Infrared Sauna or Finnish Sauna? Differences in Cost, Operation and Effect

Updated 14 July 2026 · Spa Pool News Editorial Team

The question “infrared sauna or Finnish sauna?” is one most people shopping for a home sauna face right at the start — and the answer shapes price, space requirements and daily usage patterns for years to come. The two types heat the body in completely different ways, place different demands on your electrical supply and cabin construction, and suit different usage habits. In this article we compare purchase price, running costs, heat-up time and installation requirements for both options, and show when combining the two in a single cabin makes sense.

The core difference: how the air is heated, and how the body is heated

A Finnish sauna heats the air in the cabin by convection — the sauna heater brings both the air and the stones up to 80–100 °C, and heat spreads through the circulation of hot air and radiant heat from the glowing stones. The classic ritual includes periodically pouring water over the stones (löyly), which briefly raises humidity and the subjective sensation of heat. The body is therefore warmed indirectly, via the hot air surrounding it.

An infrared sauna works differently: infrared emitters (ceramic, carbon or glass panels) radiate heat directly onto the body, much as the sun warms your skin even in cooler air. Air temperature in the cabin therefore stays much lower, typically 40–60 °C, but the sensation of warmth comes from radiation heating the skin and underlying tissue directly, not from the heated air around it. This means you can stay in an infrared sauna longer without feeling like you’re struggling to breathe hot air.

This difference in heating principle is the foundation everything else builds on: price, running costs, heat-up speed, electrical requirements, and which type will suit whom.

Comparison by the numbers: price, running costs and heat-up time

The table below summarises the main differences for a typical home installation for 2–4 people. Prices assume a complete installation including the heater or emitters, not just the price of the cabin itself.

Parameter	Finnish sauna	Infrared sauna
Purchase price (cabin + technology)	In Czechia, a typical Finnish sauna costs CZK 80,000–250,000 (≈ €3,200–10,000) (heater + wooden cabin construction)	CZK 40,000–120,000 (≈ €1,600–4,800) (ready-made cabin with emitters)
Running cost per session	approx. CZK 60–90 (≈ €2.4–3.6)	approx. CZK 8–12 (≈ €0.3–0.5)
Cost for 8–10 sessions a month	approx. CZK 650–800/month (≈ €26–32) (approx. CZK 8,100/year, ≈ €324)	approx. CZK 80–120/month (≈ €3.2–4.8)
Time to reach operating temperature	30–60 minutes (to 80–100 °C)	10–15 minutes (to 40–60 °C)
Typical length of one session	8–15 minutes in the cabin, with cooling breaks	30–45 minutes of continuous use
Physical response (general)	intense sweating, faster heart rate, the classic sauna sensation	gentler strain on circulation, gradual warming; many users find it more pleasant for frequent short sessions

The difference in running costs is substantial. While a Finnish sauna used regularly (roughly twice a week) costs on the order of CZK 8,000–9,000 a year (≈ €320–360) in electricity alone, an infrared sauna used with comparable frequency costs around CZK 1,000–1,500 a year (≈ €40–60). The reason is the lower power draw of the emitters (1.5–3.5 kW) compared with sauna heaters (6–9 kW), as well as the shorter time the technology runs at full output.

On the “physical response” row: this describes a generally observed difference in subjective comfort and sweating intensity, not a medical claim. Both types are commonly associated with relaxation and improved skin circulation after physical exertion or at the end of the day. If you have a specific health condition (such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular issues, or pregnancy), we recommend discussing your choice and frequency of use with a doctor beforehand — general descriptions in e-shop listings do not replace an individual medical assessment.

Within the price ranges above, the exact figure mainly depends on cabin size, the type of wood (spruce, aspen, cedar, hemlock), the quality of the glass panels, and extras such as remote control, coloured lighting, Bluetooth sound systems or safety features. For a Finnish sauna, the construction work also adds significantly to the price — demolishing partition walls, installing new moisture-resistant flooring, or extending the electrical supply from the distribution board. For an infrared sauna, by contrast, most of the cost sits in the cabin itself, since building work is usually minimal or unnecessary.

Who is better suited to a Finnish sauna, and who to an infrared sauna

A Finnish sauna makes sense when:

• You have a separate room or garden space available — a typical cabin takes up roughly 2–2.5 m² of floor space, plus you need somewhere to cool down.
• You have a larger budget and see the sauna as a lasting investment in your home or garden.
• You want the traditional ritual with löyly, alternating heat and cooling, or shared sauna sessions for several people at once.
• You have access to a robust electrical connection, or are willing to have one installed.

An infrared sauna makes sense when:

• You have limited space — compact cabins are available from as small as 1.1 × 1.1 m and fit into a larger bathroom or utility room.
• You want a lower up-front investment and simpler installation without any rewiring.
• You prefer a quick warm-up (short heat-up time) and longer, gentler sessions as part of a daily routine.
• You’re looking for an option that’s easier on the body when it comes to high air temperatures.

