[xriddle]

I've been wanting to build one for a while but I see so many pre-owned infrared saunas available on the cheap. Any consensus if it's just as good? The article references one study that used infrared that reported positive effect.

https://www.cfp.ca/content/55/7/691.short

[emerongi]

If a friend were to invite me to an infrared sauna, I would not go.

[linux2647]

My wife has an infrared sauna and loves it. I’ve used it a few times and it gets pretty hot. You sweat a lot, so I’m assuming it’s getting the same effect

[frosted-flakes]

Maybe the same health effects, but definitely not the same experience. A traditional Finnish sauna isn't just a hot room; löyly (the steam that is created by throwing water on the hot rocks of the stove) is a core part of taking a sauna, and that's missing in an infrared sauna.

[sergers]

I would agree...

Bought a 3 person infrared sauna (through Costco) for about 1600$ 12 years ago.

There were periods we didn't use it but generally at least a couple times a week.

Gets you hot, helps you sweat, can be relaxing in itself.

But it's not same 'experience' as a traditional sauna.

I would probably say it was one of the best purchases I have made based on how much we used it, still running strong, has definately helped us over the years.

[amelius]

Some people install them in their shower.