If you've narrowed your infrared sauna search down to Clearlight, you're already past the hard part. The remaining decision — Sanctuary or Premier — is the question we get most often as an authorized Clearlight dealer, and almost every buyer arrives with the same confusion: the marketing copy makes Sanctuary sound like the obvious choice, but Premier is often the better fit. This guide breaks down exactly where the two lines differ, where they don't, and which one fits your budget, electrical setup, and wellness goals.
The Short Answer
Choose the Premier if you want a proven far infrared sauna that runs on 120V (a standard 15-amp outlet for the IS-1 and IS-2, a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the IS-3), costs less, and still gives you the True Wave carbon-ceramic heaters, Eco-Certified wood, and lifetime residential warranty. Choose the Sanctuary if you want full-spectrum infrared (near + mid + far), Medical Grade Chromotherapy with 96 LEDs, a glass roof, and don't mind installing a dedicated 240V circuit on most models. Request 2026 Clearlight pricing
What's in This Guide
- The core difference: full spectrum vs far infrared
- Sanctuary vs Premier at a glance
- Sanctuary models, dimensions, and electrical
- Premier models, dimensions, and electrical
- Electrical planning: 120V vs 240V
- When Premier is the smarter buy
- Chromotherapy, wood, and warranty
- Frequently asked questions
- Complete your Clearlight setup
The core difference: full spectrum vs far infrared
Every Clearlight sauna uses the same patented True Wave carbon-ceramic heater technology, which Clearlight designs for low EMF and ELF levels. What separates the two lines is which wavelengths of infrared those heaters produce.
The Premier series is far infrared only. Far infrared covers roughly 6 to 14 microns, and it's the wavelength most of the research on infrared sauna benefits has actually studied. It is not the deepest-penetrating band: ICNIRP describes far infrared (IR-C) as absorbed superficially by the skin, while near infrared (IR-A) reaches several millimeters. Far infrared is what makes you sweat and raises core body temperature.
The Sanctuary series is true full-spectrum infrared. In addition to the far infrared panels lining the walls, every Sanctuary includes dedicated True Wave Full Spectrum heaters on the front wall that emit near infrared (700 to 1400nm) and mid infrared (1400 to 3000nm) on top of the standard far infrared. Near infrared is the wavelength associated with photobiomodulation research. Mid infrared sits between the two.
If your goal is straightforward — heat, a deep sweat and relaxation — Premier's far infrared covers it. If you specifically want near infrared exposure alongside your sauna sessions (for example, because you've read the photobiomodulation research and want it integrated rather than added via a separate red light tower), Sanctuary is the only way to get that natively in a Clearlight cabin.
Sanctuary vs Premier at a glance
Here's the comparison most buyers want before they go deeper:
| Feature | Sanctuary | Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared type | Full spectrum (near + mid + far) | Far infrared only |
| Heater technology | True Wave Full Spectrum + carbon-ceramic far | True Wave carbon-ceramic far infrared |
| Chromotherapy | Medical Grade — 96 LEDs, 12 colors (standard) | Standard — 15 LEDs, 6 colors (Medical Grade is a factory-only upgrade) |
| Wood | Eco-Certified Mahogany or Basswood | Eco-Certified Mahogany or Basswood |
| Roof | Glass roof (standard on Sanctuary) | Solid wood roof |
| Electrical (most models) | 240V on Sanctuary 3 and larger; 120V on Sanctuary 1 and 2 | 120V on every Premier model |
| Sizes offered | 6 indoor models (1, 2, 3, 5, C, Retreat) | 3 models (IS-1, IS-2, IS-3) |
| Warranty | Lifetime residential / 5-year commercial | Lifetime residential / 5-year commercial |
| Wheelchair-accessible option | Sanctuary Retreat (low-entry threshold) | Not available |
| Full Spectrum upgrade path | Standard | Factory-only — must be ordered with the sauna |
| Price tier | Higher | Lower |
The table makes the tradeoff clear: Sanctuary gives you the technology ceiling (full spectrum, Medical Grade Chromotherapy, glass roof, wheelchair-accessible option) at a higher price and generally more demanding electrical. Premier gives you the same heater tech, the same wood, the same lifetime warranty — but stops at far infrared, runs on 120V across the board, and costs less.
