portable sauna, you’ll find the structure is bamboo or wood while the infrared sauna tent is canvas.

These materials support the entire sauna, so it’s important to know what materials your sauna uses and its longevity.

Extra Features

Although additional features aren’t necessary, they’ll improve your sauna experience. Here are some handy features to look out for:

• An entertainment system
• An automatic timer
• Red light panels

You don’t want to take your phone with you inside your infrared sauna, and that’s why more brands are adding entertainment systems and a soft-touch control panel. So if you like listening to music during sauna sessions, look for one with an entertainment system.

An automatic timer is also helpful because it’s easy to fall asleep in a sauna due to its relaxing properties. Without a timer, you’ll have to switch it off manually and can’t fall asleep. But if you have a timer on your sauna, simply set it and it’ll switch off automatically.

If you’re a big fan of red light therapy, why not use your red light panel while sitting in your sauna? Unfortunately, most saunas don’t have proper attachments to connect the panel to. So if you want to enhance your experience, opt for a brand that sells red light panels alongside saunas.

Maximum Temperature

Although maximum temperatures aren’t that important when sitting in an infrared sauna, many enthusiasts still love sweating in one. So consider the maximum temperature before buying. 

Most infrared heating elements go up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. However, more brands are starting to offer units that use infrared light but still manage to reach temperatures of 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heating Time

How long your sauna takes to heat up is especially important if you’re pressed for time. Before buying an infrared sauna, check the required time for preheating. Most portable saunas require 10 to 15 minutes.

If you have a three to six-person sauna, this number can go up to 20 minutes.

This is why it’s wise to go for saunas on the smaller side. The heating panels heat up quickly, so you experience the benefits without waiting.

Opt for infrared sauna blankets if you’re looking to minimize preheating time. Infrared blankets only take five minutes to warm, so you hop in almost immediately.

Warranty

The last factor to consider is the warranty. Credible brands offer warranties, and the bigger your unit, the longer the guarantee lasts.

For example, a HigherDose blanket provides a one-year warranty, while the Clearlight Sanctuary has a lifetime warranty.

This is why it’s essential to shop with reputable companies like SpaceSpace, Clearlight and HigherDose. Their lengthy warranties ensure that they’ll replace your unit within days if anything happens to it.

Now let’s answer some commonly asked questions.

FAQ

Does Infrared Saunas Help With Inflammation?

Full spectrum infrared saunas reduce inflammation by improving blood circulation to damaged and swollen tissue. The infrared light also encourages mitochondria to boost ATP production, giving your cells more energy to heal and operate to their full potential.

Can I Use An Infrared Sauna Everyday?

Infrared saunas aren’t dangerous, so you can have an infrared sauna session every day. This optimizes the health benefits, and if you’re just starting out, daily use allows you to start seeing benefits quicker.

Should I Drink Water In the Sauna?

It’s essential to stay hydrated during infrared sauna sessions, so drink water while sitting in the sauna. But if you find the sauna heats up your water, consider drinking a few glasses before your session. This should keep you going as your body loses liquids.

Final Thoughts On Finding The Best Infrared Saunas For Home

Infrared saunas allow you to experience powerful health benefits like better sleep and clearer skin without leaving the house. You’re also saving money. Instead of paying for a gym membership, you invest in a sauna that will last decades or even your entire lifetime.

But shop with reputable brands like Clearlight, HigherDose and Sauna Space because they use high-quality materials and offer lengthy warranties.

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