Which Sauna

Infrared saunas: cabinets by size, heaters and circuit

An infrared cabinet warms you with panels that radiate heat, so the air stays at 120 to 150 °F and the cabinet is ready in 20 to 45 minutes. Most one- and two-person cabinets plug into a 120 V outlet. Size, the heater type and the circuit are the decisions; the wood and the controls follow.

A cedar infrared sauna cabinet with a glass door

What the spec sheet is telling you

Infrared cabinets differ in a few numbers that are easy to misread. Infrared or traditional compares the two kinds of sauna directly.

The common heater

Carbon far infrared

Thin carbon panels on the walls and under the bench. Every cabinet here uses them. They run cooler on the surface than the ceramic rods older cabinets used, and spread the heat over a larger area.

A maker's term

Full spectrum

No standard defines it. Golden Designs adds near-infrared elements to its carbon panels; Sunlighten uses an LED panel, and Sun Home uses halogen lamps. Compare the parts list on the spec sheet, which says what the cabinet actually contains.

Read the distance

"Low EMF"

The figure is the 60 Hz magnetic field from the heater wiring, in milligauss. It falls quickly with distance, and makers measure at anywhere from the panel surface to three feet away, so two figures are comparable only at the same distance.

Where it plugs in

15 A or 20 A

One- and two-person far-infrared cabinets run on 15 A. Three-person cabinets, and most two-person full-spectrum cabins from other makers, need a 20 A dedicated circuit, which usually means a new run from the panel.

Quick picks

The short answer for common situations. Each links to the full card below.

Compare the nine

Every cabinet here is made by Golden Designs, which sells under the Dynamic and Maxxus names on Amazon. Dimensions, panel counts and circuits are from the maker's pages and manuals. Golden Designs publishes no wattage, so watts appear only where a listing gives them, marked as such.

Product links on this page go to Amazon. If you buy through them, Which Sauna earns a commission. How we pick and earn

Infrared sauna cabinets
ModelPeopleHeatersMagnetic field, maker's distanceCircuitLink
Dynamic 1-person compact, Pacific cedarFar-infrared cabinet, 1 person14 carbon3–5 mG at 2–3 in120 V 15 AAmazon
Dynamic Barcelona, 1–2 personFar-infrared cabinet, 1–2 people1–26 carbon5–10 mG at 2–3 in120 V 15 AAmazon
Maxxus Seattle, 2 personFar-infrared cabinet, 2 people26 carbon5–10 mG at 2–3 in120 V 15 AAmazon
Dynamic Heming, 2-person cornerFar-infrared corner cabinet, 2 people2, corner7 carbon6–10 mG at 6–8 in (listing)120 V 15 AAmazon
Dynamic Santorini full spectrum, 1–2 personFull-spectrum cabinet, 1–2 people1–24 carbon + 2 near-IRUnder 3 mG at 2–3 in120 V 15 AAmazon
Dynamic Cordoba full spectrum, 2 personFull-spectrum cabinet, 2 people25 carbon + 2 near-IRUnder 3 mG at 2–3 in120 V 15 AAmazon
Dynamic Lugano, 3 personFar-infrared cabinet, 3 people39 carbon3–5 mG at 2–3 in120 V 20 A dedicatedAmazon
Maxxus 3-person corner, hemlockFar-infrared corner cabinet, 3 people3, corner9 carbon5–10 mG at 2–3 in120 V 20 A dedicatedAmazon
Maxxus 3-person full spectrum, red cedarFull-spectrum cabinet, 3 people34 carbon + 3 near-IRUnder 3 mG at 2–3 in120 V 20 A dedicatedAmazon
Dynamic 1-person compact, Pacific cedar

Far-infrared cabinet, 1 person

Dynamic 1-person compact, Pacific cedar

Dynamic (Golden Designs) DYN-1101-01 Elite

The smallest cabinet here: four carbon far-infrared panels in a 36 by 28 inch footprint, built of Pacific cedar. Golden Designs rates it to 140 °F and runs it on an ordinary 120 V 15 A circuit.

Outside
36 × 28 × 65 in
Inside
32 × 25 × 60 in
Heaters
4 carbon far-infrared panels
Magnetic field
3–5 mG at 2–3 in from the panels (maker)
Power
120 V, 15 A plug; dedicated circuit (manual)
Weight
235 lb shipping

Suits: One person, a closet-sized corner, and a 15 A circuit that nothing else shares.

Weigh: The inside is 32 by 25 inches, room for one adult seated and little more. The manual asks for a dedicated 15 A circuit even though the plug fits any outlet.

View on Amazon
Dynamic Barcelona, 1–2 person

Far-infrared cabinet, 1–2 people

Dynamic Barcelona, 1–2 person

Dynamic (Golden Designs) DYN-6106-01

Six carbon panels in a Canadian hemlock cabinet 39 inches wide. It has sold on Amazon for years under the same model number, and Golden Designs still lists it.

Outside
39 × 36 × 73 in; the roof overhang adds 2 in of depth
Inside
36 × 32 × 67 in
Heaters
6 carbon far-infrared panels
Magnetic field
5–10 mG at 2–3 in from the panels (maker)
Power
120 V, 15 A
Weight
250 lb

Suits: One person who wants elbow room, or two who sit close, on a 15 A circuit.