Sanctuary models, dimensions, and electrical
Six indoor Sanctuary models cover everything from a single-person unit in a bathroom corner to a five-person cabin in a home gym. Dimensions and electrical requirements below are pulled directly from the Clearlight spec sheets we keep on file as an authorized dealer.
| Model | Capacity | Exterior dimensions | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary 1 | 1 person | 42.5"W x 48.25"D x 77"H | 120V / 15A |
| Sanctuary 2 | 2 person | 51.75"W x 47.75"D x 77"H | 120V / 20A dedicated |
| Sanctuary 3 | 3 person | 71"W x 48"D x 77"H | 240V |
| Sanctuary 5 | 4 to 5 person | 82.75"W x 47.25"D x 77"H | 240V |
| Sanctuary C | 4 person (corner) | 71.25" back walls x 47.5" front wall x 77"H | 240V |
| Sanctuary Retreat | 4 person (wheelchair-accessible) | 76.5"W x 64.5"D x 85"H | 240V |
A few things worth knowing about the Sanctuary lineup specifically:
The Sanctuary 2 is the practical middle of the lineup. It fits comfortably in a finished basement, a garage corner, or a spare bedroom, seats two adults, and still runs on 120V — just a dedicated 20-amp circuit rather than the 15-amp standard. It's the entry point to full-spectrum for anyone who doesn't want to hire an electrician to run a new 240V line.
The Sanctuary Retreat is a category of one. It's the only wheelchair-accessible infrared sauna Clearlight makes — low-entry threshold, wider interior, and 82.75 inches of interior height that accommodates taller users standing upright. It's the model we recommend for older buyers, anyone with mobility limitations, or households where aging in place is part of the planning.
The Sanctuary C is the only corner configuration in the indoor Sanctuary lineup. If you're working with a room where an entire wall isn't available but two walls meeting at a right angle are, the C is purpose-built for that footprint. It seats four comfortably and runs on 240V like the rest of the larger Sanctuaries.
Every Sanctuary also supports an optional Smart Device Control add-on for smartphone-based remote operation — pre-heat the cabin from your phone, schedule sessions, and control chromotherapy remotely. It's a standard add-on across the Sanctuary line regardless of model.
If you want to see the outdoor-rated Sanctuary variants (Outdoor 2 and Outdoor 5) — same full-spectrum heating with Cedartec exterior siding rated for four-season use — browse the Clearlight outdoor collection separately. This guide focuses on the indoor lineup where the Sanctuary vs Premier decision actually happens.
Premier models, dimensions, and electrical
Three Premier models cover one, two, and three-person sizing. Every Premier runs on 120V — no dedicated 240V circuit required for any model in the line.
| Model | Capacity | Exterior dimensions | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier IS-1 | 1 person | 40"W x 44"D x 76"H | 120V / 15A |
| Premier IS-2 | 2 person | 50"W x 44"D x 76"H | 120V / 15A |
| Premier IS-3 | 3 person | 61"W x 44"D x 76"H | 120V / 20A dedicated |
The practical implication: every Premier model except the IS-3 plugs into a standard household outlet. The IS-3 needs a dedicated 20-amp circuit, but that's a far easier ask of your electrician than a new 240V line — most panels have room for one more 20-amp breaker without upgrading the service.
Premier also includes the same True Wave carbon-ceramic far infrared heaters as the Sanctuary. The heating element technology — low EMF, tested emissivity, carbon-ceramic construction — is identical. What you give up moving down from Sanctuary is the full-spectrum front-wall panels, the 96-LED Medical Grade Chromotherapy, and the glass roof. You do not give up heater quality, wood quality, or warranty coverage.
Electrical planning: 120V vs 240V
Electrical is the single most underestimated cost in a Clearlight purchase. The sauna itself is the big-ticket line item, but the electrical work — if your panel isn't already configured for it — can add meaningful expense and scheduling delay.
