Full spectrum vs far infrared sauna comes down to which heaters are in the walls. A far infrared sauna uses carbon or ceramic panels that run warm, not glowing hot, and give off mostly long wave infrared. A full spectrum sauna keeps those far infrared panels and adds near and mid infrared emitters, usually small lamps or extra heaters, so you get a wider spread of wavelengths in one cabin.
The heat you feel and how you use the cabin are very similar. The real differences are price, heater count, and whether you want the extra near infrared. Our current infrared lineup is far infrared models, so this guide explains both types and shows what we carry.
Full spectrum vs far infrared sauna: the wavelengths
Infrared is light with wavelengths longer than visible red. Sauna marketing borrows the standard band names. The table below follows the infrared band schemes summarized on Wikipedia, which cites the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) and ISO 20473.
| ISO 20473 band | ISO range | Matching CIE bands |
|---|---|---|
| Near infrared (NIR) | 0.78 to 3 microns | IR-A (780 to 1,400 nm) and IR-B (1,400 to 3,000 nm) |
| Mid infrared (MIR) | 3 to 50 microns | IR-C (3 to 1,000 microns) |
| Far infrared (FIR) | 50 to 1,000 microns | IR-C (3 to 1,000 microns) |
Note that under ISO 20473, “far infrared” starts at 50 microns. Sauna makers use the term loosely for the long wave heat that warm carbon and ceramic panels give off, so on a sauna it is a product category, not a lab measurement. If a seller quotes a wavelength, ask how it was measured.
What “full spectrum sauna” means in practice
There is no standard that defines a full spectrum sauna. In marketing, it means the cabin has heaters aimed at near, mid and far infrared, not just far. Designs vary a lot:
- Some put far infrared panels on most walls and a separate full spectrum heater on one wall. Clearlight’s spec page for its Sanctuary 2, for example, lists far infrared heaters on the back, sides, under the bench and floor, with “full spectrum heaters located on the front wall,” and an optional full spectrum upgrade rated at 300 watts.
- Some add halogen or incandescent style lamps, which glow and give off near infrared plus visible light.
- Some add LED panels for red and near infrared light, often sold as light therapy rather than heat.
Compare what is actually installed: how many near infrared emitters, their wattage, where they sit, and whether they switch on separately.
Near infrared sauna lamps and LEDs: be careful with claims
A lamp based near infrared sauna feels different from a panel sauna. Lamps glow, run much hotter at the surface, and concentrate energy in a small spot, so follow the maker’s distance guidance and keep children and pets away from hot lamps.
Near infrared LEDs are often promoted for skin and recovery. Near infrared light is studied clinically (photobiomodulation), but with specific devices and doses, so do not assume a sauna’s lamps or LED strip reproduce those results. Treat such statements as manufacturer claims. Strong infrared in industrial high heat settings can harm the eyes, so do not stare into bright heat lamps.
Far infrared sauna heaters: carbon vs ceramic
Far infrared saunas use either wide, thin carbon panels that spread gentle heat, or ceramic rods that run hotter in a smaller area. Neither is a full spectrum heater on its own. We cover the tradeoffs and EMF claims in our low EMF infrared sauna guide.
Temperature, heat up and running cost
Both types run cooler than a rock stove sauna. Cleveland Clinic puts infrared saunas at 110 to 135 F and traditional saunas at 150 to 195 F. The far infrared models we carry list a maximum of 149 F or 151 F.
Near infrared emitters do not by themselves make the cabin hotter; they add focused heat where they point. Heat up time depends on cabin size, room temperature and wattage, so go by the owner’s manual. For heat up and electrical needs versus a traditional cabin, see infrared vs traditional sauna.
Running cost is watts divided by 1,000, times hours, times your electric rate. A 1,725 W cabin uses about 1.7 kWh per hour at full output; full spectrum emitters add their own wattage.
Side by side comparison
| Factor | Far infrared sauna | Full spectrum sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Heaters | Carbon or ceramic panels | Far panels plus near and mid infrared emitters |
| How the heat feels | Even, gentle warmth | Similar, plus brighter spot heat near lamps |
| Visible glow | Little or none | Often yes (lamps or LEDs) |
| Price | Lower for the same size | Usually higher (more heaters and controls) |
| Wattage | Panels only | Panels plus extra emitters |
| Best for | Relaxed, regular sweat sessions | Buyers who want near infrared and will pay for it |
Which one suits you?
Choose far infrared if you want a warm, gentle cabin for regular sessions on a budget. You get the core sauna experience for less.
Consider full spectrum if you specifically want near infrared and the price gap fits your budget. Ask whether the near infrared emitters run separately and what they add to total wattage.
A note on health
Cleveland Clinic describes possible benefits such as relaxation and easing muscle soreness, but notes more research is needed, especially on infrared saunas, and lists reasons to avoid saunas, including pregnancy. Harvard Health advises people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease to check with their doctors first. Neither source shows that full spectrum beats far infrared for health. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medication, talk to your doctor before using any sauna. For session length, see how long to stay in an infrared sauna.
Far infrared saunas we carry
These SteamSpa hemlock cabins use low EMF carbon far infrared panels, per their listings. Prices were current at the time of writing. The listings do not state voltage or plug type, so call to confirm before ordering.
- Lucia 1-Person Carbon Far Infrared Sauna: 1 person, 1,725 W, up to 151 F and 90 minutes, about $1,799.99. The listing adds an under bench NIR heater to the carbon panels; it is not sold as a full spectrum sauna.
- SteamSpa Viti 2-Person Far Infrared Sauna: 2 person, 1,725 W, up to 151 F, about $1,999.99.
- Seychelles 2-Person Far Infrared Sauna: 2 person, 1,800 W, up to 149 F, about $2,349.99.
- Maldives 2-Person Far Infrared Sauna: 2 person, 1,800 W, up to 149 F, about $2,499.99.
- Fiji 2-Person Far Infrared Sauna: 2 person, 2,020 W, up to 149 F, about $2,859.99. The listing pairs the carbon panels with a “redlight heating tube.”
- Curacao 3-Person Far Infrared Sauna: 3 person, 2,300 W, up to 149 F, about $3,089.99.
- Mauritius 5-Person Far Infrared Sauna: 5 person, 2,250 W, up to 149 F, about $3,489.99.
For sizing and placement, see our home sauna buying guide. A licensed electrician and local code have the final word on wiring.
Frequently asked questions
Is a full spectrum sauna better than a far infrared sauna?
Not automatically. A full spectrum sauna adds near and mid infrared emitters to far infrared panels. That costs more, and the medical sources we checked do not show it beats far infrared for health. It comes down to whether you want the extra emitters.
What is a near infrared sauna?
A near infrared sauna uses lamps or LEDs that emit shorter infrared wavelengths, roughly 780 nm to 1,400 nm (IR-A). Lamp saunas glow and heat in a more focused way than panel saunas, so follow the maker’s distance guidance.
Do you sell full spectrum saunas?
Not right now. Our current infrared lineup is far infrared models. A couple add a near infrared or red light element per their listings, but none is sold as a full spectrum sauna.
Carbon vs ceramic heaters: does it matter here?
Both are far infrared heaters, so neither makes a sauna full spectrum. Our low EMF guide compares them.
Talk to us
Want help choosing a far infrared sauna or confirming the electrical needs of a model? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping, with a $200 flat rate below that. You can read our return and refund policy before you buy.
