Can You Bring Electronics Into a Sauna? Risks Explained

Thinking of taking your phone or smartwatch into the sauna? Don’t. The heat and humidity can ruin your gadgets fast, some might even explode. 

This guide breaks down which electronics to avoid, why they fail in saunas, and what risks you take if you ignore the warnings. Keep reading before you fry your tech.

• Leave Electronics Outside: Phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras can fail in sauna heat and humidity.
  
  

• Batteries Are Vulnerable: Lithium-ion batteries overheat, swell, or even explode under extreme temperatures.
  
  

• Humidity Damages Components: Steam and moisture can corrode circuits, short-circuit devices, and warp screens.
  
  

• Protect Your Warranty: Using electronics in saunas often voids manufacturer warranties.
  
  

• Use Alternatives Safely: Enjoy music or tracking devices outside the sauna to protect your gadgets and yourself.

Bringing electronics into a sauna is highly risky due to extreme heat (often 158–210°F) and near 100% humidity. 

Devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables, cameras, and power banks can overheat, batteries may swell or leak, circuits can short, and internal components can corrode. 

Even waterproof or rugged cases offer limited protection. To preserve performance, safety, and warranty, keep all electronics outside the sauna.

Taking your smartphone into a sauna is a bad idea, mainly because of the intense heat and humidity. 

As highlighted by research from Pervasive and Mobile Computing, most smartphones are designed to work best between 0 °C and 35 °C. 

Temperatures beyond this range, especially the extreme heat inside saunas, can cause serious issues. 

Heat speeds up chemical reactions inside lithium batteries, leading to faster wear, capacity loss, and even swelling or battery failure. 

Studies show that exposing phones to temperatures above 45 °C can significantly reduce battery life and cause internal damage. 

On top of heat, the high humidity inside saunas can seep into your phone, damaging delicate components despite modern water-resistant designs. 

Phones might also shut down unexpectedly or throttle performance to protect themselves from overheating. 

So, to keep your smartphone safe and working well, it’s best to avoid exposing it to sauna conditions, your phone will thank you with longer battery life and better performance.

Laptops are not built for extreme heat. High temperatures can damage circuits and internal components, and batteries may swell or leak. 

Humidity can cause condensation and short circuits. Even screens can crack under intense heat. Keep laptops out of hot environments to avoid costly damage.

Tablets are sensitive to heat and humidity. High temperatures can cause battery swelling, overheating, slowdowns, crashes, or permanent failure. 

Steam and condensation can penetrate ports and seams, risking short circuits or corrosion, even in waterproof models. For longevity, keep tablets out of saunas.

Wearing a smartwatch in a sauna can damage it. Heat can slow sensors and freeze the interface, high humidity can harm circuits, and batteries may overheat or swell. 

Repeated exposure shortens device lifespan and can warp wristbands. It’s safer to leave your smartwatch outside.

E-readers are sensitive to heat and moisture. Sauna temperatures can overheat the battery and damage internal circuits. 

Steam can cause condensation that may short components. The screen can warp or bubble under intense heat, and repeated exposure can reduce lifespan. Read outside the sauna to protect your device.

Digital cameras are at risk in saunas. Heat can warp lenses, melt plastic, and damage circuitry. High humidity causes condensation, which can short or corrode components. 

Steam may void warranties, and brief exposure can harm batteries and sensors. Keep cameras outside the sauna.

Taking a portable speaker into a sauna might seem harmless, but the extreme heat and humidity can seriously damage your device. 

Saunas reach temperatures far above what these speakers are designed to handle, causing internal parts to overheat, adhesives to melt, and batteries to swell, or even explode in rare cases. 

The high humidity can seep into tiny openings, leading to moisture buildup, corrosion, and short circuits. 

Even water-resistant speakers aren’t built for the combined heat and steam of a sauna, which quickly breaks down their protective layers. 

Over time, the plastic casing and rubber parts can warp or degrade, while heat can also reduce battery life drastically. 

