Does the Relax Sauna Emit EMFs?
One of the most common concerns about infrared saunas is electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. The Relax Far Infrared Sauna is engineered for very low EMF emissions, setting it apart from traditional wooden saunas and lower-quality infrared models.
How Low is the EMF in the Relax Sauna?
Unlike wooden infrared saunas, which often have carbon panels positioned all around the user, generating higher EMF levels, the Relax Sauna's patented semiconductor technology ensures that EMF exposure remains minimal.
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Less than 0.5 milligauss (mG) of EMF is detected anywhere your body sits inside the Relax Sauna.
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Many low-cost, Chinese-made saunas with carbon panels emit significantly higher EMFs.
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The Relax Sauna’s reflective tent walls (embedded with silver) help bounce and distribute far infrared energy evenly, without generating EMF from the walls.
Understanding EMF Exposure in Saunas
Electromagnetic fields are invisible energy fields produced by electrically charged objects. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has no official EMF exposure limit, they acknowledge potential risks. Sweden, however, has the strictest global standard—the TCO guideline, which recommends keeping EMF exposure below ≤2 milligauss (mG) at 30 cm (about 1 foot) from a device. This standard is widely recognized, especially by EMF-sensitive individuals.
Relax Sauna measures 0.17-.9 mG—far below this threshold, making it the lowest-EMF infrared sauna available.
By contrast, the worst-performing sauna tested—an inexpensive $100 sauna tent sold on Amazon—emits 22–37 mG, or 10–15 times the Swedish standard and 100–250 times the EMF of Relax Sauna.
For comparison, here are common household EMF levels:
- Cell phone (during use): 5–30 mG
- Laptop (on lap): 5–20 mG
- Microwave (while running nearby): 100–300 mG
- Hair dryer: 50–700 mG
Yes, you’re reading that correctly. If you use a phone or laptop while sitting at a desk, you’re exposed to 100x more EMFs per minute than when using a Relax Sauna. While EMF awareness is valid, focusing solely on this factor while ignoring the broader benefits of light therapy is missing the forest for the trees.
Debunking the EMF Superiority Claim of Near Infrared Saunas
1. The $15,000 EMF Testing Equipment Myth
A claim that someone owns "$15,000 worth of EMF testing equipment" may sound impressive but is misleading. Professional EMF meters do not cost nearly that much. Here are actual costs of high-end testing equipment - both prosumer and professional electrical engineering lab devices:
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Trifield TF2 EMF Meter (consumer-grade): ~$180
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Gigahertz Solutions NFA1000 (professional magnetic field meter): ~$1,800
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Gigahertz Solutions HF59B (high-frequency EMF meter): ~$2,000
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Aaronia Spectran NF-5035 (full spectrum analyzer): ~$3,000
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Fluke 287 True RMS Multimeter (power quality testing): ~$500
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Narda NBM-550 (lab-grade broadband field meter): ~$7,000
Even an Ivy League university physics lab rarely exceeds $8,000 in total EMF equipment. To reach $15,000, one would need multiple redundant high-end meters, which doesn’t necessarily improve accuracy. Expensive equipment does not equate to valid methodology, and misinterpretation of EMF data is common among those without proper electrical engineering training.
2. EMF Levels Depend on Design, Not Wavelength
The idea that NIR saunas inherently produce lower EMFs than FIR saunas is false. EMFs are a result of engineering choices, not infrared wavelength.
Relax Sauna uses advanced EMF mitigation techniques, including:
- Enclosed Heating System: Unlike open-bulb saunas, Relax Sauna’s enclosed ceramic emitters minimize EMF exposure while maximizing infrared output.
- Double-Layer EMF Shielding: Metal-oxide ceramic emitters eliminate stray EMFs, reducing electric fields to near-undetectable levels.
- Shielded Wiring: Prevents electric field leakage.
- Twisted-Pair Wiring: Cancels opposing magnetic fields.
- Grounding & Filtering: Eliminates stray currents and mitigates EMF exposure.
- Optimized Emitter Placement: Ensures uniform infrared distribution while minimizing interference.
