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SaunaBox Solara vs HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna

Before you buy a steam tent, sit in a hemlock cabin.

The HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna is a $349.99 fabric tent with a steamer. The SaunaBox Solara is a 1-person Canadian Hemlock infrared sauna that heats up to 158°F, with medical-grade red light built in. Here is what the difference buys you.

  • Heats up to 158°F
  • 660nm + 850nm red light built in
  • 100% Canadian Hemlock
$2,599$3,000Save $401
Shop the Solara See the side-by-side

Free curbside delivery · 2-Year warranty · Rated 4.6/5 from 160 reviews

SaunaBox Solara infrared sauna next to a HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna tent in a bright home room

The short answer

If you want a sauna you will use for years, get the Solara. It is a solid Canadian Hemlock infrared cabin that heats up to 158°F, versus the 135°F HoMedics lists, and it has 660nm + 850nm red light built in, which HoMedics sells as a $249.99 add-on. The HoMedics costs far less and packs into a bag.

Solara: infrared, up to 158°FHoMedics: steam, up to 135°FRed light built in: Solara only

Tested and certified

What the Solara is certified for

FDA-registered

Red light made in an FDA-registered facility. The Solara's medical-grade 660nm + 850nm red light is produced to strict manufacturing standards.

Intertek

Ultra-low EMF, certified by Intertek. The Solara's infrared panels are certified ultra-low EMF under the IEC 62233 standard by Intertek, a globally accredited third-party lab.

Prop 65

Certified free of toxic heavy metals and phthalates. Independently tested by Intertek and certified compliant with California Prop 65.

Why the Solara

Three numbers the HoMedics does not match.

158°F

Solara max heat, adjustable from 77°F. HoMedics lists up to 135°F.

660 + 850nm

Red light and near infrared built in. HoMedics sells red light wands separately for $249.99.

100%

Canadian Hemlock cabin with a reflective glass door, not a fabric tent.

Side by side

A hemlock infrared sauna next to a steam tent.

Red light built in
SaunaBox Solara 1-Person
SaunaBox

SaunaBox Solara 1-Person

$2,599 $3,000
  • Near, mid and far infrared, heats up to 158°F
  • 660nm + 850nm red light panel built in
  • 100% Canadian Hemlock, certified free of toxic heavy metals and phthalates
110V outlet No tools Ultra low EMF HSA / FSA
Shop the Solara
HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna
HoMedics

HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna

$349.99
  • Steam tent, warms up to 135°F with 100% humidity
  • 1.8 L steamer tank, 1000 W, up to 60 minutes
  • Comes with foldable chair, support frames and storage bag
Steam tent 1,000W steamer Up to 60 min sessions
Compare the specs

The numbers

Solara vs HoMedics, spec by spec.

SpecSaunaBox Solara 1-PersonHoMedics Premium Steam Sauna
Price$2,599 $3,000$349.99
Type of heatNear, mid and far infraredSteam from a 1.8 L steamer tank
Max temperatureHeats up to 158°F (adjustable 77-158°F)Warms up to 135°F with 100% humidity
Session timer0-90 minutesUp to 60 minutes
Red lightMedical-grade 660nm + 850nm panel built in (60 LEDs, up to 192 mW/cm²)Not built in. Dual Red Light Wands sold separately, $249.99
Build100% Canadian Hemlock cabin, reflective glass doorFabric tent with support frames, zippered door, clear vent window
Size (W x D x H)35" x 37" x 63"35.4" x 35.4" x 70"
Weight172 lb assembledNot published
Power110V, 1600W, standard outlet1000 W steamer (voltage not published)
Material safetyCertified free of toxic heavy metals and phthalates, ultra-low EMF panelsNot published
ExtrasBluetooth audio, built-in chromotherapy (10 colors)Remote control, towel hook, clear front pocket
In the boxSolara cabin, free curbside deliveryTent with support frames, steamer with diffuser kit, foldable chair, storage bag
Warranty2-YearWarranty length not published on product page (30-day guarantee listed)

HoMedics details come from homedics.com (product page, product images and catalog data), retrieved September 14, 2026. "Not published" means we could not find it on homedics.com.

Steam tent or infrared cabin: what is the real difference?

The HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna is a fabric tent on support frames. A separate 1000 W steamer with a 1.8 L tank fills it with steam, and HoMedics lists it as warming up to 135°F with 100% humidity.

The Solara is a different kind of machine. Near, mid and far infrared panels heat a solid Canadian Hemlock cabin up to 158°F, adjustable from 77°F. There is no water tank to fill between sessions.

It runs on a standard 110V outlet, it assembles in under 30 minutes, and once it is built it stays built. You open a glass door and sit down.

One is a tent you set up. The other is a sauna you walk into.

What does built-in red light add?

Every Solara has a medical-grade 660nm red light and 850nm near infrared panel built in. That is 60 LEDs delivering up to 192 mW/cm² of irradiance, running while you sit in the heat.

On the HoMedics side, red light is a separate purchase. Its Dual Red Light Wands are listed at $249.99, sold separately. Add them and the HoMedics setup comes to $599.98, and it is still a steam tent.

What do you get for $2,599?

You get a sauna built to be a permanent part of your home: 100% Canadian Hemlock, a reflective glass door for privacy, Bluetooth audio and built-in chromotherapy with 10 colors.

It is certified free of toxic heavy metals and phthalates, with ultra-low EMF infrared panels. The timer runs up to 90 minutes. It comes with a 2-Year warranty and free curbside delivery.

And it is still compact. At 35" x 37", the Solara is made for apartments, condos, home offices and spare bedrooms. Owners rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 160 reviews on saunabox.com.

Straight answer

Where each one comes out ahead.

