Infrared vs Traditional Saunas

The fundamental difference

Side by side

What the research actually shows

The most-cited sauna studies come from Finland, and they were done in traditional saunas. In the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease cohort, 2,315 middle-aged men were followed for a median of 20.7 years. Compared with men who used a sauna once a week, those who used it 4–7 times a week had a 40% lower rate of all-cause mortality and a 63% lower rate of sudden cardiac death after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (Laukkanen et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015). The same cohort showed a 66% lower rate of dementia diagnoses in the 4–7 sessions-a-week group (Laukkanen et al., Age and Ageing, 2017).

Two honest caveats. These are observational studies of men, so they show association, not proof of cause. And they used traditional saunas at about 175°F, so an infrared cabin at 150°F is delivering a related but not identical stimulus. A 2018 systematic review of 40 dry-sauna studies (infrared and traditional) found mostly beneficial effects but noted that most trials were small (Hussain & Cohen, 2018). The practical takeaway from both bodies of research is the same: the benefit tracks with how often you actually use the sauna, which is why comfort and convenience matter so much at home.

Comfort and consistency

A traditional sauna is a wonderful ritual, but 185°F air is hard for many people to tolerate for long, and the 30–45 minute warm-up makes it a planned event rather than a quick daily habit. An infrared cabin is ready in about 10–15 minutes and sits at a temperature most people can stay in for a full 30–40 minute session, which is why owners tend to use it more often. Every Peak sauna also includes lifetime access to Peak Wellness Club, with daily guided sessions and 30-day programs, so the habit has structure from day one.

Installation and running cost

• Infrared: arrives as pre-built panels that clasp together in an afternoon, needs no ventilation or drain, and can go in a bedroom, basement, garage, or spare room. Four Peak models plug into a standard 120V/15A outlet; the Fuji and Everest need a dedicated 120V/20A outlet; the 3-person cabins and all outdoor cabins need a dedicated 240V circuit. Check the electrical line on any product page before you buy.
• Traditional: usually a built-in room or a kit that needs a dedicated 240V circuit for a 4.5–9 kW heater (or a chimney for wood), proper ventilation, and moisture-resistant construction. Budget for an electrician and, often, a contractor.
• Running cost: an infrared cabin on a household circuit, warmed for 15 minutes and used for 30, draws a fraction of what a 6 kW traditional heater uses over an hour of warm-up and use. Your exact cost depends on your local electricity rate.

Which is right for you?

• "I want something I will actually use four or five times a week." Infrared. Comfortable temperature, fast warm-up, guided sessions included on Peak models.
• "I want red light therapy in the same session." Infrared, specifically a Peak full-spectrum model, where an 8-wavelength (630–1060nm) medical-grade panel is standard on every cabin.
• "I love the Finnish steam ritual and 180°F+ heat." Traditional. Look at a specialist such as Finnmark.
• "I rent, or I don't want to run new wiring." Infrared on a 120V/15A outlet: Peak Mini, Crown, Shasta, or Rainier.
• "I want the sauna the Finnish studies used." Traditional, if you can commit to using it that often. The frequency was the active ingredient.

Frequently asked questions

Is an infrared sauna as hot as a traditional sauna?

No, and it is not meant to be. A traditional Finnish sauna heats the air to roughly 170–195°F. An infrared sauna warms your body directly at an air temperature of about 120–150°F; Peak indoor models reach a true 150°F and Peak outdoor cabins reach 170°F. Most people sweat heavily in either, but infrared sessions feel gentler and are easier to sit through for 30–40 minutes.

Which sauna has the stronger health evidence: infrared or traditional?

The largest long-term studies were done in traditional Finnish saunas. In a 20-year cohort of 2,315 Finnish men, 4–7 sessions a week was associated with 40% lower all-cause mortality than one session a week (Laukkanen et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015). Infrared-specific studies exist but are smaller and shorter. Both deliver the core stimulus those studies point to: repeated, deliberate heat exposure.

Does an infrared sauna 'detox' more than a traditional sauna?

Sweat from either sauna is mostly water and electrolytes, and your liver and kidneys do the real detoxification. Claims that infrared sweat is 20% toxins are not supported by good evidence. Choose infrared for comfort, efficiency, and the option of full-spectrum heat plus red light therapy, not for a detox number.

What electrical connection does an infrared sauna need?

It depends on the model. Peak's Mini, Shasta, Rainier, and Crown run on a standard 120V/15A outlet, plug and play. The Fuji and Everest need a dedicated 120V/20A outlet. Three-person indoor cabins (Denali, Matterhorn) and all outdoor models need a dedicated 240V circuit. A traditional electric sauna heater almost always needs a dedicated 240V circuit plus ventilation, and a wood-burning stove needs a chimney.

Which is cheaper to run, infrared or traditional?

Infrared. A traditional electric heater is typically 4.5–9 kW and needs 30–45 minutes to heat the room before you get in. A Peak indoor cabin runs on a 120V household circuit (or a 240V/20A circuit for the 3-person cabins), warms up in about 10–15 minutes, and heats you rather than the whole room, so each session uses a fraction of the electricity.

Can I get infrared heat and red light therapy in one sauna?

Yes. Every Peak model combines full-spectrum infrared heat (near, mid, and far) with a medical-grade red light therapy panel, 8 wavelengths (630–1060nm), included as standard. Red light and infrared heat are separate systems with separate controls, so you can run either one alone or both together.

Should I choose a traditional sauna instead?

Choose traditional if you want the Finnish ritual: water on hot rocks, steam, 180°F+ air, and a short intense session. Brands such as Finnmark specialize in that experience. Choose infrared if you want a comfortable daily habit, easy installation, lower running cost, and red light therapy in the same cabin.

Sources reviewed

• Laukkanen T, et al. Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Intern Med. 2015.
• Laukkanen T, et al. Sauna bathing is inversely associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged Finnish men. Age Ageing. 2017.
• Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018.
• Peak Saunas product pages and engineering documentation (electrical requirements, maximum temperatures, red light panel specification), verified September 2026.

© Peak Saunas. Wellness products, not medical devices. Nothing on this page is medical advice; talk to your physician before starting sauna or red light use, especially if you are pregnant, have a heart condition, or take medication that affects heat tolerance. Prices shown are the live peaksaunas.com prices as of September 15, 2026 and can change.