The Best Infrared Saunas for that Luxury Home Experience

Although a home sauna is not a cheap investment, it is more comfortable to use and proves to be more convenient than a public sauna. It’s also more economical in the long run. Since a sauna’s primary focus is on health, we want to make sure that you pick a quality product that will be worth the investment. We’ve carried out extensive research to find the best-infrared spas for home use.

In this article, we are going to provide you with important information the best models of infrared saunas. We will also provide you with some data which helped us in our research, so you could decide if our analysis is credible enough. We also explain why an infrared sauna is a worthy investment; what are the criteria for choosing the sauna, which will be the most suitable for you, and how to use it properly and safely for your health.

Top of the Best Infrared Saunas

Ideal for: Those who want a spacious sauna with additional functions. This model is larger than the others and has some extra features (therapy lights, CD/Radio, ionizer, etc).

#2 DYNAMIC Barcelona

Ideal for: Those that are looking for a compact sauna with the main functions of infrared spas and that requires basic maintenance. This model also has Bluetooth.

#3 JNH Lifestyles Joyous

Ideal for: If you want a simple infrared sauna with speedy heating and you do not care about additional functions.

Also, this model, unlike the previous two, is available in two other versions:

JNH Lifestyles Joyous (1 Person)

Is it worth buying an infrared sauna?

Many of us long to have the sauna experience at home, so we don’t have to use the public gym and can save spending $$$ for a session in the local sauna or float studio. But, is an infrared sauna the right choice?

Remember, you sweat faster in infrared spas, and the temperature required to sweat is lower than that in steam saunas. Infrared beams penetrate the skin and heat the body from inside. The steam heats from the outside and needs a higher temperature, 180F, to sweat. As a bonus, infrared spas require minimal or no cleaning when you are done.

Why do people buy infrared saunas? (from owners’ comments)

1. Health purposes

2. Relaxation and meditation

3. Weight loss

You will notice an improvement in your sleep after using the sauna. It’s also known for helping people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Contraindications 

The use of an infrared sauna is contraindicated for people with the following conditions: 

• Hemophilia (blood clotting disorder)
• Hypertension (blood pressure is abnormally low)
• Insensitivity to heat
• Fever

And, also if you’re pregnant or drunk.

Our analysis

In the course of our research, we studied the infrared spa market, identifying major manufacturers, and analyzing their most popular models. These are the Radiant Saunas — Hemlock (2-Person Model), Dynamic Saunas — Barcelona (1 to 2-Person Model), and JNH Lifestyles — Joyous(2-Person Model). 

Then we compared them by technical parameters and analyzed them using our author’s method (screenshot below), you can see the user experience of those who already actively use them.

#1 Radiant Hemlock (2-Person)

The Radiant Hemlock is noticeably ahead of the two other models in our top list, in terms of technical characteristics and user experience. Below we give you its detailed description based on user corrections.

Setup

Although the assembly is generally easier with two people, in this case, you can handle it yourself.

The manufacturer takes care to properly package the sauna. When you open the boxes, all the parts are labeled for easy identification. The power unit comes pre-installed with minimal wire connections needed.

Additional features

Includes accessories in contrast to other saunas here on Amazon. This is a nice bonus, despite it being affordable. Accessories include:

• towel bar
• therapy lights
• CD/Radio
• 2 drink holders
• 2 backrests
• magazine rack
• ionizer

The Oxygen Ionizer ensures that the air you breathe in your sauna is fresh and clean and reduces the number of allergens. Also, there is a built-in vent in the ceiling that is nice if you want a little air.

Heaters

This sauna heats to maximum temperature (140F) in 25-30 minutes. No heat loss through any walls, ceiling, floor, windows, door, etc., based on feedback. The floor panel and back panels also heat (as opposed to the other two models) — just plug it in.

Note: Quick heating depends on where you place it. Whether you place it in a warm area of the home or not.

Roominess

All of the saunas that we have ranked are designed for two people. Although in reality, some are more comfortable for one person. The Radiant Hemlock is a good exception. It can accommodate two people comfortably.

Light

The lights are LED and bright enough for reading in the sauna, and again, it’s nice to be able to control the lights from inside or outside the sauna. If you do love “a light show,” consider chromotherapy in the sauna.

Control panel

The main control panel on both the outside and inside of the unit is convenient to use. 

Speakers

The audio input is a standard jack that fits into the headphone jack of phones, tablets, MP3 players, etc. 

There is a great AM/ FM/ auxiliary sound system. Include a radio module — FM.

Instructions

Assembly instructions are not well-documented but intuitive so that it could be installed without too much frustration. EVERYTHING is pre-wired, so that is great! Saves a lot of time.

Warranty

This sauna has a 5-Year warranty against defects in materials and artistry. A limited 1-Year warranty covers the radio in your sauna.

#2 DYNAMIC Barcelona (2-Person)

Setup

If you want to do it yourself, better have a person who can assist you with the assembly (applies to all models). 

It’s like a puzzle, and once you get it right, every piece fits well. The hardest part, if you even find one, was figuring out which way was the “front” of the floor piece. The trick is that the sides and front walls are different sizes (rectangular, not square). The instructions have you put the floor down first, then the front, both sides, rear, and then the top.

