What Is Low EMF Infrared Sauna And Is It Even Legit?

If you’re in the market right now looking to buy an infrared sauna, there’s a good chance you’ll be pitched a low EMF infrared model. 

Sauna dealerships will walk you through infrared sauna models like low EMF, ultra low EMF, and even near zero EMF.

So, what is a low EMF infrared sauna and is it even legit or just another marketing gimmick? 

For starters, a lower EMF infrared sauna is one that is designed to produce lower levels of electromagnetic fields than a standard infrared sauna. And it is meant to protect you from infrared sauna dangers while providing all the health benefits of infrared sauna. 

This aspect of low EMF sauna is completely legitimate. However, the problem is how these saunas are marketed. 

You see, while some sauna manufacturers provide independent testing before making the low EMF claim, others simply make a claim on their product page.

In this blog, I have explained it all, including whether an infrared sauna with low EMF is good for you or it’s just another wellness marketing term. 

So, let’s get started. 

Key takeaways

• A low EMF infrared sauna reduces the electromagnetic fields produced by its heaters, wiring, and electrical components.
• EMF includes electric fields, magnetic fields, and radiofrequency EMF produced by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in some saunas. 
• Low EMF and ultra low EMF are not standard labels with one agreed-upon industry definition.
• The actual EMF number depends on the unit used, where the measurement was taken, and whether the testing was independently performed.
• Low EMF sauna technology is real, but claims that reducing EMF will automatically provide health or detox benefits are not entirely backed by scientific evidence.

What is low EMF infrared sauna?

For starters, EMF stands for electromagnetic field.

Whenever electricity flows through wiring or an electrical component, it creates electric and magnetic fields around it. Your home appliances, electrical wiring, power lines, and computers, all produce EMFs.

An infrared sauna is no different. It uses electricity to power its heaters, controls, wiring, lights, speakers, and other electrical components. These all create electromagnetic fields inside the sauna.

Now, a low EMF infrared sauna is designed to reduce those electromagnetic fields using a different heater design, wiring configuration, grounding, shielding, and electrical components placement. 

Also, some low EMF sauna models allow you to turn off wireless features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to reduce radiofrequency exposure. 

However, a low EMF sauna does not mean it has no electromagnetic fields. Any electrical device will produce some level of electromagnetic field. 

What are the different types of EMF in an infrared sauna?

You’ll come across various EMF types in an infrared sauna. Here’s what each of them mean: 

Type	What it means
Magnetic field	Produced by electrical current and measured in milligauss (mG)
Electric field	Produced by electrical voltage and measured in volts per meter (V/m)
RF EMF	Radiofrequency fields produced by wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Now, if you’re buying a low EMF sauna, magnetic and electrical fields are particularly important.  

A sauna might advertise a very low magnetic-field reading, but if it doesn’t tell you electric-field exposure, that’s a red flag. Both electric and magnetic field measurements are important for a sauna to qualify as low EMF. 

How does a low EMF infrared sauna work?

A low EMF sauna works like any other infrared sauna. It uses infrared heaters to produce radiant heat, which warms your body directly rather than heating the air around you.

The difference is in how the sauna’s electrical system is designed.

For instance, sauna manufacturers use low-EMF heater technology, different wiring design, shielding, grounding, and electrical component placement to reduce electromagnetic fields inside the cabin. 

Also, some manufacturers allow Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to be disabled during sauna sessions, which reduces wireless emissions. 

Overall, here’s how a low EMF sauna works:

Feature	What it does
Low-EMF heaters	Reduce electromagnetic fields generated by the heating elements
Better wiring design	Helps minimize fields from electrical wiring
Shielding/grounding	Can reduce electric and magnetic fields
Smart wireless controls	Can allow you to disable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to reduce radiofrequency exposure

Sauna expert’s tip: 

Your physical distance from the heat source is an important determinant of EMF exposure. EMF levels decrease as you move farther away from the infrared lamps inside the sauna. 

So, a measurement taken directly against the infrared sauna heater can be very different from a measurement taken where your body actually sits.This is I suggest you ask how a sauna manufacturer’s EMF measurements were taken before buying a low EMF sauna.

Is a low EMF infrared sauna legitimate?

Yes, the low EMF technology itself is completely legitimate.

It is possible for an infrared sauna to produce lower electromagnetic fields. And sauna manufacturers have independent testing showing that some sauna designs produce relatively low EMF readings. 

Sunlighten, for instance, says its heater panels have been independently tested at 0.5 mG or less.

But not all claims about low EMF saunas are legitimate

For instance, if a sauna manufacturer says their low EMF sauna heaters help prevent illnesses like cancer, that’s too big of a claim. 

That’s because EMFs from electrical devices, infrared saunas included, are classified as non-ionizing radiation. And there’s no health study which claims that ordinary EMF exposure from household electricity causes cancer or other diseases.

What is the difference between low EMF and ultra low EMF infrared sauna?

If you’ve been to a sauna dealership lately, they might have explained you terms like: 

• Low EMF sauna
• Ultra low EMF infrared sauna
• Near-zero EMF
• Lowest EMF infrared sauna

But let me tell you there isn’t a single industry-wide definition that separates low EMF from ultra-low EMF. 

