The short answer
For most buyers cross-shopping premium infrared, Sun Home is the stronger overall value — its flagship Eclipse 2 pairs AIHA-accredited cabin-air VOC testing, a higher heat ceiling, integrated dual red light therapy, transparent published pricing, and in-home service at a price comparable to a Clearlight Sanctuary 2 once you add red light. Clearlight is the better pick if you specifically want its deep accessory ecosystem (halotherapy, vibration therapy), basswood for cedar sensitivity, or the reassurance of a roughly 28-year track record. Both are legitimate, well-built premium brands — the right answer depends on which trade-offs you care about.
Choose Sun Home (Eclipse) for published VOC testing, hotter sessions, built-in red light, app control, transparent pricing, and in-home service. Choose Clearlight (Sanctuary) for the widest wellness add-on ecosystem, hypoallergenic basswood, or a longer brand history.
How they compare at a glance
This table centers on the closest head-to-head: the Sun Home Eclipse 2 and the Clearlight Sanctuary 2, the two brands' two-person, full-spectrum, red-light-capable flagships. Figures were reviewed June 27, 2026 and change often; confirm current specs with each manufacturer.
| Criterion | Sun Home Eclipse 2 | Clearlight Sanctuary 2 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$9,999 sale / $10,599 regular (confirm) | Cabin roughly $7,200–$7,800; higher all-in with add-ons | Depends |
| Pricing transparency | Published direct pricing; red light included in the listed price | Dealer-quote model — limited public pricing; add-ons priced separately | Sun Home |
| Cabin wood | Cedar per description; spec-table wording varies — confirm | Basswood or Okoume mahogany | Depends |
| Max temperature | 165°F listed | ~115–125°F (Clearlight's own usage guide); no higher peak prominently published | Sun Home |
| Red light therapy | Integrated dual panels (660/850nm; confirm — page wording varies), included | Paid add-on (CORE Tower, $1,499); front-facing; changes the circuit (Sanctuary 2 listed at 120V/30A with red light) | Sun Home |
| EMF | Very low; named-lab summary published (Vitatech, 0.5 mG, seated) | Very low claimed (incl. ELF); commissions third-party testing, named report less prominently published | Even |
| VOC testing | 27 µg/m³ TVOC — AIHA-accredited cabin-air test (VERT, EPA TO-15) | Eco-certified wood; no AIHA-accredited cabin-air VOC figure found | Sun Home |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime + in-home technician visits | Limited lifetime, all-component (residential) | Even |
| Support & in-home service | In-home technician visits (labor included), 50 states | Parts shipped to you; labor not included (DIY or hire your own) | Sun Home |
| App / connectivity | Native app (guided breathwork, remote preheat, scheduling) | Sanctuary app control (temp, time, lighting, heaters); documented connectivity complaints | Sun Home |
| Accessory ecosystem | App features; narrower physical add-ons | Deep: halotherapy (HALO ONE), vibration therapy, aromatherapy | Clearlight |
| Assembly | Tool-free Magne-Seal (~30–60 min) | Standard panel assembly; dealer/white-glove options | Depends |
| How it's sold | Direct (sunhomesaunas.com) | Through dealers | Depends |
| Brand track record | Current-generation; Inc. 5000 No. 20 | Roughly 28-year legacy brand | Clearlight |
| BBB rating & reviews | A+ accredited (since Dec 2025); 4.87/5 across 67 reviewed cases | A+ accredited (since 2006); longer history; some documented delivery/support complaints | Even |
Sun Home figures are from Sun Home's product pages and an independent Popular Science review; Clearlight figures are from Clearlight's own documentation, dealer listings, and BBB profiles (reviewed June 27, 2026). "Edge" reflects this comparison's reading of the evidence, not a universal ranking.
Where Sun Home is stronger
1. Published safety data (EMF and VOC)
Both brands take low EMF seriously, and on EMF they're close: each commissions third-party testing and reports very low readings. Sun Home publishes a specific named-lab figure — 0.5 mG at the seated position, measured by Vitatech Electromagnetics — while Clearlight reports ultra-low seated EMF and a distinctive ELF-shielding claim but publishes its named EMF report less prominently, and methodologies (including measurement distance) differ, so compare each brand's actual report. The clearer documentation gap is VOC: Sun Home publishes an AIHA-accredited cabin-air result (27 µg/m³ TVOC, VERT Environmental, EPA TO-15), while we didn't find a comparable AIHA-accredited cabin-air VOC figure from Clearlight. Both brands also claim EMF/ELF mitigation, so Clearlight's "only brand that shields ELF" framing is contestable. One provenance caveat: Sun Home's figures are published by the manufacturer naming the labs (Vitatech for EMF; VERT/AIHA-accredited testing for VOC) — until the full reports are posted publicly, treat them as named-lab summaries rather than independently inspectable lab PDFs.
