An infrared sauna warms your body directly rather than the air: the cabin air sits around 40–60°C and there’s no steam. A Finnish sauna heats stones, which heat the air to about 70–100°C, and throwing water on the stones creates steam (löyly). Asking which is “better” misses the point — they are two different experiences. Barrel Sauna specialises in Finnish saunas, but our catalog also includes infrared panels that can be added to a sauna. Here’s an honest comparison.
How an infrared sauna works
An infrared cabin has radiant panels on the walls or behind the backrest. They emit infrared radiation — the same kind of warmth you feel from the sun on your skin. The air heats up only moderately; the warmth is felt mainly by the skin and the surface of the body.
The result: relatively mild air that’s easy to breathe, while your body still sweats. There’s no steam and no stones to pour water on.
How a Finnish sauna works
In a Finnish sauna an electric or wood-fired heater warms a bed of stones, and the stones heat the air. Hot air rises to the ceiling, cools and sinks again, creating natural circulation. A ladle of water on the stones sends a wave of steam through the room — for many people, the best moment of the session.
The result: strong, enveloping heat, humidity you control yourself, and a traditional, social experience.
Key differences at a glance
| Factor | Infrared cabin | Finnish sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Heating principle | Radiation warms the body | Heats air and stones |
| Air temperature | Around 40–60°C | Around 70–100°C |
| Steam | None | Yes, water on stones |
| Feel | Gentle, deep warmth | Strong, enveloping heat |
| Ready time | Short | Depends on room size and heater |
| Installation | Compact indoor cabin | Indoors or outdoors |
| Atmosphere | Individual, quiet | Traditional, with family and friends |
| Outdoor use | Mostly indoor | Ideal for outdoor models |
Infrared sauna: pros and cons
Pros:
- Milder air — comfortable for people who struggle with intense heat.
- Short preparation time and simple controls.
- Small cabins fit even in an apartment.
Cons:
- No steam, so it doesn’t feel like a classic sauna or bathhouse.
- Heat is stronger on the side facing the panels and less even.
- Contrast bathing (hot, then cold) feels less pronounced.
- The outdoor sauna ritual — heating up in the garden, cooling off in fresh air or snow — belongs mainly to the Finnish sauna.
Finnish sauna: pros and cons
Pros:
- Classic strong heat and steam, with humidity under your control.
- Great for groups.
- Choice of electric or wood-fired heater — wood brings its own atmosphere.
- The natural choice for outdoor models: barrel, cube, cabin and cottage.
Cons:
- High temperatures don’t suit everyone.
- The room needs time to heat up.
- Ventilation and heater sizing need professional planning.
The hybrid option: infrared panels in a Finnish sauna
You don’t have to pick one. Our catalog includes Harvia infrared panels, which can be added to a Finnish sauna — behind the backrest, for example. In a hybrid sauna you can:
- enjoy a classic Finnish session with the heater;
- switch on only the panels for a gentle, lower-temperature session;
- keep family members who dislike intense heat comfortable too.
Panel output and position are chosen to match the sauna size. See our sauna heaters page for heaters and panels.
The practical side: power, upkeep and budget
- Power. Infrared panels draw relatively little. An electric heater for a Finnish sauna is sized to the room and needs its own properly rated circuit. A wood-fired heater needs no electricity, but the chimney and fire-safety clearances matter.
- Upkeep. Infrared panels need almost no maintenance. In a Finnish sauna you’ll check and re-stack the stones from time to time and air the room after every session.
- Budget. A starting point for an outdoor Finnish sauna: a barrel or cube sauna costs roughly 6,000–12,000 AZN. Adding infrared panels is quoted separately to suit the sauna size. For the bigger picture, see our sauna prices page.
Who should choose what
Choose a Finnish sauna if you:
- want classic heat and steam;
- will use the sauna with family and friends;
- plan a sauna in the garden — all models are in our outdoor saunas section;
- love contrast bathing: sauna, then cold water.
Choose an infrared cabin or panels if you:
- find high temperatures hard to tolerate;
- prefer short, solo sessions;
- have very little space.
Choose the hybrid option if your household has different tastes and you want both experiences in one room. It works especially well in indoor saunas that we build inside an existing room of your home.
A short note on health
Both infrared and Finnish saunas warm the body and make you sweat. Research on both types is ongoing, so treat promises of miracle cures with caution. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, have implants or any other health concern, talk to your doctor before using any type of sauna.
FAQ
Is an infrared sauna healthier than a Finnish sauna?
There’s no clear-cut answer. They deliver different kinds of heat; the right choice depends on your comfort and how you’ll use it.
Can I add infrared panels to a Finnish sauna?
Yes. Our catalog includes Harvia infrared panels, and we choose the output and position to suit your sauna.
Can an outdoor sauna be infrared?
Our outdoor saunas are built as Finnish saunas, because that format works best in a garden. If you like, infrared panels can be added inside.
What temperature does an infrared sauna reach?
Usually around 40–60°C. A Finnish sauna typically runs at about 70–100°C.
Which one is ready faster?
An infrared cabin is usually ready sooner. A Finnish sauna’s heat-up time depends on room volume and heater output.
Let’s find the right fit
Finnish sauna, infrared panels or both — we’ll suggest the setup that suits you. Message us on WhatsApp for a free consultation, design and estimate.
