Traditional Sauna vs. Infrared Sauna: What’s the Difference?

When choosing a sauna for home or commercial use, many customers hesitate between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna. Both can provide a warm and relaxing experience, but they differ significantly in terms of heating method, operating temperature, warm-up time, installation requirements, power consumption, and daily maintenance.

There is no single answer as to which type is better. The more important factor is to choose based on the intended use, available space, number of users, electrical conditions, and personal preferences.

Key Differences Between Traditional Saunas and Infrared Saunas

The most obvious difference is the way they generate heat.

A traditional sauna typically uses an electric sauna heater or wood-burning stove to heat sauna stones. The heated stones and air then raise the temperature of the entire sauna room. Users mainly experience heat through the hot air, and a small amount of water can also be poured over the sauna stones to temporarily increase humidity and create steam.

An infrared sauna, on the other hand, uses infrared heating panels to transfer heat directly to the body and surrounding surfaces. It does not need to heat the entire room to the same high temperature as a traditional sauna, so its operating temperature is usually lower.

Simply put, a traditional sauna focuses on heating the entire room, while an infrared sauna focuses more on heating the body directly.

Different Temperatures and Sauna Experiences

Traditional saunas commonly operate at temperatures of around 70–90°C, although some users may prefer slightly higher or lower settings depending on personal preference.

Because the air temperature is relatively high, the overall heat sensation is stronger and is closer to the classic Finnish sauna experience.

Infrared saunas generally operate at lower temperatures and do not need to reach the same high heat levels as traditional saunas. For users who do not enjoy very hot environments, or who prefer longer sessions at more moderate temperatures, an infrared sauna may feel more comfortable.

In actual use, traditional saunas usually provide a more noticeable increase in ambient temperature, while infrared saunas often provide a more direct and evenly distributed feeling of heat.

What Is the Difference in Warm-Up Time and Energy Requirements?

Because the heating methods are different, the warm-up time also varies between the two sauna types.

A traditional sauna needs to heat the sauna heater, sauna stones, and indoor air before the room reaches the desired temperature. For this reason, it normally requires some preheating time.

The larger the sauna, and the more wood and glass it contains, the more heating time and power it may require.

Infrared heating panels begin producing usable heat relatively quickly after being switched on, so infrared saunas generally have a shorter warm-up time.

In terms of electrical demand, traditional sauna heaters usually require more power than small infrared systems.

For example, a multi-person traditional sauna may require a 6 kW, 8 kW, or even higher-output sauna heater, while a small infrared sauna generally places less demand on a residential electrical system.

However, the actual power requirement should always be calculated according to the sauna volume, local voltage standards, and equipment specifications rather than simply by the number of users.

Space and Size Requirements for the Two Sauna Types

If installation space is limited, an infrared sauna is often easier to design in a compact form.

A one-person or two-person infrared sauna can be built with relatively small dimensions because there is no need to reserve space for a large sauna heater or the same heater safety clearances required in a traditional sauna.

A traditional sauna must take into account the position of the sauna heater, bench layout, and required safety distances between the heater and surrounding wood or glass.

For example, a traditional sauna for two people may commonly measure around 1400 × 1100 mm or 1500 × 1200 mm.

If two-level benches are required or several people will use the sauna at the same time, a larger internal space is usually necessary.

As a sauna manufacturer, we do not normally determine sauna size based only on the number of users. We also consider sitting and reclining requirements, the number of bench levels, and the position of the heater during the design process.

Are the Wood Material Requirements Different?

Both traditional saunas and infrared saunas can be made from natural wood materials such as hemlock and red cedar.

For traditional saunas, the interior is regularly exposed to relatively high temperatures, so wood stability, moisture content, and manufacturing quality are particularly important.

Although infrared saunas normally operate at lower overall temperatures, infrared heating panels are typically installed around the back, side, or leg areas. Their positions therefore need to be carefully coordinated with the wooden structure during the design stage.

