If you're shopping for a home sauna, the first decision is also the most consequential: infrared or traditional steam? They look similar, they're priced in the same range, and the marketing language overlaps — but the experience inside the cabin is completely different. This guide explains how each one actually works, who it suits, and how to choose.
The short answer
- Infrared heats your body directly with light. The cabin air stays gentler (118–141°F). Ideal for daily use, plug-and-play installation, and longer sessions.
- Traditional steam heats the air with stones on a stove (the classic Finnish ritual). The cabin gets hot (158–194°F) and you can pour water on stones for löyly. Ideal for a full sensory experience and group sessions.
Neither is "better" — they're built for different goals. Most serious sauna users eventually want both.
How they actually heat you
Infrared
Carbon or ceramic panels emit infrared light. That light is absorbed by your skin and tissues directly, which means your body warms up before the air around you does. You'll start sweating at relatively low ambient temperatures (around 110°F at the bench), which is why infrared sessions feel "gentler" even though your core temperature still rises.
Why this matters: lower air temperature means longer sessions are tolerable. Most infrared protocols run 30–45 minutes, daily.
Traditional Steam
An electric (or wood-fired) stove holds a tray of volcanic sauna stones. The stones get red-hot, the air around them heats by convection, and you sit in that hot air. Pour water on the stones and you get löyly — the burst of steam that defines the Finnish sauna ritual.
Why this matters: the air is the heat. You're sitting in 175–194°F, which means sessions are shorter and more intense (typically 8–15 minutes at a time, repeated in rounds).
Side-by-side comparison
| Infrared | Traditional Steam | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 118–141°F | 158–194°F |
| Heat-up time | 10–15 min | 30–45 min |
| Session length | 30–45 min | 8–15 min × multiple rounds |
| Humidity | Dry | Variable — pour water for löyly |
| Power required | 120V or 240V (small) | 240V dedicated circuit |
| Best for | Daily recovery, gentler sessions | Group ritual, full sensory experience |
| Indoor or outdoor | Mostly indoor | Either, but commonly outdoor |
| Footprint | Compact (1–4 person) | Larger (2–6 person) |
| Energy use per session | Lower | Higher |
Which one is right for you?
Choose infrared if…
- You want to sauna daily, before or after work
- Your home has standard 120V household outlets (no 240V circuit)
- You're optimizing for recovery, circulation, or skin health and want longer sessions
- Space is limited — you'll install in a basement, home gym, or guest room
- You're sensitive to extreme heat or are easing into sauna for the first time
Choose traditional steam if…
- You want the authentic Finnish ritual — the löyly, the heat waves, the smell of cedar and stone
- You'll use it socially with family or friends
- You have outdoor space and like the idea of a barrel or cube cabin in your yard
- You have (or can install) a 240V dedicated circuit
- You prefer shorter, more intense sessions broken into rounds
What about EMF in infrared saunas?
Electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions are a real consideration with infrared. Cheap carbon panels can produce noticeable EMF at the bench surface — which matters because you're sitting there for 30–45 minutes a day. Ultra-Low EMF construction (independently measured at the bench) is the spec to look for if daily use is your goal. We cover this in detail in our Ultra-Low EMF explainer.
How does Søvna's lineup map to this?
- Søvna Copenhagen Ultra-Low EMF Series — indoor 2-person infrared, 120V plug-and-play. Daily-driver category.
- Søvna Mono Cube-Series 03 — compact outdoor 1–2 person traditional steam. Solo backyard ritual.
- Søvna Horizon Ergo-Series 06 / Grand Horizon Ergo-Series 08 — outdoor barrel saunas (4 / 4–6 person), traditional steam with panoramic glass.
- Søvna Obsidian Cube-Series 05 — premium outdoor 4–6 person traditional cube with floor-to-ceiling glass façade.