The best Infrared Saunas in New Zealand in 2024.

Here's an overview of brand & product features across 5 infrared sauna brands in New Zealand.

Before you choose a brand to buy, it's important that the sauna meets your needs and preferences. In this case, to determine what infrared sauna brand is the best in New Zealand, we reviewed and analysed these top 3 key considerations:

‍Warranty: The best infrared sauna brands provide a longer product warranty because it reflects the quality of the sauna. If the brand can ensure a warranty for 5, 10 and sometimes a lifetime period, they are taking the risk of product failure out of the equation for the buyer.

*Pro tip: Divide the price of a sauna by the length of the warranty to help calculate a yearly expense and return on investment.

‍Returns policy: Sometimes we may discover that a product just isn't for us, and the best infrared saunas will be confident that they are. A returns policy gives you peace of mind that even if you change your mind - for whatever reason - you have the opportunity to return it within a given time frame.

Corporate social responsibility: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a fancy term that means that the business is socially accountable for itself, the public and its stakeholders. Like any business that you deal with, a good one will give back in some way, be it ethical, environmental, economic or philanthropic. Align yourself with a brand that reflects your moral and ethical interests.

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Choosing the best brand for your home or business is an important decision. Familiarising yourself with the different options available can help you determine which one is right for you. We've compared the top New Zealand brands to help you decide which one of these brands suits your needs the most.

The best infrared sauna brand that offers the consumer the most benefits is Clearlight® Saunas. Clearlight® Saunas prides itself on empowering the buyer by offering a lifetime warranty, a solid 30-day returns policy, interest-free finance options, and a local, full-time customer care team. You can ask Google and see that they have the highest review rating for the industry.

We looked at the following market leaders to see who was the best of the best:

– Clearlight® Saunas (previously known as Jacuzzi® Saunas)
– Sunlighten® Saunas
– Found–Space (previously known as iHealth Saunas)
– Vortex™ Saunas by Spaworld®
– Sunstream™ Saunas

All of these brands offer their own versions of low EMF and infrared heating technology, some being better than others. In addition to these features, they also offer a range of cost-effective models and premium models, as well as far infrared and full spectrum options.

Ultimately, choosing the right brand comes down to your individual goals and preferences - but we recommend picking one that provides a really long warranty, a good returns policy, local customer care and support team, and are involved in some form of corporate social responsibility, to ensure satisfaction for years to come.

Our research, expertise and understanding of the industry have allowed us to critically review and analyse a range of key factors to determine the top 4 infrared saunas New Zealand has to offer. We even analysed customer reviews to gain a better understanding of how each sauna performs in real-world conditions.

To determine this list, we analysed the highest-selling sauna brands and sauna products against these major considerations for buying an infrared sauna:
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1/ Infrared heater quality: We compared both a full spectrum heating system and far infrared heaters. Looking at the materials, energy rating, heat, and wavelength of light waves.

*Pro tip: Carbon heaters are typically more efficient with less power and ceramic heaters are more powerful with less efficiency. The best infrared saunas rely on a carbon and ceramic hybrid heater that has the efficiency of carbon heaters and the power of ceramic heaters.

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2/ Heater placement: Because infrared waves must directly penetrate the body in order for them to effectively raise the core body temperature, the placement of the heaters is critical to the effectiveness of infrared heat.‍

*Pro tip: Far infrared rays need the largest body areas of subcutaneous fat (the front and back of the torso) to interact with. If the heater placement is above the shoulders when sitting then the heaters will have little to no effect on raising your core temperature.

3/ Low EMF and ELF exposure: EMF stands for electromagnetic frequencies and ELF stands for extremely low frequency. Both EMF and ELF have evolving research on the negative impacts on our health. The best infrared saunas will mitigate these frequencies and have certified testing to show low EMF and ELF levels while the sauna is in use.

*Pro tip: Many sauna brands get around correct EMF and ELF results by individually testing components separately from the entire product. Products must be tested in the same setting that they are intended to be used and if they do not test them in this manner the claims are false.

4/ Electrical components: Most saunas use your typical household 10 amp power supply while others will require a 20 amp power socket. Factors for these electrical components include the size of the sauna and the technology.

*Pro tip: A full spectrum infrared home sauna will typically need more power than a far infrared home sauna. And, depending on the size of the sauna, you may need to factor in additional costs for a certified electrician to install the power socket.

5/ Type of wood: The two best kinds of wood used are Western Red Canadian Cedar Wood or Canadian Hemlock wood. Basswood timber is also a suitable option

*Pro tip: Eco-friendly and sustainably sourced timber should be the standard for products in the 21st century and always ask for certification from the sauna provider.

6/ VOC testing: VOC stands for volatile organic compound and it is the nature of materials to off-gas when exposed to heat. Glues and varnishes that contain harmful substances are extremely high in VOC when exposed to infrared heat. The best infrared saunas have third-party VOC certification to ensure it is chemical free when in use.

