Infrared or traditional sauna: which one to choose?
Both are called saunas, but they do not heat in the same way or give the same sensations. The right choice depends on what you like about heat, the space available and how often you will use it.
Two ways of heating
A traditional sauna heats the air in the cabin. A stove, made by Harvia on our models, brings the air to 70 to 90 °C and heats stones placed on top of it. Pouring a little water on these stones creates a burst of steam, the Finnish "löyly", which intensifies the feeling of heat.
An infrared sauna heats the body directly. Emitters, far-infrared panels on several of our cabins, give off radiation that warms the skin and tissues, like the sun. The air in the cabin stays milder, around 45 to 60 °C, and there is no steam.
The sensations
A traditional sauna offers an intense, enveloping heat, adjusted with the steam. It comes with a ritual: a few minutes of heat, a cool shower, a rest, then another round. A session usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes per round.
An infrared sauna gives a gentler heat that makes you sweat without the feeling of stifling. People who find a classic sauna too hot often feel better in one, and sessions can last a little longer.
In both cases, drink water, listen to your body and, if you have a health problem (heart, blood pressure, pregnancy), ask your doctor's advice before starting.
Heat-up time
This is one of the clearest differences day to day. As an order of magnitude, an infrared cabin is ready in 10 to 15 minutes; a traditional sauna needs 30 to 45 minutes for the air and stones to heat up. Infrared is therefore better suited to last-minute sessions; traditional, to sessions you plan.
Space and installation
Our saunas, traditional and infrared alike, are indoor cabins: a dry room, a flat, level floor and adequate ventilation.
- Infrared: the cabins are delivered as panels to assemble. A 1 to 2-person cabin like the Kyoto or the Lagoon fits in a bedroom or a large bathroom.
- Traditional: the cabin comes straight or as a corner model. Corner saunas, like the Summit, use a corner of the room to offer more seating.
Electricity
This is often the deciding factor.
- Our infrared cabins for up to 4 people plug into a 220 V socket, with no building work. For the large Caïman and Havana cabins, your advisor will tell you which connection to plan for.
- A traditional sauna needs a power supply suited to its stove's output, from 3 kW to 6 kW on our models, installed by an electrician.
Consumption
The calculation is the same as for any appliance: power multiplied by time. For a 30-minute session (assumption), a 2 kW infrared cabin that heats up for a quarter of an hour runs for three quarters of an hour: 1.5 kWh at most. A 6 kW stove that heats for 45 minutes and then maintains the heat during the session uses 7.5 kWh at most, and less in practice, since the thermostat cuts the heating once the temperature is reached. Infrared is therefore the most economical, especially for frequent sessions.
Maintenance
Both need very little: air the cabin after each session, wipe the benches, sit on a towel and clean the wood from time to time with a suitable product. In a traditional sauna, the stove stones are checked and replaced when they crack. In an infrared cabin, there are no stones and no water: maintenance is limited to cleaning.
Comparison
| Criterion | Traditional sauna | Infrared sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Air temperature | 70 to 90 °C | 45 to 60 °C |
| Heat-up time (order of magnitude) | 30 to 45 minutes | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Steam | Yes, by pouring water on the stones | No |
| Heating on our models | Harvia stove from 3 to 6 kW | Emitters from 1,666 to 2,800 W |
| Electricity | Supply suited to the stove | 220 V socket up to 4 people |
| Our models | 7 cabins, from 1 to 4 people and corner models | 9 cabins, from 1 to 7 people |
Our models
Traditional saunas: from the Palawan (1 person, 3 kW stove) to the Santorin (4 people, 6 kW), plus three corner saunas including the Valence, delivered with its accessory kit. All models: traditional saunas.
Infrared saunas: four 1 to 2-person cabins (Kyoto, Milan, Lagoon, Oasis), the Tokyo for 2 to 3 people, the Zenith and the Himalaya for families, and the large Caïman (5 people) and Havana (7 people) cabins. All models: infrared saunas.
How to decide?
- You like strong heat, steam and the Finnish ritual: a traditional sauna.
- You want frequent sessions, ready quickly, in a gentle heat: infrared.
- You have a small room and a simple socket: a 1 to 2-person infrared cabin.
- You want to share the session with four or more: the Santorin or a corner sauna in traditional, the Zenith, the Himalaya, the Caïman or the Havana in infrared.
Still unsure? Compare our saunas, then request your quote: an advisor will help you choose according to your room and your electrical installation.