Invented in early-twentieth-century Finland and among the most commonly available saunas in the United States today. An electric heater warms stones, creating radiant and convective heat. The temp: 150–190 degrees Fahrenheit. Pros: Ease of maintenance, cost, and accessibility (no need to install a chimney, for instance). Cons: Some prefer the higher temperatures, campfire scents, and crackling wood ASMR of a wood-burning version. Try it out: Löyly, Everett House.

The more traditional type of Finnish sauna, with a small hearth below the stones that creates intense radiant heat. Once upon a time, woodsmoke stayed within the room. These days, almost all use chimneys to keep the heat and ditch the soot. The temp: 170–210 degrees Fahrenheit. Pros: Unmatched vibes—it’s hard to beat the coziness of a flickering fire. Cons: Finicky temperature control, and things can get hot fast. Also, the effort of keeping a fire alive. Try it out: Connect Wellness, Gather Sauna House (Central Oregon).

In this newest fad within the sauna world, often spotted in health spas and fancy gyms, light warms the body directly via infrared waves. Like the sun, minus the UV. The temp: 120–140 degrees Fahrenheit, 
typically. Pros: Lower temps! Longer sessions are easier, particularly for those new to contrast therapy. Cons: Lower temps. Those who crave dizzying heat may be disappointed. Try it out: Pure Sweat Sauna Studio, Root Whole Body.

Wet saunas—think Turkish baths, shvitzes, etc.—fill rooms with steam from pipes of boiling water, which screech periodically. Unlike many sauna varieties, humidity hangs out between 80 and 100 percent. The temp: 100–120 degrees Fahrenheit. Pros: A moisturizing effect on dry skin. Lower temps, if you’re into that. Harder to notice if you’re drenched in sweat (because you’re drenched in condensation). Cons: That watery sensation in the lungs can make it feel hard to breathe, especially for beginners. Lower temps, if you’re not into that. Try it out: Knot Springs, Everett House.

Heat sources vary, but a mobile sauna’s main benefit is that it’s, well, mobile. Often converted trailers or campers, mobile saunas pop up next to breweries for parties and park alongside mountain creeks for an all-natural cold plunge. Heatproof sauna tents have also been growing in popularity. The temp: Varies dramatically, depending on heat source. Pros: May we interest you in a chilly swim to wash off? Cons: Often seasonal or event-based, so can be elusive. Try it out: Connect Wellness, Mobile Sauna PDX, Gather Sauna House (Central Oregon), Wandering Saunas (Cornelius).

A handful of saunas perched over water have emerged in the greater Pacific Northwest, a luxury that evokes the heat-seekers of yore cracking the ice for a post-sweat dip. The temp: Varies based on heat source; expect between 150 and 195 degrees. Pros: Hello, your cold plunge is right there. Cons: Floating saunas rarely have the amenities of a sprawling spa or bathhouse; be ready to pack in your own towels and shower at home. Try it out: Von Sauna (Seattle), Tofino Resort (Tofino, BC).

Yes, people are often naked in saunas, or at least in their skivvies. But PDA is frowned upon in traditional saunas. At clothing-optional spas like the
Everett House or Common Ground, it will get you kicked out of the space, if not permanently banned; that can include holding hands or a quick peck. (Cue George Bluth Sr. screaming, “No touching!”) The exception, of course, is a gay bathhouse—if you’re at Steam Portland or Hawks, go to town.

If you watch too many YouTube videos or read too many biohacker blogs, you might think you need to sit in a 200-plus-degree sauna for 20 minutes or more. That’s a great way to pass out in the changing room. If you’re feeling dizzy or nauseated, take a break and drink some water. Let your body tell you when it’s time to cool off.

If you’re going to a sauna that doesn’t supply towels, you should bring two: one for drying off and one to sit on while you’re on the bench. “It’s already a sweaty endeavor,” says Gather Sauna House co-owner Halina Kowalski-Thompson. “No one wants to think they’re sitting in your sweat.”

Pouring water on sauna rocks to create steam, known as löyly in Finnish, is a fundamental part of the experience. But everyone’s humidity tolerance is different, and it’s hotter on the upper benches compared to the lower ones. It’s polite to ask others in the room before adding water to the rocks (typically between three or four ladles’ worth).