Are infrared sauna blankets all they’re cracked up to be?

Infrared saunas are a type of sauna that uses light to create heat. Traditional saunas warm the air, which in turn heats your body. Infrared saunas instead apply direct heat to your body. Besides making you sweat, infrared saunas also claim other health benefits. And infrared saunas are a great option for those who can’t tolerate the heat of a regular sauna. One of the convenient forms of infrared saunas is the infrared sauna blanket that you can use at home. But while they are much less expensive than a full-size infrared sauna, they aren’t cheap. So we looked for the three best infrared sauna blankets to suss out if they’re all that they’re cracked up to be. Check them out and decide for yourself if they are a worthwhile investment.

Infrared Sauna Blanket V3 by HigherDOSE

The Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket V3 is one of the first and most popular sauna blankets on the market. Its design makes it ideal for at-home use or travel. You can plug in this sauna blanket and get started sweating almost anywhere.

The Higher Dose sauna blanket uses far-infrared light. The “far” refers to where the infrared waves fall on the light spectrum. It consists of eight layers of non-toxic fabrics. These include amethyst, tourmaline and charcoal layers. A session in this blanket eases muscle tension, increases circulation and reduces inflammation. All that while you get in a solid sweat. The blanket uses only low-EMF heating. EMF stands for electric and magnetic fields. High-EMF levels can be harmful, so it is important to only use low EMF heat.

The blanket’s heat settings range from 68 to 148 degrees Fahrenheit. You should start at a low temperature a few days a week and work up to higher temperatures and more consistent use. Keep your sauna sessions to 45 minutes at the most. Since you will be sweating a lot, it is important to stay hydrated when using this blanket. So drink water before and after you use it. (We like to hydrate while the blanket heats up, which takes about 10 minutes.)

When you’re done, all you need to do to clean up is wipe the sweat out of the blanket, then wipe it again with a disinfectant. Leave it to air out for at least 30 minutes before putting it away. The entire process from setup to cleanup is super easy and convenient.

This blanket comes in at $499 and has a one-year limited warranty.

Gizmo Supply 3 Zone Digital Far-Infrared (FIR) Heat Sauna Blanket v3

Another popular option, the Gizmo Supply 3 Zone Digital Far-Infrared Heat Sauna Blanket v3 has a large following. As its name suggests, this blanket uses far-infrared light that detoxifies cells and boosts circulation. And it uses safe, low-EMF heat.

The blanket consists of a soft, comfortable interior. And the exterior features a polyurethane exterior that makes it simple to clean.

Operation is simple too. All you have to do is plug it in and wait about 10 minutes for it to heat up. The controller allows you to customize the way you sweat. It heats in three heating zones:

• upper body
• waist
• lower body

You can use these heating zones in combination, or you can select any one of them for isolated heating.

The temperature ranges from 86 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is a timer for up to an hour. You won’t need more, because an hour is the longest you should use this blanket in one go. Start on lower temperatures for short periods and working your way up to longer, hotter sessions.

This blanket runs $449.99 and offers a limited manufacturer warranty.

TTLIFE 2 Zone Digital Far-Infrared (FIR) Oxford Sauna Blanket

The TTLIFE Far-Infrared Sauna Blanket is a great starter sauna blanket for anyone who wants to sauna at home on a budget. Curious about sauna blanket but aren’t ready to make the financial commitment? Then tis is the blanket for you. It uses the same basic far-infrared technology as other sauna blankets at a fraction of the cost.

The inside material is waterproof and flexible. The outside is durable, easy-to-clean polyurethane. You can adjust the temperature between 95 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit. And the timer on the controller allows you to set sessions from 15 minutes to an hour.

This blanket heats up and is ready to use in five minutes. And it features two zones that you can use together or activated and heated alone. It comes with an automatic shutoff safety switch, and it sound an alarm if it overheats.

Now, this sauna blanket may not have the same cult following that some of the other blankets on the market have. But it uses the same technology as the rest, so it offers many of the same benefits.

This sauna blanket costs $109.99, which is a lot lower than similar blankets. So what’s the catch? We have to note that some users have complained that this product didn’t last long. But it will last long enough for you to decide if you’re interested to investing more in a higher-end sauna blanket.

Final thoughts

Most users notice great benefit and positive results from regular use of their infrared sauna blankets. But despite that, it’s important to keep in mind that there is not a lot of scientific data to back up the claims these blankets make. So consult a healthcare professional before starting a new regimen or if you have any problems or concerns.