Clearlight vs Sunlighten Saunas: What's the Best Top Tier Infrared Sauna?

Whether you're dealing with muscle pain, looking to improve your sleep, or just want that amazing post-sauna relaxation feeling, infrared saunas deliver some pretty incredible health benefits. From better blood circulation to cardiovascular support and even potential weight loss, there's a reason these things have become such a big deal.

Now here's where things get interesting (and honestly, a bit overwhelming). Sunlighten and Clearlight are basically the two heavy hitters in the infrared sauna world, but the differences between them are pretty significant. We're talking about EMF levels that aren't even in the same ballpark - Clearlight's electromagnetic field readings are so much lower than Sunlighten's that there's really no comparison. They were actually the first company to tackle the EMF problem years ago.

But wait, there's more! Clearlight backs their saunas with a lifetime warranty on everything - the whole sauna, every component, the works. Sunlighten? You're looking at 7 years max for the cabin itself, and only 1 to 3 years for the electronics. That's a pretty big difference when you're making this kind of investment.

The safety thing is huge too. Clearlight's True Wave heaters are certified for ultra-low EMF and ELF exposure, which is fantastic if you've got family using the sauna regularly. Plus, these things are surprisingly economical to run - we're talking about 20-45 cents per hour straight from your house power.

Key Takeaways

When choosing between these premium infrared sauna brands, safety testing, warranty coverage, and heating technology reveal significant differences that impact your long-term investment.

• Clearlight delivers superior safety with EMF levels below 1mg versus Sunlighten's 3-5mg at seat level, plus comprehensive ELF shielding
• Lifetime warranty from Clearlight versus Sunlighten's limited 5-7 year coverage makes Clearlight the better long-term investment
• True Wave carbon-ceramic fusion technology provides balanced full-spectrum infrared versus Sunlighten's separate 3-in-1 component system
• Clearlight's solid wood floors with under-heating offer better hygiene than Sunlighten's slatted floors over active heaters
• Both brands offer premium features, but Clearlight includes exclusive red light therapy and salt therapy add-ons

For health-conscious consumers prioritizing safety and long-term value, Clearlight's dramatically lower EMF/ELF levels combined with lifetime warranty protection make it the recommended choice in 2025, despite Sunlighten's higher power output and advanced touchscreen controls.

Infrared Heating Technology: True Wave vs Solocarbon

The real difference between these saunas comes down to how they actually heat you up. Both companies have their own patented approaches, and honestly, the technical differences are pretty significant.

Heater Material: Carbon-Ceramic Fusion vs Carbon Fiber

Clearlight went with something called True Wave technology, which is the only patented fusion of carbon and ceramic materials in a single heater. Think of it as getting the best of both worlds - carbon's efficiency plus ceramic's higher heat output. The carbon fibers they use are incredibly thin (we're talking 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair) and work together with their ceramic compound to pump out serious infrared heat.

Sunlighten took a different route with their Solocarbon technology, sticking primarily with carbon fiber. They make a solid case that carbon is one of the most emissive materials you can use for infrared saunas. Their panels have this highly emissive coating that supposedly delivers superior quality and quantity of infrared heat.

Infrared Spectrum Coverage: Full-Spectrum vs 3-in-1

Here's where things get really interesting. Clearlight's True Wave heaters claim to emit equal portions (1/3 each) of near, mid, and far infrared all at the same time from one source. They say this produces 1,000 watts of full-spectrum infrared heat - supposedly 25 times more powerful than other systems.

Sunlighten disagrees with this approach entirely. They developed their Solocarbon 3-in-1 technology, which combines three separate components in one panel. Their argument? It's physically impossible to deliver all three peak wavelengths simultaneously from a single source. So they use a patented Solocarbon layer for far infrared, Kapton polyimide for mid infrared, and LED technology for near infrared.

Heat Output: 3,360W vs 4,200W in Premium Models

When it comes to raw power, Sunlighten's premium mPulse series cranks out 4,200W at 230V - they're going for "maximum overall health improvement and luxury." Clearlight's premium models put out 3,360W at 230V, focusing more on balancing power efficiency with therapeutic effectiveness.

What you're really looking at here are two completely different philosophies. Clearlight believes their carbon-ceramic fusion gives you balanced output from one source, while Sunlighten thinks separate specialized components working together is the way to go.

