Infrared Sauna Temperature: How Hot Should It Be?
What temperature should an infrared sauna be?
Quick answer: Most infrared saunas run between 110 and 140°F (43 to 60°C), and most people settle at about 115 to 130°F. Beginners should start lower, around 100 to 110°F, for 5 to 10 minutes. That is cooler than a traditional sauna because infrared panels warm your body directly instead of heating the air first.
Key takeaways
- Typical range: 110 to 140°F (43 to 60°C). Some cabins reach about 150°F, and a few high-heat models reach 165 to 170°F.
- Most common setting: 115 to 130°F (46 to 54°C).
- Beginners: 100 to 110°F for 5 to 10 minutes, then build up.
- You do not have to wait for the full temperature. You can get in at about 100°F.
- The display shows air temperature at the sensor, not how much heat your body is taking in.
- A traditional sauna runs 150 to 195°F. The two numbers are not comparable.
The number on an infrared sauna's display causes more confusion than anything else about it. People used to a 180°F Finnish sauna see 125°F and assume something is broken. This guide covers what the numbers mean, where to set the cabin, and when to step in.
How hot does an infrared sauna get? Temperature range
| Setting | Fahrenheit | Celsius |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | 100 to 110°F | 38 to 43°C |
| Most sessions | 115 to 130°F | 46 to 54°C |
| Upper end of most cabins | 135 to 150°F | 57 to 66°C |
| High-heat and some full spectrum models | Up to 165 to 170°F | Up to 74 to 77°C |
- The control panel often lets you set a higher number than the cabin will reach. Manuals note that the top setting depends on the room temperature and where the sauna stands.
- An infrared sauna is dry. No water goes on the heaters, so there is no steam to make the air feel hotter.
Why is an infrared sauna cooler than a traditional sauna?
Because it heats you a different way. A traditional sauna heats the air and the stones, and the hot air heats you. An infrared sauna's panels give off radiant heat that warms your body directly, so it does the job at a lower air temperature.
| Type | Typical temperature | What heats you |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared sauna | 110 to 140°F (43 to 60°C) | Radiant heat from panels, dry air |
| Traditional sauna | 150 to 195°F (66 to 91°C) | Hot air and steam from water on stones |
| Steam room | 110 to 120°F (43 to 49°C) | Air at near 100% humidity |
So 125°F in an infrared cabin and 180°F in a Finnish sauna are two different kinds of heat, and one is not a weaker version of the other. For the full comparison, see infrared vs traditional sauna.
Best temperature for an infrared sauna: where to set it
There is no single best temperature. Set it by experience and by how the heat feels to you.
- First sessions: 100 to 110°F for 5 to 10 minutes. Raise the setting by 5 to 10°F at a time as you get used to it.
- Regular use: 115 to 130°F is where most people settle. The manuals we checked put the usual setting between about 115 and 130°F, some up to 140°F.
- Experienced users: 135 to 140°F, or higher if your cabin is built for it.
The usual session is 20 to 30 minutes. The hotter you set the cabin, the shorter you will want to stay. Step out if you feel dizzy or unwell, and drink water. Do not use a sauna while pregnant unless your doctor has cleared it, and ask your doctor first if you have a health condition.
Infrared sauna heat-up time: when to get in
An infrared sauna is usable in about 10 to 20 minutes, because the panels warm you before the air catches up. The air takes longer to reach a high setting. These times come from one common two person cabin's manual, starting in a room at 70°F or warmer.
| Cabin air temperature | Time from a 70°F room |
|---|---|
| About 100°F | About 20 minutes |
| 115 to 120°F | 25 to 30 minutes |
| 125 to 130°F | 35 to 40 minutes |
| About 135°F | 45 to 60 minutes |
- Some cabins are quicker. Other makers quote 15 to 20 minutes to reach 110 to 120°F.
- You do not have to wait. The panels give off infrared from the moment they are on. Makers differ: several suggest getting in at about 100°F and letting the cabin warm up around you, and some prefer you wait for the set temperature.
- The heaters cycle. When the air reaches the set temperature, the heaters switch off and on to hold it. If you want the panels on for more of your session, get in early and raise the setting once you are inside, so the cabin is still climbing while you sit.
- A cold room slows everything. In a cold garage or basement, add 10 to 20 minutes or more.
What the infrared sauna temperature display shows
The display shows the air temperature at one sensor. It does not show how much radiant heat is reaching you, and that is what you feel in an infrared cabin.
