Are infrared saunas safe? What to check before you buy (2026)

Last checked 4 Nov 2026 by David Hurley. This is general information, not medical advice. Health guidance and standards are linked to their sources at the end of the page.

Quick answer

For most healthy adults, an infrared sauna used sensibly appears to be safe. Mayo Clinic says no harmful effects have been reported with infrared saunas, and Harvard Health says saunas appear safe for most people. The cautions are about heat, not the infrared itself: keep sessions short, drink water, skip alcohol, and talk to your GP first if you are pregnant, have a heart condition or blood pressure problems, or take regular medication. On the product side, safety comes down to things you can check before you buy: a real EMF test report, certified electrics with an approval number you can look up, sensible materials and toughened glass.

Part 1: Are infrared saunas safe for your body?

What the evidence says

Infrared saunas warm your body directly at lower air temperatures than a traditional sauna, often around 45 to 60°C. The body still responds to the heat: Harvard Health notes heart rate can rise by 30% or more and blood pressure can go up in some people and down in others. A 2018 systematic review of dry sauna bathing found sauna use was generally well tolerated, and a 2018 review in Mayo Clinic Proceedings described sauna bathing as safe for most healthy people. Both note that much of the research is on traditional Finnish saunas, and that larger trials are still needed before firm claims about health benefits can be made. We make no health claims beyond what those sources say.

Who should take extra care

Pregnancy. Australia’s Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service advises avoiding saunas, hot tubs and heated spas while pregnant because of the risk of overheating, dehydration and fainting.
Heart conditions and blood pressure. Harvard Health says people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease should check with their doctor first. The Mayo Clinic Proceedings review lists unstable heart conditions, such as recent heart attack or unstable angina, as reasons not to use a sauna.
Low blood pressure or fainting. Heat moves blood to the skin, so standing up quickly afterwards can make you light headed. Sit for a minute before you stand.
Medications. Harvard advises avoiding medicines that can impair sweating or cause overheating before and after a session. If you are unsure, ask your GP or pharmacist.
Alcohol. Avoid it before and after. Alcohol and heat together raise the risk of dehydration, low blood pressure and heart rhythm problems.
Children. Children overheat faster than adults. If they use a sauna at all, keep it short, cooler and supervised, and ask your GP.
Implants and devices. If you have a pacemaker, insulin pump, metal implant or similar, check with your specialist or the device maker before use.
Feeling unwell. Harvard says not to use a sauna when you are ill, and to get out if you feel unwell during a session.

Session time and hydration

Harvard suggests staying in no more than 15 to 20 minutes, cooling down gradually, and drinking two to four glasses of cool water afterwards. Start shorter than that if you are new to it. Healthdirect lists thirst, dizziness, headache and dark urine as signs of dehydration, and those are your cue to stop. If you have any health condition, see your GP before you start a sauna routine.

Part 2: What makes a sauna safe to own

Most of the risk with a home sauna is in the product, not the person. Two cabins can look the same and be built very differently, as we explain in why saunas with the same specs cost different amounts. These are the things worth checking.

1. EMF and ELF test data, not just “low EMF”

Infrared heaters run on mains power, so they create extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields, like any appliance. Almost every seller says “low EMF”. That phrase on its own tells you nothing. A useful test report should show:

who did the test, ideally an independent lab, with a signed report
the units: milligauss (mG) or microtesla (µT). ARPANSA notes 1 µT equals 10 mG
where it was measured: at the seat, back rest and foot positions inside the assembled cabin, not just one bare panel
the distance from the heater, because readings drop quickly as you move away
the frequency range and the meter used
which model was tested, so you know it matches the one you are buying

For context, the international public exposure limit for 50 Hz magnetic fields is 200 µT (2,000 mG), set by ICNIRP and referenced by ARPANSA. ARPANSA says fields from household appliances are much lower than from powerlines. Some brands aim far lower than the limit, and that is fine to compare, but a reading only means something with its distance and position attached. A low number measured 30 cm from a panel is not the same as a low number at your lower back.

2. Quality electronics

Certified heaters or emitters from a named maker, with a manual and parts available
Heat rated wiring and connectors, tidy and shielded, not loose cable behind the backrest
A proper controller with a timer and automatic shut off
Thermal cut outs and overheat protection that turn the heaters off if something goes wrong
Correct circuit and RCD protection. Ask what supply the sauna needs. Larger cabins may need a dedicated circuit, which must be installed by a licensed electrician

3. Australian electrical compliance

Sauna heaters and infrared cabins are covered by AS/NZS 60335.2.53 and the EESS treats them as Level 3, high risk equipment. That means they need a certificate of conformity, registration on the national database and the RCM mark. Ask for the certificate number, then check it yourself on the EESS registration database or a certifier’s register such as SAA Approvals. “SAA approved” with no number is not evidence. Check that the certificate covers the heater or cabin you are buying, not a different product.

