Why is Infrared Sauna Better than Normal Sauna?
author: Jerry
2023-11-09
Why are infrared saunas better than regular saunas?
Infrared saunas are becoming more and more popular and are attracting more and more attention and love. The reason is that infrared sauna has the same effect as traditional sauna, and the experience is better and more comfortable than traditional sauna. So, what is the difference between infrared sauna and traditional sauna?
Temperature
The temperature of a traditional sauna is approximately 60 to 80 degrees Celsius or 140 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, and produces 20 to 40 percent steam and humidity.
Infrared saunas heat your body directly and are not as hot as traditional saunas. The best infrared sauna temperature is 52 to 68 degrees Celsius or 125 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit, which is lower and more comfortable than a traditional sauna.
Heating method

Traditional saunas are heated with a stove filled with sauna stones, which heats the air inside the sauna, raising the internal temperature, causing you to sweat. You need to pour water over the rocks to regulate the temperature and humidity inside the sauna.
Infrared saunas heat your body directly, not the air inside. It is infrared wavelength EMF emitted by multiple heating plates and penetrates your body, causing your body temperature to rise.
Reach ideal temperature
A traditional sauna may take 30 to 40 minutes to reach the ideal operating temperature. During this process, users need to pour water on the rocks to continuously maintain the temperature and humidity in the sauna.
Infrared saunas use heaters to heat your body directly, warming up your body in just 10 to 15 minutes.
Care and maintenance
Compared with other products, sauna maintenance is usually relatively simple. But sometimes you need to pay attention to some details.
Traditional saunas produce steam and moisture that can make the interior of the wood damp and moldy if not maintained properly.

Infrared saunas will not encounter these problems. The absence of moisture and steam reduces many unnecessary troubles. In comparison, maintenance will be easier.
Health benefits
The health benefits of infrared saunas and traditional saunas are basically the same. There is not much difference. They both have:
Promote blood circulation: A high-temperature environment can dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow, and promote the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body.
- Deep cleansing: The high temperature of the sauna can cause the body to sweat, promote the opening of pores, help deeply clean the skin, and discharge waste from the body.
- Muscle Relaxation: The heat of a sauna helps relax tense muscles and reduce fatigue and muscle soreness.
- Immune system enhancement: Sauna may help activate the immune system and improve the body's resistance.
How much power does a sauna use
Generally speaking, traditional saunas use more electricity than infrared saunas, which are more energy-efficient, depending on the size of your sauna and the power of the furnace.
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
Feature
|
Infrared Sauna
|
Traditional Sauna
|
|
Operating Principle
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Uses infrared radiation to directly heat body tissues
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Uses a heater to generate steam and elevate air temperature
|
|
Temperature
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Lower, typically 120°F - 140°F (50°C - 60°C)
|
Higher, typically 150°F - 195°F (65°C - 90°C)
|
|
Humidity
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Lower, relatively dry
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Higher, with a humid steam atmosphere
|
|
Heating Speed
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Relatively fast
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Slower, requires time to preheat
|
|
Deep Heating Effect
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Penetrates deep into muscles and joints
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Mainly heats surfaces through air temperature
|
|
Comfort Level
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Suitable for sensitive individuals due to lower temperature
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Those accustomed to high temperature and humidity may find it more comfortable
|
|
Energy Consumption
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Considered to contribute to calorie burning
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Can lead to mild metabolic acceleration, but lower compared to infrared
|
|
Target Audience
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Suitable for those sensitive to high temperatures or with arthritis
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Suitable for those accustomed to high temperature and humidity
|
|
Psychological Benefits
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Helps with psychological relaxation
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Contributes to psychological relaxation
|
|
Cost
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Equipment tends to be more expensive
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Equipment and energy costs are generally lower
|
Choose a sauna that suits you based on your preferences and budget. No matter which sauna you choose, it can bring you many benefits, including relaxation and stress relief.
If you are interested in learning about saunas, you might as well take a look at Alphasauna’s various styles of saunas.



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