Traditional vs Infrared: Which Type of Sauna Suits You

A traditional sauna heats the whole room to 170 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit using a rock-topped heater, ready in 30 to 45 minutes, for shorter 15 to 20 minute sessions with the option of steam from water on the rocks. An infrared cabin heats the body more directly at 120 to 150 degrees, is ready in 10 to 15 minutes, and is typically used for longer 20 to 45 minute sessions with no steam at all. Which one suits you comes down to how much heat you actually want to sit in, how much you value the steam and ritual of a traditional room, and how much installation work you’re prepared to take on.

How does the heat itself differ between the two?

Traditional saunas heat the air in the room, which then heats your body through convection and radiant heat off the hot rocks and walls. That’s why the room temperature climbs so high, well past what infrared reaches, and why splashing water on the rocks produces a burst of steam, or loyly, that spikes humidity and makes the heat feel more intense for a few minutes. Infrared panels work differently, using infrared light to warm the body’s tissue directly while the surrounding air stays comparatively cool. Some people describe infrared heat as gentler and more penetrating, while others miss the enveloping, all-around heat of a traditional room. Neither description is wrong; they’re genuinely different sensations.

How long does each type take to heat up, and how long do people typically stay in?

A traditional heater needs real time to bring rocks and room air up to bathing temperature, commonly 30 to 45 minutes depending on heater size and room volume, which means some planning ahead before a session. Infrared panels heat up in 10 to 15 minutes since there’s far less air mass to bring up to temperature, which suits people who want to use the sauna spontaneously without a long warm-up wait. Session length tends to run the other direction: traditional sessions are usually shorter, 15 to 20 minutes, given the higher heat, while infrared sessions commonly run 20 to 45 minutes at the lower, more sustained temperature.

Which type costs less to install and run?

Infrared units generally cost less upfront and are simpler to install, since many run on standard 120-volt household power rather than requiring a dedicated 240-volt circuit and an electrician’s time. Traditional heaters draw more power and need that dedicated circuit, plus the clearance and ventilation planning that comes with higher operating temperatures. Running costs favor infrared too, given the lower power draw and shorter warm-up time, though the difference per session is usually modest rather than dramatic for typical home use. If you’re comparing specific models side by side, Sweat Decks lists heater wattage and install requirements for both traditional and infrared units, which makes the install cost comparison easier to work through before ordering.

Which type takes more upkeep once it’s installed?

Traditional saunas need periodic rock replacement, roughly once a year with regular use, along with door gasket checks and exterior resealing on outdoor units every one to three years. Infrared cabins skip the rock replacement entirely since there’s nothing to heat and crumble, which simplifies the maintenance list somewhat, though the heating panels themselves have their own service life and eventually need replacing after enough years of regular use. Neither type demands much weekly attention beyond a basic wipe-down, but a traditional sauna’s upkeep is a bit more hands-on overall given the extra components involved, from the heater rocks to the ventilation setup that a passive-airflow room depends on.

Does one type suit shared or rental spaces better than the other?

Infrared cabins have an edge in rental homes or spaces where a permanent 240-volt circuit isn’t practical to install, since many plug into a standard outlet and can be moved if you relocate. A traditional sauna’s dedicated circuit and larger footprint make more sense as a permanent fixture in a house you own and plan to stay in, where the bigger upfront installation is a one-time cost rather than something to redo at the next move. Anyone renting who still wants the higher-heat, steam experience of a traditional room should check with a landlord early, since the electrical work alone usually requires that conversation before anything gets ordered.

Which one has more research behind it?

The bulk of the published cohort and review research on sauna bathing and cardiovascular health comes from traditional, Finnish-style sauna use, tracked over years in populations with a long cultural history of the practice. Infrared sauna use has a smaller and newer body of research behind it by comparison. That doesn’t mean infrared has no value, but if the depth of the evidence base is something you weigh heavily in a purchase decision, traditional sauna bathing currently has more studies backing its long-term cardiovascular associations.

Which type fits your goals and tolerance for heat?

If you want the classic high-heat, steam-and-ritual experience and don’t mind the bigger install, a traditional sauna is the more established choice with the deeper research base behind it. If you want something that heats up fast, fits in a smaller space or an apartment, runs on standard power, and you prefer a lower, more sustained heat over a longer session, infrared is worth a serious look. Some people end up wanting both over time, starting with one and adding the other once they know which sessions they actually use consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an infrared sauna reach the same temperature as a traditional one?

Most infrared cabins max out around 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, well below the 170 to 190 degrees a traditional rock-based heater reaches. Infrared heats the body directly at a lower air temperature rather than heating the whole room to traditional levels.

Do infrared saunas produce steam the way traditional ones do?

No. There are no rocks to ladle water onto, so infrared cabins stay dry with no steam or loyly at all. If the burst of steam and humidity is part of what you want, only a traditional heater delivers that.

Is either type safer for someone with a heart condition?

Neither type should be used without a doctor’s input for anyone with unstable angina, a recent heart attack, or uncontrolled blood pressure, since both add real cardiovascular heat stress. Infrared’s lower air temperature doesn’t automatically make it the safer default.

Which type fits better in a small space?

Infrared cabins are often easier to fit into a tight footprint since they don’t need the same clearance and ventilation setup a rock-based heater does, and many run on standard 120-volt household power.

Can an existing traditional sauna room be converted to infrared?

Yes, in most cases. The room shell and benches can generally stay as they are, with the rock heater removed and infrared panels mounted to the walls, plus new wiring sized to the lower power draw.

References

• Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence, Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2018)
• Effects of heat and cold on health, with special reference to Finnish sauna bathing, American Journal of Physiology (2018)
• Does the Combination of Finnish Sauna Bathing and Other Lifestyle Factors Confer Additional Health Benefits? A Review of the Evidence, Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2023)