When shopping for the best outdoor infrared sauna, the smallest details make the biggest difference. A true outdoor infrared sauna is excellent for detoxification, weight management, pain relief, and strengthening immunity.
Several types of saunas are available, but not all of them have what it takes to withstand the elements and offer the benefits you’re looking for. To be sure your list of options includes only the best in the market, we’ve compiled a list of the top five outdoor infrared saunas. If you are looking to buy an outdoor infrared sauna or are simply weighing your options, consider one of the following.
The Best Best Outdoor Infrared Sauna for You
1. SDI Factory Direct Ceramic Far Infrared 4-Person Outdoor Sauna
The newly-designed 4-person Ceramic Far Infrared Outdoor Sauna from SDI Factory Direct is a luxurious, at-home sauna. This sauna uses far infrared (FIR) ceramic heaters to provide safe and effective heating, even in less than ideal weather conditions.
This outdoor sauna features a shingled roof and is made of 100% waterproof hemlock wood. The included ionizer with an ozone generator ensures the air inside your sauna stays fresh, while the ozone prevents harmful bacteria and mold.
Other features of this 4-person outdoor sauna include an auxiliary input and stereo speakers. The digital control panel makes it easy to set the temperature and timer. It maintains an accurate reading of the actual temperature inside the sauna, which can be set to either Celsius or Fahrenheit. The digital control panel also allows you to control the four LED lights and four chromotherapy color LED lights.
Whether you plan on using your sauna on your patio, deck, or elsewhere outside your home, this sauna fits perfectly in any corner. Despite being a large sauna, assembly is relatively straightforward. It arrives in seven sections so that the average customer can easily assemble or disassemble it.
Pros:
- Seats up to 4 people simultaneously
- Digital control panel to easily adjust the temperature, time, and lights
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
The 4-person outdoor infrared sauna from SDI Factory Direct is gorgeous, high-quality, and takes full advantage of highly sought-after features including an actual roof, ceramic heaters, a digital control panel, interior lighting, and more. Of the many sauna models available, this one is easily one of the most impressive.
2. KUNSANA Far Infrared 2-Person Sauna
The KUNSANA Far Infrared Sauna Room is a luxurious 2-person sauna that uses infrared heat to warm your body directly, rather than heating the air inside the sauna. Because the air temperature isn’t as high as it is in traditional saunas, you can breathe easier and enjoy a much more comfortable sauna experience.
The KUNSANA Far Infrared Sauna is constructed with premium Canadian hemlock wood that is moisture-proof, corrosion-resistant, and moth-proof. It produces a lovely natural fragrance and won’t warp or deteriorate over time. The full-glass door is made of 6 mm tempered glass.
The impressive features of this 2-person sauna include LCD display control panels, carbon crystal heating, and a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. With the control panel, you can easily adjust the heat level, set the timer, turn on the LED lights and music, and make adjustments as needed during your sauna session. The radiation-free carbon crystal heating plate offers a 360-degree far infrared light wave physical therapy. Vibrant physiotherapy lights and Bluetooth smart audio are included to complete the entire experience.
Pros:
- Physiotherapy lights and Bluetooth audio
- Carbon crystal heating
Cons:
- Lacks privacy features
The KUNSANA Far Infrared Canadian Hemlock Wood Sauna Room is a solid, high-quality outdoor sauna that uses advanced technology and carbon heating panels to increase body temperature. With the KUNSANA 2-person sauna, you can enjoy the benefits of infrared therapy at home. Because of its compact design, this sauna is great for smaller spaces and easy enough for the average customer to assemble.
3. SunRay Burlington 2-Person Outdoor Sauna – HL200D
The SunRay Burlington HL200D is a 2-person sauna that fits comfortably in just about any outdoor space. Thanks to its six ceramic heating panels, this sauna can reach maximum temperatures quickly.
Included with the sauna is a severe weather sauna cover that offers an extra layer of protection against the elements, meaning you don’t have to worry about how it will hold up over time. The natural Canadian hemlock wood blends seamlessly into any outdoor setting, serving as a conversation piece and a great addition to any home.
While some sauna types are difficult to assemble or require the help of a professional, the SunRay Burlington is easy to install, thanks to its tongue and groove construction.
