What EMF Level Is Low in a Sauna? Milligauss Explained (2026)

What EMF level is low in a sauna? If you are shopping for an infrared sauna, you have probably seen "Low EMF," "Ultra Low EMF" and "Near Zero EMF" on almost every listing. It is hard to know what those labels mean, or if one is really different from the next. The good news is that the labels map to real numbers in milligauss. This guide explains what those numbers are, how they are measured, and how to compare saunas fairly.

At Selected Comfort, we help families compare home saunas by the specs that actually differ: heater type, size, power needs and published EMF levels. Every model in our low EMF infrared sauna collection lists its EMF grade, so you can compare like with like. Below, we explain the numbers in plain English.

What EMF and milligauss mean

EMF stands for electric and magnetic fields. Any device that uses electricity creates them. A sauna's heater panels, wiring and control board are all sources, just like a hair dryer or a lamp.

According to the World Health Organization, electric fields come from voltage, and magnetic fields come from current flowing through a wire. The more current flows, the stronger the magnetic field. Sauna heaters draw steady current while they run, which is why sauna EMF talk is almost always about the magnetic field.

Milligauss, microtesla and tesla

Magnetic field strength is measured in gauss or tesla. In the US, consumer meters and sauna listings usually use milligauss (mG), which is one-thousandth of a gauss. Many international sources use microtesla (µT).

• 1 gauss = 1,000 milligauss
• 1 tesla = 10,000 gauss
• To turn microtesla into milligauss, multiply by 10 (so 0.2 µT = 2 mG)

These conversions come from a US government EMF booklet written by NIOSH, NIEHS and the Department of Energy. Keep the "times 10" rule handy, because it lets you compare a sauna spec sheet with WHO figures.

Why distance matters so much

Distance is the single biggest factor in any EMF reading. Magnetic fields get weaker quickly as you move away from the source, so a number means little unless you know how far away it was taken.

The WHO notes that the magnetic field around all appliances "rapidly decreases" with distance. The NIOSH/NIEHS/DOE booklet says fields often drop off sharply about an arm's length from the source. In other words, a reading taken touching a panel and one taken a foot away can be very different.

That is why the measuring distance matters as much as the number itself. Golden Designs measures its ratings 2 to 3 inches from the heater panels. That is close, roughly where your back or legs may sit near a panel. A brand that measures from farther away could print a smaller number for the same heater.

Typical household levels for context

Magnetic fields are part of everyday life in any home with electricity. Knowing the background level helps you read a sauna spec in context, without drawing conclusions about health.

• The NIOSH/NIEHS/DOE booklet says a typical US home has a background magnetic field of about 0.5 to 4 mG, with an average of 0.6 mG, measured away from appliances.
• The WHO says homes not near power lines may have a background field up to about 0.2 µT (2 mG).
• The WHO lists hair dryers at 0.01 to 7 µT (0.1 to 70 mG) and fluorescent lights at 0.5 to 2 µT (5 to 20 mG), both at 30 cm (about 12 inches).
• The WHO also points out that field strength does not depend on how big, powerful or noisy a device is.

Note that the sauna figures above are taken at 2–3 inches, while the WHO appliance figures are at about 12 inches. Those are different distances, so they are not a direct match. We share them only to show the range of numbers you will see in a normal home.

Are there sauna EMF standards?

No. There is no US federal standard for EMF from saunas, and no official "low EMF" certification. The labels you see are set by each manufacturer.

The EPA states that there are no federal standards limiting EMF from power lines. The NIOSH/NIEHS/DOE booklet says the federal government has no certification program, guidelines or standards for low-EMF products. It also notes that governments do not standardize EMF measurements.

Internationally, the WHO points to guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The WHO's page lists a public guideline of 100 µT (1,000 mG) for 50 Hz magnetic fields. These are general guidelines, not sauna rules, and the WHO itself notes that a guideline limit is not a precise line between safe and unsafe.

So when you compare saunas, you are comparing manufacturer claims. That is why the measuring method matters. If you have a medical device or a health question about EMF, please ask your doctor.

How sauna makers grade EMF

Golden Designs, the main sauna brand we carry, uses three EMF grades for its far infrared carbon heaters. Each grade is a milligauss range measured 2–3 inches from the panels, as stated in the product listings.

Swipe the table sideways on mobile. EMF ranges and prices from Selected Comfort product listings as of October 2026.

What you pay to step down a grade

Some models come in two versions with the same cabin and different heaters. That makes the cost of a lower EMF grade easy to see.

Keep in mind that these ratings describe the heater panels. Other parts, like lighting, the control panel and speakers, are not part of the published number. If you want to see more side-by-side options, browse all home saunas.

How to measure EMF in a sauna

You can check a sauna yourself with a gaussmeter, which is a small handheld meter that reads magnetic fields. The key is to measure the same way every time, at a known distance, with the heaters on.

1. Pick the right meter. Choose a gaussmeter that reads extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields in milligauss and covers 60 Hz, the US power frequency. A three-axis meter is easier to use, because a single-axis meter must be turned to find the highest reading.
2. Take a background reading. With the sauna off, measure the empty room. Write the number down so you know what is already there.
3. Turn the heaters on fully. Let the sauna run until all panels are working. Readings with the heaters off tell you little.
4. Measure at 2–3 inches. Hold the meter 2–3 inches from the center of each panel, which is how Golden Designs takes its readings. Use a ruler so your distance is consistent.
5. Check where you sit. Measure at seat height near your back, under the bench (where floor or leg panels sit) and at head height.
6. Step back and repeat. Take readings at 6 inches and 12 inches to see how fast the number drops in your sauna.
7. Check the extras. Measure near the control panel, lights and power cord too, since they are separate from the heater rating.
8. Record and compare. Write each number with its spot and distance. Compare it to the grade on the listing, not to readings from different distances.

Your numbers may not match the listing exactly. Meters differ, and so do distances and wiring in each home. If a reading looks far off, contact us and we will help you check with the manufacturer.

Low-EMF sauna buying checklist

Use this list to compare any infrared sauna, whether from us or anywhere else.

For more on heater types, sizes and running costs, read our home sauna buying guide: infrared vs. traditional.

The bottom line

In sauna listings, "low EMF" means a magnetic field reading in milligauss taken close to the heaters. Golden Designs grades its panels as 5–10 mG (Low), 3–5 mG (Ultra Low) and under 3 mG (Near Zero), all at 2–3 inches. There is no government sauna standard, so these are manufacturer ratings, and the measuring distance is what makes them comparable.

If the lowest published number matters to you, a Near Zero model is the clearest choice, at a higher price. If you want a solid spec at a lower cost, an Ultra Low or Low EMF model may fit your budget. Either way, compare readings at the same distance and keep your own meter readings handy.

Frequently asked questions