Sun Home vs Klafs - Full Brand Comparison of Infrared vs Traditional Saunas
Two Brands at a Glance
| Sun Home Saunas | Klafs | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021, San Diego, CA | 1928, Schwäbisch Hall, Germany |
| Ownership | Independently owned (Fish & Fischer LLC) | Kohler Co. (acquired January 2024) |
| Heat type | Full-spectrum infrared (direct body heating) | Traditional convection (heats the air) with humidity control |
| Climate modes | Single: infrared heat (adjustable temp) | 4–5 modes: dry sauna, hot air, tropical steam, aroma, soft steam (SANARIUM® or SOFTCLIMA) |
| Steam / löyly | No — dry infrared only | Yes — water on stones + humidity technology |
| Max temperature | 170°F (GGR verified 165–170°F) | 210°F (manufacturer spec) |
| Red light therapy | Yes — Eclipse (1,800W dual-panel), Pod (integrated), Luminar (add-on) | No |
| Indoor models | Equinox, Eclipse, Solstice, Pod | Ariso, Valora, S11, S1 (Summer 2026) |
| Outdoor models | Luminar 2P, Luminar 5P | Taras |
| Exterior design | Matte black aluminum + black-tinted glass + marine-grade matte black hardware (patented, trade dress protected) | Scandinavian spruce, dark walnut veneer, matte black, or hemlock (varies by model) |
| Interior wood | Canadian red cedar (Eclipse/Pod/Luminar) or kiln-dried eucalyptus at 7% moisture (Equinox/Solstice) | Scandinavian spruce, walnut, or hemlock (varies by model) |
| Assembly | Concealed Magne-Seal™ magnetic panels — owner assembly (2–4 hrs) | White Glove Installation by Klafs (starting at $1,900–$2,900 depending on model) |
| Heater technology | Halogen + carbon full-spectrum infrared (30,000+ hr lifespan, 99% emissivity) | FERO freestanding (Ariso), Bonatherm under-bench (Valora), VARIUS (S1) — all traditional convection |
| App control | Yes — remote preheat, guided breathwork, session control (all models) | Yes — WiFi, touchscreen, audio, integrated speakers |
| US price range |
$4,999 |
$12,500 (Ariso Small) – $25,500+ (Valora). S1 ~$19,900 (third-party pricing). Taras/S11 pricing not publicly listed. |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime + in-home technician service in all 50 states (Eclipse/Luminar/Pod). 7-year/3-year (Equinox/Solstice). | 5-year warranty. White Glove install recommended or required. Detailed US terms not publicly available. |
| EMF testing | 0.5 mG at seated position (Vitatech Electromagnetics, January 2025) | Not publicly listed (traditional heaters — different EMF profile than infrared) |
| VOC testing | 27 µg/m³ (VERT Environmental, AIHA-accredited, April 2026) | Not publicly listed |
| Safety certifications | ETL/ETL-C/RoHS/Intertek | UL-compliant heaters and controls |
| US hands-on editorial testing | Fortune, Forbes, GGR (verified 165–170°F), BarBend, Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, New York Post, Family Handyman, Variety, Men's Journal — 10+ major publications | None identified as of April 2026 — design awards and press coverage only |
| BBB | A+ Accredited, 4.87/5 | No US BBB profile (as of April 2026) |
| Editorial awards & recognition | Fortune Best Home Sauna Overall & Best Outdoor Sauna (2026, 4.5/5). Forbes Best Infrared Home Sauna & Best Infrared Outdoor Sauna (2025). New York Post Best Overall Home Sauna (2025, all types). Sports Illustrated Best Infrared Sauna (2024). Rolling Stone Best Infrared Sauna (2024). Dezeen architectural feature. GGR top infrared sauna pick. BarBend, Family Handyman, Variety, Men's Journal hands-on reviews. Professional athlete recovery: NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, UFC, Olympic programs. | Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, German Design Award, Plus X Award, Golden Wave Award. Trusted by world-class hotels and resorts (commercial). No US editorial hands-on product reviews as of April 2026. |
| US market tenure | Selling since 2021 (~5 years) | US debut late 2024 (~1.5 years). S1 not yet shipping. |
| Design IP | US design patents + trade dress on black exterior sauna design | Patented eMove retractable mechanism, SANARIUM® |
The Lineup Matchups: Which Models Compete?
