What Is EMF In Saunas? What To Know Before You Use One

So, you are about to get into a sauna, towel in hand, and then someone casually drops, “Hey, have you checked the EMF levels in there?” Cue the record scratch. What is EMF in saunas, and should you actually be worried… or is this just wellness paranoia turned up to 11?

Well, some say it is harmless. A handful are EMF-proofing their lives like it were the apocalypse. Who is right? That is what we are digging into. We will break down what EMF actually is, what is considered safe, and how to spot low-EMF designs that put your well-being first.

What Is EMF In Saunas: The 5 Key Takeaways You Should Know

• EMF stands for electromagnetic fields, and they’re always present in powered sauna components. Infrared heaters, wires, and control boards all emit EMF, whether or not you feel it, because they run on electricity.
• You’re exposed to 3 types of EMF in a sauna: magnetic fields, electric fields, and (if smart tech is included) radiofrequency radiation. Each interacts with the body differently and depends on how close you sit to the source.
• Low EMF doesn’t mean no EMF. “Zero EMF” is often a marketing label, not a reality. All infrared saunas emit some EMF unless they’re wood-burning or fully shielded and grounded.
• Distance and shielding matter more than the type of heater. Carbon heaters, for example, may spread magnetic fields farther than ceramic, but good wiring design and grounding can reduce risk in either. Design plays a big role, especially in models with curved interiors like barrel saunas that may reduce wire proximity to the body.
• Safe EMF levels in saunas fall under 3 milligauss (magnetic) and 1,000 millivolts (electric). Anything above those numbers, especially near the bench, can trigger symptoms in sensitive users or raise long-term exposure concerns.

What Is EMF In Saunas & Why Does It Matter?

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are invisible areas of energy produced by electrical devices. In saunas (especially infrared saunas), EMF forms when electricity powers the heating panels. These fields can be electric (measured in millivolts, mV) or magnetic (measured in milligauss, mG).

Most infrared saunas use carbon or ceramic heating elements that give off some level of EMF. And while small doses are common in daily life, sustained exposure during heat sessions raises fair concerns.

Here’s why EMF in saunas matters:

• EMF is always present near infrared heaters, even in “low EMF” models.
• Your body can act like an antenna for electric fields inside a sauna.
• High EMF exposure may impact sensitive users, like pregnant people or those with pacemakers.
• Most manufacturers only test magnetic fields and ignore electric ones.
• Knowing the difference between marketing claims and real-world EMF levels helps you choose safer designs.

ELF vs EMF In Saunas: 7 Main Differences Every Sauna Enthusiast Should Know

3 Types Of EMFs You Are Exposed To In An Infrared Sauna

Review each type of field below to spot what your sauna might expose you to.

1. Magnetic Fields: The Most Common Sauna EMF

Magnetic fields (MF) form when current flows through a wire. These invisible waves surround active circuits and heating panels. Magnetic field zones can vary by panel layout—something more modular cabins like cube saunas often optimize for.

Where it comes from in saunas: Heater panels (especially carbon-based), power supply wires, and circuit boards inside the wall.

How close it gets to your body: Usually within 6–18 inches of the benches, based on where the heating panels are placed. For example, you sit closer to the glass panels than the heating elements in panorama saunas.

How it interacts with your body: May pass through tissue and induce small currents in cells, especially during longer sessions.

What affects the intensity:

• Type of heater (carbon = wider spread, ceramic = more concentrated)
• Distance from source (drops sharply after 12 inches)
• Shielding or grounded wiring inside walls
• Power level and heating cycles
• Sauna design and bench placement

When you should be concerned:

• You sit within 12 inches of active heating panels
• You use the sauna for longer than 30 minutes per session
• The sauna lacks any magnetic shielding
• You have a pacemaker or are EMF-sensitive
• You’re exposed to other high-EMF devices daily

2. Electric Fields: The Silent EMF Most Brands Ignore

Electric fields (EF) form around any powered wire or device, even if it isn’t turned on. Your body can absorb these fields like an antenna.

Where it comes from in saunas: Non-shielded wires, power cords, control panels, and heater circuit boards.

How close it gets to your body: Can reach anywhere you sit or lie down, up to several feet across the cabin. This is even more important in compact saunas where heating panels may be closer to all sides.

How it interacts with your body: Raises body voltage, even without contact. Can lead to tingling, restlessness, or sleep issues in sensitive users.

