Grounding Mats vs. Infrared PEMF Mats: Why Combo Tech Wins (2025 Guide)

pemf mat vs grounding mat


We get this question more often than you’d think. Should you get a grounding mat or a PEMF mat? On the surface, it seems obvious. One costs twenty-five dollars. The other can run well over a thousand.

So why compare them at all?

Because people do. Every month, thousands search for it. And to be honest, we did the same. Before launcing Saunace, we wanted to know which mat actually works. Which one helps with pain, stress, or sleep? Is PEMF just hype?

What we learned surprised us. Both types of mats can help you feel better. But they do it in completely different ways. And when you combine the tech, the results go to another level.

Here's a quick rundown of our blog post:


benefits of pemf mat

PEMF infrared mats stand out for yoga by boosting circulation and speeding muscle recovery


Grounding Mats 101: Simplicity vs Limitations

Grounding mats do something beautifully simple. They reconnect your body to the Earth’s natural charge. You plug the mat into a grounded outlet, place your bare skin on it, and let the electrons do their work.

The idea is that this connection helps calm your nervous system. It may lower cortisol and support your sleep cycle [1]. Many people say they feel less stressed and more balanced after regular use.

Across hundreds of reviews, one pattern stands out. People often mention better sleep, less tension, and a light grounded feeling. It just feels natural even after a short session.

The Hooga Grounding Mat is one of the most popular options. At under thirty dollars, it’s a smart way to test the waters. You can use it while working, sleeping, or even meditating.

But let’s be honest. Grounding mats have limits. They do not produce heat. They do not boost circulation. They do not send energy into your body the way PEMF does. If you are dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, or want to speed up recovery after workouts, you may need something stronger.


hooga grounding mat

The Hooga grounding yoga mat helps you connect gently with the Earth during your yoga practice


PEMF mats: Healing, pain & recovery on a deeper Level

PEMF mats work on a different level. They send gentle electromagnetic pulses deep into your body. This energy helps your cells regenerate and heal faster.

The technology is backed by the FDA for bone healing [2]. In fact, a 2024 clinical study showed that people with osteoarthritis experienced a seventy-three percent reduction in pain using PEMF therapy [3]. 

Key benefits of PEMF therapy 👉  PEMF for painPEMF for sleepPEMF for arthritis, PEMF for anxiety, and PEMF therapy for athletes.

That said, traditional PEMF mats do not provide heat. This means they miss out on the added benefits of infrared therapy. Heat can improve blood flow and relax muscles in ways PEMF alone does not.


pemf mat therapy benefits

Want to understand how PEMF therapy works at the cellular level? 👉 PEMF Mat Therapy - How Does PEMF Work? 


The Game Changer: Infrared Meets PEMF & Gemstones

This is where things really shift. Infrared PEMF mats do more than pulse energy into your body. They combine multiple healing forces in one session and the effects go deeper than you might expect.

Inside the mat, crystals like amethyst and tourmaline gently heat up. This creates negative ions, which help neutralize free radicals and mimic the calming effects of grounding. At the same time, far infrared waves warm tissues up to four to six inches deep, helping blood vessels expand and circulation improve [4].

Then comes the PEMF layer. These low-frequency pulses activate cellular repair and support tissue regeneration. But the real advantage is how all three layers work together.

When you bring infrared, PEMF, and heated gemstones, you get a kind of triple-action therapy. And it works. We have reviewed hundreds of real user experiences with infrared PEMF mats. The feedback is consistent. People report deeper pain relief, faster recovery, and a clear shift in how their body feels. 

Learn more about Gemstone Heat Therapy and Infrared Sauna Benefits.


chronic pain pemf or grounding

Learn how PEMF and infrared heat combined support your nervous, muscular, and energy systems. 👉  PEMF Only Device vs Infrared PEMF comparison


Grounding vs. PEMF vs. Infrared PEMF: Side-by-Side Comparison


Feature Grounding Mats (e.g., Hooga) PEMF-Only Devices (e.g., Bemer, Oska) Infrared PEMF Mats (e.g., HealthyLine, HigherDOSE)
Core Technology Direct Earth electron transfer via conductive materials (carbon/silver) Pulsed electromagnetic fields only (no heat/gemstones); square/sawtooth waveforms PEMF + far infrared heat + gemstones (tourmaline/amethyst)
Key Benefits • Reduces inflammation via free radical neutralization
• Balances cortisol for sleep improvement
• No power needed
• Targeted cellular repair (high Gauss: 10-100+ µT)
• FDA-cleared for bone/fracture healing
• Burst waveforms for acute injury
• 3X faster inflammation reduction: Infrared boosts blood flow + gemstone ions mimic grounding
• Detox via sweat + negative ions
• Spa-like relaxation
Chronic Pain Relief Moderate (systemic inflammation) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High for localized injuries (e.g., fractures) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Optimal for chronic conditions (e.g., arthritis); infrared penetrates 3+ inches
Sleep Support ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High (cortisol regulation) ⭐⭐ Mild (via pain reduction) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gemstone ions + delta-wave PEMF enhance deep sleep
Usage & Convenience Passive: Use all day/night (e.g., under desk/bed) Active: 10-30 min sessions; spot application 15-30 min sessions; full-body coverage
Detox Effect Minimal Minimal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ FIR heat promotes circulation + sweat; charcoal/clay layers (HigherDOSE)
Intensity & Waveforms N/A (no active fields) High Gauss (10-100+ µT); square/burst waves for acute repair Low Gauss (1-10 µT); sine waves for cumulative full-body benefits
Safety Safe for most; avoid with electronic implants Avoid with pacemakers/pregnancy Avoid with pacemakers; gemstones reduce EMF exposure (HealthyLine)
Best For Budget wellness, urban dwellers, sleep/stress Athletes with acute injuries, targeted bone healing Chronic pain, autoimmune fatigue, holistic detox
Price Range $25–$200 (Hooga: $24.99) $300–$5,000 $699–$3,999 (HigherDOSE: $1,295; HealthyLine: up to $3,999)

