Top Infrared Sauna Blankets for 2023 and the Advantages they Offer

28 April 2023 2030

The use of saunas for health and wellness dates back to at least the 1100s when it became an everyday practice for the Finnish people. Apart from being a way to escape from the cold winter, saunas offer many benefits such as reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow, and improving heart function. Traditional saunas heat the air around you, but the new sweat-less option is infrared saunas, which emit a specific wavelength of light that your body absorbs without heating the air. The benefits of infrared saunas are similar to traditional saunas, including increased metabolism and improved blood circulation.

If you do not have the budget or space to add an at-home infrared sauna, there is a more portable option available: infrared sauna blankets that are like high-tech sleeping bags and use electric power to heat your body from within. The best infrared sauna blankets are easy to clean, portable, quick to heat, and have various temperature options.

The HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket stands out as one of the simplest and high-quality options. It has double-sided zipper closure, eight temperature settings, and one heating zone, and the sauna blanket also boasts layers of amethyst, charcoal, clay, and magnetic strips to enhance the wellness-boosting effects. The automatic timer shuts off after one hour, and the non-toxic polyurethane leather body is easy to clean. Nevertheless, the HigherDOSE blanket's temperature range is lower than other options. Also, it is just under six feet long, so taller users may feel uncomfortable.

The LifePro Sauna Blanket, on the other hand, provides a budget-friendly alternative to the HigherDOSE blanket. It has optional armholes with double-zipper closures, which enable you to read a book, use a phone, or play on a tablet while losing minimal amounts of heat. The sauna blanket is longer than the HigherDOSE model and requires just five minutes of preheating. If you find that the disposable thermal wraps improve your sweat, you can buy more on Amazon.

The Surnuo Sauna Blanket offers another option for freedom of movement with arm sleeves that extend from the main body of the infrared sauna blanket. The cuffs keep hot air from escaping, while the sleeves themselves don't heat up, but they prevent heat loss. The sauna blanket itself reaches temperatures up to 176° F, and the automatic timer can be set to turn off at intervals from 15 to 60 minutes.

Overall, an infrared sauna blanket is a perfect solution for those who don't have the resources or space for a full sauna. Nevertheless, it is essential to consider factors such as temperature range, heating zones, and material before buying one.
Temperature range: 68 to 158° F | Heating zones: 1 | Automatic timer: 1 hour | Dimensions: 36” x 71” unfolded, with a maximum interior circumference of 65” when in use | Material: Polyurethane | Weight: 16.45 lbs
Temperature range: 113° to 176° F | Heating zones: 1 | Automatic timer: 1 hour | Dimensions: 36” x 76”, with a maximum interior circumference of 55” when in use | Material: Oxford fabric | Weight: 8.36 lb

The Surnuo Sauna Blanket may not have the chic design of the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket, and its operating machine is clunky and cumbersome to use. Additionally, at 32" wide, this sauna blanket is thinner compared to other options. The instructions also warn against using it while lying on a sofa or a bed, leaving the floor as the only option, which is not all that relaxing.

For a more customized infrared sauna blanket experience, the Gizmo sauna blanket features three different heating zones (upper body, waist, and lower body), each of which can be adjusted independently. This infrared sauna blanket also gets hotter than most of the other models we analyzed, with a temperature range of 86°F to 194°F. The regular Gizmo blanket is 75" long, and the large version is 88" long, so you'll have plenty of room to relax.

The Gizmo infrared sauna blanket uses an old-fashioned Velcro closure, which isn't as quick or convenient as the zippers that most other models have. It also doesn't retain heat as well. We also wish this model came with a remote control, especially considering how bulky the operating machine is. The controller also only displays degrees in Celsius, so brush up on your conversion math.

Vibration and percussive technology (see: massage guns) are major trends in pain relief and athletic recovery right now, and the Sharper Image Infrared Sauna Blanket combines that with infrared heat for the ultimate relaxation experience. The blanket has 8 temperature settings and 3 vibration settings to offer plenty of options for comfort. It's also slightly heavier for a calming effect (a la weighted blankets).

On the downside, the controls for this infrared sauna blanket don't offer specific temperature ranges, so you have no idea whether Zone 1 is 70° or 90°. The brand does note that the temperature range ends at 150°F, which is much lower than the other options we considered.

If you want to be able to take your infrared sauna blanket on the go, the Reviiv infrared sauna blanket is the best option. It easily folds up into a self-contained carrying case with a handle that fits over your shoulders. At under 20 pounds, it's not ultra-light, but it's manageable. The Reviiv also has one of the most precise temperature controls available. You're able to choose the exact temperature you want, whereas most other options only allow you to choose a general temperature range.

The remote control is attached to the sauna blanket via a cable, and the cable is a little too short to reach easily while still in the blanket, so you have to partially sit up for any adjustments. This results in heat loss. At $460, it's also one of the more expensive sauna blankets we tested (only the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket is more expensive), but it's frequently on sale for 25% off.

Infrared sauna blankets don’t generally take up much space, but the MiHigh Infrared Sauna Blanket is especially efficient. It's narrower than most other options we researched (31" wide), which makes it easier to fold. It also lays more flat than other models, and it comes with its own carrying case for secure stowing. Plus, the MiHigh can be used on beds or sofas, whereas some infrared sauna blankets can only be used on the floor to avoid fabric damage.

The narrower fit means this sauna wrap might not be comfortable for curvier body types. We also wish the remote control wasn't attached so far down the blanket. It's hard to reach and adjust while inside.

After conducting hours of research, analysis, and comparison, we have identified the best at-home infrared sauna blankets. Our research began by understanding the differences between traditional saunas and infrared saunas, including the benefits of infrared saunas. We then investigated the most important features to consider while shopping for infrared sauna blankets. Utilizing this knowledge, we compared and contrasted numerous options to determine which sauna blanket best meets individual needs.

An infrared sauna blanket is essentially an infrared sauna in blanket form. It uses infrared rays to heat the body directly and wraps around the body like a sleeping bag that plugs into a wall and heats up. While there are numerous infrared sauna blankets available, they all typically offer a range of heat settings, allowing individuals to ease into higher temperatures. Even if someone is new to using an infrared sauna, they can begin at a lower temperature and gradually work their way up. These temperatures are often lower than those experienced in a traditional sauna, making the infrared sauna more tolerable and allowing for longer sessions and higher temperatures.

While many older-model infrared sauna blankets use a Velcro closure to retain heat, newer models such as the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket, use a double-sided zipper for easier access. The zipper is more straightforward to use when getting in and out of the infrared sauna wrap, making it a priority for consideration while shopping. Additionally, newer and more expensive models use a remote control for easier temperature adjustments, making it even easier to adjust the temperature while in the sauna blanket without leaving and losing heat. Choosing a model with a wireless remote will provide the ultimate convenience.

While infrared sauna blankets boast many potential benefits, such as reducing inflammation and body aches, boosting blood flow and mood, and detoxifying the body, science does not entirely back up these claims. Little to no research has been done on infrared sauna blankets in particular, but evidence suggests that frequent use of infrared saunas could help with heart function, blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Evidence also suggests they may alleviate chronic pain, such as aches for those with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the science lacks evidence that using a blanket version will provide the same benefits as using a traditional sauna.

It is important to keep in mind that until a manufacturer takes the time and discipline to conduct scientific research on their product, claims for one product based on data from another product should be treated with caution. While there may be benefits from blankets, medical professionals can only respond to data that has been made available to doctors and researchers in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Kristen Geil is a senior commerce editor at Shape, where she focuses on reviewing and analyzing tested wellness products to help readers feel their best. She personally researched and analyzed dozens of infrared sauna blankets to choose these finalists, and she has tested the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket herself several times. She’s a NASM-certified personal trainer who has written about wellness and health for nearly 10 years.

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