Buying an infrared blanket: the complete guide for 2026

An infrared blanket is a blanket with built in heating elements that wraps your body in gentle radiant heat from all sides, and for most people it is the simplest way to bring a sauna feeling into the home. Still, the choice is harder than it looks: in a photo the models all look the same, the specifications get mixed up and the spelling differs from shop to shop.

In this guide we set out what an infrared sauna blanket is, how it differs from an electric blanket and an infrared cabin, what to look for when buying, what the differences are between the three Luxyor models, and whether such a blanket can be dangerous. The less fun sides are covered too, because they are part of an honest story.

What exactly is an infrared blanket?

An infrared blanket, also called a sauna blanket, is a large blanket that you fold or zip around yourself. Inside the blanket are heating elements that give off infrared warmth. That warmth works differently from the warmth of a heater: instead of warming the air around you, the radiation warms your body and the blanket directly. That is why it feels like a soft, enveloping warmth instead of stuffy heat.

You control the whole thing with a remote control or a control panel on a cable. On it you set the temperature and the time. With most blankets, including those from Luxyor, you can set the warmth from about 30 to 80 °C and switch on a timer that turns the blanket off by itself.

You'll also come across the term "infrared heat blanket". That is the same product under a different name. The same goes for names like infrared sleeping bag, sauna bag and infrared therapy bag, which we put side by side in a separate article on which name belongs to which product. In the rest of this guide we deliberately switch between these names, because you'll come across all of them as soon as you start searching.

What does a session feel like?

You lay the blanket on a sofa, on a bed or on a mat on the floor, let it preheat for a while and then lie down in it. Most people wear long, thin clothing or put a cotton sheet between themselves and the inside. After a few minutes you start to sweat. For many users a session lasts half an hour to forty five minutes, followed by cooling down calmly and drinking. You can read more about this in the knowledge base on infrared sauna blankets.

Infrared blanket, electric blanket or infrared cabin

This is the question that causes the most confusion, because all three give off warmth. The difference is in how they do it, in the space they take up and in what you get in return.

An electric blanket is meant to preheat your bed or your chair. The wires give off contact heat to the fabric, so it gets pleasantly warm under the blanket. It doesn't go far above body temperature, you won't sweat from it and that isn't the point either. An infrared sauna blanket is a different device: higher temperatures, a closed shape around your body and a session with a beginning and an end.

An infrared cabin is a wooden cabin you sit in. It gives a complete sauna feeling and room to move, but it needs a fixed spot, a solid power connection and quite a few square metres. A sauna blanket needs a sofa and a shelf in a cupboard.

In short: if you mainly want warm feet in bed, an electric blanket is enough and cheaper. If you want a sauna moment but don't have the space, an infrared blanket is the logical middle ground. If you really want a cabin experience with freedom to move, a cabin remains unbeatable. A detailed comparison is in the article on sauna blanket versus infrared cabin.

What to look for when buying an infrared blanket

Once you know you want a sauna blanket, the choice comes down to seven points. We list them below in order of importance, so you know where to focus your attention and what you can safely ignore.

Temperature range

A useful blanket lets you set the temperature in steps, usually from about 30 to 80 °C. The highest number matters less than you might think: most people stay somewhere in the middle range and rarely get to the maximum. What matters more is that you can adjust it finely, so in steps of a few degrees and not in three vague settings. That way you build up calmly and find your own comfortable temperature.

Zones

Some blankets heat as a whole, others have separate zones for, say, the feet, torso and upper body. Zones are nice if you have cold feet but prefer to keep your upper body milder. If you don't need that, an evenly heated whole is simpler to use and there is less to fiddle with. Above all, check whether the warmth is evenly spread, because a blanket with hot spots and cold spots is never comfortable.

Timer and automatic shut off

A timer is not a luxury but a basic requirement. You want to be able to set the blanket to switch off by itself after thirty, forty or sixty minutes, so you can drift off without watching the clock. Also make sure the device switches itself off if something goes wrong. I wouldn't buy a blanket without a timer, however attractive the offer looks.

