We review the best sauna for relaxation on the market today. Sauna heat therapy is a powerful tool for relaxing the body and calming the mind. Our independent reviews and buyer’s guide will help you choose the best sauna to de-stress, calm the mind, and relax your whole body.
Discover how a home sauna can help you relax and unwind after a long stressful day. Imagine how a sauna heat session would soothe your mind and body, and prepare you for a peaceful deep sleep.
THE BEST HOME SAUNA FOR RELAXATION
Check out the top 5 saunas for relaxation 2024. Our reviews will run you through everything you need to know – including all the key features, pros, and cons. Enjoy the relaxation effects of the very best saunas in the comfort of your home.
TOP 5 SAUNAS FOR RELAXATION
- CLEARLIGHT SANCTUARY CHROMOTHERAPY SAUNA
- DYNAMIC ANDORA SAUNA
- MAXXUS ALPINE DUAL TECHNOLOGY SAUNA
- SUNRAY SAVANNAH SAUNA
- SANTE FE 3 CHROMOTHERAPY SAUNA
1: CLEARLIGHT SANCTUARY CHROMOTHERAPY SAUNA
FEATURES
• FULL SPECTRUM INFRARED
• CHROMOTHERAPY
• BLUETOOTH SOUND SYSTEM
• SLEEK ITALIAN DESIGN
• LIFETIME WARRANTY
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE
This sauna comes with full spectrum dual carbon-ceramic heaters. This means it generates both Far Infrared (FIR) and Near Infrared (NIR) light energy to deeply heat your body. The dual media heaters combine both carbon and ceramic heating technologies for maximum performance.
COMFORTABLE & SPACIOUS
The Clearlight Sanctuary full spectrum infrared sauna is the stand-out performer when it comes to relaxation. We really like this sauna, it feels spacious inside and comfortably fits three people. You feel like you can really lie back, stretch out, and relax
CHROMOTHERAPY & BLUETOOTH
The relaxation benefits of this sauna are complemented by the built-in chromotherapy and Bluetooth features. Chromotherapy facilitates relaxing color therapy while you can listen to your favorite tunes on the Bluetooth sound system.
VERDICT
Overall winner. Best sauna for relaxation on the market in 2024. Full spectrum infrared light, medical-grade chromotherapy, and lifetime warranty. Winner!
2: DYNAMIC ANDORA 2 PERSON INFRARED SAUNA
FEATURES
• FAR Infrared Carbon Heaters
• Canadian Hemlock Construction
• Capacity: 2-Person
• Tempered Glass Door & Windows
• Double Panelled Wall Construction
RAPID RELAXATION
It uses six strategically placed FAR infrared carbon heaters to achieve full 360-degree coverage, there is even a heating panel beneath the bench and under the floor panel. The all-round coverage gets to work quickly to relax your muscles and work up a sweat.
SOLID CONSTRUCTION
When it comes to build quality you can rest assured. The Dynamic Andora is made from 6mm interior and exterior wood planks and a 1.13-inch inner frame. This sauna is built to last and deliver years of relaxation and enjoyment.
MADE FROM REFORESTED TIMBER
The Dynamic Andora is a great choice of sauna for unwinding and destressing at the end of a long day. It is constructed from reforested Canadian Hemlock timber. This means, new trees are planted to replace all trees that are felled.
VERDICT
The Dynamic Andora’s exceptional build quality, 360-degree heating coverage, and environmentally responsible construction make it one of the best saunas for relaxation in 2024.
3: MAXXUS ALPINE DUAL TECHNOLOGY INFRARED SAUNA
FEATURES
• FAR Infrared Technology
• Color Therapy Lighting
• 7 Ceramic-Carbon Combination Heaters
• Canadian Hemlock Construction
• Capacity: 3-Person
RELAX WITH COLOR THERAPY
The Maxxus Alpine infrared sauna is equipped with an internal colored light system for chromotherapy. This boosts the relaxation effect of the heat session. It is believed blue light is particularly useful for its calming effect.