EMF and ELF Safety Testing in 2025

Here's something that should definitely factor into your decision - the safety testing on these saunas shows some pretty dramatic differences when it comes to electromagnetic fields and electric field exposure.

EMF Levels: <1mg vs 3-5mg at Seat Level

When independent testers measure Clearlight saunas, the EMF readings come in below 1 milligauss right on the heater itself. But here's the really impressive part - where you actually sit in the sauna, those EMF levels drop to basically nothing. Their True Wave technology essentially cancels out the electromagnetic radiation before it gets to you.

Sunlighten says their panels test under 1 mG in the lab. The real-world testing tells a different story though. Their mPulse models especially get called out for not having adequate EMF shielding. When you put them side by side with Clearlight, Sunlighten's magnetic fields are considerably higher.

ELF Mitigation: Complete Shielding vs Partial Protection

EMF is just part of the safety picture though. Electric field exposure (ELF) is another thing to worry about, and this is where Clearlight really stands apart. They're the only infrared sauna company that actually tackles both EMF and ELF radiation effectively. Their saunas test as low as 200 mV - that's five times below what's considered the threshold of concern.

What makes the difference? Clearlight runs all their electrical wiring through metal conduit, creating a complete shield against radiation. They even twist the wires during installation to cut down exposure even more.

Sunlighten doesn't address electric fields nearly as thoroughly. Independent testing shows competitors' ELF levels often hit over 20,000 mV - that's twenty times above the safety threshold.

Third-Party Testing: Full Reports vs Limited Disclosure

Both companies get their testing done through VitaTech Electromagnetics, but there's a big difference in how transparent they are about the results. Clearlight gives you the comprehensive test results and makes all their independent certifications easy to find.

Sunlighten only started doing systematic EMF testing in 2021. Even then, they typically only share 9 pages out of their 33-page testing reports, which raises some questions about what they're not showing you.

If you're concerned about your family's safety (and honestly, who isn't?), these differences in safety testing might just be the deciding factor between these two brands.

Build Quality and Sauna Design

Once you get past all the technical stuff, how these saunas are actually built makes a huge difference in your day-to-day experience. The construction choices here really show two different approaches to what makes a great sauna.

Wood Type: Western Red Cedar vs Basswood/Eucalyptus

Clearlight goes with Western Red Cedar, which is basically the gold standard when it comes to sauna wood. This softwood doesn't crack under those high temperatures and gives you natural insulation that spreads heat evenly throughout the whole cabin. What's really nice is that Western Red Cedar has natural antifungal properties and stays cool to the touch even when your sauna is cranked up.

Sunlighten takes a different route, giving you options between Basswood and Eucalyptus. If you've got sensitive skin or allergies, Basswood is fantastic because it's hypoallergenic and doesn't give off any aroma or toxins. Their Eucalyptus option is pretty cool too - it naturally resists insects and rot, plus it has this distinctive look that actually changes color as it ages.

Heater Placement: 360° Body Coverage vs Head-Level Panels

Here's where things get really interesting. Clearlight uses what they call "360° heat" coverage, putting heaters around your front, back, sides, calves, and legs. But here's the key thing - their heaters stop at shoulder level and don't heat your head area. They actually consulted with Ayurvedic practitioners and Doctors of Oriental Medicine who told them heating the head isn't a great idea.

Sunlighten does it differently, with panels going higher up the walls, including right at head level. Sure, you get more coverage, but your head is usually the first part of your body that gets uncomfortable with heat, so this might mean shorter sessions.

Floor Design: Solid Wood vs Slatted Over Heaters

This might seem like a small detail, but it's actually pretty important for long-term use. Clearlight uses solid wood floors with the sauna heaters underneath, so you get a heated floor that's easy to keep clean and hygienic.

Sunlighten goes with slatted wood floors sitting directly over active heaters. It looks nice, but think about this practically - sweat, dead skin cells, and other stuff can get trapped between and under those slats over time, and that's not exactly easy to clean.

Just like most things with saunas, these design differences come down to what matters most to you and how you plan to use your sauna.

Features, Add-ons, and Warranty

Here's where things get really practical. Once you get past the heating tech and safety stuff, you're looking at all the extras that can make or break your daily sauna experience.

Tech Features: App Control, Bluetooth, Touchscreen

If you're a tech person, both brands have you covered, just in different ways. Sunlighten's mPulse series comes with this sleek touchscreen control panel that has six pre-set health programs. Pretty cool feature - their in-sauna tablet lets you schedule everything ahead of time so your sauna's perfectly heated when you walk in. They've also got WiFi connectivity with automatic software updates and a mobile app for controlling everything remotely.

