Far Infrared Sauna Heater Comparison:
Remember any far infrared sauna can be therapeutic - the key is how therapeutic. This is determined by how much total far infrared is being emitted from the heater. Most models emit less than 50% - and some less than 10% of their total heat is Far Infrared. You want a FIR sauna whose heater emits over 90% of total heat in Far Infrared form.

Far Infrared Sauna Heater Comparison Chart 
Why the quantity of FIR emission is so important
Brand Comparison Information
TheraSauan and Saunagen Comparison
 
Promolife have conducted many years of testing and  research into the FIR Heat Emitters which are considered to be the most important part or (Heart) of a Far Infrared Sauna. We invite you to call us to discuss sauna heaters/emitters and provide input. Our number is 1-888-742-3404 x1.

There are 5 major types of FIR Sauna Heaters/Emitters currently being used. Shown are FIR emission (approx)
1) Steel Incoloy or Steel Rod - 40-50%
2) Solid Ceramic Flat Plate Concave Emitter - 96%
3) Sand Filled Ceramic Tube - 90%
4) Flat Carbon Panel or Flat Carbon Sheet - 5-10%
5) Ceramic Coated Metal Rod - 80%
6) Aluminum Plate with Ceramic coating - 15%

The heart of the FIR Sauna are the emitters. Any emitter that is carbon sprayed onto plexiglass or ceramic coated aluminum, does not emit enough FIR to classify it as a true FIR Sauna. And besides, your getting a plastic or aluminum heater.

All emit FIR heat. The main question is what % of heat is FIR heat. The higher % output, the more therapeutic. Below we will explain the differences.

Far Infrared Sauna Heater Comparison Chart for Wooden Walk in Saunas
(we will soon have photos of each emitter)

1. Steel Incoloy or Steel Rod - this is commonly made of a carbonized steel. The carbon is what will help steel emit more infrared heat. The downfall with this emitter is the surface temperature is too hot. Normally around 600 to 900 degrees F. The high heat shortens the FIR wavelength to below 5 microns. Also steel incoloy does not emit much if any FIR, in fact you will get about 40% - 50% total FIR heat emission.
2. Ceramic flat plate (concave) -
   Made of solid ceramic and low wattage. This type of unit is a low wattage solid ceramic emitter that emits 96% of its heat in FIR form and 80% to 85% in the 8-12 micron range. This is an ideal emitter for FIR saunas. Remember as long as the wattage is below 200 watts on this heater, you get a highly therapeutic emitter. Again, this emitter is made of solid FIR emission material.
3. Sand filled ceramic - Developed in Japan. Uses sand in the core to dissipate and even out the FIR heat. A good heater, but very fragile and not wildly used in the USA. Emits approx 90% of the heat in FIR form but due to the high wattage only about 30% of its wavelength is 8-12 microns. This emitter would be ideal if the wattage was lower. Made of solid FIR emission material.  Used by a S. Korean brand
4. Flat Carbon Sheet or Carbon Panel - Large surface area emitters used in some portables and all dome saunas. This heater has a high EMF output. Wires must be zig-zagged to cover the entire heater. Used by a majority of China made saunas
   
   
   Note the super thin carbon sheet and thick plastic backing. Very little far infrared
   emission results from this type of emitter/heater.
   
5. There are 2 types:
   1)- Carbon panel made in China (Most Common used in Chinese made Wood saunas)- Known as Carbon Ink or Carbon Paper from China - that is sprayed or glued onto a plastic sheet and will emit approx 5%-10% of total heat in FIR form. The concept is great and the heaters are not hot when touched. These emitters will give off a very even, spread out heat. It has been noted the total watt density is too low resulting in an inferior sauna experience because the air temperature does not reach a desired temp. Plastic does not emit FIR and is considered toxic when heated. Used on most Chinese made FIR Saunas. If you want a plastic heater, this is the choice to get.
   NOTE: This type heater has the highest EMF output of any heater due to the large amount of wire needed to heat them.
   2)- Carbon panel made in Japan - a thin metal backed 100% carbon sheet (not sprayed) that will emit approx 90%  FIR. This emitter is considered the highest quality carbon panel heater available. No Chinese manufacturers us this due to the high price. Only 1 Dome sauna (Smarty) currently uses this type of carbon heater. Chinese saunas do not use due to the high cost. The carbon is approx 1/8" thick and the metal backing is about as thin as heavy duty foil. Because the vast majority of this heater is FIR emission material, you will likely receive 80% emission or more
6. Ceramic/Metal Rod  - This is a pencil thin metal rod that is coated with approx 1/2" of ceramic. You get approx 80% FIR emission from this heater. A good emitter but too hot and too low of a wavelength.
7. Aluminum Plate w/Ceramic coat:  -
   This emitter has a larger surface area than most, but because of this it cannot be made of solid ceramic or it will crack under its own weight, therefore a solid aluminum core is necessary. Since the majority of the emitter is aluminum, the FIR emission is very low, about 15%.

