3 Alternatives to the Smartmak Portable Infrared Sauna Tent

1) Firzone Portable Infrared Sauna Tourmaline Pro — £310.00

At £310, the Firzone Portable Infrared Sauna Tourmaline Pro sits very close to the Smartmak’s £294.99 price, so this is the most direct like-for-like alternative. With only a small price premium, you’re mainly paying for a different take on the same portable infrared sauna concept rather than moving into a completely different category. If you want a personal sauna you can set up at home, use in a spare room, and pack away when needed, this is the comparison that matters most.

The practical difference is usually in the heating approach and overall user feel. Portable infrared tents like this typically aim to warm the body from the inside out rather than heating a large cabin, so they’re best for relaxation, light sweat sessions, and post-workout recovery rather than the intense, dry heat of a traditional Finnish sauna. Compared with the Smartmak, the Firzone’s tourmaline-focused design may appeal to buyers who want a slightly more premium-feeling portable unit. Tourmaline systems are often marketed for more even heat distribution and a more pleasant session experience, though in real-world use the biggest factor is still how well the tent holds heat and how quickly it warms up.

Build quality is where the decision becomes more important. The Smartmak’s appeal is its value: a full-size personal sauna spa with an adjustable folding chair, remote control, and LED light at a very accessible price. The Firzone should be judged on whether it feels sturdier in use, with better zips, thicker fabric, and a more stable frame or support structure. In portable saunas, those details matter because weak seams, flimsy chair construction, and poor heat retention can quickly ruin the experience. A tent that leaks heat constantly will also work the heater harder, which can increase running costs and shorten component life over time.

Verdict: choose the Firzone if you want a near-direct alternative to the Smartmak and are happy to pay a small premium for a potentially more refined portable sauna experience. It’s the best option for people who want the same basic format but are comparing build quality, comfort, and long-term durability rather than chasing the lowest price.

2) LifePro Infrared Sauna Blanket — £359.99

The LifePro Infrared Sauna Blanket is the most expensive option on this list at £359.99, which makes it around £65 more than the Smartmak. On paper, that’s a significant jump for a product that looks very different, but it may actually be the better purchase for buyers who care more about convenience and personal heat therapy than about sitting inside a tent-style sauna.

The key difference is obvious: this is a sauna blanket, not a sauna tent. Instead of sitting upright in a chair, you lie inside the blanket while infrared heat surrounds your body. That changes the experience completely. A blanket is generally more compact, quicker to store, and easier to use in smaller homes or flats where setting up a tent is inconvenient. It also tends to feel more targeted and less claustrophobic for some people. The LifePro’s adjustable 25–80°C range and handheld controller give you a decent degree of control over session intensity, which is useful if you’re alternating between gentle warming and a more intense sweat session.

From a practical standpoint, the blanket is usually the better choice for buyers who want portability above all else. There’s no chair to assemble, no tent frame to manage, and less floor space required. That said, the trade-off is comfort and versatility. The Smartmak gives you a seated sauna experience with a larger personal space, LED lighting, and an adjustable folding chair, which can feel more like a real home spa setup. The blanket is more functional than luxurious. If you want to sit upright, read, meditate, or create a dedicated wellness corner, the Smartmak is more appealing.

Build quality is also a different conversation here. With blankets, the important points are the stitching, zipper quality, heat consistency, and how well the materials cope with repeated folding and heating cycles. A blanket that traps heat well but feels too restrictive or awkward to clean can become a nuisance. The LifePro’s storage bag is a useful inclusion, and for many users that will make it easier to live with than a larger tent. However, if you’re looking for something that feels closer to a traditional sauna session, the blanket will always be a compromise.

Verdict: choose the LifePro if you want the easiest storage, the simplest setup, and a more targeted personal heat therapy product. It’s best for apartment living, limited space, and buyers who value convenience over the seated sauna experience offered by the Smartmak.

3) Harvia Spirit SP90XW 9 kW WiFi Black Finnish Sauna Oven with Xenio WiFi Control — £990.00

This is not a direct substitute in format, but it is the strongest upgrade if you’re moving from a portable sauna into a proper permanent installation. At £990, the Harvia Spirit SP90XW costs almost £700 more than the Smartmak, so it’s only worth considering if you want a real Finnish sauna oven rather than a portable infrared tent. In other words, this is the option for buyers who are thinking long term and want a serious home sauna build.

The biggest difference is the heat experience. The Harvia is a 9 kW electric sauna heater designed to power a full sauna room, giving you the high-temperature, dry Finnish sauna environment that portable infrared tents cannot replicate. Infrared tents warm your body directly and are excellent for light sweating and relaxation, but they don’t deliver the same cabin heat, humidity control, or ritual feel of a proper sauna. If you want to pour water over stones, reach higher ambient temperatures, and enjoy a more authentic Scandinavian-style session, the Harvia is in a different league.

The practical impact is huge. A 9 kW heater is built for a dedicated sauna enclosure, so installation is more involved and will usually require professional electrical work. You’ll also need a suitable sauna room, proper insulation, and a matching control system, which is where the Xenio WiFi control becomes useful. Being able to manage the heater remotely and fine-tune the sauna from your phone is a genuine convenience, especially if the sauna is part of a larger home wellness setup. But it also means this is not a plug-and-play purchase. Compared with the Smartmak, which is portable and relatively easy to get started with, the Harvia is a project.

Build quality is where the Harvia justifies its price. Harvia is a respected sauna brand, and the Spirit range is designed for long-term use in a fixed installation. You’re paying for robust construction, better thermal performance, and the expectation of many years of service when installed correctly. There’s no chair, tent fabric, or lightweight frame to worry about. Instead, the quality question shifts to the whole system: the sauna room build, ventilation, stone loading, control integration, and electrical safety. That makes it a much more premium and durable solution, but also one with far higher upfront and installation costs.

Verdict: choose the Harvia if you want a permanent, authentic Finnish sauna and are prepared for the cost and installation requirements. It is the best choice for buyers who have the space, the budget, and the ambition to build a proper home sauna rather than buy a portable wellness device.

Which alternative is best?

If you want the closest match to the Smartmak, the Firzone Portable Infrared Sauna Tourmaline Pro is the most sensible comparison because it stays in the same portable tent category and costs only slightly more. If you want maximum convenience and easy storage, the LifePro Sauna Blanket is the smarter lifestyle buy. If you’re upgrading to a true fixed sauna experience, the Harvia Spirit SP90XW is the clear premium route.

For most UK buyers, the choice comes down to space, setup effort, and the type of heat experience you want. Portable infrared products are best for lower-cost, lower-commitment wellness use, while the Harvia is for serious sauna enthusiasts who want the real thing.