HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket review: cocoons you in delicious warmth

Price on writing: £699 | Buy now from HigherDOSE

How I tested

I used this sauna blanket regularly over the course of a month, mainly after exercise to help with muscle recovery, to soothe period pain and as part of my general self-care routine. Sessions ranged from quick 20-minute warm-ups to longer stretches when I had time to properly switch off. It was used at home on a bed and occasionally on the sofa, and packed away between uses to get a sense of how practical it is to store.

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My verdict

This is one of the most effective sauna blankets I’ve used, but it isn’t the easiest to live with. The heat is excellent: it builds slowly into a deep, steady warmth that feels like it’s getting properly into tight muscles rather than just warming the surface. After harder workouts, I felt looser the next day, and my wife, who has ME, found it genuinely helpful for easing muscle pain after activity.

The blanket fits more snugly than other models I've tested, which gave a more cocooned feel. As it’s narrower than others, it keeps the heat in more effectively - but crucially, it's not so snug that it's a squeeze to get into. However, it does mean it's less flexible in terms of where you can put your arms - the CurrentBody Sauna Blanket I tested was easy to wear with my arms sticking out, for example. In practice, this actually turned into a pro - I stopped trying to multitask (AKA scroll on my phone...) and just lay still, which made it feel more like proper downtime.

There are a few frustrations that are hard to ignore at £699. No timer means you have to keep track yourself, and the dial temperature control doesn’t give you much precision. The plug setup also feels a bit clunky - it's a US plug with an adaptor, and it popped out of the adaptor pretty easily. None of these ruin the experience and benefits of the sauna, but they do chip away at the sense of polish you’d expect.

How do you use the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket?

Using this sauna blanket is straightforward once you’ve done it once. You lay it flat, plug it in, climb inside and zip yourself up using the chunky zip. You'll need to either wear loose, breathable clothing to protect your skin, or purchase a toweling insert for £89.

The zip is chunky enough to zip yourself in easily, although you do need to hop and wriggle around a bit to get into the towel insert (who said school sports day sack race skills weren't transferable?).

The controller is a simple dial from one to eight rather than a temperature display, so you end up learning what each level feels like and adjusting until you hit the sweet spot. I tended to stick to the mid to higher settings once I got used to it, as that’s where the deeper heat really comes through. Turning it up to the max was definitely too hot for me though!

The main thing to factor in is the lack of a timer. I had to set one on my phone for every session. The problem is that once you’re in, you get very comfortable very quickly, and more than once I found myself ignoring the alarm because I didn’t want to get out. It also made me extra vigilant about making sure the blanket was unplugged after use - with no timer to switch the heat off automatically, there are safety concerns, and it's important not to fall asleep in the sauna.

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Is the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket easy to store?

It’s easier to store than it first looks. The blanket itself is quite structured and a bit stiff, but it folds down into a relatively compact size once you’ve packed it away.

Getting it back into the carry bag takes a bit of effort. It’s not a neat fold and tuck situation. You have to roll it firmly and guide it in, then zip it up with a bit of brute force. Still, it does fit, and once it’s in, it’s tidy and contained.

In terms of where it lives day to day, I could store it in a cupboard, under the bed or on top of a wardrobe without it getting in the way. The slightly smaller footprint compared to some other blankets is helpful here.

Is the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket good value for money?

At £699, this sits firmly in premium territory. You’re paying for the multi-layer construction and the brand’s focus on low EMF, far infrared and wellness features, including charcoal, clay and crystal layers that are marketed as improving heat distribution and offering additional benefits. In practice, what you notice most is the quality of the heat and how cocooned you feel inside the blanket.

Compared with alternatives like the CurrentBody Sauna Blanket, which offers a built-in timer and clearer temperature controls at a lower price, this one feels less user-friendly. The lack of a timer in particular makes a difference to day-to-day use.

If you prioritise ease of use and set-and-forget features, there are better-value options out there. Where it earns its keep is in its premium materials, low EMF and immersive experience. If that cocooned feeling is what you’re after, you may feel the price is justified.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials like steam irons, vacuum cleaners and heated throws.

From a highly recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.