So, don’t assume that ultra-low EMF saunas are automatically safer than the rest of infrared saunas. Instead, ask the dealership clear questions for every claim they make such as: 

Claim	What you should ask
Low EMF	What is the actual EMF reading?
Ultra-low EMF	What threshold are you using for the EMF testing?
0.5 mG EMF	Where was the EMF level measured?
Independently tested	Which laboratory performed the test?
Low EMF throughout the sauna	Were multiple locations within the sauna tested?

A low EMF claim is fine as long as the company clearly explains what it measured and how it measured it. 

Is a low EMF infrared sauna safer?

Honest answer: There isn’t enough evidence to say that a low EMF infrared sauna is safer simply because it produces less EMF.

All saunas produce some EMF as they operate according to standard sauna electrical requirements. In fact, all electrical devices produce EMF for that matter. 

These EMFs fall within the non-ionizing portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. And as per the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, research into possible health effects of EMF exposure is still continuing.  

So far, the evidence does not establish that low-level EMF exposure causes health hazards or that low EMF saunas prevent such hazards. 

How to choose a low EMF infrared sauna?

If you’ve decided to buy a low EMF infrared sauna, don’t just go after EMF numbers that the sauna manufacturers might show you. 

Here are a few important things you should look for instead: 

1. Look for independent testing

A sauna manufacturer should be able to provide an actual test report rather than simply saying low EMF on its website. Independent testing gives you something you can actually evaluate.

2. Check both EMF and electric fields

Don’t look at magnetic fields alone. A good test report should tell you the magnetic field measurement in mG and electric field measurement in V/m.

3. Find out where the measurement was taken

Ask the sauna manufacturer or dealership where the measurement was taken, such as: 

• Directly against the heater?
• A few inches away?
• At the bench?
• At the approximate position of your head and body?

The closer the measurement is to the actual seated position, the more useful it is for understanding your exposure during a normal session.

4. Check whether the entire sauna was tested

Testing one heater panel is not necessarily the same as testing the complete sauna. The wiring, controls, power supply, lighting, speakers, and other electrical components can also contribute to the overall electromagnetic levels.

So, look for testing of the assembled sauna while it is operating.

5. Don’t believe zero EMF claims

Your infrared sauna is an electrical appliance like any other. 

So, when you see a claim like zero EMF, near-zero EMF, or no EMF, do look at what the company actually means.

An independently measured EMF estimate with a clear testing methodology is much more useful than an impressive-sounding marketing gimmick.

Do you really need a low EMF infrared sauna?

Whether or not you really need a low EMF infrared sauna depends on what you want. 

If you are comfortable with normal household EMF exposure and you are looking for an infrared sauna for its wellness experience, you don’t need to buy a low EMF model.

But if minimizing EMF exposure is important to you, you can go for a sauna specifically designed to produce lower EMF.

And remember, lower EMF doesn’t automatically mean a better sauna. You should also consider the quality of the heaters, sauna construction, temperature control, materials, warranty, customer support, and the overall design.

Final words

If you’ve been wondering what is low EMF infrared sauna and whether it is even legitimate, I am sure you now have a much clearer answer.

Yes, low EMF infrared saunas are real. Manufacturers can design infrared sauna heaters, wiring, grounding, shielding, and other electrical components to reduce electromagnetic fields.

But the words low EMF or ultra low EMF don’t tell you enough by themselves. What really matters is the actual measurement and how it was obtained.

So, if you’re buying an infrared sauna with low EMF, look for transparent testing, understand what is being measured, and compare products based on the complete picture.

Got more questions or want to buy infrared sauna equipment or accessories? 

You can get in touch with us!

At Steam Shower and Sauna, we offer a wide range of premium sauna heaters, accessories, and components from trusted industry brands.

Whether you’re building a new home sauna or upgrading your current setup, our team can help you find the right products for your needs.

FAQs about low EMF infrared sauna

What is a low EMF infrared sauna?

A low EMF infrared sauna is an infrared sauna designed to produce lower levels of electromagnetic fields from its heaters, wiring, and other electrical components. 

What are the EMF levels in infrared saunas?

EMF levels in infrared saunas vary depending on the heater design, wiring, electrical components, and measurement distance. Magnetic fields are commonly measured in milligauss (mG), while electric fields are measured in volts per meter (V/m).

What is a low EMF far infrared sauna?

A low EMF far infrared sauna is a far infrared sauna that has been designed to reduce electromagnetic fields generated by its electrical components. Far infrared refers to the type of infrared heat, while low EMF refers to the electromagnetic fields produced by the sauna’s electrical system.

What is an ultra low EMF far infrared sauna?

An ultra low EMF far infrared sauna is a marketing term used for a far infrared sauna designed to produce particularly low electromagnetic-field readings. However, there is no single universal industry definition of ultra low EMF, so it’s important to check the actual test results.

What is the lowest EMF infrared sauna?

There isn’t one sauna that can universally be called the lowest EMF infrared sauna. Different companies use different testing methods, distances, and measurement conditions. The best way to compare models is to look at independently verified readings taken at the user’s position.

Is a low EMF infrared sauna safer?

Lower EMF does not automatically mean that an infrared sauna provides extra health benefits or that a higher-EMF sauna is dangerous. If reducing electromagnetic-field exposure is important to you, I suggest you choose a sauna with independently verified lower readings.