A full spectrum infrared sauna uses three wavelengths of infrared light — near, mid, and far — to deliver a complete range of therapeutic benefits. Near infrared supports skin health and cell renewal, mid infrared helps with pain relief and circulation, and far infrared promotes deep detoxification through core body heating. The Sanctuary 5 includes Clearlight's True Wave® carbon/ceramic heaters that produce all three wavelengths simultaneously, so you get the full therapeutic spectrum in every session.

Traditional saunas heat the air around you to 180–200°F, which can feel intense and hard to breathe in. The Sanctuary 5 uses infrared heat that penetrates your body directly at a more comfortable 120–150°F air temperature. You sweat more, detoxify more deeply, and can stay in longer without the oppressive heat. Infrared saunas also don't require plumbing, drain lines, or waterproofing.

The Sanctuary line includes both far infrared and full spectrum heaters — meaning you get near, mid, and far infrared wavelengths. The Premier line uses far infrared heaters only. Both use Clearlight's True Wave® carbon/ceramic technology and come with the same build quality, warranty, and features. The Sanctuary is the better choice if you want the broadest range of therapeutic wavelengths.

Three meaningful differences. First, the Sanctuary 5 has four 500W True Wave™ Full Spectrum heaters distributed across the front wall — the Sanctuary 3 has two. Second, the Sanctuary 5 has Clearlight's exclusive doctor-designed recliner-or-flat bench, while the Sanctuary 3 has a reversible bench. Third, the Sanctuary 5 is on a 240V/20A circuit (vs. 240V/15A on the S3) and is roughly 12 inches wider with 26½-inch side glass panels (vs. 23⅝-inch on the S3). Many couples upgrade to the Sanctuary 5 specifically for the recliner bench even when they don't need five-person capacity.

Clinical research supports a range of benefits from regular infrared sauna use, including improved cardiovascular function, reduced muscle and joint pain, enhanced detoxification through deep sweating, better sleep quality, stress reduction, and support for skin health. Clearlight has more published clinical research on their products than any other infrared sauna brand. These are General Wellness claims — consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your health situation.

Most people use their sauna 3–5 times per week. Sessions typically last 20–40 minutes depending on your tolerance and wellness goals. Beginners should start with 15–20 minute sessions at a lower temperature and gradually increase over the first 2–3 weeks. The Sanctuary 5 includes a digital keypad and — if you add the optional Smart Device Control — you can also preheat and operate your sauna remotely from your smartphone.

The Sanctuary 5 reaches up to 171°F (77°C). Most users find their sweet spot between 120–150°F for a comfortable, deeply therapeutic session. Unlike traditional saunas where you're waiting for the room to hit peak temperature, infrared heat begins working on your body as soon as you step in — even at lower air temperatures — because the infrared wavelengths penetrate your skin directly.

The Sanctuary 5 typically reaches your set temperature in about 30–45 minutes from a cold start. Despite the larger interior, the four 500W True Wave™ heaters deliver enough infrared output that warm-up time is comparable to smaller models. Many users step in during the warm-up phase at around 10–15 minutes — infrared heat is already penetrating your body before the cabin air reaches full temperature. If you add the optional Smart Device Control, you can preheat the sauna remotely from your phone so it's ready when you are.

The Sanctuary 5 draws 3,960 watts. At the national average electricity rate of about $0.16/kWh, a 40-minute session costs approximately $0.42. If you use it 5 times per week, that's about $9 per month added to your electric bill. It's still one of the most affordable wellness investments to operate per session — especially when shared between multiple users.

The Sanctuary 5 requires a 240V / 20A dedicated circuit with a NEMA 6-20P outlet — a licensed electrician should handle the installation. The power cord exits from the roof of the sauna and is approximately 8 feet long. The wire gauge is 12 AWG (single phase / 3 wire: 2 × live / ground for 240V). If you're adding the CORE Red Light Tower, you'll also need a separate 120V outlet — see the dedicated FAQ below.

No. Standard household outlets are 120V/15A and the Sanctuary 5 runs on 240V/20A. You'll need a licensed electrician to install a dedicated 240V / 20A circuit with a NEMA 6-20P outlet. Most electricians can complete the installation in a few hours.

The exterior dimensions are 82¾" wide × 47¼" deep × 77" tall — roughly 7 feet × 4 feet. It fits comfortably in a basement, finished garage, large spare room, or home gym. The largest panel is the back wall at 81" × 77½" — measure all access points from your entry to the installation location to make sure that panel can be carried in. You don't need any special flooring, ventilation, or waterproofing.

