How Much Does It Cost?
At $699, the Higher Dose sauna blanket doesn’t come cheap. But, if you use it frequently and you do the math, it might make sense. For example, there are many weeks when I’ll use the sauna blanket five times. If I was going to in-person sauna sessions at one of Higher Dose’s locations, that would’ve cost me around $65 per session, meaning $325 for the week.
What Are the Pros and Cons of the Blanket?
First, the pros (of which there are many). For me, the biggest draw of the Higher Dose sauna blanket is its convenience. While I love a good hour-long sauna session in a gym or dedicated sauna facility as much as the next person, it’s been wonderful to be able feel some of the same effects without leaving the comfort of my home. I appreciate that I’m on no one’s schedule but my own; if I want to do a quick sauna session at midnight, I can.
It's so easy to use, and it quickly became a regular part of my self-care routine. Though I’m not sure how much I buy some of the supposed benefits like weight loss and detoxification, I’ve found that the relaxation alone is worth it for me. It feels so indulgent to take 45 minutes out of my day to lay down in a heated blanket in a dark room (or bag) while listening to music or a podcast and not worrying about the million things we’re all worrying about at all times. It’s so refreshing and rejuvenating. I’ve also noticed that when I use my sauna blanket, I drink way more water than I would otherwise, which could contribute to clearer skin.
Cons-wise, the price is definitely steep, but again, if you use it enough it can be pretty easy to justify. My only other complaint, really, is the blanket’s size: I wish it was just a few inches longer. I’m just about 6’1, and find that my feet are really jammed at the bottom of the blanket in order for me to feel it on the top of my back and shoulders.
How Long Can You Stay in Higher Dose’s Sauna Blanket?
Higher Dose recommends that you limit sessions to 30 to 45 minutes. I typically stay in for the full 45 minutes—it’s that relaxing.
Here’s what a typical session looks like:
- Lay the sauna blanket on a flat surface. I put mine on a yoga mat for some extra cushioning, and I wrap a pillow in a towel to go under my head.
- Preheat the sauna via an easy-to-navigate control pack. Higher Dose’s infrared sauna blanket lets you choose between levels one through eight, with level one being the least intense and level eight being the hottest. (The brand suggests starting at a level four or five, but because I was used to traditional saunas, I started at a six—more on that later.)
- After preheating the sauna for ten minutes, lay down inside of it, zip yourself in and set your phone timer for however long you want to stay inside.
- When your time is up, get out of the sauna, turn it off and unplug it.
- While you let the blanket cool down, take a cold shower. It’ll feel shocking at first, but trust me, it’s worth it.
- Once the inside of the sauna is completely cool, use a nontoxic disinfectant wipe or spray to sanitize the blanket and fold it up until you’re ready to use it again.
What Do You Wear in the Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket?
This was one of the biggest adjustments for me switching from a regular infrared sauna to a sauna blanket. In a regular sauna I’d wear nothing but a towel. In the sauna blanket, however, your whole body needs to be covered—pants, a long-sleeve shirt and socks. Higher Dose says this is because the surface of the inside of the blanket gets so hot that there should be some material between it and your bare skin. You can, however, buy a Sauna Blanket Insert that's kind of like a wraparound towel that slips into the blanket, allowing you to go nude. (Hoping to save a little money, I just opt for old sweats I don’t care about.) I was initially concerned that the excess clothing would make me too hot, but it turns out it’s totally fine.
Length and cost issues aside, if you’re able to justify it, the Higher Dose sauna blanket is a truly wonderful way to treat your body and mind in the comfort of your own home.
