The Dynamic Santiago Elite Two-Person Infrared Sauna is once again available at Costco, and it’s causing a stir in the online Costco community. Facebook groups are full of questions about setup, heating time, and electrical requirements. I went through all the product specs, user reviews, and technical details to give you a clear picture of what to expect before you buy.
Quick Summary
The Dynamic Santiago sauna is a proven model that’s been sold at Costco for years under the Dynamic Saunas brand by Golden Designs. It’s built for two people, features seven ultra-low-EMF carbon heating panels, and plugs into a standard 120-volt household outlet (though you’ll want to check your circuit capacity — more on that later).
- Performance: Consistent heat and relaxing far-infrared warmth once it reaches temperature.
- Setup: Expect 2–3 hours for assembly with two people; panels interlock and the process is straightforward.
- Complaints: Slow warm-up (20–40 minutes) and a maximum temperature of about 140°F — lower than a traditional dry sauna but typical for infrared units.
If you want a compact, low-maintenance home sauna for daily relaxation, this one delivers solid value — especially at Costco’s price point.
The Santiago Sauna Is Heated by Infrared Waves
Instead of heating the air around you like a traditional Finnish sauna, the Santiago uses far-infrared light to warm your body directly. The seven carbon-fiber panels emit gentle radiant heat that penetrates about 1–1.5 inches beneath the skin’s surface.
This creates a deep, even warmth without the stifling air temperatures of conventional saunas. Most users say it feels soothing, similar to basking in sunlight, without the harsh dryness.
What “Ultra-Low EMF” Means:
These panels are engineered to minimize electromagnetic field emissions. While “ultra-low EMF” is a marketing term, tests on similar Golden Designs models show readings of 2–5 milligauss at the seating position — well below common safety limits.
Key benefit: steady, full-body heat that’s energy-efficient and comfortable for longer sessions.
Differences Between Infrared and Finnish Saunas
Traditional Finnish saunas heat the air inside the cabin to very high temperatures—typically between 170°F and 200°F—using an electric or wood-burning stove. The heat then warms your skin indirectly through the hot air, which leads to a deep, sweaty experience that many people describe as intense and invigorating.
You can toss water on the sauna stones to generate bursts of steam and humidity, which raises the perceived temperature even further. Finnish saunas require strong ventilation, thicker insulation, and usually a 240-volt electrical connection, making them more permanent installations that take longer to heat but deliver that classic, high-temperature feel.
Infrared saunas, like the Dynamic Santiago, work very differently. Instead of heating the air, they use infrared light to warm your body directly. The temperature inside usually tops out around 130–145°F, but the heat penetrates deeper into the skin, which can make it feel just as effective at promoting sweating and relaxation—without the stifling air of a Finnish sauna.
Infrared saunas use less electricity, heat up faster, and can plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, making them much easier to install in a home. The trade-off is that you don’t get the same “blast of hot air” or steam option that traditional sauna fans love.
Key Features of the Dynamic Santiago Sauna
- Capacity: Two-person design (47.2″ W × 39.4″ D × 75″ H) — perfect for one person to lounge or two to sit side by side.
- Heating System: Seven FAR infrared carbon panels producing ~1,700 watts total.
- Power Requirement: 120 V / 15 A circuit (standard household plug but ideally on a dedicated line).
- Materials: Crafted from reforested Canadian Hemlock wood — smooth, aromatic, and resistant to warping.
- Control Panel: Interior/exterior soft-touch controls with digital temperature and timer display.
- Entertainment Options: Built-in Bluetooth and MP3 auxiliary connection with two speakers.
- Lighting: Soft interior LED lighting and a chromotherapy (color light therapy) mode.
- Assembly: Tool-free clasp system; most reviewers report setup in 2–3 hours with two people.
Let’s Talk About the Chromotherapy Feature
The Dynamic Santiago (and similar saunas) include chromotherapy — color LED lighting inside the cabin that shifts through hues or stays on one color. This is meant to enhance relaxation and wellness beyond just heat.
The strongest scientific support exists for red / near-infrared light in certain controlled settings (e.g. skin repair, inflammation reduction), whereas claims for blue, green, or yellow light remain largely speculative and backed mostly by tradition and anecdote. In practice, chromotherapy may enhance ambiance and perceived relaxation, which isn’t worthless — but it should not be marketed as a substitute for evidence-based medical therapies.
Customer Reviews for the Two-Person Dynamic Sauna at Costco
Overall feedback across Costco.com and external review sites (Home Depot, Wayfair, and Amazon where similar models are sold) is very positive, averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars.
What people love:
- Comfortable, even heat that promotes sweating and muscle relaxation.
- Quiet operation — no loud fans or blowers.
- Attractive, furniture-grade appearance that fits nicely in a spare room or home gym.
- Excellent value compared with specialty sauna retailers (which often charge double).
What people criticize:
- Heat-up time: Takes roughly 30–40 minutes to reach 130–140°F.
- Temperature cap: Most users say it won’t exceed 140°F, which is typical for this type but feels mild to those used to Finnish saunas.
- Electrical limitations: A few reviews mention tripped breakers if the sauna shares a circuit with other high-draw appliances.
Problems with the Sauna
1. Heating Time
Infrared saunas rely on radiant panels rather than heating elements that warm the air. Because of that, the Santiago can take 30+ minutes to reach its peak temperature. You’ll still begin sweating sooner, but the cabin itself warms gradually.
2. Electrical Circuit Requirements
The unit draws around 1,700 watts, which is near the limit of a standard 15-amp, 120-volt circuit. For safe operation, you should use a dedicated circuit — meaning the sauna is the only device on that line. Otherwise, running it alongside space heaters, vacuums, or hair dryers could trip the breaker.
3. Fit and Comfort
It’s marketed as a two-person sauna, but most reviewers agree that it’s ideal for one person if you want legroom. Two adults will fit, but it’s tight.
What Makes the Sauna a Costco Value
- Price Advantage: Comparable two-person low-EMF infrared saunas from retail sites often cost $2,200–$2,800. Costco’s price is typically around $1,799 in the warehouse or $1,899 online with included shipping.
- Warranty Support: Costco’s automatic satisfaction guarantee covers the purchase, and Golden Designs adds a 5-year limited warranty on heaters and structure.
- Ease of Delivery: Ships in one large palletized box and offers threshold delivery, meaning no freight-handling surprises.
- Member Reviews: High satisfaction scores and repeat availability — Costco tends to restock this exact model due to consistent demand.
Another Model to Consider
If you want to go ahead and grab the Santiago sauna at the Costco warehouse then go ahead and you should be pretty happy. If you are interested in saving a little money on an equally nice sauna from Dynamic Saunas then I have another model for you to consider.
As an Amazon Associate I make a commission on any items purchased through my links.
The Barcelona Dynamic Sauna
Dynamic Saunas sells a very similar unit on Amazon that typically costs a few hundred bucks less than the Costco model. The Amazon model is called the Barcelona and the only real difference between it and the Costco model is that the one on Amazon is just a little smaller.
Although both saunas are marketed as “two-person” models, there’s a clear size difference between them. The Dynamic Santiago sold at Costco offers more interior space and seven heating panels, but in reality, it’s a tight fit for two adults. The Dynamic Barcelona model on Amazon is smaller and more accurately described as a one-person sauna—it’s ideal for solo use and warms up a little faster because of its compact volume.
If you’re buying this primarily for personal relaxation or recovery, the Barcelona may actually be the smarter choice. You’ll spend less, use less electricity, and likely get the same overall experience since most people end up using these saunas alone anyway.
Here is the link to check out the Dynamic Barcelona on Amazon.
