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SpanishChoosing between an infrared and a traditional sauna comes down to your comfort with heat, lifestyle needs, health goals, and the kind of experience you want. Infrared saunas offer gentle, deep warmth and easy installation, while traditional saunas deliver high heat, intense sweating, and a classic ritual.
Key points:
- Infrared saunas use radiant panels to warm your body directly at lower, more comfortable temperatures, making them easier to use for longer sessions and better for those sensitive to heat.
- Traditional saunas heat the air to much higher temperatures and create strong sweat sessions, offering a classic experience with steam and rich cultural tradition.
- Infrared units like Jonas sauna are quicker and cheaper to run, need less space, and require less upkeep compared to traditional styles.
- Traditional saunas need more planning for installation, more space, and regular maintenance, but they provide a stronger cardiovascular effect and deep sweating.
- Check with your doctor before regular sauna use, especially if you have heart or blood pressure problems, and choose the type that matches your comfort and health needs.
Relaxation and deep well-being—these are the feelings most people seek from a sauna. But if you’re considering adding a sauna to your home, gym, or wellness space, you’ll quickly face a decision. Infrared vs traditional saunas. Each option offers unique benefits, experiences, and practical considerations. In my years at Celsium Wellness, helping clients choose between Jonas sauna (infrared) and our authentically crafted traditional models, I’ve found that the “best” sauna really depends on your goals and preferences. Let’s break it down, simply and clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
Saunas: A Cornerstone of Modern Wellness
Answer-first: The best sauna for relaxation and recovery depends on how much heat you enjoy, your health goals, and lifestyle needs. Both infrared and traditional saunas support relaxation, circulation, and muscle relief, but they deliver these benefits in different ways.
Using a sauna is more than just sweating—it’s a ritual for mind and body. People use saunas to unwind after stressful days, speed up workout recovery, improve sleep, or even boost heart health. The Jonas sauna represents a modern take with infrared technology. Meanwhile, traditional Finnish-style sauna experiences, like those designed by Celsium, provide the “classic” steam or dry heat session people have loved for generations.
Understanding Infrared Saunas and Traditional Saunas
Answer-first: Infrared saunas use gentle radiant heat panels to warm your body directly, while traditional saunas heat the air with electric heaters and rocks, sometimes adding steam for a humid effect.
I help customers see the differences every week:
- Jonas sauna (infrared) warms your body with light, creating a gentle, deep-penetrating warmth.
- Traditional Celsium sauna heats the air—and your skin—often reaching higher temperatures.
This difference shapes everything from comfort to installation. Infrared sessions tend to last longer and feel mellow. Traditional sauna sessions are hotter and shorter, with an unmistakable full-room atmosphere. I get calls about this all the time: “Do I want gentle warmth or intense steam?” It’s a personal choice, and both can be rewarding.
Heating Method and What It Feels Like
Answer-first: Infrared saunas warm you directly using radiant panels, allowing deep tissue heat at moderate temperatures. Traditional saunas heat the room air, enveloping you in dry or wet high heat.
- Jonas sauna stands out as a top infrared choice: you step in, panels gently send infrared rays into your skin and muscles—no need to wait for the air to warm up.
- Traditional Celsium saunas: you enter a room filled with heat from stones, often with soothing steam rising. Sweat starts quickly, and the session is usually intense but short.
If you want the authentic Finnish sauna experience, where “löyly” (steam from water on hot rocks) adds to the ritual, traditional is the way to go. If you prefer deep muscle warmth without oppressive heat, Jonas sauna might feel perfect.
Comparing Temperature Range and Comfort
Answer-first: Traditional saunas run hotter—70–85°C (158–185°F)—for shorter, sweat-soaked sessions. Infrared saunas are milder—46–60°C (115–140°F)—for longer, comfortable use.
Not everyone loves sitting in a fiery room. With Jonas sauna, the lower temperature allows you to relax up to 40 minutes. I’ve met many clients who say, “I just can’t take the heat of a traditional sauna.” On the other hand, those who grew up with Finnish-style saunas sometimes crave the high heat and powerful sweating, which helps them feel cleansed fast. It’s a matter of heat tolerance, comfort, and personal style.
Health and Wellness Benefits: What Science Shows
Answer-first: Both infrared and traditional saunas support stress relief, circulation, and joint/muscle recovery, but the type of heat subtly changes their health impacts.
Research consistently shows (see GoodRx summary) that:
- Both types support heart health by increasing pulse and improving circulation.
- They can help alleviate muscle soreness, joint stiffness, and chronic pain.
- Sauna sessions are linked to lower stress, better sleep, and possible immune support (Spa World comparison).
Unique infrared sauna benefits—such as the Jonas sauna—might include deeper tissue penetration (good for pain relief and muscle recovery), more tolerable heat for those with certain health issues, and improved detoxification. Traditional sauna advantages center on intense sweating, stronger cardiovascular impact, and a classic steam that’s great for respiratory relief.
From personal experience at Celsium, people recovering from tough workouts or dealing with chronic pain often gravitate to infrared. Lovers of the “classic” sauna, looking for deep sweating and cultural tradition, stick to our authentic Finnish models.
