Why Choose an Infrared Sauna? Key Benefits Explained

When people search for the benefits of infrared saunas, they’re often thinking about general health effects and how sauna use can improve how they feel after a session.

While those are certainly part of the appeal, one of the biggest advantages of infrared saunas is how they improve the overall sauna experience compared to traditional options—especially when it comes to comfort, ease of use, and convenience.

If you're considering an infrared sauna for home use, you can see our picks for the best infrared saunas here.

General Benefits of Sauna Use

Sauna use has long been associated with a range of positive effects, particularly when used consistently as part of a routine. Many people incorporate sauna sessions to help unwind, support circulation, and aid in post-workout recovery.

These general effects tend to be similar across most sauna types. The key difference with infrared saunas is how the heat is delivered, which can make sessions feel more comfortable and easier to maintain regularly.

Heating Is Simpler Than Traditional Saunas

Another major advantage of infrared saunas is how simple the heating process is compared to traditional sauna systems.

This difference affects everything from temperature and heat-up time to overall ease of use.

More Comfortable, Lower Temperature Heat

Because infrared saunas work by heating the object (your body) directly rather than heating the entire room, they generally operate at a much lower temperature than traditional saunas.

Infrared saunas heat to about 110°F-130°F while the heat in a traditional steam sauna, falls between 180°F and 200°F. In both cases, the ultimate goal is to work up a sweat and enjoy the health benefits of doing so but since infrared saunas work at a lower temperature individual sauna sessions may be longer.

Heating Method

A traditional sauna works by using a heater to heat a bed of rocks, which then radiate that stored heat into the room, heating the air around you. Steam can be added to the experience by pouring water over the rocks. Traditional sauna heaters can be either electric, gas, propane or wood stove.

In infrared saunas emitters are used to create infrared energy which penetrates through your skin into your body to warm the body directly. Because there are no rocks to retain the heat, an infrared sauna will cool immediately when the sauna is shut off so it’s important for the emitters to remain running almost constantly. In a traditional sauna, the heater can cycle on an off and the room will still retain some heat via the rocks.

Heat-up Time 

The amount of time it takes to heat up your sauna will vary depending on the specific type of heater: electric, gas/propane, wood or infrared. In general, traditional heaters can take anywhere between 30-40 minutes to reach desired temperature. Once it reaches the set temperature, the heater will cycle on and off, actually running only about 50% of the time.  In an infrared sauna, you can actually begin bathing as soon as the room is turned on as the emitters will begin producing heat immediately, however it can take about 15 minutes for the room to reach 100̊.

Length of Sauna Session – In general, doctors recommend using any type of sauna for about 10-15 minutes per session, however since infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature it may be possible to extend your session to as much as 20-30 minutes in an infrared sauna.

Infrared Sauna Also Has Lower Costs

Let's look at how infrared heat compares to specific types of traditional heaters...

Infrared vs. Electric

Traditional electric sauna heaters must be connected to your home’s electrical system, which means you’ll need a licensed electrician to ensure that installation is done correctly and safely. That can mean an extra installation cost of $3,000-$6,000 depending on the size of your sauna. Conversely, most infrared saunas are 110V and can be plugged into an existing outlet. 

Aside from installation there is also a distinct difference in operating cost between the two. Traditional saunas tend to be slightly larger in size, so it will take more energy to heat them. A standard two person sauna, which is usually around 5’ x 6’, uses a 4.5kW heater which will cost approximately $.37 for the first hour of operation and then $.25 each subsequent hour as it cycles on and off.  A two person infrared sauna, on the other hand, measures about 4’ x 4’ and will cost approximately $.18 an hour to run.

Infrared vs. Gas/Propane

Like electric heaters, gas/propane heaters will require a licensed contractor to install. The installation cost is similar to that of an electric heater, around $3,000-$6,000. Operating cost is also similar to electric heaters and will generally be about $.7-$.10 more than the cost of running an infrared heater.

From a practical standpoint, gas heaters require venting to ensure that there is proper air circulation. Again, an infrared sauna can just be plugged in and used as is, making it much more convenient and safer.

Infrared vs. Wood Fire Stove

Many people prefer the ambiance of a traditional wood stove heater, with the crackling of the fire and feel of the steam rising from the rocks. There are some distinct disadvantages when you compare a wood fire sauna to an infrared, however.

While a wood stove doesn’t require professional installation it does necessitate a chimney for venting the smoke. It also necessitates a continual source of wood, which can be costly. A cord of wood can cost anywhere from $300-$600 depending on the type of wood. 

In direct comparison, the major benefit to an infrared sauna is the ability to reach and regulate temperature. A wood fire sauna can take as long as 30-60 minutes to reach the desired heat level and will need constant adjusting to maintain that heat level. As stated above, an infrared sauna is almost instantly ready to use and will reach peak heat within 15 minutes. Once it reaches peak it will stay there continuously since the emitters remain on at all times.

Are Infrared Saunas the Right Choice for You?

Infrared saunas have become a popular option for a reason. They offer a more comfortable experience, simpler setup, and lower ongoing costs compared to traditional sauna systems.

For many people—especially those looking for a convenient home setup—these advantages make infrared the more practical choice. The ability to plug in, heat up quickly, and enjoy a session without extreme temperatures makes it easier to use consistently.

That said, traditional saunas may still appeal to those who prefer higher heat and a more classic sauna environment.

If you're still deciding between the two, see our full breakdown of infrared vs traditional saunas here.

At the end of the day, the best sauna is the one you’ll actually use. And for many homeowners, infrared offers the easiest path to making sauna use a regular part of their routine.