Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Health & Fitness

These are the different types of infrared saunas — find out which one is right for you

NEAR, MID, or FAR infrared Sauna? Let's discover which one is right for you.

By
An infrared sauna turned on.
aneduard / Adobe Stock

An infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light directly onto the body. This is known as heat therapy. Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air to warm the body, infrared saunas use infrared radiation to penetrate the skin and heat the body more directly. This means you sweat much more at a lower temperature, making the practice much more relaxing.

Infrared light is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and it comes in three main wavelengths: NEAR-infrared, MID-infrared, and FAR-infrared. Infrared saunas are usually built with one of these wavelengths in mind and may even be designed to emit a combination for the best results.

Recommended Videos

Regardless of the type of infrared sauna, all offer a more tolerable heat than traditional saunas, making them a popular choice for people seeking the benefits of heat therapy and relaxation. Just make sure that the one you purchase is a low-EMF, meaning it has a low electric magnetic field. High EMF saunas have been known to cause health risks, so avoid these. If the sauna you’re looking at does not specifically say low-EMF in the listing, it’s probably high-EMF.

Infrared sauna in the corner of a room.
doomu / Adobe Stock

Different types of home infrared saunas

Infrared saunas come in various sizes, from small personal units to larger cabins that can accommodate multiple people. The sauna’s interior is usually made of wood, and the infrared heaters are strategically placed to ensure an even heat distribution.

Related

NEAR infrared saunas, MID infrared saunas, and FAR infrared saunas are all types of infrared saunas that use different wavelengths of infrared light to heat the body. The main difference between these types of saunas lies in the depth of penetration of the infrared light.

The benefits of NEAR infrared saunas

NEAR saunas are named after the infrared wavelength, which is shorter than the other two options. Saunas with just NEAR wavelengths are rare, so you will usually find them paired with either MID or Far. NEAR wavelengths are presumed to have potential therapeutic effects on cellular regeneration (wound healing) and pain relief. It’s important to note that there have not been many studies on the NEAR infrared sauna, so not many claims online have been scientifically proven. Here are a few facts and speculations about NEAR infrared saunas:

  • Wavelength: The NEAR sauna utilizes shorter wavelengths of infrared light, ranging from 700 to 1200 nanometers.
  • Benefits: NEAR saunas can penetrate just under the epidermis. This penetration is believed to accelerate healing, improve the appearance of your skin, reduce aging, and increase your immunity. NEAR light may also reduce pain in muscles and joints.
  • Specific uses: NEAR saunas are sometimes used in clinical settings for therapeutic purposes, such as wound healing and pain management.

The benefits of MID infrared saunas

MID saunas offer a middle ground between NEAR and FAR saunas, providing moderate penetration and benefits for muscles and joints. This kind of sauna raises your core temperature, so it’s a little easier for you to start sweating.

  • Wavelength: MID saunas utilize medium-length wavelengths of infrared light, ranging from 1400 to 3000 nanometers.
  • Benefits: MID saunas offer benefits similar to NEAR saunas, but to a more substantial extent. Primarily, MID saunas are used for increasing blood circulation and reducing inflammation and chronic pain.
  • Specific Uses: MID saunas are often considered a middle ground between NEAR and FAR saunas, providing a balanced approach to infrared heating.

The benefits of FAR infrared saunas

If you know you can stand the heat, FAR infrared saunas will get you sweating like never before. Unlike a NEAR sauna, which usually isn’t enough to get you sweating, the FAR wavelength penetrates deeply for maximum detoxification. This type of infrared sauna has been studied the most, and many doctors endorse it for its health benefits.

  • Wavelength: FAR saunas use longer wavelengths of infrared light, ranging from 3000 to 1,000,000 nanometers.
  • Benefits: FAR saunas primarily heat the surface of the skin and are effective at promoting sweating and detoxification. This means you may experience a clearer complexion if you have acne-prone skin. They may also help improve circulation and relaxation.
  • Specific Uses: FAR saunas are popular for general wellness and relaxation, as well as for their potential benefits in detoxification.
Infrared Sauna built inside of a home.
Alhim / Adobe Stock

Conclusion

If you hate sweating and are looking for a home infrared sauna to help with healing injuries, consider a NEAR infrared sauna. That said, those searching for a heavy sweat session might benefit most from a FAR. For a middle-ground option, try the MID. Or, if you want to experience all three wavelengths at once, try out a full-spectrum sauna.

It’s important to note that the specific therapeutic claims of infrared saunas are still being researched, and individual experiences may vary. Individuals with certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular issues, should consult their healthcare provider before using saunas to ensure safety and appropriateness. If you ever feel dizzy, shortness of breath, or any other kind of discomfort, it’s best to step out.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Sarah Joseph
Sarah Joseph
Contributor
Sarah is a lover of all things outdoors. With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, she is always…
Study shows how many minutes and which type of exercise lowers blood pressure
It turns out, you don't have to push yourself to the point of exhaustion for over an hour to lower your blood pressure
man cycling outside on the grass

Hypertension or consistently high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, kidney damage, stroke, and heart failure. Certain factors can increase your blood pressure, such as stress, low potassium levels, and added sugar. On the other hand, you can take certain steps to help lower blood pressure and improve your overall health, like getting more exercise. If you’re wondering how many minutes and which type of exercise lowers blood pressure, an interesting new study provides the answers.
What is blood pressure?

When your heart beats, it pumps oxygen-rich blood into your arteries. Blood pressure refers to the pressure of your blood flow on the walls of your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that transport blood away from your heart to other parts of your body. Your blood pressure is the measurement of that force or pressure inside your arteries. A blood pressure cuff and gauge is the only way to effectively measure your blood pressure. Your blood pressure differs from your heart rate, which refers to the number of times your heart beats in one minute.
The study

Read more
Studies reveal how long and which type of exercise boosts brain power
Sharpen your cognition by performing this type of exercise
Man doing HIIT workout.

Exercise improves your mood by prompting the release of feel-good endorphins. Moving your body also strengthens your muscles and enhances your ability to perform your everyday functional tasks. Exercising provides an abundance of benefits for your mind and body, including improving cognition. For example, a large study of Swedish military recruits revealed that as people grow physically stronger, they also become a little smarter. If you’re wondering which type of exercise boosts brain power and how long to do it, a recent review of over 100 studies yielded an interesting conclusion.
The review

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, assessed over 100 studies to determine whether individual exercise sessions affect the brain, and which type of exercise had the biggest impact. The studies examined more than 4,000 healthy adult participants, and the review was published in Communications Psychology.
The results

Read more
What are the different types of exercise? Essential workouts to know
From HIIT and circuit training to stretching and cardio, learn the difference and the benefits of these different workouts
man wearing shorts no shirt working out exercising on bars calisthenics

No matter how you exercise, you should be proud of yourself that you’re taking positive action for your health. Researchers reveal that just 10-30 minutes of exercise is enough to elevate your mood and diminish feelings of stress and anxiety. Exercise has been proven to reduce depression, help with weight management, build bone density and lower your risk of a range of chronic diseases. Read on for your complete guide to the different types of exercises to promote wellness.
How often should you exercise?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity every week, along with two days of muscle-strengthening exercises. Try to include muscle-strengthening exercises in your workout plan twice a week. If you choose moderate-intensity exercise, you could split it up into about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. You could even break the 30 minutes up into three 10-minute sessions if you’d prefer.
What’s the difference between moderate and vigorous intensity?

Read more