Shopping for a home sauna usually starts with one big question: infrared or traditional? Both give you a warm, relaxing place to unwind, but they work differently, fit in different spaces, and suit different routines. Here's a plain-English comparison to help you choose.
How each one heats
Traditional saunas use an electric or wood-burning heater, often topped with sauna stones, to heat the air in the room. Many people pour water over the stones to create a burst of steam. Air temperatures run high, and the experience feels like the classic sauna you'd find at a gym or spa.
Infrared saunas use infrared panels that warm you more directly, with lower air temperatures than a traditional sauna. The heat feels gentler, and there's no water or steam.
Side-by-side comparison
| Infrared | Traditional | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Gentler, lower air temperature | Hotter air, optional steam |
| Warm-up time | Usually quicker | Usually longer |
| Where it goes | Mostly indoors: spare room, basement, home gym | Indoors or outdoors, including backyard barrel and cabin saunas |
| Power | Many compact models plug into a standard outlet; some need a dedicated circuit | Electric heaters typically need a dedicated circuit run by an electrician; wood-burning needs no electricity |
| Installation | Panels assemble indoors | Outdoor models need a level base and freight delivery planning |
Choose infrared if…
- You want a sauna inside your home with a small footprint.
- You prefer gentler heat and a quick warm-up.
- You'd rather avoid major electrical or outdoor site work.
Browse Home Infrared Saunas, or narrow by size with 2 Person and 3 Person models.
Choose traditional if…
- You love high heat and the ritual of pouring water on the stones.
- You want a backyard sauna that becomes a feature of your outdoor space.
- You want the option of wood-burning heat.
Browse Outdoor Cedar Saunas and Barrel Saunas, or read Barrel Sauna vs. Cabin Sauna to compare outdoor shapes.
A few questions to ask yourself
- Where will it go? Indoors points toward infrared; a backyard points toward traditional.
- How many people will use it at once? Size up if you'll share it often.
- What power do you have? Check each product page and talk to an electrician before ordering.
- How do you like your heat? Gentle and dry, or hot with steam?
Still deciding?
Our Buyer's Guide covers sizes, materials, and heaters in more detail, and our Delivery & Site Prep page explains what to expect on delivery day. You can also contact us with your space and we'll help you narrow it down.