When it comes to using a sauna, the ideal temperature is something that is largely up to the individual inside the sauna. Our bodies are quite good at telling us when it’s time to get out, the sauna is too hot! There are many people who are capable of regularity using their saunas at temperatures higher than 220° Fahrenheit. Finding the perfect sauna temperature is highly subjective and your optimal sauna temp range will likely change as you get more experience using the sauna.
While recommending the ideal sauna temperature is largely a matter of opinion, Finnish researchers utilized sauna temperatures of 176°-212° Fahrenheit (80-100° Celsius) for a study shown to achieve certain health benefits. For the vast majority of people normal sauna temp for a traditional sauna is in the 150°-190° Fahrenheit range. Most typical sauna temperature for a traditional sauna is right around 180° Fahrenheit.
While the infrared saunas we offer go up to 149° Fahrenheit, normal infrared operating temperatures are in the 120° Fahrenheit to 130° Fahrenheit range.
In order for a sauna heater to be UL listed (which ours are), the maximum operating temperature should be no more than 194° Fahrenheit.
Finding The Best Temperature For Your Sauna
Ideal sauna temperatures vary drastically from person to person, which is why recommending any temperature for sauna use is so subjective. As you utilize your sauna more frequently, your body will naturally withstand more and more heat from the sauna.
120°-140° Fahrenheit (48°-60° Celsius)
For experienced steam sauna users, this range is where you’re not yet considering entering the sauna, for it’s considered “cold”. By no means is that written in slight towards those who cannot handle steam higher than 140° F, it’s simply years of pre-conditioning to high sauna temperatures.
Taking a sauna in this range is unlikely to make your body sweat quickly and some of the relaxation benefits may not be experienced as quickly afterwards.
140°-160° Fahrenheit (60°-71° Celsius)
At this temperature, your bodies ability to sweat quickly is dramatically improved, especially as you’re closer to 160° F. For many beginner sauna users, 160° F is an ideal starting temperature. At this temperature, adding water to the stove creates a nice, mellow steam that is enjoyable, without the sharp steam felt at temperatures of 180° F and beyond.
160°-180° Fahrenheit (71°-82° Celsius)
The 160°-180° Fahrenheit range is the 2nd most common temperature range for many sauna users. At this temperature range, achieving a great sweat is easy and it’s possible to enjoy extended periods of stay inside the sauna.
A word of caution for beginner sauna users: start slow. Take a 5-10 minute sauna your first time around, taking breaks as needed. Although there are sauna users who will utilize their sauna for upwards of an hour or more, the human body was simply not designed to be exposed to high temperatures for this period of time.
180°-200° Fahrenheit (82°-93° Celsius) Optimal Sauna Temperature For Most
For the famous Finnish research study performed by Laukkanen, et al., the temperatures used were 176° to 212° Fahrenheit. Personally, this is the range in which we utilize our saunas. This is for a number of reasons.
With an electric sauna heater, achieving temperatures higher than 200° F is an art form. That’s partially because, in North America, electric Sauna heaters are required to not exceed a temperature of 192° Farenheit. It’s actually not as easy as simply turning the sauna on and walking away. You must turn the sauna heater control to maximum temperature, let it warm for an appropriate amount of time, and toss water on the heater for steam right from the start. Additionally, leaving the sauna will cool it quickly and dramatically.
For sauna users who utilize a wood stove on their outdoor sauna, it’s much easier to cross the 200° Fahrenheit threshold. While wood fired saunas take longer to heat, they are capable of delivering extremely high temperatures.
200° Fahrenheit and Above (93°+ Celsius)
While I have enjoyed many a sauna above 200° F, this is hot. Myself, I fall into the 190°-200° F range. Anybody who can routinely take extended sauna baths at temperatures of 200° and beyond is a highly experienced sauna user and has likely spent a lifetime enjoying sauna temperatures in this range. Wearing a wool cap on your head keeps the head cool and allows you to sit in this high heat longer, this practice is popular in the Russian culture.
How To Get More Heat Out Of Your Sauna
When it comes to increasing the heat in your sauna there are a number of ways to do this.
- Let the sauna heater heat longer
- Turn controls to maximum setting
- More water on the heater for more steam
- Limit the number of times you exit the sauna after a steam
The two easiest ways to get more temperature out of your sauna heater are to let it warm up longer, on it’s maximum setting. It’s highly important that you choose the right size sauna heater for your room, as well.
There are a number of factors that can help increase the heat feeling you get out of your Sauna. Two of the main and most important are Sauna Ceiling Height and Sauna Bench Height. The majority of the Saunas we sell are at standard 7′ height. This isn’t simply to save on materials, it’s because for the Sauna heater to optimally heat your Sauna room, the ceiling height should be no taller than 8′.