Safety, Heat Tolerance, and Suitability
Answer-first: Infrared saunas, such as Jonas sauna, provide a gentler session suitable for beginners or people sensitive to intense heat. Traditional saunas require higher heat tolerance and may not suit everyone.
I always recommend speaking with a doctor if you have heart conditions or blood pressure issues. For most people:
- Jonas sauna (infrared) is flexible for daily use and longer sessions with less cardiovascular stress.
- Traditional saunas give an intense pulse boost and rapid sweating, but can be hard for those unused to high temperatures.
In my daily consultations, many newcomers—especially those seeking cardiovascular benefits, easy recovery, or stress reduction—find infrared safer and more pleasant. Longtime sauna fans sometimes prefer the power and ritual of traditional styles.
Heat-Up Time and Sauna Operating Costs
Answer-first: Infrared saunas like Jonas sauna are easier to install (modular cabins), need less space, and have simple upkeep. Traditional saunas require professional setup, more ventilation, and ongoing maintenance of heaters, rocks, and moisture.
When people call me at Celsium about adding a sauna to their home or wellness center, convenience and adaptability are usually top priorities. Jonas sauna units can fit into smaller areas and be assembled without plumbing. Traditional saunas need more room, careful ventilation, and periodic checking of heaters and woodwork.
- Infrared (Jonas): Lower humidity, less mess, easy assembly.
- Traditional: Authentic design, more space, routine cleaning (rocks, benches, moisture).
If you want stress-free installation, infrared delivers. If you’re building a custom spa and want the real deal, traditional is worth the planning.
Sauna Experience, Ritual, Authenticity
Answer-first: Traditional saunas capture classic Finnish rituals, complete with steam and high heat, while infrared (Jonas sauna) offers a modern, therapy-inspired atmosphere.
The atmosphere in a traditional Celsium sauna is unmistakable—the hiss of löyly, the enveloping heat, a sense of heritage. Infrared saunas provide their own charm, focusing on comfort, targeted muscle relief, and contemporary design.
Some long-time sauna users feel only the traditional approach is “true” sauna wellness; others love the spa vibe and gentle warmth of Jonas sauna. At Celsium, we honor both paths—because wellness is personal, never one-size-fits-all.
Choosing Your Ideal Sauna: A Simple Checklist
Answer-first: Your best sauna matches your comfort level, health needs, budget, space, and desired ritual. Jonas sauna (infrared) is perfect for gentle heat, recovery, and easy installation. Traditional Celsium sauna is ideal for intense sweating, ritual, and cultural experience.
Here’s how I guide clients:
- Prefer gentle warmth or longer sessions? Jonas sauna (infrared).
- Need strong, classic heat and steam? Traditional Celsium sauna.
- Want easy installation, fast heat-up, and lower costs? Jonas sauna.
- Building a wellness space, value tradition, and don’t mind higher operating costs? Traditional sauna.
- Have cardiovascular concerns or new to sauna? Start with infrared.
Still unsure? Share your wellness goals, heat tolerance, and space at home—I’ll help you choose the safest and most rewarding option.
Featured Solutions: Jonas Sauna and Celsium Wellness
Answer-first: Jonas sauna leads the pack for infrared wellness, delivering gentle, deep-tissue heat in a simple, home-friendly kit. Celsium crafts both authentic traditional saunas and innovative infrared spaces, blending wellness science with unmatched craftsmanship.
When clients ask for the best infrared sauna, Jonas sauna is my top pick. It offers quick setup, simple controls, and gentle heat for recovery, stress relief, and daily wellness routines. For those seeking classic tradition, our Celsium saunas remain an industry benchmark—handmade, carefully designed to replicate the true Finnish experience.
Whatever you choose, my team is here to ensure the right fit for your needs, space, and wellness journey.
FAQs: Infrared vs Traditional Saunas
Which sauna is better, infrared or traditional?
Neither option is universally superior—they support different wellness goals. Infrared offers gentler, deeper heat for pain, muscle relief, and recovery; traditional saunas provide intense heat and sweating for classic cleansing and heart stimulation.
Do infrared saunas really have health benefits?
Yes. Infrared saunas like Jonas sauna encourage relaxation, circulation, pain relief, and healthy skin. Many find the heat easier to tolerate. Always ask your doctor if you have health concerns.
What is the healthiest sauna?
Neither style is “healthiest” for everyone. Infrared suits those needing gentle muscle recovery and chronic pain relief; traditional suits those seeking powerful cardiovascular and respiratory effects, classic ritual, and deep sweating. You can combine both for a balanced approach.
Can a sauna be both traditional and infrared?
Yes, hybrid models exist, offering dual benefits, but installation and cost increase.
Who shouldn’t do infrared saunas?
Avoid if you’re pregnant, very young, very old, or have severe heart/blood pressure issues, neurological conditions, or beware of fever/injuries. Check with your doctor first.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Choosing between infrared vs traditional saunas is like picking the right pair of shoes—it depends on your stride, comfort, and what makes you feel good. Both Jonas sauna and Celsium’s traditional models are crafted with attention to detail and proven science.
My advice? Consider your lifestyle, health needs, space, and the kind of wellness experience you want. If you value gentle heat, easy recovery, and practical installation, Jonas sauna (infrared) may feel perfect. If you want the full ritual with immersive heat and steam, my team can help you design an authentic Celsium sauna.
