SaunaBox Pulse PRO vs Sauna Pod
You're spending about $700 either way. Only one comes with red light therapy.
The Sauna Pod 2.0 heats the air. The Pulse PRO pairs 6 ThermoCell infrared panels with a medical-grade 660nm-850nm red light, in a 36" x 36" footprint that sets up in about 15 minutes.
660nm-850nm red light, 320 LEDs
OEKO-TEX certified cover
Fits users up to 7'1"
30-day return guarantee. May be eligible for HSA/FSA through TrueMed.
The short answer
For about the same money, the Pulse PRO gives you infrared heat plus a medical-grade 660nm-850nm red light with 320 LEDs. The Pod Company's own FAQ says the Sauna Pod's red light is an ambience LED strip, not red light therapy. If red light is part of why you want a sauna, the Pulse PRO is the better buy.
Tested and certified
What the Pulse PRO is certified for
Red light made in an FDA-registered facility. The Pulse PRO's medical-grade 660nm + 850nm red light is produced to strict manufacturing standards.
ThermoCell® panels, ultra-low EMF certified by Intertek. The Pulse PRO's 6 ThermoCell® infrared panels are certified ultra-low EMF under the IEC 62233 standard by Intertek, a globally accredited third-party lab.
Certified cover, PFAS-free fabric. An OEKO-TEX® certified insulated cover, and sauna fabric independently tested and certified PFAS-free.
Why the Pulse PRO
Three places the Pulse PRO comes out ahead.
In the integrated 660nm-850nm red light. The Sauna Pod's red light is for ambiance, per its maker.
Tallest user the Pulse PRO is designed to fit. The Sauna Pod lists 6'7".
Certified insulated cover, plus fabric independently tested PFAS-free.
Side by side
Two portable saunas, two different kinds of heat.
SaunaBox Pulse PRO
6 ThermoCell infrared panels, ~160°F max internal heat- Integrated medical-grade 660nm-850nm red light, 320 LEDs
Includes wood stool, SweatLock floor mat, carrying case, Bluetooth controller
110V outlet
No tools
Ultra low EMF
HSA / FSA
The Sauna Pod 2.0
- 1500W hot air heater, up to 185°F in 15-20 minutes
- 100% natural cotton cabin on a stainless steel pole frame
- Red LED light for ambiance, which the brand says is not red light therapy
37.5 lbs
120V, 1,500W
5 to 10 min setup
The numbers
Pulse PRO vs Sauna Pod 2.0, spec by spec.
| Spec | SaunaBox Pulse PRO | The Sauna Pod 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Sep 14, 2026) | $697 (was $999) | |
| Heat type | Infrared: 6 ThermoCell infrared panels | Hot air (dry heat) from a 1500W electric heater |
| Max temperature | ~160°F max internal heat (varies by environment) | Up to 185°F in 15-20 minutes (max temperature indoors) |
| Red light | Integrated medical-grade 660nm-850nm, 320 LEDs | Red LED strip for ambiance. The brand states it is not red light therapy |
| Power | 110V, 1600W | 120V, 1500W |
| EMF | Ultra-low EMF, verified by Intertek (IEC 62233) | Described by the brand as a low-EMF appliance |
| Materials and certifications | OEKO-TEX certified insulated cover, fabric independently tested PFAS-free, MylarMax heat-reflective lining | 100% natural cotton, FSC certified cotton fabrics, UL-listed electrical parts, CE and ETL certified electronics |
| Size | 36" x 36" x 68" | 39" diameter, 68" outside height |
| Fits users up to | 7'1" | 6'7" |
| Setup | 15 minutes, no tools | 5-10 minutes, no specialist tools |
| Indoor or outdoor | Indoor only | Indoor and outdoor |
| In the box | Tent, 6 panels, red light panel, Bluetooth controller, wood stool, SweatLock floor mat, carrying case and cords | Cotton cabin, heater, red LED light, foldable chair, carry bag |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 2 years |
| HSA / FSA | May be eligible through TrueMed | HSA/FSA payment option shown on product page |
Sauna Pod 2.0 figures from podcompany.com/products/the-sauna-pod. Pulse PRO figures from saunabox.com. Both retrieved September 14, 2026.
Hot air or infrared: which one are you buying?
The Sauna Pod heats the air. A 1500W heater brings it up to 185°F in 15-20 minutes, like a small version of a sauna stove.
The Pulse PRO works differently. 6 ThermoCell infrared panels sit inside a MylarMax heat-reflective lining and reach ~160°F max internal heat.
The Pod Company explains the difference well in its own FAQ: an infrared sauna "heats your body directly without warming the air around you." So the two temperature numbers are measuring different kinds of heat.
If the hottest air reading is all you want, the Sauna Pod wins that number. If you want infrared heat and red light in the same session, only one of these does both.
Is the red light the same?
Both units glow red inside. That is where the similarity ends.
