Plunge Sauna vs Sunlighten mPulse Believe
Sunlighten mPulse Believe wins: 76 against 71 out of 100.
Figures won: 1 against 4.
Pick two different saunas to see which figure wins.Why choose the Plunge Sauna? 4
- 159 °F (33 °C) hotter at most
- 2Löyly: you can throw water on the stones
- 3Seats 5 people instead of 2
- 4Built for the garden
Why choose the Sunlighten mPulse Believe? 2
- 1Longer warranty: 7 years against 2
- 2Red light therapy built in
Infrared vs traditional: not the same heat
A traditional sauna heats the air to 80–100 °C (176–212 °F): you sweat from the hot air and the steam when you throw water on the stones. An infrared sauna warms your skin and body directly while the air stays around 45–65 °C (113–149 °F).
So we never compare their temperatures head to head in the score: each is rated against the heat it is made for (194 °F / 90 °C for traditional, 149 °F / 65 °C for infrared). Most long-term research on sauna and health comes from traditional Finnish saunas.
✓ better figure
Heat
Heat source
Electric stove with stones
Infrared panels, full spectrum (near, mid, far) + red light
Max temperature
230 °F (110 °C)maker’s figure
171 °F (77 °C)highest setting, not reached in use
Heat-up time
Not published
Not published
Heater power
6 kW
Not published
Steam (water on stones)
Yes
No
Materials and health
Wood inside
Cedar
Eucalyptus
Wood outside
Cedar
Eucalyptus
Inside surfaces
Wood, finish not published
Wood, finish not published
EMF at the seat
No infrared panels
under 1 mGmaker’s figure
Wall thickness
0.75 in (19 mm)
Not published
Build and warranty
Warranty
2 years
7 years
Safety listing
Not published
Not published
Size and setup
Seats
5 people
2 people
Where
Outdoors
Indoors
Size (W × D × H)
68 × 71 × 95 in (173 × 180 × 241 cm)
44 × 42 × 78 in (111 × 106 × 199 cm)
Weight
Not published
Not published
Electrical
Dedicated circuit240 V / 30 A (NEMA L14-30 plug)
Not published
Heater included
Yes
Yes
Assembly
2 people, about 3 h
Not published
Price and reviews
Price
$12,990≈ €11,300
$12,999≈ €11,310
Customer reviews
4.8/5 · 33 reviews (plunge.com)
Not published
Score breakdown
Heat · 25 %
Materials and health · 25 %
Build and warranty · 20 %
Comfort and setup · 15 %
Value for money · 15 %
Our verdict
The Sunlighten mPulse Believe scores 76/100, the Plunge Sauna 71/100.
Choose the Plunge Sauna if you want a hot, dry Finnish sauna for up to five that plugs into a 240 V outlet, indoors or out.
Choose the Sunlighten mPulse Believe if you want the most complete infrared therapy and the price is not the issue.
Electric stove with stones
165 °F (74 °C)usual range
Not published
2.2 kW
Yes
Canadian hemlock
Canadian hemlock
Wood, finish not published
No infrared panels
Not published
5 years
Not published
2 people
Indoors
48 × 48 × 80 in (122 × 122 × 203 cm)
439 lb (199 kg)
Dedicated circuit120 V / 20 A
Yes
Not published
Dealer quote
Not published
Electric stove with stones
230 °F (110 °C)range of the heater’s control
Not published
3.6 kW
Yes
Heat-treated aspen
Heat-treated aspen
Heat-treated wood, no chemicals
No infrared panels
Not published
Not published
CE
2 people
Indoors
48 × 48 × 81 in (122 × 123 × 206 cm)
617 lb (280 kg)
Hardwired by an electrician230/400 V
Yes
Not published
$8,880€6,240
Not published
Electric stove with stones
230 °F (110 °C)range of the heater’s control
45 min
6 kW
Yes
Heat-treated aspen
Nordic spruce
Untreated wood
No infrared panels
2.68 in (68 mm)
2 years
CE
3 people
Indoors
59 × 59 × 80 in (150 × 150 × 202 cm)
705 lb (320 kg)
Hardwired by an electrician230/400 V
Yes
2 people, about 4 h
$7,200€5,500
Not published
Electric stove with stones
194 °F (90 °C)maker’s figure
40 min
3.5 kW
Yes
Canadian hemlock
Canadian hemlock
Untreated wood
No infrared panels
1.97 in (50 mm)
5 years
CE, RoHS
2 people
Indoors
51 × 47 × 79 in (130 × 120 × 200 cm)
397 lb (180 kg)
Dedicated circuit230 V
Yes
2 people, about 2 h
$4,200€3,690
