Infrared Sauna Buying Guide: Red Flags and What to Check
If you're thinking about buying an infrared sauna for your home, stop scrolling, because most people are about to spend thousands on a sauna that won't last, and I don't want you wasting your money. So I'm going to break down the three red flags to walk away from, and the five things that actually matter when you're buying one.
Hi, I'm Amy. I'm the content creator for Spa World®. We're one of the largest spa and sauna retailers across Australia and New Zealand, and we see firsthand every day what people are buying in home wellness, what works and what doesn't. So I'm sharing the real stuff with you, so you don't waste your time and money on something you'll regret.
So go ahead and save this video for later, so you can come back to it when you're ready to buy. And make sure you follow us for more honest home wellness tips.
Three red flags to watch for
Before I get into what to look for, here are the three red flags we see all the time.
Red flag one, any infrared sauna being sold super cheap. Like anything, you get what you pay for. If you want quality components, design and manufacturing, the price will reflect that. If it's too low, something has likely been cut, like the heaters or the timber. Basically, if the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Red flag number two, no specific EMF number on the listing. EMF means electromagnetic field. Basically, the emissions from the heaters and the electrical components. If the brand can't tell you the actual number in milligas, they probably don't want you to know it.
Red flag three, a vague warranty. Limited warranty means nothing. You want specific year coverage on the heaters, the cabin and the electronics separately. A good sauna brand will tell you exactly what's covered and for how long.
If a sauna ticks any one of those three, I'd keep scrolling.
Heater and build quality
Now, if you've cleared the red flags, here are the five things that actually matter.
One, heater quality. The heater is the heart of the sauna. Cheaper saunas use heaters that concentrate warmth in small areas, so you get hot spots. Better saunas have heating panels for good coverage and even heat distribution throughout. You want the warmth to surround you in an infrared sauna, not hit you from one point.
Two, build quality. If a sauna isn't built properly, it loses heat, works harder and ages badly. Ask what timber it's made from. The good ones use western red cedar, Canadian hemlock or basswood. If they can't name the timber, again, walk away.
EMF, size and warranty
Three, EMF. Look for readings under 3 migas at the seating position, and make sure it's third party tested. Now, I'm going to do a full video on EMF, so follow if you want the deep dive on this.
Four, size and layout. People buy for the space they have without thinking about how they actually want to use it. For example, whether you're going to be sitting up, lying down, sharing it with someone. Get this wrong and you'll be using it less than you think.
Five, warranty and aftercare. Buy from a real company with real coverage and a service team that picks up the phone after you've paid. This is the part that a lot of cheap saunas can't compete on.
Comment if you have any more questions about buying a home sauna.
