Comparing Far Infrared Saunas

Promolife has conducted many years of testing and  research into the FIR Heat Emitters which are considered to be the most important part or (Heart) of a Far Infrared Sauna. We invite you to call us to discuss sauna heaters/emitters and provide input. Our number is 1-888-742-3404 x1.

There are 5 major types of FIR Sauna Heaters/Emitters currently being used.

1) Steel Incoloy or Steel Rod - 40-50%

2) Solid Ceramic Flat Plate Concave Emitter - 96%

3) Sand Filled Ceramic Tube - 90%

4) Flat Carbon Panel or Flat Carbon Sheet - 5-10%

5) Ceramic Coated Metal Rod - 80%

6) Aluminum Plate with Ceramic coating - 15%

The heart of the FIR Sauna is the emitters. Any emitter that is carbon sprayed onto Plexiglass or ceramic coated aluminum, does not emit enough FIR to classify it as a true FIR Sauna. And besides, your getting a plastic or aluminum heater.

All emit FIR heat. The main question is what % of heat is FIR heat. The higher % output, the more therapeutic. Below we will explain the differences.

This is commonly made of a carbonized steel. The carbon is what will help steel emit more infrared heat. The downfall with this emitter is the surface temperature is too hot. Normally around 600 to 900 degrees F. The high heat shortens the FIR wavelength to below 5 microns. Also steel incoloy does not emit much if any FIR, in fact you will get about 40% - 50% total FIR heat emission.

Made of solid ceramic and low wattage. This type of unit is a low wattage solid ceramic emitter that emits 96% of its heat in FIR form and 80% to 85% in the 8-12 micron range. This is an ideal emitter for FIR saunas. Remember as long as the wattage is below 200 watts on this heater, you get a highly therapeutic emitter. Again, this emitter is made of solid FIR emission material.

Developed in Japan. Uses sand in the core to dissipate and even out the FIR heat. A good heater, but very fragile and not wildly used in the USA. Emits approximately 90% of the heat in FIR form but due to the high wattage only about 30% of its wavelength is 8-12 microns. This emitter would be ideal if the wattage was lower. Made of solid FIR emission material. Used by a S. Korean brand.

Large surface area emitters used in some portables and all dome saunas. This heater has a high EMF output. Wires must be zig-zagged to cover the entire heater. Used by a majority of China made saunas. Very little far infrared emission results from this type of emitter/heater.

This is a pencil thin metal rod that is coated with approximately 1/2" of ceramic. You get approximately 80% FIR emission from this heater. A good emitter but too hot and too low of a wavelength.

This emitter has a larger surface area than most, but because of this it cannot be made of solid ceramic or it will crack under its own weight, therefore a solid aluminum core is necessary. Since the majority of the emitter is aluminum, the FIR emission is very low, about 15%.

There are 2 types of flat panel heaters used in these types of saunas:

1) Carbon sheet or Carbon Panel - Same as the type used in Wooden FIR Saunas describe above.

2) Mica Sheet - Uses solid mica rock as the heater and includes a carbon cloth cover to help disperse and protect the emitter. Because the majority of this heater is made of FIR emission material, it has a very high FIR emission output.

Most FIR saunas do not emit very high FIR emission totals. The reason is that most FIR saunas use very little FIR emission material in their saunas. They do not tell you this either because they do not know or don't wish to tell you. Metal Rod, Ceramic Coated Metal Rod and Steel Incoloy will have total emission around 50% (if you're lucky). Carbon Sheet Flat Panel heaters will emit less than 10%.

This is why.

For FIR to be made you need an earthy, organic rock/soil/ceramic type of material. While most FIR heaters have this, they just do not have enough.

Plastic Carbon sheet heaters which have carbon mixed with a bonding glue sprayed onto a piece of plastic about 1/8" thick. The plastic is used as a reflector and heat conductor. The thickness of the carbon is about as thick as the paint on your car. The majority of the heater is made of plastic, which is a non-FIR emission material. This emitter is considered TOXIC. Plastic emits dioxins and other toxic chemicals. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHEMICAL SENSITIVE PEOPLE. Very Cheap to make.

Metal Rod, Ceramic Coated Metal Rod and Steel Incoloy are a little better and will emit about 40% to 50% FIR. Again you have a majority of the heat material that is non-FIR emission. A very inexpensive emitter.

Solid Ceramic Flat Plate Concave Emitters are on the opposite end of the spectrum - This emitter is solid ceramic, like a plate. If you drop it, it will crack in half. There is a thin wire running through that transmits the heat. The manufacture rates this emitter at 96% FIR emission. This FIR emitters is rated at 163 watts which makes it the ideal, most therapeutic emitter currently available. Only 2 companies use this emitter. This emitter is more expensive than any other emitter.

Sand Filled Ceramic Tub Emitter is an ideal emitter that has 94% emission according to the manufacturer. Just a thin wire runs through the center of the tube to create the heat that is transferred to the sand and ceramic. The only draw back with this emitter is has a high wattage (300 to 350 F). Too hot for many uses and too short of a wavelength. Very few companies use this type of emitter.

There is a lot more information that, due to html constraints, we can't put on Squidoo. So for the full article and our brand comparison charts, click here and then click on Sauna Comparison on the chalkboard.

To see our available saunas and kits, visit our sauna pages at Promolife. We're always promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Also, see our other far infrared lenses: Far Infrared Saunas - Benefits and Information, Enhancing Your Life With Therasauna, and Personal Portable Far Infrared Saunas.