Whilst we outline the differences and facts as clearly as possible, we feel the responsibility to advise on the fact that we’re working for Clearlight. This should be obvious, given the blog is hosted on the Clearlight website. Nonetheless, we wanted to be fully 100% transparent on this topic as a team.
So in this blog post, we answer the question: “Which infrared sauna - full-spectrum infrared saunas or otherwise - is better, Clearlight® or Sun Stream?”
Let us be clear:
Sun Stream and Clearlight® Saunas are currently the two most prestigious brands in the infrared sauna space. Both companies offer:
- a full range of premium-quality infrared saunas.
- excellent service and lifetime warranty, although only one company offers a lifetime warranty on the sauna wood as well
- various add-ons - but the add-ons of one of these companies are superior
- extremely low “electro-magnetic fields” (EMFs) exposure
For that reason, we decided to create a comparison.
Step by step, you’ll learn why Clearlight® Saunas is the best infrared sauna in the UK.
So whether it’s the sauna heaters or add-ons, better warranty, and more promising therapeutic potential, Clearlight® Saunas offers the highest-quality saunas on the market currently.
Let’s find out why that conclusion holds:
DISCLAIMER:
Before we dive in, we want to be honest that we’re part of the Clearlight Saunas team for non-US regions. We nevertheless aim to be as transparent and objective as possible in my analysis of these different saunas. We believe Clearlight is the superior sauna based on these facts and analysis.
Let us explain where we’re coming from:
Over the last 10 years, different individuals in our company used, tested and designed various infrared saunas. In this process, we have worked extensively on deepening our understanding of infrared saunas, infrared technology and their excellent health benefits. In this process, we have continued to improve and pioneer Clearlight Saunas towards becoming the leading infrared sauna company in the world. Clearlight has also been in business for 25 years.
Let’s begin our comparison of both companies thought:
Facts Overview
In this section, we’ll give you two examples of similar models that Clearlight and Sun Stream offer.
First, we’ll start with a 2-person far infrared sauna model. That comparison uses the 2-Person Clearlight® Essential Far Infrared Sauna and the Evolve 20 far infrared from Sun Stream:
Sun Stream Evolve 20 vs Clearlight Essential
| Features | Sun Stream Eveolve 20 | Clearlight Essential Far Infrared Sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 129W x 116D x 197H cm | 127W x 112D X 195H cm |
| Heaters | Nano Carbon Heaters 2,080W | True Wave™ Carbon + Cermaic Heaters 1,750W |
| Heater Placement | Full 360º Degree Heat Exposure | Almost 360º Degree Heat Exposure (Upgradable to Full 360º Heat Exposure with a Full Spectrum Heater Add-On) |
| Infrared Spectrum | Far Infrared | Far Infrared (Upgradable to Full Spectrum) |
| EMF/ELF | Fully optimised for EMF and ELF. Virtually 0 EMF (when measured on the bench), low ELF levels. Third party testing for EMF and ELF ✅ | Fully optimised for EMF and ELF. Virtually 0 EMF (when measured on the bench), low ELF levels. Third party testing for EMF and ELF ✅ |
| Wood Type | Hemlock | Eco-Certified Grade 'A' Nordic Spruce |
| Sauna Accessories | Red Light Therapy (Optional, Outside the Sauna) | Red Light Therapy, Salt Therapy, Vibrational Resonance Therapy, Medical-grade Chromotherapy, Backrest |
| Included Accessories | Backrest, Sauna Hat, Towel, Aromatherapy Cup, Movable Bench, Standard Chromotherapy | Standard Chromatherapy |
| Electricity Consumption | 2.08 kW/hr | 1.75 kW/hr |
| Electricity Costs/hr (Assuming £0.34 per kWh) | 2.08kWh * £0.34 = £0.71 | 1.75kWh * £0.34 = £0.59 |
So what’s the difference between these infrared saunas?
First, the Essential sauna has the best heater profile because a full-spectrum heater can be added to the front of the sauna. That full-spectrum heater not only adds near-infrared and mid-infrared to your exposure but also adds 500 Watts of energy, bringing the total to 2,250W of power.
