The short answer: the Golden Designs Monaco (GDI-6996-01) is one of the biggest indoor infrared saunas you can buy as a kit: a 6-person Canadian hemlock cabin with 15 near zero EMF carbon heaters, chromotherapy and red light, and a built-in screen with DVD player, FM radio and Bluetooth. It's $6,499 (November 2026). It suits a family or a large wellness room, as long as you can give it two dedicated 120V/20A circuits and about 6 by 6 feet of floor.
Golden Designs Monaco Specs
| Feature | Golden Designs Monaco (GDI-6996-01) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 people |
| Heaters | 15 PureTech near zero EMF far infrared carbon panels, including floor and bench-level panels |
| EMF | Under 3 mG at 2 to 3 inches from the panels (maker's figure) |
| Wood | Natural reforested Canadian hemlock |
| Exterior size | 73 in W x 67 in D (61 in plus 6 in) x 79 in H |
| Temperature | Ideal range 118–132°F; heats up to 140°F |
| Electrical | Two separate dedicated 120V/20A non-GFCI outlets on two 20A breakers (not 240V) |
| Glass | Bronze tinted tempered glass |
| Lighting | Oversize chromotherapy color lighting, red light feature, exterior accent lighting |
| Entertainment | Screen with DVD player, FM radio, Bluetooth and MP3 aux, built-in speakers (smart-screen apps need an Amazon Fire TV Stick, sold separately) |
| Weight | 750 lb; ships in 4 cartons on a pallet (840 lb), curbside delivery |
| Use | Indoor only |
Heating and Heat-Up Time
The 15 carbon panels sit on the walls and down at floor and bench level, so heat reaches your legs as well as your back. Golden Designs' manual says the cabin generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes to preheat to 122°F, longer in a cold room. For your first few sessions the manual suggests about 115°F for around 15 minutes, then raising the temperature and time as you get used to it.
| Setting | What the manual says |
|---|---|
| Preheat to 122°F | About 20–30 minutes |
| First sessions | About 115°F for around 15 minutes |
| Ideal range | 118–132°F |
| Maximum | 140°F |
A big cabin holds more air than a 2-person model, so plan on the full preheat before a group session.
EMF
The Monaco uses Golden Designs' PureTech near zero tier: under 3 mG measured 2 to 3 inches from the panels, against 5 to 10 mG for their standard low EMF panels. Our guide to infrared sauna EMF explains what those tiers mean and how household appliances compare.
Electrical Requirements
This is the spec most buyers miss. The Monaco needs two separate dedicated 120V/20A outlets, each on its own 20A breaker, with no GFCI and no extension cords. It does not use 240V. Many homes need an electrician to add the second circuit, so get a quote before you order.
Size and Placement
At 73 by 67 inches and 79 inches tall, the Monaco needs a room at least that size plus clearance at the back for the power cords and a little space around the cabin for airflow. It's for indoor use only: placing it outdoors voids the warranty. Our guides on where to place a sauna and what size sauna you need cover floors, ceilings and room size.
Delivery and Assembly
The Monaco ships curbside on a pallet in four cartons, the heaviest at 245 lb, so plan for at least two strong helpers to move the panels inside. Assembly follows the same panel-and-clip design as other Golden Designs and Dynamic cabins (see our sauna assembly guide): floor, back wall, side walls, bench heaters, front, then roof, with the heater cords plugged into outlets on the rear wall as you go.
Warranty and Care
- 5 years on heating elements and electronics.
- 1 year on the wood structure and the radio.
- Indoor residential use only; outdoor placement or modifications void it.
- Mail back the warranty card: the manual says the warranty is void without it.
- Defective parts go back to Golden Designs with shipping prepaid by the owner.
Care is simple: wipe the interior with plain water and a soft damp cloth. The manual warns against chemical cleaners, which can soak into the wood. The full manual is linked from our Golden Designs owner's manuals page.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Genuine 6-person capacity in one cabin
- 15 heaters, including floor and bench-level panels
- Near zero EMF tier (under 3 mG at 2 to 3 inches)
- Built-in screen with DVD, FM and Bluetooth, plus chromotherapy and red light
- Runs on 120V, so no 240V service is needed
Cons
- Needs two dedicated 20A circuits, which often means electrical work
- Big footprint and 750 lb of panels; curbside delivery only
- Wood structure and radio are covered for 1 year only
- Far infrared only; no near infrared or salt features
Monaco vs Other 6-Person Infrared Saunas
| Golden Designs Monaco | Golden Designs GDI-8260-01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Nov 2026) | $6,499 | $7,499 |
| Heating | Far infrared, 15 carbon panels | Full spectrum: 3 far infrared carbon panels + 6 near infrared elements |
| EMF | Under 3 mG | Under 3 mG |
| Exterior size | 73 x 67 x 79 in | 73 x 59.5 x 74 in |
| Electrical | 2 x dedicated 120V/20A | 2 x 120V/15A (dedicated recommended) |
| Extras | Screen with DVD, FM, Bluetooth | 5 Himalayan salt bars, Bluetooth |
Choose the Golden Designs GDI-8260-01 if you want full spectrum heat and a slightly shallower cabin; choose the Monaco for more far infrared panels and the built-in screen. The Monaco Limited Edition (GDI-6996-02) is currently out of stock. For more large cabins, browse our luxury saunas.
Verdict
The Golden Designs Monaco is a strong pick if you want one infrared sauna the whole family can use at once, with near zero EMF panels and entertainment built in. Check two things before you buy: that you have room for a 73 by 67 inch cabin, and that an electrician can give you two dedicated 120V/20A circuits.
