Nontoxic Saunas: What We'd Buy
Nontoxic Saunas: What We'd Buy
Saunas are having a moment, and there is some data that makes us believe they really can be good for you. But before spending thousands of dollars, you want to make sure the sauna you choose isn't compromising your air quality. We teamed up with Maia and the team at Gimme the Good Stuff to break down the research and the brands. This is what we found.
What are the benefits of saunas?
Research suggests that regular sauna use may support cardiovascular health, increase the benefits of exercise, and even play a role in longevity.
In an eight week randomized trial, participants who added sauna sessions after exercise improved their cardiorespiratory fitness more than those who exercised alone.
A Finnish study that followed people over many years associated more frequent sauna bathing with lower mortality. Keep in mind this kind of study shows an association, not proof of cause.
On the other hand, a 2025 review of randomized trials covering several forms of saunas found mixed results. So our advice is to buy a sauna because you enjoy a warm, quiet space, with the potential health benefits as a bonus.
Traditional versus infrared saunas
Traditional saunas heat the room, typically using a stove and hot stones. Traditional Finnish saunas have the strongest long term observational research behind them.
Infrared saunas use radiant heaters to warm your body more directly, generally at lower air temperatures. That can make the experience more comfortable for people who dislike an intensely hot room.
What we look for in a sauna
When you heat an enclosed space, the materials around you can offgas. We look for two things when evaluating the safety of a sauna:
Clear materials disclosures. The brand should tell you about its woods, adhesives, insulation, coatings, fabrics, and interior surfaces.
Testing. Look for reports that identify the product, the testing conditions, and the results. This can include EMF testing in addition to emissions testing.
The current shortlist of saunas we like
Cedarbrook has the best materials transparency, specifying that its modular saunas are constructed without glues, plywood, or pressboard.
Redwood Outdoors uses heat treatment rather than chemical preservatives to improve the wood's durability.
Sunlighten publishes information about its saunas' materials, adhesives, and EMF testing, and offers both infrared cabin saunas and the portable Solo System.
HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket is a good option if you want a heated, lie down version without dedicating space to a sauna. The company publishes third party EMF and ELF testing, plus a VOC test on its polyurethane fabric.