Traditional Sauna vs Infrared Sauna: What’s Best for You

Understanding the Two Sauna Types

When people talk about “saunas”, they’re generally referring to two main types: traditional saunas (also called steam or Finnish saunas) and infrared saunas. Though both are designed to make you sweat and relax, they use different methods to generate heat — and that means quite different experiences and benefits.

• Traditional sauna: uses a stove (electric or wood-burning) to heat rocks and air, often supplemented by water poured over the rocks to create steam and humidity. The air temperature typically ranges from 70–100 °C.

• Infrared sauna: uses infrared (IR) panels or heaters. Instead of heating the air, infrared rays penetrate the skin and warm your body directly. Operating temperatures are considerably lower — usually 45–60 °C (some sources cite 50–65 °C) — but the body still sweats as if in traditional heat.

1. Traditional Sauna vs Infrared Sauna: Core Differences

Heat Method

Traditional sauna: Heats the air first, which then heats your body.

Infrared sauna: Heats your body directly using infrared waves.

This is why infrared sessions feel more tolerable even though they can produce an intense sweat.

2. The Role of Stress in Healing

Temperature & Comfort

Traditional: Very hot, high humidity if steam is used.

Infrared: Lower temperature, dry heat, more comfortable for beginners or those sensitive to intense heat.

Many UK and Australian buyers choose infrared saunas specifically because the temperature is easier to manage at home.

3. Installation Requirements

Traditional saunas generally require more space, ventilation, and often a dedicated room or outdoor cabin.

Infrared saunas are typically plug-and-play, compact, and designed to fit easily into spare rooms, home gyms, garages, or apartments.

This difference makes infrared saunas especially suitable for urban UK homes or modern Australian properties.

4. Energy Use & Running Costs

Traditional saunas use more electricity because they need to heat the entire room, including rocks and humidity.

Infrared saunas are more energy-efficient, heat up faster, and usually have significantly lower running costs.

For regular daily or weekly use, infrared is often the more economical option.

5. Session Length

Traditional: Shorter sessions (10–20 minutes) due to the intense air temperature.

Infrared: Longer, more relaxed sessions (20–40 minutes) thanks to lower heat levels.

If you want a sauna that you can comfortably use multiple times a week, the infrared option is often the more practical choice.

Health & Wellness Benefits

Both sauna types offer widely recognised wellness benefits, including:

• Relaxation and stress reduction

• Improved circulation

• Relief from muscle tension

• Enhanced post-exercise recovery

• Support for general wellbeing

Infrared saunas may provide additional advantages:

• Deeper heat penetration into muscles and tissues

• Faster sweating at lower temperatures

• Potentially improved joint comfort and mobility

• More accessible for users who cannot tolerate extreme heat or steam

Traditional saunas excel for:

• The classic sauna ritual experience

• Steam-filled sessions that feel deeply cleansing

• Fast and intense heat preferred by sauna enthusiasts

Which Sauna Is Right for You?

Here is a quick guide for UK and Australian buyers:

Choose an Infrared Sauna If:

• You want a home sauna that is easy to install and maintain

• You prefer gentler, more comfortable heat

• You want lower energy bills and faster heat-up times

• You live in a flat, small home, or modern apartment

• You want consistent, longer wellness or recovery sessions

Choose a Traditional Sauna If:

• You enjoy the classic Scandinavian sauna experience

• You want powerful steam and high-temperature sessions

• You have the space and ventilation needed for installation

• You prefer short, intense heat bursts rather than longer sessions

Why Infrared Saunas Are Booming in the UK & Australia

Infrared saunas have seen significant growth across both regions due to:

• Rising interest in home wellness and recovery

• Smaller property sizes that favour compact sauna solutions

• Lower running costs compared with traditional setups

• A broader appeal, particularly for people who struggle with extreme heat

As wellness routines become part of everyday life, many homeowners now view infrared saunas as a long-term investment in health, stress relief, and recovery.

Final Thoughts

Both traditional and infrared saunas deliver meaningful wellness benefits, but they provide very different experiences. Choosing the right sauna depends on your preferences for heat intensity, energy efficiency, space, installation requirements, and lifestyle.

For many UK and Australian households, infrared saunas offer the ideal balance of convenience, comfort, and health benefits — making them the increasingly popular choice for modern home wellness.