Manufacturers warn that prolonged exposure to such conditions voids warranties and risks safety hazards like burns or fires. 

Simply put, portable speakers aren’t made to survive sauna conditions, so it’s best to leave them outside to avoid costly damage and potential dangers.

Taking earbuds or headphones into a sauna might seem harmless, but the reality is quite the opposite. 

Saunas often reach over 150°F with nearly 100% humidity, and about 90% of headphones simply aren’t built to survive in those conditions. 

The heat and moisture seep into delicate internal components, quickly leading to corrosion, distortion, and total performance loss. 

Wireless earbuds are especially vulnerable since their batteries degrade much faster in high temperatures, sometimes even swelling or leaking. 

Apple highlights in its safety guidance for Beats that exposing headphones to excessive heat or liquids can cause serious damage, fire risks, or even injury. 

Most consumer headphones are only designed to work safely between 32°F and 95°F, meaning sauna conditions are far beyond their limits. 

Charging your earbuds near or inside a sauna is even riskier, as the extra heat can trigger overheating or battery failure. 

If you want music during your sauna session, a safer choice is to keep a Bluetooth speaker outside, protecting your gear while still enjoying the atmosphere.

Wearing a fitness tracker in a sauna may seem harmless, but the heat and humidity can wreak havoc on its delicate components. 

Saunas often reach 150–195°F with nearly 100% humidity, conditions far beyond what these devices are built to handle. 

Inside, the extreme heat can cause parts to overheat, seals to warp, and sensors to fail, while the constant moisture creates condensation that leads to corrosion and short circuits. 

Even water resistance won’t save it, those ratings are meant for splashes or brief swims, not sustained high heat. 

The battery, in particular, takes the biggest hit, since lithium-ion cells degrade rapidly in hot environments, sometimes swelling or leaking. 

That’s why Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin all warn against sauna use, with operating ranges capped well below sauna temperatures. 

Real-world cases back this up, with users reporting foggy screens, dead sensors, or devices that never turn back on. 

To protect your tracker, and your wallet, it’s best to leave it in the locker before stepping into the heat.

VR headsets are vulnerable in high-heat saunas. Batteries can overheat, electronics may short, lenses can fog, and sweat can damage sensors or tracking. 

Repeated exposure accelerates wear and may permanently degrade components. Keep VR gear in a cooler, controlled environment.

Portable gaming consoles can overheat in a sauna. Batteries may swell or leak, and internal components can warp or fail. 

Humidity can damage ports and circuits, and lithium-ion batteries risk fire if overheated. Even brief exposure reduces lifespan and performance. Keep consoles away from steam.

Action cameras cannot withstand sauna conditions. High heat damages batteries, moisture can short-circuit electronics, lenses fog, and sensors may fail. 

Even short exposure can compromise functionality. Keep cameras outside to preserve performance.

Drones are unsafe in saunas. Heat can cause batteries to overheat or catch fire, motors to fail, and electronics to short-circuit. 

Humidity can cause corrosion or permanent damage. Even waterproof drones cannot withstand sauna conditions. Store drones in a cool, dry place away from heat and steam.

Taking an external hard drive into a sauna is risky. High heat can warp components, and steam can cause corrosion or short circuits. 

Sudden temperature changes can lead to permanent data loss. SSDs handle heat slightly better but are still at risk. Keep all external storage away from saunas.

A power bank might be a lifesaver when you’re away from an outlet, but it’s one of the worst gadgets you could bring into a sauna. 

Power banks rely on lithium-ion batteries, which are extremely sensitive to heat. Most manufacturers specify safe operating limits between 0°C–45°C for charging and up to 60°C for discharging. 

Saunas, however, can climb well past 80°C with nearly 100% humidity, conditions that push a battery toward swelling, venting, or even catching fire. 

In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled power banks in the past due to overheating hazards. 

High humidity only makes things worse: moisture seeps into seams and ports, condenses on circuit boards, and corrodes delicate connections, often leading to short circuits or sudden failure. 

