What is the difference between an infrared sauna and a Finnish sauna?

The main difference lies in how the heat is transferred.

A Finnish sauna heats the air to temperatures of around 75–100°C. This hot air then warms the skin. Due to the high ambient temperature and intensity, most people find this uncomfortable after 10 to 15 minutes, which limits the duration of each session.

An infrared sauna operates at lower, more comfortable temperatures of around 45–60°C. Instead of heating the air, long-wave infrared heat penetrates directly into the body. This allows muscles and tissues to warm up gradually, enabling the core body temperature to rise without the intense heat load of a traditional sauna.

As a result, many users experience infrared heat as more comfortable and easier to tolerate, allowing for longer sessions and supporting therapeutic benefits. It is also a more accessible option for more vulnerable groups, such as older adults, people with chronic conditions or those recovering from surgery, as it provides a gentler way to apply heat therapy.