What Is a Far Infrared Sauna? How It Works & What to Know

Short answer: a far-infrared sauna is an infrared sauna whose heaters emit mainly far-infrared wavelengths — invisible heat in the 5–15 micron range. Large carbon-panel heaters mounted in the walls, backrest, and floor warm your body directly rather than superheating the air, so the cabin stays at a comfortable 110–150°F. It's the standard infrared sauna design and the widest selection we carry. Here's what the term actually means and what to check before you buy.

This article is for information only and isn't medical advice. If you have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, are pregnant, or take medication affecting heat tolerance, talk to your doctor before using any sauna. For the full safety picture, see our infrared sauna safety guide →

Far infrared, in plain terms

Infrared is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum just beyond visible red light — invisible to the eye, but felt as heat. The commonly used division splits it into three bands:

• Near infrared: roughly 0.7–1.4 microns, produced by very hot sources.
• Mid infrared: roughly 1.4–3 (sometimes 4) microns, produced by hot sources.
• Far infrared: roughly 4–1,000 microns, with the sauna industry usually focused on the 5–15 micron range — produced by lower-temperature sources like warm wall panels.

One caveat: the exact divisions vary by standard (the CIE and ISO schemes use different cutoffs), so "far" is a naming convention, not a sharp boundary. When a product page says "far infrared," it means the sauna's heaters are designed to emit in the long end of that spectrum. Browse far-infrared saunas →

How a far-infrared sauna works

The classic infrared sauna uses large flat carbon panels mounted in the walls, the backrest, and sometimes under the bench or floor. These panels run at relatively low surface temperatures and emit predominantly far-infrared energy, producing gentle, enveloping warmth spread across your whole body.

The design idea is that the panels warm you directly, rather than working like a traditional sauna: a traditional stove first superheats the air (160–200°F) and the hot air then heats you. Because the infrared energy goes straight to the bather, the cabin itself only needs to reach 110–150°F — a temperature range most people find comfortable for 20–30 minute sessions. How to use an infrared sauna →

Far infrared vs traditional sauna heat

The two styles feel quite different. A traditional sauna runs much hotter — 160–200°F air — with low humidity that spikes briefly when water hits the hot stones (löyly). A far-infrared cabin holds 110–150°F with no steam and no stove; the heat comes from the panels around you.

Neither is universally "better" — they solve different problems. Traditional heat is sharper and more intense; far-infrared heat is gentler and easier to sit with for longer. Traditional cabins also need more space, more power, and typically a bigger budget. Traditional saunas → Full steam vs infrared comparison →

Far infrared vs near, mid, and full spectrum

You'll see a related term — "full spectrum" — on some models. A full-spectrum cabin keeps the far-infrared carbon panels and adds near- and mid-infrared heaters (hotter emitter elements, like halogen or quartz-style lamps) so one session covers all three wavelength bands.

In short: far infrared is the standard setup (panels only, gentle enveloping heat); full spectrum is the expanded setup (panels plus hotter elements, with the option of more surface-focused near-infrared heat). Our full breakdown covers the trade-offs in detail. Far infrared vs full spectrum, explained → Full-spectrum saunas →

What to check before you buy

Four things matter most when comparing far-infrared models:

• EMF tier: manufacturers rate models as low-EMF, ultra-low-EMF, or near-zero-EMF (under 3 milligauss in the product specs). Of the 71 far-infrared models we carry, 33 are low-EMF, 25 ultra-low-EMF, and 12 near-zero-EMF — so you can choose your comfort level. Low-EMF saunas →
• Heater coverage: more panels in more positions (walls, backrest, floor) means more even heat and fewer cold spots. Check the product description's heater layout, not just the heater count.
• Size and layout: far-infrared cabins come in 1- to 8-person sizes. The 2-person size (roughly 46–50" wide) is the most popular — enough bench room for two adults without dominating a room. 2-person saunas →
• Price range: our far-infrared lineup spans $1,399 to $8,999 depending on size, wood, and heater configuration — every model priced at its manufacturer's minimum advertised price.

Once you've narrowed it to a model, the rest is preparation and routine. Home sauna buying guide →

FAQs

What is a far infrared sauna?

A far-infrared sauna is an infrared sauna whose carbon-panel heaters emit mainly far-infrared wavelengths (the 5–15 micron range the industry focuses on). The panels warm your body directly at a comfortable 110–150°F cabin temperature, without a stove or steam.

How is far infrared different from near infrared?

They're different bands of the same spectrum: far infrared is the long end (roughly 4–1,000 microns, emitted by low-temperature panels); near infrared is the short end (0.7–1.4 microns, emitted by very hot sources). Full-spectrum cabins combine both.

Do far infrared saunas get as hot as traditional saunas?

No — that's the point. Traditional saunas run 160–200°F air; far-infrared cabins hold 110–150°F because the panels warm you directly rather than superheating the air first. Most people find the lower temperature easier to sit with for a full session.

How much does a far infrared sauna cost?

Our far-infrared lineup runs $1,399 to $8,999 depending on size, wood, and heater configuration — every model at its manufacturer's minimum advertised price. Compact 1-person models start at the low end; large 6- to 8-person cabins sit at the top.

Are far infrared saunas low EMF?

They come in three tiers: low-EMF, ultra-low-EMF, and near-zero-EMF (under 3 milligauss). Of the 71 far-infrared models we carry, 33 are low-EMF, 25 ultra-low-EMF, and 12 near-zero-EMF, so you can pick the tier that matches your preference.