While good power banks have safety features like overcharge protection and thermal sensors, no design is built to survive sauna conditions. Leaving your power bank outside isn’t just smart, it protects both your device and your safety.

Taking smart glasses into a sauna is a recipe for disaster. These devices rely on delicate electronics and lithium-ion batteries, both of which are extremely sensitive to heat. 

In fact, studies on batteries show that for every small rise in temperature, their lifespan drops dramatically, what should last years can be cut down to months when exposed to extreme heat. 

Manufacturers also warn against leaving smart glasses in direct sunlight or hot environments, noting that overheating can cause permanent damage or even create a fire risk. 

Saunas, which often climb to 70–100°C with nearly 100% humidity, take things far beyond safe limits. 

Under these conditions, lenses can warp, coatings can peel, and condensation may sneak inside, fogging or staining the optics. 

Meanwhile, processors, sensors, and circuits face overheating and corrosion from trapped moisture, while the frames themselves may bend or crack. 

Put simply, the sauna’s mix of heat and steam can ruin smart glasses inside and out, shortening their life, destroying their performance, and leaving you with an expensive piece of junk.

Using a digital thermometer in a sauna might seem like a smart idea, but not all thermometers are built for that kind of extreme heat. 

Standard digital thermometers, like the ones used for checking body temperature, are usually designed to handle only up to about 100–120°F. 

A sauna, on the other hand, typically runs between 158°F and 194°F, with some sessions even reaching 210°F. 

That’s why specialized sauna thermometers are made to withstand much higher ranges, usually 100°F to 250°F,so they can survive the heat while still giving accurate readings. 

Regular digital thermometers simply aren’t built with the durable probes or components needed, and exposing them to such heat and humidity can cause serious problems. 

The high temperature and constant moisture can damage the electronics, corrode the probe, or cause the display and buttons to fail. 

In the worst cases, batteries may overheat, leak, or even explode, creating safety risks. For both accuracy and safety, only thermometers designed for saunas should ever be used inside one.

Wireless mice and keyboards cannot tolerate sauna heat. Batteries can overheat, circuits can be damaged by humidity, and plastic casings may warp. 

Long-term exposure reduces lifespan and can cause malfunctions. Keep all wireless peripherals outside the sauna.

Portable projectors are at risk in saunas. Heat can warp parts and damage batteries, while steam may short-circuit electronics. 

High humidity can overheat the device and ruin optics. Store projectors in a cool, dry environment.

Bluetooth trackers are fragile. Heat can damage batteries, and humidity can corrode circuits. Overheating can cause permanent failure, making devices useless. 

Even brief sauna exposure risks losing connectivity or data. Remove trackers before such sessions to keep them functional.

Handheld consoles can overheat and suffer battery failure in saunas. Humidity can cause condensation and shorts in circuits, while heat may warp or melt plastic components and shorten device lifespan. Avoid using them in steam rooms.

Taking e-cigarettes or vape devices into a sauna is extremely dangerous and strongly discouraged. 

The intense heat in saunas can cause lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in these devices, to overheat, malfunction, or even explode, posing serious risks of fire and injury. 

In fact, the International Journal of Burns and Trauma highlights multiple cases of individuals suffering severe burns due to vape-related explosions, with overheated batteries often being the culprit. 

Beyond the battery risks, the high temperatures can cause e-liquids to break down, potentially forming harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which are toxic when inhaled. 

Heat can also thin the liquid, causing leaks and reducing the quality and flavor. Manufacturers explicitly warn users to avoid exposing e-cigarettes to extreme heat, recommending storage in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight. 

Prolonged exposure to heat doesn’t just damage the device, it can seriously harm your health. Whether you're a regular user or just curious, it’s important to treat these devices with care and never bring them into high-heat environments like saunas.

Bringing portable fans or mini appliances into a sauna might seem harmless, but it can actually be dangerous. 

