Updated Sep. 11, 2024
I tested the Sun Home Saunas Luminar two-person, full-spectrum infrared sauna. Here's my full review, from setting it up to sweating it out.
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Living in Arizona, I know a thing or two about sweating. In fact, for about four months out of the year, when temps reach triple digits, sweating is pretty much a part of my daily routine. So, when I was offered the chance to test a home sauna in the dead of summer, it felt rather..counterintuitive. Would I need (or even want) to hop into a 140-degree sauna when I practically live in one? But the answer, as I would soon find out, was absolutely.
Infrared saunas offer more than just a fancy sweat session. In fact, unlike traditional saunas that simply heat the air, infrared saunas use infrared light technology to penetrate and heat the body directly. Offering all the benefits of natural sunlight—without the harmful effects of solar radiation—infrared saunas are growing in popularity due to their touted therapeutic effects, which range from improved energy, mood and immunity to reduced pain and chronic inflammation (just to name a few).
While infrared saunas can vary in heat type (far or full) and size, I was fortunate enough to test Sun Home Saunas Luminar Outdoor Two-Person Sauna, which offers full-spectrum infrared technology (i.e., the benefits of near, mid and far infrared waves) for both me and a lucky guest. Read on to hear about my full experience, from delivery and setup to testing and maintenance.
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Sun Home Saunas’ vast line of products delivers the therapeutic power of thermal and cold therapy right in the comfort of your own home. From saunas and infrared blankets to cold plunges and red light therapy, Sun Home Sauna has something for almost anyone.
The brand offers a variety of infrared saunas that differ by intended use (indoor vs. outdoor), heat type (far-infrared vs. full-spectrum infrared) and size (accommodating one person or up to five people). If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t sweat (get it?)—they offer an infrared sauna buying guide to help you with your selection.
For this piece, I tested the Luminar Outdoor 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna. This particular sauna also comes in a five-person model if you have the extra space and cash (which, surprisingly, is not much more). But the two-person model—which measures 57 inches wide by 51.5 inches deep by 82.7 inches high—is more than spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two people (or, if you prefer the extra space, just yourself).
VIA MERCHANT
The Luminar seamlessly blends smart technology with unparalleled performance and luxurious design.
The stylishly modern Luminar comes equipped with equally impressive features to truly elevate your sauna experience:
After purchasing your Sun Home Sauna, you can choose a delivery date and time that you’ll be around to inspect and sign off on your delivery. Curbside delivery is free, but note that it will arrive in a very large pallet. So it’s recommended to schedule installation for the next day (or soon after) or have a few additional sets of hands to help you disassemble the pallet and move the pieces to a safe spot until you’re ready to install it yourself (a dolly may be necessary for moving the heavier pieces).
I opted for Sun Home Saunas’ third-party installation crew, Pure Install, to come out and assist with installation (which runs about $1100-$1300 for the 2-Person Luminar model). If you decide to install it on your own, Sun Home Saunas offers instructions and a helpful installation video. Before they came out, I found a spot in the backyard that would be the most suitable for housing my new sauna (which I’ll admit was both exciting and rather challenging).
Sun Home recommends placing your sauna on an elevated concrete or wood base, preferably protected if your area receives rain or snow. While the sauna does come with a protective cover, I was determined to place it under our back patio to shield it from scorching summer temps and unpredictable monsoon storms. A gazebo would also work nicely, provided you allow for enough overhang (Sun Home recommends leaving four to six inches around the sauna and 20 to 24 inches above the sauna roof).
Their two-person team did an impeccable job, assembling the sauna in roughly two hours and discarding the pallets and any trash when they left. They were also incredibly knowledgeable, offering suggestions on where to position the sauna to have the best view while allowing enough clearance for the door. In the end, we arrived at placing the sauna under the back patio facing out to the pool. While it did now block the kitchen window, this was ultimately the best spot for it (hey, you can’t win ’em all). The installation team also checked in with me about optional accessories and my preferred locations, such as cup holders and magazine and towel racks. All in all, it was a quick and customizable experience!
Given the crew finished in record time and we had a few minutes to chat, I asked if they also disassemble saunas in the event of a move. They said that typically, sauna owners leave their units with the home rather than packing them up and taking them with them (Note to self: Never move). If you’re currently renting or anticipate a move in the near future, you might want to consider one of these portable saunas instead. They also told me that they had yet to see one in action—as typically, the homeowner hasn’t had the proper electrical setup prior to the time of installation.