Dimensions

Most sauna blankets measure around 180 by 80 centimetres. That suits almost any body height, but do measure the spot where you are going to lie. A sofa of 170 centimetres makes any blanket uncomfortable. Another important question is whether you want your arms inside or would rather keep them out to hold a book. So measure beforehand how much length you really have, and you'll know straight away whether a roomier model makes sense.

Material and finish

The outside determines how sturdy the blanket feels and how long it lasts. Oxford fabric is light, strong and easy to keep clean. A PU leather outside feels more luxurious and sturdier and is easy to wipe clean. On the inside you want a smooth layer you can clean with a damp cloth, because that is where the sweat ends up. Also pay attention to the zips and the seams: those are the places that break first with daily use.

Certification and safety

Check whether the product has a CE marking and whether the seller makes clear which standards it meets. A seller with a real address, a customer service you can call and a manual in your own language often says more than a list of specifications. Also ask yourself where you would send the device if something breaks. With a seller without a European point of contact, the answer is usually an uncomfortable one.

Warranty and time to change your mind

With a product where heat, electronics and textiles come together, you want certainty. Look at how long the warranty runs and what exactly it covers. Also look at the time you get to change your mind, because you only really judge a sauna blanket after a few sessions. At Luxyor you get 60 days to change your mind and a 2 year warranty on manufacturing and material defects.

The three Luxyor sauna blankets side by side

Luxyor has three models: the Slimline 100, the Comfort 150 and the Deluxe 310. They share the same basis, because all three have an adjustable temperature of about 30 to 80 °C, a timer, remote control and a size of around 180 by 80 centimetres. The difference is in the finish, the feel and the ease of use, not in whether they work.

What stands out when you read the row like this: the step from model to model is about material and controls, not about the warmth itself. If you mainly want to find out whether infrared is for you, the entry model will do just fine. If you know it will become a fixed part of your week, you'll notice the difference in finish with every session. A more detailed comparison is in the comparison of the Slimline 100, Comfort 150 and Deluxe 310, and the full specifications of the entry model are in the Slimline 100 technically explained.

Which infrared blanket suits your goal and situation

Specifications say little as long as you don't know what you want to do with them. That is why this table turns it around: start with your situation and read off what to look for.

The last two rows are there on purpose. A sauna blanket is not the right solution for everyone, and saying so honestly saves disappointment. If you'd rather sit than lie down, you are often better off with an infrared lamp.

Luxyor Comfort 150

• The middle ground: comfortable without getting complicated
• Adjustable temperature, timer and a pleasant remote control
• 60 days to change your mind and a 2 year warranty

View the Comfort 150

Is an infrared blanket dangerous?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions and it deserves an honest answer. An infrared blanket from a reliable seller, with a CE marking, an adjustable temperature, a timer and automatic shut off, is a safe device with normal use. It is warmth in a closed blanket, no more and no less. There is no radiation in the sense people sometimes fear; infrared is simply thermal radiation, the same kind of warmth you feel on your skin from the sun or from a tiled stove.

That said, there are definitely situations in which you need to be careful, and keeping quiet about them would be dishonest.

• You lie in a closed blanket and can't get out of it in one movement. Make sure you have the controller within reach and that you can free yourself on your own.
• You sweat and lose fluid. Drink before and after a session and don't lie down in a blanket if you are already dehydrated.
• You notice warmth less well if your skin sensation is reduced, for example due to nerve conditions or certain medication. Then you can lie too warm for too long without noticing.
• Alcohol and heat don't go well together. Skip the session if you have been drinking.
• Never fall asleep without a timer, and never leave the blanket switched on unattended.
• Not to be used by or near young children, and watch out for pets that love to lie on it.
• No damaged cable, no damaged blanket. Don't fold the blanket sharply where the elements are.

What people mean when they search for "infrared blanket dangerous" is usually one of two things: is the radiation harmful, or can I overheat. To the first, the answer is that thermal radiation is not ionising radiation. To the second, the answer is: that can happen, and that is why the timer and the adjustable temperature range exist. Build up calmly, start with a lower setting and a shorter session, and listen to what your body tells you.

Still unsure whether to buy from a physical wellness shop or the webshop? Wellness shop or webshop: the differences at a glance sets out the pros and cons of both channels side by side.

You can read more about sensible use in the complete safety guide for infrared sauna blankets.

Is there a cordless infrared blanket?

Short answer: hardly, and that is no coincidence. People search for "cordless infrared blanket", but the blankets you can actually buy all plug into the socket. The reason is simple: a blanket that keeps your body at fifty to seventy degrees for half an hour needs hundreds of watts. A battery that delivers that power for a whole session would be heavy, large and expensive and would make the blanket impractical.

What you do come across is wireless control. The remote control is then not attached to a cable, or you control the blanket via a panel that you lay loosely next to you. That makes it easier to use, but the blanket itself stays on mains power. If you come across an offer that promises the blanket really works completely cordless, read very carefully what exactly is wireless about it before you order.

For travelling this means you always need a socket. That is usually not a problem, because you roll a sauna blanket up and take it with you in the car or to a holiday home. Only camping without power is out.

What reviews and experiences are worth

Lots of people search for "infrared sauna blanket review" and "sauna blanket experiences", and rightly so: you want to know how something works out before you bring it into your home. But not all reviews are equally useful. Judging a blanket after one session says little, because the first time is always about getting used to the warmth and the position.

What to look for in reviews:

• How long has someone been using it? Reviews after a few months say more about zips, seams and wear than reviews after a week.
• Is the review about the product or about the delivery? A low rating because the parcel was late says nothing about the blanket.
• Does someone describe the use concretely? "Lovely" is worth less than "I lie in it three times a week for forty minutes and the warmth is even".
• Are there critical reviews too? A product page with nothing but glowing texts is less credible than a page with a few honest downsides.
• Do you recognise yourself in the reviewer? Someone who is 1.95 metres tall judges the sizing differently from someone who is 1.60 metres.

What you often read in experience stories is that the first sessions are shorter than expected, that after a few weeks people have found their regular temperature, and that the blanket is mainly used at moments that already fit into the routine. If you put it in the cupboard "for when there's time", you'll rarely use it. Also read what other users say in the article on experiences with an infrared sauna blanket.

The best infrared blanket is not the model with the most features, but the model you reach for again next week.

Other brands and where Luxyor stands

Luxyor is not the only seller. Brands like Koanna also sell infrared sauna blankets in the Netherlands, and there is also a large group of sellers without a clear brand name who sell through marketplaces and adverts. If you search for "koanna infrared blanket" you'll see neat looking products, and those are perfectly working blankets too.

The difference between sellers rarely lies in the warmth itself, because the technology under the fabric is very similar. The difference is in the choice of material, the finish, the quality of the controls, and above all in what happens when something goes wrong. So don't just compare the list of specifications, but also these points:

• Where is the seller based and is there a contact person who speaks your language?
• How long does the warranty run and what does it apply to?
• How much time do you get to change your mind and try it out calmly?
• Are parts such as the remote control or an inner liner available separately?
• Is there a manual in your language and can you reach customer service?

Luxyor is a Dutch brand with its own webshop and also sells through bol.com and Kaufland. The three models are side by side at Luxyor, so you can compare them calmly. That doesn't mean another brand is a bad choice; it means that when comparing you should look at the same points with every seller.

Downsides and limitations of an infrared blanket

A guide that only shows the nice sides is not a guide. These are the things you need to know before you order, because almost everyone comes across them at some point.

• You lie still. In a sauna blanket you can't shift position or quickly get up without opening the blanket. If you find it hard to lie still, that can be difficult.
• Your head stays outside. That is nice for breathing, but it is not the same as the complete sauna feeling with warm air all around you.
• You have to tidy up. After every session you wipe the inside and let the blanket dry before you roll it up. If you skip that, you get musty smells.
• You really sweat. Expect a shower afterwards and some laundry. An inner liner makes a big difference there.
• It takes time. Preheating, the session itself and cooling down together easily add up to an hour. If you don't have that hour, you'll rarely use the blanket.
• It needs power. No socket, no session.
• It is not a treatment. A sauna blanket is a way to relax and seek out warmth. Don't expect a medical solution from it and talk to your doctor if you have health complaints.
• Not everyone likes the warmth. Some people find a closed blanket stuffy. You only find out when you're lying in it, and that is why time to change your mind is so important.

