How to Choose an Infrared Sauna: A Buyer’s Guide + Health Benefits

Using an infrared sauna at home with chromotherapy lighting

Saunas can have tremendous health benefits, so finding a sauna that will last you for years to come is the best return on your investment, both for your health and your pocketbook.

A good infrared sauna is going to be one that has low EMF, safe materials, is durable, has clinical evidence of benefits, and has good ratings from healthcare professionals who recommend them.

Using a sauna can help change your life, so this post will walk through what to look for and how to use one well.

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Why use an infrared sauna at home?

Sauna use is healthy, especially when you use one at least 4 times a week.

Many cultures across the world have long known about heat therapy and have used it to improve all sorts of ailments.

For example, the use of a sauna can be helpful, from pain relief to enhanced mental well-being and reducing the risk of some types of cancers.

While other healthy lifestyle habits like a nutritious diet and exercise go a long way, using a sauna can dampen down inflammation even further.

Cost-effective and time-effective

In order to get to the spa or gym 4-6 times a week, you will have to shell out a lot of cash over time.

The average spa visit runs at least $10-15 per session. Multiply that by 4-6 times a week over the course of a year, and you’re looking at several thousand dollars annually.

Some gym memberships include sauna access, but these are often dry saunas.

Dry saunas require a lot more time of sitting and waiting for the core temperature to increase to reap the same benefits of much shorter times in an infrared sauna. Time is precious.

Home infrared sauna perks

From a health clinician’s perspective, these are the biggest reasons to have a sauna at home:

• You will be more likely to use it on a regular basis
  • Regular use is critical to reap the health benefits
• Over the course of the year, it can easily offset the cost of gym or spa sauna access
• More than one family member can reap the benefits at no extra cost
• No sharing of tight spaces with other people, so less risk of catching a virus or bacteria
• Infrared saunas are readily available for home use

Don’t get me wrong, if you have a gym that has a sauna and you feel good about going there, keep doing that. Be aware, though, that you likely won’t know the EMF output of these saunas, so it’s worth asking.

What to look for in a quality infrared sauna

Here are the big criteria to consider when comparing infrared saunas:

Indoor or outdoor sauna?

This is largely a matter of preference, but you shouldn’t choose a cheap sauna for outdoor use due to electrical considerations and weather durability.

The health benefits of infrared saunas are the same regardless of placement, so the choice comes down to space and preference. An outdoor infrared sauna might make sense if you have a pool or spa area outdoors, while an indoor sauna offers more privacy and protection from the elements.

If you do go the outdoor route, look for a model rated for outdoor use and plan for weather covering during off-seasons.

Staying hydrated and replenishing minerals

If you use your sauna regularly and sweat a lot, plan to drink extra water – at minimum an additional 32 ounces on sauna days – and hydrate before you get in.

When you sweat, you lose minerals, including sodium, sometimes significantly. One study of steelworkers who sweat intensely on the job found losses of up to 9 grams of salt a day. There’s no exact formula for how much salt any one person loses – people vary a lot in this regard.

You also lose magnesium when you sweat, though research suggests it’s typically less than potassium or sodium loss [R]. Sauna use may also increase your needs for potassium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C [R].

Listen to your body and take breaks if you notice cramping or other signs of mineral depletion. A quality daily vitamin and mineral supplement can help fill any gaps, and trace mineral support from fulvic acid is another option worth learning about.

Benefits of infrared sauna

Many people find that sitting in a dry sauna can feel suffocating due to the high heat. One advantage of infrared saunas is that they’re often more comfortable at lower temperatures because the heat penetrates more deeply.

Research shows sauna use is associated with benefits across nearly every area of health. Here’s an overview:

• Regular sauna use (4-7 times a week) is associated with better heart health
• Sauna use is linked to reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, lower blood pressure, and may help improve cholesterol
• Sauna use may help stabilize heart rate, which is relevant for those managing thyroid-related heart rate abnormalities
• Burns calories and may support weight management
• Triggers heat shock proteins, which may help dampen inflammation – frequent sauna users have shown lower levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein
• May reduce pain in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
• Better sleep and fewer sick days reported among regular users
• Supports detoxification by sweating out heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and mercury
  • Pairing sauna use with heavy metal-supportive foods can add to this effect – cilantro and chlorella are two options
• Better immune function, including fewer cold symptoms
• Helps reduce stress by supporting relaxation

For a deeper overview of the research, visit Thyroid Nutrition Educators.

Safety

According to Thyroid Nutrition Educators, sauna use is generally considered safe. Mild side effects can occur, and caution is warranted for people with orthostatic hypotension. Studies have demonstrated safety even in populations with congestive heart failure, though anyone with a cardiovascular condition should check with their physician before starting sauna use.

DIY infrared sauna

If you want to avoid the cost of a pre-built unit, you can build your own.

Keep in mind that you’ll want to avoid toxic glues and flammable materials, so there’s some homework involved. You’ll also need a dedicated space that can handle sustained high temperatures. For more information, visit Infrared Light Therapy.

Where to buy

Infrared sauna reviews often link to Amazon-listed products for convenience. A reasonably well-reviewed option is the Dynamic Infrared Sauna, which uses natural reforested Canadian Hemlock wood with far infrared heat from 6 carbon PureTech™ ultra-low EMF heat panels.

Whichever brand you consider, use the buying criteria above – low EMF, non-toxic materials, warranty, and third-party testing – to compare your options and choose what best fits your space and budget.