How to Choose the Right Home Sauna

Traditional saunas heat the air around you to 180-200F using a stove and rocks. The experience is intense, and sessions are typically shorter.

Far infrared saunas use infrared panels to heat your body directly rather than warming the air. They operate at a comfortable 120-140F, allowing for longer, more relaxing sessions that penetrate deeper into muscle tissue.

For home use, infrared is almost always the better choice: lower energy costs, faster heat-up time, and a more comfortable experience. Every indoor sauna we carry — Ember and Lumin alike — uses far infrared technology. Prefer traditional heat? Our outdoor Auris cedar cabins deliver the classic stove-and-stones experience in your backyard.

The main decision is 1-person vs 2-person. Consider your available space, whether you'll share sessions, and your comfort preference.

1-person saunas (Ember One, Lumin One) are compact and ideal for personal wellness routines. Ember One adds extra shoulder room for those who want more space. 2-person saunas (Ember Two, Lumin Two) let you share the experience or stretch out more comfortably. Need more room still? The Lumin Three seats three, and the outdoor Auris Two seats three to four in cedar.

Most indoor saunas need a footprint of roughly 3x3 to 4x4 feet, plus 2-3 inches of clearance on each side for assembly. They can be placed in a bedroom, bathroom, basement, or dedicated room.

Assembly takes approximately 45-60 minutes with two people. All hardware and tools are included, and the sauna plugs into a standard household outlet — no special wiring or electrician needed.

Canadian hemlock is one of the best woods for indoor sauna construction. It offers excellent natural insulation, is hypoallergenic, and is scar-resistant. Unlike cedar, hemlock does not release aromatic oils at sauna temperatures, making it a safer and more neutral choice for those with sensitivities.

All Ember and Lumin saunas are built with premium Canadian hemlock for durability, safety, and a clean, modern appearance. Our outdoor Auris cabins are instead handcrafted from Western Red Cedar — the wood of choice for outdoor saunas because it naturally resists moisture, decay, and weather.

EMF (electromagnetic fields) are produced by any electrical device. While the health effects of low-level EMF exposure are debated, many sauna buyers prefer to minimize exposure.

Ember and Lumin saunas are engineered with low EMF heating panels that minimize electromagnetic field output, giving you peace of mind during daily use.

Every Ember model runs on a standard 120V / 15A household outlet. Every Lumin model connects to standard 110V or 220V outlets. No electrician, no special wiring, no 240V circuit. Simply plug it in and enjoy.

This is one of the biggest advantages of infrared saunas over traditional models, which often require dedicated 240V circuits. (Outdoor cedar saunas are the exception — the Auris series supports 380V, 220-240V, and 110V configurations, so confirm your setup before ordering.)

The affordable Ember series runs $2,999 to $3,999, depending on capacity; premium Lumin models sit above that. Shop Pay installments are available at checkout, letting you split your purchase into manageable monthly payments.

When comparing prices, remember that each Ember sauna includes free freight shipping, Bluetooth audio, LED lighting, and low EMF heating panels — features that often cost extra with other brands.