4.4/5 · 32 reviews (Poolstar)
Electric stove with stones
194 °F (90 °C)UL 875 cap for US electric heaters
Not published
6 kW
Yes
Cedar
Cedar
Wood, finish not published
No infrared panels
1.38 in (35 mm)
Limited lifetime
Not published
4 people
Outdoors
78 × 71 × 81 in (198 × 180 × 207 cm)
714 lb (324 kg)
Hardwired by an electrician240 V / 30 A
Yes
Not published
$6,060≈ €5,270 · was $7,575
4.8/5 · 21 reviews (almostheaven.com)
Electric stove with stones
194 °F (90 °C)maker’s figure
45 min
4.5 kW
Yes
Eastern white cedar
Eastern white cedar
Untreated wood
No infrared panels
1.38 in (35 mm)
Limited lifetime
ETL, CE
2 people
Outdoors
72 × 60 × 77 in (183 × 152 × 195 cm)
628 lb (285 kg)
Hardwired by an electrician240 V
Yes
2 people, about 4 h
$5,499€4,800
4.8/5 · 110 reviews (Almost Heaven)
Electric stove with stones
230 °F (110 °C)maker’s figure
45 min
9 kW
Yes
Heat-treated aspen
Heat-treated aspen
Heat-treated wood, no chemicals
No infrared panels
2.76 in (70 mm)
5 years
CE
4 people
Outdoors
79 × 79 × 85 in (200 × 200 × 215 cm)
1653 lb (750 kg)
Hardwired by an electrician400 V / 230 V
Yes
2 people, about 6 h
$12,500€10,900
Not published
Electric or wood-burning stove
194 °F (90 °C)UL 875 cap for US electric heaters
20 min
6 kW
Yes
Eastern white cedar
Eastern white cedar
Wood, finish not published
No infrared panels
1.5 in (38 mm)
3 years
Not published
4 people
Outdoors
79 × 79 × 79 in (200 × 200 × 200 cm)
571 lb (259 kg)
Hardwired by an electrician240 V / 30 A
No
2 people, about 8 h
$5,954≈ €5,180 · was $6,996
Not published
Electric stove with stones
230 °F (110 °C)maker’s figure
Not published
6 kW
Yes
Cedar
Cedar
Wood, finish not published
No infrared panels
0.75 in (19 mm)
2 years
Not published
5 people
Outdoors
68 × 71 × 95 in (173 × 180 × 241 cm)
Not published
Dedicated circuit240 V / 30 A (NEMA L14-30 plug)
Yes
2 people, about 3 h
$12,990≈ €11,300
4.8/5 · 33 reviews (plunge.com)
Electric or wood-burning stove
203 °F (95 °C)maker’s figure
30 min
Not published
Yes
Oxford fabric and foilMaterial
—
Synthetic
No infrared panels
Not published
2 years
Not published
3 people
Outdoors
71 × 71 × 77 in (180 × 180 × 195 cm)
71 lb (32 kg)
Not published
Yes
1 people, about 0.5 h
$1,499€1,390
4.9/5 · 350 reviews (SweatTent)
Infrared panels, full spectrum (near, mid, far)
158 °F (70 °C)highest setting, not reached in use
Not published
2.25 kW
No
Basswood
Basswood
Wood, finish not published
Near zero, verified by an outside lab
Not published
Limited lifetime
Not published
2 people
Indoors
52 × 48 × 77 in (132 × 122 × 196 cm)
450 lb (204 kg)
Dedicated circuit120 V / 20 A
Yes
Not published
$7,299≈ €6,350
Not published
Infrared panels, full spectrum (near, mid, far) + red light
158 °F (70 °C)maker’s figure
30 min
2.8 kW
No
Cedar
Cedar
Untreated wood
under 2 mGmeasured by an outside lab
1.97 in (50 mm)
Limited lifetime
ETL, CE
3 people
Indoors
71 × 47 × 77 in (180 × 120 × 195 cm)
573 lb (260 kg)
Dedicated circuit240 V
Yes
2 people, about 2 h
$8,999€7,900
Not published
Infrared panels, far infrared
140 °F (60 °C)maker’s figure
Not published
Not published
No
Canadian hemlock
Canadian hemlock
Wood, finish not published
under 8 mGmaker’s figure
Not published
5 years
Not published
2 people
Indoors
39 × 36 × 73 in (99 × 91 × 185 cm)
Not published
Standard outlet120 V / 15 A
Yes
2 people, about 1.5 h
$1,899≈ €1,650 · was $3,499
4.6/5 · 100 reviews (West Coast Saunas)
Infrared panels, far infrared
140 °F (60 °C)maker’s figure
30 min
2.1 kW
No
Canadian hemlock
Canadian hemlock
Untreated wood
“Low EMF” claimed, no figure
1.77 in (45 mm)
5 years
ETL, CE
3 people
Indoors
61 × 45 × 75 in (155 × 115 × 190 cm)
386 lb (175 kg)
Dedicated circuit120 V / 20 A
Yes
2 people, about 1.5 h
$2,599€2,300
4.5/5 · 85 reviews (Home Depot)
Infrared panels, full spectrum (near, mid, far)
171 °F (77 °C)maker’s figure
60 min
1.75 kW
No
Western red cedar
Heat-treated aspen