The Pod Company's FAQ says the red light in the Sauna Pod is "a regular red LED strip that improves the ambiance during a session. It is not red light therapy, which requires specific wavelengths to be effective (typically between 600 to 850 nm)."
The Pulse PRO has an integrated medical-grade 660nm-850nm red light with 320 LEDs, built into the tent. SaunaBox red lights are manufactured in an FDA-registered facility.
Same budget. Only one of them puts out the wavelength range The Pod Company itself names.
What do you get for ?
Everything for your first session: the tent, 6 ThermoCell infrared panels, the red light panel, a Bluetooth controller, a foldable wood stool, a SweatLock floor mat and a carrying case.
The safety paperwork is public. The insulated cover is OEKO-TEX certified, the fabric was independently tested PFAS-free, and the low-EMF heating is verified by Intertek to IEC 62233.
It fits users up to 7'1" in a 36" x 36" footprint, assembles in about 15 minutes with no tools, and may be eligible for HSA/FSA through TrueMed.
Straight answer
Where each one wins.
Where the Pulse PRO wins
- Integrated medical-grade 660nm-850nm red light with 320 LEDs
- Infrared heat from 6 ThermoCell panels with a MylarMax reflective lining
- OEKO-TEX certified cover, fabric tested PFAS-free, low EMF verified by Intertek
- Fits users up to 7'1" (Sauna Pod: 6'7")
Where the Sauna Pod wins
Hotter air: up to 185°F versus the Pulse PRO's ~160°F- Longer warranty: 2 years versus a 1-year limited warranty
- Rated for indoor and outdoor use. The Pulse PRO is indoor only
Faster listed setup: 5-10 minutes versus about 15
What reviewers said
What reviewers and owners say about the Pulse PRO.
"Pulse Pro brings spa-level infrared heat and red light into a truly portable form factor, trading only a bit of headroom and the initial purchase price for everyday convenience and recovery gains."
Recovatech"Easy to assemble and a great sauna to generate lots of sweat quickly."
Alexander, customer review"It heats up exceptionally well and gets very hot, in a good way, providing a deep and relaxing experience."
Nathan P., customer reviewSaunaBox Pulse PRO
Infrared heat and red light, set up in about 15 minutes.
Portable infrared sauna tent with 6 ThermoCell infrared panels
Integrated 660nm-850nm red light panel
Bluetooth controller- Foldable wood stool and SweatLock floor mat
- Carrying case and cords
- 30-day return guarantee
Questions
Pulse PRO vs Sauna Pod: common questions.
Is the Pulse PRO or the Sauna Pod cheaper?
They cost almost the same. The SaunaBox Pulse PRO is today on saunabox.com and The Sauna Pod 2.0 was $697 (was $999) on podcompany.com. That is a £697 difference.
Which one gets hotter?
The Sauna Pod. The Pod Company says it heats the air up to 185°F in 15-20 minutes, and recommends indoor use for max temperature. The Pulse PRO reaches ~160°F max internal heat, which varies by environment. They heat in different ways: the Sauna Pod heats the air, the Pulse PRO uses 6 ThermoCell infrared panels.
Does the Sauna Pod have red light therapy?
According to The Pod Company's own FAQ, no. It says the red light in the Sauna Pod is a regular red LED strip that improves the ambiance and is not red light therapy. The Pulse PRO has an integrated medical-grade 660nm-850nm red light with 320 LEDs.
Which one fits a taller person?
The Pulse PRO is designed to comfortably fit users up to 7 feet 1 inch tall. The Sauna Pod is listed as suitable for people up to 6 feet 7 inches.
Can I use either one outdoors?
The Pulse PRO is an indoor sauna and is not weather-proof. Using it outdoors voids the warranty. The Pod Company says the Sauna Pod can be used indoors or outdoors, and recommends indoors for its max temperature.
What warranty comes with each?
The Pulse PRO comes with a 1-year limited warranty. The Sauna Pod comes with a 2-year warranty from purchase, according to podcompany.com.
Can I pay with HSA or FSA funds?
The Pulse PRO may be eligible through TrueMed. Check your eligibility at checkout on saunabox.com.
Where these numbers come from
Every Sauna Pod fact on this page comes from The Pod Company's own website. Every Pulse PRO fact comes from the live SaunaBox product page. Prices can change.
- The Sauna Pod 2.0 product page (price, specifications, FAQ, warranty, what is in the box): https://podcompany.com/products/the-sauna-pod, retrieved September 14, 2026.
- The Sauna Pod 2.0 product data (price $697, compare-at $999): https://podcompany.com/products/the-sauna-pod.js, retrieved September 14, 2026.
- SaunaBox Pulse PRO product page (specs, warranty, height fit, certifications, reviews): https://saunabox.com/products/pulse-pro-portable-ir-sauna-with-redlights, retrieved September 14, 2026.
- SaunaBox Pulse PRO product data (price , compare-at ): https://saunabox.com/products/pulse-pro-portable-ir-sauna-with-redlights.js, retrieved September 14, 2026.