Differences between infrared and steam saunas

If you’re choosing a sauna for your home, the first decision is whether to go with infrared or traditional. Both deliver the wellness benefits people associate with sauna use, but they work in different ways and suit different spaces. Alongside our hot tubs, Canadian Spa Company carries a full range of infrared saunas, designed for straightforward home installation with no special wiring. This guide compares the two types and helps you choose the right one for your home.

A quick note on terminology

The original version of this article (and a lot of online content) uses “steam sauna” loosely to mean traditional Finnish-style sauna. Strictly:

• Traditional sauna uses heated stones to warm the air to 70–90°C. The atmosphere is mostly dry, but you can ladle water onto the rocks to produce a burst of steam (called löyly) for short bursts of humidity.
• Steam room is a different category, much higher humidity (close to 100%), lower air temperature (40–50°C), and typically tiled rather than wood-lined. Closer to a Turkish bath than a sauna.
• Infrared sauna uses radiant heat panels at lower air temperatures (45–60°C), warming the body directly rather than the surrounding air.

This article compares infrared and traditional Finnish-style saunas, the two main residential options. Steam rooms are a separate category we don’t cover here.

Side-by-side comparison

	Canadian Spa Infrared Sauna	Traditional sauna
Heat type	Radiant heat from panels, warms the body directly. Lower air temperature (45–60°C), dry atmosphere.	Heated stones warm the air. Higher air temperature (70–90°C), dry by default with optional steam from water on rocks.
Safety	No direct access to a hot heating element. Panels are integrated into the cabin walls, child-friendly environment.	Access to the hot stones is required to add water for steam. Heat element guards minimise risk but supervision matters.
Power consumption	Plugs into a standard UK 13A socket via an RCD. No special wiring needed.	Higher power draw, typically requires a dedicated 16A or 32A hardwired supply installed by a qualified electrician.
Installation	Ships flat-packed in panels. Designed for at-home assembly by the customer in a few hours.	Often arrives as one prebuilt unit, harder to manoeuvre into smaller UK spaces. Some kits available, but heavier and more involved.
Ventilation	No ventilation issues, the heat is dry and the cabin doesn’t accumulate moisture. Suits indoor installation.	Proper ventilation is needed if installed indoors. Many traditional saunas are installed outdoors or in dedicated wet rooms.
Heat-up time	10–15 minutes typically, infrared panels reach operating temperature quickly.	30–45 minutes typically, heating air to 80°C takes longer than warming a body directly.
Running cost	Lower per session due to faster heat-up and lower air temperature.	Higher per session, bigger heater, longer warm-up, higher operating temperature.
Sensation	A gentle, deep warming sensation. Lower air temperature feels less intense, but you’ll still sweat heavily.	The classic intense, hot, dry-with-bursts-of-steam experience. The high air temperature is part of the appeal for traditional users.

Which suits a UK home better?

For most UK homes, infrared is the more practical choice. Several reasons:

• Power supply. 13A plug-and-play means no electrician needed, no consumer-unit work, no hardwired install. You take delivery, assemble, plug it in.
• Indoor placement. Infrared cabins suit a converted utility room, garage corner, basement or large bathroom, dry heat means no special ventilation requirement.
• Lower running cost. Faster heat-up and lower operating temperatures translate into noticeably less energy per session.
• Family-friendly. No exposed heating element makes infrared cabins a safer bet for households with children.

Traditional saunas have their advocates, particularly people with Finnish or Baltic heritage who grew up with the high-temperature, steam-laden ritual. They’re also better suited to outdoor garden installation where ventilation isn’t a concern. But for a typical UK home with a typical UK electrical supply and a typical UK garage or utility space, infrared is the easier, cheaper, more flexible option.

Browse our full sauna range to see the current infrared models, including 1–4 person cabins.

Wellness benefits, the honest picture

Both infrared and traditional saunas deliver similar wellness benefits with different sensations: relaxation, post-exercise recovery, a wind-down ritual, and the cardiovascular response that comes with sustained heat. Many regular users find their sauna time becomes the most reliable “device-free” 20 minutes in their week.

We’re careful not to make medical claims for either. You shouldn't use a sauna while pregnant. If you have an existing health condition, or take medications that affect blood pressure or hydration, please speak to your GP before starting regular sauna use of any kind.