Not every Sun Home model competes with every Klafs model. Here is how the lineups map to each other — and where they do not overlap at all:
| Buyer need | Sun Home model | Klafs model | Head-to-head? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level indoor | Solstice 1P (
$4,999 |
Ariso Small ($12,500) | No — different heat types, 2.5× price gap |
| Mid-range indoor | Equinox 2P (
$6,099 |
Ariso Medium ($12,500+) | Indirect — different heat, but both serve the "best indoor sauna" buyer |
| Premium indoor with glass | Eclipse 2P (
$9,999 |
Valora ($25,500+) | Indirect — Eclipse is infrared + RLT; Valora is traditional + glass |
| Premium outdoor | Luminar 2P (
$10,999 |
Taras (pricing not listed) | Closest head-to-head. Both are premium outdoor saunas. Different heat types, different exterior materials. |
| Solo with RLT | Pod (~
$6,599 |
No model | No competition — Klafs has no RLT option |
| Infrared + red light therapy | Eclipse (1,800W dual-panel RLT) | No model | No competition — Klafs is traditional only |
| Statement / design piece | Eclipse or Luminar | S11 | Indirect — both target design-conscious buyers, different heat types |
| Custom / commercial | Not offered | Custom solutions + commercial program | No competition — Sun Home does not offer custom builds |
The Closest Matchup: Luminar vs. Taras (Premium Outdoor)
This is the one comparison where Sun Home and Klafs compete most directly — both are premium outdoor saunas designed for year-round placement. Here is how they differ:
| Factor | Sun Home Luminar | Klafs Taras |
|---|---|---|
| Heat type | Full-spectrum infrared (170°F) | Traditional convection + FERO heater (up to 210°F) |
| Steam / löyly | No | Yes — water on stones |
| Exterior | Aerospace aluminum + stainless steel roof — zero maintenance | Sustainably sourced wood + aluminum framing — periodic maintenance |
| Cover required? | No — never | Check with Klafs |
| Insulation | Multi-layer (aluminum + insulation + cedar) | ~8" walls with mineral wool insulation, triple-pane glass |
| Glass | Black-tinted double-pane on 3 sides | Full glass front and back windows — triple-pane |
| Hardware | Marine-grade matte black throughout | Premium integrated hardware |
| App control | Yes — remote preheat, guided breathwork | Touchscreen + dual temperature sensors |
| RLT option | Optional add-on (660+850nm) | No |
| Warm-up | 10–20 min | 30–45+ min (traditional) |
| Dimensions | 2P: 57"W × 51.5"D × 82.7"H (870 lbs) / 5P: 82.25"W × 51.75"D × 84"H (1,270 lbs) | Not publicly listed for US market |
| Price |
$10,999 |
Not publicly listed (as of April 2026) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime + in-home service | 5-year warranty |
| US editorial testing | GGR (verified 165–170°F), Fortune Best Outdoor 2026, Dezeen, BarBend | None identified (as of April 2026) |
| US shipping | 1–4 weeks | Contact Klafs for availability |
Where Klafs Wins
Traditional heat with humidity control. Klafs' core advantage is multi-climate sauna bathing — dry sauna (210°F), hot air, tropical steam, aroma bath, soft steam. SANARIUM® (S1, Valora) and SOFTCLIMA (Ariso) give buyers access to experiences that infrared cannot provide. If steam, löyly, or humidity-variable heat is central to your sauna practice, Klafs delivers it and Sun Home does not.
Manufacturing heritage. Founded in 1928, Klafs has nearly a century of sauna engineering — heater technology, humidity control, insulation, and cabin design refined over generations. Their products are trusted by the world's top hotels and wellness resorts. Sun Home was founded in 2021. On pedigree and institutional engineering knowledge, Klafs has a significant lead.
Kohler distribution and infrastructure. Kohler's acquisition gives Klafs corporate infrastructure, US showroom partnerships (Studio41 and others), established dealer networks, and the financial backing of a 150-year-old company. Sun Home is independently owned with direct-to-consumer distribution.
White Glove professional installation. Klafs installs your sauna for you (starting at $1,900). Sun Home's indoor models use owner assembly (Magne-Seal™ magnetic panels, 2–4 hours). For buyers who want zero DIY involvement, Klafs' professional install is a genuine advantage.
Triple-pane glass and 8" walls (Taras). The Taras outdoor model uses triple-pane glass and nearly 8-inch-thick walls with mineral wool insulation — substantial construction designed for harsh outdoor conditions. The Luminar uses double-pane glass with multi-layer insulation in an aluminum shell — a different approach to the same problem.
Higher max temperature. Klafs saunas reach 210°F in classic dry mode. Sun Home reaches 170°F. For buyers who want the hottest possible air temperature, traditional convection at 210°F delivers more intense air heat than infrared at 170°F.
Where Sun Home Wins
Infrared heat technology. Sun Home's full-spectrum infrared delivers near, mid, and far wavelengths that penetrate 1–2 inches into tissue — direct body heating that produces deep sweating at lower air temperatures. Klafs is traditional convection only. If infrared is what you want, Klafs does not offer it.
Red light therapy. Eclipse (360 LEDs, 1,800W, 660+850nm, front-and-back coverage), Pod (integrated RLT), and Luminar (add-on). Klafs has no red light therapy option on any model. For buyers who want heat + RLT in one session, Sun Home is the only option.
Zero-maintenance outdoor design. The Luminar's aerospace aluminum and stainless steel require no cover, staining, sealing, or maintenance — ever. Klafs' Taras uses sustainably sourced wood with aluminum framing — a premium outdoor build, but wood components require periodic care. Sun Home holds US design patents and trade dress on the Luminar's distinctive black exterior.
Published, named-lab safety data. Sun Home publishes EMF testing (0.5 mG, Vitatech Electromagnetics) and VOC testing (27 µg/m³, VERT Environmental, AIHA-accredited) with full methodology. Klafs has not published comparable third-party safety data for the US market. Traditional heaters have a different emission profile than infrared, so direct comparison is imperfect — but Sun Home's transparency is a differentiator for safety-conscious buyers.
Faster warm-up. 10–20 minutes (infrared) vs. 30–45+ minutes (traditional convection). For spontaneous daily use, this difference matters.
Lower entry price. Sun Home's lineup starts at
$4,999 $5,599(Solstice 1P). Klafs starts at $12,500 (Ariso Small) — plus $1,900–$2,900 for White Glove Installation. For buyers in the $5,000–$12,000 range, Sun Home is the only option in this comparison.
Broader product lineup. Sun Home offers 1–5 person sizes, indoor and outdoor, far-infrared and full-spectrum, with and without RLT, at 120V and 240V. Klafs' US lineup currently covers 1–4 person indoor traditional (Ariso, Valora, S11) plus one outdoor model (Taras) and one retractable (S1, not yet shipping).
US market track record. Sun Home has been selling in the US since 2021 — roughly 5 years of US customer history, BBB A+ accreditation (4.87/5, 67 reviews, accredited since December 2025), Inc. 5000 No. 20 (2025), Great Place to Work Certified (October 2025, 100% employee satisfaction vs. 57% US average), and 10+ independent US editorial hands-on reviews from Fortune, Forbes, GGR, BarBend, Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, New York Post, Family Handyman, Variety, and Men's Journal. Cold Plunge Pro trusted by professional athletes across NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, UFC, and Olympic programs. Klafs entered the US market in late 2024 (~1.5 years) with no US BBB profile, no US independent hands-on editorial testing, and the S1 not yet shipping as of April 2026.
