Far Infrared Saunas
Are you in need of a sweat session? If so, a far infrared sauna is what you’re looking for! Far infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular in gyms and spas all over the world.
Are you suffering from mobility issues? Or maybe you’re experiencing some killer DOMS after that gruelling workout? These saunas can soothe sore muscles and help improve your general well-being.
Not to mention you’ll feel super relaxed afterwards! Perfect for some much-needed stress-relief. This type of sauna is achieving a great reputation because they offer a much more comfortable experience than traditional saunas.
But what are far infrared saunas? How do they work? What health benefits do they offer? We’ve got all of these answers and lots more useful information in our awesome buyer’s guide.
We’ve also got 8 top-quality saunas for you to browse through! Still not sure? We’ve got a handy FAQ section to answer any other specific questions you may have.
Read on to discover the amazing benefits of these saunas!
What are far infrared saunas?
First, let’s look at what far infrared saunas actually are. Traditional saunas heat the air around you, which is why they can become unbearably stifling to sit in! Far infrared saunas don’t do this, rather they use infrared lamps to warm you up.
These lamps penetrate effortlessly through your muscles to heat up your body before the air is heated up. A far infrared sauna can also work at lower temperatures too, whereas traditional saunas can only operate at much higher temperatures.
According to manufacturers, only 20% of this goes into heating the air around you, the other 80% heats your body directly. Far infrared sauna users claim that the heat from the lamps penetrates better and deeper than air that’s simply been warmed up, as is the case with traditional saunas.
This creates a more comfortable environment and many people find they can tolerate the high temperatures much better than regular saunas.
What does far infrared mean?
Far infrared saunas use far-infrared radiation, which is a group of the electromagnetic spectrum. As humans, we can’t see infrared light but we can feel it as heat. The term “far” means where on the spectrum the wavelengths are.
To avoid blinding you with science, infrared radiation uses light to heat up your body in the sauna, instead of simply heating the air itself.
The great thing about infrared radiation is that it offers more effective tissue penetration than regular saunas, but they’re less intense. This results in a more enjoyable, comfortable escape for you.
Reasons to buy an infrared sauna
So hopefully by now, you’re discovering the many wonderful benefits that infrared saunas can offer. If you take your well-being seriously, it makes for an essential purchase!
A great reason to buy an infrared model is that it uses harmless infrared radiation, resulting in more effective muscle relaxation. If you’re a regular weight lifter, one of these saunas would make a great addition to your home gym!
As you begin your sauna session, your core body temperature begins rising and that’s when you’ll experience all the benefits! One example is, the heat will cause you to sweat more, resulting in deep-rooted dead skin and dirt being drawn out, giving you clearer skin.
If you’re looking to lose weight, far-infrared heat therapy can help you achieve this, alongside regular exercise and a clean, healthy diet.
What are the supposed numerous health benefits of infrared saunas?
The many health benefits associated with infrared saunas are pretty much the same as using a traditional sauna, including:
- Improved sleep
- Feeling well-rested and relaxed
- Effective detoxification
- Weight loss
- Sore muscles are soothed and relieved
- Relieves joint pain
- Clearer skin
- Improves circulation
- Can help with the symptoms of chronic health problems such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
It’s no secret that saunas aren’t a new invention. People have used them for hundreds of years to help improve all kinds of health problems, and the fact that they’re still used today shows how effective they can be.
Are saunas safe to use during pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant you may be wondering if you’re able to enjoy the many benefits saunas offer. Although the idea of the infrared heat relieving those pesky body aches and other discomforts may sound tempting, many doctors strongly advise against it.
This is because the constant high temperature may not be safe for your baby. Unborn babies aren’t able to regulate their body temperature, meaning they wouldn’t be able to tolerate the extreme heat of a sauna.
If your doctor does say it’s ok to use one, only stay there for a maximum of 15 minutes. However, most doctors will probably tell you to avoid them altogether while you’re pregnant. Even a few minutes in a sauna can cause complications for your unborn baby.
If you do decide to use a sauna, leave immediately if you feel like you may faint or you start suffering from nausea. This is a sign your body is overheated.
Ultimately, the potential complications that saunas can cause during pregnancy just aren’t worth the risk. Once you’ve had your baby you can reap all the benefits of a relaxing session as much as you want!
Do saunas lower blood pressure?
Yes! If you have high blood pressure, frequent sauna sessions can help to improve your heart health and lower your blood pressure.
When you sit in a sauna, your core body temperature rises and this widens your blood vessels. With regular sessions, this improves the functioning of the vessels, lowering your blood pressure.
Not only that, but saunas also get rid of fluids from your body by making you sweat. This is turn relaxes you, physically and mentally.
What you should know before using an infrared sauna:
Before you jump into your first sauna session, there are a few things you should be aware of:
- Don’t use an infrared sauna if you’re under the influence of alcohol
- If you feel ill or you’re feverish, wait until you feel better to have your session
- Keep in mind, you will sweat a lot in the sauna which may make you feel faint when you stand up. If so, stand up slowly and then sit back down after you’ve walked out of the sauna.
