Buyer's guide
Infrared vs. traditional.
Both are excellent. The right one comes down to how hot you like it, whether you want steam, and what your electrical setup allows. Here's the honest breakdown.
Feature
Infrared
Traditional
How it heats
Carbon panels warm your body directly
Harvia heater warms the air and stones
Temperature
120–150°F (gentler)
150–195°F (classic hot)
Steam (löyly)
Dry heat, no steam
Pour water on stones for steam
Electrical
Most plug into a standard 110V outlet
240V circuit, like a dryer
Warm-up time
10–15 minutes
30–45 minutes
Best for
Daily recovery, lower temps, easy install
The authentic, social, high-heat ritual
Choose infrared if…
- You want easy install on a standard outlet
- You prefer gentler, lower-temperature heat
- You'll use it most days for recovery
- You want it ready in minutes
Choose traditional if…
- You want the authentic, high-heat experience
- You love steam from water on the stones
- You can run a 240V circuit
- It's a social space for friends and family