What to look out for: the pitfalls

When buying an infrared sauna blanket, people often go wrong on the same points. This list prevents most disappointments.

• Choosing on maximum temperature. Almost nobody uses the highest setting. Fine adjustment is worth more than a high maximum.
• Forgetting to measure. The blanket fits, the sofa doesn't. Measure your spot before you order.
• Thinking it replaces an electric blanket. It doesn't, and the other way round neither.
• Believing in a completely cordless model. In practice they don't exist; check what exactly is wireless about it.
• Paying no attention to the inside. That is where the sweat ends up. A smooth, wipeable layer is not a detail.
• Relying only on first week reviews. You only see wear after months.
• Buying without a point of contact. If something breaks, you want to be able to reach someone.
• Starting too hot and too long too soon. Build up, it is more pleasant and you'll keep it up for longer.
• Putting the blanket away while it is still damp. That is the quickest route to a musty smell.

Five steps to the right infrared blanket

If you've read everything above, it comes down to a short series of decisions. Work through them in this order and you'll rarely go wrong.

1. Decide how you'll use itWill you relax briefly now and then, or will it become a fixed moment in your week? That answer determines how much comfort you need.
2. Measure your spot and yourselfMeasure the sofa, bed or mat where you'll lie, and take into account your own height and whether you want your arms inside.
3. Check the basicsAdjustable temperature in small steps, a timer with automatic shut off, a CE marking and a manual in your language. Without those four, a model is out.
4. Look at material and finishOxford fabric or PU leather on the outside, a smooth wipeable inside, sturdy zips and neat seams. This determines how long your blanket lasts.
5. Check the warranty and time to change your mindYou only know after a few sessions whether it suits you. Make sure you have that room and that you know who to turn to.

If you're still torn between two models after that, choose the model that suits how often you'll really use it. More frequent use justifies more comfort; occasional use justifies simplicity.

Practical questions that often remain

How often can you use a sauna blanket?

Many people use it two to four times a week. There is no fixed rule; what matters is that it keeps feeling pleasant and fits your rhythm. Start calmly and build up to what works for you.

What do you wear?

Long, thin cotton clothing, or long trousers with long sleeves. That is more comfortable than bare skin against the inside and keeps the blanket cleaner. A towel under your head is nice.

How much electricity does it use?

A sauna blanket has a power rating in the order of a few hundred watts, the Slimline 100 for example 500 W. Because it doesn't draw full power continuously and a session lasts a limited time, the consumption per session is modest compared with a cabin that has to heat a whole space.

Can you take it with you?

Yes. You roll it up and put it in the storage bag. Taking it to a holiday home or a second address is easy, as long as there is power.

Luxyor Deluxe 310

• PU leather outside that wipes clean easily and feels sturdy
• Roomy and enveloping, made for longer sessions
• 60 days to change your mind and a 2 year warranty

View the Deluxe 310

If you have doubts about the health claims you come across with other sellers, compare them with what the research says about infrared. There you'll find, per application, what has been shown and what has not.

In closing

Buying an infrared blanket becomes simple as soon as you start with yourself instead of with the specifications. Decide how often you'll use it, measure your spot, check the basics (adjustable temperature, timer, certification, warranty) and only then look at finish and luxury. Also know when a sauna blanket is not the right choice: for warm feet in bed an electric blanket is enough, and if you want to move while warming up you're better off with a cabin or a lamp.

If you want to compare the models calmly side by side, take a look at the infrared sauna blanket collection. If you'd first like more background on how infrared warmth works and how to build up a session, read on in the knowledge base on infrared sauna blankets.