Is a $499 Infrared Sauna Blanket Actually Worth the Investment?

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Pros

• Relaxing

• Easy to use

• Great for pre- and post-workouts

Cons

• Zipper does not always stay closed

• May not be long enough for taller users

Just like the walk-in infrared sauna at your local gym or spa, infrared sauna blankets offer several benefits for both skin and body. They are widely known as a wellness tool that encourages relaxation, helps release toxins, and aids in muscle recovery—all from the convenience of your home.

As a longtime fan of sweating it out for self-care, I decided to try Sun Home Saunas’ popular infrared blanket and put these claims to the test. As Bazaar has previously reported, infrared heat mimics the energy of the sun while eliminating the threat of ultraviolet rays. As its heat penetrates your body, an infrared blanket raises your core temperature, increasing blood flow, circulation, and anti-aging mechanisms.

Infrared blankets do commonly use electromagnetic fields to generate infrared heat—and while this allows the heat to penetrate the body more deeply, it can also expose the user to harmful levels of radiation. Sun Home Saunas’ blanket uses low levels EMF to minimize dangerous exposure, along with signature shielding technology to limit emissions.

I used Sun Home Saunas’ infrared sauna blanket for over a month—read ahead for my full review of the device. Even if you don’t consider yourself a fitness sage, chances are you’ll still enjoy the benefits that come from hunkering down in its water-resistant cocoon after just a few sessions.

How I Tested It

After unboxing Sun Home Saunas’ infrared blanket—along with the comfy bamboo insert and handy cleaning spray I also received—I promptly put it all to work. Since the blanket ladders up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit and runs for up to an hour, I decided I’d test its efficiency with a few different temperature and timer settings.

I didn’t exactly know what to expect while trying the device, so I initially used my go-to “low and slow” method, one I apply to any new product. Except, I didn’t exactly start my infrared sauna blanket journey on the lowest settings. As a perpetually cold person, I knew I could handle a little more heat, so I opted for 45 minutes at 100 °F for my first round. In addition to using the Sun Home–provided insert to protect my skin from scorching, I also wore a long-sleeved shirt, a pair of trusty leggings, and socks, for ultimate comfort. As I’d suspected, due to my often cooler body temperature, I didn’t sweat much—which is totally fine!—but instead enjoyed a few minutes of soothing heat that beckoned my tight muscles to release.

The time and temperature of my sessions varied over the next 30 days, as did my arm placement (inside the blanket versus outside) and the amount of clothing I wore while using it. Whether I wanted to achieve gentle relaxation or a full-on detox, the blanket was able to provide. I also used it to warm up my muscles before doing vinyasa yoga or an hour or so of the Class, and to help them recover afterward.

Ease of Use

One of my favorite aspects of Sun Home’s infrared blanket was that it’s pretty self-explanatory—it really just plugs right into any outlet. I probably didn’t even have to watch a short tutorial on how to use it, but I did anyway, just to cover all my bases.

After opening the blanket completely and adding the bamboo insert (I lay inside or on top of it, depending on the day), I lined up the zipper closure and got into position, closing it all the way with minimal effort. Since the blanket’s remote has a decent range, it wasn’t a struggle to lock in my desired settings once I got comfortable. One caveat: While the closure was easy to use, the blanket did gradually start unzipping a few times after I shifted or adjusted position. (I guess this can also be seen as a positive, since I never felt trapped while using it.)

The blanket can lie completely flat by itself once it’s totally unzipped, making it a breeze to clean with the spray and a few paper towels after each session, before allowing it to dry down completely. And even though both my husband and I tested the blanket at different times, it never held an odor—something I attribute to both its design and our impeccable hygiene.

Price/Value

A Sun Home Saunas infrared blanket may seem like an unnecessary wellness luxury at $499, but I think it’s worth spending a little extra coin on the tool if it’s in your budget. Since these blankets aren’t one-and-done accessories, you’ll ultimately get plenty of bang for your buck with ongoing use. It is worth noting the bamboo insert and cleaning spray are sold separately, so the total price realistically will run you closer to $600.

Verdict

This infrared sauna blanket is the wellness essential I never knew I needed. It has helped enhance not only my regular workout routine with a detoxifying sweat at its highest temperatures, but also my wind-down regimen, since using it on a lower heat level is supremely relaxing. I even noticed an improved difference in my sleeping patterns as a result of trialing the tool in the evening. Anyone taller than six feet, like my husband, may not be able to get their chest and shoulders completely under the blanket, but can still reap the benefits of a good sweat. And as it nicely comes with a branded carrying bag, the blanket is easy to roll up and put away—another feature that adds to my improved mental health.

Final rating: 4.5/5

Sun Home Saunas’ Infrared Sauna Blanket is available to shop starting at $499 at sunhomesaunas.com.

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