The Complete Buyer’s Guide to Custom Infrared Saunas

Buying a custom infrared sauna is a serious investment in your long-term health — and in the quality of your daily life. It’s not just about warmth and relaxation; it’s about cellular regeneration, pain relief, immunity, and deep restorative sleep. But with dozens of companies competing for your attention (and your wallet), it’s become harder than ever to separate quality from marketing.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before purchasing a custom infrared sauna: from what questions to ask, to the red flags to look for, to exactly what makes a sauna worth your money — and what doesn’t.

Along the way, we’ll highlight what makes SaunaCloud different, including our approach to materials, warranty, heater technology, and service.

Chapter 1: Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Before you even look at models or price points, take a step back and vet the company. The most expensive mistake a buyer can make is assuming all sauna companies are honest. They’re not.

Here are key questions to ask yourself before you buy:

• How long has the company been in business?

• What is their online reputation? Do they have unresolved complaints?

• Do they have proof of custom saunas they’ve built for other customers?

• Are the reviews real or do they look suspicious?

• How aggressive is their sales team? Why are they pressuring you?

• What is the length of their warranty?

• Will they cover service, parts, and labor — or are you on your own?

Protect yourself from a bad purchase:

If a company won’t offer a written money-back guarantee, EMF guarantee, or honor their warranty, that’s a huge red flag. Infrared saunas are a big purchase — treat it like one.

Chapter 2: Company Integrity & Reputation

There are only a handful of truly reliable custom sauna builders in the U.S. The rest? Drop shippers, overseas resellers, or fast-talking salespeople disguising low-end materials in slick marketing.

The Better Business Bureau never lies:

If a company has consistent complaints on the BBB, trust those reviews. Fake positive reviews are easy. Fake negative ones? Not so much.

Check:

• Do they have a real business address?

• How long have they operated under their current name?

• Do they build saunas in-house or white-label from overseas manufacturers?

Chapter 3: The Most Important Decision — The Heater

Heater style is the single most important factor in whether your sauna works or doesn’t.

There are four main types of infrared sauna heaters:

• Carbon – Surface temp: 140°F; long wave; least effective.

• Ceramic – Surface temp: 400°F; very short wave; very hot.

• Halogen – Surface temp: 775°F; extremely intense.

• Combination (Carbon Blend) – Surface temp: 190°F; optimized wavelength; most balanced.

Avoid pure carbon panels at all costs:

They don’t get hot enough to raise core temperature. You’ll sit and sweat — but not from infrared heat.

VantaWave™ is our exclusive blend of quartz + graphite:

It provides full 360° coverage at the ideal wavelength for core body heating. No other heater system comes close in comfort and efficacy.

Chapter 4: The Cabin — Materials & Craftsmanship

The sauna cabin is more than just aesthetics. It determines how your sauna will age — or fall apart.

Most companies use cheap woods like:

• Hemlock (China)

• Eucalyptus (Africa)

• Basswood or Mahogany (mass market)

At SaunaCloud, we use Western Red Cedar from Canada. It’s antimicrobial, rot-resistant, and beautiful. Our ergonomic benches and contoured backrests are made for daily use, not just display photos.

Uncomfortable = unused:

If your sauna has a flat bench and cheap backrest, you won’t stay in it long enough to benefit from infrared therapy.

Chapter 5: Electrical Certifications & Permits

Here’s the truth: most infrared sauna companies sell residential saunas that are not UL listed — and don’t need to be.

But what they won’t tell you is:

UL listing isn’t legally required for residential use:

What you want is equipment that can pass a field inspection. We’ve never failed one.

Always ask:

• Does the company provide documentation for electricians?

• Can you get a permit with their equipment?

• Will they support your installer with proper diagrams?

Chapter 6: Warranty Coverage — What It

Really

Means

Most infrared sauna companies offer short warranties because they expect their equipment to fail.

• 1-year warranty = 1-year lifespan

• 3-year warranty = 3-year lifespan

Warranties tell you the truth:

The shorter the warranty, the less confidence the company has in its own product.

At SaunaCloud, we offer a Lifetime Warranty on every indoor sauna part. And we cover service, shipping, and labor. That’s how confident we are.

Chapter 7: Red Flags to Watch For

• Aggressive, pushy sales tactics

• Carbon heater panels running to the ceiling

• Emphasis on oxygen ionizers (instead of real heat)

• No customizations offered

• Flat benches and thin, flimsy backrests

• Lack of documentation or specs

If a company won’t show you their wiring diagrams, specs, or wood sourcing — walk away.

You deserve transparency:

This is your health, your money, and your home. If they won’t stand behind their product, don’t bring it into your space.

Final Thoughts

Buying a custom infrared sauna isn’t something you should rush. Take your time, ask the right questions, and work with a company that’s transparent, proven, and genuinely obsessed with quality.

SaunaCloud has received one negative review in over 11 years of business. We have sold 3,000+ saunas.

We hand-build every sauna, use our own heaters and power supplies, and guarantee your satisfaction for life.

Have questions? Want help customizing the perfect infrared sauna?

📞 Call us at 800-370-0820

💬 Or email us at hello@saunacloud.com