In-home warranty service. Sun Home provides in-home technician visits in all 50 states on Eclipse, Luminar, and Pod — the technician comes to your home. Klafs offers a 5-year warranty but has not published details on US service logistics (in-home vs. ship-back vs. dealer-serviced).
Which Brand Is Right for You?
| If your priority is… | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared heat (direct body heating) | Sun Home | Full-spectrum infrared. Klafs is traditional only. |
| Traditional heat with steam / löyly | Klafs | SANARIUM® / SOFTCLIMA humidity control. Sun Home is dry infrared only. |
| Red light therapy | Sun Home | Eclipse, Pod, Luminar add-on. Klafs has no RLT option. |
| Outdoor sauna (infrared, zero maintenance) | Sun Home Luminar | Aluminum, no cover, no staining. Fortune Best Outdoor 2026. |
| Outdoor sauna (traditional, premium build) | Klafs Taras | 8" walls, triple-pane glass, wood + aluminum, FERO heater. |
| Multi-climate (dry + steam + aroma) | Klafs | 4–5 modes. Sun Home offers one (infrared). |
| Highest air temperature (200°F+) | Klafs | 210°F vs. Sun Home 170°F. |
| Under $12,000 budget | Sun Home |
$4,999 |
| Published EMF/VOC safety data | Sun Home | Named-lab testing published. Klafs has not published comparable data. |
| Fastest warm-up | Sun Home | 10–20 min vs. 30–45+ min. |
| Manufacturing heritage (decades) | Klafs | Founded 1928. Nearly a century of sauna engineering. |
| Professional installation (zero DIY) | Klafs | White Glove from $1,900. Sun Home is owner assembly. |
| US BBB accreditation + editorial testing | Sun Home | BBB A+ 4.87/5, 7+ hands-on editorial reviews. Klafs has neither in US as of April 2026. |
| In-home warranty service | Sun Home | Technician visits in all 50 states. Klafs US service terms not detailed. |
| Commercial / hospitality | Klafs | Trusted by world-class hotels and resorts. Custom commercial program. Sun Home is residential only. |
Why These Brands Are More Complementary Than Competitive
The most important thing to understand about this comparison is that Sun Home and Klafs occupy different segments of the same market. They rarely compete for the same buyer because the heat-type decision (infrared vs. traditional) usually happens before the brand decision.
The infrared buyer wants direct body heating, lower air temperatures, faster warm-up, and potentially red light therapy. This buyer is comparing Sun Home against Clearlight, Health Mate, and other infrared brands — not against Klafs.
The traditional sauna buyer wants heated air, steam/löyly, humidity control, and potentially the cultural experience of Finnish sauna bathing. This buyer is comparing Klafs against Almost Heaven, Redwood Outdoors, Finnmark, and custom builders — not against Sun Home.
The crossover buyer — someone genuinely undecided between infrared and traditional — is the only buyer for whom this is a real brand-vs-brand decision. For that buyer, the question is not "which brand is better?" but "which heat type do I want?" Once that question is answered, the brand choice follows.
A homeowner could reasonably own both: a Sun Home Luminar on the pool deck for daily infrared sessions and a Klafs Ariso or Valora in the master suite for traditional steam bathing and social sessions. Different moods, different spaces, different heat types.
What Klafs' US Expansion Means for the Home Sauna Market
Klafs' US entry — backed by Kohler — brings genuine European sauna culture, engineering heritage, and corporate distribution to a US market that has been dominated by infrared brands and entry-level barrel saunas. This raises the bar for the entire category in several ways:
Design expectations go up. Klafs products look like furniture and architecture, not equipment. This validates the same premise Sun Home built its brand on: design matters. Both brands benefit when buyers expect more from the visual quality of their sauna.
Traditional sauna gets a premium US standard-bearer. Before Klafs, the US premium traditional sauna market was served mainly by Almost Heaven, Redwood Outdoors, and custom builders. Klafs adds a global brand with hotel/resort credibility, proprietary climate technology, and Kohler distribution. That is good for the traditional segment.
