Short answer: there are five main types of saunas: traditional electric, wood-fired, infrared, hybrid and steam. Traditional and wood-fired saunas heat the air and stones to about 150-195°F and let you make steam. Infrared saunas warm you directly at about 120-140°F with dry heat and usually run on a 120V circuit. Hybrids combine both, and steam rooms are a cooler, very humid space. The heater decides the temperature, the humidity, the warm-up time and the wiring you'll need.
Quick comparison of sauna types
| Type | How it heats | Typical air temperature | Humidity | Warm-up | Power or fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional (electric) | Electric heater warms rocks and the room | 150-195°F (65-90°C) | Low, with steam when you add water to the rocks | About 30-45 minutes | Usually a dedicated 240V circuit |
| Wood-fired | Wood stove warms rocks and the room | 150-195°F (65-90°C) | Low, with steam when you add water | Usually the longest | Firewood, plus a chimney or flue |
| Infrared | Infrared panels warm you directly | About 120-140°F (49-60°C) | Dry | About 20 minutes of preheat | 120V, usually on a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit |
| Hybrid | Rock heater plus infrared panels | Depends on which you run | Dry or steamy | Depends on which you run | Varies by model; check the product page |
| Steam | Steam generator fills the room with moist heat | 110-120°F (43-49°C) | Very high | Varies by generator | Check the product page |
For the numbers in more detail, see our guide to how hot a sauna should be. Warm-up times are typical makers' figures and run longer in a cold room.
Traditional saunas
A traditional sauna uses a heater to warm a basket of stones and the air in a wood-lined room. Throwing water on the stones makes a burst of steam, called löyly. Most home models use an electric heater and are built indoors or outdoors, including barrel saunas. Browse our traditional saunas.
- Good fit: you like high heat and the option of steam.
- Keep in mind: heat-up is usually 30-45 minutes, and electric heaters normally need a dedicated 240V circuit put in by a qualified electrician. Some larger cabins need a second 120V circuit for lights and controls, so check the product page.
Wood-fired saunas
A wood-fired sauna works like a traditional one but burns logs in a stove, so the heat itself needs no electricity. It needs a chimney or flue that meets local fire codes, safe clearances and good ventilation. It suits cabins and rural properties where firewood is easy to get. See our wood-burning sauna stoves.
- Good fit: off-grid sites and people who enjoy tending a fire.
- Keep in mind: the longest warm-up, ash to clear, and a more involved installation.
Infrared saunas
An infrared sauna uses emitters (carbon or ceramic panels) to warm your body directly rather than heating the air first. Far infrared models are the most common; full spectrum models add near and mid infrared emitters. Home infrared cabins usually top out at about 140°F and preheat in about 20 minutes, which is why they're popular for apartments and spare rooms. Browse our infrared saunas for home, which include indoor, outdoor, full spectrum, low EMF and portable models.
- Good fit: smaller spaces, lower temperatures and shorter warm-ups.
- Keep in mind: there is no steam. Most run on 120V, but many makers ask for a dedicated circuit (often 15A for 1-2 person models and 20A for larger ones) and no GFCI outlet or extension cord, so check the product page before you buy.
Weighing the two main options? Our infrared vs traditional sauna comparison sets out temperature, heat-up time, running cost and wiring side by side.
Hybrid saunas
A hybrid sauna combines a rock heater with infrared panels in one cabin, so you can run either or both. It is the flexible choice if people in your household prefer different kinds of heat, and it usually costs more and needs more electrical work. Browse hybrid saunas.
Steam rooms and steam showers
A steam room is a different category: a generator fills a sealed, tiled space with moist heat at a lower temperature than a sauna. At home this is usually a steam shower unit. Our sauna vs steam room guide explains the differences.
Indoor or outdoor?
- Indoor saunas suit a basement, spare room or garage. Check ceiling height, floor type and power supply. Many infrared cabins are indoor-only.
- Outdoor saunas, including barrels and cabins, need a level base, weather protection and a power run (or a wood stove).
How to choose
- Pick the heat you enjoy: hot with steam (traditional or wood-fired), gentler and dry (infrared), or both (hybrid).
- Check your power: confirm the voltage and circuit the product requires before you buy, and get an electrician's quote if it needs 240V.
- Match size to your household: see what size sauna you need.
- Set a budget: include delivery, installation and electrical work, not just the sauna.
Whichever type you choose, start with short sessions, drink water, and speak to your doctor first if you are pregnant or have a heart or blood-pressure condition.