Our sauna range at a glance

Here is how the main models compare, using the figures on each product page:

Model	Type	Seats	Size (W x D x H)	Heat output	Temperature range
Chilliwack	Far infrared, indoor	1 to 2	101.5 x 96.5 x 190.5 cm	1385W	19 to 70°C
Tremblant	Far infrared, indoor (8 heaters)	2	127 x 105 x 195 cm	1920W	20 to 60°C
Oval Barrel Hybrid	Traditional stove plus infrared, outdoor	See product page	184.3 x 120 x 194.5 cm	3000W stove plus 1260W infrared	See product page

The full line-up, including larger cabins, is in our saunas collection. If you cannot decide between the two heating styles, the barrel hybrid gives you both in one cabin: the stove for a classic hot, steamy session and the infrared panels for a gentler one.

Working out the running cost

You can estimate the cost of a session from the heater rating and your electricity unit rate. The heater's wattage is the most it can draw, and a thermostat cycles it on and off once the cabin is up to temperature, so real use is usually lower than this ceiling.

1. Divide the heater wattage by 1,000 to get kilowatts. The Chilliwack is 1.385 kW; the barrel stove is 3 kW.
2. Multiply by the hours the heater runs, including warm-up. A 15 minute warm-up plus a 30 minute session is 0.75 hours.
3. Multiply by your unit rate from your latest bill.

As a worked example at an illustrative 25p per kWh, the Chilliwack at full draw for 0.75 hours uses about 1.04 kWh, or roughly 26p. The 3 kW stove running for 1.25 hours, allowing for its longer warm-up, uses about 3.75 kWh, or roughly 94p. Check your own tariff, as rates vary.

Power and placement checks before you order

• Indoor infrared cabins such as the Chilliwack run on 230V from a dedicated 13A outlet. Do not share that socket with other heavy appliances or use an extension lead.
• Traditional and hybrid saunas have larger heaters. Ask a qualified electrician to confirm the supply before delivery, as the barrel hybrid has both a stove and infrared panels to power.
• Floor: the Chilliwack weighs 125 kg and the Tremblant 137 kg before anyone sits in them, so choose a flat, level floor that can take the load.

Using a sauna sensibly

Whichever type you choose, drink water before and after, start with shorter sessions and leave straight away if you feel dizzy or unwell. Avoid alcohol before a session. If you have a heart condition, blood pressure problems or another long-term condition, or take regular medication, speak to your GP first. You shouldn't use a sauna while pregnant. NHS guidance explains that saunas raise your core temperature, bringing a risk of overheating, dehydration and fainting.

In a traditional sauna, add water to the stones a small ladle at a time using a proper sauna bucket and ladle, and keep children well back from the stove.

Frequently asked questions

Will I still sweat in an infrared sauna at lower temperatures?

Yes, infrared warms your body directly, so you’ll sweat heavily even at 50°C air temperature. The sensation is gentler than traditional but the physical response is comparable.

Can I install an infrared sauna outdoors?

Most Canadian Spa infrared saunas are designed for indoor installation. Outdoor variants are available, check the specific model’s specifications before ordering.

How much space does an infrared sauna take up?

Roughly the footprint of a small wardrobe or shower cubicle. Our 2-person cabins typically need a 1.2m × 1m floor area; 3–4 person cabins need around 1.8m × 1.5m. Always check the specific model dimensions before planning placement.

Are infrared saunas as effective as traditional ones?

For wellness benefits, yes, the body’s response to sustained heat is similar in both. The sensation differs (gentle and deep vs intense and hot), but neither is “better”, it’s a personal preference.

Do I need a special floor or moisture barrier?

No, infrared saunas work on standard household flooring without moisture barriers, unlike traditional saunas which need waterproof surfaces because of steam exposure. This is one of the practical reasons infrared is so much easier to install in a typical UK home.

How long should an infrared sauna session last?

Most users settle into 20–30 minute sessions a few times a week, often longer than they would in a traditional sauna because the lower air temperature is more comfortable. Hydrate before and after.

Choose what suits your home and your routine

The right sauna for your home depends on your power supply, the space you have available, the experience you’re looking for, and how often you’d realistically use it. For most UK households, an infrared sauna is the easier, cheaper, more practical option. To explore current models, see our full sauna range, or talk to our team about which size and configuration suits your space.

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