Is This the Best Budget Infrared Sauna? | Saunabox Pulse Core Review

I’ll be honest. I did not believe a portable infrared sauna could make me sweat like a real sauna. I’ve used traditional saunas for years, and when the SaunaBox Pulse Core showed up, I assumed it would be underpowered, gimmicky, or something I’d stop using after a week.

After multiple real sessions and comparing it directly to traditional sauna use, I was genuinely surprised. It works better than I expected.

If you’re interested in checking it out yourself, you can get $50 off the SaunaBox Pulse Core here:
https://snwbl.io/saunabox/NICK52224

This is my full, honest breakdown of what the SaunaBox Pulse Core does well, where it falls short, and who it actually makes sense for.

What Is the SaunaBox Pulse Core?

The SaunaBox Pulse Core is a single-person infrared sauna designed for indoor use. Instead of steam or water, it uses ThermoCell infrared heating panels to create a dry, radiant heat. There’s no steam, no boiling water, and no moisture buildup.

SaunaBox advertises the Pulse Core as reaching up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which is on the higher end for infrared saunas. Most infrared saunas typically sit in the 130 to 150 degree range. Traditional saunas usually run between 180 and 200 degrees, but infrared heat feels different, and that distinction matters.

The footprint is roughly 36 inches by 36 inches and about 68 inches tall. It plugs directly into a standard 110-volt outlet, so there’s no need for special wiring or an electrician. Everything plugs together, you plug it into the wall, and you’re ready to go.

This version is the Pulse Core, which does not include red light therapy. SaunaBox also offers a Pulse Pro version with red light therapy built in. I personally chose the Core because my focus was strictly on heat and sweat, not red light.

Setup, Size, and Power Requirements

Setup is straightforward and requires no tools. The sauna uses a metal frame with plastic connectors that snap together. Once the frame is built, the insulated fabric cover wraps around the back and zips closed.

Inside the sauna, infrared panels slide into Velcro sleeves and connect to a wiring harness that exits out the back and plugs into a standard outlet. The first setup takes a little patience to organize the cords cleanly, but it’s a one-time process.

SaunaBox claims the Pulse Core costs about 11 cents to run for a 40-minute session. Compared to traditional electric saunas that can noticeably increase your power bill, this is very affordable to operate.

Because it’s lightweight and compact, the sauna fits easily in a garage, spare room, or home gym corner. Since there’s no steam or water, I’d feel comfortable using this inside a house without worrying about moisture issues.

How Hot Does It Actually Get?

This is what most people want to know.

I personally have not seen the Pulse Core hit a true 160 degrees. In real-world use, my sessions usually land between 140 and 155 degrees. During testing, it was unusually cold in Charleston, South Carolina, and the sauna was set up in my garage near the door. Ambient temperature definitely affects performance.

That said, 140 to 155 degrees is more than enough to get a serious sweat.

In a traditional sauna, I usually start sweating heavily around 10 to 15 minutes and feel like I need to get out pretty quickly. With the Pulse Core, I hit that same level of sweat and discomfort around the 20 to 23 minute mark.

It takes a little longer, but the tradeoff is cost, convenience, and space. An extra 7 or 8 minutes for a similar sweat at a fraction of the price is absolutely worth it for me.

What surprised me most is how enjoyable it is. Because the heat isn’t as extreme, I actually like staying in it. I’ll let it heat up while I finish my workout, bring my phone in, listen to a podcast or watch YouTube, and relax. By the 20-minute mark, I’m hot, dripping with sweat, and ready to get out.

If you sit in this sauna for 20 minutes, you will sweat. No question.

The Comfort Tradeoff You Should Know About

This sauna is not luxurious. That’s the honest truth.

You sacrifice comfort and relaxation for size and price. If you want a spacious, laid-back, Nordic sauna vibe where you can stretch out and recline, this is not that experience.

The Pulse Core is tight and utilitarian. You sit on a wooden stool, and there’s limited room to lean back. If you lean against the sides, the metal posts and panels get hot. They won’t burn you, but they are not comfortable to rest against for long periods.

The stool itself isn’t terrible, but you’ll often find yourself leaning forward slightly with your elbows on your knees. This is not a spa-style sauna. It’s designed to do one thing well: make you sweat.

Ironically, the tight space is also why it works so well. The panels are close to your body, which creates more intense heat and a stronger sweat response.

If comfort and luxury are your top priorities, this probably isn’t the sauna for you. If sweating and health benefits are the goal, it delivers.

Controls, Warm-Up Time, and Daily Use

The Pulse Core is very simple to operate. There’s no app and no smart features. You get a Bluetooth-connected remote with buttons for temperature, time, power, and Celsius or Fahrenheit.

You can set sessions up to 60 minutes. I always run it at max temperature and adjust the time as needed.

Warm-up time is longer than a traditional sauna. I like to turn it on about 60 minutes before using it to maximize heat. An app-based remote start would be nice, but once you build the habit, it’s not a deal breaker.

This is a no-frills sauna. You get exactly what you pay for, and simplicity is part of the appeal.

Who the SaunaBox Pulse Core Is For

This sauna makes sense for a lot of people.

If you don’t have the space, budget, or desire for a large traditional sauna or a big infrared cabin, the Pulse Core is a practical option. It works especially well for apartments, rentals, garages, and home gyms.

I’ve considered buying a traditional sauna or a large infrared unit for my office, but for now, this does the job. And the job is sweating.

If I can get the same sweat in 20 minutes from a $600 setup that I could get from a $3,000 to $10,000 sauna, I’m choosing the $600 option.

Final Verdict

The SaunaBox Pulse Core genuinely surprised me. It’s not perfect and it’s not luxurious, but it absolutely works.

It’s compact, affordable to run, easy to live with, and delivers a legitimate sweat session that holds its own against traditional saunas, just with a little more time.

If you want sauna benefits without committing to a permanent installation or a massive investment, I can confidently recommend the SaunaBox Pulse Core.

If you want to check it out, you can get $50 off the SaunaBox Pulse Core here:
https://snwbl.io/saunabox/NICK52224

Using that link helps support my work at no additional cost to you and allows me to keep producing honest, in-depth reviews like this.