Saunas are no longer reserved for spas or remote retreats. Across the UK, more people are investing in home sauna solutions to support recovery, relaxation, and everyday well-being. One of the most common questions we hear is simple—but important:
Should you choose an Infrared Sauna or a Traditional Sauna?
Don't believe there's a one-size-fits-all answer. The right sauna depends on how you live, how you recover, and how you want wellness to fit into your home. This guide breaks down the differences, benefits, and practical considerations of both sauna types - so you can make a confident, informed decision.
In this guide, we'll cover:
- Understanding the Two Main Types of Saunas
- Heat Experience: Gentle vs Intense
- Health and Wellness Benefits: A Balanced View
- Energy Use and Efficiency at Home
- Space, Design, and Installation Considerations
- The Role of Sauna Accessories
- Cultural Experience vs Everyday Convenience
- Which Sauna Is Best for a UK Home?
- FAQs: Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna
Understanding the Two Main Types of Saunas
Before comparing benefits, it's important to understand how each sauna works.
What Is an Infrared Sauna?
An Infrared Sauna uses infrared light panels to heat the body directly rather than warming the surrounding air. Operating at lower temperatures (typically 40–60°C), it delivers a gentler heat experience that many people find accessible for frequent use.
Infrared saunas are often chosen for:
- Muscle recovery
- Joint comfort
- Relaxation without extreme heat
What Is a Traditional Sauna?
A Traditional sauna, including the classic Finnish Sauna, heats the air using a sauna heater and hot stones. Temperatures usually range from 70–100°C. Water can be poured over the stones to create steam, known as löyly sauna, which intensifies heat and humidity.
Traditional saunas are valued for:
- Deep heat exposure
- Strong cultural roots
- A ritual-based sauna experience
Heat Experience: Gentle vs Intense
Infrared Sauna Heat
- Lower ambient temperature
- Heat penetrates the body gradually
- Easier to stay in for longer sessions
This makes infrared saunas ideal for users who prefer calm, steady warmth or shorter daily routines.
Traditional Sauna Heat
- High air temperature
- Immediate heat sensation
- Steam options with löyly
Traditional saunas feel more intense, even during shorter sessions. For many, this intensity is part of the appeal.
Health and Wellness Benefits: A Balanced View
Both sauna types offer meaningful benefits—but they support the body in slightly different ways.
Benefits of Infrared Saunas
- Supports muscle relaxation and circulation
- Gentle on joints
- Comfortable for regular, consistent use
- Suitable for lower heat tolerance
Because sessions can be longer, infrared saunas often fit easily into busy schedules.
Benefits of Traditional & Finnish Saunas
- Promotes full-body heat stress adaptation
- Encourages deep sweating
- Strong mental reset and relaxation
- Enhanced experience with löyly steam
The Finnish Sauna is often described as a full sensory ritual, not just a heat session.
Energy Use and Efficiency at Home
For anyone considering a home sauna UK installation, efficiency matters.
Infrared Sauna Efficiency
- Faster warm-up times
- Lower electricity consumption
- Ideal for indoor spaces
Traditional Sauna Efficiency
- Higher energy demand
- Longer warm-up
- Excellent heat retention, especially in well-designed cabins
A barrel sauna, for example, naturally circulates heat efficiently, making it a popular outdoor option despite higher temperatures.
Space, Design, and Installation Considerations
Infrared Saunas
- Compact and modern designs
- Often plug-and-play
- Ideal for spare rooms or home gyms
Traditional Saunas
- Available as indoor or outdoor builds
- Barrel sauna designs suit gardens and patios
- Requires proper ventilation and heater planning
Choosing between them often comes down to available space and how integrated you want the sauna to be within your home.
The Role of Sauna Accessories
Details elevate the experience, especially at home.
- A sauna hat helps regulate head temperature, improving comfort in high heat
- A high-quality sauna heater ensures stable temperatures and safe operation
- Wooden interiors and proper airflow improve longevity and enjoyment
These elements matter regardless of sauna type, but they're especially noticeable in Traditional saunas.
Cultural Experience vs Everyday Convenience
This is where the decision becomes personal.
A Traditional sauna delivers heritage, ritual, and intensity.
An Infrared Sauna prioritises ease, consistency, and modern living.
Neither is better—only better suited to different lifestyles.
We often see customers choose based on how often they plan to use the sauna, not just how it feels the first time.
Which Sauna Is Best for a UK Home?
For UK homes, climate, space, and energy use play a role.
- Infrared saunas suit indoor, year-round use
- Traditional and barrel saunas excel in outdoor garden spaces
- Both options work well when properly designed and installed
The best sauna is one that fits seamlessly into your routine, not one that feels like a special occasion only.
FAQs: Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna
1. Is an Infrared Sauna safer than a Traditional sauna?
Both are safe when used correctly. Infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures, which some users find more comfortable.
2. Do Traditional saunas burn more energy?
Yes, they generally require more power due to higher heat levels and warm-up times.
3. What is löyly in a Finnish Sauna?
Löyly refers to the steam created when water is poured over hot stones, increasing humidity and heat intensity.
4. Can I use a sauna every day?
Many people use Infrared saunas daily. Traditional sauna frequency often ranges from 2–4 sessions per week.
5. Are barrel saunas effective in the UK climate?
Yes. Barrel saunas retain heat efficiently and perform well outdoors year-round.
6. Do I need a sauna hat?
A sauna hat improves comfort and heat tolerance, especially in high-temperature Traditional saunas.
Final Thoughts: Choosing a Sauna That Supports How You Live
The debate between Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna isn't about which is superior, it's about which supports your lifestyle, recovery needs, and home environment.
Saunas should enhance daily living, not complicate it. Whether you're drawn to the calm consistency of infrared heat or the immersive ritual of a Finnish Sauna, the right choice is the one you'll return to again and again.