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Can't decide between an infrared sauna and a traditional sauna? A hybrid sauna gives you both. These units combine infrared heating panels with a traditional electric rock heater in a single enclosure, so you can run infrared sessions at 120–150°F, traditional high-heat sessions at 150–195°F with steam (löyly), or both heating systems simultaneously for a layered experience that heats your body from the inside and outside at the same time.
We carry hybrid saunas from Finnmark Designs, SaunaLife, Dundalk Leisurecraft, and Auroom in indoor and outdoor configurations. Every order ships free with 0% APR financing. For a deep dive on how hybrid saunas work, read our ultimate guide to hybrid saunas.
A hybrid sauna has two independent heating systems built into one cabin. The infrared panels — typically carbon fiber or full spectrum — are mounted on the walls and emit wavelengths that warm your body directly without significantly heating the air. The traditional electric heater with sauna rocks heats the air to high temperatures and lets you pour water on the rocks for steam. Each system has its own controls, and you choose how to use them:
Infrared only — Run the panels at 120–150°F for a gentle, low-humidity session. Heats up in 15–20 minutes and uses less electricity. Good for daily use, recovery, and when you want a lighter session.
Traditional only — Run the rock heater at 150–195°F for the full Finnish experience with steam. Takes 30–45 minutes to reach temperature. The classic high-heat sauna session most people picture.
Both at once — Run both systems simultaneously for maximum heat and the deepest sweat. The infrared panels warm your body directly while the rock heater heats the surrounding air. This dual-heat mode is what makes hybrids unique — you get a heating experience that neither system delivers alone.
People who can't decide between infrared and traditional — This is the most common reason. If you've been going back and forth trying to pick one, a hybrid lets you stop deliberating and get both. You'll probably discover you prefer one mode for everyday use and switch to the other for variety.
Households with multiple users — Different family members often prefer different sauna experiences. One person might love the gentle warmth of infrared while another wants the intense heat and steam of traditional. A hybrid accommodates everyone without buying two separate saunas.
Athletes and recovery-focused users — The dual-heat capability lets you design specific recovery protocols. Low infrared for gentle warm-ups, high traditional heat for deep sweats, or combined sessions for maximum circulation and muscle relaxation. See our hybrid athlete recovery guide for protocol ideas.
Anyone who wants future flexibility — Your preferences may change over time, with the seasons, or as you learn more about sauna bathing. A hybrid gives you options you might not think you need now but will appreciate later.
Indoor Hybrid Saunas — Freestanding cabin-style units designed for basements, spare rooms, or large bathrooms. Since hybrid saunas include a traditional heater that produces steam, they need more ventilation than a pure infrared sauna. A bathroom exhaust fan or a small vent to the outside is recommended. Indoor hybrids require a 240V dedicated circuit for the traditional heater (the infrared panels often share the same circuit). Read our indoor sauna moisture and mold prevention guide.
Outdoor Hybrid Saunas — Outdoor hybrids come in barrel, cabin, and modern designs built with weather-resistant materials. Since they're outdoors, ventilation and moisture are less of a concern. Outdoor models need a weatherproof electrical connection — typically a 240V circuit run from your breaker panel by a licensed electrician. Browse our full outdoor sauna collection for more outdoor options.
The Finnmark Designs Hybrid 2-Person Sauna (FD-KN003) is one of the most popular hybrid models in our catalog. It combines full spectrum infrared panels (near, mid, and FAR wavelengths) with a traditional electric heater and sauna rocks in a premium Nordic-design cabin. Ultra low EMF infrared panels, WiFi touchscreen control via the Finnmark V2 controller, and high-quality thermowood construction. Fits indoors in roughly a 5' x 4' footprint.
If you'd rather add infrared to an existing traditional sauna — or add a traditional heater to an infrared setup — you don't necessarily need to buy a pre-built hybrid unit. You can convert a traditional sauna to infrared by adding infrared heater panels to the walls. Use our infrared panel calculator to determine how many panels you need for your sauna's dimensions, then pair them with a controller. Keep your existing traditional heater in place and you've got a DIY hybrid at a fraction of the cost of a new unit.
Building from scratch? Our complete DIY sauna room kits provide the walls, benches, and structure. Add an electric sauna heater (sized with our heater calculator) plus infrared panels for a custom hybrid build. Our custom sauna design service can help you plan the layout.
Infrared saunas operate at 120–150°F, heat up in 15–20 minutes, many plug into 120V, produce no steam, and are the easiest to set up indoors. They cost less than hybrids and offer a gentle, body-warming experience. Best for: daily use, small spaces, apartments, and anyone who prefers lower-temperature sessions.
Traditional saunas operate at 150–195°F, take 30–45 minutes to heat, require 240V, and produce steam when you pour water on the rocks. The full Finnish experience at a lower price point than a hybrid. Best for: people who know they want high heat and steam, outdoor builds, and purists.
Hybrid saunas give you both for a higher price and in a larger footprint. You get maximum flexibility but pay for it. Best for: undecided buyers, multi-user households, and anyone who wants the option to switch between both heating types long-term.
Hybrid saunas typically cost 30–60% more than a comparable infrared-only model and 20–40% more than a traditional-only unit, because you're getting two heating systems in one. The premium is worth it if you'll actually use both modes — but if you're fairly certain you prefer one heating style, a dedicated infrared or traditional sauna gives you better value.
Yes — this is one of the most cost-effective ways to get a hybrid setup. Mount infrared heater panels on the walls of your existing traditional sauna, wire them to a controller, and you've got a DIY hybrid. Our conversion guide walks through the full process, and our panel calculator tells you how many panels to buy.
Only when running both heating systems at once. In infrared-only mode, a hybrid uses the same power as a regular infrared sauna. In traditional-only mode, same as a regular traditional sauna. Running both simultaneously does draw more power — check the product specs for total wattage to confirm your circuit can handle it. All hybrid saunas require a 240V dedicated circuit.
Generally yes, by a modest amount. The cabin needs wall space for infrared panels and floor or wall space for the traditional heater and rocks. Most 2-person hybrid saunas occupy roughly 5' x 4' of floor space — a bit larger than a 2-person infrared-only model but not dramatically so.
If your hybrid includes red light therapy panels, check the manufacturer's guidelines on steam use. Excessive moisture can potentially affect red light panel electronics over time. Many users run red light in infrared-only mode (dry) and save steam for traditional-only sessions. The Finnmark Hybrid is designed to handle both modes safely.
Our Sauna Learning Center has in-depth hybrid content including our ultimate guide to hybrid saunas, hybrid athlete recovery routines, and how to convert an existing sauna to hybrid. Questions? Call or text us at (360) 233-2867.
Shop more: Infrared Saunas · Traditional Saunas · Indoor Saunas · Outdoor Saunas · Infrared Heater Panels · Electric Heaters · Sauna Accessories
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