CANADIAN HEMLOCK CONSTRUCTION
It is constructed using environmentally friendly reforested Canadian hemlock timber. Which not only looks great but provides an excellent build quality for the cabin. It has an impressive finish that feels smooth and even as you run your hand across it.
GREAT INFRARED COVERAGE
The Maxxus Alpine uses 7 strategically placed infrared heaters to ensure full-body coverage and all-round heating. It is a great all-rounder and a top choice for a relaxing home sauna.
VERDICT
Great choice for relaxing home sauna with color light therapy included as standard.
4: SUNRAY SAVANNAH CEDAR INFRARED SAUNA
FEATURES
• Carbon Nano Infrared Heaters
• Canadian Red Wood Construction
• Low EMF Emission
• Capacity: 3-Person
• Lifetime Warranty
CARBON NANO HEATING PANELS
The SunRay Savannah infrared sauna uses carbon nano heating panels – a special type of carbon heating technology that produces low EMF emissions. Seven of these panels are positioned around the cabin to provide evenly distributed infrared heating.
SPACIOUS CABIN
While the sauna can accommodate three people, it is very comfortable when used by just two – providing greater room and space to relax. It just has that little bit of extra space to allow you to unwind.
CANADIAN REDWOOD CEDAR
It is built using classic Canadian redwood cedar that comes with a distinctive aroma that many people find so appealing in a sauna. Build quality is excellent and the manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty to back this up.
VERDICT
The Canadian redwood construction with its unique aroma and low EMF rating will appeal to many home sauna users.
5: SANTE FE 3-PERSON CHROMOTHERAPY INFRARED SAUNA
FEATURES
• Chromotherapy Lighting
• Oxygen Ionizer
• Capacity: 3-Person
• Fitted Sound System
• Bronze Tinted Glass Doors
CHROMOTHERAPY
The Sante Fe 3 infrared sauna is a great option if relaxation is your priority. It comes fitted with chromotherapy lighting so you can sit back and enjoy color therapy while you sauna.
CANADIAN HEMLOCK TIMBER
It is built from Canadian Hemlock timber, a great choice for a sauna, and is equipped with seven infrared carbon heating panels for all-round 360° coverage. We were particularly pleased with the tongue and groove hemlock assembly and bronze tempered glass door finish.
EXCELLENT INFRARED POWER
You really feel the infrared heat in this one. It generates 1,740 watts of power to reach temperatures of up to 141° Fahrenheit. If you are looking for some muscle when it comes to generating infrared heat – the Sante Fe 3 is a great choice.
VERDICT
The Sante Fe is a great option if you are in the market for a relaxing home sauna with impressive power. It combines powerful infrared output with chromotherapy lighting and a slick sound system. You can listen to your favorite music while enjoying the soothing effects of color therapy and working up an intense sweat.
HOW SAUNA PROMOTES RELAXATION
People have been using saunas for their powerful effects of relaxation for thousands of years. The first saunas are believed to have originated in Northern Europe over 4,000 years ago.
When you enter a sauna an incredible sequence of events takes place that will calm your mind and relax your body. First, the heat will begin to gently penetrate your body and raise your core temperature.
As this happens, your heart rate will increase as your body attempts to regulate your temperature.
Your blood vessels will dilate and blood flow is stimulated, carrying increased levels of oxygen and nutrients throughout your body.
HOW DOES SAUNA RELAX THE MIND?
This increase in heart rate and blood flow throughout the body has an interesting effect on the brain. It triggers the release of chemicals called endorphins that create a feeling of a natural high.
These ‘feel-good’ chemicals create a sensation of well-being and calmness that can really improve mood. Endorphins act as natural painkillers that relieve stress and anxiety, and boost sleep quality.
Sauna heat also has a calming effect on the sympathetic nervous system. As body temperature rises, the nervous system focuses on doing what it can to control body temperature.
This can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety as the nervous system concentrates on cooling down.
