A traditional sauna room is typically around 140-170 degrees Fahrenheit at head level when sitting on the upper row bench (typically the top of this bench is about 35″ off the floor). In the United states, the max temperature is 194 degrees F (measured at the ceiling) for a UL safety listed heater. UL stands for Underwriter Laboratories, which is a board which guides sauna standards in the US. All electric Finnleo heaters are UL approved.
All electrical sauna heaters come with a control in which you can determine the temperature of the room. You don’t have to max it out.
Depending on how high up in the sauna you are, the temperature changes substantially. One foot can be a difference of 10-20 degrees F. The temperature also depends on how well the sauna is constructed. Proper insulation and ventilation is critical. The hottest part of the sauna is typically directly above the heater. This is also where the the temperature is read at the ceiling. The corner opposite from the heater is typically about 15-20 degrees F cooler than directly above the heater.
If using a wood stove heater, the temperature can get hotter. It depends on how large of a fire you stoke in the stove. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to be 200 degrees F or more.
In an infrared sauna, the temperature is lower. It’s typically about 120-130 degrees F at head level. The max temperature (again measured at the ceiling) is 149 degrees F. Infrared heat works differently from a traditional sauna, as the infrared waves penetrate your body and warm you up from the inside. You want to sit in the infrared sauna longer than a traditional, typically 20-30 minutes.
To summarize, a traditional sauna is typically between 140-170 degrees Fahrenheit at head level. This can be higher when using a wood stove heater. In an infrared sauna, the temperature is typically between 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit.
