Shop for a sauna and you’ll quickly run into two very different products wearing the same name. They look similar from the outside, but sitting in each one is a completely different experience, and the right choice depends far more on you than on the spec sheet.
The short version
- Choose traditional if you love real, intense heat and have room for a bigger install.
- Choose infrared if hot rooms feel like too much, you want longer and gentler sessions, or you need something that fits a smaller space.
How each one feels
A traditional sauna heats the air around you, usually to somewhere between 80 and 100°C (176 to 212°F). You feel it the moment you open the door. Pour a ladle of water on the hot stones and a wave of steam rolls over you. Finns call it löyly. Sessions tend to be shorter because the heat is strong. For many people, that intensity is exactly what they love.
An infrared sauna works differently. Instead of heating all the air first, it uses infrared heaters to warm your body more directly, so the room itself stays cooler, typically around 45 to 60°C (113 to 140°F). It feels more like sitting in warm sunshine than stepping into an oven. Sessions can be longer and more relaxed, and people who find traditional saunas overwhelming often feel at home here.
Neither one is the “upgraded” version of the other. Some brands market infrared as the more advanced option. It isn’t better, just different. Choose the heat you’ll actually enjoy using.
Space and setup
| Traditional | Infrared | |
|---|---|---|
| How it feels | Hot air, intense, steam if you want it | Gentler, dry warmth |
| Typical session | Shorter | Longer |
| Power | Usually a dedicated 240V circuit | Many smaller units use a standard outlet |
| Warm-up time | Longer | Shorter |
| Best for | Heat lovers, social sessions | Comfort, small spaces, beginners |
The power question matters more than people expect. If a model needs a new 240V circuit, add an electrician to your budget before you compare prices.
Which one would we pick?
For most people buying their first home sauna, infrared is the easier start. It’s usually simpler to install, easier to fit indoors, and more comfortable for beginners, which makes it more likely you’ll use it every day.
If you already know you love a hot, steamy Finnish sauna, get a traditional one. An infrared sauna won’t give you that feeling, and you’ll miss it.
Before you buy either, read our guide to what to think about before bringing a sauna home, especially the part about warranties.
The honest part
Whichever you choose, a sauna is a relaxing ritual, not a medical treatment, and it won’t cure anything. Drink water, skip alcohol before a session, and if you’re pregnant, have a heart condition, or take blood pressure medication, talk to your doctor first.