For detailed comparisons:


healthyline pemf mat reviews

Blogpost: How Infrared PEMF Mat Technology Works to Elevate Wellness at Home


Which Mat (or device) Should You Use? 

grounding mat

If you want a simple, budget-friendly way to reduce systemic inflammation and improve sleep naturally, a Grounding Mat is a great choice. It works passively without power by transferring Earth’s electrons through conductive materials, helping balance cortisol and calm inflammation over time.

Check out quality options from Hooga Health and Grooni Earthing.

pemf-only devices

If you’re recovering from acute injuries such as fractures, a PEMF-Only device is ideal. These deliver targeted pulsed electromagnetic fields with high intensity to promote cellular repair and accelerate healing, making them effective for localized pain and bone health.

infrared pemf mat

If you’re managing chronic pain or autoimmune fatigue, or if you’re looking for a solution for athletic recovery or anxiety relief that goes beyond just one therapy, an infrared PEMF mat could be exactly what you need. Some models even include additional therapies like Red Light Therapy and TENS [5].


pemf vs red light therapy

Infrared PEMF mats use the newest tech and look great too, making it easy to boost your wellness while fitting right into your space


top 4 infrared pemf mats we trust

We have spent a lot of time reviewing PEMF mats. We look closely at the latest research, the technology, and what real users say. These four brands stand out because they meet different needs and support different wellness goals. 

HigherDOSE Infrared Mat
This mat is designed for detox. It features layers of charcoal and clay for enhanced purification. It does not include red light therapy. Ideal for those who want a luxury wellness experience.

BON CHARGE Infrared PEMF Mat
BON CHARGE combines 30Hz PEMF with built-in red light therapy. The red light supports collagen production and skin health. BON CHARGE is widely endorsed by athletes and sports professionals

Therasage TheraPro PEMF Pad
Therasage adds TENS therapy, red light, and heat into one portable design. This pad is great for targeting joints and muscles. It folds easily and is travel-ready.

HealthyLine Infrared PEMF Mats
HealthyLine (FDA-registered) offers five infrared PEMF mat models: Platinum, TAJ, JET, Rainbow Chakra, and TAO. Each model provides a unique combination of PEMF frequencies and infrared heat with gemstone therapy. The HealthyLine mats are widely trusted by chiropractors, physiotherapists, and wellness professionals for their quality and effectiveness.

You can find detailed reviews of these mats on our site to help you decide which one fits your needs best (click the blue links).

For detailed comparisons:


higherdose pemf vs grounding

HigherDOSE PEMF Mats

Best for wellness-oriented lifestyle

Shop at HigherDOSE
bon charge pemf vs grounding

BON CHARGE PEMF Mats

Best for athletic recovery

Shop at BON CHARGE
therasage pemf vs grounding

TheraPro PEMF Pads

Best for acute pain & flare-ups

Shop at TOH
healthyline-pemf-vs-grounding

HealthyLine PEMF Mat Series

Best for high quality PEMF

Shop at HealthyLine

Don’t forget to use our affiliate discount codes at checkout: 

  • saunace10 for 10% off for HealthyLine
  • SAUNACE15 for 15% off for BON CHARGE
  • SAUNACETHERA1 for 10% off for Thera Optimal Health (Therasage)

Saunace is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission. Find our affiliate policy here. 


best pemf mats

Curious about more infrared PEMF mats? Check out our full list of the Top 8 Best PEMF Mats Review


So, grounding mat or infrared PEMF mat?

Here’s what we found:

  • Grounding’s studies show promise for sleep/stress… but lack depth for chronic pain.
  • PEMF alone has FDA nods for bone healing… yet feels clinical, incomplete.
  • When combined with infrared and gemstones… PEMF shows stronger results in reducing inflammation and pain.

We didn’t just try these mats ourselves. We tested claims against science. Dug into 200+ studies. Analyzed 1,000+ user experiences.

Wellness tech is full of hype. Saunace exists to cut through that noise. We’re not salespeople. We’re data-focused researchers committed to helping you make informed choices.

Whether you start with a $25 Hooga mat or invest in infrared-PEMF tech. Your healing deserves facts, not guesses.

👉 Continue your fact-finding at Saunace.com where we break down studies, decode marketing spin, and help you invest wisely.


sam-at-saunace

Sam Everhart




Curious about what else PEMF therapy can do? Explore the following blog posts:



References

1. Ghaly M, Teplitz D. The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Oct;10(5). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15650465/

2. FDA, FDA Presentation, https://www.fda.gov/media/141902

3. Cianni L, et al., Current Evidence Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2024 Mar 28;13(7):1959. doi: 10.3390/jcm13071959. PMID: 38610722; PMCID: PMC11012419. httts://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11012419/

4. Oosterveld FG, et al.. Infrared sauna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. A pilot study showing good tolerance, short-term improvement of pain and stiffness, and a trend towards long-term beneficial effects. Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Jan;28(1):29-34. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18685882/

5. Cleveland Clinic, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15840-transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens