Types of Saunas: Traditional, Infrared, Hybrid & Outdoor Explained
Saunas used to be something you’d only find at a gym or luxury spa. Now, they’re becoming a staple in modern homes, right alongside home gyms, spa bathrooms, and backyard retreats. And it’s easy to see why. A good sauna session can help you unwind, recover, and reset in a way that feels both simple and powerful.
If you’re researching the different types of saunas, you’ll quickly realize there’s more than one way to experience heat therapy. From high-heat traditional rooms to gentle infrared sessions, each type offers a slightly different feel, and a different set of benefits.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the four main types of saunas, traditional, infrared, hybrid, and outdoor, so you can confidently choose what works best for your home and your lifestyle. Bachmann offers a wide range of saunas, including premium Tylö saunas, making it easier to find a setup that fits your space and your wellness goals.
Traditional Saunas
If you’re looking for the classic sauna experience, this is it.
Traditional saunas use an electric heater and sauna rocks to create a high-heat, low-humidity environment. Temperatures typically reach between 150–195°F, and one of the defining features is the ability to pour water over the hot stones to create bursts of steam, known as löyly. That moment when the heat rises and wraps around you? That’s what sauna enthusiasts love.
This type of sauna delivers an intense, full-body experience. The high heat encourages deep sweating, which supports circulation, muscle recovery, stress relief, and detoxification. It’s also one of the most effective types of saunas for post-workout recovery or simply winding down after a long day.
Bachmann offers premium traditional saunas through the Tylö lineup. The Halmstad™ Collection focuses on a clean, authentic sauna experience with Hemlock wood, a Sense heater featuring IntelliAir™, app-controlled Bliss Controls, LED chromotherapy lighting, and Bluetooth speakers. If you’re drawn to a more refined, design-forward space, the Reflection™ Collection adds Aspen interiors, Valchromat® exteriors, and a Crown heater with integrated lighting and elevated finishes.
Traditional saunas are best for those who want the full ritual, the heat, the steam, and the unmistakable feel of a classic sauna session.
Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas take a completely different approach and for many people, that’s exactly the appeal.
Instead of heating the air, infrared saunas use light panels to warm your body directly. That means lower ambient temperatures (typically 120–150°F), but still a deep, effective sweat. The result is a gentler, more comfortable experience that’s easier to stay in for longer periods.
Because of this, infrared saunas are often the go-to choice for first-time users or anyone who finds traditional heat overwhelming. They warm up quickly, feel less intense, and still deliver meaningful wellness benefits.
Users often turn to infrared saunas for muscle relaxation, reduced inflammation, improved circulation, and skin health. It’s a quieter, more subtle form of heat therapy but still highly effective.
Bachmann’s infrared saunas include the Kiruna™ Infrared Collection, which features CarbonFlex® infrared panels designed for low EMR/EF emissions. These saunas combine sleek Hemlock construction with modern features like LED chromotherapy lighting, Bluetooth speakers, and touchscreen controls with app integration.
If you’re looking for a sauna that feels approachable, efficient, and easy to use, infrared is often one of the best types of home saunas to start with.
Hybrid Saunas (InfraSauna)
What if you didn’t have to choose?
Hybrid saunas, sometimes called InfraSaunas, combine traditional and infrared heating into one system. This means you can switch between high-heat sessions and lower-temperature infrared sessions depending on how you feel that day. You can even use both at the same time.
This flexibility is what makes hybrid saunas stand out. Some days, you might want the intensity of a traditional sauna. Other days, a longer, gentler infrared session feels right. With a hybrid, you get both.
Bachmann’s hybrid saunas include the Kiruna™ Hybrid Collection, which pairs CarbonFlex® infrared panels with a Sense heater featuring IntelliAir™ and ThermoSafe™ technology. Add in chromotherapy lighting, Bluetooth audio, and intuitive controls, and you have a system that adapts to your routine, not the other way around.
Hybrid saunas are ideal for households with different preferences or anyone who wants maximum versatility from their investment.
Outdoor Saunas
There’s something uniquely powerful about stepping out into fresh air after a sauna session, and that’s exactly what outdoor saunas offer.
Designed as fully insulated, weather-resistant structures, outdoor saunas bring the experience outside, turning your backyard into a personal wellness retreat. They’re built for year-round use, even in climates with cold winters and hot summers.
In terms of performance, most outdoor models function like traditional saunas, offering high heat and the option for steam. But the setting changes everything. The contrast between hot and cold, the connection to nature, and the sense of space all add to the experience.
Bachmann’s outdoor saunas include the Lulea™ Outdoor Collection, featuring Scandinavian craftsmanship, insulated walls, durable roofing, and a Sense Bliss heater with IntelliAir™ and ThermoSafe™. With optional Bluetooth audio and integrated lighting, these saunas are designed to feel as good as they perform.
Outdoor saunas are perfect for homeowners who want a dedicated wellness space that feels like an escape without leaving home.
How to Choose the Right Type of Sauna for Your Home
With so many sauna types available, the best choice comes down to how you want to feel during and after your sessions.
If you’re drawn to high heat, deep sweating, and a traditional experience, a classic sauna is the right fit. If you prefer something gentler and more accessible, infrared is a great starting point. If flexibility matters most, hybrid saunas offer the best of both worlds. And if you have the space, outdoor saunas create an entirely different kind of experience.
You’ll also want to consider practical factors like available space, number of users, and electrical setup. Indoor saunas can fit into basements or bathrooms, while outdoor models require a bit more planning. Capacity ranges from compact one-person units to larger models designed for families or shared use.
If you’re not sure where to begin, you can find your perfect sauna or visit a Bachmann showroom to experience different options in person.
Health Benefits of Sauna Use (All Types)
No matter which type you choose, the core health benefits of sauna use are consistent.
Regular sauna sessions can help reduce stress, improve circulation, support muscle recovery, and promote better sleep. There’s also strong research behind these benefits. A study on sauna bathing and cardiovascular health found that frequent sauna use is associated with improved cardiovascular function, reduced risk of hypertension, and lower all-cause mortality.
While traditional saunas excel at producing intense heat and sweating, infrared saunas provide a more gentle experience with similar long-term benefits. Hybrid and outdoor saunas allow you to tailor your sessions even further.
Conclusion
Choosing between the different types of saunas doesn’t have to be complicated, it just comes down to understanding how each one works and what kind of experience you’re looking for.
Whether you prefer the intensity of traditional heat, the comfort of infrared, the flexibility of hybrid systems, or the immersive feel of an outdoor retreat, there’s a solution that fits your home and your lifestyle.
Bachmann offers a full range of Tylö saunas, backed by expert guidance, professional installation, and ongoing support in the Madison and Brookfield area. If you’re ready to take the next step, visiting a showroom or using the sauna selector tool is the best way to find a setup you’ll enjoy for years to come.
