Saunas are very popular due to the health benefits that they give. These include purifying the skin and detoxifying the body as a result of the heat, which causes you to sweat.
However, as technology evolves, there is a new range of saunas that use infrared technology to raise the room temperature, as opposed to the traditional heat sources. This makes them safer to use, faster and more energy-efficient.
Infrared light is also able to penetrate the skin, and this heals the dermis and epidermis while also improving your skin tone. That said, this article looks at the best infrared saunas that you should consider buying in the market.
What To Check Before Buying Best Infrared Sauna?
1. Near or Far Infrared Sauna
There are 2 main types of infrared saunas to consider. These are:
Far infrared saunas
These saunas are very popular and feature heating elements that emit light from the far infrared wavelength range. This produced light does not penetrate the body as much as near infrared, but it does offer some light treatment.
The biggest problem with far infrared is that it usually emits high levels of EMF, which is a little harmful.
On the bright side, many manufacturers are actively looking at ways of reducing these high EMF levels and as a result, there are many low EMF far infrared units that are emerging in the market.
Near-infrared saunas
Near-infrared is quite powerful, with the ability to penetrate the body up to 9 inches deep, giving a very good heat therapy. This wavelength also emits very low levels of EMF and allows for a cooler sauna space while keeping the body heated up.
Buying Guide: there is no doubt that near infrared saunas are better. However, the way that they are built (having tent-like enclosures) makes them less popular as compared to the wood and glass far infrared unit like Dynamic’s AMZ-DYN-6210-01 above.
2. Capacity
This is definitely something to consider because big is not always better. The bigger the sauna, the more expensive it will be to maintain in terms of power costs.
The best thing to do is to buy an infrared sauna that has the capacity to fit everyone in the family who enjoys some detox. If you are the only one, buy a single or 2-person unit. Otherwise, buy according to the number of interested parties.
3. Heater
In considering the heaters, there are 2 major types that are used:
Ceramic
Ceramic heaters were the initial elements that were used when infrared saunas were emerging. The problem with them is that they heated up to very high temperatures and emitted the heat from a narrow point, which was not very effective.
Carbon
The newer carbon heaters such as those in JNH Lifestyles’ MG301HCB are usually in the form of panels, and these give better heat distribution in the cabin.
They do not heat up to extremely high temperatures like ceramic heaters and thus, should be highly considered.
4. Wood Material
Most of the high-end infrared saunas such as JNH Lifestyles’ MG217HB are made using high-quality hemlock wood, which is very strong and durable.
This gives you a very sturdy product that can last for ages without the wooden frame showing any sign of weakness. Therefore, for the best performance, consider buying a sauna that has such a strong construction.
5. Portability
Even though a sauna would look good when fixed at a certain corner in your bathroom, there are instances where a small and portable unit would come in handy.
For example, if you have a small bathroom, the only solution is to buy a small, portable sauna like SereneLife’s SLISAU10BK, which can be set up in either of the rooms in the house, then folded for storage after use.
6. Additional Features
Apart from having the tools for detoxifying your body, a good infrared sauna should have additional features such as a music system to keep you entertained as you spend a couple of minutes inside.
Features such as oxygen ionizers can be very useful for purifying the air while chromotherapy lighting would help give you a complete treatment by ridding your body from anxiety.
With that in mind, Radiant Saunas’ BSA2409 is well-equipped with these features and is a good option to consider.
9 Best Infrared Saunas of 2021 Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. JNH Lifestyles MG217HB (Best Overall) |
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2. JNH Lifestyles MG301HCB (Best JNH Lifestyles) |
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3. Radiant Saunas BSA2409 (Best for Chromotherapy) |
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4. SereneLife SLISAU10BK (Best Portable) |
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5. Heatwave SA2420DX (Best Compact 4-person Sauna) |
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6. JNH Lifestyles NE1HB1 (Safest) |
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7. Dynamic AMZ-DYN-6210-01 (Low EMF) |
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8. Dynamic Saunas AMZ-DYN-6106-01 (Easy-to-use) |
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9. Radiant Saunas BSA2418 (4-person Sauna with Oxygen Ionizer) |
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1. JNH Lifestyles MG217HB – Best Overall
- Capacity: 2
- Material: Canadian Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 47.3 x 39.5 x 75 inches
- Weight: 250 pounds
Top of the list is JNH Lifestyles’ 2-person infrared sauna, which is the best overall because of a number of reasons. For starters, it has a double wall construction that is very effective at trapping the heat inside.
