How Many Amps Does an Infrared Sauna Use?

Most plug-in infrared saunas draw about 12 to 20 amps on a standard 120V household circuit. A one or two person cabin usually pulls 13 to 17 amps, while larger full spectrum units can reach 20 amps or more. That is why how many amps does an infrared sauna use is one of the first questions buyers ask before installation.

The short answer

Amps equal watts divided by volts, so the draw of an infrared sauna comes down to its heater wattage and the voltage of your outlet. Most plug-in models are built for standard 120V power and are rated between roughly 1,500 and 2,400 watts, which works out to about 13 to 20 amps. On a 120V circuit that load sits close to the safe ceiling, because electrical code limits a continuous load to 80 percent of the breaker rating (16 amps on a 20A breaker). For that reason most manufacturers ask for a dedicated 20A circuit rather than a shared one. Larger three or four person and full spectrum cabins can pull more, and some are wired for 240V to keep the amp draw lower. When someone asks how many amps does an infrared sauna use, the honest answer is a range that tracks cabin size, wattage, and outlet voltage.

How do you calculate the amps an infrared sauna uses?

The math is simple: amps equal watts divided by volts. Every heater has a wattage rating and every outlet has a voltage, so those two numbers give you the current draw in amps.

The U.S. Department of Energy points out that you can find an appliance wattage on its nameplate or rating plate, usually printed on the back or underside of the unit. Sauna makers also list it in the manual and on the spec sheet. Once you have the wattage, divide it by your outlet voltage.

Here is a worked example. A 1,800 watt sauna on a 120V circuit draws 1,800 divided by 120, which is 15 amps. The same 1,800 watt heater on a 240V circuit draws only 7.5 amps, because higher voltage delivers the same power at lower current. That is the main reason larger cabins are wired for 240V instead of 120V.

One more step matters: the 80 percent rule. A sauna is a continuous load, meaning it can run for three hours or more, so electrical code allows only 80 percent of a breaker rating for continuous use. A 15A breaker safely handles about 12 amps continuous, and a 20A breaker handles about 16 amps. A 15 amp sauna therefore belongs on a 20A circuit, not a maxed out 15A one.

How many amps does a 1, 2, or 3 to 4 person infrared sauna use?

Amp draw scales with cabin size, because bigger cabins use more heating panels and higher total wattage. The ranges below are general market estimates, not exact specs for any single model or brand. Always confirm the figures on the rating plate or in the manual for the sauna you choose, since two cabins of the same size can still differ by several amps.

Notice how the four person and full spectrum rows drop back to a lower amp figure once they move to 240V. Same power, half the current. That is why the biggest cabins are often easier to wire safely on a 240V line than to force onto an overworked 120V circuit.

Does an infrared sauna need a dedicated circuit?

In almost every case, yes. A dedicated circuit means the sauna is the only thing on that breaker, with no lights, outlets, or appliances sharing the load. Because the sauna pulls 12 to 20 amps for the length of a session, a shared circuit can trip the breaker the moment another device kicks on.

Most manufacturers specify a dedicated 20A, 120V circuit for one and two person plug-in cabins. Skipping that step is the most common cause of nuisance trips and warranty headaches. If you are unsure whether your outlet is already dedicated or shared, our guide on whether you need a special outlet for a sauna heater walks through how to check.

One thing to avoid: running the sauna through an extension cord or power strip. The sustained current can overheat undersized cords. We cover the risks in our note on using an extension cord with an infrared sauna.

Do you need 240V or an electrician?

For most plug-in 120V saunas, no electrician is required to operate the unit itself. You plug it into a properly rated, dedicated 120V outlet and you are done. What you may need an electrician for is adding that dedicated circuit if your room does not already have one.

Larger three and four person cabins, full spectrum units, and traditional heaters often call for a 240V circuit. That work is not a plug-in job. A licensed electrician should run the dedicated line from your panel, size the breaker and wire correctly, and add GFCI protection where code requires it. Many jurisdictions also require a permit for a new 240V circuit.

If you are weighing how much of the setup you can handle yourself, read our overview on whether you can install a sauna yourself before you start.

What size breaker and wire does an infrared sauna need?

Breaker and wire size follow the amp draw. A 120V sauna that pulls up to 16 amps continuous belongs on a 20A breaker with 12 AWG copper wire. A 15 amp sauna can technically sit on a 15A circuit with 14 AWG wire, but a 20A circuit gives you a safer margin and is what most makers recommend.

For 240V cabins, size the wire to the breaker: 10 AWG copper for a 30A circuit and 8 AWG for a 40A circuit. These are the same conventions your electrician follows under the National Electrical Code. The key point for buyers is straightforward: check the amp rating on the spec sheet first, then make sure your circuit, breaker, and wire are all rated at or above it. For a full breakdown of circuits, breakers, and 120V versus 240V wiring, see our sauna electrical requirements guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I plug an infrared sauna into a regular outlet?
Many one and two person infrared saunas plug into a standard 120V outlet, but they should have a dedicated circuit so nothing else shares the line. A 15 amp sauna is safest on a 20A breaker. Check the manual, because some higher output 120V models need a 20A or even a 30A receptacle.

How many amps does a 2 person infrared sauna use?
A typical two person infrared sauna draws about 13 to 17 amps on a 120V circuit, based on a heater rated near 1,500 to 2,000 watts. Because it runs for hours at a time, plan for a dedicated 20A circuit rather than a shared 15A one.

Does an infrared sauna use a lot of electricity?
An infrared sauna uses roughly 1.5 to 2.4 kilowatt hours per hour of use on 120V, similar to a space heater or hair dryer running full blast. For context, the average U.S. home uses about 865 to 900 kWh per month, so a few sessions a week add only a modest amount to your electric bill.

If you are comparing cabins and want the electrical details to match your space, start with the amp and wattage figures on each spec sheet, then confirm your panel has room for a dedicated circuit. When you are ready, browse infrared saunas for sale and match the model to the outlet you already have or can add. For a fuller walkthrough of sizing, materials, and installation, read our sauna buying guide, and if you want to spread out the cost, review your financing options before you order.