Heaters

Barcelona heats to maximum temperature (140F) in 35 minutes.

The bench and floor are not heated. The manufacturer recommends that you put a towel there.

Roominess

It will not fit two people. However, it’s great for one person. But considering the size, this fits in almost any location.

Every sauna in our top-list has a glass front door. But in the Radiant Hemlock, besides, the side walls have glass inserts. This eliminates the feeling of sitting inside a box that you may get with other saunas.

Light

The color therapy function is gratifying. Colors are available in various shades and brightness. You can also have a peaceful reading session due to the handy interior light.

Control panel

The control panel is convenient and has a few more buttons than the JNH Lifestyles Joyous. It has a button for switching between Fahrenheit and Celsius. And there’s a button that turns on the Bluetooth detection.

Speakers

The audio input is a standard jack that fits into the headphone jack of phones, tablets, MP3 players, etc. A cord is included with the sauna, along with a little stand.

The sauna has Bluetooth (no need for the audio jack cord, it is lovely).

Instructions

The bad part: well, they need to work on the instructions. It applies to the JNH Lifestyles Joyous, too, according to reviews about them.

Weak spot: the sauna cannot fit two American full-sized adults, great for one (the smallest sauna from our top-list), but the size allows it to be placed in almost any limited space.

Warranty

1 Year Limited Warranty / 3 Years Limited Warranty For Costco Members Golden Designs, Inc. Warranty applies to the wood, structure, heating elements, and electronics.

#3 JNH Lifestyles Joyous (2 Person)

Setup

The sauna is very easy to set up (up to a couple of hours). But it will be difficult for one person to deal with, it is recommended to install the sauna together.

Additional features (not part of the product)

The sauna has some functions that can be purchased additionally:

• There is a cable to the right of the control panel to add the Oxygen Ionizer, if you choose to add this at a later date or when you purchase your sauna.
• There is a socket for the Chromotherapy Light if you want to buy that extra as well.
• The backrest or neck support for better sitting is also sold separately.

Heaters

The strength of the JNH Lifestyles is its quick heating function. Seven sturdy infrared panels heat the sauna to its full temperature (140F) in about 15 minutes. At the same time, the Radiant Hemlock heats in 25-30 minutes and the DYNAMIC Barcelona in 35 minutes. 

Issue: Some users have noted that the glass door lets some air through. But this is easily fixed by using weather seals around the door.

Roominess

It can fit two people with an average body easily, but they will be sitting close to each other.

Light

Excellent ambient lighting, but no chromotherapy.

Control panel

All the electrical components work well.

Issue: The control panel shows you the temperature you have it set, but it does not show you what the current temperature is of the surrounding.

Speakers

The sauna is equipped with speakers and a USB cable. You can attach an MP3 player or smartphone and listen to music.

Issue: The audio inputs inside the sauna are old-school headphone jacks. If you have the latest iPhone, you’ll have to bring the adapter in with you. Besides, the Bluetooth is missing, unlike in the DYNAMIC Barcelona.

Instructions

The bad part: they need to work on the instructions. It applies to the DYNAMIC Barcelona, too, according to reviews about them.

Warranty

Residential Use — 2 Year on wood structure, heaters, control, and electrical components. Commercial Use — N/A.

How do you choose the right infrared sauna?

When choosing a sauna, it is essential to understand what you will come across when using it and what features you want your sauna to have.

Easy setup

What’s important when you choose a sauna for yourself is the ease of setup and reliability of delivery. It depends on the manufacturer’s instructions and design of the sauna, intuitive actions for assembly, or extra service for assembly along with the purchase which you can order.

Quick heating

The next thing that is essential to consider — quick heating and maintaining the temperature. If the sauna heats up to 30-40 minutes in 140F, this is an excellent result. Of course, it depends on where you place it (in a warmer area of the house or not), the number and area of heaters, and interior dimensions of the infrared sauna.

These saunas have carbon fiber type heaters. They have a low thermal expansion, waste less energy, and have superior fatigue properties compared to metal (carbon fiber won’t wear out as quickly under the stress of constant use). In our case, the max temperature of a heater is 140F in the saunas. 

Sauna doors are made of tempered glass to keep it warm and comfortable inside.

Sauna spaciousness

The critical parameter when choosing a sauna is its roominess — all saunas in our rating pose as saunas for two people. However, you should take into account that a sauna for two people may not always be suitable for two people with comfort. 

The Radiant Hemlock is an exception to this rule; it will allow two people to feel comfortable together. JNH Lifestyles can comfortably accommodate two people with a middle body, but you will be close to each other. And, the Barcelona spa is more suitable for one person. 

Light

Chromotherapy or color light therapy is used to recover balance in our spirits and bodies with the healing energy of color. Many of us believe in the positive health effects of color and are looking for this feature.

Speakers and BlueTooth

Some saunas have speakers through a jack where you plug devices or via Bluetooth connection or even radio.

Oxygen ionizer

Not every model has an oxygen ionizer. From our list, the model with it is the Radiant Saunas Hemlock.