These walls are made using high-quality Canadian Hemlock wood, which is very strong and has a tongue and groove construction that makes the sauna easy to assemble tool free.
To access the inside, the unit features a see-through door that is made using a special safety glass that can handle the high temperatures as the cabin heats up.
For controls, a digital control panel is equipped on the inside for adjusting all the temperature settings as well as the duration of your session. This panel is designed to have a very intuitive interface and thus, it is very easy to use.
For the actual heating, seven carbon fiber far infrared heaters are used, and they are strategically placed at the backside and calf areas to maximize the heating area and effect.
Other features include LED interior lighting, two premium speakers, a volume rocker and an amplifier as part of the sound system, with a 3.5 mm auxiliary port to connect to any portable audio device.
Pros:
- A double wall construction for heat insulation
- The tongue-and-groove design makes it easy to assemble
- Special safety see-through glass door
- Intuitive digital control panel
- Inbuilt sound system
Cons:
- No chromotherapy lighting
- Not EMF free
2. JNH Lifestyles MG301HCB – Best 3-person-Capacity
- Capacity: 3
- Material: Canadian Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 59.1 x 39.5 x 75 inches
- Weight: 330 pounds
JNH Lifestyles is one of the best infrared sauna brands in the market, and this MG301HCB in the Joyous collection is one of their best because it can accommodate up to 3 people.
The sauna is also made using Canadian Hemlock wood with a tongue-and-groove design for easy assembly. This results in a very strong and sturdy frame.
Since it is bigger than the 2-person sauna above, it features 8 carbon fiber far infrared heaters, which are placed on the back, on the sides, and on the calf area to maximize the heating effect inside the cabin.
You also get a digital control panel for adjusting the temperature level and session duration and a built-in sound system with a 3.5 mm auxiliary port and 2 premium speakers.
On the downside, this large size makes it very expensive, and thus, it might be a waste of money if you don’t intend to fill it up when warming up.
Pros:
- Large 3-person capacity
- Made using high-quality Canadian Hemlock wood
- Tongue and groove design for easy assembly
- Built in sound system
- 8 carbon fiber infrared heaters for a maximum heating effect
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Not EMF free
3. Radiant Saunas BSA2409 – Best for Chromotherapy
- Capacity: 2
- Material: Canadian Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 49 x 39 x 75 inches
- Weight: 354 pounds
Radiant Sauna’s 2-person infrared unit offers a very relaxing treatment because it combines the heating effect from 6 far carbon heaters with infrared colored lighting, which gives some form of chromotherapy treatment to bring about homeostasis (internal body equilibrium).
In addition to these, the sauna has a built-in sound system that is very useful for providing music therapy or simply entertainment as you heat up your body. This system consists of an auxiliary input, radio and CD player, giving you a wide variety of options to choose from.
EZ touch LED controls are used to adjust the heat settings, light intensity, and duration and to make it easier to use, it has two of these control panels, one being inside the cabin and the other on the outside, allowing you to adjust these settings while on either side of the door.
Because perspiration is expected, this unit features an oxygen ionizer, which purifies the air, leaving you with clean, odorless air and thus, a very comfortable heated box.
Other features include a durable Hemlock wood construction (with no tongue and groove joints) and a scratch resistant 8 mm glass door, which is also very durable.
Pros:
- Infrared colored lighting for chromotherapy treatment
- Built-in sound system with auxiliary, radio and CD player
- 2 EZ touch LED control panels
- Oxygen ionizer for air purification
- Durable scratch resistant 8mm glass door
Cons:
- Not EMF free
- Lack of a tongue and groove construction makes it a bit difficult to assemble
4. SereneLife SLISAU10BK – Best Portable
- Capacity: 1
- Dimensions: 27.6 x 31.5 x 37.8 inches
- Weight: 20 pounds
SereneLife’s portable infrared sauna has a foldable design and lightweight construction for easy portability. This makes it ideal for use in small homes with small bathroom spaces, in which it can be folded up to give more room.
