Price, materials, heating method, energy requirement, and additional capabilities like red light and infrared are all huge sticking points. The Esquire team consensus was that infrared saunas that use infrared light to heat you—and don’t require the intense plumbing and ventilation of traditional saunas—make the most sense for the modern consumer. For that, he recommended I shut off the red light and use only infrared for 15 to 20 minutes and then take a cold shower before bed. The infrared functionality actually helps here: Infrared panels are a form of radiant heat, meaning they heat your body directly. “When you go into that sauna, you’re immediately reducing your stress levels.