Can You Bring Your Phone into a Sauna? Answers & Precautions

Many people are used to carrying their phones with them while enjoying the warmth and relaxation of a sauna, for convenience in answering calls, checking messages, or taking photos to record moments. However, considering equipment safety, user experience, and other factors, it is not recommended to bring phones into saunas. Here are the specific reasons and practical suggestions:

I. Damage to Phone Hardware from High-Temperature Environments

The temperature inside a sauna typically ranges from 40℃ to 60℃, while the normal operating temperature for most phones is 0℃ to 35℃. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause irreversible damage to core phone components:

• Reduced Battery Lifespan: High temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions in phone batteries, leading to faster lithium battery capacity degradation. Frequent use in saunas may significantly reduce battery life, and even pose safety hazards such as swelling or leakage.
• Screen & Motherboard Malfunctions: High temperatures can destabilize the liquid crystal layer of phone screens, causing flickering or unresponsiveness. Meanwhile, chips, capacitors, and other components on the motherboard are temperature-sensitive—prolonged high temperatures may lead to component soldering failure or short circuits, resulting in phone crashes or permanent damage.
• Heat Dissipation Failure: Saunas are closed and stuffy, drastically reducing the phone's own heat dissipation efficiency. Even in standby mode, the phone may continue to heat up due to inability to release heat, further exacerbating hardware wear.

II. Additional Risks from Sweat and Steam

During saunas, the human body sweats heavily, and the room generates a certain amount of steam—this moisture is also harmful to phones: Most phones only support daily water resistance and cannot withstand the hot and humid environment of a sauna. Sweat may seep into the phone through gaps such as charging ports, earpieces, and buttons, causing corrosion of the motherboard due to moisture. Steam can also form water mist inside and outside the phone screen, affecting usability and accelerating the aging of internal components.

III. Impact on Sauna Experience and Focus

The core value of a sauna lies in relaxing the body and mind and relieving stress, while the presence of a phone is likely to distract attention: Frequently checking messages or replying to notifications keeps the brain in an active state, preventing full enjoyment of the physical and mental relaxation brought by the sauna. Additionally, the light from the phone screen may irritate the eyes in the dim sauna room, disrupting the relaxing atmosphere.

IV. Practical Suggestions: Phone Storage & Usage Methods

To ensure both phone safety and an undisturbed sauna experience, we recommend the following measures:

• Prioritize Storage in External Lockers: Most saunas are equipped with lockers or shelves outside. Turning off the phone or switching it to airplane mode and storing it there is the safest option.
• Use Specialized High-Temperature Resistant & Waterproof Bags: If temporary carrying is necessary (e.g., waiting for an important call), choose professional protective bags clearly labeled "high-temperature resistant" and "waterproof." Minimize the frequency of taking it out to avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
• Avoid Charging: Never charge your phone inside a sauna. Charging in a high-temperature environment will cause the battery temperature to rise sharply, posing a fire risk.
• In conclusion, there is an inherent conflict between the hot and humid environment of saunas and the usage requirements of phones. To extend your phone's service life, avoid safety hazards, and enjoy a better relaxation experience, we recommend temporarily "saying goodbye" to your phone during saunas and focusing on embracing the exclusive warmth and tranquility.