- Be sure to drink water straight after your session and wait for your temperature to come down before carrying on with your day.
If you have any ailments such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart problems, or you’re receiving medical treatments, make sure you clear it with your doctor before you start using a sauna. Although infrared saunas are quite safe, when it comes to your health you don’t want to take any risks.
What are the different types of infrared Saunas?
The most common type of infrared saunas used is far-infrared. However, full-spectrum saunas are available as well. These come in wavelengths of near, mid and far. Each one heats your body directly instead of heating the air inside the sauna. Each one apparently provides different benefits:
- Near-infrared – This combines light and heat therapy, known as phototherapy. This penetrates just below the skin’s surface to improve healing and to help you feel revitalised. It’s claimed to be the best for healing cuts and other wounds and for improving the immune system.
- Mid-infrared – This uses a longer wavelength to penetrate slightly deeper into the tissue to improve circulation and reach traumatised areas. Mid-infrared is believed to aid in the relaxation of the muscles.
- Far-infrared – This is the longest wavelength, and many sauna companies believe it can get rid of toxins in the body, refresh the metabolism and provide many other heart-improving benefits.
8 Best Far Infrared Saunas Reviewed in 2021
1. Maxxus Saunas MX-J206-01
Built to be eco-friendly, this sauna is made from 100% reforested Canadian Hemlock wood. The walls are double-panelled and constructed from thick, high-quality planks both inside and outside. This means the sauna keeps the heat in more efficiently, wasting less energy!
The Maxxus 2-person sauna features six infrared energy-efficient heating panels that create less intense heat. This heat then gets distributed evenly inside, giving you a more comfortable and tolerable sauna experience.
The panels are 30% bigger than saunas that rely on ceramic tubes. They also penetrate your body tissue 40% more for ultimate infrared heat therapy. You also won’t need to replace these panels, making it more convenient.
The Maxxus sauna also operates at lower temperatures than rock and water saunas, making them much safer.
2. Dynamic Saunas AMZ-DYN-6106-01 Barcelona
Our personal favourite, this dynamic 1-2-person sauna is designed to be super easy to use and offers excellent value for money. Assembling it is incredibly easy and takes less than 60 minutes!
It operates with a dual soft-touch control panel for ease of use, and the sauna temperature is shown on an LED display. Thanks to the built-in MP3 aux connection and speakers, you can play your favourite tracks while you relax and unwind.
This far infrared sauna can also be installed on carpet or on any other indoor setting! It would make an incredibly useful and aesthetically pleasing addition to any home gym or fitness facility!
3. Relax Sauna Far Infrared Sauna
If you’re looking for a unique and easily portable infrared sauna, take a look at this one from Relax Sauna! The 95% far-infrared levels provide relief from pain and inflammation, getting rid of your body’s toxins.
You can also expect better circulation and relief from tension and stress. Enjoy the relaxing, detoxifying and invigorating benefits of infrared therapy!
Not only that, but it also helps to heal wounds, aids in weight loss and lowers your high blood pressure. The far infrared light also helps increase your metabolism and results in a more mobilised lymphatic system.
If you want clearer skin, then this clever sauna can help you achieve that too! It gets rid of infections and the increased cell activity stimulates the skins collagen and elastin production.
This is turn improves the texture of your skin, helping to reduce the appearance of cellulite. The increased circulation also burns calories, helping you with your weight loss journey.
Suffer from arthritis or other joint conditions? This infrared sauna can offer you relief from the pain of these conditions, giving you a better quality of life.
Other life-changing benefits include an improved immune system, tension and stress relief and improved cardiovascular health.
4. Maxxus Reims Infrared Sauna
This Maxxus infrared sauna offers you numerous health benefits right in the comfort of your home! The advanced technology and the energy efficiency of the far-infrared heating panels allow your body’s tissue to be penetrated deeply, promoting healing and toxin elimination.
Enjoy increased circulation, relief from pain and sore muscles, and improved skin tone, as well as many more benefits! This Maxxus infrared sauna is made from recycled Canadian Hemlock wood to protect the environment.
The walls of this generously sized sauna are also made from superior-quality planks and the panels are larger and more powerful than other sauna models. This means the infrared lighting penetrates your body tissue deeper, giving you more effective results.
5. Dynamic Saunas Lugano Infrared Sauna
Made from reforested wood, not only does this sauna look the part, but it’s also environmentally-friendly! The far infrared carbon heating panels provide relaxing infrared waves that penetrate deep into the muscle tissue, eliminating toxins and improving blood circulation.
Got any annoying aches and pains? This ingenious sauna will take care of them for you. Enjoy relief from sore muscles and joints thanks to the soothing infrared waves.
It’s constructed from sturdy, excellent-quality planks that make up the double-panelled sauna walls. This means the sauna retains the heat more, making it efficient and less likely to waste energy.
