Finnish vs Infrared Sauna: Which Is Best for Your Home?

Published on 13th October | Aqua Spazio London

Finnish vs Infrared Sauna: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Saunas are having a moment in Britain. The British Sauna Society now counts more than 600 publicly accessible saunas across the UK (PBL Magazine, 2026). Once people discover them, many want one at home. The first decision is the biggest: a traditional Finnish sauna or an infrared one?

Why people are building home saunas

Most of the long-term health research comes from Finland, where sauna is part of daily life. One major study followed 2,315 middle-aged Finnish men for around 20 years (Netherlands Heart Journal summary). The more often men used a sauna, the lower their risk of fatal heart events.

This is an association, not proof that saunas cause the benefit. People who sauna often may also live more relaxed or active lives. Still, it is one of the strongest long-term signals in wellness research, and it comes from traditional Finnish saunas.

The key differences

Feature	Finnish sauna	Infrared sauna
How it heats	A heater warms the air and stones, which warm you	Infrared panels warm your body directly
Air temperature	80–100°C	Lower, roughly 45–60°C (approximate)
Steam (löyly)	Yes: water poured on hot stones	No
Feel	Intense, enveloping heat	Gentle, deep warmth
Warm-up time	Longer, as the cabin and stones heat	Shorter
Research base	Decades of Finnish population studies	Smaller, newer studies
Best for	The authentic ritual, contrast therapy, social use	Lower-heat sessions, smaller spaces

Which should you choose?

Choose a Finnish sauna if you want the classic experience, enjoy pouring water for steam, plan to pair it with a cold plunge, or will use it with family and friends.

Choose infrared if you prefer milder heat, have limited space, or want shorter, more frequent sessions.

Can't decide? A combination cabin can house both a traditional heater and infrared panels.

What makes a great home sauna

1. A heater sized to the true cabin volume, with enough stone mass for soft, lasting steam.

2. Proper ventilation: fresh air in low, exhaust out high, so the heat stays even and the air stays fresh.

3. The right timber. Dense, well-seasoned wood that stays comfortable to touch, such as spruce, thermo-aspen or alder.

4. Bench heights that work. The upper bench sits in the hottest air; a lower bench gives a gentler option.

5. Commercial-grade infrared panels, if you choose infrared, with independent EMF test data.

6. A cooling plan. A cold shower or plunge nearby completes the ritual.

   
   

Where can a home sauna go?

Saunas fit into bathrooms, basements, pool halls, loft conversions and garden buildings. Each needs a suitable electrical supply, ventilation route and, for outdoor saunas, proper weatherproofing.

Design your home sauna

Aqua Spazio designs and builds traditional Finnish, infrared and combination saunas for homes across London and the UK. Start your design and send us photos and rough dimensions of your space.

Related reading: Contrast therapy at home · Cold plunge pools for UK homes · Steam rooms and hammams

Adding a cold plunge to your sauna? Read how much a sauna and cold plunge suite costs.

FAQ

Is a Finnish or infrared sauna healthier? Most long-term research, including the Finnish heart study above, involves traditional saunas. Infrared research is promising but smaller. The best sauna is the one you will use regularly.

How often should I use a sauna? In the Finnish study, the lowest risk was seen in men who used a sauna 4–7 times a week. Even 2–3 sessions a week was linked to lower risk than once a week.

How long should a sauna session last? Ten to fifteen minutes per round suits most people, with a cool-down between rounds.

Can I put a sauna in my bathroom? Often, yes. It needs space for the cabin, a suitable electrical supply and a ventilation route.

Is a sauna safe? For healthy adults, yes. Avoid alcohol, stay hydrated and leave if you feel unwell. If you have a heart condition or are pregnant, ask your GP first.

Sources

• Sauna bathing: a warm heart proves beneficial, Netherlands Heart Journal, 2015

• Laukkanen et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015

• British Sauna Society national survey launch, PBL Magazine, 2026