If you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation and recovery tool, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than a home sauna. It’s a peaceful sanctuary where you can sweat out your worries and get blood flowing to your well-deserving muscles, and incorporating regular sessions into your routine can help your mind and body be at their best.
Of course, not all saunas are created equal. Some are portable and budget-friendly. Others are sizable with a similarly sizable price tag. And even though many models look similar, the way they operate can be quite different.
While we’re big fans of traditional saunas, that high-humidity environment (and longer heat-up time) might not be your cup of tea. Luckily, the best infrared saunas offer a dryer, more efficient option. In this Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro review, I’ll open the proverbial door so you can step inside and understand how it works, what it comes with, and why it earned such a strong recommendation from our expert product tester.
Our Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro Review, Summarized
Available in two- and three-person models, the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro features a Canadian hemlock cabin, an ergonomic tilted backrest, far infrared panels, and full-spectrum incandescent towers that reach an impressive 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Outfitted with chromotherapy lighting, you can add a red light therapy panel for a more comprehensive recovery experience. With an overall score of 4.6 out of 5, the Infrared Sauna Pro offers excellent value, especially since you get a five-year warranty.
How We Test Infrared Saunas
How efficiently does the sauna heater work? Do you have to wait a long time for it to reach your desired temperature? For a sauna to earn at least a 3 out of 5, it must reach its highest setting in about 35 minutes. One of the benefits of an infrared sauna is that it typically heats up faster than traditional models.
How much space does the sauna take up? Is it a portable sauna that you can set up and break down quickly, or does it require a permanent placement within your home or backyard? To earn a 3 out of 5, a sauna must comfortably fit the listed user capacity without taking up too much space.
Considering some saunas can cost well over $10,000, we want you to feel confident that you’re getting a good return on your investment. To earn at least a 3-out-of-5 rating, the price must reflect the build quality and performance compared to similar models. Expensive models can still earn high scores if they’re constructed well, have great heat retention, and include other features that enhance your sauna experience.
Our team developed a comprehensive sauna testing methodology that examines everything from construction and durability to footprint, heat performance, extra features, and more. Our expert product testers sit through multiple recovery sessions to provide accurate ratings based on a 1-5 scoring scale.
The Garage Gym Reviews team includes certified personal trainers, Olympic-level athletes, and strength training enthusiasts who utilize muscle recovery tools like cold plunges and saunas to stay on top of their game. We’ve tested 30 saunas (and counting), including the Plunge Sauna Mini and the full-sized Plunge Sauna, so we’re intimately familiar with this brand.
The Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro packs high heat, full-spectrum infrared heating, and convenient app controls into a premium Canadian hemlock cabin. We like its 175°F maximum temperature and size options, but the high cost and 240V electrical requirement are worth considering before you buy.
Before You Buy
- The Infrared Sauna Pro comes in two sizes. The two-person model measures 53 inches wide and costs $7,990. The roomier Sauna XL costs $500 more and seats three people comfortably, thanks to 16 inches of extra width.
- Plunge provides a five-year warranty on the cabinetry and heaters, two years on the electronics and controls, and one year on the glass and power supplies. However, you can purchase an additional two years of coverage through Extend for $399.
- This product is HSA/FSA-eligible, meaning you can use pre-tax dollars to help upgrade your recovery routine. Plunge also offers financing options through BreadPay.
- At the time of publication, Plunge offers an optional red light therapy panel (retail value of $1,490) as a free add-on with your purchase. This is a great way to reap additional recovery benefits during your sauna sessions.
RELATED: 7 Red Light Therapy Benefits
Is the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro Worth It?
Our team has dived into both ends of the hydrotherapy pool with Plunge, so we’re confident in the brand’s craftsmanship, performance, and attention to detail. Like the brand’s cold plunges and other saunas we’ve tested, the Infrared Sauna Pro boasts a premium look and feel that makes you feel like you’re in a luxury spa at home. Plus, pairing a sauna like this one with an ice bath or cold plunge is a great way to enjoy the benefits of contrast therapy.
Most importantly, though, it checks more than just the all-important aesthetics box. As you’ll learn in this in-depth Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro review, our tester was highly impressed with its ergonomic design and reliable heat performance.
