Infrared Buying Guide
What Matters in Practice — and What Often Does Not
At Sun Home, our focus is centered on engineering, testing, and real-world performance, rather than marketing claims.
Over time, we have observed that confusion surrounding infrared saunas rarely stems from insufficient information. More often, it arises from an excess of specifications presented without context, claims made without independent validation, and an emphasis on features that do not materially influence long-term use or outcomes.
This guide was developed to address those issues directly.
Its purpose is not to promote trends, but to clarify the factors that distinguish an infrared sauna that delivers consistent value over time from one that initially appears compelling yet proves disappointing in regular use.
Why Infrared Has Become the Preferred Home Sauna Format
Traditional saunas remain a valid option in certain settings. However, for most individuals using a sauna in a residential environment — particularly those intending to use it several times per week — infrared systems offer meaningful practical advantages.
Infrared saunas transfer heat directly to the body rather than relying on extremely heated ambient air. This distinction allows sessions to remain physiologically effective while avoiding excessive discomfort that can limit frequency of use.
In practical terms, infrared systems typically provide:
- Faster warm-up times
- Lower ambient air temperatures
- Longer, more tolerable sessions
- Greater consistency of use over time
- Increased therapeutic benefits
For these reasons, infrared technology has emerged as the preferred home sauna format for regular use — not because it reduces intensity, but because it supports sustainable, repeatable sessions.
Temperature Is Not a Specification — It Is the Experience
One of the most frequent limitations observed in infrared saunas is insufficient maximum heat output.
Many models on the market reach peak temperatures in the range of 130–140°F. While these values may appear sufficient on paper, in practice they often result in sessions that feel mild rather than physiologically engaging, particularly as the body adapts over time.
Sun Home saunas are engineered to reach temperatures of up to 170°F, representing the upper practical range for infrared sauna systems. This additional thermal capacity provides meaningful flexibility.
Higher achievable temperatures allow users to:
- Induce perspiration more efficiently
- Adjust session intensity based on individual tolerance
- Maintain effectiveness as heat adaptation occurs
Based on long-term usage patterns, saunas with limited heat capacity are more likely to fall out of regular use.
Full-Spectrum Infrared: A More Complete Thermal Profile
Infrared energy spans three distinct wavelength ranges: near, mid, and far infrared.
Most infrared saunas rely predominantly on far infrared output. While far infrared is widely associated with comfort and relaxation, restricting emission to a single wavelength band limits overall heat absorption and distribution.
Sun Home utilizes full-spectrum infrared heaters that emit across all three ranges:
- Near infrared: associated with deeper tissue penetration
- Mid infrared: commonly linked to circulation and muscle warming
- Far infrared: provides the familiar enveloping heat associated with sauna use
The objective is not redundancy, but efficiency — delivering a broader range of infrared energy that can be absorbed more effectively by the body.
Emissivity: Radiant Heat Versus Ambient Heating
A critical but often overlooked variable in infrared sauna performance is emissivity.
Emissivity describes a material’s ability to emit infrared energy. Materials with higher emissivity transfer a greater proportion of their energy output directly to the body rather than dissipating it into the surrounding air.
Sun Home heaters are designed with high-emissivity surfaces, maximizing radiant heat delivery. In contrast, many competing systems employ heater elements originally designed for industrial or space-heating applications, rather than human-centered infrared exposure.
The difference is readily apparent in early use, particularly in how efficiently heat is perceived and absorbed.
Your Sanctuary of Safety: Ultra-Low EMF Wellness
At Sun Home Saunas, we consider safety to be a foundational design requirement, not a secondary consideration.
Saunas are intended to support recovery, longevity, and physiological balance. Concerns related to electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure should not be part of that experience.
For this reason, we did not rely on internal estimates or theoretical models. Instead, we sought independent verification.
Why Independent EMF Testing Is Essential
“Low EMF” is a frequently cited claim within the sauna industry, yet it is rarely defined with consistency or supported by standardized measurement practices.
Without third-party testing, it is difficult to determine whether reported values reflect realistic usage conditions or isolated measurements taken under ideal circumstances.
To ensure objective and reproducible results, Sun Home partnered with Vitatech Electromagnetics, a U.S.-based firm widely recognized for its expertise in electromagnetic measurement and analysis.
Vitatech Testing Methodology
Vitatech conducted independent laboratory testing using professional-grade fluxgate magnetometers, instrumentation commonly employed in engineering and regulatory contexts.
Rather than emphasizing peak or instantaneous values, testing focused on RMS (Root Mean Square) magnetic field measurements, which represent continuous exposure over time.
Independent Findings: Ultra-Low EMF Performance
Testing confirmed that Sun Home saunas operate at ultra-low EMF levels across all normal seated distances, placing them among the lowest EMF infrared sauna systems in the premium category.
You don't have to take our word for it - the science is in the report.
EMF in Everyday Context
Electromagnetic fields are an unavoidable component of modern environments. Any electrically powered device produces some level of EMF.
For reference, typical household measurements include:
- Toasters: approximately 3–70 mG
- Blenders: approximately 200–1,200 mG
- Hair dryers: approximately 60–200 mG
- Electric toothbrushes: approximately 20–200 mG
- Smartphones and tablets: approximately 2–10 mG
Key Considerations When Selecting an Infrared Sauna
- The system’s ability to reach and sustain higher temperatures
- Full-spectrum versus single-band infrared output
- Heater emissivity and purpose-built design
- Independent EMF testing at seated distances
- Overall comfort and usability for frequent sessions
Our Design Philosophy
We do not design for novelty or extremes. We design for durability, repeatability, and sustained performance. Sun Home saunas are engineered to integrate seamlessly into daily routines rather than serve as occasional-use products.