Both types give you a heat session after training, but they work differently and fit different homes.
How they heat
Infrared panels warm your body directly. The air stays cooler, so sessions feel gentler and can run longer.
Traditional saunas use a heater (often with stones) to heat the air to much higher temperatures. You can pour water on the stones for steam.
Power and install
- Many infrared saunas plug into a standard 120V outlet.
- Traditional saunas often need a dedicated 240V circuit and an electrician.
Who should pick which
- Infrared: indoor space, simpler install, lower heat tolerance.
- Traditional: you want intense heat, steam, or an outdoor sauna.
Our picks
If you want a traditional outdoor sauna: RecoSauna builds Finnish-style outdoor cabins in Nordic pine or Thermowood, with electric or wood-burning heat (heaters sold separately) and free shipping to the US. The compact Mini Square fits two people; the Sisu Square comes in six sizes.
Check Mini Square price →Check Sisu Square price →
If you want infrared on a budget: an infrared sauna blanket gives you a heat session with no install and no wiring. It plugs into a normal outlet and folds into a closet. The Lifepro RejuvaWrap has 9 heat levels and low-EMF heating.
Premium infrared blanket: the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket is the well-known luxury pick.
For infrared models and every brand we compare, see our Saunas page.
Keep reading
- Budget Home Recovery Setup: The Best Gear on Amazon
- RecoSauna Models Compared: Mini Square vs Sisu Square vs Havu Eco vs Lumi
- Building a Home Recovery Setup: Sauna, Cold Plunge and Red Light
Not medical advice. Check with your doctor before starting heat therapy. We may earn a commission from links on this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.