How to Choose the Right Size Infrared Sauna for Your Home

If you have decided to buy an infrared sauna to use at home, congratulations; you just made an important decision for your health and wellness. Now, the tough part about buying a sauna is not the decision itself, it’s how to choose the right size infrared sauna for your home.

To choose the right infrared sauna size, you have to answer three important questions: How many people will use it? How much space do you have available? And what are the practical requirements? To make a confident decision, this guide explains how to choose the right size infrared sauna for your home based on capacities, room dimensions, installation requirements, and comfort considerations.

Start With How Many People Will Use It

Before measuring spaces or comparing features, the most important detail you need to consider is how many people are going to use your infrared sauna simultaneously:

One point you have to consider is that these figures show maximum occupancy, which means how many people can fit in the sauna at once, but this does not represent everyday comfort.

For example, a two-person infrared sauna can perfectly fit two people, but might get too snug during longer sessions, so it is a more comfortable option for solo long sessions. If you have the space and budget, opting for a larger size can often offer a more comfortable experience, especially for taller people or if you prefer to stretch out rather than sit upright.

Measure Your Space Before Choosing a Size

Now that you roughly know what size sauna you want based on comfort and occupancy, it’s time to get on the ground with a measuring tape. Measuring the spaces below will give you enough room for usage and maintenance, and also helps ensure a smooth installation:

• Floor space: Measure the length and width of your desired area to ensure the sauna footprint fits comfortably.

• Ceiling height: If you’re installing an indoor sauna, you need rough overhead space for installation and ventilation.

• Doorway access: Make sure that all sauna panels can fit through doors, hallways, and staircases during delivery and installation.

• Wall clearance: Leave a small gap between walls and the sauna panels for ventilation and easier maintenance.

• Power supply: Make sure you have an electrical outlet or dedicated circuit nearby.

Once you have all your necessary measurements, you can avoid installation issues and choose a sauna that fits your space perfectly.

Why infrared saunas need less space than traditional saunas

Infrared saunas have many advantages over traditional saunas, one of the biggest advantages being their size. Infrared saunas can fit comfortably in spaces where a traditional sauna may not. This is simply rooted in the way they function. Traditional saunas heat the surrounding air, so they require larger cabins, greater ventilation, and higher operating temperatures. In contrast, infrared saunas don’t need any of these because they heat the body directly with infrared light.

Since infrared saunas work at lower temperatures, they are often more compact and easier to install in home spaces like spare rooms, home gyms, garages, or even larger bathrooms. They also work with standard household electrical supply, which makes installation simple and hassle-free for homeowners.

If you like to learn more about the differences between infrared and traditional saunas, check out our infrared sauna vs. traditional sauna comparison. 

Check Your Home’s Electrical Requirements

Learning how to choose the right size infrared sauna for your home depends on factors more than size and measurements. To find the right infrared sauna, you also need to consider electrical and power requirements. You can easily plug a smaller infrared sauna into a standard household socket, but for larger ones, you may need a dedicated electrical circuit:

Always check with your manufacturer since electrical requirements can vary from model to model. If you’re choosing a larger model, consult with a qualified electrician to be sure your home’s electrical system can support the installation and prevent power issues.

Once you’re clear on size and electrical setup, the next step is deciding where you want to install your infrared sauna. 

Decide on Indoor or Outdoor Installation

As we mentioned earlier, deciding how to choose the right size infrared sauna for your home depends on the size of your desired space, but it also depends on the location you choose. While both indoor and outdoor saunas require enough space for safe installation, ventilation, and comfortable access, they each have certain requirements you need to consider.

Installing an indoor sauna

You can install an infrared sauna in your spare room, home gym, basement, garage, or large bathroom. When choosing an indoor location, consider these points:

• Choose a level, stable floor that can support the sauna’s weight.

• You need a good ventilation system to manage heat and moisture.

• Again, ensure you have the right power supply nearby.

• Check with your manufacturer on how much clearance space you must leave around the sauna.