In terms of capacity, this portable unit is designed to fit only one person, with the head and hands sticking out via zippered openings to allow you read magazines or even watch TV as you undergo the infrared treatment.
With the small design, however, you do not get premium features such a sound system and interior lighting. The good thing though is that the unit is very affordable, which means that if you are in a tight budget, it is the best infrared sauna for the money.
Other features include an easy to assemble body structure (by simply unfolding) and the inclusion of a sauna chair for sitting inside as you take in the heat.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Zippered openings to allow the head and arms pop out
- Easy to assemble
- Affordable
- Comes with a sauna chair
Cons:
- Only for one person
- No sound system
5. Heatwave SA2420DX – Best Compact 4-person
- Capacity: 4
- Material: Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 59 x 59 x 75 inches
- Weight: 464 pounds
Heatwave’s Tucson is a large capacity infrared sauna, with the space to hold 4 people inside. Despite this, it has a compact corner design that has 2 of its walls forming a right angle at the back and thus, the corner design.
To heat up the relatively large interior space, the unit has 10 carbon heaters, which are evenly distributed on the walls, floor, and bench to maximize on heating this space.
For controls, dual interior and exterior LED control panels are featured, and they enable you to easily adjust the heat and duration settings from inside or outside the cabin.
Entertainment is incorporated into the Tucson’s design, coming standard with an AM/FM radio with a CD player and an auxiliary port. This gives you plenty of options to choose from for your entertainment system.
Other features include an oxygen ionizer for air purification, ergonomic backrests, color therapy bulbs, and magazine racks plus towel hooks for convenience. On the downside, all these features make this unit quite expensive, although it comes fully loaded as standard.
Pros:
- Large 4-person capacity
- 10 conveniently placed carbon heaters
- Dual interior and exterior LED control panels
- AM/FM radio with a CD player and an auxiliary port for entertainment
- Oxygen ionizer for air purification
Cons:
- Costly
- Very heavy
6. JNH Lifestyles NE1HB1 – Best Safest
- Capacity: 1
- Material: Canadian Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 35.5 x 35.5 x 75 inches
- Weight: 407 pounds
JNH Lifestyles’ NE1HB1 is quite an expensive product, but it is by far the safest infrared sauna to use in this review because it features 6 zero EMF carbon fiber far infrared heaters.
These are spread out in the cabin, with 2 being on the shoulder, 2 on the leg, 1 on the calf and the other at the back. Such a distribution maximizes the heating area so as to give you the best sauna experience.
For lighting, LEDs are used and although they are not infrared colored lights for chromotherapy, they are long-lasting LEDs that will allow you to use the sauna for a long time without requiring replacements.
Construction wise, a tongue-and-groove design is used for easy assembly and strength and forms a double wooden wall that is ideal for insulating the heat inside.
This is coupled with a see-through special safety glass door that tolerates higher temperatures in the cabin and adds onto the insulation wall to keep the heat inside.
Other features include a digital control panel and a premium sound system with 2 premium speakers, an amplifier and Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with other devices.
Pros:
- 6 zero EMF carbon fiber far infrared heaters
- Durable LED lighting
- Tongue and groove design for quick assembly
- See-through special safety glass door
- Premium sound system with Bluetooth connectivity
Cons:
- No chromotherapy lighting
- Relatively expensive
7. Dynamic AMZ-DYN-6210-01 – Best with Audio Entertainment System
- Capacity: 2
- Material: Canadian Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 50 x 42 x 77 inches
- Weight: 400 pounds
Venice is another low EMF far infrared sauna from Dynamic Saunas, and it is quite similar to the DYN-6106 in terms of design and functionality.
The unit features 6 dynamic infrared carbon heating panels, which are safer to use because they emit far less EMF radiation as compared to other carbon heaters.
These panels are strategically placed inside the cabin, with 2 being on the rear wall, 1 on each side wall, 1 under the bench and the last one on the floorboard. This arrangement ensures that heat is well distributed inside for a much better detoxification experience.
