Sauna sessions have great health benefits and they seem even more convenient if you can enjoy them in your own home. But what can you do if you don’t have enough room to fit a sauna kit and you still want to take sauna sessions anytime you want? The answer is in the portable sit down infrared sauna that combines the performance of a sauna with the advantage of owning a portable and compact unit. You can use it whenever you feel like and once you are done with it, it can be conveniently stored away to save space. Let’s have a closer look at the top 5 sit down saunas that you can invest in.

Top 5 Portable Sit Down Infrared Saunas Comparison

Portable Sit-Down Infrared Saunas Reviews

DIF-5000 Infrared Portable Indoor Sauna

Specially designed for those who don’t have enough space to install a standard indoor sauna, DIF-5000 is among the best options you can go with. It provides the same health benefits as a regular FIR sauna only that it is much more practical and affordable. The beautiful design and the high-quality heaters are only some of the things we like about this model. A single 15-minute sauna session helps you relax, detoxify your body, improve body circulation, and so on.

Design

The compact yet spacious design allows you to enjoy infrared heat without feeling uncomfortable. At 25 pounds the sauna is easy to handle yet sturdy enough to last for many years. Just like many models, it comes with a folding chair and features extensions for the head and hand. Therefore, you can either use it sitting on the chair or reading a book or watching your favorite TV show. It comes with 2 terry cloth neck collars that can be unzipped for cleaning.

Performance

A great thing about this sauna is the fact that the incorporated panels can generate more heat while using less energy. This sets it apart from the many off-brand systems that aren’t very efficient yet increase your energy bill. It heats up very fast, requiring only 5 minutes to reach the desired temperature. At the same time, the sauna emits low EMF, so you have nothing to worry about.

• 3 heaters with highly-conductive Tourmaline panels: similar to granite, Tourmaline is a semi-precious mineral. It emits negative ions that have many beneficial effects on health.
• Adjustable temperature and timer: you can set the temperature and time of the session according to your preferences.
• Heated footpad: includes a footpad that also emits infrared waves. You can control it separately from the sauna.

Convenience

The total time you have to spend to set up or store the sauna doesn’t take more than 5 minutes. Both the unit and the chair is foldable, so you can store them pretty much anywhere in the house. Here are some other nice features that make it a user-friendly choice.

• Remote control: you can use it to select one of the pre-set temperatures or to set the length of the session. Also, you can control the foot pad.
• Shuts off automatically: once the period of time selected by the user has elapsed, the sauna will shut off automatically.
• Storage pocket: comes with a pocket where you can put the controller.
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Gizmo Supply 1000W Portable Therapeutic Spa XL

The second most reliable and qualitative sauna is this spacious and comfortable unit that can be easily used and stored afterward for maximum space-saving. It’s very powerful and it can reach a maximum of 140F with its 3 carbon heating panels that emit a safe and pleasant infrared heat that promotes an improved blood circulation, body detoxification, and weight loss. You can use the timer to set it to work for a certain amount of time so you will be able to schedule your sauna sessions. Unfortunately, this sauna doesn’t include a safe automatic shut off or a negative ions technology. What it does include are convenience features like a folding chair, a soft foot pad that emits infrared rays, a handheld controller, and pre-set temperature settings that will help you use the sauna with more ease. In addition, the sauna includes a steam pot so you can enjoy a thorough detoxification using steam.

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Radiant Saunas BSA6310 Rejuvenator

The reliable manufacturer Radiant Saunas has designed this portable unit to come to the help of those who want to want to use the sauna at home but don’t have enough space or money for a sauna kit. This item combines the convenience of the foldable design with the efficiency of 3 carbon heating panels that create a strong and safe infrared heat. You can choose between pre-set temperatures of maximum 150F so you can customize your sauna session as you best like. The sauna includes a timer and an automatic shut-off, as well as some practical features like a folding chair, an infrared foot pad, a handheld controller, and a padded neck collar. What it lacks is the negative ions technology that improves your blood circulation and helps you feel more energized. All in all, this sauna provides the high quality that the manufacturer has accustomed their customers with.