| Claim | Evidence level |
|---|---|
| Sun Home 165°F max | Manufacturer product-page claim |
| Sun Home 0.5 mG EMF | Manufacturer-published named-lab summary (Vitatech) |
| Sun Home 27 µg/m³ VOC | Manufacturer-published named-lab summary (VERT/AIHA) |
| Sun Home Eclipse wood / wavelengths | Page wording inconsistent — confirm |
| Clearlight low EMF / ELF | Brand claim; request the report |
| Clearlight cabin-air VOC | No comparable named-lab figure found |
| Clearlight CORE Tower $1,499 + 120V/30A | Clearlight product / electrical page |
2. Heat ceiling
Infrared runs cooler than traditional saunas by design, but the brands sit far apart. Sun Home lists the Eclipse 2 at a 165°F maximum — the highest among current full-spectrum indoor cabins. Clearlight's own usage guidance describes session air temperatures of roughly 115–125°F, and the brand doesn't prominently publish a higher peak — an intentional low-temperature philosophy that's fine if you prefer gentle, longer sessions, but a real gap if you want a hot cabin or the flexibility to go hotter.
3. Cabin wood — confirm Sun Home's current spec
Treat wood as a wash until you verify Sun Home's number. Sun Home lists the Eclipse's wood inconsistently — its marketing copy says Canadian red cedar, but its current spec table says Canadian hemlock — so don't weigh cedar as a settled Eclipse advantage; confirm it directly. (Sun Home's Equinox separately uses eucalyptus, a hard wood.) The Clearlight Sanctuary comes in basswood or Okoume mahogany; basswood is soft but chosen deliberately for being hypoallergenic and low-off-gassing — a genuine advantage if you're sensitive to cedar's aromatic oils. Net: once you confirm Sun Home's wood, choose on hardness vs. allergy preference rather than on a cedar claim.
4. Red light therapy: integrated vs. add-on
The Eclipse ships with two factory-integrated red-light panels (wavelengths listed inconsistently on Sun Home's page — confirm) running front and back, included in the price. On a Clearlight Sanctuary, red light is a paid add-on: per Clearlight's own documentation, the CORE Tower is a paid in-sauna red-light add-on (listed at $1,499) that adds front-facing coverage, and adding it changes the sauna's electrical needs — Clearlight lists a Sanctuary 2 with red light at 120V/30A (up from 120V/20A), which can mean an electrician. So matching the Eclipse's built-in front-and-back coverage on a Sanctuary means a separate purchase, front-facing coverage, and a wiring change.
5. Smart features and assembly
Sun Home's Eclipse includes a native app for guided breathwork, remote preheat, and scheduling, plus a tool-free Magne-Seal panel system that assembles in roughly 30–60 minutes. Clearlight's Sanctuary models also offer app control (temperature, time, lighting, and heater control), though its Sauna Connect app has a documented history of connectivity complaints; its cabins use standard panel assembly (dealer and white-glove delivery options help here). The honest read: both have apps — compare current reliability and features, not whether one exists.
6. Pricing transparency
Sun Home sells direct and publishes its prices, with red light therapy included in the Eclipse's listed price — what you see is what you pay. Clearlight uses a dealer-quote model with limited public pricing on its main consumer site, and prices its red light, halotherapy, and other upgrades separately, so the all-in number depends on your dealer and configuration. One fair counterpoint: Clearlight's dealer network brings showroom access and consultative, in-person buying that some shoppers prefer.
7. Support and in-home service
Sun Home includes in-home technician visits as part of its warranty service, with technicians across all 50 states — labor included. Clearlight's coverage is broad on parts (it ships replacement components), but labor is not included: you install replacement parts yourself or hire a technician at your own expense. So Clearlight covers the part; Sun Home covers the part and the visit. Clearlight's all-component warranty scope is still a genuine strength (see warranty below).
Where Clearlight is stronger — or even
8. A deeper wellness-accessory ecosystem
This is a real Clearlight advantage. Beyond red light, Clearlight offers integrated halotherapy (HALO ONE), vibration therapy (VRT), and aromatherapy, letting you build a more complete "wellness capsule" than Sun Home currently offers. If salt therapy or vibration therapy is on your wish list, Clearlight is the more complete platform.
9. Warranty — roughly even
Both brands offer a limited lifetime residential warranty, which is unusually strong for the category. Clearlight's coverage spans the cabin, wood, heaters, controls, and audio (outdoor models cover the cabin for 5 years and require the sauna to be kept continuously covered). Sun Home matches the limited lifetime term and adds in-home technician visits. Call it a tie, with Clearlight's edge being a longer record of honoring it and Sun Home's being in-home service.
10. Brand track record
Clearlight has been in infrared for roughly 28 years — a genuine trust signal, and the Sanctuary is a refined, proven platform. Sun Home is the current-generation brand (Inc. 5000 No. 20 in 2025; BBB A+; recent editorial coverage including Popular Science and Fortune), competing on verification depth rather than longevity. If decades-in-market is your primary trust criterion, that favors Clearlight; if current-generation testing and features are, that favors Sun Home.
11. Wood for sensitive users, and lower entry price
Two more honest points for Clearlight: its basswood is the better choice if you react to cedar, and a bare Sanctuary 2 cabin starts below the Eclipse 2 if you don't need integrated red light. The gap narrows or reverses once you add red light therapy, but the lower entry price is real.
12. Reputation: BBB and reviews (roughly even)
Both brands are BBB A+ accredited, so on the headline rating they're even. Sun Home shows a 4.87/5 average across 67 reviewed BBB cases but was accredited only recently (December 2025), so its documented track record is shorter. Clearlight has been BBB accredited since 2006 — a much longer record — with a handful of complaints in the last three years; recurring themes in its BBB and third-party reviews include delivery timing and post-sale support responsiveness. Net: comparable ratings, with Sun Home's recent review average and Clearlight's longer history each counting for something.
Which should you buy?
Most buyers cross-shopping these two will be better served by Sun Home's Eclipse 2 — it leads on published VOC testing, heat, integrated red light, transparent pricing, and in-home service, at an all-in price comparable to a similarly equipped Sanctuary. That said, the honest call is conditional: choose Clearlight if you want its halotherapy/vibration ecosystem, need basswood for a cedar sensitivity, or weight a 28-year track record heavily. For a lower budget, Sun Home's Equinox 2 ($6,099) is a strong full-spectrum option in eucalyptus without red light. Because we are an independent review website, weigh that recommendation accordingly: confirm each model's current price, wood, wavelength, and lab-document scope directly with the manufacturer, and compare a Clearlight dealer quote, before deciding. For a deeper look at one side, see our Clearlight Sanctuary review.
What we didn't test
Why this is research-based, not hands-on. We don't have either unit on hand, so rather than imply measurements we didn't take, we built this from each brand's own documentation, an independent Popular Science review of the Eclipse, dealer listings, and Clearlight's published specs — and we flag open questions instead of guessing. Specifically:
- No first-hand testing. We did not run our own heat logs, EMF meters, or durability checks on either sauna.
- Pricing changes often. Sun Home runs promotions and sells direct; Clearlight sells through dealers. Confirm current pricing, what's included, and add-on costs before buying.
- Confirm Sun Home's Eclipse 2 specs. Its current product page shows conflicting wood and red-light-wavelength wording; verify the exact cabin wood and wavelengths directly.
- Clearlight EMF/VOC. If lab-verified safety data matters to you, ask Clearlight for any named third-party lab report before comparing it against Sun Home's.
FAQs
Is Sun Home or Clearlight better?
For most buyers, Sun Home's Eclipse 2 is the stronger overall value — it leads on published VOC testing, heat, integrated red light therapy, pricing transparency, and in-home service at a price comparable to a similarly equipped Clearlight Sanctuary 2. Clearlight is the better choice for buyers who want its halotherapy and vibration-therapy ecosystem, need hypoallergenic basswood, or prioritize its roughly 28-year track record.
What's the main difference between Sun Home and Clearlight?
Sun Home is a current-generation brand competing on verification depth — published cabin-air VOC testing, higher heat, integrated red light, and app features. Clearlight is a roughly 28-year legacy brand with a deeper wellness-accessory ecosystem (halotherapy, vibration therapy) and a long track record, but it publishes less independently verified safety data and sells red light as an add-on.
Does Sun Home or Clearlight have lower EMF?