- Sensor height matters. Hot air rises, so a sensor near the ceiling reads higher than the air at bench level, and a low sensor reads cooler.
- We have measured the same effect ourselves. In our own traditional sauna, the air at head height ran about 18% hotter than at the top bench.
- Sweat is the better gauge. Regular users usually start to sweat within 10 to 20 minutes, and if you are sweating, the sauna is working, whatever the display says. New users often sweat little in their first few sessions, so do not chase it by turning the heat up or staying longer.
Why is my infrared sauna not getting hot enough?
If the air stalls well below the setting, check these before you assume a fault.
- Room temperature. A cold garage, basement or porch pulls heat out of the cabin. Manuals warn that the top setting may not be reached in a cold room.
- The roof vent. Close it while the cabin heats.
- The door and gaps. Check the door closes fully and nothing is leaking air around it.
- The circuit. An extension cord or a shared circuit can lower the voltage at the sauna and cut heater output. Use a dedicated outlet.
- The heaters. With the cabin on, hold your hand near each panel without touching it. Each one should give off warmth. A cold panel points to a fault, and that is one for the maker.
What we use, and why
Our own sauna is a traditional Finnish one, and we run it hot. Far infrared saunas are next in our range, and they are a different experience: lower air temperature, dry heat and a longer sit.
Whichever you use, set it by how you feel and not by the highest number the display allows. A wool hat belongs in the hot Finnish room, where the air at head height is the hottest in the sauna. In an infrared cabin you can usually leave it off: do you need a sauna hat in an infrared sauna?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best temperature for an infrared sauna?
Most people settle between 115 and 130°F (46 to 54°C). There is no single best setting. Start lower, around 100 to 110°F, and raise it by 5 to 10°F at a time until the heat feels strong but comfortable for a 20 to 30 minute session.
How hot does an infrared sauna get?
Most infrared saunas run between 110 and 140°F (43 to 60°C), and many have a top setting of about 150°F. A few high-heat and full spectrum models are built to reach 165 to 170°F. The top temperature also depends on how warm the room is.
What temperature should a beginner use in an infrared sauna?
Start at about 100 to 110°F (38 to 43°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Add a few minutes and 5 to 10°F over the following sessions as you get used to the heat. Step out if you feel dizzy or unwell, and drink water.
What is infrared sauna temperature in Celsius?
The typical range of 110 to 140°F is 43 to 60°C. The common setting of 115 to 130°F is 46 to 54°C, and a beginner setting of 100 to 110°F is 38 to 43°C. A traditional sauna runs about 66 to 91°C.
Why is an infrared sauna not as hot as a regular sauna?
It heats you differently. A traditional sauna heats the air to 150 to 195°F, and the air heats you. Infrared panels give off radiant heat that warms your body directly, so the cabin air only needs to reach about 110 to 140°F.
How long does an infrared sauna take to heat up?
You can use one after about 10 to 20 minutes. Reaching 115 to 120°F takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes depending on the model, and reaching 135°F can take 45 to 60 minutes. A cold room adds 10 to 20 minutes or more.
Should I preheat an infrared sauna or get in right away?
Either works. The panels give off infrared as soon as they are on, so several makers suggest getting in at about 100°F and warming up with the cabin. If you prefer to step into full heat, preheat until the display reaches your setting, which can take 30 minutes or more.
Is 120 degrees hot enough for an infrared sauna?
Yes. 120°F is in the middle of the range where most people use an infrared sauna, and the manuals we checked put the usual setting between about 115 and 130°F. Regular users usually begin to sweat within 10 to 20 minutes of getting in.
Why is my infrared sauna not reaching temperature?
The usual causes are a cold room, an open roof vent, a door that is not sealing, or a shared circuit or extension cord lowering the voltage. Check those first. If a heater panel stays cold while the cabin is on, contact the maker.
Do infrared sauna heaters turn off when the temperature is reached?
Yes. Once the air reaches the set temperature, the heaters switch off and on to hold it. If you want the panels on for more of your session, get in early and raise the setting once you are inside.
Is an infrared sauna hotter than a steam room?
By the thermometer, slightly. An infrared sauna runs about 110 to 140°F in dry air, and a steam room about 110 to 120°F at near 100% humidity. The steam room often feels hotter, because sweat cannot evaporate in saturated air.