What affects the intensity:

• Whether wires are shielded or grounded
• Body position (closer = higher voltage)
• Floor materials (metal vs wood conductivity)
• Heater type and electrical load
• Whether voltage harmonics are present in the circuit design

When you should be concerned:

• You use the sauna at night and struggle with sleep
• Your body voltage tests above 1,000 mV inside the cabin
• The unit has no mention of electric field control
• You're already EMF-sensitive or react to electronics
• You notice symptoms that go away outside the sauna

3. Radiofrequency Radiation: Applicable To Saunas With Smart Connectivity

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation comes from wireless tech. Most infrared saunas don’t have it unless they include smart features.

Where it comes from in saunas: Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi control apps, and nearby smart home gear.

How close it gets to your body: Usually within 1–3 feet of the head or chest, based on speaker or module placement.

How it interacts with your body: Adds to your cumulative RF exposure load. Possible cell stress in high-dose, long-term use cases, though short bursts are often within global safety limits.

What affects the intensity:

• Whether Bluetooth/Wi-Fi is turned on by default
• Power output of modules (some push over 1,000 µW/cm^2)
• Antenna placement inside wall panels
• Distance from devices to your head or chest
• Frequency of sauna use

When you should be concerned:

• You want a device-free wellness experience
• You already limit RF exposure at home
• You have kids or are pregnant
• Your sauna sits near a router or smart meter
• You notice symptoms like brain fog or tension near Wi-Fi gear

Is EMF In Saunas Dangerous? Symptoms, Sensitivities & Who Should Be Cautious

EMF in saunas isn’t classified as dangerous by global health agencies, but it can trigger symptoms in sensitive people. The concern isn’t about short sessions; it’s about repeated exposure near high-powered heaters or wires that sit inches from the body. If your sauna emits over 3 mG or 1,000 mV and you notice physical or cognitive changes, it’s time to reassess.

6 Symptoms Of EMF Sensitivity: When You Should Reduce Your Exposure & How

Take our recommended precautionary measures if you experience any of the following.

• Brain fog or memory lapses: Swap to a verified low-EMF sauna with under 3 mG readings. Use it for no more than 20 minutes per session.
• Sleep disruption: Avoid sauna use 2–3 hours before bed. Electric fields may raise nighttime body voltage and suppress melatonin.
• Persistent headaches: Test the sauna’s EMF levels with a gaussmeter. Switch units if magnetic fields exceed 10 mG at head level.
• Tingling or restlessness: Add grounding mats or conductive flooring outside the sauna to lower residual voltage.
• Increased heart rate or palpitations: Sit at least 18 inches from heater panels. Choose ceramic heaters over carbon for focused, lower-range fields.
• Fatigue after sauna use: Cut session length by half and track your recovery. EMF load may delay nervous system recalibration.

6 Types Of Individuals Who Should Be Extra Cautious Or Avoid Saunas Altogether

See if you fall into the list of people who should completely avoid or be extra careful around EMF in saunas.

• People with pacemakers: EMFs may interfere with pulse modulation. Even low fields can disrupt device accuracy.
• Pregnant individuals: Fetal tissues are more conductive. EMFs may increase cellular stress during key developmental windows.
• Those with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS): Even levels under 3 mG can trigger flare-ups in sensitive individuals.
• Anyone recovering from neurological conditions: Nerve tissue recovery can be slowed by external field exposure.
• Children: Their thinner skulls and faster metabolic rates make them more susceptible to electric and magnetic fields.
• People exposed to high EMFs elsewhere: If you work near transformers, routers, or large appliances, sauna EMF adds to your cumulative load.

What Counts As A Safe EMF & ELF Level In Saunas & How To Test Them?

For magnetic fields, stay under 3 milligauss (mG). For electric fields, aim for less than 1,000 millivolts (mV). Anything under these thresholds is considered safe for most people, especially when sessions are short and heaters are properly shielded, as is often the case in outdoor saunas built with minimal tech wiring.

Use these 6 steps to check EMF & ELF levels in your sauna:

• Use a real gaussmeter, not a phone app: Buy a handheld EMF meter that measures down to at least 0.1 mG for magnetic fields. Phone apps don’t give accurate or reliable numbers.
• Measure at bench level, not 1 meter away: Take readings where your head, back, and legs actually sit. Readings at 1 meter don’t reflect real exposure inside the cabin.
• Switch the sauna on and let it heat up: Wait 5–10 minutes after turning the sauna on before you test. Most heaters draw more current when cycling, which spikes EMF.
• Test both magnetic and electric fields: Use a meter that measures mG for magnetic fields and mV or V/m for electric ones. Many cheap meters only test one type and miss key data.
• Check body voltage with a ground reference: Stand barefoot on a grounding mat and connect a body voltage meter to a grounded socket. This shows how much voltage your body absorbs.
• Scan each surface and device separately: Test near heaters, wires, speakers, and control panels. Some panels spike while others stay low. Log each source separately to isolate issues.