Five adults sit comfortably side-by-side on the 76¾-inch bench (350 lb weight limit per person). The recliner-or-flat bench configuration also lets one or two people lie down fully — many couples buy the Sanctuary 5 specifically for the recliner bench, not because they need five-person seating. The interior dimensions (76½" × 44") give plenty of room to move around during longer sessions.

The Sanctuary 5 is the only Sanctuary indoor model with Clearlight's exclusive doctor-designed recliner-or-flat bench. You can use it as a traditional flat bench or recline into a true reclined position for deeper relaxation. The bench design is one of the most-cited reasons customers upgrade from the Sanctuary 3 to the Sanctuary 5, even when they don't need the larger capacity.

Anywhere with a flat floor, ceiling height of 8 feet or greater (contact us for lower ceilings), and access for an electrician to run a 240V / 20A dedicated circuit. Popular spots include basements, finished garages, spare rooms, home gyms, and large primary suites. The sauna doesn't produce external moisture or steam, so it won't damage surrounding walls or flooring. It can sit on hardwood, tile, carpet, laminate, or concrete. It is designed for indoor use only.

No special ventilation is required. The sauna is designed to operate in any standard indoor room. It doesn't produce steam or excessive moisture. Make sure there's at least 4 inches of clearance on all sides and 6–8 inches of overhead clearance for airflow and future service access. If you're installing it in a smaller enclosed space, leave the door cracked slightly for fresh air circulation during sessions.

No. The Sanctuary 5 is designed for indoor use only. The wood, electronics, and construction are not rated for outdoor exposure to rain, snow, humidity, or temperature extremes. If you're looking for an outdoor infrared sauna, Clearlight offers the Outdoor 2 and Outdoor 5 models, which are specifically built with weather-resistant materials and construction for year-round outdoor use.

The Sanctuary 5 ships as pre-built panels that clip together — no tools required. Two people can assemble it in about 60–90 minutes. Every panel is labeled and the included instructions walk you through each step. The largest panel is the back wall at 81" × 77½" × 4½" — verify all access points from your entry to the installation location can accommodate it.

Yes. The clip-together panel system means the sauna can be disassembled and reassembled if you move or want to relocate it. It breaks down into flat panels, though the largest panels (81" × 77½") need clearance to fit through doorways and hallways — measure your access points before any move.

Clearlight saunas are independently tested by VitaTech Electromagnetics and produce near-zero EMF and ELF levels — well below the threshold considered safe by international standards. The True Wave® heaters are specifically engineered to cancel out EMF, and third-party test reports are available on the product page. Clearlight also holds ETL safety certification, FCC compliance, and uses 8mm tempered safety glass.

Clearlight saunas are independently tested for VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions and certified at safe levels. The eco-certified Mahogany and Basswood are naturally low in VOCs, and no toxic glues or adhesives are used in construction. Some customers notice a mild natural wood scent during the first few sessions — this is normal and dissipates quickly.

Yes. The Sanctuary 5 has no fan, no motor, and no moving parts in the heating system. The infrared heaters operate silently. The only sound you'll hear is the Bluetooth audio system if you choose to play music or a podcast.

True Wave® is Clearlight's proprietary heater technology that combines carbon and ceramic elements to produce a broad, even spectrum of infrared heat. Carbon heaters provide large surface area for gentle, even heat distribution, while ceramic elements produce intense, concentrated infrared output. The combination delivers more therapeutic infrared energy than either material alone. The Sanctuary 5 specifically uses four discrete 500W True Wave™ Full Spectrum heaters distributed across the front of the cabin.

The sauna comes with everything you need to use it from day one: the full cabin with pre-built wall, floor, ceiling, and bench panels, four 500W True Wave® full spectrum heaters, True Wave® far infrared heaters, digital keypad controller (interior and exterior), Bluetooth/AUX/MP3 audio and charging station, built-in chiropractor-designed ergonomic backrest, doctor-designed recliner-or-flat bench, combination door handle and tablet cradle, 12-color medical-grade chromotherapy, 8mm tempered glass door and side panels, glass roof panel, LED accent lighting, oxygen ionizer, and owner's manual. Smart Device Control (smartphone operation) is available as an optional add-on.

Chromotherapy is color light therapy — the Sanctuary 5 includes an interior LED lighting system with 12 color options that cycle or hold a fixed color during your session. Different colors are associated with different therapeutic effects: red for energy and circulation, blue for calm and relaxation, green for balance and recovery. You control it from the interior keypad. It enhances the overall sauna experience and creates a meditative, spa-like atmosphere.