Sauna is an excellent way to relax the mind. It promotes feelings of relaxation, reduces stress levels, eases anxiety, and improves sleep. This is why it has been so enduringly popular around the world for thousands of years.
Want to learn more about the best home saunas on the market? Check out the Best Home Infrared Saunas 2024 – click here
HOW DOES SAUNA RELAX THE BODY?
Sauna is a great way to relax the body and ease muscle stiffness and soreness. A good heat session is a great way to relieve the tightness that accumulates in the body over the course of the day.
The key factors at play in relaxing our bodies while in a sauna are: deep heat penetration, increased blood flow, increased oxygen and nutrient supply, and increased production of heat shock proteins.
DEEP HEAT PENETRATION
A sauna heats the body to the core and stimulates an increased flow of blood throughout the cardiovascular system.
Infrared sauna is particularly effective at penetrating deep into our central tissue and promoting relaxation. It delivers a deep gentle warming effect.
INCREASED OXYGEN & NUTRIENT SUPPLY
The elevation in blood flow results in increased levels of oxygen and nutrients being pumped into our muscles and tissues.
This relieves tension and promotes relaxation in our tired shoulders, arms, and legs. Sauna is an excellent tool for speeding up muscle recovery after a gym workout or exercise session.
HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS
Studies have shown that levels of heat shock proteins increase when we spend time in a sauna. It is a natural reaction of the body trying to cope with the increase in temperature.
These special proteins play a vital role in protecting muscle tissue and facilitating cellular recovery.
TIPS FOR RELAXING IN THE SAUNA
ALLOW AMPLE TIME
Don’t rush the experience. If you are planning on relaxing in the sauna, make sure you set ample time aside. There’s no point rushing the experience and watching the clock.
This will prove counterproductive. For best results set plenty of time to get ready, enjoy the session, and shower and cool down afterwards.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY
Make sure you wear something you feel comfortable in. Something light and loose will work best. Remember you are going to sweat quite a lot, so take a towel too.
In fact, some people prefer to just take a towel and sauna in the nude. This may be an option if you are using a home sauna. But, if you’re using a public sauna you better check first.
REMOVE ALL JEWELRY
Jewelry will become super hot in a sauna. Metallic materials attract heat and could burn your skin on contact. So, remove all jewelry before entering the sauna.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Make sure you stay well hydrated during your session. Make sure you are well hydrated before you even enter the sauna. Take some water in with you and sip during the session to replace lost fluids.
AVOID LARGE MEALS
To get the most out of your sauna session it’s best to stay away if you have just had a large meal. For a peaceful, relaxing sweat session aim to take a sauna after a light snack.
TAKE A SHOWER
Taking a shower afterward will really leave you feeling like a million dollars. After relaxing in the soothing heat a shower will refresh you and leave you feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
Many people also shower before taking a sauna as part of their relaxation ritual.
SAUNA & MEDITATION
Meditating in the sauna is a popular way of maximizing the calming and de-stressing effects of a sweat session. Meditation is a practice many people find deeply relaxing and if done properly can really help you unwind in the sauna.
It involves achieving an increased state of awareness using techniques such as mindfulness, focus of thought, and breathing.
Sauna meditation played an important role in many cultures around the world – such as the Native American Navajo Indians.
For the Navajos ‘sweat lodges’ were key to their spiritual and religious life. They were used during meditation rituals to achieve a heightened state of enlightenment and awareness.
This was believed to facilitate great visions and revelations that could only be achieved through the meditation ritual.
USING SAUNA TO MANAGE ANXIETY
Sauna is a great way to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. It could be a highly effective tool to help the 70% of Americans who report suffering feelings of anxiety daily.
Using sauna to manage anxiety is an appealing alternative to pharmacological intervention. It is believed sauna can help ease the symptoms of anxiety in several ways.
BOOSTS ENDORPHINS
A good sauna session can boost endorphin production in your brain. These little naturally occurring brain chemicals boost your mood and relieve stress and anxiety. They are like natural pain killers.
