#2 Ceramic Vs Carbon Heat Panels
There are 2 different types of FIR heat emitters. The cheaper saunas use ceramic rods or coils.
Carbon heat panels heat up faster and give a much broader distribution of heat so you don't get 'hot spots' in your sauna as you do with ceramic heaters. You can also lean up against them unlike ceramic which can be too hot to lean against.
Carbon emitters give you greater heat absorption and cover more surface area so you get a better sweat.
Carbon heated FIR saunas also tend to heat up faster (10-15 minutes) than Ceramic FIR saunas (30 - 45 minutes) which can save you on electricity bills.
#3 Number of Heat Panels
Most Infrared saunas will have heaters on the back panel, under the seat and in front of you on either side of the door. Higher end saunas will put heaters on the sides of sauna as well.
Although not as important as the type of heater emitter (see #2 above) the number of heaters a sauna has can influence the time it takes for a sauna to heat up as well as how much and how fast you start to sweat. Obviously more heaters means you sweat faster.
Look for as many heat panels as you can. Less heat panels means it takes more time to heat up - which can cost you in electricty bills. It can also be a pain to have to wait 45 minutes for your sauna to heat up.
#4 Lights
Most infrared saunas do come with interior lights but it's always important to check. Interior lights are a must if you want to read during your sauna sessions.
Some models also come with exterior lights which can turn your sauna into a furniture showpiece that your houseguests can admire. Other saunas offer different colored lights to enhance your sauna session with color light therapy.
#5 Entertainment Options
Depending on the manufacturer, you can often get radios and even DVD players in your sauna. This can help you enjoy a longer, more luxurious sauna session.
You can also find saunas with magazine racks and cup holders - which is important because you want to make sure you're replacing lost fluids while you sweat.
#6 Type of Wood
Infrared saunas usually are built with Cedar or Hemlock. Hemlock is a bit more expensive but gives a more attractive finished look.
#7 Inside Control Panel
Most saunas have a control panel on the outside of the unit where you can set the heat, time, turn on lights, etc. However make sure your unit has a similar control panel inside the sauna so you don't have to get up and leave the sauna to make changes.
So those are some things to be aware of when buying your sauna. For a list of manufacturers that sell high quality saunas direct to buyers see our Where To Buy An Infrared Sauna Section.
So how do you choose a FIR sauna? Here's a basic Infrared Sauna buying guide to let you know what to look for when choosing your sauna.
#1 Size Matters
Infrared saunas range in size from 1 person up to 6 person units and price varies accordingly.
It's important to consider the area you have available in your home as well as where the sauna will be placed. Some multi-person units also come in corner units to save space.
Make no mistake - a 1 personal sauna is really a 1 person sauna - without much room to move around in.
I bought a 2 person sauna for my husband and I. We can't really stretch out but it's good enough for those romantic date nights.
