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Some of the best home saunas available on the market promise increased blood flow, detoxifying effects, and deep relaxation. But these promises come at a premium, with many at-home saunas priced between $5,000 to $10,000.
So what happens when you don’t have the cash (or space) for this type of self care? Well, you don’t have to be left out in the dark anymore. In this HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket review, we’ll dive into a recovery brand looking to fill a gap in the sauna market for folks who want to experience infrared sauna benefits without spending thousands of dollars.
What benefits are there, you ask? Studies show that infrared saunas may help reduce the side effects of chronic fatigue1, reduce blood pressure2, improve heart health3, and reduce muscle soreness4 better than a traditional sauna. So let’s dive in!
We’re Health, Fitness, and Recovery Experts
Why trust the Garage Gym Reviews team to help you decide on the best muscle recovery tools on the market? First, our testing methodology for fitness and recovery equipment is not only super in-depth, it’s also inclusive for the average home gym owner. We consider things like:
- Footprint and portability: Most saunas won’t be portable, so it’s important to know how much room it’s going to take up.
- Durability and construction: What is the sauna made of and will it hold up to its intended use (indoor versus outdoor)?
- Overall performance: How well does the sauna work to provide heat and promote sweating?
- Price point: Is the price reasonable for what you get? Can the average home gym owner afford the price tag or the payment plan?
Plus, GGR is staffed with product testers, writers, and editors with fitness industry expertise ranging from certified personal trainers and Olympic-level athletes to certified nutrition coaches and corrective exercise specialists.
For this HigherDOSE sauna blanket review, Lindsay Scheele, expert product tester and the face of Garage Gym Reviews Everything, put this infrared sauna blanket to the test to provide an honest review so you know exactly what to expect if you decide to purchase one for yourself.
HigherDose Sauna Blanket
HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket
Product Highlights
- Portable sauna blanket
- Sleeping bag-style design
- Powered with far infrared rays
- Additional blanket inserts available
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Promotes circulation
- May aid muscle recovery
- Portable design
Cons
- Takes 10 minutes to preheat
- Costs extra for blanket inserts
- Designed for one person at a time
Bottom Line
The HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket offers a portable and affordable alternative to installing a sauna in your home. The sauna blanket uses far infrared technology to provide heat stimulation to your entire body while you’re inside the sauna blanket.
A Quick Look at the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket
The HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket is a portable and packable option for folks looking to reap the benefits of sauna bathing without the hassle of ordering and setting up a traditional sauna.
RELATED: Dry Sauna Benefits
Essentially this sauna blanket is like a sleeping bag with a zipper; you crawl in, lie down, and zip up the side of the blanket to enjoy a relaxing sweat session powered by coils of far infrared heat under the layer of non-toxic polyurethane leather.
For an additional $89 you can purchase a sauna blanket insert made from organic cotton to protect your bare skin, but tester Lindsay just used a regular towel. The HigherDOSE brand offers other wellness and biohacking technology like a red light face mask, a red light neck enhancer, and an infrared PEMF mat.
Before You Buy
- $699 is the base price for the sauna blanket and doesn’t include blanket inserts.
- The HigherDOSE sauna blanket is FSA/HSA eligible through Truemed.
- Many recovery brands make claims of full-body detox, but there’s limited evidence to suggest you’ll actually be releasing toxins. Instead, you can expect to sweat due to a rise in heart rate and an increase in blood flow.
Is the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket Worth It?
GGR expert product tester Lindsay Scheele enjoyed her experience with HigherDOSE but notes that comparable sauna blankets on the market are not as expensive. Lindsay even says popular brands like Sun Home Saunas, MiHIGH, and Reiiv all offer similar sauna blankets for $500 or less.
The HigherDOSE blanket on the other hand starts at $699 without any blanket inserts. “HigherDOSE doesn’t come with a ton of extra features compared to some of these other blankets,” says Lindsay. And for that reason, she gives the HigherDOSE blanket an average 3-out-of-5-star rating when it comes to overall value. This blanket is still far under the average home sauna cost, which Lindsay appreciates.
Great for:
- At-home use
- Portability
- Muscle recovery after workouts
Not recommended for:
- Group sauna sessions
- Use outside of your country (see below)
- Treating or curing diseases
HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket Specs
| Price | $699 |
| Dimensions | 71” L x 71” W (unfolded) |
| Interior circumference | 65” |
| Voltage | 100-120 |
| Wattage | 350-420 |
| Amps | 4-5 |
| Electrical field | Low EMF |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Using the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket
The first thing GGR tester Lindsay Scheele notes about the HigherDOSE sauna blanket is how easy it is to set up and use. The blanket contains several different beneficial layers, but is encapsulated in one sleeping bag-style blanket (we’ll dive into the details when we discuss the construction of the sauna blanket).