“I’d highly recommend this to anyone interested in sauna therapy,” our expert tester told me. “It’s high-end, easy to use, beautiful, and very comfortable, which is a difficult combination to achieve. Most saunas are only good at one or two of those things.”
Of course, you’ll need a pretty sizable budget to make this part of your recovery routine. The two-person model costs $7,990, with the three-person model checking in at $8,490. However, you can check out our Plunge coupon code page for ways to save on the brand’s recovery equipment.
Before we open the door and step inside, let’s take a look at the key features and specs for both versions of the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro.
Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro: Key Features & Specs
| MSRP | $7,990 (2-person) $8,490 (3-person) |
| Footprint | 80.5″ H x 53″ W x 51.75″ D (2-person) 84.5” H x 69” W x 55.75” D (3-person) |
| Weight | 540 lbs (2-person) 675 lbs (3-person) |
| Capacity | 2-person and 3-person models available |
| Materials | Canadian hemlock |
| Max Temperature | 175° F |
| Electrical Requirements | 240V, 20A dedicated circuit, NEMA 6-20 |
| Key Features | Chromotherapy lighting, app control for preheating and scheduling, near-zero EMF rating, optional red light therapy |
| Warranty | 5 years for cabinet and infrared heaters; 2 years for electronics and controls; 1 year for glass and power supplies |
Experience Using the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro
For this review, we had a regular sauna user put this high-tech model through our in-depth testing methodology. Our expert has used many types of saunas over the years, so he came into the process with a thorough understanding (and high expectations).
“If anything, I’m probably harder on saunas than most people, because I know what I like and what annoys me,” he told me.
Luckily, the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro didn’t disappoint.
In fact, it earned one of the highest overall scores of any sauna we’ve tested at GGR. That speaks volumes about its sturdy construction, efficient heating system, and added bells and whistles that enhance your sweat-inducing sessions.
“This is high on my list, and honestly, it might be the No. 1 sauna I’ve ever used,” our tester told me. “I’ve been in a lot of them, and most fall into the category of functional but forgettable. This one is in a different tier. It screams luxury and high-end quality in a way that’s hard to explain until you’re sitting in it.”
Although you may not be able to actually sit in it (yet), I’ll go over each aspect of the Infrared Sauna Pro, so you can understand why our tester gave it his firm stamp of approval.
A home sauna like the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro is a great tool to help you recover from tough workouts—or just unwind after a long day—in the comfort of your home. This indoor sauna has a very clean, modern look, and would be a great choice for those looking to upgrade their home recovery system.
GGR Senior Staff Writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC
Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro Rating
Footprint
The Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro is available in two- and three-person capacities. The former measures 80.5 inches high, 53 inches wide, and 51.75 inches deep. Meanwhile, the latter is 4.5 inches taller, 16 inches wider, and 4 inches deeper.
Obviously, these aren’t in the same category as a portable sauna like the SaunaBox SmartSteam Pro, or a more compact option like the Sunlighten Amplify II Infrared Sauna, which measures 70 inches high, 40 inches wide, and 45 inches long. However, we still rate the footprint a 4 out of 5 because it maximizes the space efficiently.
“You could easily fit three people in here without anyone feeling cramped, and probably four depending on how big everybody is,” our tester said of the Sauna XL (the three-person model). “This was honestly one of my favorite things about it.”
If you’ve ever been in the sauna at your local gym, you probably know that it can be a bit frustrating to try and find an open spot. However, even if you have a few friends with you, the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro should provide a comfortable space for everyone.
“This one has enough bench space that you can spread out and not think about it,” our tester says. “If you’re buying a sauna for a household, or actually want to use it with other people instead of alone, the space in here is a real selling point and not just a spec.”
Delivery and Setup
It’s easy to get intimidated by the idea of having to put together a sauna. After all, they’re quite large, and with many components (including wiring), you may not want to embark on this endeavor yourself.
Luckily, Plunge offers professional assembly services that take that stress off of your proverbial plate. Although it costs $1,880 for this service, we’ve seen it discounted for as little as $880. Our team wanted to see how smoothly the process went, and suffice it to say, it was worth every penny.
“Delivery was easy! It was white glove, so they dropped it off from a logistics company, and then hired an assembly team. It took them about two hours, and all I had to do was confirm a good day and time to build it,” says our GGR team member who facilitated the delivery.
Keep in mind that Plunge provides standard curbside delivery throughout the lower 48 states for a flat fee of $250. If you do not live in a qualified area, however, it could cost between $449 and $599, or up to $999 for remote areas. I recommend checking the Plunge website for more details to confirm where your location lands.
Construction and Durability
The Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro is crafted from Canadian hemlock, which is considered one of the best woods for saunas because it’s odor-free, stable, and acts as a strong insulator. The natural wood look adds a high-end aesthetic to wherever you set this sauna up, especially with the floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
“This is one of the coolest-looking saunas I’ve ever seen,” our tester told me. “It has a luxurious look to it, to the point where I said I’d put it in my living room—half joking, but only half.”
Looks aside, we also appreciate the functionality of this well-built model. Although you don’t get a multi-level bench, single-row seating actually eliminates a common problem.
“That means you don’t run into the problem you get with tiered saunas where the person above has their knees in your back or everyone quietly competes for the hotter seat up top,” our tester explains. “Everybody in here sits at the same height on the same bench and gets roughly the same heat. For me, the single bench wasn’t a downside, at all.”
In addition, our tester liked that this sauna has a slanted backrest for better ergonomics.
“Most saunas give you a flat, vertical wall to lean against, so you either sit upright the whole time or slouch forward,” he explained to me. “Here, you can actually lean back into it and settle in.”
Earning a perfect construction and durability score, the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro is built to last and backed by a strong warranty (more on that in a bit).
Heat Performance
A sauna’s only worth its salt if it gets hot quickly and stays hot for as long as you need it to. Thankfully, you get both of those with the Infrared Sauna Pro, which can reach up to 175 degrees Fahrenheit—slightly hotter than your typical infrared sauna. Far infrared panels deliver deep, even heat, while the full-spectrum incandescent towers provide a broader range of infrared wavelengths to create a faster, more intense sweat.
Earning yet another 5-out-of-5 rating, this model held its temperature throughout the entire session with no drifting or cold spots. According to our tester, it only took about 15 minutes to fully heat up.
“For a sauna this size, that’s a big deal,” he says. “Preheat time is the thing that quietly kills sauna habits, because if you have to plan 40 minutes ahead, you start skipping sessions; 15 minutes means you can decide to use it and actually use it.”
Interestingly, this unit also has a unique design element that surprised even our tester.
“One thing I noticed that I’ve never seen in a sauna before is that there are air ports you can open and close,” he told me. “I kept mine shut the whole time, since I wanted the heat locked in, but having the option is an awesome feature. It tells you somebody actually thought about airflow and ventilation instead of just building a sealed box.”
You can adjust the heat settings using the control unit mounted inside the sauna. It’s conveniently located where you don’t have to get up or open the door, so making mid-session adjustments is a non-issue.
“Everything is simple and laid out in a way that makes sense,” our tester adds.
Features and Extras
While some saunas are fairly bare-bones, Plunge added some neat features that take your experience to the next level.
“There’s an accent light inside, plus a color-bar light with a bunch of color options,” our tester explains. “If you put it into RGB mode, the thing turns into a nightclub, which is ridiculous and also kind of amazing.”
While chromotherapy can help with stress reduction1 , it’s far from the only feature worth mentioning. Plunge integrated Nakamichi Bluetooth speakers to deliver immersive sound during your sessions. Although our tester didn’t put any music on, he believes this is something you’ll use regularly if you invest in the Infrared Sauna Pro.
“Putting on relaxing meditation music while I sauna is exactly how I’d want to use this thing,” he says. “Having built-in speakers instead of propping one on the bench would add to the experience in a big way.”
Furthermore, we also like that you can preheat the sauna using the Plunge app. Being able to schedule your sessions can save valuable time, especially if you do so on your way home from work or the gym.
Value
Saunas are inherently expensive, but we believe this one is worth budgeting for. Whether you go with the smaller version or the XL, you can expect a high-quality, high-performing unit that will consistently deliver an effective recovery experience. It’s slightly more expensive than the average infrared sauna, which costs about $7,600, but this one feels “built to last,” as our tester told me. As such, we rate the value at a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5.
“With proper care, I’d expect to get many years out of this, instead of treating it as something you replace. Very few saunas leave that impression,” our tester notes.
