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A plug-in sauna runs on a standard 120V/15A household outlet — the same outlet you plug a lamp or TV into. No electrician, no dedicated circuit, no hardwiring, no permit. You unbox it, assemble it, plug it in, and use it. This makes plug-in saunas the simplest path to owning a sauna, and the only realistic option for renters, apartment dwellers, and anyone who doesn't want to deal with electrical work. For a deep dive on every option, read our Complete Guide to 120V Plug-In Sauna Heaters.
Almost all infrared saunas in the 1–2 person size run on 120V. The infrared heating panels draw relatively low wattage (typically 1,200–1,800 watts total), which fits comfortably within a standard 15A household circuit. Sauna tents and portable sauna enclosures are also 120V. Traditional sauna heaters are a different story — they need significantly more power to heat rocks and air, so most traditional electric heaters require a dedicated 240V circuit. The exception is a small number of 120V plug-in traditional heaters designed for compact saunas under roughly 100 cubic feet. For all your sauna electrical requirements, we have a comprehensive guide.
Infrared cabin saunas are the most popular plug-in option. These are freestanding wooden enclosures (typically Canadian hemlock or Western red cedar) with built-in infrared heating panels, a bench, a glass door, and a control panel. They come flat-packed and assemble in 30–60 minutes with basic tools — panels clip or lock together without any construction skills. Once assembled, you plug a standard cord into the nearest outlet and you're ready.
The key decision with infrared cabins is the heater type. FAR infrared saunas use carbon fiber panels that produce gentle, even heat at lower surface temperatures — good for longer sessions. Full spectrum saunas add near and mid infrared wavelengths alongside FAR, which proponents believe offer deeper tissue penetration and broader therapeutic range. Many full spectrum models from Dynamic Saunas, Peak Saunas, and Finnmark Designs also include red light therapy panels and WiFi app control — all still running on a single 120V plug. Browse all infrared saunas or narrow by full spectrum, FAR infrared, or low EMF.
If you need the most affordable and most portable option, sauna tents and portable saunas plug into any 120V outlet and set up in minutes. The Firefly sauna tent is the most popular option in this category — it uses a FAR infrared heater inside a collapsible tent enclosure. Sauna tents fold down for storage when not in use, making them ideal for small apartments or anyone who doesn't have permanent floor space to dedicate. They won't match the build quality or peak temperatures of a wooden cabin sauna, but they deliver real infrared heat at a fraction of the price.
Plug-in saunas are the go-to solution for apartment and condo living. No modifications to the unit, no electrical panel upgrades, no landlord negotiations about hardwired installations. An infrared cabin sauna sits on the floor like a piece of furniture — it doesn't attach to walls or require permanent placement. When you move, it disassembles and goes with you. The only requirement is a dedicated outlet (meaning don't plug the sauna into the same circuit that's also running a space heater and a hair dryer simultaneously). Most modern apartments have multiple 15A or 20A circuits per room, which is more than enough.
Plug-in convenience comes with tradeoffs worth understanding. A 120V/15A circuit delivers a maximum of 1,800 watts. That's enough to heat a 1–2 person infrared sauna to 130–150°F, but it's not enough for larger cabins (3+ person infrared saunas typically require 240V) or any traditional sauna heater above about 2.5 kW. Infrared saunas also heat differently than traditional saunas — they warm your body directly through radiant heat rather than heating the air, so the cabin air temperature will be lower than a traditional sauna even when the therapeutic effect is strong. If you want traditional löyly steam or 180°F+ air temperatures, you'll need a 240V electric heater with a dedicated circuit. If you want the best of both worlds, some hybrid saunas combine infrared and traditional heating — though hybrids with a traditional heater component will require 240V for that portion.
Any standard 120V/15A or 20A grounded outlet will work for the saunas in this collection. The outlet should be on its own circuit or a circuit with minimal other loads — a dedicated circuit is ideal but not strictly required if the circuit isn't heavily loaded. Do not use extension cords or power strips. Plug the sauna cord directly into the wall outlet. If you're unsure about your circuit capacity, check our home sauna electrical requirements guide.
Most 120V infrared cabin saunas reach 130–150°F at the panel surface and 110–140°F ambient air temperature. Sauna tents typically reach 110–130°F. Remember that infrared saunas produce a therapeutic effect at lower air temperatures than traditional saunas because the infrared panels heat your body directly. Many users sweat heavily at 125–135°F in an infrared sauna — temperatures where a traditional sauna would feel lukewarm.
Yes — infrared saunas can qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement through TrueMed with a qualifying medical condition and a Letter of Medical Necessity. The purchase price, not just a copay, can be covered. Read our full guide: Are Saunas HSA/FSA Eligible?
An infrared cabin sauna is a permanent (or semi-permanent) wooden enclosure with built-in panels, a bench, glass door, and control panel — it looks and feels like a real sauna. A sauna tent is a collapsible fabric enclosure with an infrared heater — more portable and affordable, but less insulated, lower max temperatures, and less durable. If you have the space and budget, a cabin sauna is the better experience. If portability, storage, or budget is the priority, a tent gets you real infrared heat for less. Browse our compact saunas for small spaces for all options.
Shop more: All Infrared Saunas · Full Spectrum · FAR Infrared · Red Light Therapy Saunas · Sauna Tents · Portable Saunas · Compact Saunas · Indoor Saunas · Sauna Learning Center
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