The carbon heat panels also offer maximum convenience because they’ll never need to be replaced, unlike saunas that use ceramic heaters.
This 3-person infrared sauna is also extremely easy to use and to assemble! Dynamic Saunas also feature a decreased wattage floor and a low bench heater for safe treatment without any burning sensations.
Other great features include a built-in MP3 aux connector, roof vent for air circulation and an interior chromotherapy lighting system so you can read your favourite book whilst you unwind.
6. JNH Lifestyles MG217HB Joyous Far Infrared Sauna
This bestselling two-person model is perfect for couples or as a luxury escape for one person! The compact and convenient size means you can easily find space for it in your home without it taking up lots of room.
Not only does the neutral decor suit any room, but it also provides incredible health benefits. Detoxification, relief from pain and stress, and improved cardiovascular performance to name a few!
Enjoy the sturdiness of the dual-panelled walls that protect your sauna from damage and also offer excellent insulation. If anything were to damage the exterior wall, your sauna will be fully protected and able to function properly.
The sauna is also super easy to use thanks to the control panel. Designed with a simple user interface, all you need to do is set your preferred temperature and duration, and you’re all set to enjoy your new addition! Once your session is over you’ll receive an alert to let you know.
7. Heatwave Coronado Two-Person Sauna
Escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life with this beautiful Radiant Saunas infrared sauna!
The six superior-quality carbon heaters provide therapeutic waves that are distributed evenly in the sauna. The chromotherapy lights also assist you in relaxing and unwinding. Perfect for couples who want to relax together in peace, the extra-large bench means you each have plenty of room.
Conveniently sized, it will fit pretty much anywhere in your home. The EZ-Touch interior and exterior control panel makes it super easy to control the temperature.
You also get lots of accessories with your purchase, including a towel hook, magazine rack, CD player with an MP3 connector and an oxygen ionizer. Because it’s made from sturdy Hemlock Wood, this sauna is very easy to assemble and it’s been built with longevity in mind.
Your purchase is also protected by a seven-year limited warranty!
8. LifeSmart Alicante Bio Ceramic Far Infrared Sauna
Wave goodbye to expensive spa treatments and welcome this amazing far infrared sauna into your home!
The energy-efficient Bio-Ceramic heaters provide you with deeply penetrating waves to help you feel invigorated and refreshed! Perfect for home use, this model is conveniently sized and will fit comfortably in any room of your house.
If you’re looking to remove your body’s toxins, increase your circulation and ease muscle and joint aches, this is the one for you. If you’re on a weight-loss mission then you’re also in luck! As you sweat more, you burn more calories, helping you to lose weight and reduce the appearance of annoying cellulite.
Unlike a traditional sauna, which usually operates at over 200 degrees, this infrared sauna model only needs to work at around 130 degrees. Not only is this safer, but it also absorbs into your body’s tissue more effectively.
This means you can take longer sessions, be more comfortable and enjoy better results!
FAQs
Are far infrared saunas safe?
Yes, infrared saunas are considered perfectly safe and they can be a great way to relax and unwind at the end of the day!
With that said, there are some people who should be careful when it comes to using saunas, including:
- People with certain health conditions – Even though saunas can offer health benefits to people with medical conditions, it’s always best to consult with a doctor first before using them, whether for treatment or pleasure.
- People who are taking medication – If you’re taking things such as beta-blockers or barbiturates, be sure to consult with your doctor before you use any saunas. This is because these medications may stop you from regulating your core temperature by not letting you sweat enough.
- People who have taken drugs or alcohol – You should never use a sauna if you’ve been drinking or you’ve taken drugs. This is because if you pass out inside the sauna you could dangerously overheat, leading to heatstroke which can be life-threatening.
Which is better far or near-infrared sauna?
Both of them have lots of benefits and it depends on what your personal needs are. Near-infrared therapy promotes wound healing and topical relief for skin conditions and bodily pains that aren’t deeply-rooted.
On the flipside, far-infrared saunas can rejuvenate you much more effectively than a near-infrared or traditional sauna. This is because they make you sweat much more and this pushes dirt and other impurities out of your skin quickly.
What is far infrared sauna good for?
People who use saunas regularly claim they have numerous health benefits! Some of these claims include beauty-related benefits such as clearer skin, a glowing complexion and reduced cellulite.
Some people also find that a far infrared sauna session can help to alleviate the pain of joint conditions such as arthritis and Lupus. Another popular belief is detoxification. It is widely believed that sweating removes the body’s toxins.
Another common opinion is that saunas refresh, rejuvenate and relax you. If you’ve ever used one of these amazing inventions, then you’ll know how relaxing the quiet space of a sauna can be.
You may even be inspired to start meditating and performing breathing exercises in your comfortable, warm, and quiet retreat
What is the best far infrared sauna?
This completely depends on your own personal taste and needs. How much room do you have to spare? How many people is it for? Are you buying it for yourself or will you share it with your partner?
Consider the materials as well. You want your new addition to last so choosing a good quality, solid wood construction is a must!