--- title: "Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna: Which Is Better?" url: https://icryo-westminster.com/blog/infrared-vs-traditional-sauna description: "Infrared saunas heat your body directly at lower temperatures. Traditional saunas heat the air. Compare comfort, benefits and research to choose the right one." lang: en --- Get Your Free Wellness Plan – Personalized just for you (https://icryo-westminster.com/free-wellness-plan) # Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna: Which Is Better? Updated October 20, 2026 · 2 min read Image: Client seated under infrared sauna lighting — iCRYO Westminster, CO wellness guide (https://icryo-westminster.com/__l5e/assets-v1/bba9e742-cf97-48a1-ad54-24688e12f674/icryo-westminster-co-infrared-vs-traditional-sauna.webp) Sauna lovers can be passionate about their favorite style. Some swear by the intense heat of a traditional Finnish sauna. Others love the gentler warmth of infrared. So which is better? Let's compare. New to infrared? Start with What Is an Infrared Sauna? (https://icryo-westminster.com/blog/what-is-infrared-sauna) ## How Traditional Saunas Work Traditional saunas use a heater (often with stones) to heat the air. Some let you pour water over the stones to create steam bursts. **What people like:** - Intense, enveloping heat - Long cultural tradition - More long-term research **What some people don't love:** - The heat can feel overwhelming - Hot air can be hard to breathe for some ## How Infrared Saunas Work Infrared saunas use infrared light to warm your body directly, like sunshine on a cool day. **What people like:** - Lower, more comfortable air temperature - Deep sweat without the intense air heat - Easier for beginners - Easier to stay in longer ## Side-by-Side Comparison | | **Infrared Sauna** | **Traditional Sauna** | | --- | --- | --- | | **How it heats** | Warms your body directly | Heats the air | | **Typical air temperature** | About 120–150°F | About 150–195°F | | **Feel** | Gentle, deep warmth | Intense, enveloping heat | | **Typical session** | 20–40 minutes | Often shorter rounds | | **Beginner-friendly** | Very | Can be intense | | **Long-term research** | Growing | More established | ## What the Research Says Much of the long-term research linking sauna use to heart health comes from traditional saunas. Infrared research is newer but growing. Both deliver the core benefit of regular heat exposure. See Infrared Sauna Benefits (https://icryo-westminster.com/blog/infrared-sauna-benefits) for more. ## Choose Infrared If… - You find traditional saunas too hot - You want longer, more relaxing sessions - You're new to sauna ## Choose Traditional If… - You love intense heat - You enjoy steam ## The Real Answer The best sauna is **the one you'll use regularly.** If infrared feels more comfortable and you look forward to it, that consistency is what counts. ## Add Some Cold Both sauna styles pair well with cold. Try cryotherapy (https://icryo-westminster.com/services/cryotherapy) for contrast therapy. Read Contrast Therapy: Pairing Infrared Sauna With Cryotherapy (https://icryo-westminster.com/blog/contrast-therapy-sauna-cryotherapy). Want to see how infrared feels? ## Infrared Sauna in Westminster, CO iCRYO Westminster is at **14613 Orchard Pkwy #200, Westminster, CO 80023**, just off I-25 with free parking. We welcome clients from Broomfield, Thornton, Northglenn, Arvada, Federal Heights and north Denver. - See our current intro offers: https://icryo-westminster.com/deals - Book your intro visit: https://icryo-westminster.com/book-now - Get your free personalized wellness plan: https://icryo-westminster.com/free-wellness-plan Questions? Call (720) 222-0224. ## Infrared Sauna FAQs Is infrared sauna better than traditional sauna? Neither is better for everyone. Infrared saunas run cooler and feel gentler, while traditional saunas have more long-term research behind them. The best sauna is the one you'll use regularly. Why do infrared saunas feel cooler? Infrared saunas heat your body directly instead of heating the air, so the air temperature is lower even though you still sweat. Do you sweat more in an infrared sauna? Many people sweat significantly in an infrared sauna, even at lower air temperatures, because the heat warms your body directly. Which sauna is better for beginners? Many beginners prefer infrared because the lower air temperature feels more comfortable. iCRYO Westminster Team The iCRYO Westminster team helps clients across the north Denver metro look and feel their best. ## Related Articles What Is an Infrared Sauna? How It Differs From Regular Heat Infrared saunas warm your body directly with infrared light at lower air temperatures than traditional saunas. Learn how they work at iCRYO Westminster, CO. https://icryo-westminster.com/blog/what-is-infrared-sauna Infrared Sauna Benefits: What Science Supports Relaxation, muscle relief, a deep sweat and heart-healthy heat. Here are the benefits of infrared sauna and what research really shows. Westminster, CO. https://icryo-westminster.com/blog/infrared-sauna-benefits How Long and How Often Should You Use an Infrared Sauna? How long should you stay in an infrared sauna, and how many times a week? Get session length, frequency and safety tips from iCRYO Westminster, CO. https://icryo-westminster.com/blog/how-often-infrared-sauna Learn more about Infrared Sauna in Westminster, CO View the Infrared Sauna service page → https://icryo-westminster.com/services/infrared-sauna Start your wellness journey in Westminster Get Your Free Wellness Plan: https://icryo-westminster.com/free-wellness-plan Book Your Intro: https://icryo-westminster.com/book-now (720) 222-0224 (+17202220224) ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna: Which Is Better?", "description": "Infrared saunas heat your body directly at lower temperatures. Traditional saunas heat the air. 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