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Negative Ion Detox with 3x Carbon Fiber & Foot Pad

We continue our top of the most reliable portable sit-down saunas with this item that is powered by 3 carbon heating panels that heat up the interior of the sauna and really make you sweat. However, we must mention that the sauna only reaches a maximum of 131F so it’s not as hot as the previous models. Still, you get to select between preset temperature options and you will enjoy the amazing effects of tourmaline heating panels. The sauna also comes with a negative ions technology that promotes a better blood circulation and sends more oxygen to your brain thus, making you feel better after the sauna session. The interior of the sauna includes a folding chair and a foot pad to keep your feet warm and cozy. You will notice there is a timer included but not an automatic shut-off so you will have to remember to turn the sauna off.

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Portable Sauna + Negative Ion Detox

The last portable sauna that we recommend is this one from Idealsauna that does a pretty good job in offering you a complete sauna session. Although the power is not specified, we can tell you that the 3 carbon heating panels it uses can heat up to 150F in 5 to 10 minutes, so you will have to wait for a while for the sauna to get ready. The sauna includes a handheld controller that lets you select the time and temperature of the sauna session so you can customize it as you like. The sauna can be easily installed and then folded for maximum convenience and ease of use. For an increased level of comfort, it includes a folding chair and a foot pad that emits infrared heat to intensify the spa feeling of the sauna.

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Giantex Portable Far Infrared Sauna

This portable Far Infrared, FIR Sauna will ensure more convenience and benefits than a large wooden sauna. It has 3 mica heating elements, 3 heating levels for foot pad, and a temperature range that varies from 60-degrees – 140-degree Fahrenheit. As well as, you can set a timer for up to 60 minutes. You will enjoy the fact that it comes with a folding chair so you can sit down and relax, a foot massager which will help fromyou to sweat away the toxins and fat. The sauna is lightweight and portable which means that you can take it away wherever you wish. The excellent treatment will allow you to relax your pores and muscles. You will also receive a remote control which means that you can control the sauna. The model has a water-proof cotton cover and a plastic trestle which means that you can use it wherever you wish. It requires 110v -120v which means that it’s suitable with the usual outlets found everywhere.

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Final Considerations

After comparing all the 5 models, we came to the conclusion that DIF-5000 Infrared Portable Indoor Sauna is the most versatile model you can choose. It’s true that you have to pay more money but with high-quality comes higher costs. Unless many models on the market, this one comes with an automatic shut-off and negative ions technology. The only drawbacks are the weight and the short warranty. To be honest, we would’ve expected it to be covered by a longer warranty. Our second option, Gizmo Supply 1000W Portable Therapeutic Spa XL, is less expensive but it comes with a generous warranty of 3 years. It is lightweight and very powerful although it lacks the automatic shut-off feature and the negative ion technology. It also comes with a steam pot to enjoy the benefits of a traditional sauna. Unlike the other saunas we reviewed, these two provide a generous interior space, allowing you to feel more comfortable.

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What Is a Portable Infrared Sauna?

A portable infrared sauna is a smaller version of a regular spa unit and is the perfect option for those who live in apartments or small houses. Besides the fact that a portable sauna is very convenient and easy to use, it’s also lightweight and it plugs into a normal outlet. The most popular type of portable saunas, portable infrared sit down sauna, looks like a box and it’s very comfortable and easy to use. It has a foldable chair inside where the user can sit down and secured zippers for the head and hands if someone wants to read a magazine or watch TV. Also, it can be stored in small places and can be easily taken with you on vacations.

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How to Assemble It

Usually, saunas come as kits that need to be assembled and the procedure usually takes at least two people. When it comes to portable saunas, things are less complicated because the units come ready-to-assemble and have pre-constructed panels, which means that they can be easily assembled by anyone. It’s lightweight and small in size so only one person can easily maneuver and have it up in a few minutes. The entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes, and after you use the sauna, you can also disassemble it in just a few minutes. No tools are required, you will not have to clasp together any panels and you will not need any help.

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The Price and Operating Costs

In comparison to the traditional saunas, a portable infrared sauna is very accessible, having the possibility to choose the size and model you want. If a regular sauna reaches prices of thousands of dollars, the portable units are far more affordable and can be a great home addition without breaking the bank. The most expensive model in our chart is $600 and you can also get excellent units for $200, so there is a model for every pocket. In what concerns the operating costs, the good news is that a portable sauna will only add around $5 per month to the electric bill. This is also one of the main reasons why people choose to buy a portable sauna instead of a regular sauna.