Here's the simple rule:
240V models (Sanctuary 3, 5, C, and Retreat): require a dedicated 240V circuit, similar to what powers an electric dryer or range. If your panel has available capacity, adding this circuit typically runs several hundred dollars plus the cost of wire runs from panel to sauna location. If your panel is full or you need a service upgrade, the cost can be meaningfully higher.
This is why the Sanctuary 2 is such a popular middle-ground choice: it's still full-spectrum, it still comes with Medical Grade Chromotherapy and the glass roof, but it runs on 120V. Buyers who want the Sanctuary experience without the 240V electrical bill gravitate to the Sanctuary 2 for exactly this reason.
For a broader breakdown of what running an infrared sauna actually costs month-to-month — heater wattage, session length, local electricity rates — we've published a separate guide on how much it costs to run a home sauna.
When Premier is the smarter buy
Most content written by dealers pushes you toward Sanctuary because Sanctuary has higher margins and more features to talk about. We carry both lines and have no reason to push either one — so here's the honest answer on when Premier is the better choice:
Premier is the better fit if...
Sanctuary is the better fit if you specifically want near infrared exposure integrated into the sauna itself, you want the Medical Grade Chromotherapy standard, the glass roof aesthetic matters to you, or you need the wheelchair-accessible Retreat model. If you're buying a 3+ person sauna anyway, note that the 3-person Premier IS-3 runs on 120V with a dedicated 20-amp circuit, while the Sanctuary models for three or more people need a dedicated 240V circuit; price both before deciding.
Chromotherapy, wood, and warranty details
Beyond infrared wavelengths and electrical requirements, three more specs get asked about repeatedly:
Chromotherapy lighting. Every Sanctuary includes Clearlight's Medical Grade Chromotherapy system as standard — 96 LEDs, 12 colors, programmable, integrated into the sauna ceiling and controlled from the main sauna control panel. Every Premier includes the standard 15-LED, 6-color chromotherapy. Premier buyers who want the Medical Grade system can add it as a factory-only upgrade at order time — the LED housing, wiring, and control integration are built into the sauna during manufacturing and cannot be added later as a retrofit. Chromotherapy itself is a wellness add-on rather than a clinically established therapy; we position it as programmable ambient lighting that lets you match the mood of your session, not as a medical treatment.
Wood options. Both lines offer Eco-Certified Mahogany (darker, richer grain, slightly premium) or Basswood (lighter, traditional Scandinavian look, more neutral). Clearlight describes its sauna woods as eco-certified and responsibly harvested. Both species are appropriate for sauna use, dimensionally stable in heat cycles, and hold their finish well over years of sessions.
Warranty. Identical on both lines — lifetime residential, 5-year commercial. The warranty covers the entire sauna — structure, heaters, electronics, and control system. It doesn't cover wear-and-error damage like water rings from wet towels, cosmetic marks, or modifications. As an authorized Clearlight dealer, we handle warranty claims directly through the factory — you don't have to navigate a call center yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanctuary worth the extra money over Premier?
Can I add full spectrum heaters to a Premier sauna later?
Can I add Medical Grade Chromotherapy to a Premier sauna later?
Do all Clearlight saunas really have low EMF?
Is Clearlight owned by Jacuzzi?
How long do Clearlight saunas take to ship and install?
Are Clearlight saunas HSA/FSA eligible?
Does Sauna Republic offer financing on Clearlight saunas?
Complete your Clearlight setup
Whether you go Sanctuary or Premier, your sauna is one piece of a larger wellness setup. These are the factory upgrades and companion Clearlight products that come up most in conversations with Sauna Republic buyers — grouped by how and when each gets added.
Factory upgrades (Premier buyers — order at time of purchase)
Both integrate with the sauna during manufacturing. Neither can be retrofitted after delivery. Lock them in up front if there's any chance you'll want them.
In-sauna wellness add-ons (Sanctuary and Premier)
All four work with either line. Can be specified with your order or added later.
Comfort upgrades
Round out your recovery stack
Or browse the full Clearlight indoor sauna lineup
Clearlight, Clearlight Infrared, True Wave, Sanctuary and Premier are trademarks of Sauna Works, Inc., dba Clearlight Infrared. Sauna Republic is an authorized Clearlight dealer. This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Clearlight describes its products as general wellness products; their statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
