Sauna Glossary: Key Terms Every Buyer Should Know

New to shopping for a sauna? The labels on spec sheets can feel like a different language. This glossary defines the terms buyers run into most, from heat types and wood species to electrical and EMF specs, so you can compare cabins with confidence. Use it alongside our sauna buying guide as you shop.

What sauna terms should every buyer know?

The terms that matter most fall into a few groups. Heat type covers infrared, traditional, and hybrid, which determine how a cabin warms you and how hot it gets. Build terms like cedar, hemlock, and wall thickness tell you how a cabin holds heat and ages. Electrical terms such as 120V plug-in versus a 240V hardwired circuit decide what your home needs. And session terms like loyly and EMF shape the actual experience and safety. Learn these and a spec sheet stops being a wall of jargon and becomes a simple comparison: how the cabin heats, what it is made of, what power it needs, and how it will feel to use. Each definition below links to the collections where the term applies.

Heat types

Infrared sauna

A sauna that uses infrared panels to warm your body directly with radiant heat instead of heating the air. It runs cooler, around 110 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which lets sessions run longer. Explore infrared saunas.

Traditional sauna

A sauna heated by an electric or wood stove that warms the air and a set of stones, reaching 150 to 195 degrees. Pouring water on the stones makes steam. See traditional saunas.

Hybrid sauna

A cabin with two independent heating systems, infrared panels plus a traditional stove, so you can run a gentle infrared session, a hot steamy traditional session, or both. Browse hybrid saunas, our most flexible option.

Full spectrum infrared

Infrared output across near, mid, and far wavelengths, rather than far infrared alone. Each band reaches the body differently. See full spectrum infrared saunas.

Steam sauna

A cabin built around high humidity from a steam source, distinct from the dry or low-humidity heat of infrared. View steam saunas.

Infrared wavelengths and EMF

Near, mid, and far infrared

The three infrared bands. Near infrared sits closest to visible light, mid infrared is intermediate, and far infrared produces the bulk of the gentle heating in most cabins. Full spectrum units combine all three.

EMF (electromagnetic field)

A measure of the electromagnetic emissions from infrared heaters. Buyers often look for low-EMF panels for peace of mind. Reputable manufacturers publish tested EMF figures on their spec sheets.

Red light therapy

Visible red and near-infrared light, often around 630 to 660 nanometers, added to some cabins as a separate feature. Learn more in our red light therapy guide.

Build and materials

Cedar

A popular sauna wood prized for aroma and natural resistance to moisture. Western red cedar is common in infrared and hybrid cabins.

Hemlock and aspen

Alternative interior woods. Hemlock is a budget-friendly hardwood, while thermally treated aspen tolerates high heat and suits traditional and hybrid use.

Wall thickness and insulation

How thick and well-insulated the cabin walls are, often around four inches in quality cabins. Better insulation holds heat and lowers running cost.

Electrical and installation

120V plug-in

A cabin that plugs into a standard household outlet, common for smaller infrared and portable saunas. Easiest to install.

240V hardwired

A cabin that needs a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician, typical for larger traditional and hybrid units with higher-wattage heaters.

kWh (kilowatt hour)

The unit your utility bills by. Infrared cabins draw about 1 to 3 kWh per hour, which is why running costs are usually only a few dollars a month.

Session and experience

Loyly

The Finnish practice of pouring water over heated stones to create a burst of humid heat. A defining part of the traditional sauna ritual.

Contrast therapy

Alternating hot sauna sessions with cold exposure such as a cold plunge. See our contrast therapy guide and sauna and cold plunge combos.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between infrared and traditional heat? Infrared warms your body directly at a lower air temperature, while traditional heat warms the whole room and the stones. Infrared sessions feel milder and run longer; traditional sessions feel hotter and often shorter.

Does wood type really matter? Yes. Wood affects aroma, heat tolerance, and how the cabin ages. Cedar is popular for its scent and moisture resistance, while thermally treated woods handle the high heat of traditional sessions well.

Do I need special wiring for a sauna? Smaller infrared and portable cabins plug into a standard outlet. Larger traditional and hybrid units usually need a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician.

Ready to put these terms to use? Compare cabins across our full sauna collection and our hybrid saunas, then lean on the sauna buying guide to confirm size and power. As an authorized retailer we offer free US shipping, a best price guarantee, and real human support, so reach out anytime.