Buying guide · 6-minute read
An infrared sauna is one of the few purchases where the thing itself is simple and the decision around it isn't. The cabin is wood, panels, glass, and a controller. The questions are about your house, your circuit, your floor, and who stands behind it in year four. Settle these eight before you look at a single model.
1. Where is it going to live?
Measure the footprint and the ceiling. Then measure the path in — doorways, hallway turns, stairs. Most cabins ship as flat panels and assemble in place, which helps, but the largest panel still has to make it through the door. Ask for the shipping dimensions, not just the assembled ones.
2. What does it plug into?
This is the one people skip. Smaller infrared cabins often run on a standard household circuit; larger ones require a dedicated circuit, and some require 240V. The manufacturer's spec sheet states the voltage and amperage exactly. If it calls for a dedicated circuit, plan for an electrician before delivery day, not after. We list the electrical requirement on every product page, straight from the manufacturer.
3. What's under it?
Level, dry, and able to take the weight. Indoors, most floors are fine. In a garage or basement, check for moisture and confirm the floor is level. Outdoors, it's a different product category — look at outdoor-rated cabins, not indoor ones placed outside.
4. Which wood, and does it matter?
The common options are cedar, hemlock, and basswood. They differ in scent, color, and price more than in function. Cedar is aromatic and traditional; hemlock and basswood are lighter and more neutral. Pick the one you'd like to sit in. Ask the manufacturer whether the interior is solid wood or veneer, and what finish, if any, is applied.
5. What kind of heaters, and where are they?
Carbon panels, ceramic emitters, and hybrids all exist. More useful than the technology debate: where the panels sit (back, sides, calves, front) and whether the cabin's rated heating is documented by the manufacturer. Ask for the spec sheet and read it. If a claim isn't on the manufacturer's own documentation, treat it as marketing.
6. What does the warranty actually cover, for how long?
Warranties are split — structure, heaters, electronics, and controls often carry different terms. Ask for the warranty document, not the summary. And confirm the warranty is valid when bought through the dealer you're using. Gray-market and unauthorized sales frequently void it. Every Élan Reserve listing carries the manufacturer's warranty terms verbatim.
7. How does it arrive, and who puts it together?
Saunas ship LTL freight, typically in one to three crates, to your curb. Assembly is usually two people and an afternoon with the included hardware. The product page should tell you the crate count, the heaviest crate, and the setup expectation. If it doesn't, ask. (Here's how freight delivery works, step by step.)
8. Who are you buying from?
At the price point of a good cabin, the price is usually the same everywhere — manufacturers protect it. What changes is who answers the phone when the carrier calls, whether the dealer is authorized, whether there's a cancellation window, and whether someone helps you when a heater fails in year three. That's the part of the purchase that isn't on the spec sheet.
The short version
- Measure the room, the ceiling, and the doorway.
- Read the electrical requirement. Book the electrician first if needed.
- Get the warranty document, not the summary.
- Know the crate count and who's helping you move it.
- Buy from someone who'll pick up the phone.
Want a second set of eyes on a specific model? (917) 524-9848, 9 AM – 7 PM ET, seven days.
General guidance for buyers. Specifications, electrical requirements, and warranty terms for any specific model come from that manufacturer's documentation. This article makes no claims about health effects.