HEKLA SAUNAS · POSH SPAS GUIDE
Infrared or traditional sauna?
Both are genuine heat-based wellness experiences, but they feel very different. The right choice is mostly about temperature, ritual, installation and how often you expect to use it.
Infrared: calm, direct warmth
Infrared panels emit radiant energy that warms the body directly rather than first heating the entire air mass of the room. HEKLA infrared cabins normally operate around 45–60°C, warm up quickly and run from a standard 13A supply on the current UK range.
HEKLA uses a mixture of full-spectrum and carbon emitters. The Infrared 100 has a 1.5 kW total output; the 130 and 160 use 2.4 kW.
Traditional: the Finnish ritual
A traditional sauna uses a stove and stones to heat the air. Typical bathing temperatures are around 70–90°C. Ladling water onto the hot stones creates löyly: a short wave of steam that raises humidity and changes how the heat feels.
HEKLA traditional electric setups use Harvia heaters. Indoor models use The Wall, while outdoor Cube and Barrel configurations can use Cilindro electric heaters or, where appropriate, a Linear 18 wood-burning stove.
Side-by-side
| Choose infrared if… | Choose traditional if… |
|---|---|
| You prefer gentler heat | You want high-temperature sauna heat |
| You want very fast warm-up | You want stones and löyly steam |
| You want a simple indoor 13A setup | You are happy to plan a dedicated electrical circuit or wood stove |
| You expect frequent shorter-notice sessions | The ritual itself is a major part of the appeal |
Which is healthier?
Neither format should be sold as a cure or treatment. Much of the long-term epidemiological research on sauna frequency comes from traditional Finnish sauna use. Infrared research is newer. For most buyers, the best sauna is the one they genuinely enjoy and will use consistently and sensibly.