Wood, finish not published
under 1.17 mGmeasured by an outside lab
Not published
10 years
UL, ETL
1 person
Indoors
38 × 38 × 78 in (97 × 97 × 198 cm)
302 lb (137 kg)
Standard outlet120 V / 15 A
Yes
2 people
$4,695≈ €4,080
Not published
Infrared panels, far infrared
140 °F (60 °C)maker’s figure
20 min
1.1 kW
No
Canadian hemlock
Canadian hemlock
Untreated wood
under 3 mGmaker’s figure
1.57 in (40 mm)
5 years
ETL, RoHS, CE
1 person
Indoors
35 × 39 × 75 in (90 × 100 × 190 cm)
231 lb (105 kg)
Standard outlet120 V
Yes
2 people, about 1 h
$1,199€1,100
4.6/5 · 240 reviews (JNH Lifestyles)
Infrared panels, full spectrum (near, mid, far) + red light
171 °F (77 °C)highest setting, not reached in use
Not published
Not published
No
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Wood, finish not published
under 1 mGmaker’s figure
Not published
7 years
Not published
2 people
Indoors
44 × 42 × 78 in (111 × 106 × 199 cm)
Not published
Not published
Yes
Not published
$12,999≈ €11,310
Not published
Infrared panels, far infrared
167 °F (75 °C)maker’s figure
15 min
0.8 kW
No
PolyurethaneMaterial
—
Synthetic
under 1.5 mGmeasured by an outside lab
Not published
2 years
FDA-registered, CE, RoHS
1 person
Anywhere (folds away)
71 × 30 × 19 in (180 × 75 × 48 cm)
35 lb (16 kg)
Standard outlet120/230 V
Yes
Not published
$1,980€1,850
4.8/5 · 85 reviews (Heat Healer)
Infrared panels, far infrared
174 °F (79 °C)maker’s figure
10 min
0.42 kW
No
PolyurethaneMaterial
—
Synthetic
“Low EMF” claimed, no figure
Not published
1 year
Not published
1 person
Anywhere (folds away)
71 × 71 in (180 × 180 cm)
20 lb (9 kg)
Standard outlet100–120 V
Yes
Not published
$699≈ €610
4.9/5 · 2318 reviews (higherdose.com)
Infrared panels, full spectrum (near, mid, far) + red light
171 °F (77 °C)maker’s figure
Not published
0.9 kW
No
Bamboo fabric and PVCMaterial
—
Synthetic
“Low EMF” claimed, no figure
Not published
Not published
Not published
1 person
Anywhere (folds away)
33 × 33 × 46 in (84 × 84 × 117 cm)
24 lb (11 kg)
Standard outlet120 V
Yes
Not published
$1,428≈ €1,240
4.9/5 · 80 reviews (therasage.com)
Questions
Which gets hotter, the Plunge Sauna or the Sunlighten mPulse Believe?
The Plunge Sauna goes up to 230 °F (110 °C), against 171 °F (77 °C) for the Sunlighten mPulse Believe.
Which is cheaper, the Plunge Sauna or the Sunlighten mPulse Believe?
The Plunge Sauna costs about $12,990, against $12,999 for the Sunlighten mPulse Believe.
Which is better, the Plunge Sauna or the Sunlighten mPulse Believe?
The Sunlighten mPulse Believe scores 76/100, the Plunge Sauna 71/100. Choose the Plunge Sauna if you want a hot, dry Finnish sauna for up to five that plugs into a 240 V outlet, indoors or out. Choose the Sunlighten mPulse Believe if you want the most complete infrared therapy and the price is not the issue.
Infrared vs traditional: not the same heat
A traditional sauna heats the air to 80–100 °C (176–212 °F): you sweat from the hot air and the steam when you throw water on the stones. An infrared sauna warms your skin and body directly while the air stays around 45–65 °C (113–149 °F). So we never compare their temperatures head to head in the score: each is rated against the heat it is made for (194 °F / 90 °C for traditional, 149 °F / 65 °C for infrared). Most long-term research on sauna and health comes from traditional Finnish saunas.
Other comparisons
- Harvia Utu SmallvsSunlighten mPulse Believe
- Clearlight Sanctuary 2vsSunlighten mPulse Believe
- Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person BarrelvsPlunge Sauna
- Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person BarrelvsDundalk LeisureCraft Canadian Timber Serenity
- Dynamic Saunas BarcelonavsFinnmark FD-1
- HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket V4vsHeat Healer Triple Threat Infrared Dome
After the sauna
Whatever sauna you pick, track it.
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