Clearlight takes a slightly different approach with their app control, charging station, and Bluetooth connectivity. Both companies include decent sound systems - Sunlighten uses Blaupunkt media players with built-in speakers, while Clearlight goes with Bluetooth audio that works just as well.

Wellness Add-ons: Red Light, Salt Therapy, Chromotherapy

Both brands include chromotherapy lighting in their premium models, which is great for setting the mood. Sunlighten gives you 16 different color settings and four color-changing options.

But here's where Clearlight really shines - they offer way more wellness add-ons. Sure, both companies have aromatherapy and acoustic resonance therapy, but Clearlight is the only one offering red light therapy and halotherapy (salt therapy) as upgrade options. Their red light therapy towers are pretty impressive too - they've got special cooling systems designed specifically to work in high sauna temperatures, delivering both deep red (630-660nm) and near infrared (830-850nm) wavelengths.

Warranty: Lifetime vs 5-7 Years Coverage

Now this is where the rubber meets the road. Clearlight backs everything with a limited lifetime warranty - and I mean everything. Heaters, controls, electrical components, even the audio systems. What's really nice is that this warranty transfers if you sell your house, which actually adds value for future buyers.

Sunlighten's warranty situation is completely different. You're looking at 5-7 years maximum, and a lot of components only get 1-3 years of coverage. To put this in perspective, Clearlight's True Wave heaters are rated for 30,000 hours of operation - that could be 125 years if you use your sauna weekly.

That warranty difference alone is enough to make most people lean toward Clearlight, especially when you're investing this much money in a sauna.

Comparison Table

Sometimes it's helpful to see everything laid out side by side to make sense of all these differences. Here's how these two saunas stack up across the key areas that matter most:

Feature	Clearlight	Sunlighten
Heating Technology
Heater Type	True Wave (Carbon-Ceramic fusion)	Solocarbon (Carbon fiber)
Power Output	3,360W at 230V	4,200W at 230V
Infrared Delivery	Single source full-spectrum	3-in-1 separate components
Safety Features
EMF Levels	<1mg (virtually zero at seat)	3-5mg at seat level
ELF Levels	200 mV	>20,000 mV
EMF Shielding	Complete with metal conduit	Partial reduction
Construction
Primary Wood	Western Red Cedar	Basswood/Eucalyptus
Floor Design	Solid wood with under-floor heating	Slatted wood over heaters
Heater Placement	360° coverage up to shoulder level	Full wall coverage including head level
Features
Control System	App control, Bluetooth connectivity	Touchscreen, WiFi, mobile app
Audio	Bluetooth audio system	Blaupunkt media players
Therapeutic Options	Red light therapy, salt therapy, chromotherapy	Chromotherapy (16 colors)
Warranty
Coverage Period	Lifetime warranty	5-7 years (1-3 years for electronics)
Transferability	Yes	Not mentioned
Operating Life	30,000 hours (heaters)	Not mentioned

The numbers tell a pretty clear story here. That EMF difference alone is worth paying attention to if safety is a priority for your family.

Bottom Line: Which Sauna Makes Sense for You?

After digging into all the details, Clearlight comes out ahead for most people looking to buy a sauna in 2025. Those EMF and ELF safety numbers alone are pretty compelling - we're talking about readings that are dramatically lower than what you'll get with Sunlighten. Plus, that lifetime warranty versus 5-7 years of coverage? That's not even close.

That said, Sunlighten isn't necessarily the wrong choice for everyone. If you're someone who wants the highest power output for really intense sessions, their 4,200W setup might be exactly what you're after. Same goes if you need hypoallergenic wood options or you're really into having that touchscreen control with all the WiFi connectivity.

Here's how I'd think about it: if safety testing and long-term protection are your top priorities, Clearlight is the clear choice. Those ultra-low EMF readings and the lifetime warranty make it a no-brainer for most families. But if you're more focused on having the latest tech features and specialized materials, Sunlighten might be worth the trade-offs.

Either way, you're getting a sauna that delivers way better therapeutic benefits than anything you'd find at a basic level. Both of these brands are serious investments in your health and wellness. Just know that for most people who want peace of mind about safety and long-term value, Clearlight's got the edge in 2025.

The good news? Whichever route you go, you're going to love having a sauna at home!