Far Infared....portable okay?

Like many of you, I keep hearing the benefits of the far Infared saunas... But I neither have the money or space for the regular ones. Are the portable (and WAY more affordable) ones effective?? Worth the money? I appreciate any input! Thank you:)

Actually the infrared panels on that one look a bit different. I actually have this Frisby one now:
www.ebay.com/itm/Frisby-XLarge-Infrared-IR-FAR-Portable-Indoor-Space-Saver-Sauna-1-Year-Warranty-/171808207410

I've owned 3 over the past few years and there are a couple different versions it seems. Some seem to heat up a bit quicker.

They have tended to die after a year or so. I've heard others have them for longer so it could just be that packing them and unpacking them (as I've done to move them) shortens their lifespan.

Thank you both for your responses! Spent the night (thanks Lyme brain for the no-sleep, again!) researching. Just curious - you both use ones in which you lay down - mystery, I understand yours is a little different, but project - why not the chair version?

Thank you again!

Biomats, like what mystery's using, are not saunas. They're basically glorified heating pads (no offense, I admit that they have their medicinal uses, I just don't know what else to call them).

Both saunas project linked come with chairs.

Either route would be beneficial, biomat or sauna.

I cannot attest to the quality though, of either the inexpensive or costly units.

I was looking into getting one, but I ended up making a "near" infrared sauna out of heat bulbs, PVC pipe, and some cotton duck fabric as the cover. I made it based on some plans I found online. I don't know if I get the infrared benefits from using it, but it makes me sweat a ton. Like, full cups. It's crazy how much the body can produce.

But, yeah, I felt more comfortable gambling on it than one of the low-cost options from China or wherever.

If I had the money, I'd get one of the nice, "non-portable" units though.

I think there really needs to be some kind of enclosure to trap the heat in order to really sweat a lot. I've used a biomat and I got a bit sweaty but it was nothing like a sauna. With the portable saunas I put a towel at the bottom and it's usually completely soaked by the time I get out.

They say that infrared is supposed to heat you from the inside out but realistically infrared just allows you to sweat at a lower ambient temperature, not room temperature. From my experience in order for me to sweat a good amount I think the ambient temperature needs to be 60-65 C with infrared saunas and 70-90 C in traditional saunas.

I have a Sunlighten, non portable. As far as quality goes it's been great. I bought it lightly used but it's still several years old. No problems with it whatsoever.
When it comes to EMF output it's supposed to be one of the lowest. I believe Rocky Mountain brand was right behind it.

I chose Sunlighten because I knew it will last several years, after talking to several people. Plus it gives the least amount of EMF pollution.
The clinic I go to uses Sunlighten, their unit is many years old and it's used all day 5 days a week.

Sunlighten also makes a unit that's considered portable. Watch EBay and Craigslist, with a little bit of time you will be able to find about any sauna you want for a decent price.
I did not have to wait long to find the one I purchased, and it was much cheaper than new.


Hope this is helpful.