If you are looking to buy an infrared sauna, the most important thing to consider is the type of infrared heating technology that is used. There are many infrared saunas on the market, but if you don’t have good heating technology, why have one? The reason to use an infrared sauna is for the health benefits. This is why you want to find a company that offers an infrared sauna that has superior heating technology and also understands the importance of positioning infrared heaters.

Below is a quick checklist of questions to ask before considering purchasing an infrared sauna. If they don’t fit within these guidelines then I would think twice before buying one.

What is the surface temperature of infrared heaters?

Finding out the surface temperature of the infrared heater is one of the most important questions before buying an infrared sauna. This is important because the size of the infrared wavelength is determined by the temperature of the surface of the infrared heater. It is scientifically proven that the lower the surface temperature of the infrared heater, the longer the infrared wavelength, and the higher the surface temperature, the shorter the wavelength.

What type of heating element is used to heat the sauna? is it carbon or ceramic?

The two main types of heating elements used in infrared saunas today are charcoal and ceramic. To get the most out of your sauna, it is very important that the infrared heat is directed where it is needed most, the center of the body. Many of the traditional charcoal heaters produce high quality infrared heat, however they don’t produce much. It is not directed at the body either, but at the sauna cabin itself. These heaters work well in recumbent units or where the infrared heat is a few inches from the body, but not in a large sauna cabin. It is very important that heaters are made and positioned correctly to warm the core of the body and not just the air around it, as infrared energy heats the body directly…not through the air. On the other hand, ceramic infrared heaters produce quality infrared heat and lots of it. However, since the surface temperature is higher, the infrared wavelength is shorter and not as therapeutic. It would be best to find an infrared heater that offers both carbon and ceramic heating elements.

Does the infrared sauna offer infrared heaters that are placed on the front and back of the body?

It is very important to find an infrared sauna that offers front and rear heaters. The main key to an effective detox is to warm up your body, and more importantly, raise your core body temperature. The core of your body houses your cardiovascular, immune, and lymphatic systems, all of which play important roles in infrared therapy. Many of the infrared saunas on the market today only offer back heaters. While this does heat the core of the body, it is not as beneficial as having properly positioned heaters in the front core and rear of the body. Having infrared sauna heaters in the front and rear will help you get the most out of your infrared sauna.

Does the infrared sauna use reflected heat?

There are many sauna heaters on the market that are slim and made with a single bar with a reflector behind it. When compared to a large panel far infrared heater, the single wand often produces lower quality far infrared heat for a couple of reasons.

1. The single rod must operate at a higher surface temperature just to produce enough heat to heat the sauna cabin. Now remember, the higher the surface temperature, the less effective the infrared heat will be.

2. Since these infrared heaters have a small footprint, they usually have a metal reflector behind them. It is scientifically known that if a wave passes from one medium to another, the wave changes. This means that the reflected infrared heat will be diluted.

So when looking for an infrared sauna, make sure you don’t use a reflector.

Does the manufacturer offer a lifetime warranty?

Be sure to ask about the warranty and how long the infrared heaters will be covered under the warranty. You may come across manufacturers who say their sauna has a lifetime warranty, but then find out that infrared heaters are not included in the lifetime warranty. There are companies that offer a full lifetime warranty, which means that they cover all parts of the sauna: firewood, heaters, electricity, controls, etc. This is a good way to determine the quality of the sauna, since the company only wants to guarantee a good product.