How often you’ll use it also affects return on investment: a Finnish sauna makes the most economic sense where you’ll genuinely use it regularly — for occasional weekend sauna sessions, the high purchase price pays off more slowly. Thanks to its low running costs, an infrared sauna has similar economics even with less frequent use.

Installation requirements: electricity, insulation, ventilation

Finnish sauna

Sauna heaters for a typical home cabin with a volume of 6–12 m³ have an output of 6–9 kW. Heaters up to about 6 kW can often be connected to a single-phase 230 V supply with a 32 A breaker; more powerful heaters usually require a three-phase 400 V connection with a 3×16–20 A breaker — the connection should always be designed and installed by an electrician who issues a revision report. The cabin needs good wall insulation and controlled air exchange, typically sized for 3–8 air changes per hour, otherwise the wood suffers from moisture and the heater becomes harder to regulate. For a more detailed breakdown of heater output by cabin volume and sauna style, see Sauna heaters: power output, cabin volume and ventilation.

Infrared sauna

A compact infrared cabin for 1–3 people typically has a combined emitter output of 1.5–3.5 kW and runs on an ordinary household 230 V/16 A socket. For larger setups with four or more emitters, a dedicated breaker is advisable. Building-insulation requirements are lower, because the operating air temperature is tens of degrees lower than in a Finnish sauna. This means installation is possible even in a flat, basement or small utility room without major building work — unlike a Finnish sauna, where a separate room or garden structure is practically always required.

For a complete checklist of things to sort out before ordering a home sauna, see Home sauna: what to sort out before ordering. For commercial operations, there are additional considerations around capacity, cleaning and guest safety — covered in Hotel wellness: sauna, steam, cooling and operational reality.

Combining both: the dual sauna as a third option

Many manufacturers now also offer a so-called dual sauna — a cabin that combines a classic sauna heater with infrared emitters built into the walls or benches. Users choose a mode depending on mood or time of day: a quick infrared session after a workout on a weekday, or a classic sauna session with löyly at the weekend.

The advantage is that a single structure covers both needs. The disadvantage is a higher total investment and somewhat more complex controls and servicing. A dual sauna makes the most sense where there’s enough space and budget for a classic Finnish sauna, but you also want a fast option on hand for everyday use.

In terms of price, a dual sauna tends to sit at the upper end of, or even above, the range shown in the table for a standalone Finnish sauna. It’s therefore worth comparing offers against two separate, simpler solutions — for some households, that combination works out cheaper and more practical.

Summary: when to choose what

In short: a Finnish sauna wins where you want the traditional, intense experience, have the space, and plan on regular, long-term use that will pay back the high up-front investment. An infrared sauna wins where space, budget, simple installation and frequent short sessions as part of a daily routine matter most. Combining both (a dual sauna) suits households that want both and have the space and budget for it.

Frequently asked questions

Is an infrared sauna the same as a Finnish sauna, just with different heating?

Not quite. They differ in the principle by which the body is heated, the typical temperature and session length, and their building and electrical requirements. They’re two distinct products for different uses.

What does one session in an infrared sauna actually cost?

For a typical home cabin with an output of 1.5–3.5 kW and a session lasting 30–45 minutes, the electricity cost works out at roughly CZK 8–12 (≈ €0.3–0.5) at a price of around CZK 6.5/kWh.

How long does a Finnish sauna take to heat up?

A classic sauna heater usually needs 30–60 minutes to reach an operating temperature of 80–100 °C. An infrared sauna reaches its operating temperature of 40–60 °C in roughly 10–15 minutes.

Can an infrared sauna be installed in a flat or bathroom?

Yes. Compact cabins with an output of up to about 2 kW usually run on an ordinary 230 V/16 A socket and don’t require major building work.

What’s the health difference between an infrared sauna and a Finnish sauna?

Because of the higher air temperature, a Finnish sauna places more intense strain on the circulatory system. An infrared sauna heats the body directly through radiation at a lower air temperature, which many users experience as a gentler option. If you have health conditions, we recommend discussing your choice and frequency of use with a doctor.

Is a combined dual sauna worth it?

It makes sense if you have enough space and budget for a classic Finnish sauna and also want a fast infrared option available on a daily basis.

What electrical connection does a home Finnish sauna need?

Smaller heaters up to about 6 kW can be connected to a single-phase 230 V supply with a 32 A breaker; more powerful heaters (7–9 kW) usually require a three-phase 400 V connection.

Is running an infrared sauna really that cheap compared with a Finnish sauna?

Yes. At comparable usage frequency, an infrared sauna costs roughly CZK 80–120 a month (≈ €3.2–4.8), while a Finnish sauna costs around CZK 650–800 a month (≈ €26–32).

Choosing a sauna?

The right choice between a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna and a combined solution always depends on the space, budget and electrical connection available at your property. If you’d like to compare offers from specific suppliers, submit a request and select “Technology” in the “What do you need help with” field, or first browse the directory of companies that supply and install saunas.