Infrared or traditional sauna: which suits your home?
Neither is better. They're two different ways to enjoy heat, and the right one depends on your space, how you like your heat and how you'll use it.
The short answer: choose a traditional sauna if you love high heat, steam from the stones and a ritual in the garden. Choose infrared if you want gentler warmth at lower temperatures, in a spare room or home gym, with a quicker warm-up and lower running costs.
How they heat you
A traditional sauna uses a heater and a bed of stones to heat the air and the timber around you. Pour water on the stones and you get a wave of soft steam, which the Finns call löyly. An infrared sauna uses panels that warm you more directly, so the air in the cabin stays much cooler. Both leave you warm, relaxed and glowing; they just get there differently.
Side by side
| Infrared (The Orb™) | Traditional (Solen and Arden) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical air temperature | Around 40–60°C | Around 70–100°C |
| Steam | No, it's a dry warmth | Yes, pour water on the stones |
| Warm-up | Usually 15–20 minutes | Usually 30–60 minutes |
| Where it goes | Indoors, in a dry room | Outdoors, in the garden |
| Heat source | Carbon infrared panels, 1,860–2,140W | Harvia heater, 4kW to 10.8kW |
| Power | We confirm the supply for your model | A dedicated circuit, fitted by an electrician |
| Typical session cost* | About 61–70p | About £1.30–£3.55 |
| Seats | One to three | Two to six with Solen; Arden for larger groups |
| Prices from | £2,295 | £5,795 |
*At the Ofgem price cap average of 26.32p per kWh (Oct–Dec 2026). Infrared: a one-hour session including a 15-minute warm-up, panels at full power. Traditional: a 45-minute warm-up plus an hour's session. Your tariff and habits will change the figure.
Choose infrared if…
- You'd like gentler warmth you can relax into for longer.
- You don't have the garden space, or you'd rather stay indoors on a winter evening.
- You want something quick to warm up for a weekday wind-down.
- You'd like lower running costs and simpler electrics.
Choose traditional if…
- You love intense heat and the rush of steam from the stones.
- You want the full ritual: heat, cool off in the fresh air, rest, repeat.
- You'd like to share it with family and friends, with room for up to six in Solen Plus, and even more space in Arden.
- You have space in the garden and want a sauna that becomes part of it.
Still can't decide?
Think about where it will go and when you'll use it. A sauna you can step into in two minutes on a dark Tuesday in January will get used. If that's a spare room, infrared is a natural fit. If it's the bottom of the garden with a cold shower nearby, go traditional.
Our quick checks will tell you what fits: the indoor room check for infrared, and the garden check for outdoor saunas. You're also welcome to visit our Northamptonshire showroom, by appointment. Many of our saunas are built to order, so tell us which you'd like to see and we'll confirm what's on display.
Explore The Orb™ indoor infrared collection, Solen or Arden, or read our guides to using an infrared sauna and using a traditional sauna.