Customer Experience
Plunge earns another excellent score here for providing some terrific customer-oriented policies. First, we like that this sauna comes with a five-year warranty on the cabin and heaters—the two components that matter most. This is average as far as saunas go, but you’ll also get two years for the electronics and controls, and one year for the glass and power supplies—less common.
In addition, Plunge offers financing options through BreadPay that can be as low as 0% APR for 24 months. You can also use HSA/FSA funds to help with this purchase.
Finally, we appreciate that you can call Plunge directly to speak to a sales specialist, or you can open a customer support ticket if you need help with a product. Overall, the brand does a great job of addressing concerns and making the purchasing experience as stress-free as possible.
Customer Reviews
As a new product, the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro has not generated many user reviews. At the time of writing, only one customer left feedback on the brand’s website. As more recovery enthusiasts invest in this product, we expect more positive reviews based on our experience testing it out at GGR HQ.
Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro Vs
The infrared sauna market isn’t quite as robust as that of traditional saunas, but you still have several viable options at this price point.
One of our favorite models is the Sun Home Saunas Equinox 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna. Similar to the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro, it has medical-grade chromotherapy LED lights and a Bluetooth surround system. During testing, it actually heated up slightly faster than the Plunge model, reaching its desired temperature in about 10 minutes. You can check out our full Sun Home Saunas Equinox review for an in-depth look.
Another alternative worth considering is the Relaxe Caldera Infrared Sauna. This model comes with a detachable red light therapy panel that emits wavelengths between 660 and 880 nanometers (nm), which we consider the sweet spot for the recovery modality. Overall, it’s one of the more complete saunas we’ve tested.
“Between the Himalayan salt, the red light, the infrared, and the fact that the chromotherapy lighting is uniquely done, I thought it was just a very fun sauna to use,” says former GGRE Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC.
Check out our full Relaxe Caldera Infrared Sauna review for more details on her experience.
|  |  | |
| Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro | Sun Home Saunas Equinox 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna | Relaxe Caldera Infrared Sauna | |
Rating | |||
| Type | Infrared Sauna | Indoor infrared | Infrared |
| Footprint | 84.5″ H x 69″ W x 55.75 D | 51” L x 46” W x 78” H | 47″ L × 43″ W × 75″ H |
| Max Temp. | 175ºF / 79ºC | 165 F | 149º F |
| Capacity | 2-person and 3-person models available | 2 people | 2-person (1- and 3-person models available) |
| Power Req. | 240V, 20A dedicated circuit, NEMA 6-20 | 120V | 120V |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty | 7-year limited lifetime residential warranty | 3-year comprehensive warranty |
Final Verdict of Our Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro Review
The Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro is a high-end recovery tool that can help you stay on top of your game. Between its sturdy construction and efficient heating system, it boasts commercial-grade craftsmanship that helps justify its premium price tag. Whether you opt for the two- or three-person model, we’re confident you’ll enjoy kicking back and breaking a sweat, time and time again.
- If you have any hesitations about your handyman skills, paying for the professional assembly service is the way to go.
- The built-in ventilation ports are a unique feature that can help maintain healthy oxygen levels, distribute heat evenly, and protect the wood from moisture damage.
- If you want a bit more space inside your sauna—and want something hotter—check out our full Plunge Sauna review for a closer look at a five-person unit that reaches up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit with a HUUM heater.
Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro Review: FAQs
What are the benefits of using an infrared sauna?
Some of the benefits of using an infrared sauna include relaxation, muscle recovery, and improved circulation. They allow you to enjoy these benefits without setting such a high temperature, like you do with a traditional sauna.
What is the downside of an infrared sauna?
An infrared sauna does not reach as high of a temperature as a traditional sauna. It also produces dry heat without the option to add steam, so the lack of humidity could be disappointing for traditional sauna enthusiasts.
How much does the Plunge Infrared Sauna cost?
The two-person Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro costs $7,990. The three-person model costs $8,490.
Does the Plunge Infrared Sauna Pro include red light therapy?
Plunge offers an optional integrated red light therapy panel with this sauna. At the time of writing, it was available as a free add-on.
References
- Azeemi, S. T., & Raza, S. M. (2005). A critical analysis of chromotherapy and its scientific evolution. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2(4), 481–488. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neh137
