Infrared Sauna Vs Traditional Dry Sauna: Which Is a Better Choice for Beginners?

In recent years, saunas have captured the hearts of many, becoming a beloved choice for health preservation that beautifully blends relaxation and rejuvenation. As more novices embark on their sauna journey, they often find themselves at a crossroads between two popular options: the infrared sauna and the traditional dry sauna. Which one is the right fit for beginners? How do you choose a sauna that aligns with your needs? This article will delve into the key differences between these two sauna types, exploring aspects such as temperature, user experience, maintenance, and more. By the end of this read, you will have a clearer understanding to guide your selection and help you discover the sauna that best suits you.

Infrared Vs Traditional Dry Saunas: What’s the Difference?

Next, Alphasauna will give you a brief introduction: What is the difference between an infrared sauna and a traditional dry sauna? This Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Dry Sauna comparison will be explained in the simplest language, helping you gain a basic understanding and clearly distinguish between these two sauna types.

What Is an Infrared Sauna?

Infrared saunas use infrared heating panels, which directly heat the body, just like the feeling of basking in the sun, thereby achieving the health benefits of sweating and relaxation. The heat from infrared rays reaches deep into the body and can bring many benefits to your body, such as promoting blood circulation and relieving body pain.

What is a Traditional Dry Sauna?

Sauna originated in Finland and is also known as the Finnish sauna. There are usually two ways to heat the sauna room. Typically, an electric sauna stove or a wood stove is used to heat the air inside the sauna, thereby raising the ambient temperature. The heater is equipped with sauna stones, which mainly serve to store and diffuse heat. In the hot and dry sauna environment, water can be poured over the sauna stones to produce steam, increase humidity, and enhance comfort. The heat and steam warm the body and promote sweating and detoxification.

Infrared vs Traditional Dry Saunas：Temperature and experience

Infrared sauna: The temperature of an infrared sauna is usually between 45–65°C, which is lower than that of a traditional dry sauna. The lower temperature makes some people feel more comfortable. Light waves effectively heat the body, raise body temperature, and induce sweating.
The overall sauna experience is mild and comfortable, with a strong sense of relaxation. The body feels relaxed and at ease, without the stuffy sensation of steam. It is similar to sunbathing. Sweating occurs more slowly than in a traditional dry sauna, making it easier for first-time users to adapt.

Traditional dry sauna: The temperature in a traditional dry sauna generally ranges from 70–100°C and can exceed 100°C. Body temperature rises higher than in an infrared sauna, and the air is drier. To improve overall comfort, water can be sprinkled on the sauna stones to create steam, increasing humidity and reducing dryness. Typically, sweating begins after 3–5 minutes in the sauna. Sweating is profuse, occurs more quickly, but tends to be more superficial—suitable for rapid perspiration and deep relaxation.
First-time users may feel discomfort due to the high temperature, experiencing symptoms such as an increased heart rate and hot skin. Especially after sitting for extended periods in high heat, the body needs time to adjust, and users should rest and adapt according to their physical condition.

Infrared vs Traditional Dry Saunas：Warm-up speed

Infrared sauna: Because it uses far infrared rays to act directly on the human body instead of heating the air, it usually takes only 5 to 15 minutes from opening to use.
Traditional dry sauna: Traditional dry sauna requires the air to be heated to a certain temperature first, which usually takes about 30-60 minutes or even longer to reach the temperature you need. The heating time depends on the temperature at the beginning of heating, the size of the sauna room, and the ventilation environment in the sauna room.

Infrared vs Traditional Dry Saunas：Time of use

Infrared sauna: Use far-infrared heating panels to directly heat the body instead of heating the air. The temperature is lower than that of traditional dry saunas, so you can stay in the infrared sauna for a longer time. If you are a novice, it is recommended to stay in the sauna for 10-20 minutes, and then gradually extend the time after getting used to it.