A qualified electrical engineer can confirm these design elements in any Relax Sauna.
3. The Tent Sauna Misconception
The claim that low-EMF FIR technology cannot be implemented in a tent sauna is incorrect. EMF levels depend on engineering, not structure. The Relax Sauna Black Pro tent is the thickest, most reflective, and most effective far -infrared enhancing sauna design available.
Another key distinction to consider is that many other saunas utilize infrared-emitting panels with extensive wiring that surrounds the user’s body, potentially increasing EMF exposure. In contrast, the Relax Sauna is designed with most of its wiring positioned outside the tent, with only minimal wiring entering the enclosure—located at the bottom behind the radiators. This strategic placement significantly reduces direct EMF exposure for the user. Independent testing has demonstrated this advantage, with EMF readings on the chair, where the user sits, averaging just 0.7 mG. A video showcasing these measurements allows users to see firsthand the low EMF levels, reinforcing the Relax Sauna’s superior safety design.
Issues with Near Infrared (NIR) Saunas & Incandescent Bulbs
Many saunas use incandescent heat lamps, which present their own EMF concerns:
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Unshielded AC-Powered Bulbs: Emit strong electric fields.
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Metal Reflectors: Can amplify radio frequency (RF) exposure.
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Direct AC Power Without Filtering: Causes fluctuating high EMF readings.
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Limited Shielding Options: Open-bulb designs lack proper EMF mitigation.
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Localized Heating Only: Unlike FIR, which penetrates 2–3 inches into tissues and oscillates water molecules, NIR only heats the air and skin surface proteins.
Just as any health product can legally be labeled “natural” or “nano”, any sauna can claim “low EMF” without regulatory oversight. Many lack the grounding, shielding, and cancellation techniques used in properly engineered FIR saunas like Relax Sauna.
Final Scientific Verdict in Bullet-Points
- The $15,000 EMF testing equipment claim is exaggerated.
- EMF levels depend on engineering, not infrared wavelength.
- The claim that far infrared tent saunas have higher EMFs than NIR saunas is false.
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Relax Sauna employs industry-leading shielding, cancellation, and grounding.
NIR saunas with incandescent bulbs can produce high EMFs due to poor shielding. - FIR saunas, when properly engineered, provide deeper, more effective heat with safer EMF levels.
Relax Sauna’s far infrared technology is designed for low EMF and maximum efficiency, making it a safe, effective, and scientifically validated choice. Any claim suggesting otherwise stems from misinterpretation, poor testing methodology, or bias.
How Does This Compare to Everyday EMF Exposure?
It's important to put EMF exposure into perspective:
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A wheatgrass juicer or a Vitamix blender produces six times more EMF than the Relax Sauna’s radiators.
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Even healing magnets emit more EMF than the Relax Sauna.
Does Far Infrared Combat Harmful EMF Exposure?
Research suggests that high-quality far infrared (FIR) energy can counteract the negative effects of certain EMF exposures. The Relax Sauna generates near 100% pure far infrared energy, making it more effective at promoting cellular healing and detoxification than traditional wooden saunas, which typically only produce 40-60% FIR energy.
The Truth About EMF and Marketing Myths
Not all EMF is harmful—just as not all fats are bad (a misconception once widely believed before experts distinguished between healthy and unhealthy fats). While high-tension power lines and cell phones emit potentially harmful EMFs, studies in Japan and Sweden have found that far infrared heating systems do not pose a risk. Instead, Japanese researchers have found that far infrared heat actually neutralizes the negative effects of harmful EMF exposure.
Thousands of Happy Sauna Users
Over the years, only 2 out of 80,000 people who have used the Relax Sauna have reported being sensitive to EMF exposure. Meanwhile, countless customers—including those who previously owned wooden saunas—have upgraded to the Relax Sauna after experiencing its superior far infrared output, faster sweat response, and deep-penetrating benefits.
For more details, check out FIR Medical Facts, where research highlights far infrared therapy’s ability to mitigate harmful electromagnetic exposure while enhancing overall wellness.