Sun Home Saunas Nova Indoor 6-Person Traditional Sauna vs Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship)
Specs, prices, editor verdict, and who should buy which - compared side-by-side.
Sun Home Saunas Nova Indoor 6-Person Traditional Sauna (ultra premium, $15,799) vs Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship) (ultra premium, $13,995–$16,995) - Editor pick: Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship) (Sunlighten is $304 cheaper).
Compared on 6 shared specs · editor scores 8.7 vs 9.4 · same category (sauna).
Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship) wins on editor score (9.4 vs 8.7). See the per-buyer recommendations below - winners on score don't always win on fit.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Sun Home Saunas Nova Indoor 6-Person Traditional Sauna | Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship) |
|---|---|---|
| price | $15,799 | $13,995–$16,995 |
| heater type | HUUM Drop electric rock heater (7.5kW) | Solocarbon 3-in-1 (near + mid + far infrared) |
| max temp | up to ~230°F | ~157°F |
| capacity | 6-person | 5-person |
| construction | Canadian cedar | Eucalyptus or Basswood (sustainably sourced, low-VOC) |
| power | 240V dedicated circuit (7.5kW heater, hardwired by an electrician; confirm amperage with Sun Home) | 240V / 30A dedicated circuit |
| hsa fsa | eligible via TrueMed | eligible via Truemed |
Sun Home Saunas Nova Indoor 6-Person Traditional Sauna also publishes: saunaType, benches, backWall, glass, controls, lighting, ventilation, connectivity, availability, warranty, placement
Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship) also publishes: EMF, preheat, heaterWarranty, structuralWarranty, smartFeatures, chromotherapy, footprint, certifications, financing
Who should buy which
Families or hosts who want authentic six-person traditional loyly at home, with Canadian cedar, a HUUM Drop 7.5kW heater, and Sun Home design, and can accommodate a permanent 240V install.
You are a solo or couple user (the Nova 3-Person or plug-in Equinox fits better), or you want infrared plus built-in red light therapy (the Sun Home Eclipse).
Couples, families, or buyers building a home wellness suite who want the 5-person mPulse Empower's research-backed Solocarbon 3-in-1 heaters, smart programming for shared sessions, and the largest service network in the premium sauna category.
You want outdoor installation (Sun Home Luminar 5-person is the better outdoor pick), you don't need 5-person capacity (mPulse Aspire 1-person is $4-6K less), or warranty depth across the cabin (not just the heaters) is your top priority - Clearlight's lifetime cabin warranty is unmatched.
Go deeper
Frequently asked
Which is better, the Sun Home Saunas Nova Indoor 6-Person Traditional Sauna or the Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship)?
On our editor scoring the Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship) edges it at 9.4/10. Both are strong; the right pick depends on your use case, which the verdict and spec table above break down.
How much do they cost?
Sun Home Saunas Nova Indoor 6-Person Traditional Sauna: $15,799. Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship): $13,995 to $16,995. Prices are verified against the manufacturer; check the live links for current pricing.
Who should buy which one?
Sun Home Saunas Nova Indoor 6-Person Traditional Sauna: Families or hosts who want authentic six-person traditional loyly at home, with Canadian cedar, a HUUM Drop 7.5kW heater, and Sun Home design, and can accommodate a permanent 240V install. Sunlighten mPulse Empower (5-person flagship): Couples, families, or buyers building a home wellness suite who want the 5-person mPulse Empower's research-backed Solocarbon 3-in-1 heaters, smart programming for shared sessions, and the largest service network in the premium sauna category.
The Longevity Gear Buyer's Checklist
The specs that actually decide whether a sauna, cold plunge, red light panel, or smart ring is worth it, plus the real price range for each. Get the free PDF, plus one weekly email on the gear worth buying.

