Why You Really Should Leave Your Phone Outside the Sauna

It’s tempting to take your phone into the sauna to listen to music, track your session, or stay connected—but the risks are real. In this post, we’ll dig into how heat and humidity can damage devices, what “overheating” actually means, and safe alternatives so you can enjoy your sauna without putting your tech (or wallet) at risk. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of why leaving phones outside is often the best move.

1. Heat & Humidity: The Hidden Hazards for Your Devices

Saunas operate at high temperatures—typically 70-100°C for traditional steam saunas, or 40-65°C for infrared models. Combine that with high humidity, and you’ve got a perfect storm:

  • Battery damage: Lithium-ion batteries degrade or swell when exposed to high heat.

  • Component failure: Moisture can infiltrate ports, loosen seals, warp circuit boards.

  • Screen & glare issues: Internal adhesives and displays can distort or fail under thermal stress.

Recent findings in Psychreg highlight how continuous exposure to sauna conditions—even brief sessions—can lead to permanent hardware faults and reduce device lifespan. (Psychreg: The Risks of Using Electronics in a Sauna)

2. How Quickly Devices Overheat

Even modern smartphones include temperature sensors and will display a warning or shut down if things go beyond safe operating limits (often 35-40°C internally). But one overheated component can disrupt the whole device:

  • High internal heat speeds up wear and tear.

  • Plastic parts may warp, adhesives melt.

  • Screens might go blank, touch responses lag, or battery charging stops.

A UK-based case study from Floatwell reminds users that “these high temperatures can damage your phone’s internal components and battery, leading to reduced performance or even complete failure.” It recommends leaving devices outside the sauna altogether. (Floatwell: Enhance Your Infrared Sauna Experience Without Your Phone)

3. Alternatives: Stay Safe Without Being Totally Disconnected

If you like having a soundtrack, timer, or gentle background noise, there are safer workarounds:

  • Use a waterproof Bluetooth speaker placed outside the sauna.

  • Use a heat-resistant clock or timer designed for sauna conditions.

  • Consider smartwatches if they list high temperature tolerance (but still follow manufacturer guidance).

  • Use integrated sound systems some saunas are built with (if available) so you don’t need your device inside.

4. Pro-Line Direct Internal Resources & Related Reads

  • Curious how different sauna types affect heat exposure? Check out our comparison in Traditional Steam vs Infrared Sauna to see which kinds run hotter or better for different use cases.

  • For tips on maximizing your sauna experience safely and comfortably, our post 7 Proven Health Benefits of Regular Sauna Use gives insight into features you might want (ventilation, build quality, etc.) that indirectly protect your tech too.

5. Best Practices: Protecting You and Your Device

  • Never put your phone on the top bench or immediate door — hot air rises.

  • Limit any device exposure time to very short bursts only.

  • If you must bring it, use a rugged/water-proof case—but still avoid direct heat and steam.

  • Always let devices cool down afterward, especially if they showed warnings.

  • Avoid charging devices inside or near the sauna—charging adds internal heat.

Conclusion

While it might feel like a small convenience to bring a phone into a sauna, the trade-offs in battery life, performance, and risk of damage are almost always not worth it. Leave your devices outside, use safer alternatives, and you’ll protect your gadgets and preserve the relaxing atmosphere you went in for.