Is It Expensive to Have an Infrared Sauna?
Share
Owning an infrared sauna is less expensive than most people expect. The real cost is the upfront purchase, usually $1,500 to $8,000 for a home unit, while running one costs only about $0.20 to $0.35 per session. For most households that works out to a few dollars a month in electricity, far less than a spa membership or a hot tub.
The short answer
An infrared sauna is not expensive to operate, though the purchase price varies a lot by size and build. A one or two person far infrared cabin runs about $1,500 to $4,000, a larger full spectrum model runs about $4,000 to $8,000, and premium or outdoor units climb past $10,000. Once installed, an infrared sauna draws roughly 1.6 to 3 kilowatts, so a 30 to 45 minute session costs about $0.20 to $0.35 at average US electricity rates. Four sessions a week land most owners around $3 to $5 a month. Maintenance is minimal, with no water, pumps, or chemicals like a hot tub. Many buyers also use HSA or FSA funds or monthly financing to spread the purchase. So the infrared sauna cost that matters most is the one time price, not the ongoing bills.
How much does an infrared sauna cost to buy?
Upfront price tracks five things: size, wavelength type, wood quality, features, and where you buy. Here is the range you will see across the market.
| Type | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Portable infrared sauna or blanket | $200 to $1,000 | Renters, small spaces, lowest entry cost |
| 1 to 2 person far infrared cabin | $1,500 to $4,000 | Most home buyers, indoor use |
| 2 to 4 person full spectrum cabin | $4,000 to $8,000 | Families, near and mid and far infrared |
| Premium or outdoor infrared sauna | $8,000 to $15,000+ | Larger builds, weatherproofing, top finishes |
Those tiers line up with what independent reviewers report. Far infrared models cost less because they use a single wavelength band and simpler heaters. Full spectrum units add near and mid infrared, which raises the price but broadens the benefits. Outdoor and premium cabins cost more for weatherproofing, thicker wood, and larger heaters. If you are weighing wavelength options, our guide on whether full spectrum or far infrared is the better buy breaks down the tradeoffs, and you can compare current models in the infrared sauna collection.
What drives the price up or down
Within each tier, a few features move the number:
- Wavelength: full spectrum costs more than far infrared only.
- Wood: Canadian hemlock and cedar cost more than basic woods, but last longer and handle heat better.
- Heater type and count: more carbon or ceramic panels raise both price and heat quality.
- Size: each added person adds bench space, heaters, and cost.
- Controls and extras: chromotherapy lighting, sound, app control, and red light panels all add to the total.
- Indoor versus outdoor: outdoor cabins need weatherproof shells and stronger roofs.
Knowing which of these you actually need keeps you from overpaying. Our sauna buying guide walks through how to match features to your goals.
How much does an infrared sauna cost to run?
Running cost is where infrared saunas surprise people. Most home units pull between 1.6 and 3 kilowatts. A 45 minute session in a typical 1.6 kilowatt cabin uses about 1.2 kilowatt hours. At the US average residential electricity price of about 17 cents per kilowatt hour reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that is roughly $0.20 per session. Use it four times a week and you are looking at about $3 to $5 a month.
A larger 3 kilowatt full spectrum unit run for longer sessions costs more per use, closer to $0.35 to $0.50, but even daily use rarely pushes the monthly bill past $10 to $15 for most owners. Two things keep infrared running costs low: the cabins preheat in 10 to 15 minutes rather than 30 to 45, and they run at lower air temperatures than traditional saunas, so the heaters cycle less. To put it in everyday terms, a session uses about the same electricity as running a 1,500 watt space heater for under an hour.
A simple way to estimate your own cost
You can estimate any unit in three steps. Find the sauna's wattage on the spec sheet and divide by 1,000 to get kilowatts. Multiply by your session length in hours to get kilowatt hours. Multiply that by your local electricity rate. For example, a 2 kilowatt sauna used 45 minutes equals 1.5 kilowatt hours, and at 17 cents that is about $0.26 a session. If you want help sizing the unit itself, the sauna size calculator confirms the footprint before you commit.
What other costs should you budget for?
Beyond the sauna itself, plan for a few smaller, mostly one time items:
- Electrical: most 1 to 2 person infrared saunas plug into a standard 120 volt household outlet on a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit. Larger or full spectrum units can need a 240 volt line, which may mean hiring an electrician for a few hundred dollars.
- Space and flooring: you need a level, dry spot on tile, sealed concrete, or hardwood. No plumbing is required.
- Maintenance: minimal. Wipe the benches after use, keep the interior dry, vacuum occasionally, and treat the wood once in a while. There are no filters, pumps, or water chemicals like a cold plunge or hot tub.
- Delivery: large cabins ship by freight. Restore Suite includes free US shipping, so treat that as covered rather than an add on.
Add those up and the realistic first year cost for a typical indoor unit is the purchase price plus maybe $100 to $400 of electrical and setup, then only a few dollars a month after that.
Is an infrared sauna cheaper than a spa membership or a hot tub?
Over time, yes on both counts. A single spa infrared session often runs $40 to $60, and wellness memberships with sauna access can cost $100 to $250 a month. A home infrared sauna is a one time purchase plus a few dollars of electricity, so for daily users it usually pays for itself within one to three years, then runs essentially for free. You also skip the drive and get unlimited private use on your own schedule.