Some infrared saunas also include glass panels, lighting systems, or Himalayan salt brick features. These elements can affect the internal layout and usable space, so they should ideally be planned before production begins.

What Is the Difference in Installation and Electrical Requirements?

Traditional saunas, especially models equipped with higher-output electric sauna heaters, usually require a dedicated electrical circuit and final wiring by a qualified local electrician.

Before production, it is also important to confirm the actual voltage, phase, frequency, and sauna heater power requirements.

Infrared saunas are often relatively simple to install, but larger or multi-person models may still require the electrical capacity to be checked in advance.

Regardless of which type of sauna is selected, it is not recommended to connect the system directly to a standard household outlet without first confirming the equipment’s actual power requirements.

What Is the Difference in Daily Maintenance?

Daily maintenance for a traditional sauna mainly includes cleaning the wood surfaces, maintaining ventilation, inspecting the sauna heater, and checking the sauna stones.

After long-term use, sauna stones may need to be rearranged or replaced.

Infrared saunas do not use sauna stones, so heater-related maintenance is generally reduced. However, the infrared heating panels, electrical control system, and wiring should still be checked periodically to ensure they are operating properly.

For both types of sauna, it is recommended to ventilate the cabin after use so that the internal wood can dry properly and does not remain in a damp environment for long periods.

How Should You Choose Between a Traditional Sauna and an Infrared Sauna?

If you prefer higher temperatures, sauna stones, and a more traditional Finnish-style sauna experience, a traditional sauna is usually the better choice.

If you have limited installation space, prefer a faster warm-up time, are less comfortable with very high temperatures, or want a simpler daily sauna routine, an infrared sauna may be more suitable.

For home users, usage frequency and the number of people using the sauna should also be considered.

For commercial projects such as hotels, gyms, wellness centers, and spas, additional factors such as continuous operating time, maintenance costs, and local electrical capacity should be evaluated.

If space allows, some projects can also be designed with separate traditional heating and infrared heating zones rather than relying on only one heating method.

FAQ: Common Questions About Traditional and Infrared Saunas

1. Which operates at a higher temperature, a traditional sauna or an infrared sauna?

Traditional saunas generally operate at higher temperatures, commonly around 70–90°C.

Infrared saunas usually have a lower room temperature, but users can still feel direct heat from the infrared heating panels.

2. Does an infrared sauna need a sauna heater?

No.

An infrared sauna mainly uses infrared heating panels, so it normally does not require a traditional electric sauna heater or sauna stones.

3. Which type of sauna is better for a small home?

For the same number of users, an infrared sauna can generally be designed more compactly, making it suitable for homes with limited available space.

However, if the site conditions allow, a small traditional sauna can also be custom-designed.

4. Can you pour water on the sauna stones in a traditional sauna?

Most traditional sauna heaters allow a small amount of water to be poured over the sauna stones according to the equipment instructions, creating a temporary increase in steam and humidity.

However, the sauna heater manufacturer’s operating instructions should always be followed, and excessive amounts of water should not be poured onto the stones at one time.

5. Which type of sauna is easier to install?

Infrared saunas generally have simpler structural and electrical requirements, but the final installation requirements still depend on the sauna size, power rating, and local electrical regulations.

Traditional saunas equipped with higher-output sauna heaters usually require a dedicated electrical circuit to be planned in advance.

Conclusion

The biggest difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna lies in the heating method and overall user experience.

A traditional sauna uses a sauna heater and heated air to create a high-temperature environment, providing an experience closer to classic sauna bathing.

An infrared sauna transfers heat directly through heating panels, typically operates at a more moderate room temperature, and generally requires less warm-up time.

When choosing a sauna, it is better not to focus only on which type is “better.” Instead, the decision should be based on available installation space, number of users, preferred temperature, electrical conditions, and maintenance requirements.

For custom sauna projects, confirming the site dimensions and electrical conditions before choosing the heating system usually makes it easier to develop a more practical and suitable sauna design.