Buy the Dynamic Andora — the far-infrared, plug-in default — unless you specifically want near-infrared heat and real cedar, in which case the full-spectrum Maxxus is the upgrade, at a meaningfully higher price and usually a 240V circuit. For most buyers, far-infrared is all they need, and the Andora is the sensible money. This is the classic infrared upgrade question: is full-spectrum worth it? The honest answer for most people is no — but for the right buyer, the Maxxus earns its premium. Here's how to tell which one you are.
The difference in one table
| Factor | Dynamic Andora | Maxxus Full-Spectrum |
|---|
| Heat type | Far infrared only | Full spectrum (near / mid / far) |
| Wood | Canadian hemlock | Red cedar (premium) |
| Power | 120V standard outlet | Typically 240V dedicated circuit |
| Install | Plug in — no electrician | Often needs an electrician |
| Extras | Red-light therapy LEDs | Near-infrared heat, cedar finish |
| Price | Lower (value) | Meaningfully higher |
| Best for | Most buyers | Near-infrared + cedar specifically |
What full-spectrum actually adds
The Maxxus's headline is full-spectrum heat: near-, mid- and far-infrared, rather than far-infrared alone. The band that matters for the upgrade is near-infrared, which is the one marketers tie to skin and deep-tissue claims — and it's the thing a far-infrared cabin like the Andora simply can't produce. Be clear-eyed about the evidence, though: much of the near-infrared marketing borrows from separate red-light-therapy research, and the honest separation is in our infrared sauna vs red-light therapy guide. Note the easy confusion this decision creates: the Andora includes red-light LEDs, which is a lighting feature, not near-infrared heat. If it's genuine near-infrared heat you want, only the full-spectrum Maxxus delivers it.
Cedar vs hemlock
The second real upgrade is the wood. The Maxxus is red cedar — the premium sauna stave, aromatic and naturally rot-resistant, and it looks the part — while the Andora is Canadian hemlock, the budget-to-mid wood that performs fine but lacks cedar's scent and natural moisture defense. For an indoor infrared cabin, hemlock's lack of rot resistance matters far less than it does for an outdoor barrel, so this is mostly about aroma and finish rather than longevity. If the cedar smell and premium look are worth real money to you, that's a point for the Maxxus; if not, hemlock is no performance compromise indoors.
The install gap is the deciding factor for many
Here's the practical catch that decides this for a lot of buyers. The Andora runs on a standard 120V outlet — plug it in, no electrician, no dedicated circuit. Full-spectrum cabins like the Maxxus draw more and typically need a 240V dedicated circuit, which for most homes means licensed-electrician work under the National Electrical Code, plus the cost and possibly a permit. That's real money and hassle on top of the higher sticker. If you don't have (or don't want to add) a 240V circuit, that alone can settle it in the Andora's favor. Confirm the Maxxus's exact power requirement before you buy — and factor the wiring into the total. Running cost differs too: the plug-in Andora is cheaper to run, as we explain in infrared sauna electricity cost.
Who should actually pay for full-spectrum
The honest verdict: full-spectrum is a genuine feature, not a gimmick — but most home buyers don't need it. If your goal is a comfortable, sweat-inducing, relaxing sauna, far-infrared does that, and the plug-in Andora gives it to you for less with no wiring. Pay up for the Maxxus only if near-infrared heat is specificallythe point for you, you want real cedar, and you either have or will add a 240V circuit. If you're unsure, that uncertainty is itself the answer: buy the far-infrared default. The broader case is laid out in full-spectrum vs far-infrared, and the premium cedar field in best infrared saunas under $5,000.
Which should you buy?
Buy the Dynamic Andora if…
…you want a comfortable, relaxing, sweat-inducing sauna without a wiring project — which describes most buyers. Far-infrared warms your body directly at a gentle air temperature, it plugs into the outlet you already have, and it costs less to buy and to run. The red-light LEDs are a nice extra. This is the sensible default.
Buy the Maxxus Full-Spectrum if…
…near-infrared heat is specifically what you want, you value real red cedar, and you have or will add a 240V circuit. You're paying meaningfully more for the extra infrared band and the premium wood — worth it for the buyer who wants exactly that, and overkill for the buyer who just wants a good sweat.
The tie-breaker: do you have 240V, and do you want near-infrared?
Two yes-or-no questions settle it. Do you specifically want near-infrared heat (not just red-light LEDs)? And do you have — or will you pay to add — a 240V circuit? Two yeses point to the Maxxus. Anything less points to the Andora, because you'd be paying a premium and adding wiring for a band you don't need. When in doubt, far-infrared is the honest default.
