The Best Infrared Saunas for Home (2026)

Updated June 2026 · by The Cold & Cedar Team

An infrared sauna is the easiest way to get heat therapy at home: gentler heat, a standard outlet, and prices from a one-person cabin to a family-sized room. Here's how to choose, and our picks by size.

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Infrared vs traditional sauna

Quick version: infrared warms your body directly at a lower air temperature (around 120–140°F), so it feels milder, plugs into a normal outlet and costs less to run — ideal for most homes. Traditional saunas heat the air to 160–200°F for an intense, steamy session many purists prefer, but they cost more to buy, install and run. If you want the lowest-fuss path to regular sauna use, infrared wins for most people.

Best infrared saunas by size

Best overall: Sun Home Luminar (2-person) $$$

Best overall

Best for: Most home buyers who want a premium, low-EMF cabin for one or two.

Sun Home's infrared cabins pair full-spectrum heaters with published low-EMF figures and a genuinely premium finish. The 2-person size is the sweet spot for most homes — roomy for one, fine for two — and the brand has a strong reputation for support.

Pros

Full-spectrum, low-EMF heaters
Premium build and glass
Strong brand support

Cons

Premium pricing
2-person size is cosy for two adults

Check current price

Best value: Durasage 1-person ~$700–1,000

Best value

Best for: Solo users and small spaces on a tighter budget.

If you mostly sauna alone, a well-reviewed 1-person cabin like Durasage's gets you regular heat therapy for a fraction of premium prices. You give up some finish and features, but the core experience is there and it plugs into a standard outlet.

Pros

Affordable entry to infrared
Compact 1-person footprint
Standard outlet

Cons

Basic finish vs premium brands
Tight for taller users

Check current price

Best outdoor: Redwood Outdoors $$$–$$$$

Best outdoor

Best for: Buyers who want an outdoor cabin or traditional-style heat in the backyard.

Redwood Outdoors is a go-to for outdoor saunas (including traditional barrel styles) built to live outside. If your setup is a backyard recovery space rather than a spare room, start here — and it pairs naturally with a cold plunge for contrast therapy.

Pros

Built for outdoor use
Range includes traditional barrel saunas
Pairs with cold plunge setups

Cons

Outdoor install is more involved
May need a dedicated circuit

Check current price

How to choose an infrared sauna

How many people?

Buy one size up from what you think — a "2-person" cabin is cosy for two. Solo users are happiest in a roomy 1-person or a 2-person cabin.

Heater type & EMF

Look for full-spectrum or carbon/ceramic heaters and, importantly, published low-EMF test data. Good brands make these numbers easy to find.

Wood & build

Hemlock and cedar are the common woods; cedar resists moisture and smells wonderful (it's literally half our name). Check panel thickness and glass quality.

Indoor or outdoor

Outdoor cabins (like barrel saunas) need weatherproofing and often a dedicated circuit; indoor cabins just need floor space and an outlet. For outdoor traditional saunas, see brands like Redwood Outdoors.

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Frequently asked questions

Infrared or traditional — which is better?

Neither is strictly better; they're different. Infrared heats your body directly at a lower air temperature (typically 120–140°F), so it feels gentler and runs on a standard outlet. Traditional saunas heat the air (160–200°F) for that classic intense, steamy experience but cost more to buy and run.

Are infrared saunas safe / what about EMF?

Reputable brands publish low-EMF test results for their heaters; it's worth choosing one that does. As with any heat therapy, hydrate, limit sessions to a sensible length, and check with a doctor first if you have health conditions. This isn't medical advice.

How much does a home infrared sauna cost to run?

Infrared cabins are relatively efficient — often only $0.10–0.30 of electricity per session — because they run cooler than traditional saunas and heat up quickly.

Do I need special wiring?

Most 1–2 person infrared saunas plug into a standard household outlet. Larger 3–4 person cabins and most traditional saunas may need a dedicated circuit — check the spec before buying.