Are Portable Infrared Saunas a Good Alternative?

Infrared saunas are getting increasingly popular but many people just can't afford the standard, cabin-style models. Luckily for many there are portable infrared saunas available for purchase that are not only cheaper, but take up less space and are much more convenient in many cases.

While standard models are well over $1,800 dollars -- well above the price range most people can afford. But portable models can start as low $200 dollars, depending on the quality, size, and model. You, like most people, are probably writing portable infrared saunas off because of the price difference between those and the cabin models. But the fact of the matter is, portable saunas give the same quality of infrared radiant heat as the larger ones do and can be even more comfortable.

As the name "portable infrared sauna" implies, they are indeed portable. They are a sort of tent with a special fabric laced with infrared heat emitters. There is a hole for you to stick your head out of and holes for the arms so you can move your arms freely -- this is great for reading or, in some cases, watching television. You unfold the sauna "tent" anywhere you want near a power outlet and get a top-notch sauna while reading your favorite book or watching your favorite television show! And when you're done, you easily fold it back up and put it in a closet. For the average American, living on a small to medium budget on a tight schedule, an infrared sauna is the height of convenience for a spa experience.

However, since infrared saunas are becoming more and more popular, there are a huge amount of low quality portable choices out there. As someone considering purchasing a portable model, check both company and product reviews before committing yourself to a specific one. There are sites online that give information specifically on infrared spa brands and can help you greatly in avoiding the junk and getting the best quality model at a reasonable price. Even if $200 dollars seems like a huge deal compared to $1,800, you could be spending that $200 on a piece of junk that either won't work for more than a month or two or won't give you the results you want.

For the health-conscious, infrared saunas are a great convenient way to stay healthy and to wash all of their worries away. But as with any expensive product, you need to be aware of the ups, downs, ins, and outs of the thing you want to make sure you don't get ripped off and get a sub-par home spa experience. Portable saunas are a fantastic alternative to the standard cabin models, but there is a lot of junk to weed through to get to the quality products.

Walter Sigmore, "Portable Infrared Saunas", Infrared Saunas Guide and Resources