IMPROVED SLEEP
Good sleep is crucial to relieving feelings of anxiety and stress. And ironically stress can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. It is believed taking a sauna before bedtime and help you doze off into a restful and deep sleep. Combine with a healthy sleep routine for best effect.
SAFE SOCIAL INTERACTION
Saunas are a great place for social interaction. People from different backgrounds come together to share a small place and relax with others. It encourages people to open up and chat with each other.
This social interaction is really good for depression and anxiety.
CHROMOTHERAPY
Chromotherapy is the use of colored light to boost mood and trigger a therapeutic effect. Also known as ‘color therapy’ it is a popular way of boosting the health benefits of your sauna session.
Blue light is used to calm the mind and reduce feelings of anxiety.
INFRARED vs. TRADITIONAL SAUNA FOR RELAXATION
The main difference between an infrared sauna and a traditional sauna is the heat source. An infrared sauna uses infrared light to heat the body directly.
Traditional saunas are much hotter and heat the air inside the cabin which in turn heats the body.
Infrared sauna does not heat the air around the body and operates at much lower temperatures to achieve the same effects. This way you can avoid the stifling intense heat and relax in a comfort.
Infrared sauna is better suited to people that do not enjoy oppressive heat. It is a more gentle experience and this means you can stay in longer and maximize the relaxation effects.
SAUNA & MUSIC
Listening to your favorite music while taking a sauna can really help you unwind. Many people find music can help ease their minds and relax. So, why not try combining the two – sauna and music.
Are you familiar with the different types of home sauna? You can check them out over here… Sauna Blankets, Sauna Tents, Portable Sauna, Steam Saunas, and Infrared Heating Mats. Our top pick sauna blanket for 2024 is the HigherDose V4 infrared sauna blanket – full review here.
You can make a playlist of your favorite chillout tracks and stick pop on some headphones for your heat session. Some saunas even come with a built-in Bluetooth sound system so you can leave your phone outside.
Here’s a playlist on Spotify for the 100 most relaxing songs – songs for relaxation. It’s a long playlist, so pick some of your favorites and don’t stay in the sauna too long.
SAUNA & RELAXATION FAQ
What Is Infrared Sauna?
Infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses infrared light to gently heat the body instead of hot coals or an electric heating element. It heats the body directly without heating the air inside the cabin and runs at lower temperatures than a traditional sauna.
How Does It Relax Mind & Body?
Sauna heat calms the mind by triggering the release of ‘feel-good’ endorphins in the brain. It also has a calming effect on the sympathetic nervous system.
It relaxes the body by increasing blood flow, increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients, and stimulating the production of heat shock proteins.
Why Do We Like To Relax In a Sauna?
We like to relax in a sauna because it just feels so good. As the heat warms us right to the core a whole range of physiological processes kick in that ease tension and stress.
A good sweat session in a sauna is a great way to relax the body, calm the mind, and promote good sleep.
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About the Author
JAKE RAOUL
• Sauna Specialist
Meet Jake, a man with a passion for sauna therapy. Jake’s background is in science and his passion is wellness and fitness. Growing up in Orlando Florida, Jake enrolled in Florida International University where he graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences.
As a young man, he worked in the spa and wellness center at the renowned Breakers Palm Beach luxury hotel. Here he developed his skills and understanding of client-centered wellness delivery. Upon graduating from Florida International University he took up a research position focusing on the application and practical effects of steam therapy.
His research has contributed to advancing the understanding of steam sauna therapy and how it can be applied in the occupational health environment. His work in this area has been officially recognized for its impact on the field.
Jake is a devoted fan of the Orlando Magic basketball team. When not working and advancing his research he enjoys attending games at the Kia Center in downtown Orlando. He also likes to remain active in his local sports community and volunteers as a basketball coach for his local youth team.
With his background in scientific research and passion for wellness, Jake is a valuable addition to the Home Sauna Heaven writer’s team where he shares his knowledge and understanding of sauna therapy, steam sauna therapy, and how they can be used for best effect.