Where the Solara wins

  • Heats up to 158°F, versus 135°F listed for the HoMedics
  • 660nm + 850nm red light built in, no add-on to buy
  • Solid Canadian Hemlock cabin with a reflective glass door
  • Up to 90-minute sessions, versus up to 60 minutes
  • Bluetooth audio, 10-color chromotherapy and a 2-Year warranty

Where the HoMedics wins

  • Price. At $349.99 it costs $2,249.01 less than the Solara.
  • Portability. It is a tent that packs into its own storage bag.
  • Height. It stands 70" tall, 7 inches taller than the Solara.
  • Humidity. If you specifically want wet steam heat, it delivers 100% humidity. The Solara uses infrared heat, not steam.

What reviewers said

What Solara owners say.

"It heats up quickly, is easy to use, and doesn’t take up a ton of space."

Devon M., verified review, 5/5

"I’m a 6ft2 bigger dude and I fit inside with room to spare to lean back and relax."

Jason, verified review, 5/5

"Easy to assemble and disassemble (perfect for renters)."

D D., verified review, 5/5

The Solara offer

Your own hemlock sauna, delivered free.

$2,599$3,000
  • SaunaBox Solara 1-Person full spectrum infrared sauna
  • Built-in 660nm + 850nm red light panel
  • Bluetooth audio and 10-color chromotherapy
  • 2-Year warranty
  • Free curbside delivery
Shop the Solara
SaunaBox Solara 1-Person

Questions

SaunaBox vs HoMedics, answered.

Is the Solara hotter than the HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna?

Yes. The Solara heats up to 158°F and adjusts from 77°F to 158°F. HoMedics lists the Premium Steam Sauna as warming up to 135°F with 100% humidity. They are different kinds of heat: the Solara uses near, mid and far infrared, the HoMedics uses steam.

Does the HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna have red light therapy?

Not built in. HoMedics sells Dual Red Light Wands for the Premium Steam Sauna separately, listed at $249.99. The Solara comes with a medical-grade 660nm + 850nm red light panel built in.

Will the Solara fit in my home?

The Solara measures 35" x 37" x 63" (W x D x H) and weighs 172 lb assembled. It is an indoor sauna that runs on 110V, 1600 watts, with an 8-foot power cord.

How hard is the Solara to set up?

It assembles in under 30 minutes and delivery is free curbside. The HoMedics is easier to move: it is a portable tent that packs into its own storage bag.

How long can a session be?

The Solara timer runs from 0 to 90 minutes. HoMedics lists up to 60 minutes of heat therapy for the Premium Steam Sauna.

What warranty comes with each one?

The Solara comes with a 2-Year warranty. The HoMedics product page lists a 30-day guarantee; we could not find a warranty length published on that page.

Which one is cheaper?

The HoMedics, clearly. It is $349.99 on homedics.com. The Solara is $2,599 (was $3,000). The difference buys a solid Canadian Hemlock infrared cabin, 158°F heat, built-in red light, Bluetooth audio and chromotherapy.

Where these numbers come from

Every HoMedics fact on this page comes from homedics.com. Every SaunaBox fact comes from the live Solara product page. Prices were checked on September 14, 2026 and can change.

  1. https://www.homedics.com/products/homedics-premium-steam-sauna
    HoMedics Premium Steam Sauna product page: price $349.99, 30-day guarantee, remote control, product description. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  2. https://www.homedics.com/collections/sauna/products.json
    HoMedics sauna collection catalog data: Premium Steam Sauna $349.99 (SKU SPE-SN400-CE), Dual Red Light Wands $249.99. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  3. https://www.homedics.com/products/premium-steam-sauna-dual-red-light-wands-add-on
    HoMedics Dual Red Light Wands for Sauna: $249.99, pairs with the Premium Steam Sauna, sold separately. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  4. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0703/4116/5241/files/SPE-SN400-CE_PDP03_EN_e1b3d65c-a924-4232-b61c-23da03bded14.webp
    HoMedics product image 3: up to 60 minutes of heat therapy, warms up to 135°F with 100% humidity. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  5. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0703/4116/5241/files/SPE-SN400-CE_PDP05_EN_8d5cf30d-dce9-466a-82e4-ebd17f1ba724.webp
    HoMedics product image 5: 1.8 L steamer tank, 60 minute runtime, steam-ready 10-15 minutes, 1000 W power. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  6. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0703/4116/5241/files/SPE-SN400-CE_PDP06_EN_7e1afa73-e100-455c-8bc1-aeb1db78654e.webp
    HoMedics product image 6: steam generator, folding chair, tent with support frames, storage bag. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  7. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0703/4116/5241/files/SPE-SN400-CE_PDP08_EN_7d6fe581-7ca1-413c-81c6-097af05cedba.webp
    HoMedics product image 8: towel hook, safety zipper, steam vent window, clear front pocket. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  8. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0703/4116/5241/files/SPE-SN400-CE_PDP09_EN_6ad3bbc1-3695-42d3-8601-f73a3f0a86fb.webp
    HoMedics product image 9: 70" tall, 35.4" x 35.4" footprint. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  9. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0703/4116/5241/files/SPE-SN400-CE_PDP10_EN_06d84bc1-9e60-4dcd-858e-9bb32498d8a7.webp
    HoMedics product image 10 (box): includes tent with support frames, steamer with diffuser kit, foldable chair, storage bag. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
  10. https://saunabox.com/products/solara-full-spectrum-infrared-sauna
    SaunaBox Solara 1-Person product page: price $2,599 (was $3,000), specifications, 2-Year warranty, 4.6/5 from 160 reviews, review quotes. Retrieved Sep 14, 2026.
SaunaBoxHoMedics is a trademark of its owner. SaunaBox is not affiliated with HoMedics. Prices checked September 14, 2026.
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