Traditional and infrared saunas use different heating methods and can feel different in use. Current evidence does not establish that one type delivers better health outcomes for every consumer, so the choice should focus on heat experience, löyly, construction, installation and documented operating requirements.
How the Heating Methods Differ
Traditional sauna: A heater warms the room and stones. Where the exact heater manual permits it, water can be added to the stones to create löyly and change perceived heat and humidity.
Infrared sauna: Infrared panels deliver radiant heat and usually operate at lower air temperatures. Exact temperature, warm-up and control behaviour depend on the product and protocol.
What the Health Evidence Shows
Traditional Finnish-style sauna has a larger long-term observational literature, while infrared research includes smaller condition-specific and short-term studies. A systematic review covering both modalities found insufficient evidence to distinguish their repeated-use health effects [1]. An acute 2025 laboratory comparison described protocol-specific physiological responses but did not establish long-term superiority for either sauna type [2].
Sauna is not a substitute for exercise or medical care. People with cardiovascular or blood-pressure conditions, pregnancy, impaired heat sensation, a history of fainting, relevant medication use or another health concern should obtain individual clinical advice before use.
Construction and Running-Cost Evidence
For Wellness One, the current owner/manufacturer specification confirms that Lifestyle and Connect models use 200 mm-thick walls, ceiling and floor, each incorporating 100 mm of PUR insulation. This applies only to Lifestyle and Connect. The construction fact does not establish a running-cost saving or a health advantage over infrared products.
For any comparison, request the exact heater or panel rating, control strategy, documented warm-up and usage assumptions, complete envelope specification and a calculation using the customer’s electricity tariff. Avoid generic cost claims that compare unlike products or usage patterns.
Which Experience May Suit You
Choose a traditional sauna if the heated-room experience and löyly are important to you. Consider infrared if you prefer its radiant-heating format and lower-air-temperature experience. In either case, compare the exact product, installation, electrical, guarantee and maintenance documents rather than choosing on medical promises.
Frequently asked questions
Is a traditional sauna healthier than an infrared sauna?
Current evidence does not establish that one modality delivers better health outcomes for every consumer. Traditional sauna has more long-term observational research, but that difference in research volume is not proof of clinical superiority.
What is the practical difference between traditional and infrared saunas?
Traditional saunas heat the room and stones and may allow löyly where the manual permits it. Infrared saunas use radiant panels and usually operate at lower air temperatures. The experience, controls and installation requirements differ by product.
Does the confirmed Lifestyle and Connect insulation prove those saunas are cheaper to run?
No. Running cost depends on the complete product, heater or panels, controls, temperature, duration, use pattern, weather and tariff. The confirmed Lifestyle/Connect construction is not a like-for-like cost study.
References
| Ref | Source | URL |
|---|---|---|
| [1] | Hussain and Cohen — Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5941775/ |
| [2] | Ely et al. — Comparison of thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and immune responses to different passive heat therapy modalities | https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00012.2025 |