Infrared saunas: Far infrared vs Full spectrum. Which is best?

Why Bayther Saunas Use Far Infrared (FIR) — And Not Full Spectrum

At Bayther, we’re passionate about helping Kiwis create daily wellness rituals that actually work. Infrared saunas are a fantastic tool for this — supporting detoxification, relaxation, recovery, and more. But when it comes to choosing the right type of infrared, the market can get confusing.

You’ve probably seen “full spectrum” saunas advertised, claiming to combine Near Infrared (NIR), Mid Infrared (MIR), and Far Infrared (FIR) for added benefits. Sounds good in theory, right? But in practice, it’s not so straightforward.

We’ve done the research — and we’ve made a clear decision. Bayther saunas use only Far Infrared (FIR) technology. Here's why FIR stands out, and why we’ve chosen not to include NIR or MIR in our builds.

Understanding the Infrared Spectrum

Infrared light is made up of three main bands — each one penetrating the body differently:

1. Far Infrared (FIR): The Gold Standard for Sauna Therapy

Deep penetration: FIR reaches 1–4mm into the body and is absorbed by water molecules in your tissues, gently raising your core temperature.
Detoxifying sweat: This process promotes a deep, purifying sweat — without the need for extreme air temperatures.
Proven results: FIR has over 40 years of research backing its safety and effectiveness for sauna use.
The Bayther approach: All of our saunas are optimised to deliver strong, consistent FIR heat — for a smooth, relaxing experience that gets real results.

2. Mid Infrared (MIR): Limited Value, Redundant Effect

Little research: MIR (1.4–3 microns) hasn’t been studied to the same depth as FIR.
Overlap: The benefits it may offer are already well covered by FIR wavelengths.
No need to double up: Including MIR in a sauna setup adds complexity without meaningful extra value.

3. Near Infrared (NIR): Great for Light Therapy, Not Saunas

Better suited for red light therapy: NIR (typically 600–900nm) works well for things like skin health, wound healing, and cellular energy — when delivered using medical-grade LEDs, at close range.
Not effective in saunas: In a hot, humid environment, sweat diffuses the light, and the required close-range delivery isn’t possible. Most NIR emitters in full-spectrum saunas also lack the precision needed for real therapeutic benefit.

Why Bayther Doesn’t Offer Full Spectrum

1. FIR is All You Need for Sauna Therapy

Everything a sauna is meant to do — raise your core temperature, trigger a detoxifying sweat, promote circulation, and support relaxation — FIR does best. Adding other wavelengths often just spreads power thin and complicates the design.

2. NIR and MIR Compromise Performance

Instead of strengthening a sauna’s core benefits, including NIR and MIR:

Reduces FIR output (which is the most effective).
Increases the complexity and cost of components.
Introduces more EMF exposure (especially when using halogen or quartz bulbs for NIR).
Requires more energy to run without meaningful gains.

3. Heat Therapy and Light Therapy Are Not the Same

Saunas = heat therapy: Their job is to warm the body from the inside out.
Red light = photobiomodulation: It requires a cool environment and close, targeted application.
Trying to combine both in a single unit often means doing neither well.

4. Safety, Simplicity and Efficiency Matter

We focus on clean, safe, energy-efficient builds that do exactly what they promise. Our FIR saunas are low-EMF, made with thermally treated timber, and designed for long-term performance and comfort.

Our Takeaway: Don’t Pay More for Less

Full-spectrum saunas might sound impressive, but they often cost more and under-deliver. At Bayther, we stick to what works — and we’ve chosen FIR because it’s backed by decades of science and delivers the best results for your body, mind, and daily recovery routine.

If you're interested in NIR or red light therapy, we recommend using a dedicated, medical-grade LED panel outside the sauna — where it can be applied safely and effectively.

Science-Backed, Purpose-Built

Bayther saunas are designed with one goal: to support real, long-term wellness. With FIR as our foundation, we provide:

Deep heat therapy that’s gentle on the body and tough on toxins.
A smooth, consistent sauna experience.
Less noise, fewer gimmicks, and more results.

Simple. Effective. Science-backed. That’s the Bayther way.