The Oxygen Ionizer is an electrical device that is part of an infrared sauna. As a result of its operation, the air in the sauna becomes fresh and clean. Ionizers not only remove unpleasant odors but they can remove allergens (dandruff, pollen, dust, etc.) and certain strains of airborne bacteria. This gives the user a safer and cleaner environment for breathing.

EMF level

An electromagnetic field (EMF) is an area of moving electrical charges. Electric Magnetic Fields (EMF) and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) are present everywhere where electricity flows. 

EMF consultants in the United States typically recommend keeping exposure below 10mG (1 uT) per the National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) draft report published in the July/August 1995 issue of Microwave News. Because electricity fluctuates, the mG results cannot be constant. Measurements are completed with a gauss meter.

Manufacturer’s declared EMF level:

• Six low-EMF, carbon infrared heaters — Radiant Saunas
• between 5mG to 10mG — DYNAMIC SAUNAS 
• EMF rating – 0.32 Mg average — JNH Lifestyles Joyous

Warranty

All information applies to indoor saunas. The warranty does not cover damage caused by external elements such as rain, snow, sun, wind, or extreme temperatures.

Any damages as a result of modifications made to the sauna or its components will void this warranty. Additional actions that will void the warranty are the use of lacquer or paints and placing a sauna on a non-approved surface.

Please read the warranty carefully to prevent misuse and to understand what is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and what is not.

The most extended warranty is by Radiant Saunas — 5 years. 

How to use an infrared sauna properly?

Below you can find out how to use an infrared sauna correctly. Although some of these instructions might seem banal, these things are essential if you want to use your sauna safely and efficiently. We recommend that everyone takes a couple of minutes to read this information. 

Preparing the sauna for the first use

According to the directions, there are a few steps to take to “condition” the unit before use. 

1. You have to heat the unit for one hour with the door open, and then let it cool down. 
2. Then you heat it for one hour with the door closed, and then let it cool down.
3. To wipe all interior surfaces down with a damp cloth before first use. 

Saunas plug into a standard outlet at 110 V. You should purchase a switched outlet so that so that you would not have to unplug the sauna after every use.

Preparation for yourself

Lay off the drinking

A certain measure of alcohol in your body leads to dehydration, especially when you use an infrared sauna.

Loose-fitting clothing after

You are guaranteed to sweat a bit after taking an infrared sauna, so opt for something loose, breathable, and comfortable for the time.

Leave your smartphone

Smartphones are not allowed in infrared saunas, since the light and heat can mess with the hardware. Leave them out.

Taking the sauna

Drinking water

Plenty of water will help you feel better when taking a sauna and will allow you to sweat more.

Take a couple of towels

Take one towel to sit down on, and one to wipe when you start sweating. Sweat needs to be cleaned because the sweat will excrete toxins, including toxic metals.

Minimum of clothes

Wear the bare minimum of clothes (for example, a bathing suit).

When you cover your skin with clothes in an infrared sauna, your sweat can’t help cool you down by evaporating on your skin. As a result:

• there is a quick overheating of your body
• extreme dehydration
• hurdles before toxins ex-out and dry skin as results.

Time to relax

Time to relax with some music, radio, a film, etc. or in peace. 

You can add a colored LED strip around the door for an extra atmosphere. Of course, saunas have their light, but if you want to create a more pleasing or romantic atmosphere, why not. Lavender oil is great for aromatherapy and meditation.

After the sauna

After you’re done, leave the door open to dry any sweat that gets past the towels and on the interior wood.

Make time for cool-down

Ensure that you have enough time to get back to your core temp and wash away the sweat for 5-15 minutes under a cold shower again to the natural body’s detoxification processes. 

Do not leave extracted toxins on your skin. They’re absorbed back.

Clean the infrared sauna

1. Always unplug the sauna and allow it to cool down before any cleaning or maintenance.
2. Use furniture polish or furniture oil when cleaning the sauna’s exterior.
3. The interior sauna surfaces should only be wiped down with a damp cloth. Do NOT use chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or solvents on the unfinished interior wood.

As with all natural wood products, variations in the color and the grain, as well as irregularities such as knots and fine cracks, may be present. These characteristics are a part of the natural beauty of the wood and should not be considered defective.

Summary

A home infrared sauna is a big investment and, therefore, it’s essential to get a spa that meets your expectations. Let’s remind you of the winners of our detailed analysis.

The winner among the best — the Radiant Hemlock has excellent design and durability, perfect heating elements, and it is convenient for two people. This model is better than the others and has some extra features (therapy lights, CD/Radio, ionizer, etc.). Also, the Radiant spa provides a 5-year warranty, while other manufacturers give a 1-3 year warranty. 

The DYNAMIC Barcelona isn’t ideal for two people, but great for placement in small areas. It is easy to operate and performs all the essential spa functions well. Also, this sauna has Bluetooth, so you do not have to play with the cords.

Just plug it in and turn it on. “It’s hot in 15 minutes.” Sounds like a motto of the JNH Lifestyles Joyous. Fast heating is ensured by seven carbon fiber heaters and the compact size of the sauna. 

FAQ