4. Timber, glues and finishes

A hot cabin warms everything in it, including glues, finishes and engineered boards. Ask what timber is used and whether any plywood or board products are in the build, and if so what formaldehyde emission rating they carry (E0 or E1 under Australian standards). Ask whether the finish is untreated or what product was used, and whether there is any VOC test report. Expect a “new timber” smell for the first few uses, but a strong chemical smell that does not fade is a reason to call the seller.

5. Glass

Any glass door or panel should be toughened safety glass with a stated thickness. Ask for the glass specification and the standard it meets. Cheap glass is one of the less obvious ways costs are cut.

6. Ventilation and fire safety

Look for air vents and follow the maker’s clearances to walls and ceilings. Never cover heaters with towels, keep the cabin clear of stored items, and do not use extension leads or power boards unless the manual allows it. Outdoor units need weather sealing and a supply suitable for outdoor use.

What to check, at a glance

Safety item	Good sign	Warning sign	How to check
EMF / ELF	Signed lab report, mG or µT, seat positions, distance stated	“Low EMF” with no report or method	Ask for the full report for your model
Electrical approval	Certificate number, EESS registered, RCM mark	“SAA approved” with no number	Look up the number on the EESS database
Heaters	Named maker, manual, parts in Australia	Unbranded, no parts supply	Ask for heater brand and model
Protection	Thermal cut out, auto shut off timer	No overheat protection listed	Check the manual
Power supply	Clear circuit needs, licensed install	Vague or “plugs into anything”	Ask your electrician
Materials	Stated timber, E0/E1 boards, finish named	No details, lasting chemical smell	Ask for materials and VOC data
Glass	Toughened, thickness and standard given	Unspecified glass	Ask for the glass spec
Ventilation	Vents and clearances in the manual	No vents or guidance	Read the install guide

Questions to ask the seller

Can you send the full EMF test report for this model, showing who tested it, at what distance and at which seat positions?
What units and frequency range were used?
What is the electrical certificate number, and does it cover this exact model?
Is it registered on the EESS database and RCM marked?
Who makes the heaters or emitters, and can I buy replacement parts in Australia?
Does it have thermal cut outs and an auto shut off timer?
What power supply does it need, and does it need a dedicated circuit?
Are there any glues, plywood or boards in the build, and what is their emission rating?
Is the glass toughened, how thick is it, and what standard does it meet?
Who in Australia handles a fault under warranty?

If you want to see how warranties hold up when a seller closes, read our guide on what happens to your warranty if a sauna company goes bust.

Brands that publish the evidence this checklist asks for

These three brands publish at least some of the items above. We list only what we could find on their own sites and record on our brand pages, and we note gaps where we found them. Check the current documents for your exact model before you buy.

Kiva Wellness

As of 27 Oct 2026, Kiva’s Radiance, Radiance Pro and Rise product pages link a signed Vitatech Electromagnetics report (VTE-3576, 23 Sep 2026). It recorded 0.44 to 1.58 mG at 15 mm from a single far infrared heater panel in a test enclosure. The report covers a heater panel, not a whole installed cabin, and does not name a specific model. Kiva’s traditional saunas use a Harvia SW60 heater with SAA certificate SAA251358, which can be checked on the SAA register; that certificate covers the heater, not the infrared range. Warranty terms are published on product pages, including lifetime cover on infrared heating panels on the representative Retreat page. More on the Kiva Wellness brand page.

Clearlight

Clearlight publishes a lifetime residential warranty description, and its terms set out what is covered and for how long, with different periods for some parts. It also makes FSC timber, non toxic glue and low EMF statements. On 2 Nov 2026 we did not locate a published model level EMF report with measurement conditions, or an Australian electrical approval number, so ask for both. More on the Clearlight brand page.

Sunlighten

Sunlighten publishes a 2026 Australia and New Zealand warranty: 5 years on cabin, heaters and controls, and 1 year on labour, glass and software. It describes low EMF materials. On 2 Nov 2026 we did not locate a published product specific EMF report or an Australian electrical approval number, so ask for both. More on the Sunlighten brand page.

Where to go next

Compare scored options in our best value sauna brands and best home saunas in Australia guides, or look up any seller on our brand pages.

FAQ

Are infrared saunas safe?

For most healthy adults, used sensibly, they appear to be. Mayo Clinic says no harmful effects have been reported with infrared saunas. Keep sessions short, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. See your GP first if you are pregnant, have a heart or blood pressure condition, or take regular medication.

How long should an infrared sauna session be?

Harvard Health suggests no more than 15 to 20 minutes. Beginners should start shorter and build up.

Can I use an infrared sauna while pregnant?

Australian health advice from Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is to avoid saunas during pregnancy because of the risk of overheating, dehydration and fainting.

Is EMF from an infrared sauna dangerous?

The international public limit for 50 Hz magnetic fields is 200 µT (2,000 mG). A well made sauna should measure far below that. Ask for a test report showing readings at the seat positions and the distance used.

How do I check a sauna is electrically certified in Australia?

Ask for the certificate number and look it up on the EESS registration database or the certifier’s register. It should cover the exact model and carry the RCM mark.