Weigh: Golden Designs itself calls it a compact unit ideal for one. It is the "Low EMF" tier, the highest of the maker's three magnetic-field figures.

View on Amazon
Maxxus Seattle, 2 person

Far-infrared cabinet, 2 people

Maxxus Seattle, 2 person

Maxxus (Golden Designs) MX-J206-01

A true two-person cabinet, 44 inches wide inside, with six carbon panels and a 15 A plug. Hemlock, like most of the Golden Designs line.

Outside
48 × 42 × 75 in
Inside
44 × 38 × 68 in
Heaters
6 carbon far-infrared panels
Magnetic field
5–10 mG at 2–3 in (maker); under 8 mG at 6–8 in (listing)
Power
120 V, 15 A; dedicated outlet recommended

Suits: Two people on an existing 15 A circuit, with about 4 feet of open wall.

Weigh: The Amazon listing gives "under 8 mG" at 6 to 8 inches, while the maker gives 5–10 mG at 2 to 3 inches for the same cabinet. Same panels, measured from a different distance.

View on Amazon
Dynamic Heming, 2-person corner

Far-infrared corner cabinet, 2 people

Dynamic Heming, 2-person corner

Dynamic (Golden Designs) DYN-6225

A two-person cabinet with an angled front that tucks into a corner. Seven carbon panels, hemlock, and the same 15 A plug as the square two-person units.

Outside
49 × 48 × 76 in
Inside
45 × 43 × 68 in (maker); 43 × 45 × 68 in (listing)
Heaters
7 carbon far-infrared panels
Magnetic field
6–10 mG at 6–8 in (listing)
Power
120 V, 15 A
Weight
345 lb

Suits: A room with an open corner and no open flat wall.

Weigh: It needs about 49 inches along each wall. The Amazon listing's field figure (6–10 mG at 6–8 in) matches the -01 low-EMF version rather than the -02 Elite.

View on Amazon
Dynamic Santorini full spectrum, 1–2 person

Full-spectrum cabinet, 1–2 people

Dynamic Santorini full spectrum, 1–2 person

Dynamic (Golden Designs) DYN-6009-03 FS

The Barcelona's footprint with four carbon panels plus two near-infrared elements, which is what Golden Designs means by full spectrum. A 2026 model, still on a 15 A plug.

Outside
39 × 36 × 73 in
Inside
35 × 33 × 68 in
Heaters
4 carbon far-infrared panels, 2 near-infrared elements
Magnetic field
Under 3 mG at 2–3 in (maker)
Power
120 V, 15 A; 1,400 W (listing)
Weight
250 lb

Suits: A buyer who wants the near-infrared elements without moving up to a 20 A circuit.

Weigh: The 1,400 W figure comes from the Amazon listing; Golden Designs publishes no wattage. Amazon titles it Golden Designs while the maker files it under Dynamic.

View on Amazon
Dynamic Cordoba full spectrum, 2 person

Full-spectrum cabinet, 2 people

Dynamic Cordoba full spectrum, 2 person

Dynamic (Golden Designs) DYN-6203-02 FS

A two-person hemlock cabinet with five carbon panels and two near-infrared elements. Golden Designs keeps it on a 15 A plug, where Sunlighten and Clearlight move their two-person full-spectrum cabins to 20 A.

Outside
46 × 41 × 75 in
Inside
42 × 36 × 68 in
Heaters
5 carbon far-infrared panels, 2 near-infrared elements
Magnetic field
Under 3 mG at 2–3 in (maker)
Power
120 V, 15 A

Suits: Two people, full spectrum, and a 15 A circuit already in place.

Weigh: With no wattage published there is no way to compare its heat output against a 20 A cabin. A far-infrared-only Cordoba (DYN-6203-01) uses the same cabinet.

View on Amazon
Dynamic Lugano, 3 person

Far-infrared cabinet, 3 people

Dynamic Lugano, 3 person

Dynamic (Golden Designs) DYN-6336-02 Elite

Five feet wide with nine carbon panels. This is where the Golden Designs line moves to a 20 A circuit: the manual cover reads "120VAC 20AMP Dedicated Circuit Required".

Outside
60 × 45 × 75 in; the overhang adds 4.3 in
Inside
57 × 41 × 69 in
Heaters
9 carbon far-infrared panels
Magnetic field
3–5 mG at 2–3 in (maker)
Power
120 V, 20 A dedicated circuit (manual)
Weight
350 lb

Suits: Three people, or two who want to stretch out, in a room where an electrician can run a new 20 A circuit.

Weigh: A 20 A receptacle (NEMA 5-20) on its own breaker is usually a new run from the panel. The Amazon title's "under 8 mG" has no distance; the maker gives 3–5 mG at 2–3 inches.

View on Amazon
Maxxus 3-person corner, hemlock

Far-infrared corner cabinet, 3 people

Maxxus 3-person corner, hemlock

Maxxus (Golden Designs) MX-K356-01

A corner cabinet five feet along each wall, with nine carbon panels on a 20 A dedicated circuit. Golden Designs specifies a non-GFCI receptacle and breaker, and states plainly that it is not a 240 V unit.