Structurally, the sauna has a Canadian Hemlock wood construction that is assembled in a clasp together design, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes to set up. For the door, tempered glass is used but with a bronze tint for privacy purposes.
Even though it has a capacity of 2 people, this sauna is bigger and the extra volume makes it more comfortable. Combined with the features above, this makes it the top-rated infrared sauna in this review.
On the downside, its entertainment system lacks a radio and CD player, leaving you with only an auxiliary port to connect to a portable audio device.
Pros:
- 6 low EMF infrared carbon heaters
- Canadian Hemlock wood construction with an easy clasp together assembly
- Tempered glass door with a bronze tint for privacy
- Larger cabin size
- Audio entertainment system
Cons:
- No radio or CD player
- No oxygen ionizer
8. Dynamic Saunas AMZ-DYN-6106-01 – Easy-to-use
- Capacity: 2
- Material: Canadian Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 39 x 36 x 73 inches
- Weight: 250 pounds
Dynamic Saunas’ DYN-6106 is a very easy-to-use infrared sauna because it has dual LED control panels, with one in the interior and the other on the exterior of the unit. This means that you can conveniently adjust the temperature and time settings while inside or outside.
Additionally, this panel has a soft touch design with a very intuitive interface, making it very easy to use.
For the actual heating, 6 infrared carbon panels are used, and these have a low EMF rating, which makes them safer to use. Although not EMF free, a low EMF rating means that they don’t interrupt the normal cell functions as much.
On the bright side, the unit has a chromotherapy lighting system, which basically means that its LED lighting is multicolored. This is important because it adjusts the body’s vibrations to frequencies that are harmonized and result in improved health.
Other features include a music system (with auxiliary port only), a maximum capacity of 2 people, a maximum temperature of 140°F and a clasp together assembly, which takes 30 to 45 minutes to set up.
Pros:
- Dual LED control panels (interior and exterior)
- Low EMF carbon heater rating makes the sauna safer to use
- Chromotherapy lighting system
- Inbuilt sound system
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- No radio or CD player
- No oxygen ionizer
9. Radiant Saunas BSA2418 – 4-person with an Oxygen Ionizer
- Capacity: 4
- Material: Canadian Hemlock Wood
- Dimensions: 72 x 46 x 75 inches
- Weight: 425 pounds
With 4 people inside, Radiant Saunas’ BSA2418 is bound to get very sweaty and smelly inside, but it takes care of this using an oxygen ionizer. This component purifies the air and makes it more comfortable to stay inside.
The unit also has 9 low EMF carbon heaters, which are strategically placed inside the sauna to provide an evenly heated environment for the best detoxification experience.
These heaters are controlled using an LED control panel, which is intuitively designed for easy use when adjusting the temperature and duration of your session.
Other features include chromotherapy lighting, hemlock wood construction and a bronze-tinted glass door that gives you some privacy as you enjoy your time inside. However, the piece is heavy and very expensive.
Pros:
- Oxygen ionizer for air purification
- Large 4-person cabin
- 9 low EMF carbon heaters
- Chromotherapy lighting
- Durable hemlock wood construction with a bronze-tinted door for privacy purposes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Quite heavy
Conclusion
Some may view infrared saunas as luxury items but from the benefits that they offer your body, they are more of necessities and should be considered for home use.
With that in mind, we highly recommend JNH Lifestyles’ MG217HB as the overall best infrared sauna because it is not as expensive but has all the required features.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Buying Best Infrared Sauna?
- 9 Best Infrared Saunas of 2021 Reviewed
- 1. JNH Lifestyles MG217HB – Best Overall
- 2. JNH Lifestyles MG301HCB – Best 3-person-Capacity
- 3. Radiant Saunas BSA2409 – Best for Chromotherapy
- 4. SereneLife SLISAU10BK – Best Portable
- 5. Heatwave SA2420DX – Best Compact 4-person
- 6. JNH Lifestyles NE1HB1 – Best Safest
- 7. Dynamic AMZ-DYN-6210-01 – Best with Audio Entertainment System
- 8. Dynamic Saunas AMZ-DYN-6106-01 – Easy-to-use
- 9. Radiant Saunas BSA2418 – 4-person with an Oxygen Ionizer
- Conclusion