Ceramic or carbon infrared saunas: know which is better

Before choosing to purchase an infrared sauna based on size, style, and price, be sure to consider the heating element used. It can be hard to tell the real differences between ceramic and charcoal infrared saunas, and even harder to judge which is better.

Infrared saunas are an innovative new way to get all the healthy and long-lasting benefits of a sauna. Rather than sitting in sweltering hot air in a closed room like in a traditional Finnish or steam sauna, infrared saunas use infrared radiation to help participants sweat safely and efficiently. Infrared is very similar to sunlight, of course without the harmful ultraviolet rays.

There are many types of infrared saunas available for people who wish to enjoy them for their own use. Some public areas, such as spas and gyms, are now adding infrared saunas to their traditional steam saunas. Infrared saunas can also be purchased online and assembled at home. Home infrared saunas come in many different sizes, shapes, and styles. They are built with different types of wood. Even smaller portable models that easily fold up and roll out of the way are now on the market. Whichever model is right for you, one of the most important considerations for your home infrared sauna is the type of heating element used.

Many infrared saunas are equipped with several thin, flat carbon fiber panels in different places in the sauna to distribute even infrared heat. Sometimes they are encased in fiberglass for protection and coverage. Carbon panels are slightly flexible and therefore less likely to break in transit to your home sauna. Due to their flat and wide shape, they are capable of a very large surface area, which is important for a quality infrared sauna heating element.

Ceramic sheets, like carbon fiber sheets, have a large surface area and are integrated into the inner walls of a sauna on all sides. Ceramic is quite delicate, so care must be taken when shipping and handling the material before installing it in your sauna. They’re usually more expensive than carbon fiber heaters, but the proposals say they provide true far-infrared radiation, while carbon panels only heat up and provide simple radiant heat. This can induce perspiration, but does not provide the same soft tissue benefits as ceramic warmers.

It is important to know that some internet websites will compare carbon sheets to ceramic rods, which is like comparing apples to oranges. Rods are going to be more inefficient than plates or sheets, no matter what they’re made of. The rods have a smaller surface area and will require a higher surface temperature to function, so they will be worse than carbon and ceramic plates. Keep this in mind when searching for information on carbon vs. ceramic heating elements.

By now, you’re probably confused because the pros and cons of carbon fiber and ceramic sound awfully similar. Although ceramic has a slightly higher emissivity (ability to radiate infrared), it is not significantly higher than carbon sheets. In general, ceramic is considered superior. But in truth, the material of construction doesn’t matter nearly as much as the surface temperature and surface area of ​​a particular model of heater.

Of course, considerations like your budget and your personal sense of style will influence your decision on which home sauna to buy. But don’t forget to consider the type of heating element used. It is a very important choice and cannot be underestimated.