Smart Device Control is available as an optional add-on — it's not standard on the Sanctuary 5. Add it to your order and you can operate your sauna remotely from your iOS or Android smartphone: preheat, set session time, adjust temperature, and control chromotherapy lighting from anywhere in your home. The sauna always comes standard with a digital keypad (interior and exterior) for manual control. Ask your specialist to include Smart Device Control when you request pricing.

Yes. The interior temperature is well within safe operating range for electronics, and the sauna includes a charging station inside the cabin so you can keep your device powered during sessions. The combination door handle doubles as a tablet cradle — rest your tablet on the handle for easy media viewing. Many customers use the Bluetooth audio system to stream music, podcasts, or guided meditations.

Some accessories can be added later, but several must be specified at time of order. Factory-installed options that cannot be added later include the Upgrade Full Spectrum Heater and Smart Device Control. The Red Light Therapy CORE Tower, HALO ONE® salt therapy device, and AROMA ONE® aromatherapy can be added later. Note: the Sanctuary 5 is not compatible with VRT (Vibrational Resonance Therapy) at any stage. Ask your specialist about bundled pricing if you're considering multiple add-ons.

No. The Sanctuary 5 is not compatible with VRT — the bench structure does not support the VRT installation. If VRT is important to you, the Sanctuary 1, 2, 3, C, or Retreat are the indoor models that support it. The Sanctuary 5 supports all other Clearlight wellness add-ons including the CORE Red Light Tower, HALO ONE®, and AROMA ONE®.

We recommend placing a towel on the bench and floor beneath your feet during sessions — this is standard practice with any sauna. The eco-certified wood is naturally moisture-resistant, but towels protect the bench surface and make cleanup easier. After your session, wipe down the bench with a damp cloth and leave the door open for a few minutes to air out.

Maintenance is minimal. Wipe down the bench and interior with a damp cloth after sessions, and leave the door open for a few minutes to air out. The eco-certified wood is naturally antimicrobial. There are no filters, drains, or plumbing to maintain. Clearlight also offers an optional cleaning solution for deeper periodic cleaning. Most customers spend less than 2 minutes on post-session cleanup.

With normal care, a Clearlight sauna will last decades. The eco-certified hardwood construction, stainless steel hardware, and commercial-grade heater elements are built for long-term daily use. The limited lifetime residential warranty that covers the entire sauna backs it for as long as you own it — which speaks to Clearlight's confidence in the product's durability.

If you have a cardiovascular condition, are pregnant, take prescription medications, or have any chronic health condition, consult your physician before using an infrared sauna. Infrared heat raises your core body temperature and heart rate, which may interact with certain medications or conditions. Clearlight saunas are classified as General Wellness devices. Many healthcare providers recommend infrared sauna therapy — but always get clearance from your doctor first.

The Sanctuary 5 comes with Clearlight's limited lifetime residential warranty that covers the entire sauna — cabinetry, glass, heaters, electrical, controls, everything — for as long as you own it. Commercial installations are covered by a 5-year warranty. This is one of the strongest warranties in the infrared sauna industry.

The Sanctuary 5 sauna continues to run on its own dedicated 240V / 20A NEMA 6-20P circuit (unchanged). The CORE Tower needs a separate standard 120V / 15A wall outlet on its own dedicated breaker, within reach of the tower's power cord. Adding a CORE Tower also requires a new sauna door handle — your specialist will include it automatically. Plan both circuits with your electrician before installation.

No. The Sanctuary 5 cannot run the Upgrade Full Spectrum Heater and the CORE Red Light Tower simultaneously — you can have both installed in the sauna, but they operate one at a time. If you're choosing between them and plan to use only one, talk to your specialist about which is the better fit for your wellness goals.

For the most current return policy details, please review our return policy. We strongly encourage customers to speak with one of our specialists before purchasing to make sure the model, size, and electrical requirements are right for your space — we want you to buy the right sauna the first time. Call (302) 273-0861 with any pre-purchase questions.

Yes. HSA/FSA payment is available at checkout via Truemed — a Letter of Medical Necessity is issued automatically based on your responses to a short questionnaire.

Yes. Visit our financing page for current options and terms. When you request pricing, your specialist will include available financing in your quote.

The Sanctuary 5 ships with complimentary curbside freight delivery within the continental United States. The freight carrier will contact you to schedule a delivery window. The sauna arrives on a pallet — you'll need to bring the panels inside yourself or arrange help. Most customers carry the panels in one at a time, though the back wall panel (81" × 77½") is the largest and may require two people. If you need help finding a local installer, our team can connect you with professionals in your area.