Of all the wellbeing practices I love as a wellness editor, using a sauna is one of my top five. I love it, and not just traditional saunas, either. I’ve been using infrared saunas, which heat your body with light rather than hot coals, for about five years. Heat therapy has been a great friend to me, and I love both the experience of using a sauna and its health benefits.
But a trip to a full-sized infrared sauna at a biohacking clinic or wellness club can be pricey. However, anyone can now sauna from home with the help of an infrared sauna blanket.
Infrared sauna blankets offer the full spa experience at home with very little fuss or difficulty. They don’t require a huge, expensive cabin or hot coals like full-size sauna rooms. You simply push a button and slide into the blanket, which is actually more like a sleeping bag.
These portable saunas can be used anywhere, and sauna blankets are a fraction of the cost of a full-size sauna. They can be a brilliant investment for anyone looking to boost their health and wellbeing at home. My favourite blankets have helped me to sleep better, soothe aching muscles, treat injuries and have contributed to my quest to reverse my biological age.
How I tested
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I trialled different infrared sauna blankets for several weeks, using them consecutively to get used to the different models. Each bag varies in size, shape and how easy it is to lug around and set up. Ideally, you’ll lay the blanket on a flat surface like the floor or your bed and then don some lightweight clothing made from natural fibres, ideally with no metal. Unlike a Swedish sauna, which requires fewer items of clothing, long sleeves and trousers are better for a sauna blanket. I stayed in each blanket for around 20 to 50 minutes for maximum benefits. I judged each device based on –
- Prep time: Sometimes you just want to jump into your sauna blanket and sweat off the stress of the day, so in some cases, waiting up to 20 minutes for a blanket to heat up wasn’t ideal. I judged each on this waiting time.
- Maximum temperature: As each blanket reached a slightly different temperature, I took notes on how quickly it reached its top setting, before dialling it down for comfort, when needed.
- Comfort: I also took into account how easy each blanket was to use, in terms of getting in and out, zips versus velcro, spaciousness, weight and flexibility. Other design elements (where appropriate) were also considered when curating my list of the best models on the market.
- Controls: I judged each model on how easy it was to reach the controls, how intuitive the control panel was and how many settings and features were on offer.
- Extras: Some blankets came with a carry bag, pillow, cotton insert and in some cases, added layers of crystals, LED settings and more. This was factored in when making my decision on which was the best overall.
- Price: I judged each blanket on value for money, too. These wellness gadgets aren’t cheap but do offer an exceptional home experience so I weighed up every feature against the overall price.
- Cleaning: I also took cleaning into account, judging each device on how easy it was to wipe down after use. You do get sweaty in these blankets, after all.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Emilie Lavinia is The Independent’s fitness and wellbeing editor. She’s been testing wellbeing products for more than a decade and knows how to spot a quality investment from a flash in the pan. She’s somewhat of a sauna expert and has been using sauna blankets for many years, speaking with brand founders and experts, digging into the science behind heat therapy and contrast therapy and assessing which products are worth the spend. Emilie reviews and reports on wellbeing products, protocols and trends exclusively for The Independent.
The best infrared sauna blankets for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Heat Healer sauna blanket: £480, Heathealer.com
- Best for using seated – Currentbody sauna blanket – £549.99, currentbody.com
- Best hybrid sauna – Sunlighten pod: £2750, shop-uk.sunlighten.com
- Best luxury blanket – Higher Dose infrared sauna blanket V4: £654.99, healf.com
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Heat Healer sauna blanket
Best: Sauna blanket overall
Size: 191cm
Max temperature: 80˚C
Far-infrared wavelength: 6-14 microns
Materials: Tourmaline, jade, amide, 100 per cent cotton insert
Why we love it
- Extra length
- Comfortable
- Comes with carry bag and waterproof pillow
- Layer of jade and tourmaline
- More affordable than most for what you get
Take note
- Doesn't come with cotton insert
As a loyal fan of the Higher Dose V3 blanket for many years, I surprised myself by switching camps. However, there’s so much that the Heat Healer blanket offers at such a reasonable price that the switch in loyalty was a no-brainer.
The Heat Healer blanket is a sleek and surprisingly lightweight piece of kit – surprising because inside there’s a layer of precious stones which supposedly retain and disperse the heat more evenly. A bed of 96 smooth, carved jade and tourmaline stones, to be exact, so you’d think the blanket would be heavier. I moved it around with relative ease, but do bear in mind that sauna blankets aren’t exactly small pieces of kit to begin with.
The size of the Heat Healer blanket is also a selling point. Most are only six feet long, but an adjustable foot flap here allows for an extra six inches of leg room. As a petite person, this isn’t important to me, but for taller users, this could be a huge improvement.
The blanket is made from certified non-toxic materials, which is not a claim that all sauna blanket manufacturers can make, and it has electromagnetic field-blocking tech. Obviously, the blanket runs on electricity (you have to plug it in for it to work), so the EMF level will be the same as other appliances within your house, at approximately 200V/m – about the same electric field as a bedside lamp or a portable heater.
The Heat Healer blanket also comes with a portable carry bag and a waterproof pillow, which is much nicer to use than sweating into a sofa cushion. I opted to use the cotton insert, which is sold separately, to soak up sweat and found this slightly more hygienic than other blankets without inserts. You can just throw the insert into the washing machine when you’re done. It takes about 20 minutes to heat up and offers nine heat levels.
After a few weeks of use, I noticed steady recovery after workouts, much better sleep (according to my Whoop fitness tracker) when using the blanket before bed, and I enjoyed the design and overall user experience. Overall, the Heat Healer was my favourite for low-tox, high value for money, decent price, additions and ease to set up, use and clean.
Buy now £398.00, Heathealer.com
Higher dose infrared sauna blanket V4
Best: Luxury infrared sauna blanket
Size: 180cm
Max temperature: 70˚C
Far-infrared wavelength: Not disclosed
Materials: Activated charcoal, clay, amethyst, tourmaline, magnetic strip, non-toxic polyurethane
Why we love it
- Lightweight and sleek
- Good selection of heat levels
- Wipe-clean
- Switches off automatically
- Added layer of crystals, clay and charcoal
- Non-toxic materials
Take note
- Expensive
The previous iteration of this blanket is hefty but incredibly lovable. The V3 was the first sauna blanket I ever used, and I raved about it for years. However, it was tough to lug around due to the weight and quite bulky to store – sometimes I’d just roll it up at the end of the bed instead of moving it.
The V4 is a vast improvement in terms of slimness, weight and storage. It’s lighter, sleeker, and the controls are even more intuitive. This blanket didn’t win the best overall award due to being slightly more expensive than the Heat Healer – which offers all the same features – but it does come in at a close second place.
Inside are layers of crystal, charcoal and clay that supposedly filter toxins, act as a magnetic layer and promote healing; they also work to distribute the heat more evenly. The blanket takes about 10 minutes to heat up and offers nine levels so you can increase the heat gradually, as the experts recommend. It doesn’t come with an insert, so you’ll have to buy this separately if you want one, but the inside is wipe-clean.
It certainly works. I felt great after every use, and slept very well too.
Read our full Higher Dose infrared sauna blanket V3 review
Buy now £654.00, Healf.com
Currentbody sauna blanket
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Best: For using around the house
Size: 180cm
Max temperature: 75˚C
Far-infrared wavelength: 4-16 microns
Materials: Non-toxic polyurethane, 100 per cent cotton insert
Why we love it
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Flexible
- Towel insert and pillow included
- Wipe clean
Take note
- No added layer of stones or charcoal
The Currentbody sauna blanket is a much lighter and more flexible blanket than some of the others on this list, so I found it was much better for travelling and using around the house. On the one hand, I enjoy the fact that using a sauna blanket encourages the user to lie down for half an hour. Sometimes I’d nap, sometimes I’d meditate. But in the Currentbody blanket, I took to sitting at my desk or on the sofa to answer emails, because the blanket is so flexible and portable.
It comes with a carry bag and a towel insert, which gives the Heat Healer and Higher Dose blankets a run for their money, as inserts aren’t included with either of these. However, it didn’t heat up as quickly as the other blankets, didn’t have the same lining of jade and tourmaline and cost more, so they didn’t scoop the top spot. With that said, it’s a very decent bit of kit and great if you struggle to move a stiffer, heavier blanket by yourself.
The Currentbody blanket offers four temperature control positions, so it is very easy to use. The wipe-clean finish was great, and I liked the soft black towel insert and waterproof pillow. The bag also made it very easy to store.
My sessions were relaxing, and I managed to achieve a good sweat working up from level one to level four across a couple of weeks. I also found it was nice to be able to sit in the bag and watch a movie after a spin class, proving you can use a blanket like this to work on muscle recovery without having to lie on your back with your eyes closed.
Currentbody claims that you can burn up to 600 calories an hour without moving while using the blanket, and while there is some truth to this because your heart rate rises as your body heats up, I wouldn’t consider a sauna blanket a weight loss tool. You’re better off exercising than hoping for weight loss via sweat because any water weight you lose will return to your body once you rehydrate, which you absolutely should after a session in a blanket or regular sauna.
