Sauna Comparison

What makes us stand out from the competition

At TheraSauna®, we strive to make our saunas with the very best components and features. Our saunas are hand crafted with attention focused on details and quality. Our aspen hardwood is unmatched in the industry, and we’ve packed in several features to further show that TheraSauna® is simply the best. See how TheraSauna® stacks up against the competition:

   
SaunaTheraSauna®Our Competitors
Made in the USA  Handcrafted in DeWitt, IA- 
 Learn More
 Made in China
Color/Finish Options  Natural Aspen Finish Clear or Stained Wood
Hand-Crafted  Yes  No 
Hand Finished  Yes  No 
Furniture Grade Wood  Grade #1 Clear Aspen Hardwood  Poor Grade Cedar, Poplar, or Hemlock
Wood Type  Aspen Hardwood – Learn More  Cedar, Poplar, Hemlock, etc.
Bench  Reversible (Flat or Curved), Heavy-Duty Bench Seating  Lightweight, Flat Bench Only
Backrest  Built-In, Curved Backrest  No Built-in Backrest
Control Features4-Button Control with Patented Stable Heat™ System  Limited Control with No Stable Heat™ System
Patented Stable Heat™   Includes Patented Stable Heat™  No 
Heater Type  Solid Ceramic TheraMitters™ – Learn More  (Primarily) Carbon Fiber
Glass Type  Smoke Tempered Glass  Tempered Glass
Assembly  Specialized Bolt-Together Design  Buckles or Magnetic Fasteners (with magnetic-producing fields)
Interior Lighting  LED Reading Light  LED Light, Not Dimmable, On/Off Only
Exterior Lighting   Lighting on all Saunas  Not Available on all Models
Chromotherapy Lighting  Optional 15 Color Dimmable Chromotherapy Light  7 Color LED Light
Height  All saunas are 78 inches tallVaries
Warranty  Limited Lifetime – Learn More  1 Year Warranty

Infrared Heater Comparison

The best far infrared heating system is a high glass content solid Ceramic TheraMitter™. Solid ceramic has the highest radiant efficiency and far-infrared emissivity, while others like steel rod, aluminum, or carbon heating systems fall short. The radiant efficiency of a heating material is an extremely important factor to its far infrared qualities. For this reason, the high glass content Ceramic TheraMitter™ remains the leader in producing the most far-infrared at the most beneficial micron range for the human body.

Compare for yourself and see why the TheraSauna® TheraMitter™ heaters provide the most effective range of far infrared therapy.

 
Heater TypeConcave Ceramic TheraMitter™Incoloy Rod HeatersTubular Ceramic HeatersCarbon Fiber Heaters
DescriptionTheraMitter™ heaters have the highest glass content in the industry which provides uninhibited transmission and output of far infrared. Concave Ceramic TheraMitter™ heaters are able to spread infrared heat waves in a 180º pattern, effectively covering every square inch inside the sauna. Due to the quality of the reflector, all energy is given direction toward the user to improve the delivery of far infrared. The watt density of the TheraMitter™ is ideal; providing the user with the highest output of far infrared at the most beneficial micron range for the human body.Cylinder-type steel heaters are used by a number of different sauna companies. Incoloy rod heaters have a short life span due to the compaction of the magnesium oxide which tends to short out the helical wire. They also have an extremely high watt density which produces a very high surface temperature of the rod, which in turn produces a lower ineffective range of infrared.Tubular ceramic heaters have a short life span due to the compaction of the silica sand which tends to short out the helical wire. They also have an extremely high watt density which produces a very high surface temperature of the rod, which in turn produces a lower ineffective range of infrared.They operate at a very low cabinet temperature of approximately 130ºF and have a very low radiant efficiency. This type of heating element is used in automotive seat heaters. Carbon fiber heaters tend to absorb odor, then re-emit the offensive odor back into the sauna. In addition, since the carbon fibers are encased in fiberglass, resins, and epoxy adhesives, it vents the gases of these components back into the air when the sauna is heated.
EMF Levels Very Low, due to the fact that the wire changes direction several times over the face of the heater High, due to a non-cancelling wire and non-insulating metal surface High, due to a non-cancelling wire and non-insulating metal surface Varies
Composition Natural Earth Elements, High-Glass Content Ceramic Tubular elements consist of a helical resistant wire inside a metal tube filled with magnesium oxide as an insulator and heat conductor. Tubular ceramic heaters consist of a helical resistant wire housed in vitreous silica sand enclosed in a metal tube.  These heaters sandwich a carbon screen between two fiberglass epoxy resin casings.
Watt Density Ideal Extremely High, produces less effected infrared Extremely High, produces less effected infrared Very Low, makes heating the sauna more difficult
Radiant Efficiency 96 % 50% 50% 55% – varies
Infrared Micron Range 6.0 – 14.0 3.0 – 6.0 2.5 – 6.0 4.0 – 12.0

Does the size of the infrared heater matter?

Our research has shown that physical size does not matter as much as the watt density of the heaters. The ideal infrared wavelength provided by the heaters within a far infrared sauna is more important than heater size. Some companies claim that large heaters are the best. The problem is that these large heaters have a very low watt density that produces an ineffective range of infrared and cannot heat the air inside the sauna effectively.