What is the Best Type of Home Sauna?

Creating a peaceful escape inside your own home has become more important than ever. With the rising pressures of daily life, people are turning to wellness tools that improve their health and also bring a sense of calm and relaxation. One such tool is the home sauna. Once perceived as a luxury for spas or gyms, home saunas are now more accessible and available in different forms, enabling wellness enthusiasts to enjoy the benefits of sauna therapy without leaving their house.

With various types of saunas on the market, many people ask themselves; what is the best type of home sauna? To answer this, let us discuss different types of saunas, what makes each one unique, how they benefit the body, and which type might be the best fit for your lifestyle, space, and personal needs.

The Basics of a Sauna

A sauna is a small room or enclosure designed to expose the body to heat, causing sweating and promoting various health benefits. The tradition of sauna bathing has existed for thousands of years, especially in countries like Finland, where it’s considered a crucial part of daily life. Today, saunas come in different forms, each using different heat sources and offering different experiences.

There are three main types of saunas. They are traditional dry saunas, infrared saunas, and steam saunas. While all aim to warm the body, they do so in different ways, leading to unique sensations and effects. Choosing the best home sauna depends on your health goals, comfort level, available space, and budget. 

The Traditional Dry Sauna

The traditional dry sauna, also known as a Finnish sauna, heats the air using a sauna heater, usually powered by wood or electricity, which then warms your body. In this type of sauna, temperatures can reach between 65°C to 90°C, making it the hottest among the three main types. It creates a dry environment with low humidity, unless you pour water over heated stones, which adds a small burst of steam, raising the humidity temporarily.

Traditional dry saunas come with an authentic feel. For many sauna users, sitting in a wooden room, sweating deeply, and feeling the intensity of the heat is a satisfying ritual. The high temperature helps improve blood circulation, relax muscles, and flush out toxins through heavy sweating. 

However, the intense heat can be overwhelming for some, especially those with heart conditions or sensitivity to high temperatures. Traditional saunas take longer to heat up compared to infrared saunas and require more energy. They are best suited for people who appreciate the classic sauna experience and can handle the heat. Additionally, they require more space and a proper ventilation setup.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas have gained massive popularity in recent years, especially among wellness enthusiasts. Instead of heating the air around you, an infrared sauna with red light therapy—often considered among the best home sauna options—relies on infrared light waves to directly heat your body. This means you enjoy the benefits of heat without needing to withstand extreme heat, as is the case with traditional saunas. The temperature in an infrared sauna ranges between 43°C to 60°C, which feels much milder, but still promotes deep sweating. 

One of the key benefits of the best infrared sauna heat is its ability to penetrate the skin more deeply, warming the body from the inside out. This can lead to enhanced detoxification, improved circulation, better pain relief, and skin purification. People with arthritis, joint pain, or chronic fatigue often find infrared sauna sessions to be therapeutic.

Infrared saunas are also convenient. They heat up faster, consume less electricity, and can be plugged into a standard power outlet in most homes. They are also available in compact designs, making them a great option for smaller homes or apartments. Many models are portable or easy to assemble.

Steam Sauna

Also known as a steam room, the steam sauna is a heated space where moist heat is produced by boiling water to create steam. It typically operates at low temperatures of between 43°C to 49°C, but with 100% humidity. These units promote relaxation, respiratory relief, improved circulation, and skin cleansing through sweating. It is worth mentioning that steam saunas require more maintenance. The high humidity can lead to mold or mildew if not cleaned properly. They also require more vigorous plumbing and insulation, which can make them harder to install in some homes. So, steam saunas are better suited for people who enjoy a spa-like experience and don’t mind the extra effort to maintain them.

Red Light Sauna

A red light therapy sauna combines the best outdoor sauna benefits with red and near-infrared light therapy. It uses specific wavelengths of light, usually around 600–850 nm, to penetrate the skin and tissues, reducing inflammation, promoting cellular repair, improving skin health, and boosting muscle recovery. The red light sauna may or may not use heat. Some are warm, like the outdoor infrared sauna, while others focus solely on light exposure.

So, which home sauna should you choose among the many options available? Here is one of them. 

Sun Home Equinox™ 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna

Three entities named the Sun Home Equinox™ 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna the best unit of 2024. This home sauna delivers a unique quality and is designed to meet your specific needs. It comes with various rich features, which include:

·       Full-Spectrum Wavelengths

The Equinox™ 2-person full-spectrum infrared sauna has one of the most effective full-spectrum heating systems. It delivers far, mid, and near wavelengths for intense sweating to aid toxin elimination. 

·       EMF Shielding

Equinox 2’s patented EMF/ELF shielding technology guarantees the least electromagnetic field exposure. 

·       High-Powered Heaters

Equinox™ 2 is the only unit that can hit 73,889°C or 165°F. Its high-output heaters are designed to generate more than twice the wattage that other brands produce to improve temperatures and minimize the time required to achieve maximum heat. 

·       Prime Craftsmanship

Besides being hand-sanded, the sauna has been put through different precise quality certifications to guarantee durability. The manufacturers use the best non-toxic and eco-friendly materials with low VOC. 

·       Inbuilt Chromotherapy

Its built-in chromotherapy lighting relies on colors from the sunlight that is visible to provide optimal therapeutic benefits. 

·       Easy to Assemble

The Equinox 2 is designed using the innovative Magne-Seal system, making assembly easier. What’s more, you don’t need nails, screws, or power tools to assemble it. 

·       Easy to Control

Equinox 2 has a digital control panel, allowing for seamless temperature adjustment. Further, it offers a programmable round-the-clock reservation mode and timer. This ensures your sauna is ready whenever you need it.

·       High-Quality Wood

The manufacturer uses eucalyptus, one of the highest-quality and durable hardwoods that can withstand extreme heat. The eco-friendly wood is hand-selected and kiln-dried by adding moisture and heat to prevent cracking and prolong its lifespan. 

·       Enhanced Sauna Experience

The premium inbuilt surround sound system provides a euphoric, immersive experience with clear audio. You can connect your media player or smartphone for a personalized experience. 

·       Warranty

Equinox 2 has a 7-year warranty on heaters and cabinetry and 3 years on controls. 

Finally

When deciding which type of sauna is best for your home, it’s important to think about your goals, lifestyle, and available space. Suppose you love the traditional experience and don’t mind the heat, a dry sauna might be perfect. If you want a gentle but effective way to relax and improve your health, the infrared sauna may be ideal. Perhaps you prefer moist heat and want something soothing for your skin and lungs. In this case, a steam sauna could be your match.

You can also opt for the red light sauna to promote cellular healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance skin health using specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. The home sauna you choose should help you feel healthier and at peace within your space. Contact us today for a free quote on the Sun Home Equinox™ 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna.