Infrared vs traditional sauna comes down to what gets heated. A traditional sauna heats the air in the room with a stove full of rocks, so the whole space gets very hot and you can throw water on the stones for steam. An infrared sauna uses panels that warm your body more directly, so the air stays far cooler and the cabin often runs on a household outlet. That difference drives temperature, warm up time, wiring, placement and cost. Below we compare both using medical sources, manuals and our own listings. For the short version, see our home sauna buying guide.
Infrared vs traditional sauna: how each one heats
A traditional (Finnish style) sauna has an electric or wood burning stove topped with rocks. The stove heats the air and you sit in it. Heat rises: Harvia’s KIP heater manual gives an example room reading 180 F above the heater, 140 F at the upper bench and 120 F at the lower bench.
An infrared sauna has no stove or rocks. Emitter panels in the walls radiate heat toward you. Cleveland Clinic describes it this way: infrared lamps focus warmth directly on your skin, while traditional methods heat the air in the entire room.
Temperature and heat up time
Cleveland Clinic puts typical infrared sauna temperatures at 110 to 135 F and a traditional sauna at 150 to 195 F. Harvard Health notes that a sauna’s dry heat can reach 185 F. Our infrared listings agree: most top out at 65 C (149 F), and our outdoor red cedar cabin lists up to 60 C (140 F).
Warm up time:
- Infrared: the Clearlight Sanctuary owner’s manual says to allow about 10 to 15 minutes for the cabin to warm up before a session.
- Traditional electric: the Harvia KIP manual says to allow at least 30 minutes for the room to heat up and lists 160 to 185 F as normal sauna temperature.
- Dundalk outdoor barrel: the listing for the CT Elation gives heating times of about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on conditions.
Steam and loyly: only in a traditional sauna
Loyly is the burst of steam from ladling water onto hot rocks, and it only works with a heater built for it. Harvia’s manual says to heat the room for at least 30 minutes before pouring water, to pour only one or two dippers at a time, to use clean tap water only (pool or spa water can damage the elements and release chlorine gas), and never to pour water over exposed elements. Our Harvia KIP electric heater listing describes a large stone space for exactly that use.
Infrared cabins are dry by design, with no rocks to pour on. The Clearlight manual tells owners not to use the cabin near water and to dry off before going in, because excessive water will stain or warp the wood. Want steam? Buy traditional.
Electrical, placement and footprint
Most small infrared cabins plug into a 120V outlet, while traditional electric heaters need a dedicated 240V circuit sized by an electrician. Amps and breakers are covered in our home sauna electrical requirements guide. From our listings:
- The one person hemlock infrared sauna lists 120V, 1,420 W and a 15A plug, in a 35.4 x 35.4 x 76.4 inch footprint.
- The two person hemlock infrared sauna lists 120V, 1,780 W and a 15A plug, at 47.2 x 38.2 x 76.4 inches.
- The mini home infrared sauna lists 110V and 1,120 W in a 35.4 x 27.5 x 63.3 inch cabin.
- The Dundalk CT Georgian cabin recommends an 8 kW heater (or wood burning) for a 353 cubic foot room with a 7 x 7.2 foot interior.
Infrared cabins are mostly indoor units. Our outdoor double red cedar infrared sauna is an exception, rated at 2,250 W; its listing does not state a voltage, so call us before you plan the wiring. Traditional saunas go either way: the Dundalk CT Granby is a 6 x 6 foot outdoor cabin for 2 to 3 people with electric heater options only, while the CT Element Nook is an indoor traditional sauna for one to two bathers. For outdoor shapes, see barrel sauna vs cabin sauna, and for heat source, wood burning vs electric sauna heater.
Infrared sauna vs traditional sauna cost
Purchase price, based on our current listings:
- Infrared cabins: $1,239.99 for the mini cabin, $1,966.99 for the one person hemlock, $2,269.99 for the two person hemlock and $3,309.99 for the outdoor red cedar.
- Dundalk Leisurecraft traditional saunas: $6,137 for the CT Granby, $6,976 for the CT Elation barrel, $7,647 for the CT Georgian and $8,435 for the indoor CT Element Nook.
- The CT Elation listing states the heater is sold separately, so check each listing. Our Harvia KIP electric heater is $1,214.
The Leisurecraft (Dundalk) and Harvia websites point buyers to a dealer locator and we did not find a direct price, so we could not compare against one. Shipping is free on orders of $999 or more. See every model on our Dundalk Leisurecraft brand page.
Running cost (our own math, not a manufacturer figure): we used the US average residential electricity price of 18.31 cents per kWh for July 2026 from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (eia.gov/electricity/monthly). At full power for one hour, the 1,780 W infrared cabin uses 1.78 kWh, about 33 cents. A 4.5 kW heater uses 4.5 kWh, about 82 cents, and an 8 kW heater uses 8 kWh, about $1.46. Thermostats cycle once the room is hot, so real use should be lower, and your local rate may differ.
Side by side comparison
| Infrared sauna | Traditional sauna | |
|---|---|---|
| How it heats | Panels warm your body directly | Stove and rocks heat the room air |
| Typical temperature | 110 to 135 F (Cleveland Clinic) | 150 to 195 F (Cleveland Clinic) |
| Warm up | About 10 to 15 minutes (Clearlight manual) | At least 30 minutes (Harvia manual) |
| Steam | No, keep the cabin dry | Yes, water on the rocks |
| Power (our listings) | 110V to 120V, 1,120 to 1,780 W on indoor cabins | Dedicated 240V circuit for electric heaters, or wood |
| Placement | Mostly indoor | Indoor rooms or outdoor barrels and cabins |
| Our price range | $1,239.99 to $3,309.99 | $6,137 to $8,435, heater may be extra |
Which is better, infrared or traditional sauna?
- Pick infrared if you want a lower air temperature, a short warm up, a cabin that fits indoors on a household circuit and the lowest purchase price.
- Pick traditional if you want high heat and steam, a backyard sauna for several people, or the option of a wood stove with no electrical work.
- Either pairs with a cold plunge at home.
A note on health
Cleveland Clinic quotes a physician saying infrared saunas can be much more comfortable for people while delivering the same sort of benefits, and also cautioning that the research is still in its infancy. Harvard Health notes a sauna raises your pulse by 30 percent or more and advises staying in no more than 15 to 20 minutes and avoiding alcohol. For session lengths, see how long to stay in an infrared sauna. If you are pregnant, have a heart condition or blood pressure problems, or take medication, talk to your doctor before using either type.
Frequently asked questions
Infrared sauna vs dry sauna: what is the difference?
“Dry sauna” usually means a traditional sauna used without water on the rocks. Infrared cabins are also dry but run much cooler air because the panels heat you, not the room.
Can you pour water on an infrared sauna?
No. There are no rocks to create steam, and the Clearlight manual warns that excess water will stain or warp the wood. Use a towel on the bench instead.
Which costs less to run?
By our math using the EIA average rate, a 1,780 W infrared cabin costs about 33 cents per hour at full power, versus about 82 cents to $1.46 for a 4.5 to 8 kW traditional heater. A wood stove uses no electricity.
Can I put an infrared sauna outside?
Only one built for outdoor use, like our outdoor red cedar cabin. Call 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST) to check a listing’s specs. See our return and refund policy.