Also, Clearlight uses combined carbon and ceramic heaters. In this True Wave® technology, the carbon provides the healing far infrared wavelengths while the carbon provides a higher infrared output with shorter wavelengths. The True Wave® is exclusive within the infrared sauna industry.
Secondly, the therapeutic add-on options for the Clearlight® Saunas are far more extensive. With Clearlight, you can expand the therapeutic repertoire with salt therapy, red light therapy that can be used simultaneously with your sauna during your sessions, and an additional full-spectrum heater.
The Sun Stream Evolve 20 has many standard add-ons such as a sauna hat and towel, a movable bench, backrests, and an aromatherapy cup that Clearlight doesn’t offer. The difference here is that Sun Stream targets a different customer. Even though both companies offer premium products, the therapeutic offerings of Clearlight are more high-end. The goal of Clearlight® Addons is improving the sauna’s therapeutic benefits. Nevertheless, the price of the Evolve 20 and Essential - 2 Person are comparable.
To better demonstrate our point about the difference in targeting the luxury and high-end of the infrared sauna market, we’ll compare two other saunas. That comparison uses the 3-Person Clearlight® Sanctuary Full Spectrum Sauna and the Sun Stream Evolve 30.
The Sun Stream Evolve 30 is far more affordable but offers fewer premium options, such as add-ons and a less luxurious wood type.
Sun Stream Evolve 30 vs Clearlight Sanctuary 3-Person
| Features | Sun Stream Eveolve 30 | Clearlight Sanctuary 3-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 154W x 97D x 188H cm | 181W x 122D X 196H cm |
| Heaters | SoloCarbon® far infrared and mid-infrared heat. In addition, a small built-in near infrared LED heater panel | True Wave® carbon and ceramic and two 2 x 500W Full Spectrum Heaters |
| Heater Placement | Full 360º Degree Heat Exposure | Full 360º Degree Heat Exposure |
| Infrared Spectrum | Far Infrared | Far Infrared and Full Spectrum Infrared |
| EMF/ELF | Fully optimised for EMF and ELF. Virtually 0 EMF (when measured on the bench), low ELF levels. Third party testing for EMF and ELF ✅ | Fully optimised for EMF and ELF. Virtually 0 EMF (when measured on the bench), low ELF levels. Third party testing for EMF and ELF ✅ |
| Wood Type | Hemlock | Western Grade 'A' Red Cedar |
| Sauna Accessories | Red Light Therapy (Optional, Outside the Sauna) | Red Light Therapy, Salt Therapy, Vibrational Resonance Therapy, Full Spectrum Mini Heater, Backrest |
| Included Accessories | Backrest, Sauna Hat, Towel, Aromatherapy Cup, Movable Bench, Standard Chromotherapy | Medical-grade Chromatherapy, Full Spectrum Heaters |
| Electricity Consumption | 2.25 kW/hr | 2.8 kW/hr |
So let’s explain the Clearlight® Sanctuary 3-Person Full Spectrum Sauna and Sun Stream Evolve 30 saunas comparison in more detail. Comparing both options is difficult because they’re entirely different products. It’s like comparing a BMW car with a Bentley - both are high-end cars but target a very different level of luxury.
Even though both are high-end options, the average Bentley price is 2-4X times that of a BMW car. But, within high-end options, the Bentley has better specifications and a more luxurious feel. Bently also takes more prestigious care of their customers. And, in this case, the Clearlight option also offers the best therapeutic value.
The same is true for the Clearlight® Sanctuary 3-Person Full Spectrum Sauna that arguably uses the best sauna wood on the market: Western red cedar. That cedar wood explains the 2X+ higher price for a Clearlight® Sanctuary 3-Person Full Spectrum Sauna and two 500W full-spectrum heaters not included in the Sun Stream Evolve 30.
The Clearlight is also more spacious, further adding to the luxurious experience. And, last but not least, the Clearlight offers better therapeutic value, either as a standalone or with add-ons.
Hence, the products are incomparable because both options target a different market segment.
Let’s explore Sun Stream’s product in more detail now, though: