If you’re new to sauna bathing and are trying to learn the proper practices to using a sauna then you might be wondering what the best temperature for sauna bathing is?
The answer to this question differs as there are many different saunas that run off at different temperatures. Along with this everyone has their own preference. Some people like the sauna extremely hot, some like to add water on top of the sauna to create steam, and some simply just want a dry sauna experience at a lower temperature.
With that being said there’re common sauna temperatures that most all people use. In this post, we’ll go over these temperatures and decipher which one is best for you.
Most Common Sauna Temperatures
As we mentioned above there are common sauna temperatures that most saunas conform by. But, these temperatures don’t put into mind other factors. These factors include whether or not the sauna heater is working efficiently if the rocks are assorted correctly, if the door is tight or if there’re cracks, ceiling height within the sauna, whether or not there’s an exhaust vent, properly insulated walls, sufficient electricity to the heater itself, and etc.
All of the above factors determine whether or not you’re sauna is going to be heating to the right temperature. If all these factors are set correctly then you should have a well-working sauna that can be set at any temperature that you desire. You should also keep in mind that pre-built infrared saunas and traditional saunas run off different temperatures. So be aware of these differences before purchasing your own system.
Traditional Saunas
Traditional Saunas are saunas that run off either gas, wood, or electricity. Most people are used to the electric form of traditional saunas as they are used in most gyms and spas.
These saunas are very powerful and use rocks/heating elements to heat up the entire room by convection. A great thing about these saunas is that they allow you to have a powerful sauna that is able to produce steam (when you pour water on the rocks).
Technical Information:
Heat Source: Gas/Wood/Electric Heater
Pre-Heat Time: 30-45 minutes
Temperature Range: 160 – 194 F (American Standard), 160 – 220 F (Non-American Standard)
Infrared Saunas
Infrared Saunas are saunas that run completely off of electricity. These saunas use infrared heating panels to produce radiant heat. This radiant heat is then absorbed by the surface of your skin to make you sweat profusely.
Since the majority of the heat is absorbed by one’s skin, the sauna doesn’t heat up as much as traditional saunas. Instead, they heat the air to a temperature of around 100 to 150 F. In most cases, the best temperature for infrared saunas is around 140-150 degrees F.
With that being said they are still very effective at making one sweat because the infrared light travels deep into their skin. These saunas are relatively new and have recently become very popular. The reason for this is because they are perfect for small home saunas and relatively cheap.
In our opinion, this is one of the best saunas since they offer so many features and are easy to build.
Technical Information:
Heat Source: Infrared Heating Panels
Pre-Heat Time: 15-30 minutes
Temperature Range: 100 – 150 F.
Portable Saunas
Portable Saunas are the most recent sauna technology to hit the market. These saunas run completely off electricity and also use infrared heating panels. These panels heat the surface of one’s skin through radiant heat.
An amazing thing about these saunas is that they are extremely affordable. They are also really portable so you can literally take them anywhere you like. Typically a person who is always on the road would purchase one of these saunas. Since they are infrared saunas they typically run off a temperature of 100 to 150 F.
If you’re someone who is new to saunas and would like to purchase your own then these are the best option for you. They’re a perfect test trial to the bigger pre-built saunas above.
Technical Information:
Heat Source: Infrared Heating Panels
Pre-Heat Time: 10-25 minutes
Temperature Range: 100 – 150 F.
More Information…
Typically the temperature range for a traditional sauna is set to around 160 – 194 F. Most people bathe in this sauna for around 15-30 minutes. Depending on the person they might take an interval break to cool down and then go back in. But, it’s whatever your preference is.
Typically the temperature range for an infrared sauna is set to 100 – 150 F. The bathing session for an infrared sauna usually lasts a lot longer. Around 30-45 minutes. This is because the temperature is much lower in infrared saunas so they are much more tolerable.
It should also be known that the above temperatures are the maximum for U.S.A and Canadian standards. This is because back in 1982 they believed there should be a temperature limit on all saunas. In other countries, this is not the case. For example, in European nations, they can have saunas reaching temperatures well above 200 F.
With that being said there is no right or wrong sauna temperature. Everyone has their own preference and comfort level. Since this is so we believe you should test out different temperatures and find which is best for you. You should also try different sauna types to see which one you like best.
Also, be sure to check out our home page to learn more information about saunas.
Other Resources:
Books:
* The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy
* Sauna Therapy for Detoxification and Healing
* The Sauna: A Complete Guide to the Construction, Use, and Benefits of the Finnish Bath
