Infrared vs traditional outdoor sauna: which should you buy?
Both give you a hot room in the backyard. They differ in how they make heat, how hot they get, what wiring they need and how they arrive. Here's how to choose.
Image: Sun Home.
The short answer
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want a lower price, gentler heat and a plug-in install | Infrared |
| Want high heat and steam from water on hot stones | Traditional |
| Need it in weeks, not months | Infrared (ships on a pallet) |
| Want a sauna that arrives fully built | Traditional (3–4 month build) |
How each one heats
Infrared saunas use heater panels that warm your body directly, so the air stays cooler than in a traditional sauna. Many people find that easier to sit in for longer.
Traditional saunas use a stove to heat the air, often with stones you pour water over to make steam. The room gets much hotter and the heat feels more intense.
Side by side, with real models
Numbers below are for Sun Home's outdoor models, as listed on October 13, 2026 (prices rechecked October 28, 2026).
| Infrared (Luminar) | Traditional (Solaris) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD, sale) | $10,999–$13,899 | $36,399–$45,399 |
| Max temperature | 170°F | 230°F |
| Heat source | Far-infrared and full-spectrum panels | HUUM Wi-Fi stove, 6–9 kW |
| Electrical | 240V outlet, 20A or 30A | 240V hardwired, 30A or 40A |
| Arrives | On a pallet; about half a day for two people to assemble | Fully built; 3–4 month lead time |
| Weight | 970–1,070 lb | 1,698–1,874 lb |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | 3 years |
What both need
- A licensed electrician. Every outdoor model here needs a dedicated 240V circuit. Get a quote before you order.
- A level, solid base. A traditional sauna arrives fully built and heavy, so it needs a load-bearing pad and a clear path for delivery.
- A permit check. Some towns treat an outdoor sauna as an accessory structure. Ask your local building department.
Our take
For most backyards, an infrared sauna is the easier first step: it costs about a third as much, plugs into an outlet and goes up in an afternoon. If you grew up with Finnish-style saunas or want real steam, a traditional sauna is worth the wait and the wiring.
Compare the four outdoor saunas
Planning a hot-and-cold routine? See home cold plunges.