The Burlington 2-Person Outdoor Sauna comes with a 7-year structural warranty and is ETL/CSA certified, which means it meets all electrical safety standards in the U.S. and Canada. Our only complaint about the SunRay Burlington is its audio system. It offers FM radio, CD, and MP3 audio, but lacks a modern audio station with Bluetooth as we’ve seen in similar outdoor saunas.
Pros:
- ETL/CSA Certified
- Oxygen ionization system to purify the air
Cons:
- Outdated audio system
The SunRay Burlington is a sauna cabin constructed from high-quality material that will last for years, especially with the protection of the sauna cover. This outdoor model is large enough to comfortably accommodate two people without becoming an eyesore in your backyard. If you can overlook its dated audio system, you’ll be pleased with the Sunray Burlington HL200D as your personal cabin sauna.
4. Canadian Red Cedar 3-Person Far Infrared Outdoor Sauna with Bluetooth
The Canadian Red Cedar 3-Person Outdoor Sauna from MCP Cedar Sauna uses far infrared carbon fiber heating panels with a maximum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The included LCD control panel features Bluetooth and MP3/auxiliary audio input that can be controlled with a remote. Other features include an ionizer/ozone generator, chromatherapy LED, and interior color lighting that can also be controlled with a remote.
The waterproof shingled roof requires professional installation, but it offers complete roofing that is both stylish and fully functional. The sauna comes with red tiles that can be easily swapped for another color.
Unfortunately for customers on a tight budget, the Canadian Red Cedar 3-Person Outdoor Sauna is among the more expensive home saunas, and it has to be installed by a licensed contractor or electrician, which comes at an extra cost.
Pros:
- Bluetooth enabled
- Red cedar construction
- Waterproof shingled roof
Cons:
- Expensive
- Better suited for two people
- Requires installation by a licensed contractor or electrician
The Canadian Red Cedar 3-Person Outdoor Sauna is a great option if you are looking for a high-quality outdoor FIR sauna with a roof that can withstand heavy rainfall. This carbon sauna has multiple carbon heating panels and is made of Canadian red cedar, a wood type known for its durability and comforting aroma. The Canadian Red Cedar Outdoor Sauna is more expensive than other options, but solid construction and a long list of additional features makes for a sound investment.
5. ZONEMEL Portable Far Infrared One-Person Sauna with Heating Foot Pad and Upgraded Sauna Chair
If you are overwhelmed by the idea of building a permanent structure outside your home, consider this portable option. With the ZONEMEL Portable Far Infrared Sauna, you can enjoy all the health benefits of an infrared sauna wherever you go. From your living room, patio, hotel room, or even campsite, the collapsible design of this portable infrared sauna tent is ideal for renters and frequent travelers.
The ZONEMEL Portable Infrared Sauna comes with a preheating cover, an adjustable collar that fits most people, a large footpad, and a durable dual zipper that makes it easy to zip from the outside. Also included is a foldable chair with a reinforced frame. The chair can be used on its own as portable seating.
This portable at-home spa tent uses carbon panel heating plates to distribute the heat evenly inside the tent. There are three carbon fiber nano-heaters located on both sides and on the back interior wall. The built-in temperature control probe ensures that once the inside of the tent reaches temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), the heaters will turn off.
The poor heat retention is one setback to using a portable spa tent as your outdoor infrared sauna. Because this product doesn’t have a thick wooden frame, heat tends to escape much easier.
Additionally, this sauna is designed to cover your body from the neck down. That leaves your head unexposed to the intense heat inside the tent. That is an issue that can be expected with all portable saunas.
Pros:
- Portable
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Less comfortable than traditional saunas
- Struggles to retain heat in cold environments
- Entire body isn’t exposed to heat
The ZONEMEL one-person at-home spa tent is one of the best products money can buy for a portable sauna. It offers the healing power of a traditional sauna in a convenient, portable package. It’s also a much more affordable option.
Understanding Infrared Saunas
What Is an Infrared Sauna?
An infrared sauna, sometimes called a far infrared sauna, is a type of sauna that uses light to generate heat. “Far” refers to where the infrared waves fall on the light spectrum. Infrared energy penetrates the body, reaching the joints, muscles, tissues, and even the cells. Infrared rays are believed to improve circulation while impurities are expelled from the body through sweat.