Traditional dry sauna: Use electric sauna stoves or wood stoves to heat the air. The temperature is higher and the humidity is relatively low. It is recommended for beginners to stay in the sauna for 5-10 minutes, and you can rest in the middle and then enter again.

Regardless of the type of sauna, you need to pay attention to your own experience, ensure rest time and replenish water.

Comparison of Operation Difficulty

Infrared sauna : Infrared sauna room uses traditional button control panel. Users only need to set the temperature and time and wait for preheating. During use, the heating temperature can be adjusted appropriately according to the feeling, which is more friendly to novices.
Traditional dry sauna : In a traditional dry sauna room with electric heating, you only need to turn on the electric heater by turning on the switch. After starting the heating, the sauna stove will heat the sauna stone and gradually increase the indoor temperature.
If you use a wood stove, there are a few more steps to operate. You need to prepare wood in advance, open the vents of the sauna room to ensure air circulation, then ignite, and gradually add wood to the wood stove. The overall startup process takes longer, and the operation threshold is higher for novices. Novices need to learn some skills of use and control, or they can let people who know how to operate the sauna room lead novices and introduce the operation process.

Sauna Traditional Vs Infrared：maintenance Difficulty Comparison

Infrared sauna room: Daily use a special cleaner to wipe the sweat stains on the wooden board and the floor seat, and wipe the dust on the surface of the infrared panel with a clean soft cloth, and regularly check whether the wire connection is firm to ensure that there are no exposed or frayed wires. Although this step is simple but indispensable, it can effectively prevent electrical failures, and the overall maintenance workload is very small.

Traditional dry sauna room: The focus of maintenance is to keep the sauna room dry and ventilated. Daily cleaning requires first removing all debris, dirt or dust inside and outside the sauna room. Then wipe the benches and walls with a mild soap solution and rinse with water. Traditional dry sauna rooms also need to pay attention to sweat stains after use, and need to pay attention to anti-corrosion and moisture-proof. After cleaning, keep it ventilated and dry, and regularly apply natural wood wax oil for maintenance
Electric heating sauna rooms need to clean the sauna stove and replace damaged or worn parts, remove debris or dust from the stone, and ensure that they are properly placed in the heater to avoid affecting the heating efficiency.

If it is a wood stove sauna room, it is also necessary to clean the ashes and unburned wood in the stove to avoid accumulation, and regularly check whether the stove body has aging and cracking problems. Like electric stoves, sauna stones on wood stoves also need to be cleaned and checked regularly. At the same time, the chimney needs to be checked for unclogged, cleaned at least once every three months, and the door opened for ventilation after use.

Applicable people and usage scenarios: Find the experience that suits you best

For users who prefer a quiet and gentle sauna experience, the simple operation process and mild environment can bring a relaxing and pleasant first experience. Alphasauna recommends choosing an infrared sauna room, which has a short preparation time, is gentler, and is more easily accepted by the body. The form of low-temperature sweating allows novices to gradually adapt to the rhythm of the sauna.

For users who pay more attention to the overall atmosphere, sweating volume, and ritual sense of the sauna, Alphasauna recommends choosing a traditional dry sauna room. High-temperature heated air increases the amount of sweat on the body surface. Combined with intermittent rest and hydration, it can achieve a wonderful experience of deep relaxation and detoxification. Novice users who prefer traditional dry saunas are advised to use them under guidance, control usage time and temperature, and gradually adapt starting from lower temperatures to fully enjoy the sauna.
So, for novices using saunas, which is better—infrared saunas or traditional dry saunas? The answer is that the better sauna is the one that suits you. When comparing infrared sauna benefits vs traditional, it ultimately comes down to personal needs and preferences.
In short, infrared saunas and traditional dry saunas each have their own advantages and disadvantages. This article analyzes the differences between them from multiple angles so that beginners can find the type that suits them best. Alphasauna is a Chinese sauna manufacturer that offers the most diverse styles in the world and supports OEM and ODM services. If you need to purchase a sauna, please contact us.