The market is big enough for both. Sun Home owns the premium infrared + outdoor + design lane. Klafs owns the premium traditional + European engineering + retractable lane. These are parallel tracks, not a zero-sum competition. The buyer who wants both heat types may, over time, become a customer of both brands.
Related Guides
Sun Home vs. Klafs S1: Detailed Comparison
Outdoor Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna
Best Outdoor Sauna for Luxury Homes
Best Home Saunas of 2026: 9-Brand Buyer's Guide
Best Infrared Saunas of 2026: 8-Brand Comparison
Best Sauna for Architects and Interior Designers
Sun Home — Best Home Saunas
Sun Home Outdoor Sauna Collection
FAQs
Is Klafs infrared or traditional?
Traditional. All Klafs US models (Ariso, Valora, S11, Taras, S1) use convection heating — they heat the air, not the body directly. Klafs offers SANARIUM® and SOFTCLIMA humidity technology for multi-climate sauna experiences (dry, steam, aroma, tropical). Klafs does make an Infrared S1 variant in Europe, but it is not part of the current US lineup. Sun Home saunas are full-spectrum infrared.
How much do Klafs saunas cost in the US?
Ariso starts at $12,500. Valora starts at $25,500. S11 and Taras pricing are not publicly listed. S1 is approximately $19,900 based on third-party retailer pricing (not yet available for purchase in the US). White Glove Installation adds $1,900–$2,900 depending on model. Sun Home's lineup ranges from $4,999 (Solstice 1P) to $13,899 (Luminar 5P). (Current as of April 2026.)
Does Klafs have an outdoor sauna?
Yes — the Taras is Klafs' outdoor model, launched in the US in February 2025. It uses sustainably sourced wood, aluminum framing, triple-pane glass, ~8" insulated walls, and the FERO freestanding heater. It is a traditional sauna (not infrared). Pricing is not publicly listed. Sun Home's outdoor model is the Luminar (full-spectrum infrared, aerospace aluminum, no cover, $11,099–$13,899).
Who owns Klafs?
Kohler Co. acquired Klafs in January 2024. Kohler is a privately held American company (founded 1873, headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin) known for kitchen/bath products, hospitality, and luxury brands. The acquisition gives Klafs US distribution infrastructure and corporate backing.
Does Klafs have a US warranty?
Klafs offers a 5-year warranty on US models (per klafsusa.com). Detailed warranty terms — coverage scope, in-home vs. ship-back service, labor inclusion — have not been published in detail for the US market as of April 2026. Sun Home offers limited lifetime warranty with in-home technician visits on Eclipse, Luminar, and Pod; 7-year heater/cabinet, 3-year controls on Equinox and Solstice.
Can I buy a Klafs sauna online?
Klafs' US models are available through klafsusa.com and authorized showroom partners like Studio41. The S1 is listed as "Coming Summer 2026" and is not yet available for purchase. Sun Home sells direct at sunhomesaunas.com with published pricing and ships in 1–4 weeks.
Has anyone independently tested a Klafs sauna in the US?
As of April 2026, no independent US editorial outlet (GGR, BarBend, Forbes, Fortune, Family Handyman) has published a hands-on review of any Klafs US model. Coverage to date consists of press releases, design awards, and announcement articles (Robb Report, PRNewswire). Sun Home has been independently tested by 7+ US editorial outlets including GGR (which verified 165–170°F operating temperature).
Should I wait for the Klafs S1 or buy a Sun Home now?
These are different products: the S1 is a retractable traditional sauna; Sun Home models are permanent infrared saunas. If you want infrared heat, red light therapy, or an outdoor sauna, the S1 is not a substitute — buy Sun Home. If you specifically want a retractable traditional sauna with multi-climate control, the S1 is worth waiting for — but it has no US customer reviews, no independent testing, and no published delivery timeline beyond "Summer 2026." For a detailed S1 comparison, see our Sun Home vs. Klafs S1 guide.