FIR Sauna Emitters used in Portable or Dome Lay Down Saunas
There are 2 types of flat panel heaters used this these types of saunas

1) Carbon sheet or Carbon Panel - Same as the type used in Wooden FIR Saunas describe above.
2) Mica Sheet - Uses solid mica rock as the heater and includes a carbon cloth cover to help disperse and protect the emitter. Because the majority of this heater is made of FIR emission material, it has a very high FIR emission output.

Why the quantity of FIR emission is so important.
Most FIR saunas do not emit very high FIR emission totals. The reason is that most FIR saunas use very little FIR emission material in their saunas. They do not tell you this either because they do not know or don't wish to tell you.  Metal Rod, Ceramic Coated Metal Rod and Steel Incoloy will have total emission around 50% (if your lucky).  Carbon Sheet Flat Panel heaters will emit less than 10%.

This is why.

For FIR to be made you need an earthy, organic rock/soil/ceramic type of material. While most FIR heaters have this, they just do not have enough.

Plastic Carbon sheet heaters which have carbon mixed with a bonding glue sprayed onto a piece of plastic about 1/8" thick. The plastic is used as a reflector and heat conductor. The thickness of the carbon is about as thick as the paint on your car. The majority of the heater is made of plastic, which is a non-FIR emission material. This emitter is considered TOXIC. Plastic emits dioxins and other toxic chemicals. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHEMICAL SENSITIVE PEOPLE.  Very Cheap to make.

Metal Rod, Ceramic Coated Metal Rod and Steel Incoloy are a little better and will emit about 40% to 50% FIR.  Again you have a majority of the heat material that is non-FIR emission. A very inexpensive emitter.

Solid Ceramic Flat Plate Concave Emitters are on the opposite end of the spectrum - This emitter is solid ceramic, like a plate. If you drop it it will crack in half. There is a thin wire running through that transmits the heat. The manufacture rates this emitter at 96% FIR emission. This FIR emitters is rated at 163 watts which makes it the ideal, most therapeutic emitter currently available. Only 2 companies use this emitter. This emitter is more expensive than any other emitter.

Sand Filled Ceramic Tub Emitter is an ideal emitter that has 94% emission according to the manufacturer. Just a thin wire runs through the center of the tube to create the heat that is transfered to the sand and ceramic. The only draw back with this emitter is has a high wattage (300 to 350 F). Too hot for many uses and too short of a wavelength. Very few companies use this type of emitter.

Brand Comparison - NOTE: there are currently only 2 FIR Saunas made in USA. Most FIR saunas are now made in China.

Name	Type of Emitter Used	% of FIR emission
Healthmate, HighTech Health	Steel Incoloy	40-50
All Chinese made FIR Saunas including: Sunlight, Airwall, Soft Heat, Lux, etc	Plastic Carbon Panel	5-10
Heavenly Heat - made in USA	Combination of Steel and Traditional Heater	30-50
Soft Heat - now made in china	Plastic Carbon Panel	5-10
Saunagen - China	Flat Plate Concave Solid Ceramic Emitter	96
Airwall, Sunlight, Lux Solarus, most Chinese saunas that have large panels as heaters	Plastic Panel with  Carbon Paint	5-10
EZ Sauna - Uses Japanese made panel heater	Carbon Panel, Sand Filled and Steel	80-90
Therasauna - made in USA	Flat Plate Concave Solid Ceramic Emitter	96
ClearLight	Aluminum Heater Plate with ceramic paint	15
Cedrus - ask them for a cross section photo	Aluminum Heater Plate w/ceramic paint	15
Waterstar brands of FIR saunas	ask company for FIR % emission. Plastic Panel with Carbon Paint

Promolife sells only 90% + Ceramic Emitter FIR Saunas. We do not sell saunas made with plastic emitters. All of our saunas have a UL or ETL approval. Our aim is to be objective. Please call if you wish to discuss this subject further. 1-888-742-3404.   

TheraSauna and Saunagen Comparison

	TheraSauna	Saunagen
Country of manufacture	USA - all USA made components	China - All Chinese components - heaters made in Taiwan.
Emitters	100% Ceramic Flat Plate Concave made in USA - FDA Approved	100% Ceramic Flat Plate Concave made in USA - FDA Approved
Wood	Aspen	Hemlock Fir
Electric Approval	UL/CSA/CE	ETL
Construction	Double wall tounge and grove with bolted walls	Double wall tounge and grove with latched walls
Heater Controls	Constant emission thermostat	Traditional thermostat
1 person dims in inches	46x44x74 exterior  38x38x68 interior	36x36x76 exterior  33x30x68 interior
2 person dims in inches	54x51x74 exterior  46x38x68 interior	47x41x76 exterior  44x36x68.5 interior
3 person dims in inches	n/a	61x43x76 exterior 57.5x38x68.5 interior
Corner dims in inches	back walls 62 front walls 35.5 corner walls 37.5 height 74	back walls 61 front walls 49 corner walls 26 height 76
4 person dims in inches	Straight bench: 78.5x51x74 exterior 68x38x68 interior Facing bench: 75x52x74 exterior 68x38x68 interior	n/a
Warranty	Lifetime on emitters 3 years on controls and workmanship	5 years on heaters, controls and workmanship
Accessories	Any accessory is optional and extra cost	Includes CD/AM/FM with speakers. Spa kit included