Clearlight Premier 1 Person Infrared Sauna Review: Is It the Best Infrared Sauna for a Small Space?

I Know How Overwhelming Sauna Shopping Can Be

Looking for a home sauna that actually fits in your house? I get it.

Most far infrared saunas either take up an entire room or come with a price tag and installation headache that makes you close the browser tab.

I dug into the specs, the assembly requirements, the heating technology, and what actual owners say about the Clearlight Premier 1 person infrared sauna. I also pulled in medical sources like the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic to separate real benefits from marketing talk.

By the end of this review, you’ll know exactly whether this sauna fits your space, your budget, and your health goals.

What Exactly Is the Clearlight Premier 1?

The Premier 1 is a single-person far infrared sauna built by Clearlight, a brand that’s been making home saunas since 1997.

It’s built from eco-certified mahogany or basswood, using tongue-and-groove construction, and it’s designed to fit into a spare bedroom, home office, or basement corner without needing any renovation.

The standout engineering choice here is the plug-and-play electrical setup. Unlike traditional saunas or larger multi-person infrared cabins that typically require a dedicated 240-volt circuit (and a licensed electrician), the Premier 1 runs on a standard 120-volt household outlet using a regular three-prong plug.

That one detail removes a major barrier that’s historically kept people from buying a home sauna at all — no permits, no rewiring, no extra $1,000+ tacked onto your budget before you’ve even turned it on.

Key Features and What They Actually Mean for You

True Wave® Far Infrared Heaters

Cheaper saunas often use a small number of point-source heaters, which creates cold spots — your front roasts while your back stays cool.

The Premier 1 places True Wave heaters on the back wall, front wall, side walls, behind your calves, and under the floor. That’s a full thermal envelope surrounding your body from nearly every angle.

If consistent, even heat matters to you (and it should — uneven heat is one of the most common complaints about budget infrared saunas), this design addresses that pain point directly.

Far Infrared, Not Full Spectrum, by Default

This is worth knowing before you buy. The Premier 1 uses far infrared wavelengths only, not the near and mid infrared wavelengths found in “full spectrum” saunas.

Far infrared has longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper into soft tissue, warming you from the inside rather than just heating the surrounding air. That’s why the cabin air stays at a relatively mild 115–125°F while you still sweat heavily — a very different experience from a traditional sauna’s 190°F+ air temperature.

If your specific routine calls for near and mid infrared exposure, you’d need to add Clearlight’s optional full spectrum heater during consultation, or consider a different model line altogether.

Low EMF/ELF Engineering

Since you’re sitting inches from electrical heating panels for 20–30 minutes at a time, electromagnetic field exposure is a fair question to ask.

Clearlight states its saunas test at an average of under 1 milligauss for EMF, several times below the World Health Organization’s threshold of concern for ELF exposure. For context, that’s comparable to or lower than many household appliances like a laptop or refrigerator.

There’s no universal government standard defining “low EMF” for saunas, so treat this as a reasonable safety design choice rather than a formal certification — but it’s a legitimate point in the Premier 1’s favor if EMF exposure is something you think about.

Reservation Mode and Nakamichi Speakers

You can schedule the sauna to start heating up to 36 hours in advance, so it’s already at temperature when you wake up or get home from work.

This small feature solves a real behavioral problem: if you have to stand around waiting 10–15 minutes for the cabin to warm up every single time, you’re less likely to actually use it consistently.

It also comes standard with Nakamichi Bluetooth speakers and an auxiliary input, so you can play music or a podcast during your session.

Weight and dimensions:

That 325 lbs isn’t just packaging bulk — it’s dense, solid wood acting as a thermal mass that holds heat steadily throughout your session. Just know that assembly requires two adults, since you’re not snapping together lightweight panels, you’re building structural furniture.

Pros and Cons of the Clearlight Premier 1

Here’s an honest breakdown of what stood out, both good and not so good, after going through the specs, the assembly process, and owner feedback.

Verdict

The Premier 1 delivers on its core promise: a well-built, evenly heated, low-EMF sauna that doesn’t require an electrician. It’s not the cheapest option, and it’s not full spectrum out of the box, but the engineering choices behind it are sound and well documented.

Read more: Mayo Clinic — Do infrared saunas have health benefits?

Who Is This Infrared Sauna Actually For?

If you live alone, have limited square footage, and want a low-maintenance recovery tool without home renovations, this might be a good fit for you.

It could also make sense if you value a long warranty and verified low EMF levels over chasing the lowest possible price.

• You want a sauna for one person, not a couple or family
• You don’t have room (or budget) for electrical rewiring
• You’re comfortable with far infrared only, or willing to pay more to add full spectrum
• You’re using it primarily for relaxation, muscle recovery, or stress relief rather than a specific medical protocol

If full spectrum infrared is non-negotiable for you, or you need a sauna built for two people, you’ll want to look at a different model in Clearlight’s lineup instead.

What Are Customers Saying?

Clearlight reports a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot across hundreds of reviews, and the feedback I found leans strongly positive, especially around build quality and real-world benefits like sleep and recovery.

A few owners mention that assembly, while manageable with two people, took longer than expected. Here’s a sample of what real users and reviewers have said, lightly paraphrased from the product page and video review:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Clearlight Premier 1 cost?

Pricing runs around $4,999 for the basswood version and $5,399 for mahogany, though the brand periodically runs promotions (currently advertising a $400 discount). Financing is available starting around $106/month over 18 months.

Where can I buy it?

You can order directly through Clearlight’s official product page, which also includes free shipping.

How long does a session take, and how often should I use it?

The cabin takes about 10–15 minutes to warm up. According to the product FAQ, most people do 3–4 sessions a week, starting with 10–15 minutes and working up to 20–30 minutes as your body adjusts. Staying hydrated before and after is important.

What’s the warranty?

Clearlight offers a lifetime warranty for residential use, which is notably longer than the 1-year warranties common among budget import brands. That said, some customers have reported slower-than-expected response times when filing warranty claims.

Is basswood or mahogany better?

Basswood has a much milder natural scent, so it’s the better pick if you’re sensitive to wood aromas. Mahogany has a richer look and scent but costs slightly more.

Are there health risks I should know about?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, sauna use is generally considered safe, but you should avoid it if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, currently sick, or have multiple sclerosis, since heat intolerance is common with MS. Dehydration is the most common risk, so drink water before and after your session.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Clearlight Premier 1?

If you’re a solo user with limited space who wants a well-engineered, low-EMF far infrared sauna that doesn’t require an electrician, the Clearlight Premier 1 person infrared sauna is a solid, well-documented choice backed by a genuinely long warranty.

It’s not for everyone — it won’t fit two people, and it’s not full spectrum unless you pay more for the add-on. But for the specific use case it targets, the engineering and owner feedback both check out.

If that sounds like your situation, you can check current pricing and availability directly below.