"Should I get the traditional one or the infrared one?"
It's one of the questions we get asked most, and it's a good one. Both give you that lovely feeling of stepping away from the day and into the warmth. They just get there in different ways, and they suit different homes, gardens and routines.
So here's a plain-speaking comparison to help you make your mind up, without the jargon.
What's the difference between infrared and traditional saunas?
A traditional sauna heats the air and a bed of stones. You can pour water over the stones for a burst of steam. This is the classic Finnish-style experience: properly hot, a little bit ritual, and very much a "sit back and let the heat do its thing" kind of sauna.
An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to warm you more directly, usually at a lower air temperature. Many people describe the heat as gentler and easier to settle into, especially if you're new to saunas.
Neither is better than the other. It really comes down to the kind of heat you enjoy, the space you've got and how you'd like to use it.
Infrared vs traditional sauna at a glance
| Traditional: The Pennine Barrel | Infrared: The Dales Glow | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | Outdoors, in the garden | Indoors: spare room, home gym, studio, garage |
| Sizes | 6 person | 2 person or 4 person |
| Heat | Harvia Finnish heater, dry heat or steam | Low-EMF carbon infrared panels |
| Installation | Hard-wired, needs a dedicated circuit and a professional electrician | Plug-and-play, no electrician needed |
| Feels like | Classic, high-heat sauna experience | Gentler, direct warmth |
| Lovely for | Families, hosting, cosy winter evenings | Regular shorter sessions, smaller spaces |
The Pennine Barrel: a traditional outdoor sauna
If you picture a sauna at the bottom of the garden with steam rising on a frosty evening, that's The Pennine Barrel.
Sizes and heat
It now comes in two sizes. The 6 person Pennine Barrel has an 8kW Harvia Finnish heater. The brand new 4 person Pennine Barrel, available to pre-order, has a 6kW Harvia heater and runs at around 90 to 100°C dry heat, or add water to the stones for steam.
The curved barrel shape helps the heat circulate, and the handcrafted benches make it a properly comfortable place to sit and unwind. You can also make it your own with an optional Treatex exterior wood finish in a choice of nine shades.
Installation
The Pennine Barrel is hard-wired, so it needs a dedicated electrical circuit fitted by a professional electrician. Our own team handles delivery and installation, and you can read exactly what's involved on our delivery and installation page.
Who it suits
- You have outdoor space and want the full traditional sauna experience
- You like the idea of sharing it with family or friends
- You want a garden feature you'll use all year round
Protect and personalise
Protect and personalise your sauna with premium exterior wood treatment. Choose your preferred stain colour from the swatches below.
- 2.5L Treatex Exterior Wood Treatment (enough for 2 coats).
- Recommended for enhanced weather protection and a long-lasting finish.
The Dales Glow: an indoor infrared sauna
The Dales Glow brings the sauna indoors. It's designed to fit into a spare room, home gym, studio or garage, so you don't need a garden at all.
Sizes and heat
It comes in a 2 person and a 4 person size, both using low-EMF carbon heat panels for a gentle, direct warmth.
Installation
This is the easy one. The Dales Glow is plug-and-play, so there's no electrician and no electrical work needed.
Who it suits
- You want to build a regular sauna routine with as little fuss as possible
- You're short on outdoor space, or would rather keep your sauna indoors
- You like the idea of shorter, more frequent sessions that slot into everyday life
What about an outdoor infrared sauna?
Infrared doesn't have to mean indoors. If you love the idea of gentler infrared heat but want it in the garden, The Yorkshire Cabin is our outdoor infrared sauna, with low-EMF carbon heaters, thermo-treated wood and a full glass front looking out over your garden.
And if you need a larger traditional sauna for a big household, a holiday let or a retreat, The Brontë is our 6 person traditional cabin sauna. You can see every model side by side in the full SaunaPlunge® range.
How to choose: the four questions that really matter
1. Where will it go?
Outdoor garden space points towards the Pennine Barrel or Yorkshire Cabin. An indoor room points towards the Dales Glow.
2. How do you feel about installation?
If you'd like zero electrical work, the Dales Glow wins outright. If you're happy to have a dedicated circuit fitted professionally, the Pennine Barrel is straightforward for our installation team.
3. How will you use it?
A quiet daily habit tends to suit the Dales Glow's convenience. Hosting, family evenings and a bigger "event" feel tend to suit the Barrel.
4. What's your budget?
[Right now, The Dales Glow is 20% off, which makes it the most accessible way into the range.] (Confirm still live before publishing; see notes below.)
Thinking about pairing your sauna with something cold? A lot of people combine heat and cold as part of their routine. Our cold water therapy page and The Peak Plunge ice bath are a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is an infrared or traditional sauna better?
Neither is better overall. Traditional saunas give a hotter, classic Finnish experience with the option of steam. Infrared saunas use a gentler, more direct heat at a lower air temperature. The right choice depends on the heat you enjoy, your space and how you plan to use it.
Do you need an electrician to install a sauna?
It depends on the model. The Dales Glow indoor infrared sauna is plug-and-play with no electrician needed. The Pennine Barrel traditional sauna is hard-wired and needs a dedicated circuit fitted by a professional electrician.
Can you have an infrared sauna outdoors?
Yes. The Yorkshire Cabin is an outdoor infrared sauna designed for the garden, with thermo-treated wood and a full glass front.
How much space do you need for a sauna?
Think about how many people will use it at once and where it will sit. As a guide, the 4 person Pennine Barrel measures 1800 x 1800 x 1930mm. Indoor saunas like the Dales Glow can fit into a spare room, home gym or garage.
Is a sauna suitable for everyone?
Saunas aren't right for everyone. If you have a health condition or you're unsure, check with your GP before you start.
Still not sure which sauna is right for you?
That's exactly what our free Sauna Buyer's Checklist is for. It walks you through the questions that matter, step by step, so you can land on the right choice for your space and routine.
Download the free Sauna Buyer's Checklist, or comment CHECKLIST on any of our posts and we'll send it straight over.
Or if you'd rather just talk it through, message us and we'll happily chat about your space.
Browse the full SaunaPlunge® range