The directions tell you to either use a sauna blanket insert (sold separately) or your own towel insert inside the blanket to make cleaning up easy, since your blood circulation will increase and you’ll likely sweat quite a bit.
Lindsay reports it only takes about 10 minutes to preheat and you’re ready to lie down for a warm and relaxing sauna blanket session. “If you love sauna sessions and need a more portable option I think this is great. I felt super relaxed and enjoyed using it,” says Lindsay.
The performance of the HigherDOSE sauna blanket earns a 5-out-of-5-star experience from Lindsay. She set up the HigherDOSE blanket in a quiet corner of her home on a yoga mat (it needs a heat-resistant surface to lie on) and set the timer for a 45-minute session. She found there is one single heating zone for the blanket, but you’re able to adjust your temperature using the heat settings from one to eight.
RELATED: How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna?
Footprint and Portability
The HigherDOSE sauna blanket earns a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating in the footprint and portability category. Most saunas and large recovery tools (like the best cold plunge tubs) have to remain in one place. However, a portable sauna blanket can be rolled up and tucked away when not in use or transported from one room to another.
“I wouldn’t want to carry it around,” says Lindsay. “However, if you wanted to use it while on a weekend vacation this could easily fit in your car.”
When completely unfolded, the HigherDOSE blanket measures 71 inches long and 71 inches wide. Much like a sleeping bag, you fold it in half while in use, leaving you with about 35 inches of width to lie on. The website also states the maximum interior circumference when in use is about 65 inches.
Durability and Construction
Lindsay’s biggest concern about the durability of the HigherDOSE sauna blanket is sweat. Yes, the rise in body temperature and sweat is the whole point, but she foresees the most wear and tear coming from sweating on the top polyurethane layer.
“I would spend the $89 to buy the machine washable inserts,” says Lindsay. “The inserts seem the best way to keep the infrared sauna blanket from getting worn out by sweat—potentially breaking down faster—because there isn’t a way to traditionally wash it, just wipe it out with a mild cleaning solution.”
For this reason, the HigherDOSE sauna blanket earns a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating for durability and construction. And speaking of construction, according to the HigherDOSE website, there are several hidden layers at work in the sauna blanket.
The outermost layer is polyurethane leather which is what will touch your skin. Under that are the coils of far infrared heat to provide you warmth and the benefits of sauna bathing.
RELATED: Are Saunas Good for Your Skin?
Under the heating element is a layer of charcoal, clay, and a magnetic strip. The website claims that the charcoal binds pollutants, the clay emits negative ions, and the medical-grade magnetic strip improves blood flow and circulation.
Next is a crystal therapy layer containing amethyst and tourmaline. And lastly, a layer grounded in low EMF (electromagnetic field) and in ELF (extremely low frequency) currents.
Extra Features and Conveniences
When our testers rate extra features and conveniences on saunas, we’re looking at things like how many people the sauna can accommodate, Bluetooth capabilities for music, built-in timers, thermometers, and lighting.
The HigherDOSE sauna blanket earns an average rating of 3 out of 5 stars in this category. Although it’s designed for a single person and doesn’t really call for lighting and music features, Lindsay would score it higher if the sauna blanket had a thermometer to display the temperature. Instead, there are only arbitrary heat settings running from one to eight.
RELATED: Sun Home Sauna Review
HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket vs Serene Life Portable Sauna
Serene Life Portable Sauna
Serene Life Full Size Portable Sauna
Product Highlights
- Full size personal portable infrared sauna
- Designed for in home use
- Reported benefits of weight loss, detoxing, stress and fatigue relief, and soothing muscles
- Includes sauna, foldable sauna chair, and heated foot pad
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Folds up for storage when not in use
- Timer and auto heat settings via remote control
- Includes foldable chair
- In home use
- Easy zipper access
Cons
- Limited reviews
- No warranty
- Time to heat up not disclosed
- Only fits 1 person
Bottom Line
The Serene Life Compact Sit-In Sauna is a portable in-home sauna that can be assembled and then disassembled for compact storage. The sauna can reach a maximum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The sauna features easy zipper access and a foldable chair for seated use. There are limited reviews but they are positive and found the sauna easy to set up.
The Serene Life Portable Sauna was one of our top picks for best infrared saunas due to the portable nature. The Serene Life sauna is similar to the HigherDOSE sauna blanket in that it’s portable, fairly lightweight, designed for one person at a time, and uses infrared technology to heat the sauna.