Saunas reach temperatures up to 195°F (90°C) with high humidity, far beyond what most electronics are built to handle. 

In these extreme conditions, internal components can overheat, buttons and screens may stop working, and moisture can sneak into the device, leading to short circuits or corrosion. 

Many manufacturers clearly warn against using their products in such environments, and doing so may void your warranty. 

In some cases, overheating batteries, especially lithium-ion ones, can swell, leak, or even catch fire, creating serious safety hazards. 

A study by the U.S. Air Force found that over 50% of electronic failures are due to heat, with humidity contributing another 20%. 

Even if there's no immediate failure, long-term damage is likely. To protect your devices and your safety, it's best to keep all small electronics, especially fans and mini appliances, far away from the sauna.

Remove smart rings before entering a sauna. High heat and humidity can damage batteries and electronics, potentially voiding warranties and causing permanent device failure.

Drone controllers cannot handle sauna conditions. Batteries overheat, electronics may short, and humidity damages sensitive parts. 

Lithium batteries can become fire hazards in extreme heat. Even a brief sauna visit can permanently damage a controller, so keep all drone equipment outside the steam room.

Using electronic devices in sauna rooms can be highly damaging due to the intense heat and humidity. 

Most consumer electronics are built to function within safe temperature limits, typically between 32°F and 95°F,but sauna temperatures far exceed this range. 

Prolonged exposure to such heat can shorten battery life, damage internal components, cause screens to glitch, and even lead to total device failure. 

High humidity makes things worse by allowing moisture to seep into sensitive parts like circuit boards and connectors, leading to corrosion and short-circuiting. 

Steam, in particular, is especially harmful. As highlighted in e-Prime – Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy, water in both liquid and vapor forms can degrade electronics over time, triggering various failure mechanisms. 

These include internal condensation, corrosion, and permanent damage to internal circuitry. Even if a device seems fine after a short sauna session, repeated exposure speeds up wear and reduces long-term reliability. In short, the sauna might be good for you, but it's a risky place for your gadgets.

Bringing electronics into a sauna is risky. Waterproof cases can block moisture and condensation but don’t fully protect against intense heat. 

Steam can enter small openings, and prolonged exposure may cause overheating or internal malfunctions. 

Rugged cases add some protection, but no case can fully shield electronics in sauna conditions.

Avoid bringing electronics into the sauna to prevent heat damage and maximize relaxation. Prepare audio entertainment on a device outside the sauna, using a speaker system. 

If necessary, use a heat-resistant case, limit device exposure, and monitor its temperature carefully during brief use.

Electronics, like smartphones and laptops, are designed to operate within specific temperature ranges to ensure performance and longevity. According to Hampshire College, devices such as laptops and phones typically work best between 50°F to 95°F (10°C to 35°C). Going outside this range, either too hot or too cold, can harm components like LCDs, which may freeze or malfunction. Heat, in particular, can speed up wear and tear, leading to permanent damage, while cold temperatures can reduce responsiveness and battery efficiency. Manufacturers often specify safe operating temperatures: commercial-grade electronics usually handle 0°C to 70°C, while industrial-grade components can go from -40°C to 85°C. Not all electronics have the same tolerance, semiconductors, batteries, and displays each have unique limits. For instance, some displays can be stored as low as -40°C but may not function well until properly warmed. Batteries are especially sensitive; extreme heat or cold can affect their charge and shorten their lifespan. Ultimately, temperature tolerance depends on the component type and design,  so always check the specs provided by the manufacturer.

Using electronics in a sauna can void their warranty. Phones, headphones, and cameras exposed to heat and humidity may be considered improperly used, and most warranties do not cover heat or water damage. Even without immediate issues, sauna use can lead to warranty disputes. To protect your devices and warranty, keep electronics out of the sauna.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals won’t work properly in a sauna due to heat, humidity, and insulating materials. High temperatures damage electronics, moisture causes corrosion, and interference blocks signals. For safety and device protection, avoid electronics inside and use offline music instead.