Sauna Types: Which One Is Right for You?

Understand Sauna Types

Depending on the heating principle of whether water is used, sauna types can be divided into dry saunas and wet saunas. People usually refer to saunas as dry saunas, and wet saunas refer to steam rooms.
Depending on the heating method, sauna types can be divided into traditional saunas and infrared saunas. Traditional saunas are mainly heated by wood, electric stoves or heaters. Infrared saunas mainly use modern technology to apply infrared rays to the human body, which is a convenient and very fast way.

Wood-Burning Sauna

Wood-burning sauna is a traditional sauna, and its origin can be traced back thousands of years. Wood-burning sauna mainly uses wood for heating to increase the air temperature, and is a type of dry steam sauna. Wood-burning is a sauna method that is closest to nature. Using a wood-burning sauna allows you to enjoy the beauty of flames and smoke rising, and feel the temperature of the flames. This is also the reason why most traditional sauna enthusiasts choose wood-fired sauna.

Advantages of Wood-Burning Sauna:

Economic: If you use sustainably felled wood and there is enough wood, using a wood-fired sauna is a more economical method.
Create a real atmosphere: In a wood-burning sauna, you can see the wood burning and the smoke rising, giving people a very real feeling, making people feel that they are in a sauna.

Disadvantages of Wood-Burning Sauna:

Long heating time: It takes a lot of time to ignite the wood and the temperature provided by the wood burning reaches the ideal sauna temperature. This is the most significant disadvantage of wood-burning sauna.
The heating temperature is not accurate and the heating temperature cannot be sustained: Wood-burning saunas use wood for heating, and it is difficult to reach an accurate temperature and the temperature during heating cannot be maintained for a long time, and it may be high at one time and low at another.
Regular cleaning and maintenance are required: After the wood is burned, wood residues such as charcoal are produced, which need to be cleaned regularly. The smoke produced by the burning of wood can also damage the sauna room and requires timely maintenance.

Electric Sauna

Electric sauna is mainly heated by electric stove or heater, which is the most popular and common sauna method in modern times. Electric sauna does not produce smoke like wood-burning sauna, nor does it consume wood. The main energy used by electric sauna is electricity.

Advantages of Electric Sauna:

Convenient and fast: Electric sauna uses electric stove for heating, which is simple to operate and very convenient. Electric heating will greatly increase the heating speed, allowing you to enjoy the sauna as soon as possible.
Accurate heating temperature and long heating temperature duration: Electric sauna heating can provide accurate sauna temperature and can reach higher temperature. At the same time, electric sauna can ensure the ideal temperature for a long time.
Safety: Using electric sauna is safer than wood-burning sauna, and there is no fire hazard. Electric sauna can also provide automatic power-off protection to avoid overheating if used for too long.

Disadvantages of Electric Sauna:

Electricity expenses: Frequent use of electric sauna will greatly increase the family’s electricity bill and may increase additional expenses.
Unable to provide a real atmosphere: Electric sauna cannot achieve the same real effect as wood-burning sauna.
Cannot be used in areas without electricity: Electric saunas rely on electricity to generate heat. If there is no electricity in remote areas, there is no way to use it.

Infrared Sauna

Infrared sauna is a product of modern technology. Infrared is an electromagnetic wave that can act directly on the human body. Compared with traditional saunas, infrared saunas are more beneficial to the human body.

Advantages of Infrared Sauna:

More comfortable and healthy: Infrared saunas are cooler and more comfortable. And infrared rays act directly on the human body, which can provide a wider range of benefits, such as relieving joint pain and improving blood circulation.
Low running cost: Infrared saunas do not require much electricity, which can better reduce your running costs.

Disadvantages of Infrared Sauna:

Lack of the atmosphere of traditional saunas: Infrared saunas cannot provide the experience of wood-fired saunas. Many sauna purists believe that the sauna experience is the key to saunas, so infrared saunas are not recognized as a type of sauna by them.
Cannot reach higher temperatures: Infrared saunas cannot provide higher temperatures. If you like higher temperatures in saunas, infrared saunas are not the best choice.

Steam Sauna

Steam sauna mainly uses steam machine to steam. Steam sauna is also called wet sauna. The main feature of steam sauna is high humidity, which is very good for moisturizing the skin. Steam sauna room usually uses tiles to lay a relatively closed environment, and people are exposed to more heat in the steam environment.

Advantages of Steam Sauna:

Health benefits: Steam sauna can fully moisturize the skin and hydrate the skin. In addition, the hot and humid environment can soothe the mucous membrane and relieve congestion of the respiratory system, which is beneficial to relieve respiratory diseases.
Comfortable environment: Steam sauna provides a warm and humid environment, which helps to relax the body and mind and relieve stress.

Disadvantages of Steam Sauna:

Regular maintenance and cleaning; steam sauna will release a lot of steam, so the interior of the sauna will be very humid, prone to mold and odor, etc., and requires regular maintenance and cleaning.
Large space occupied: Compared with infrared sauna and traditional sauna, steam sauna requires a larger space. Especially for home use, it may take up more space.

Answers to Common Questions About Sauna Types

Below you can find answers to questions about sauna types.

Which Type of Sauna Is Best?

Each type of sauna has its own benefits. The best one is the one that suits you best.

Which Is Healthier Steam or Dry Sauna?

Both have benefits, but they focus on different aspects. Steam saunas are good for breathing, stimulate skin vitality, and have a detoxifying effect. Dry saunas are good for cardiovascular health, relieve stress, and relieve muscle soreness.

Is It Ok to Do Dry Sauna Everyday?

Yes. For most healthy people, it is OK to do a sauna every day. The important thing is to listen to yourself and exit the sauna immediately if you feel uncomfortable.

Which Sauna Type Is Right for You?

If you want to install a sauna for your home, you have a variety of options. Each sauna type has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose the sauna that best suits your needs.
If you want a more rustic and authentic sauna experience, a wood-fired sauna is a good choice. If you want more health benefits, it is recommended that you choose an infrared sauna. If your ideal sauna temperature is high, you can choose an electric sauna.
Whatever you choose, it all depends on your needs. You can learn more about COLDCHILLER‘s products. We can provide you with customized services and customize your favorite styles, so that you can tailor your health practice to promote your physical health.

In short, different sauna types have their own advantages and disadvantages. No one sauna can meet the needs of everyone, and you can find a sauna that suits you according to your most important needs. At COLDCHILLER, you can find a variety of sauna types to meet your needs.