7/ The sauna's features: Saunas are more than heat, and the best infrared saunas need to be rated on an entirely immersive experience. Saunas gained points if they had a high-quality, in-built sound system, coloured light (chromotherapy lighting), app functionality (to control the sauna remotely), and any additional sauna add-on or upgrade purchases.

Outdoor saunas are particularly luxurious. The soothing and relaxing nature of a sauna combined with the natural beauty of an outdoor environment is truly a captivating experience. Without sacrificing any of the features or convenience of an indoor sauna, they are awesome for their many health advantages as well as a fun entertainment option with friends. For our top pick, we chose an outdoor infrared sauna that could tick all of these boxes.

For an outdoor sauna, you can't look past a 5-person Outdoor Sanctuary. It’s a practical, yet sleek addition to any household, and offers an impressive array of features as well as that all-important lifetime warranty for all interior components, and a 5 year warranty for the exterior structure.

The exterior is lined with Cedartec® - an attractive weatherproof material, while on the inside you’ll find the same high quality Cedar interior, and True Wave™ heating technology. Its durability, design and high-tech features are why we’ve ranked it the best sauna for outdoor use.

Here is why the Sanctuary Outdoor Sauna is the best outdoor sauna:

– True Wave™ full-spectrum heaters offers high cabin temperatures - fast

– Truly ultra-low EMF and ELF levels

– Cedartec® weatherproof exterior shell

– Double-walled construction for heat insulation

– Built-in medical-grade Chromotherapy

– Add-on options include RLT, halotherapy, vibrational resonance therapy, and an additional full-spectrum heater

– Unbelievable energy efficiency for low-running costs

– Undergoes strict VOC testing for the safest and healthiest sauna therapy

– Built-in HQ stereo system and charging station

– Bluetooth and App functionality with remote activation

We looked at the top 3 brands that provide an outdoor sauna option:

– Clearlight® Saunas

– Sunlighten® Saunas

– Found–Space (iHealth Saunas)
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What makes the Clearlight Outdoor Sanctuary stand out from both the Sunlighten® Sauna and Found–Space competitors is the full-tempered glass front of the sauna - allowing the outdoor environment to blend seamlessly with your experience.

While the Found–Space option has a robust and durable build, its enclosed design feels claustrophobic at best. Sunlighten offers indoor saunas with a sauna cover to be used outdoors, however, without a durable construction, they are defenceless against any harsher weather conditions such as storms.

That's why the Clearlight Outdoor Sanctuary is the only full spectrum infrared sauna on the market that is specifically designed to endure the outdoor weather and maintain a sleek and luxurious design, a no-brainer if you’re somebody who enjoys time spent outdoors.

The question of whether or not a home sauna is worth it is, of course, a subjective one. But, if you’re already spending money on a membership to a spa or gym to use their sauna, you can make a worthwhile long-term investment to soak up all the benefits in the comfort of your home - while adding to its value.

The infrared sauna that takes the cake for the best home sauna is the Clearlight® Sanctuary Two-person Sauna. We’ve ranked it as the home sauna of choice because it has all the bells and whistles for a modest price point.

Here are some of the reasons for the Sanctuary 2-Person Sauna to be top of the list:

– True Wave™ full-spectrum heat offers high cabin temperatures - fast

– Truly ultra-low EMF (electromagnetic fields) levels and ELF (extremely low frequency) levels

– Add-on options include red light therapy, halotherapy, vibrational resonance therapy, and an additional full-spectrum heater

– Unbelievable energy efficiency for low-running costs

– Undergoes strict VOC testing for the safest and healthiest sauna therapy

– Built-in medical-grade Chromotherapy

– Built-in HQ stereo system and charging station

– Bluetooth and App functionality with remote activation

As you can see the Sanctuary 2-person sauna is jam-packed with features and benefits that you won’t find anywhere else.

In New Zealand, sauna companies charge between $3,000 to $8,000 for your typical 1-person far infrared sauna, and between $6,000 to $12,000 for your typical 1-person full spectrum sauna. For each increase in size, you can expect to pay an additional 6-9% more.

For your average portable infrared sauna, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $4,000 while an infrared sauna blanket might set you back between $400 to $1,000. A portable sauna and an infrared sauna blanket are of course 1-person options. Portable saunas and infrared blankets are typically not low in EMF and only far infrared wavelengths.

Running costs are important to take into consideration too. While the running costs of a traditional sauna can be eye-watering, infrared saunas are extremely energy efficient.

The great thing about the full spectrum infrared saunas and far infrared saunas from Clearlight is that they are incredibly energy efficient. For example, the 3-Person Premier Sauna, runs at about 1.8kW an hour - which would equate to approx. $0.83 per hour. So if you’re having 5 sauna sessions at home per week, that's $4.20 per week. That’s less than a takeaway coffee! Definitely something to consider if you’re potentially forking out $30-$60 per session elsewhere.