Outside
60 × 60 × 75 in; the overhang adds 9.4 in
Inside
56 × 56 × 68 in
Heaters
9 carbon far-infrared panels (maker)
Magnetic field
5–10 mG at 2–3 in (maker)
Power
120 V, 20 A dedicated, non-GFCI (maker)
Weight
390 lb

Suits: Three people and an empty corner at least 60 inches each way.

Weigh: The listing says eight panels and the maker says nine; the maker's count is used here. The roof overhang adds 9.4 inches of depth, which matters under a low window.

View on Amazon
Maxxus 3-person full spectrum, red cedar

Full-spectrum cabinet, 3 people

Maxxus 3-person full spectrum, red cedar

Maxxus (Golden Designs) MX-M306-01 FS

Canadian red cedar, a touch-screen control, and four carbon panels with three near-infrared elements. The top of the Golden Designs range on Amazon, and a 20 A circuit like the other three-person cabinets.

Outside
64 × 44 × 75 in; the overhang adds 5.9 in
Inside
58 × 39 × 68 in
Heaters
4 carbon far-infrared panels, 3 near-infrared elements
Magnetic field
Under 3 mG at 2–3 in (maker)
Power
120 V, 20 A dedicated (maker)
Control
Touch screen

Suits: Three people who want full spectrum and cedar, with a 20 A circuit planned.

Weigh: The listing's "under 2 mG" and the maker's "under 3 mG" are both taken at 2 to 3 inches; the maker's figure is the one in the table.

View on Amazon

Heat-up and temperature

Golden Designs' manual gives about 20 minutes to reach 100 °F and 45 to 60 minutes to reach about 135 °F, starting from a room above 70 °F. Its product pages put the usual range at 118 to 132 °F, with a maximum of 140 °F, and the manual concedes the 150 °F mark on the dial is rarely reached. The cabinets shut themselves off after three hours. A cabinet has no stones, so there is nothing to pour water on.

Magnetic-field figures, maker by maker

How each maker states its figure
MakerFigureMeasured at
Golden Designs (Dynamic, Maxxus)5–10, 3–5 or under 3 mG by tier2 to 3 in from the panels; no lab named
Golden Designs listings on AmazonUnder 8 mG; 6–10 mG6 to 8 in, for the same cabinets
Sun Home0.6–4.0 mG at 1 ft; 0.3–0.9 mG at 3 ftVitatech report, January 2025
SunlightenUnder 1 mGNo distance stated; Vitatech
ClearlightUnder 1 mG"Measured directly on heater"

The EPA states that no US federal standard limits residential exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields, so "low" is each maker's own label. A figure is useful when it comes with the distance and the lab; without them it cannot be compared with anything.

Sold off Amazon

Three makers sell their cabins direct and publish watts and amps, which Golden Designs does not. They are listed for comparison and are not linked.

Infrared cabins sold direct
ModelHeatersPowerCircuit
Clearlight Premier IS-22 person, 50 × 44 × 76 inCarbon/ceramic far infrared1,720 W, 14.5 A120 V outlet, NEMA 5-15P
Clearlight Sanctuary 11 person, 42.5 × 48.3 × 77 inFull spectrum1,740 W, 14.6 A120 V 15 A, NEMA 5-15P
Clearlight Sanctuary 22 person, 51.8 × 47.8 × 77 inTwo 500 W full-spectrum heaters plus far infrared2,260 W, 18.83 A120 V 20 A, NEMA 5-20P
Sun Home Solstice2 person, 50.9 × 45.9 × 77.7 in9 far-infrared panels2,006 WDedicated 20 A, NEMA 5-20, GFCI
Sun Home Equinox2 person, same cabinet4 far infrared, 2 halogenNot printedDedicated 20 A GFCI, NEMA 5-20
Sunlighten Amplify II2 person, 50.9 × 45.9 × 77.7 in5 far infrared, 3 halogen2,270 W, 18.92 A (spec sheet)Dedicated 120 V 20 A, NEMA 5-20R
Sunlighten mPulse Believe2 person, 51.7 × 47.6 × 79 inFar, mid and an LED near-infrared panel2,400 W, 20 ADedicated 120 V 20 A, NEMA 5-20
Sunlighten mPulse Conquer3 person, 70.6 × 47.6 × 79 inFar, mid and an LED near-infrared panel3,600 W, 20 ADedicated 240 V 20 A, NEMA 6-20

Sunlighten's store page and spec sheet disagree on the Amplify II (1,880 W against 2,270 W); the table uses the spec sheet. A cabinet drawing 18 to 20 A on a 120 V circuit is near the full rating of a 20 A breaker for as long as it runs, which is why every one of these makers asks for the circuit to itself.

Infrared saunas guides

A wood-lined sauna room beside a bedroom in an apartment

Infrared or traditional sauna: temperature, steam, power and space

How an infrared cabinet and a traditional stone-heater sauna differ in air temperature, steam, warm-up, the circuit each needs and where each can go, using the makers' own figures.