How do I choose the best infrared sauna for me?

If you search the internet for the best infrared sauna, you'll find a wealth of unfiltered information about various models and brands.

Even if such infrared sauna guides are well-intentioned, many people simply feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and options. This makes choosing a heat cabin only slightly easier.

But which infrared sauna is really the best for me? Only you can answer this question yourself. However, we would like to make your decision a little easier.

Here you will find some useful tips on what to look for when buying and how to avoid falling for cheap manufacturers.

What makes the best infrared sauna?

Not all infrared saunas are created equal. Even if most models appear to be of equal quality at first glance, a closer look reveals clear differences in the products.

So what should you look for in an infrared sauna? Especially for laypeople, the various aspects are usually not clearly apparent, and some products only differ in subtle but important nuances.

Ultimately, it's not about buying the most beautiful or largest product, but about finding the best infrared sauna for you personally, with good value for money and optimal health benefits.

Full spectrum or far infrared heaters?

If you're considering buying an infrared sauna, you've probably already come across the different infrared heaters.

Essentially, you need to know that infrared radiation is divided into short-wave A radiation, medium-wave B radiation, and long-wave C radiation. They have different penetration depths and are all used for therapeutic purposes.

Many infrared saunas on the market will feature far-infrared heaters. Far infrared penetrates deep into the skin and provides not only soothing warmth but also extensive therapeutic effects.

A full-spectrum infrared heater emits all three infrared wavelengths: near, medium, and far infrared. These powerful heaters therefore offer additional health benefits.

However, your choice ultimately depends on you, as both types of heaters have great effects on the human body.

By the way, the myth that using an infrared sauna can be dangerous or even harmful to health due to radiation, persists in some circles.

However, there is no scientific work that could confirm such rumors. Scientifically speaking, the use of an infrared sauna is absolutely harmless and even health-promoting.

Outdoor or Indoor?

When choosing a model, you should of course also ask yourself whether you prefer to sauna indoors or outdoors.

If space permits, you can choose between indoor and outdoor models. The biggest difference here is the conditions the infrared sauna has to withstand.

Even if infrared saunas for outdoor use are generally made of extra-robust material, they should not be placed freestanding in the garden. A covered spot with a solid surface and, of course, a weatherproof Schuko socket would be more suitable.

For indoor infrared saunas in your home, you only need to consider the space and normal power connections nearby.

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Wood and manufacturing

Another important point regarding infrared saunas for home use is the material. Unfortunately, with inexpensive products, manufacturers sometimes cut corners in production, which leads to lower quality and faster wear and tear.

In any case, you should look for ecologically certified, A-grade wood.

Popular wood types include spruce, hemlock, linden, cedar, or Swiss stone pine. Those who rely on one of these woods will be rewarded with robust, durable material.

Depending on your taste, you should also consider that cedar and Swiss stone pine, in particular, have a very intense scent. These wood types emit a pleasant, comforting aroma, which some people might find bothersome in the long run.

If you prefer to use neutral woods, you can, however, equip your infrared sauna with the necessary aromatherapy accessories. This allows you to choose between various essential oils with different effects, depending on the situation.

You should also pay attention to the glass doors and the lights in the cabin. Some prefer larger glass fronts, while others prefer a specific, dimmed light color.

Size and Space

Equally important, of course, are the dimensions of the heat cabin. Right at the beginning, you should find out how much space you actually have available for the infrared sauna at home.

If there is enough space, you can then consider how many people you want to use the heat cabin with at the same time.

The most common size for private use is a commercially available 2-person infrared sauna.

But be careful - not all 2-person infrared saunas have the same dimensions!

If you opt for a larger model, this naturally brings several advantages.

On the one hand, several people can sauna at the same time, or you can use the heat cabin lying down. On the other hand, in a 4-person infrared sauna or larger cabins, you also have space for stretching in the sauna.

Practical Tips for Buying an Infrared Sauna

What else should you look for when buying an infrared sauna? We'll tell you. With the following tips, you can distinguish the best infrared saunas from products of inferior quality, even without experience.

• Low EMF exposure

Almost all electronic devices generate electromagnetic fields (EMF). While these are part of our daily lives, a reduction of them would nevertheless be advisable.

The study situation is sparse, but electrosmog can be an additional burden in everyday life, especially for sensitive people.

To fully enjoy all the health benefits of an infrared sauna, Clearlight experts have developed True Wave™ far infrared and full spectrum infrared heaters.

They are unique on the market and have by far the lowest EMF values.

• Position of the heaters

While we're on the subject of heaters, you should also pay attention to the position of the infrared emitters. This determines how much infrared heat is actually directed at your body.

From experience, we know that the emitters in a high-quality infrared sauna are positioned so that the maximum amount of light is directed at the most prominent parts of the body.

Keep away from products where the infrared emitter is above the head.

A heat cabin with heaters in the back wall, side walls, in the leg area, with radiation from the front and, in the best case, underfloor heating, is better.

• Warranty

The warranty also plays a role when you want to buy an infrared sauna.

Clearlight infrared saunas, for example, all come with a lifetime warranty. This means that all products for private use meet the highest quality requirements and the corresponding warranty is included in the price.

• Additional equipment

There are numerous options to enhance your infrared sauna experience. While some products already include certain extras as standard, others need to be installed separately.

Popular additional features, usually already built-in, include Bluetooth sound systems, speakers, ergonomic benches, or various color lights.

Additionally, you can get accessories for red light therapy, aromatherapy, halotherapy, as well as a special ergonomic backrest or special floor mats.

• Heater material

Another important consideration for infrared saunas is the material of the infrared emitters.

A popular material for this, for example, is carbon. But ceramic has also proven to be a safe, robust, and durable material.

For the highest thermal emissivity and performance, Clearlight has launched a unique blend of both efficient materials.

With this, you have the best prerequisites to enjoy long-wave infrared heat and highest performance.

• Warm-up time

Before buying a heat cabin, you should pay attention to the warm-up time. An infrared cabin heats up to about 40°C. How long the emitters need for this depends, among other things, on the outside temperature, but heating should not take longer than 20 minutes.

• Running costs

The costs of operating an infrared sauna naturally vary with current electricity prices. Nevertheless, there are more powerful and less powerful products, and not every infrared sauna offers the same performance.

You should therefore inquire about the power of the emitters and calculate the approximate consumption of use in advance.

How to enjoy your infrared sauna for a particularly long time

Since infrared saunas provide dry heat, they fortunately require little care and cleaning.

The interior of the cabin can usually simply be wiped down with a damp cloth.

It's best to do a light cleaning after each use, and if you use it regularly, try to do a more thorough cleaning every two weeks or so. This will keep your infrared sauna in top condition.

Thorough cleaning also includes vacuuming the floor of the heat cabin. This is because it is heavily used, which is why dirt and bacteria usually accumulate there. Don't worry, a handheld vacuum cleaner can help here.

And what about the sauna bench? The sauna bench is the area that is most used during your sauna sessions. For this reason, you should pay special attention to keeping it clean.

As a precaution, you should place a towel underneath each time you use it. This absorbs sweat and thus protects the bench.

Additionally, you can clean the sauna bench afterwards with a damp cloth. Sweat stains are normal and no cause for concern. If stains appear, you can easily remove them by lightly sanding the area.

Those who care for and regularly maintain their infrared sauna will enjoy it for a long time.

If you would like to know more about infrared saunas, we at Clearlight are happy to advise you.

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