Why is a Far Infrared Sauna a better buy than a Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna?
Teresa MüllerScanning the Internet for information and offers on saunas you might come across the expression 'Full Spectrum Sauna'.
You would think, that sounds good, wouldn't you?
However, the naming of a product doesn't always reveal its value and function. So before getting too excited about it and hitting the buy button it is worth informing yourself about infrared and what you should consider before a sauna purchase.
What is Infrared?
The German astronomer William Herschel was the first to discover the existence of infrared radiation in 1800. He used a prism to break down sunlight into its spectral parts and found a non-visible but warming radiation beyond the red, the longest wavelength range, of visible light. He discovered that there is an invisible light that was hotter than everything else. That's what we call infrared radiation nowadays.
Infrared radiation is part of the optical radiation and thus part of the electromagnetic spectrum in the spectral range between visible light and longer-wave terahertz radiation.
The effect of infrared radiation (IR) is based on the fact that its energy is absorbed by the body. The radiation stimulates molecules to oscillate and rotate and we know the result from the sun's natural infrared radiation: heat.
Image 1: Electromegantic Spectrum
Infrared radiation is divided into:
- the short-wave IR-A radiation with a wavelength range from 780 to 1400 nanometers,
- the IR-B radiation (1400 to 3000 nanometers) and
- the long-wave subrange, the IR-C radiation (3000 nanometers to 1 millimeter).
What is Near Infrared?
Near Infrared includes the IR-A and IR-B radiation. It has the greatest depth penetration. IR-A radiation can be found in open fireplaces, campfires or halogen lamps.
What is Mid Infrared?
Mid infrared includes the shorter wavelength range of IR-C radiation. Its wavelengths penetrate deeper into the body than near infrared and are therefore good for increasing circulation and blood flow.
What is Far Infrared?
Far Infrared includes the longer wavelength range of IR-C radiation. Far Infrared heats the body directly. You can find Far Infrared in domestic radiators, tiled stoves and people.
Why is a Far Infrared Sauna a better buy than a Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna?
Full Spectrum is an expression used by companies that sell saunas with both Far- and Near-(Mid-)Infrared emitters.
At first this sounds effective as you get everything in one package. So why is this not the case?
Near infrared requires your body to be within around 2 to 3 inches from the infrared lights. This is due to the fact that skin doesn't absorb near infrared too well from a distance. Since you usually sit at least 6 inches away from the walls/ emitters, near infrared saunas are questionable.
Far infrared and full spectrum compared
Here is how the two approaches differ in practice for a home cabin:
| Far infrared sauna | Full spectrum sauna | |
|---|---|---|
| Emitters | Far infrared panels only | A mix of far, mid and near infrared emitters |
| How you feel the heat | Even, gentle warmth across the body from panels around the cabin | Far infrared warmth plus near infrared lamps, which work best at close range |
| Distance from emitters | Works at normal seated distance | Near infrared needs you to sit very close to the lamps to feel much from them |
| Components | One type of heater | Two or more emitter types in the same cabin |
| What you are paying for | Heat output, cabin build and insulation | Heat output plus near infrared lamps you may not be close enough to benefit from |
For a home sauna, the things that make the biggest difference to your sessions are steady, even heat, a well-insulated cabin and controls that are easy to use. That is where we focus our range.
What to look for in a far infrared sauna
- Heater type and lifespan. Our cabins use far infrared panels rated to last 3,000 to 5,000 hours each. At four sessions a week of 45 minutes, 3,000 hours is more than 15 years of use.
- Total wattage for the cabin size. The Chilliwack is rated at 1,385W for a 1 to 2 person cabin, and the Tremblant at 1,920W from 8 heaters for two people.
- Temperature range. The Tremblant can be set between 20°C and 60°C. Infrared cabins run cooler than a traditional sauna because they warm you directly rather than heating all the air.
- Wood and insulation. Both models are built from Canadian hemlock, and the Chilliwack has dual-wall construction to hold the heat in.
- EMF levels. Our cabins have an average EMF level of 1.3 mG, as stated on each product page.
- Controls. A timer, pre-heat and auto-start make it easy to have the cabin warm when you want it.
- Power. Both run on 230V from a standard dedicated outlet, so no special wiring is needed in most homes. Do not share that outlet with other heavy appliances or use an extension lead.
Running costs
An infrared sauna's running cost is easy to estimate because the heaters have a fixed rating. The figures below assume the heaters draw their full rating for the whole session, including warm-up, which overstates real use because the thermostat cycles the panels once the cabin is warm.
| Model | Rating | One hour at full draw | Four 1-hour sessions a week at 25p/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilliwack | 1,385W | 1.39 kWh, about 35p | about £1.39 a week |
| Tremblant | 1,920W | 1.92 kWh, about 48p | about £1.92 a week |
The 25p per kWh unit rate is illustrative. Check your bill for your own rate. Using the pre-heat or auto-start setting so the cabin is ready when you are, rather than leaving it on longer than needed, keeps costs down.
Choosing between our cabins
Chilliwack: compact and simple to place
At 101.5 x 96.5 x 190.5 cm and 125 kg, the Chilliwack fits a spare corner of a bedroom, home gym or garden room. It takes 1 to 2 people, has over 20 chromotherapy colours, Bluetooth audio and an aromatherapy canister, and the cabin locks together with clasps, so assembly typically takes around 30 minutes without tools.
Tremblant: more room for two
The Tremblant gives two people more space at 127 x 105 x 195 cm, with 8 far infrared heaters, Bluetooth audio, LED chromotherapy with individual colour and fade settings, an interior light and exterior entry lights.
Browse both, and our outdoor options, in the saunas collection.
Planning where your sauna will go
- Measure the space and the route. Allow for the cabin footprint plus room to open the door. Check doorways and stairs for the flat-packed panels.
- Check the floor. It needs to be flat and level. The Chilliwack weighs 125 kg and the Tremblant 137 kg empty, plus the people using them.
- Find the outlet. Plan for a dedicated outlet close to the cabin so the lead reaches without strain.
- Think about use. A cabin near a shower makes it easy to rinse off afterwards. A bedroom or home gym works well for evening sessions.
- Indoors or out. Our far infrared cabins are designed for indoor use. For the garden, look at the outdoor oval barrel sauna, which combines a traditional stove with infrared panels.
Using an infrared sauna sensibly
Drink water before and after a session, start with shorter sessions and leave straight away if you feel dizzy or unwell. If you have a heart condition, blood pressure problems or another long-term condition, or take regular medication, speak to your GP before using a sauna. You shouldn't use a sauna while pregnant; NHS guidance explains the risk of overheating, dehydration and fainting.
Infrared sauna FAQs
Is full spectrum better than far infrared?
Not necessarily. Near infrared works best very close to the lamps, and most people sit further from the walls than that. A well-built far infrared cabin gives even heat at normal seating distance.
How hot does a far infrared sauna get?
The Tremblant can be set from 20°C to 60°C. The heat feels different from a traditional sauna because the panels warm you directly.
Do I need an electrician?
Not usually. Our infrared cabins run on 230V from a standard dedicated outlet. If you need a new outlet fitted, use a qualified electrician.
How long do the heaters last?
Our far infrared heaters are rated for 3,000 to 5,000 hours each.
Can I put an infrared sauna in a bedroom?
Yes, if the floor is level and there is a dedicated outlet nearby. Infrared heat is dry, so the cabin does not fill the room with moisture.
Looking at saunas?
Compare our home saunas, or find heaters, stones and other spares.