This brings me to the next and final step of my sauna installation journey: The electrical.
The Luminar 2-Person Sauna requires a dedicated 240-volt, 20-amp GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), which a licensed electrician must install. Given the sauna was placed near an existing outlet and electrical wiring (i.e., I’m not trying to re-wire electrical across my yard), I thought this would be a quick—and affordable—task. But I was wrong. The required electrical wiring cost an additional $1350, and after checking in with Sun Home Saunas and a few additional quotes, I learned this was a fair quote for the labor and parts.
With the electrical up and running, it was finally time to give it a go! I chose a swimsuit and shorts for my attire and, per sauna recommendations, sat on a towel so that my sweat wouldn’t penetrate the cedar bench. While I skimmed the instructions ahead of time, the wall control panel was rather intuitive, allowing you to set your temp and time, connect your iPhone music to Bluetooth, and adjust the lights to your color preference (something you can easily do with the wall panel or remote control). The instructions suggested a 30-minute session at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for your first time, so that’s what I went with.
I’ll admit I didn’t know what to expect; I had previously only used steam saunas, which were not my cup of tea. This, on the other hand, was not at all uncomfortable or stuffy. Sure, the heaters did provide solid warmth, but I was amazed to see how much I was sweating in spite of not being so uncomfortably hot. And never once did my phone reach too high of a temp (something that would happen very quickly if I were sitting out under the Arizona sun). As for the 30 minutes, they went by fast (of course, it didn’t hurt having some beautiful lights to look at and some nice tunes to listen to). I truly felt like I was having a deluxe spa experience in my own backyard, and the panoramic views made for not feeling too confined.
I anticipated feeling exhausted afterward, similar to how you’d feel after a hot day at the pool. But it was quite the opposite! I felt very refreshed and energized. I actually spent the afternoon having a fairly productive day getting work done. I also looked noticeably less puffy in my face the next day (coincidence?). While the jury is still out on any reported long-term effects, my father, who suffers from chronic inflammation and restless sleep, has reported less pain and more restful nights after testing the sauna for just one week.
One thing to note: Sweat. Drips. Everywhere. That little bench towel could only do so much, as perspiration was pouring off of every single limb and onto the floor. While the wood is anti-bacterial and self-cleaning, the instructions recommend wiping up any perspiration before it penetrates the wood (something that put me a little on edge during my 30-minute sweat session). To prevent stains from developing over the years, they advise wiping down the sauna interior with a damp cloth on a weekly basis. As for the exterior, they recommend treating it the same way you would any piece of high-quality furniture.
A protective cover came with the sauna, and it is recommended to keep it on when not in use. I’ll admit, trying to figure out how to properly put the cover (which is equipped with Velcro and straps) over the sauna was not easy. And the roof corners were rather sharp, ripping the cover as I attempted to maneuver it around. I reached out to Sun Home Saunas about this issue (did I mention they have exceptional customer service?), and they said it was a known problem that they are working to resolve. So, in the interim of sending out their team to install protective corners, they sent out a new cover.
The Luminar temperature can be adjusted to as high as 170ºF. That being said, unlike traditional saunas (which can get up to 220ºF), infrared saunas deeply penetrate the body, achieving benefits at lower temperatures (typically 150ºF). Because the infrared heat resonates at the cellular level, you achieve a deep sweat without feeling overheated.
The Luminar 2-Person Sauna requires a dedicated 240-volt, 20-amp GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), which a licensed electrician must install.
As for energy output, Sun Home Saunas says that one session is comparable to operating an electric oven or running a clothes dryer, with a typical electric bill cost of about 30 cents per session.
I could easily see adding this to my daily routine. Not only did I feel so much better after one session, but research suggests that infrared saunas may have a number of health benefits when used long-term. While the sauna and incurred setup fees are on the pricey side (and I have yet to see how this will truly impact my next electrical bill), I was overly impressed with the experience. Now I just need to look into a cold plunge to truly complete the package (will a swimming pool suffice until then?).
The Luminar 2-Person Infrared Sauna can be purchased directly on Sun Home Saunas’ website for $8,199. The five-person model is available for about a grand more at $9,299.
VIA MERCHANT
The Luminar seamlessly blends smart technology with unparalleled performance and luxurious design.
Originally Published: August 27, 2024