For the best budget-friendly approach we highly recommend not skimping on the quality of the sauna or choice of brand.

Things that you can downgrade for the best budget include:

• Size of the sauna - you can save between 6-9% for each size smaller.
• Sauna model - far infrared saunas are cheaper and provide most of the same benefits.
• Add-ons - you can always add these on later

To really see the financial benefit in buying an at-home infrared sauna, first, determine how many times a week you want to use the sauna and multiply that by the average cost of visiting an infrared sauna at a venue (roughly $30-$60 per session).

Once you add up the cost of 3-5 sessions a week over an entire year, you'll be looking at almost the cost of your own at-home infrared sauna. Compare that to the approximate cost of running your sauna at home and its lifetime warranty, and it is clear that there is so much more value in this investment.

Plus, most sauna brands provide interest-free finance options, so you can pay it off while you are using it. There has never been a better time to prioritise your health and well-being than now in 2023!

If you're on a journey to creating a healthy body for yourself, the potential benefits of infrared therapy means a sauna is going to be one of the best bang-for-your-buck tools you could use in 2023.

Let’s quickly run through the different types of saunas out there on the market. There are dry saunas, Finnish saunas - also known as traditional saunas - and infrared saunas.

In terms of real-world application, practicality, and price, infrared saunas are the best options for home consumers and have been the go-to for the market. 

Aside from cost-to-run, there are clear health advantages of infrared saunas, primarily because they utilise infrared light. Targeted infrared light penetrates the core without the need to expose the skin to high temperatures for long periods of time, allowing for a plethora of health benefits.

Infrared light also has a particular attribute in that it causes the subcutaneous fat cells to break down safely, releasing once-stored heavy metals and toxins. Making infrared light the ultimate tool of choice for detoxification.

Infrared saunas come in primarily two ways.

• Far infrared: Using only the far infrared wavelength of light.
• Full spectrum: Using an equal portion of far, mid, and near wavelengths.

Our pick for the best far infrared sauna is the Clearlight® 1-Person Premier Sauna. What makes the Premier sauna model an excellent choice is that it ticks all the boxes aesthetically, following a traditional sauna look.

Here are some of the reasons why the Premier 1-Person Sauna is on the top of the list:

– Truly ultra-low EMF (electromagnetic fields) levels and ELF (extremely low frequency) levels

– True Wave™ far infrared heaters

– Add-on options include red light therapy, halotherapy, vibrational resonance therapy, and an additional full-spectrum heater

– Unbelievable energy efficiency for low-running costs

– Undergoes strict VOC testing for the safest and healthiest sauna therapy

– Built-in HQ stereo system and charging station

Using only certified materials and masterfully crafted with 22 years of experience, the quality of the build of the Premier Sauna is unmatched by other far infrared saunas. The fragrant cedar wood indulges with beautiful earthy, woody aromas and feels raw and rustic with all wood textures. A real tribute to sauna culture.

Here's a review from infraredsaunaexpert.com which did a head-to-head comparison between the Clearlight® Vs. Sunlighten. Here's what they have to say:

"If you want a low EMF and low ELF sauna, then this Clearlight is the way to go hands down. Why? It’s simple, Sunlighten does not mitigate electric fields, and their magnetic fields are much higher than Clearlight’s."

‍"I go by my measurements, and the tools don’t lie. Clearlight saunas measure much much lower than Sunlighten saunas EMF wise, basically to the point where there’s no comparison anymore."

"If I had to pick a sauna between these two brands for myself or my family, it would be this Clearlight Premier model right here. It’s less money, gives you a great sweat, and blows the Sunlighten’s out of the water when it comes to EMF."

Another head-to-head comparison was conducted by homeaquafield.com which concluded:

"A device that deals with electrically generated heating must have adequately insulated wires for safety. Sunlighten saunas are less equipped in this regard when compared to the Clearlight sauna models. Therefore, safety is another aspect that puts Clearlight ahead of Sunlighten."

Some final words from recoveryguru.com.au about his choice of infrared sauna:

"All things considered, the overall best infrared sauna in New Zealand is the Clearlight Sanctuary Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna"

A summary of the analysis

Now that you know more about the best infrared saunas on the market for 2023, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your needs.

Our top picks were:

1. Best all-around: Clearlight® 4-Person Sanctuary Yoga Sauna
2. Best home infrared saunas: Clearlight® 2-Person Sanctuary Sauna
3. Best outdoor sauna: Clearlight® 5-Person Outdoor Sauna
4. Best far infrared sauna: Clearlight® 1-Person Premier Sauna

If you’re still not sure which sauna is best for you, or if you have any other questions, our team of experts are here to help. Schedule a call with our team and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and help you find the perfect sauna for your home.