The difference between an infrared and a traditional sauna is what gets heated. A traditional sauna heats the air and a pile of stones with a wood or electric stove, usually to 150 to 195°F, and you can pour water on the stones for steam. An infrared sauna uses panels that warm your body directly, so the air stays cooler, about 110 to 135°F, and there is little or no steam. Neither is better for everyone; the right one is the heat you enjoy.
This guide compares both side by side: how they work, how a session feels, what installation needs, and how to choose. In short, we sell traditional saunas only, and we say why below.
Infrared vs traditional sauna at a glance
| Traditional sauna | Infrared sauna | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Wood or electric stove with stones | Infrared panels in the walls |
| What gets hot | The air, the stones, then you | Mainly your body |
| Typical air temperature | 150 to 195°F | 110 to 135°F |
| Steam (löyly) | Yes, water on the stones | Little or none |
| Works without electricity | Yes, with a wood-burning stove | No |
| Power for electric models | Dedicated 240V circuit | Small cabins often 120V; larger ones 240V |
| Session feel | Intense, shorter rounds | Milder, builds slowly |
| Sold by Domaform | Yes, every model | No |
Temperature ranges: Cleveland Clinic.
How does a traditional sauna work?
A traditional sauna heats the air in a wood room with a stove and a load of stones. The stove burns wood or runs on electricity, and the stones store the heat. When you ladle water on them, a wave of steam called löyly rolls through the room and makes it feel hotter for a moment.
Heat rises, so the top bench is the hottest seat. As a result, you control the heat three ways: the stove setting, the amount of water, and where you sit. Read what a traditional sauna is and how hot a sauna should be for the details.
How does an infrared sauna work?
An infrared sauna uses panels that give off radiant heat, much like the warmth you feel from the sun on a cool day. The heat reaches your skin directly, so the air does not need to be as hot. There are no stones, so there is little or no steam.
Infrared cabins are usually small, often for one to four people, and many are built for indoor rooms. Without stones, there is also no löyly, the Finnish word for sauna steam.
What does a session feel like?
A traditional sauna feels intense from the moment you open the door. The hot air is on your skin and in your lungs, you sweat quickly, and most people do short rounds with breaks to cool off.
An infrared session starts mild. The heat builds slowly, the air feels easier to breathe, and people often stay in longer at a time. So if very hot air feels too much for you, infrared may suit you better. On the other hand, if you want steam, a crackling wood fire or a cold plunge between hot rounds, that is the traditional sauna experience.
Is infrared or traditional sauna better for health?
We do not make health claims. When it comes to sauna types, a Cleveland Clinic doctor says there is no clear indication that dry heat or wet heat is better. Both types share the same caution: talk to your doctor first if you have a heart condition, blood pressure issues, are pregnant or have another health concern, and skip the claims about detox or weight loss (the weight you lose while sweating is water).
Installation: power, space and placement
For many buyers, the setup decides faster than preference. Here is what each type needs.
Infrared sauna
- Small one- and two-person cabins often plug into a standard 120V outlet on a dedicated 15-amp circuit; larger four-person models need 240V, according to the infrared maker Backyard Discovery.
- Most models are made for indoor rooms such as a basement, garage or spare room.
- No chimney and no water.
Traditional sauna
- Electric heater: a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician.
- Wood-burning stove: no power at all, but a chimney run and clearances around the stove. See how to choose a wood-burning sauna stove.
- Outdoor models stand on a level base: a gravel pad, pavers or a concrete slab. Read where to put a barrel sauna.
- A permit check with your building department.
Maintenance
Both are low-maintenance rooms. After a traditional sauna session, leave the door open so the wood dries, wipe the benches, and with a wood stove empty the ash once it is cold. Over time, replace cracked stones. Outdoor cedar saunas also need exterior care; see our cedar sauna care guide. An infrared cabin has no stones or water, so care is mostly wiping the benches and keeping the panels clean, as the maker's manual describes.
Infrared or traditional: how to choose
- Choose infrared if you want a small indoor cabin, prefer milder air and longer sessions, and do not need steam.
- Choose traditional if you want hot air and steam, a backyard sauna, the option to heat with wood, or rounds with a cold plunge in between.
- Not sure? Try both at a gym or spa. How the heat feels to you is the best test.
Traditional outdoor saunas we sell
Every sauna we sell is a traditional sauna. Prices for the Canadian Timber kits are for the sauna only; you choose the heater separately.
| Sauna | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Timber MiniPOD | Cedar pod kit, 4 people | $5,956.50 |
| Canadian Timber Harmony | Cedar barrel kit, 4 people | $5,976.50 |
| Canadian Timber Luna | Rounded cabin kit, electric only | $7,391.50 |
| Canadian Timber Avalon | Cabin kit, three bench tiers | $11,344.50 |
| Sweaty Yeti Sauna | Finished sauna house with heater, 4 to 6 people | $29,700 |
Heaters: the Harvia KIP ($1,211), the Homecraft Revive (from $2,986), the Huum DROP with WiFi (from $3,097) and the wood-burning TimberGlow 14 (from $2,339). For a full budget, read how much an outdoor sauna costs.
Infrared vs traditional sauna: FAQ
Is an infrared sauna a real sauna?
It is sold as one, but it works differently. A traditional sauna heats air and stones and gives you steam; an infrared cabin warms the body with panels and has little or no steam.
Which gets hotter, infrared or traditional?
A traditional sauna. The air usually reaches 150 to 195°F, compared with about 110 to 135°F in an infrared cabin.
What is the downside of an infrared sauna?
No steam, cooler air, and it always needs electricity. If you love the löyly of a Finnish sauna or want to heat with wood, infrared will feel different.
What is the downside of a traditional sauna?
It needs more setup: a 240V circuit for an electric heater or a chimney for a wood stove. The hot air also feels too intense for some people.
Can you put an infrared sauna outside?
Some models are made for outdoor use, but many are indoor cabins. Check the maker's instructions. For outdoor use, traditional barrel, pod and cabin saunas are the common choice.
Can you add steam to an infrared sauna?
No. There are no hot stones, and the panels are not made for water. If you want steam, you need a traditional sauna heater. See sauna vs steam room for more on dry and wet heat.
Find your traditional sauna
Browse outdoor saunas and sauna heaters, or compare models in the best outdoor saunas. Questions? Call +1 (307) 309-8328.