Do “Zero EMF” Saunas Really Exist? Evaluating The Truth Behind The Claims

Technically speaking, “zero EMF” is a bold claim, and usually, it is more of a marketing gimmick than a measurable reality. To be clear, low EMF in saunas generally means magnetic fields below 3 milligauss (mG) and electric fields under 1,000 millivolts (mV) at the seating level. 

If you see “ultra-low EMF,” it usually refers to readings below 1–2 mG. Anything marketed as “zero EMF” is either highly engineered or inaccurately labeled. Here’s why:

• No unit is truly EMF-free: Even shielded saunas emit trace fields. Zero EMF is a label, not a guarantee.
• Testing distance matters: Some brands measure at 1 meter away, where fields drop off. That hides the real exposure near your body.
• Electric fields often go untested: Most claims ignore electric field exposure, which can raise body voltage significantly.
• Cherry-picked test zones: Many saunas show low readings near the door or wall, not where you sit. Always ask where the data was collected.
• Third-party testing is rare: Without labs, “zero EMF” means nothing. Always ask for independent verification.

What Is The Difference Between Low EMF & Far Infrared Saunas?

Review this table if you want to minimize exposure, not just maximize sweat.

How To Identify A Truly Low-EMF Sauna: 7 Signs You Should Look For

Review the features below against any sauna you’re considering to verify what’s real and what’s just marketing.

• Third-party EMF test reports with exact readings: Look for independent lab results from companies like Vitatech, Intertek, or EMF Knights. Reports should include magnetic (mG) and electric (mV) levels at head, torso, and bench height, not just 1 meter away.
• Shielded wiring throughout the cabin: All internal wiring should be routed through grounded metal conduit. This stops electric fields from leaking out and helps keep body voltage below 1,000 mV.
• Ceramic heaters instead of full-panel carbon: Ceramic emitters focus heat in a narrow beam with lower magnetic field spread. Carbon heaters warm more evenly but tend to emit wider EMF zones unless well-shielded.
• Grounding points in the heater panels: Low EMF builds include grounding on each heater to discharge stray voltage. Ask where the grounding points are and how they connect to the main supply.
• Surface-level testing at the bench, not 1 meter away: Real readings must show field strength right where your body sits. If the only numbers you see were taken from the floor or a far corner, they don’t count.
• Under 3 mG magnetic & under 1,000 mV electric fields: A genuine low EMF sauna will always publish both numbers. Anything over these values doesn’t qualify, even if the magnetic rating alone looks low.
• Measurable body voltage drop after entry: Some premium brands show before-and-after tests of body voltage. This proves their shielding works in real time, not just on paper.

Traditional Sauna vs Infrared Sauna EMF Levels: When To Choose Which

Compare the 2 setups to see which sauna fits your EMF safety needs before you buy or build a sauna.

EMF Levels In Saunas Compared To Everyday Devices: Do You Really Need To Be Worried?

Compare your sauna’s EMF readings to the everyday devices and see if your exposure level actually matters or adds up.

Conclusion

Most people asking “what is EMF in saunas” just want one thing: peace of mind. You don’t want to memorize frequencies or hunt down testing reports. You just want to step into a space that feels good, works as promised, and doesn’t leave you wired, foggy, or drained afterward. 

That’s exactly what we build at Nordvik. Not just low-EMF saunas, but full-body wellness spaces where silence, shielding, and slow heat work together the way they’re supposed to. No RF—just natural calm that honors the ritual. If you’re ready for the simplest and safest way to avoid hidden EMF while still getting all the benefits, start with our wood-burning sauna collection.

Bring home the kind of sauna that doesn’t need a disclaimer. Shop Nordvik today.

FAQs

Do all infrared saunas give off EMF?

Yes, all infrared saunas produce some level of EMF because they run on electricity. The key difference lies in design; shielded wiring, grounded panels, and quality components can drastically reduce how much EMF reaches your body.

Can EMF from a sauna build up over time in the body?

EMF doesn’t accumulate like a toxin, but the effects of repeated, high-level exposure may build up stress in your nervous system, especially if your body doesn’t get a chance to recalibrate between sessions.

How can I tell if my sauna is affecting my body voltage?

You’ll need a body voltage meter and a grounded reference (like a grounding mat). Test your voltage before you enter, then again while seated inside. A high spike suggests your sauna is emitting strong electric fields.

Can EMF interfere with other wellness benefits of sauna use?

In some cases, yes. For sensitive users, elevated EMF levels may reduce relaxation, disrupt sleep after evening sessions, or increase stress instead of relieving it, which cancels out the sauna’s intended effects.