Full Spectrum vs Far Infrared: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
One is nearly a thousand dollars more expensive. Here's the plain-English difference, and the two spec questions that tell you whether you're getting what you paid for.
"Full spectrum" is one of those phrases that sounds unarguably better, in the way that "artisan" sounds better than "made". More spectrum, surely, is more sauna. And the price tags agree: our far infrared cabins start at $1,499, while full spectrum starts at $2,399 and climbs to $19,099.
So is it worth it? Sometimes — genuinely. But the honest answer is more interesting than yes or no, and it hinges on a specification most listings quietly decline to publish. Let's do the physics first, briefly and painlessly, because everything else follows from it.
Near, mid and far — what the three bands actually are
Infrared isn't one thing. It's a stretch of the electromagnetic spectrum just past the red end of visible light, and it gets divided into three bands by wavelength. That's the whole concept.
| Band | Wavelength | In a sauna, this is… |
|---|---|---|
| Near (NIR) | ~0.75–1.4 µm | The shortest wavelength. Produced by dedicated emitters, often a glowing element rather than a flat panel. |
| Mid (MIR) | ~1.4–3 µm | The middle band, usually delivered by the same emitters as near infrared. |
| Far (FIR) | ~3 µm and longer | The workhorse. This is what the large carbon or carbon-ceramic wall panels produce, and what creates the deep, enveloping sweat people associate with infrared saunas. |
A far infrared sauna produces the third band only. A full spectrum sauna adds near and mid infrared emitters alongside those same far infrared panels.
Note the word alongside. That's the part that matters, and it's where the marketing tends to get slippery.
Full spectrum doesn't replace far infrared. It adds to it. The heat you feel is still coming from the same panels.
The two questions that tell you what you're really buying
Here's the thing nobody selling a full spectrum cabin volunteers: "full spectrum" is not a regulated term with a minimum threshold. A cabin containing one modest near infrared emitter bolted alongside a complete set of far infrared panels can be described as full spectrum, entirely legitimately.
That isn't dishonest. But it's a very different product from a cabin with substantial near and mid infrared output, and the two can sit at wildly different prices while wearing the same label. So before you pay the premium, ask:
Question 1 — How many near and mid emitters?
One, or several? Where are they positioned — facing you, or off to one side where you'll never sit? A single emitter in the corner of a six-foot cabin is a feature, not a category change. If a seller can't tell you the count, that's your answer.
Question 2 — What's the wattage split?
How much of the cabin's total output is near and mid, versus far infrared? If the near infrared emitter is a small fraction of total wattage, you're buying a far infrared sauna with an accessory. Which may be fine — as long as the price reflects that.
The same rule applies to EMF
Full spectrum cabins add emitters, and emitters are electrical. If low EMF matters to you, don't assume the upgrade maintains the same rating — check the published figure for the specific model. Our low-EMF ranking sorts the catalog by actual milligauss tier rather than marketing language.
Ask those two questions of any seller, including us, and the category becomes far easier to navigate. It's the same principle as EMF ratings: the number is the thing, not the adjective.
What about the benefits?
You'll see near infrared credited with a long list of effects, some of it drawn from red-light and photobiomodulation research that used specific devices, doses and wavelengths — not necessarily a sauna emitter at conversational distance.
Our honest position: near infrared is an area of genuine ongoing research, the evidence is still developing, and anyone giving you confident numbers about what it will do for you is ahead of the science. What we can say plainly is that far infrared reliably produces the deep, comfortable heat and sweat that people buy an infrared sauna for, and that's true at $1,499 as much as at $19,099.
If near infrared interests you specifically and you've got the budget, full spectrum is a reasonable way to get it. If you're buying for warmth, relaxation and a routine you'll stick to, far infrared does that job completely.
So which should you buy?
Far infrared is enough if
- You want warmth, relaxation and post-workout comfort
- Budget matters and you'd rather spend it on size or wood
- You want the simplest possible install — many plug into a normal outlet
- This is your first sauna and you're still learning your habits
- You'd rather have a bigger cabin than more wavelengths
Full spectrum makes sense if
- You specifically want near infrared coverage and know why
- You've asked the emitter-count and wattage questions and liked the answers
- The budget stretches without compromising size
- You're already running red-light sessions separately and want them combined
One practical note that we'd argue matters more than the wavelength debate: size and comfort drive whether you actually use the thing. A two-person far infrared cabin you sit in four times a week beats a full spectrum cabin that's slightly too cramped and gets used twice a month. If the budget forces a choice, we'd take the roomier far infrared every time.
Before you pay the full spectrum premium
- Ask how many near/mid emitters the cabin has, and where they're positioned.
- Ask the wattage split between near/mid and far infrared.
- Check the EMF rating for that specific model — don't assume it carries over from the far infrared version.
- Compare against a larger far infrared cabin at the same price. Sometimes the extra foot of bench wins.
- Be sceptical of health claims attached to either. Buy the heat; treat everything else as a bonus.
Both ranges ship free with the manufacturer's warranty (5 yrs heaters and electronics, 1 yr wood), and every model we list publishes its heater type and EMF rating up front. If you want a straight recommendation for your space and budget, ring us — that conversation takes about ten minutes and saves a lot of second-guessing.
The Iridescent Home Team
Authorized dealer for Dynamic, Maxxus & Golden Designs. We'd rather sell you the right cabin than the dearer one — every listing publishes heater type, EMF rating and full specs. Questions? Call (307) 201-4597.
Full spectrum and far infrared, specs published
Far infrared from $1,499, full spectrum from $2,399. Every model lists its heater type, EMF rating and warranty before you buy. Free shipping, the manufacturer warranty registered to you, and monthly payments at checkout (0–36% APR).
Questions? (307) 201-4597 · 9am–5pm MT, every day
Full spectrum vs far infrared FAQ
What's the difference between full spectrum and far infrared?
Is full spectrum worth the extra money?
What are near, mid and far infrared?
How do I know a sauna is genuinely full spectrum?
This article is general wellness information, not medical advice, and has not been evaluated to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Research into near infrared is ongoing and outcomes vary. Consult your healthcare provider before starting sauna use, especially if you are pregnant or have a medical condition. Prices are current as of publication and may change.