Traditional vs Infrared Saunas: Which One Is Right for You?

When choosing a sauna for your home or retreat, you’ll likely come across two main types: traditional saunas and infrared saunas. Both offer wellness benefits, but they differ significantly in how they work, how they feel, and what kind of experience they offer.

The best sauna for you depends on your personal goals, preferences, and lifestyle. Here's a side-by-side look to help you decide.

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Heat Style & Temperature

• Traditional Saunas use a heater (electric or wood-fired) to warm the air, which then heats your body. They typically reach 70–100°C, and steam is created by pouring water over hot stones.

• Infrared Saunas use infrared panels that emit radiant heat to warm your body directly, not the air. They operate at lower temperatures, around 40–60°C.

If you enjoy intense, full-body heat and the ritual of steam, a traditional sauna may be more your style. If you prefer gentler warmth or have heat sensitivity, infrared could be a comfortable option.

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Experience & Atmosphere

• Traditional Saunas offer a classic, immersive experience. The warmth, cedar aroma, soft lighting, and hiss of steam create a calming, almost meditative space. This style is rooted in centuries of Finnish and Nordic tradition.

• Infrared Saunas are often more minimal in design, with a dry heat and no steam. They’re quiet and functional, but may feel less atmospheric or ritualistic.

If you’re drawn to the sensory and cultural experience of sauna bathing, traditional may resonate more. If you’re after something quick and low-intensity, infrared may suit.

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Wellness Benefits

Both types offer wellness benefits, including:

• Improved circulation

• Muscle recovery

• Stress reduction

• Detoxification through sweating

However, traditional saunas have more long-term scientific research backing their health effects, especially for cardiovascular health, stress resilience, and immune support.

If you value deep sweat sessions and a well-documented, time-tested method of heat therapy, a traditional sauna may align more closely with your wellness goals.

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Materials, Build & Maintenance

At Elevate Saunas, we use Canadian Western Red Cedar in all our traditional saunas.

Cedar is:

• Naturally durable and low-maintenance

• Resistant to moisture, decay, and insects

• Designed to age beautifully over time

Infrared saunas vary widely in construction. Some use cedar or hemlock, but others may use lower-grade woods or composites. Panels are usually fixed and can be harder to repair or replace. Many budget infrared saunas cut costs by using lower-grade components and IR panels, which can lead to questions around electrical safety and durability.

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Session Time & Setup

• Traditional saunas need 15–30 minutes to preheat, making them ideal for planned sessions or rituals.

• Infrared saunas heat up almost instantly, making them convenient for quick use.

If you enjoy slow, intentional wellness routines, traditional saunas shine. For quick, heat-on-demand sessions, infrared may be more suitable.

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How to Decide?

 

Final Thoughts

Both traditional and infrared saunas offer valuable benefits. But if you're looking for a time-tested, multi-sensory experience that connects body, mind, and tradition, a traditional sauna delivers something truly special.

At Elevate Saunas, we specialise in handcrafted traditional cedar barrel saunas, designed for beauty, durability, and wellbeing that lasts a lifetime.

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Still Deciding?

We’re here to help. Speak to our friendly team, or explore our full range of traditional saunas to find the best fit for your space and lifestyle.

[Explore Our Traditional Saunas →]
[Contact Our Team →]

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