Buy now £549.99, currentbody.com
Sunlighten solo system portable sauna
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Best: Hybrid sauna blanket
Size: 188cm
Max temperature: 65˚C
Far-infrared wavelength: 4-20 microns
Materials: Bamboo carbon, celliant-infused cotton, memory foam,
Why we love it
- More energy efficient
- Doesn't touch the skin and can be used without clothes
- Added LED chromotherapy
- Made from non-toxic materials
Take note
- Expensive
- Bulky to store
Not everyone has the space or budget for a cabin sauna, but if you want a step up from a blanket, this is the product to invest in. The solo from Sunlighten is a serious bit of kit and far more energy efficient than a sauna blanket. It’s also great for anyone who doesn’t enjoy the sweaty sleeping bag sensation that you tend to experience with blankets.
The portable dome is pretty easy to assemble and disassemble, and once all the pieces are set up, you climb inside and slide one half of the dome up to cover your body. There’s a memory foam solo pad to lie on, and the dome curves over you so that no part of the sauna is touching you. The dome offers nine heat settings, and the solo pad has 12. It is, of course, much bulkier than a blanket, so you’ll need to have the space to store it. It’s also not advised to place the solo pad directly on the floor, so a raised bed or yoga mat is recommended.
Another aspect I really liked is the additional chromotherapy lighting. This is a step up from the classic blanket, which only offers infrared heat. The solo offers built-in LED light therapy across 16 colours with a remote to control the multiple modes. This is a great extra element for cellular health support.
Unlike the blankets on this list, the solo also doesn’t require long sleeves and trousers to protect your skin because the device won’t be touching you, so you can use it without clothes for better tissue penetration.
Of course, this product is also the most expensive of the bunch, but it does offer a nice middle ground between sauna cabins, which can cost tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds, depending on the style and calibre you opt for, and sauna blankets. Sauna blankets are incredible at-home tools, but the benefits of the Solo speak for themselves.
Buy now £2750.00, sunlighten.com
Your questions on infrared sauna blankets answered
Which is the best infrared sauna blanket?
Of all the portable saunas I’ve tried, my favourite has to be the Heat Healer – it offers the most for your money and a great user experience. A close second is the Higher Dose, and this remains one of my favourite wellness brands across the board.
What are the benefits of an infrared sauna blanket?
Heat can be used to boost mood, relax and repair muscles and provide an eminently soothing experience away from the world’s demands. However, there’s a key difference between a traditional sauna, which uses hot steam to heat the air around you, and an infrared sauna, which heats the body itself using infrared lightwaves.
An infrared sauna is cooler than a traditional sauna, but it will still make you sweat. Many people enjoy this aspect as they believe sweating helps to reset the body by flushing out toxins; however, there is limited evidence to support this theory. “Regular use may reduce overall toxic burden, although exact clearance levels vary”, explains Dr Harpal Bains, Longevity Doctor and Medical Director at Harpal Clinic. “Infrared heat increases circulation and stimulates sweat glands, which may help release stored toxins like heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), BPA and phthalates.”
Generally, heat helps with improving circulation and cardiovascular function, reducing inflammation, promoting healthy cell turnover and supporting recovery. “Key benefits are pain relief, recovery from musculoskeletal injuries, stress reduction, and improved skin health. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared allows you to sweat more deeply at lower heat, which can be gentler and more accessible for some people,” says Dr Bains.
At the least, using a sauna feels incredibly pleasant and relaxing, which is certainly no bad thing, particularly if you suffer from high stress and inflammation levels or you’re recovering from an injury.
Some people opt to pair heat therapy with cold water therapy, slipping into their sauna blanket and chasing it with an ice bath to get the blood pumping. This use of both hot and cold is known as contrast therapy, and when paired with controlled breathing, some say the combination can elicit a euphoric and hyper-focused state.
Whether you love the extremes of warmth and cold or simply want to enjoy the benefits that infrared can offer, sauna blankets will help you to channel the powers of heat therapy without leaving the house. So forget that expensive health club membership and keep scrolling for my pick of the best.
What’s the difference between a sauna blanket and sauna?
Dr Bains explains that the main difference lies in heat distribution and intensity. “Sauna cabins provide full-body (including the head) and evenly dispersed infrared exposure, while blankets are more localised and may not raise core temperature as effectively.”
“However, blankets can be a convenient and cost-effective option for home use especially if used consistently.”
How many times a week should you use an infrared sauna blanket?
It is generally recommended to use a sauna blanket three to four times a week for best results. At first, start out with a low temperature for 10-15 minutes while your body gets used to the sensation of heat therapy. Then work up to around 35-40 minutes each time you use the blanket.
There’s no limit to how much you can use an infrared sauna, just remember to hydrate well afterwards to replenish the liquid and minerals you will have lost by sweating.
“Infrared sauna isn’t just about sweat, it’s about cellular recovery, circulation and stress recalibration. When used correctly, it can be a powerful adjunct to longevity and healing protocols,” says Dr Bains. “It’s important to listen to your body, start slow and stay well hydrated. People with certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, low blood pressure or heat sensitivity, should consult a clinician first.”
Read more: Why social media influencers telling us not to wear sunscreen are dangerously wrong
