A sauna is one of the few upgrades that pays you back every single day. But the first decision, traditional or infrared, changes everything about how it feels, what it costs to run, and where it can go. Here's how to choose.
Traditional (cedar) saunas
A traditional sauna heats the air with a stove and rocks, running hot, typically 160–200°F, with the option to pour water for steam. It's the classic, enveloping heat most people picture. Our Auris cedar saunas are built for the outdoors, with kiln-dried cedar that handles the temperature swings and the weather.
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Best for: the traditional high-heat, steam experience
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Heat-up time: 30–45 minutes
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Placement: outdoors, with appropriate electrical for the heater
Infrared saunas
Infrared saunas warm your body directly with radiant panels rather than heating the air, so they run cooler, around 120–150°F, and are ready in minutes. Many people find the lower, dry heat easier to sit in for longer. Our Lumin infrared cabins are the simplest way to add a daily sweat.
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Best for: gentle, low-temperature sessions and quick starts
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Heat-up time: 10–15 minutes
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Placement: flexible, with a lower power draw
How to decide
If you want the ritual of steam and intense heat, go cedar. If you want something you'll actually use every day with minimal wait, go infrared. If you plan to pair a sauna with a cold plunge, check whether heat and cold exposure are appropriate for you, and follow the instructions for both products.
Not sure which fits your space? Ask us and we'll help you size it and sort the electrical before you buy.
Sauna installation checklist
Before choosing the cabin, measure the actual installation location and check the selected manufacturer's manual. An appealing photograph will not tell you whether a unit can be delivered through your gate, powered safely or ventilated correctly.
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Placement and access: measure doorways, gates, pathways, overhead obstructions and the base or floor that will support the sauna.
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Power: check the exact heater or panel specification, circuit requirements, local electrical code and the availability of a qualified installer.
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Ventilation and moisture: follow the maker's ventilation and clearance rules. Indoor locations require particular attention to surrounding materials and humidity.
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Climate: confirm whether the selected model is approved for outdoor exposure and how weather protection and drainage should be managed.
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Usable capacity: consider the seated space and actual bench layout, not just the number in a marketing headline.
Compare running costs realistically
Electricity use depends on heater power, warm-up time, session length, temperature, insulation and climate. For a rough estimate, multiply the heater's kilowatt rating by its hours of operation to get an upper-bound energy estimate in kWh, then apply your local electricity tariff. Real consumption varies because thermostatic heating cycles on and off. Use the manufacturer's figures where available.
Browse home and outdoor saunas, or consider a complete wellness studio where a sauna and other facilities are designed into the same structure.
Shop This Guide
Browse all saunas and ice baths →
How to Choose a Sauna: Traditional Cedar vs. Infrared
A sauna is one of the few upgrades that pays you back every single day. But the first decision, traditional or infrared, changes everything about how it feels, what it costs to run, and where it can go. Here's how to choose.
Traditional (cedar) saunas
A traditional sauna heats the air with a stove and rocks, running hot, typically 160–200°F, with the option to pour water for steam. It's the classic, enveloping heat most people picture. Our Auris cedar saunas are built for the outdoors, with kiln-dried cedar that handles the temperature swings and the weather.
Infrared saunas
Infrared saunas warm your body directly with radiant panels rather than heating the air, so they run cooler, around 120–150°F, and are ready in minutes. Many people find the lower, dry heat easier to sit in for longer. Our Lumin infrared cabins are the simplest way to add a daily sweat.
How to decide
If you want the ritual of steam and intense heat, go cedar. If you want something you'll actually use every day with minimal wait, go infrared. If you plan to pair a sauna with a cold plunge, check whether heat and cold exposure are appropriate for you, and follow the instructions for both products.
Not sure which fits your space? Ask us and we'll help you size it and sort the electrical before you buy.
Sauna installation checklist
Before choosing the cabin, measure the actual installation location and check the selected manufacturer's manual. An appealing photograph will not tell you whether a unit can be delivered through your gate, powered safely or ventilated correctly.
Compare running costs realistically
Electricity use depends on heater power, warm-up time, session length, temperature, insulation and climate. For a rough estimate, multiply the heater's kilowatt rating by its hours of operation to get an upper-bound energy estimate in kWh, then apply your local electricity tariff. Real consumption varies because thermostatic heating cycles on and off. Use the manufacturer's figures where available.
Browse home and outdoor saunas, or consider a complete wellness studio where a sauna and other facilities are designed into the same structure.
Shop This Guide
Browse all saunas and ice baths →
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