Against a hot tub, the infrared sauna is cheaper to own and run. Hot tubs need constant heating, water, pumps, filters, and chemicals, which adds ongoing cost and maintenance that an infrared sauna simply does not have. If recovery is your goal, our overview of whether infrared saunas are worth it compares the value side by side.
Does buying from an authorized retailer change the cost?
It changes the value, not usually the sticker price. Restore Suite is an authorized retailer, which means your unit carries the full manufacturer warranty and real support. Gray market or secondhand saunas can look identical and cost a little less, but they often arrive with no valid warranty, so a heater or controller failure becomes your bill. On a high ticket purchase, that warranty protection is part of the true cost picture. You can read why this matters on our authorized retailer page.
Can you use HSA, FSA, or financing to pay for it?
Often, yes, and both options lower the effective cost. Many infrared saunas qualify for HSA or FSA spending when a clinician provides a Letter of Medical Necessity, which lets you pay with pretax dollars. See our overview of HSA and FSA eligibility for saunas for what typically qualifies and how to document it. If you would rather not pay everything at once, monthly financing breaks a high ticket sauna into smaller payments, which is how many buyers fit a quality unit into a budget. Used together, pretax funds and financing make a premium sauna far more reachable than the sticker price suggests.
How can you keep the total cost down?
If budget is the main concern, a few choices stretch your money without buying a poor unit:
- Start with the right size, not the biggest. A two person cabin suits most solo and couple users and costs far less than a four person model.
- Choose far infrared if you mainly want deep heat and relaxation; save full spectrum for when skin and recovery benefits matter to you.
- Buy a unit that runs on a standard outlet to avoid electrician costs.
- Watch for seasonal sales on quality models rather than buying the cheapest no name option.
- Use HSA or FSA dollars and financing to soften the upfront hit.
A portable infrared sauna is the lowest cost entry of all. Our take on whether portable infrared saunas actually work covers what you give up and what you keep at that price.
How much does an infrared sauna cost over five years?
Buyers focused on value should look at total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price. Over five years a home infrared sauna is mostly the one time purchase plus small running and upkeep costs, and it compares well against paying per visit.
| Cost over 5 years | Home infrared sauna | Spa or studio visits |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | $1,500 to $8,000 once | $0 |
| Electricity or fees | about $200 to $600 total | $40 to $60 per visit |
| Maintenance | about $100 to $300 total | $0 |
| 3 sessions a week for 5 years | included | about $30,000 to $46,000 |
Even at the high end, owning beats paying per visit for any regular user. The home unit also adds convenience and privacy a membership cannot match. Spread across a 10 to 15 year lifespan, the cost per session drops to pennies, which is the real argument for buying rather than renting time at a spa.
Do installation and electrical costs add much?
For most indoor one and two person units, no. They run on a standard 120 volt outlet on a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit, so there is no electrician bill. Larger full spectrum and some outdoor cabins draw more power and may need a dedicated 20 amp or 240 volt circuit, which is where an electrician comes in, usually a few hundred dollars depending on the wiring run and your electrical panel. Outdoor saunas can also add the cost of a level pad or deck and a weatherproof power connection. Before you buy, check the unit's amperage against the circuit you plan to use, and confirm your panel has room. Our sauna buying guide and the sauna size calculator help you plan the spot and the power before delivery, so there are no surprises on install day.
Does running an infrared sauna cost more than a traditional sauna?
No, usually less. Traditional saunas heat the air to higher temperatures and take longer to preheat, so they draw more energy per session. Infrared cabins warm your body directly at a lower air temperature and reach a comfortable heat in 10 to 15 minutes, which keeps the kilowatt hours down. Electric traditional sauna heaters are often 6 to 8 kilowatts, while a home infrared unit is closer to 1.6 to 3 kilowatts. For the same session length, infrared typically costs less to run, which is one reason budget conscious home buyers lean toward it.
A note on value and health
Cost is only half the decision. Infrared saunas are studied for relaxation, recovery, and circulation, and the Mayo Clinic notes that the available studies are promising and no harmful effects have been reported, while adding that larger studies are still needed. Benefits vary by person. Anyone with heart disease, low blood pressure, or who is pregnant should check with a clinician before regular use, and everyone should hydrate and start with shorter sessions.
FAQ
Is it expensive to run an infrared sauna every day? No. Even daily 45 minute sessions usually cost under $10 a month in electricity for a standard home unit, and often closer to $5.
Do infrared saunas use a lot of electricity? Less than most appliances people worry about. A typical session uses about 1 to 1.5 kilowatt hours, similar to running a space heater for a short stretch.
What is the cheapest way to get an infrared sauna? A portable infrared sauna or sauna blanket starts under $1,000. For a permanent cabin, a one or two person far infrared model is the most affordable fixed option.
How long does an infrared sauna last? A quality cabin with good wood and heaters can last 10 to 15 years or more with light maintenance, which spreads the cost over many years of use.
Is an infrared sauna worth the upfront cost? For people who use it several times a week, usually yes. Between low running costs and the savings versus spa visits, regular users tend to recoup the purchase within one to three years.
Ready to compare options? Browse the infrared sauna collection at Restore Suite, where every unit ships free in the US, is backed by full manufacturer warranty as an authorized retailer, and may qualify for HSA/FSA use. Not sure which size fits your space or budget? Reach out to our team and we will help you choose the right unit.