Where these saunas differ is the way you use them. The Serene Life Portable Sauna is essentially a single-person tent with enough room to sit or stand comfortably. More like a traditional sauna, the Serene Life sauna will bathe you in infrared rays.
The HigherDOSE blanket is different because you have to lie down to use it and your head is not directly exposed to the sauna heat. Additionally, the blanket won’t actually expose you to red light therapy or infrared rays, but rather a heating coil within the blanket.
| Serene Life Portable Sauna | HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket | |
| Price | About $400 on Amazon | $699 |
| Dimensions | 35.4” L x 35.4” W x 70.9” H | 71” L x 71” W (unfolded) |
| Voltage | 120 volts | 100-120 volts |
| Number of users | 1 | 1 |
| Warranty | None | 1 year |
Customer Experience
HigherDOSE offers a live chat function Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. You’ll also be able to contact the company via email. You can also navigate to the contact page where the general inquiry form allows you to submit a video, audio recording, or a written message.
For Lindsay, her experience with HigherDose customer service was fast and efficient. She scores the company at 4.5 out of 5 stars.
When it comes to financing, warranty, and return policies HigherDose earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating. The brand offers a pretty standard 30-day return window with a money-back guarantee. We also appreciate the fact this sauna blanket has a one-year warranty policy.
Keep in mind that higherdose.com explicitly states the blanket should only be used in the country where it was purchased. Ignoring this voids the warranty and could damage the blanket. So don’t plan on packing this on your next international vacation.
Ordering the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket
The HigherDOSE sauna blanket earns a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating when it comes to the ordering, delivery, and setup process. Lindsay says, “The blanket came in a single box with plenty of protection. All parts were organized and well protected, too.”
Lindsay also notes there isn’t a ton of setup required for the HigherDOSE blanket. “Directions for setup were right on top,” she says. “Plus, the instructions and how to care for the blanket were easy to follow.”
Customer Reviews
On Amazon, the HigherDOSE blanket has a 4.1 average rating out of 5 stars with nearly 200 reviews. The brand’s official website has over 2,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
While most reviews are pretty positive, it’s worth noting I came across one review stating the warning label on the blanket itself says not to use the product on memory foam or latex mattresses, waterbeds, bunk beds, or mechanically adjustable mattresses. The customer was mostly disappointed because they didn’t find that language on the website itself.
Final Verdict of Our HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket Review
The HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket offers a lightweight, portable, and relatively affordable way to have a sauna session in the comfort of your home. Sauna sessions can help improve blood flow, reduce muscle soreness after intense workouts, and improve mood. It makes sense why you’d want to have all those benefits in a portable bundle.
The main thing to keep in mind before you buy is the fact you need to use the sauna blanket on a heat resistant surface (not a bed). We also recommend purchasing something like this for the relaxing benefits rather than any promises of detoxification, because there is not enough research to support those claims.
HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket Rating
HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket
Sauna sessions have never been more affordable or accessible in your home. Find out all the details in this HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket review.
Product Brand: HigherDOSE
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 699
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.6
HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket: FAQs
Is the HigherDose sauna blanket worth it?
The HigherDOSE sauna blanket stands out with multiple layers of beneficial construction including magnetic layers, charcoal, clay, and crystals. However, there are plenty of similar infrared sauna blankets priced under $500 offering essentially the same thing.
What are the benefits of HigherDOSE infrared sauna blanket?
Some of the benefits associated with infrared sauna use include aiding chronic fatigue1, reducing blood pressure2, improvement to overall heart health3, and reducing muscle soreness and penetrating heat into the muscle better than a traditional sauna4.
Who should not use a sauna blanket?
Infrared sauna dangers and risks are mostly present in people with chronic health problems like heart and cardiovascular disease. If that describes you, consult with your doctor before trying a sauna blanket.
Should you shower after an infrared sauna blanket?
A cold shower after a sauna blanket session can help reduce your internal temperature and wash away any sweat. Plus, traditional sauna bathing is typically followed up with cold exposure in the form of a cold shower or exposure to cold air.
References
- Soejima Y, Munemoto T, Masuda A, Uwatoko Y, Miyata M, Tei C. Effects of Waon therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study. Intern Med. 2015.
- Umehara M, Yamaguchi A, Itakura S, et al. Repeated waon therapy improves pulmonary hypertension during exercise in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Cardiol. 2008.
- Kihara T, Miyata M, Fukudome T, et al. Waon therapy improves the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. J Cardiol. 2009.
- Mero A, Tornberg J, Mäntykoski M, Puurtinen R. Effects of far-infrared sauna bathing on recovery from strength and endurance training sessions in men. Springerplus. 2015;4:321. 2015 Jul 7.
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