Installing an outdoor sauna

An outdoor infrared sauna is a great idea if you have a garden or patio. You can enjoy heat therapy without sacrificing indoor living space. Before choosing an outdoor location, consider these factors:

• Make sure the sauna you’re choosing is designed for outdoor spaces and is waterproof.

• Choose a solid and level base like concrete, paving, or reinforced decking.

• Hire a qualified professional to install the appropriate outdoor electrical connections.

• Consider a sheltered location or position to help protect the sauna from harsh weather like rain, wind, and direct sunlight.

Regardless of where you end up putting your sauna, make sure that area is well-ventilated and made from heat-safe materials. This is especially important in enclosed spaces, even if you have skylights or glass roofs. This precaution is to maintain safe operating conditions for your sauna.

Consider Comfort as Well as Capacity

So, we learnt earlier that the right infrared sauna size depends a lot on how many people will use it. However, comfort is just as important as capacity, especially if heat therapy is an important part of your wellness routine.

Let’s go back to our original example. A one-person sauna can be an excellent choice for solo users, but if you have the space, a two-person sauna means stretching your legs, longer, more comfortable benches, and overall a more comfortable experience for solo use.

Comfort also depends on factors like your height, seating position preference, and how you like to relax. A larger model gives you more legroom and extra personal space, while smaller versions are perfect if you are more comfortable sitting upright and prefer shorter sessions. 

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing which model is more comfortable; it all comes down to your preferences. If you are on a strict budget, smaller versions give you the same benefits of heat therapy. If your budget and space allow, choosing the next size up means a more comfortable experience. At the end of the day, the best infrared sauna isn’t necessarily the larger one; it’s the one you’ll enjoy using consistently. Some people also leave a little floor space nearby for an ice bath, so the sizing decision covers the whole recovery setup, not just the sauna.

Avoid These Common Sauna Sizing Mistakes

So you now know how to choose the right size infrared sauna for your home, but do you know how not to? Here are the most common sauna sizing mistakes we’d want you to avoid:

1. Buying based on maximum household size rather than typical use. Choose a sauna that you prefer to use as part of your wellness routine, rather than sizing up for the occasional guests.

2. Underestimating delivery and installation access. We’ve already discussed this, but before purchasing your infrared sauna, measure all doorways, hallways, staircases, and any tight corners to make sure you have a smooth delivery and assembly experience.

3. Overlooking the running costs of an oversized sauna. If you are a solo user, larger models will be more comfortable. But they consume more electricity and take longer to heat. So consider practicality before ordering a larger infrared sauna.

4. Ignoring ceiling height until installation. Again, please check that your chosen indoor space gives you enough overhead clearance for safe assembly and installation.

How to Choose the Right Size Infrared Sauna for Your Home | FAQ

What is the ideal size for a home sauna?

The ideal home sauna size depends on the number of requent users and the space available in your home. Typically, a two-person infrared sauna is the common choice for comfort and practicality.

What size infrared sauna s best for two people?

A two-person infrared sauna is designed to seat two adults comfortably. If you are tall or prefer the extra leg room, a three-person model provides more space and comfort.

Can one person comfortable use a two-person infrared sauna?

Yes. In fact, many solo users choose a two-person model for the additional legroom and a more comfortable seating area.

How much space do you need around an infrared sauna?

Generally, generally you should leave a small clearance around the sauna for installation, maintenance, and heat dissipation. If you’re purchasing a Polar Recovery infrared sauna, please refer to the installation guidance supplied with your specific model before choosing its location.

Choose the Right Infrared Sauna for Your Home with Polar Recovery

Space, number of users, electrical requirements, and your lifestyle. These are the most important factors to consider when choosing an infrared sauna for your home. Once you have all these figured out, you’re ready to make one of the best decisions you can make for your wellness: bringing heat therapy home.

At Polar Recovery, we want to make that happen for you. Our range of indoor and outdoor infrared saunas is designed ot fit a variety of homes, gardens, spaces, and wellness goals. Explore our infrared sauna collection to find the ideal model for your home, and start enjoying the benefits of heat therapy right from the comfort of your home.