Infrared Saunas Vs. Traditional Saunas
The infrared technology used in an infrared sauna penetrates your skin and increases your body temperature directly. With a traditional sauna, the entire interior of the sauna is heated first.
Because an infrared sauna doesn’t rely on the room’s heat to elevate your body temperature, a lower, more comfortable temperature can be maintained. Infrared saunas typically heat to a maximum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas a traditional sauna can reach temperatures as high as 185 degrees Fahrenheit. For people who are heat sensitive, infrared saunas are much more comfortable to use and can be used for longer intervals.
Benefits of an Infrared Sauna
The benefits of using an infrared sauna are similar to the benefits of using a traditional sauna. They include:
- Detoxification
- Pain relief
- Improved sleep
- Relaxation
- Weight loss
- Relief from soreness and tension
- Improved circulation
Additional benefits are regularly being researched and explored. According to this 10-person study, an infrared sauna is beneficial to an overall treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. A different 10-person study showed a connection between infrared saunas, decreased muscle soreness, and increased recovery after strength-training sessions.
A 2017 study of more than 1,600 middle-aged men in Finland suggested that sauna bathing 4-7 times a week reduces the risk of elevated blood pressure. The research was published in Volume 30, Issue 11 of the American Journal of Hypertension.
FAQ
Q: Are Infrared Saunas Better Than Traditional Saunas?
A: Both types of saunas offer numerous health benefits through heat therapy, but they work in different ways. A traditional sauna generates heat in the entire room, which then penetrates your skin to trigger a physiological response at the cellular level.
Infrared saunas use infrared heating technology to penetrate your skin directly and can travel deeper into your body. Because of this technology, infrared saunas are considered more efficient than traditional saunas. Additionally, customers have consistently stated that infrared saunas are much more comfortable to use than traditional saunas.
Q: How Hot are Infrared Saunas?
A: Unlike traditional saunas that reach temperatures between 150-175 degrees Fahrenheit, infrared saunas typically stay below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for an infrared sauna, which relies on infrared heating technology to heat the body directly, rather than heating the environment.
Q: Can You Put an Indoor Sauna Outside?
A: No. Only saunas that are specifically designed to be outdoor saunas can be used outside. A sauna requires an actual roof, insulation, and enough heating power to work properly outdoors.
Q: How Often Should You Use an Infrared Sauna?
A: Infrared saunas are safe enough to use every day, but the average user spends 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week in their infrared sauna. How often and for how long you use your infrared sauna varies based on your comfort levels.
Best Outdoor Infrared Sauna Brands
SunRay
SunRay Saunas has been making high-quality traditional and infrared saunas since 1993. Every sauna designed and manufactured by SunRay meets the quality and safety standards set by CE, CETL, ETL, and RoHS. Infrared saunas produced by SunRay are constructed of premium-grade Canadian red cedar or hemlock wood and are designed with exceptional attention to detail.
Radiant Health Saunas
Founded in 1997, Radiant Health Saunas designs and sells infrared saunas to people in the U.S. and Canada for home and professional use. Their collection of luxury infrared saunas is limited to indoor models, but they have earned a reputation for selling some of the highest-rated infrared saunas available today.
Dynamic Saunas Direct
Dynamic Saunas, part of Golden Designs, Inc., has worked directly with manufacturers since 2008 to produce a collection of FIR saunas. Dynamic Saunas is now the largest supplier of infrared saunas in North America. Their 100,000 square foot facility is located in Ontario, California.
Wrap Up
Infrared heating technology isn’t new, but thousands of people have just recently discovered the many benefits of using infrared saunas. There are hundreds of infrared saunas available, but not all of them have the qualities and features you are looking for. Even fewer are true outdoor infrared saunas.
To make your search easier, we’ve scoured the online marketplace to find only the best, highest-quality outdoor infrared saunas. From the luxurious Ceramic FIR 4-Person Outdoor Sauna from SDI Factory Direct to the inexpensive, portable infrared sauna from ZONEMEL, the best outdoor infrared sauna for you is on our list. Now it’s up to you to decide which one will find a home in your backyard.
