Can You Bring Your Phone into a Sauna? What You Need to Know

With saunas becoming a staple in many health-conscious homes, more people are looking to integrate their wellness routines with modern technology. One common question that arises is: Can you bring your phone into a sauna? Whether it's for listening to music, tracking your sauna session, or simply keeping your phone close, the idea of bringing a phone into a sauna is tempting. But before you do, it's important to understand the potential risks and considerations to ensure your phone stays safe, while you still enjoy the benefits of your sauna experience.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the pros and cons of bringing your phone into a sauna, explore the potential risks, and provide some best practices for safely using your phone in high-heat environments.

Is It Safe to Bring Your Phone into a Sauna?

Saunas are designed to heat the body, promote relaxation, and detoxify the skin. The intense heat and humidity inside a sauna create the perfect environment for deep relaxation and stress relief. However, when it comes to modern gadgets like smartphones, the sauna environment isn’t as accommodating. Can you bring your phone into the sauna without causing harm to it? The answer isn’t straightforward.

While it's possible to bring your phone into a sauna, doing so can potentially damage your device due to the extreme temperatures. The high heat and humidity in saunas may affect both the phone’s battery and internal components. This article will explore these concerns, offering you the information you need to protect your phone while still enjoying your sauna time.

If you’re concerned about safely using your phone in the sauna, consider investing in a low EMF sauna. These saunas offer a safer environment for electronics, including phones, by reducing electromagnetic radiation, making them the ideal choice for those who wish to keep their devices with them while reaping the benefits of sauna therapy.

The Risks of Bringing Your Phone Into a Sauna

1. Damage to the Battery

Most modern smartphones, including the iPhone, contain lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and high heat can cause them to malfunction or even swell.

When exposed to sauna temperatures that can exceed 150°F (65°C), the battery's internal structure can deteriorate, leading to overheating, a shortened lifespan, or even leakage. Here are some potential outcomes:

• Battery Drainage: Extreme temperatures can cause your phone’s battery to drain faster.

• Reduced Battery Life: Prolonged exposure to high heat may permanently reduce battery capacity.

• Battery Expansion: In severe cases, the battery can expand, damaging the phone’s case and screen.

2. Condensation and Humidity Issues

Saunas, especially steam saunas, have high levels of humidity. Bringing your phone into this humid environment can lead to moisture accumulation inside the device. Moisture can seep into the phone's internal components, including the charging port, screen, and speakers, potentially causing water damage. Even if your phone has an IP rating for water resistance, sauna humidity levels may exceed what the phone is designed to withstand.

3. Screen and External Damage

The high temperature inside a sauna can also affect the structural integrity of your phone’s screen and external parts. Extreme heat can cause the adhesive that holds the screen together to loosen, or even lead to the screen warping over time. If you’re using a phone case, keep in mind that some materials might deteriorate or melt under high heat as well.

How to Safely Use Your Phone in a Sauna

While there are risks involved in bringing your phone into the sauna, there are ways to minimize these risks and still enjoy the benefits of your device. Here are some tips:

1. Use a Sauna-Specific Waterproof Case

If you absolutely need to bring your phone into the sauna, invest in a waterproof and heat-resistant phone case. These cases are designed to protect your phone from both moisture and high temperatures, giving you peace of mind. Look for cases that specifically state they are rated for high temperatures, such as those used in outdoor or extreme sports.

2. Keep Your Phone Off the Bench

Instead of placing your phone on the sauna bench, which can get very hot, consider storing it in a cooler area, like your bag or a sealed compartment. This will protect it from direct heat exposure. If you’re using the phone for music or tracking your session, consider using a wireless Bluetooth speaker or sauna timer app that you can control from a safe distance.

3. Use Your Phone Before or After the Sauna Session

A simple solution to protect your phone is to use it before or after your sauna session, instead of during it. You can set your sauna playlist, a timer, or even track your workout using your phone while outside the sauna. Once you’re in the sauna, leave the phone in a cooler space to avoid any potential damage.

4. Monitor Temperature and Humidity

Some saunas, especially infrared saunas, may offer a more controlled temperature and humidity level. These saunas are usually a better option for using your phone because they don’t have the same high humidity levels as steam saunas. If you plan on using your phone in a sauna, try to use it in one with a lower humidity level and avoid settings with extreme heat.

5. Allow Your Phone to Cool Down

If you’ve used your phone in the sauna and notice it’s heating up, take it out of the sauna immediately. Let the phone cool down to room temperature before using it again to prevent potential thermal damage. This is especially important if you notice any signs of overheating, such as a warning message or a noticeably hot device.

Is It Worth Bringing Your Phone into a Sauna?

If you want to learn more about why you may want to skip the phone in the sauna, watch this kind gentleman talk about it in this brief video.

While it may be tempting to bring your phone into the sauna for entertainment, monitoring, or convenience, the risks usually outweigh the benefits. If you enjoy listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, there are safer ways to do so:

1. Wireless Bluetooth Speakers: Invest in a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that can withstand the heat and humidity of the sauna. This allows you to enjoy music without the risk of damaging your phone.

2. Sauna Timer App: Many saunas offer built-in timers to help you track your session. If you prefer using your phone for this purpose, make sure the phone is safely stored in a dry and cool location outside the sauna.

Protect Your Phone While Enjoying the Sauna

While it’s technically possible to bring your phone into a sauna, doing so can expose your device to heat, humidity, and potential damage. If you can’t bear to leave your phone outside, consider using a heat-resistant case, placing your phone in a cool area of the sauna, or using a wireless speaker for music. Above all, it’s important to remember that the sauna is meant to be a place of relaxation and detoxification, not stress over a potentially ruined device.

Ready to Enhance Your Sauna Experience?

If you’re looking for a safer sauna environment to bring your phone into, check out our selection of low-EMF saunas. These saunas offer a reduced electromagnetic field, making them safer for both your health and your devices. Browse our collection now and find the perfect sauna to match your wellness goals!

f you're still unsure whether an infrared sauna or a traditional sauna is the right choice for your health and wellness goals, don't worry! You can easily find out by taking our quick and personalized Sauna Quiz. Simply answer a few questions about your preferences, and you'll get tailored recommendations based on your needs. Best of all, the quiz is completely anonymous—no personal data is collected, and you don’t need to provide an email address to get your results. Take the quiz now and discover which sauna is the perfect fit for you!

Resources

• "EMF Radiation from Smartphones: A Review of the Scientific Literature": National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)