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How Does this Sauna Work?

The portable sauna uses far infrared technology and has ceramic or carbon infrared emitters. The sauna heats up very quickly, this procedure taking about 5-10 minutes until it reaches the highest temperature. In general, the maximum temperature it will reach is 140-150 F, with the possibility to choose the desired temperature. Usually, it comes with a hand-held controller which allows the user to set the time and temperature they desire. Also, the sauna has a foot-pad which emits far infrared rays in order to enjoy a nice spa experience. All those who want to receive the health benefits of a sauna, just have to relax for 15-20 minutes and let the infrared rays penetrate the skin.

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What Benefits it Brings

• Detoxification benefits

Having a portable infrared sauna will help you detoxify the body and get rid of the toxins. Therefore, it will facilitate and stimulate the detoxification at comfortable temperatures.

• Leaves the skin radiant

The fact that the heat facilitates perspiration, it will help eliminate the dead cells and impurities from your skin, leaving it glowing and radiant. Also, the infrared waves work just like the sun, directly heating your skin and helping you relax.

• Weight loss treatment

It’s a known fact that sweating helps the body burn calories and lose weight. The heat penetrates the fat cells and will deliver the same results as if you were jogging or rowing. Nevertheless, if you intend to lose weight, you should try having regular treatments because consistency will help you achieve your goals.

• Helps the muscles recover faster

Due to the fact that radiant heat expands and dilates the blood vessels, the muscles will recover much faster from any physical activity. Moreover, the heat relieves the aches and pains and the improved blood circulation will speed up the recovery process.

• Strengthens the cardiovascular system

Regular sauna sessions will also improve your heart condition because the heart will pump more blood at a much higher rate. This is similar to cardiovascular exercise, meaning that in time, your cardiovascular system will be much stronger and healthier. Also, this will make you feel more active and energetic.

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The Disadvantages of Using It

• It doesn’t feel like a real sauna

There are many people who really enjoy the intense heat within the enclosure of a traditional sauna. If you are actually one of these people, then you will certainly not enjoy a portable sauna nearly as much.

• The smaller structure can make some people feel a bit claustrophobic

This is another disadvantage for many people. If you have this sort of problem, then a unit like this is not recommended for you. What you must do is to use a traditional sauna, where space is not an issue.

• You will not obtain the same results

Even though you will obtain amazing results, they will surely not be as good as they would be if using a regular sauna. Therefore, if you really want to achieve your goal in a shorter period of time, you should not go for a unit like this.

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Differences Between a Portable and a Kit Sauna

While the two items are similar and are basically used for the same purpose, there are some aspects that differentiate them. Starting with the design and the operating mode, here are the main differences between a portable sit-down sauna and a regular sauna kit.

Price

If you are not willing to spend thousands of dollars on a sauna, the portable model can be your best alternative that will provide similar performance at a reasonable cost. For $600 or less, you can purchase a qualitative portable sauna that you can use at home for relaxation, detoxification, muscle relief, or weight loss.

Size

The main difference between the two types of saunas is the size that can sometimes be an advantage and other times, a disadvantage. Portable sit-down saunas have been designed as more compact versions, perfect for those who have limited space or want to enjoy a unit they can carry around. However, the small size can often make the user feel claustrophobic and limits the movements, keeping you from laying down or enjoying the infrared heat at head level.

Number of heaters

Given the smaller size, the portable sit-down unit is not equipped with as many heaters as a regular sauna. If a built-in sauna kit can include as much as 9 carbon infrared heaters, the portable models only boast 3 heaters that are less powerful. However, these heaters are enough to cover the interior of the more compact portable sauna.

Performance

Although portable saunas reach the same high temperatures as an infrared sauna, their effect is not as powerful due to the lower power and fewer carbon heaters. Sitting in a sit-down sauna for a certain amount of time will not have the same effects as taking a sauna bath in a large-size infrared sauna that wraps your body in a more intense type of heat. As such, this unit can not be considered equally efficient as a regular infrared sauna.

Convenience

This is where the portable sauna scores more points thanks to the space-saving design, the portability, the ease to assemble, and the ease of use. Still, it’s not equipped with as many features such as the chromotherapy light system or the sound system.

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Frequently Asked Questions