Infrared saunas are an electric sauna that uses infrared heat to provide a pleasant warming sensation from within the body, as opposed to typical steam saunas. Because infrared saunas do not require heating the air, which can make it harder to breathe, they are much simpler to relax in.

Infrared saunas can be made to look like traditional saunas, or they can be made to seem like a tent with an infrared element inside. [1] [4] The mechanism of heat transmission distinguishes infrared saunas from other types of saunas, such as traditional Finnish saunas. Far infrared light, which has a wavelength of roughly 10 m and is released in an infrared sauna, is felt immediately by the body as radiating heat without the need to first heat the air surrounding the body. [5] As a consequence, the ambient air temperature drops, allowing for longer and more pleasant sauna sessions. Infrared radiation also penetrates far into the body, causing a rapid and strong perspiration to be generated.