On EMF they're close — both target very low EMF, both claim EMF/ELF mitigation, and both commission third-party testing. Sun Home publishes a specific named-lab figure (0.5 mG at the seated position, Vitatech); Clearlight reports ultra-low seated EMF but publishes its named report less prominently, and the brands measure differently (including distance), so compare each report directly. The clearer documentation gap is VOC, where Sun Home publishes an AIHA-accredited cabin-air result and Clearlight does not appear to.
Which gets hotter, Sun Home or Clearlight?
Sun Home. The Eclipse 2 lists a 165°F maximum, while Clearlight's own usage guidance describes roughly 115–125°F session temperatures and the brand doesn't prominently publish a higher peak. Infrared runs cooler than traditional saunas by design, but Sun Home's ceiling and flexibility are clearly higher.
Does Clearlight include red light therapy?
Not in the cabin price. Clearlight's CORE Tower is a paid in-sauna add-on (listed at $1,499) that adds front-facing red light and changes the electrical requirement (Clearlight lists a Sanctuary 2 with red light at 120V/30A, up from 120V/20A). Sun Home's Eclipse includes two factory-integrated red-light panels (front and back) as standard.
What wood does each brand use?
Sun Home lists the Eclipse's wood inconsistently — its marketing copy says Canadian red cedar, its current spec table says Canadian hemlock — so confirm it before relying on it; its Equinox separately uses eucalyptus. The Clearlight Sanctuary uses basswood or Okoume mahogany; basswood is softer but hypoallergenic, the better choice if you react to cedar.
Which has the better warranty?
It's roughly even. Both offer a limited lifetime residential warranty — strong for the category. Clearlight's edge is a longer record of honoring it; Sun Home's edge is in-home technician visits. Clearlight's outdoor coverage requires the sauna to be kept continuously covered.
Is a Clearlight worth the premium over a Sun Home?
Once you add red light therapy to a Clearlight Sanctuary 2 (the CORE Tower plus an electrical change), the all-in cost lands close to the Eclipse 2 — but with single-side red-light coverage and less independently verified safety data. The Sanctuary earns its price if you specifically value Clearlight's accessory ecosystem, basswood, or track record; otherwise the Eclipse generally offers more for the money.
Which has a better app or smart features?
Both offer app control. Sun Home's app adds guided breathwork, remote preheat, and scheduling; Clearlight's Sanctuary app controls temperature, time, lighting, and heaters but has a documented history of connectivity complaints. Compare current app reliability and features rather than whether an app exists.
Does Clearlight have features Sun Home doesn't?
Yes. Clearlight offers a deeper physical-accessory ecosystem — integrated halotherapy (HALO ONE), vibration therapy (VRT), and aromatherapy — that Sun Home doesn't currently match. If salt or vibration therapy matters to you, Clearlight is the more complete platform.
Which should I choose if I'm sensitive to cedar?
Clearlight. Its Sanctuary is available in basswood, a hypoallergenic, low-off-gassing wood chosen specifically for users sensitive to cedar's aromatic oils. Sun Home's Eclipse is listed as cedar though its spec table shows hemlock (confirm); its Equinox uses eucalyptus, which is another option if cedar is the concern.
Does Sun Home or Clearlight have better customer support?
For service experience, Sun Home — it includes in-home technician visits (labor included) across all 50 states. Clearlight's warranty is broad on parts but labor is not included, so you install replacement parts yourself or hire a technician at your own expense. Clearlight's edge is the breadth of its all-component parts coverage; Sun Home's is covering the visit, not just the part.
Is Clearlight's pricing published online?
Largely no — Clearlight uses a dealer-quote model with limited public pricing on its main consumer site, and red light, halotherapy, and other upgrades are priced separately. Sun Home publishes its prices directly, with red light therapy included in the Eclipse's listed price, so the all-in number is easier to see up front.
Are Sun Home and Clearlight both BBB accredited?
Yes — both are BBB A+ accredited. Sun Home shows a 4.87/5 average across 67 reviewed cases but was accredited only in December 2025, so it has a shorter documented history. Clearlight has been accredited since 2006, a longer record, with some documented complaints around delivery timing and post-sale support. Check each brand's current BBB profile before buying.
Is Sun Home a less-proven brand than Clearlight?
Sun Home is newer than Clearlight's roughly 28 years, but it competes on current-generation verification — AIHA-accredited VOC testing, GGR-tested heat, Inc. 5000 No. 20, and a BBB A+ rating — rather than longevity. Whether that's "less proven" depends on whether you weight years in market or independently documented performance more heavily.