Get the HigherDOSE V4 if EMF output and material quality are your top priorities. It tests at 2-5 mG versus MiHIGH’s 3-8 mG, and the PU leather feels more refined. Get the MiHIGH if you want a solid sauna blanket experience and would rather save $200. Both use PU leather (not PVC), both hit 158°F, and both deliver a legitimate sweat session.
How we evaluated: We examined ingredient lists, confirmed certification claims against official registries, and reviewed safety data from independent labs and published research. Full methodology
These are the two sauna blankets that come up in every conversation about at-home infrared sweating. HigherDOSE is the one your favorite influencer uses. MiHIGH is the one your practical friend recommends because it’s “basically the same thing for less money.” So which one is actually right?
I’ve compared them across every metric that matters, especially the material safety and EMF factors that most comparison reviews ignore entirely. Let’s get into it.
Quick Comparison: HigherDOSE V4 vs MiHIGH
| Feature | HigherDOSE V4 | MiHIGH |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $399 |
| Material | PU Leather | PU Leather |
| Max Temperature | 158°F | 158°F |
| Heat Settings | 8 levels | 9 levels |
| EMF at Body Surface | 2-5 mG | 3-8 mG |
| Heat Distribution | Even (slight midsection bias) | Less even (cooler extremities) |
| Heat-Up Time | ~10 min to 140°F | ~12 min to 140°F |
| Weight | ~20 lbs | ~17 lbs |
| Auto-Shutoff | 60 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Trial Period | 30 days | 30 days |
Price: A $200 Difference
The gap is simple. HigherDOSE costs $599. MiHIGH costs $399. That’s $200 you either spend on a premium product or keep in your pocket.
Neither blanket includes accessories at the base price. HigherDOSE’s cotton insert costs about $50 extra. MiHIGH’s equivalent is roughly the same. So the real cost difference stays around $200 regardless of add-ons.
The question is what you get for that extra $200. It’s not a dramatically different product. It’s incrementally better EMF shielding, incrementally better material quality, and incrementally more even heat. Whether those increments justify $200 depends entirely on your priorities.
Materials: Both Avoid PVC (But There Are Differences)
Both blankets use PU (polyurethane) leather. This is the most important shared trait and the reason both made it into our best sauna blankets roundup. PU leather doesn’t contain phthalate plasticizers, doesn’t produce chlorine-based off-gassing when heated, and is a fundamentally safer material to heat against your skin than PVC.
But not all PU leather is the same.
HigherDOSE V4: The PU leather on the V4 feels softer, more supple, and less “plasticky” than the MiHIGH. It’s quieter when you move. After months of use, it shows minimal wear. The interior lining feels more refined, and the seams are cleaner.
MiHIGH: The PU leather is functional but noticeably thinner and stiffer. It makes more crinkling noise when you shift positions. It works fine, but the tactile experience is clearly a step below HigherDOSE. The seam finishing isn’t quite as precise.
Neither company publishes detailed material safety data sheets for their PU leather, which is frustrating. And neither has been independently tested for PFAS, which is a gap across the entire sauna blanket category. For more context on why PFAS matter, read our guide on what PFAS forever chemicals are.
New product smell: Both had a faint synthetic odor during the first few uses. The HigherDOSE V4’s dissipated slightly faster (2-3 sessions) than the MiHIGH’s (4-5 sessions). Running an air purifier during those initial sessions helps with either blanket.
EMF Output: Where HigherDOSE Pulls Ahead
This is the single biggest difference between these two blankets from a non-toxic perspective. Here’s how they compare across heat settings:
| Heat Level | HigherDOSE V4 | MiHIGH |
|---|---|---|
| Low (~120°F) | 1-2 mG | 2-3 mG |
| Medium (~140°F) | 2-4 mG | 3-6 mG |
| High (~158°F) | 3-5 mG | 5-8 mG |
At low and medium settings, the difference is modest. At high settings, HigherDOSE’s advantage becomes more meaningful. Building biology guidelines suggest keeping prolonged exposure below 5 mG, and the HigherDOSE stays within that range even at maximum temperature. The MiHIGH can exceed it at the highest settings.
Is the MiHIGH’s EMF dangerous? For a 30-45 minute session, probably not. These levels are comparable to what you’d get from a laptop at close range. But if minimizing EMF exposure is a core reason you’re on this site, the HigherDOSE’s better shielding matters. For broader context on environmental exposures in your home, our indoor air quality complete guide covers the full picture.
Heat Performance: Closer Than You’d Expect
Both blankets hit the same maximum temperature: 158°F. Both use far infrared heating elements. Both produce a legitimate, heavy sweat session at high settings. The differences are in the details.
Heat-Up Time
HigherDOSE reaches 140°F in about 10 minutes. MiHIGH takes about 12 minutes to hit the same temperature. Not a meaningful difference in practice, since most people preheat the blanket while they prepare for their session.
Heat Distribution
This is where HigherDOSE has a clearer edge. The V4 heats more evenly across the body, with about a 5-8 degree variation between the warmest zone (midsection) and the coolest (feet/lower legs). The MiHIGH has about 8-12 degrees of variation, with the foot area running noticeably cooler.
For a full-body sweat, this matters. With the MiHIGH, your legs and feet don’t get as warm, which means less sweating from your lower body. Some people compensate by wearing thick socks, which helps but doesn’t fully close the gap.
The Sweat Experience
At the same temperature setting, the sweat volume is similar. Both produce a heavy, drenching sweat by minute 25-30 at high settings. The HigherDOSE’s more even distribution means the sweating feels more uniform. With the MiHIGH, you’ll notice your upper body getting there faster while your lower body catches up.
Both auto-shutoff at 60 minutes. Neither offers programmable session length, which would be a nice feature. For a detailed breakdown of the HigherDOSE sweat experience specifically, check our HigherDOSE sauna blanket review.
Size and Portability
HigherDOSE V4: About 71” long x 71” wide when open. Weighs roughly 20 lbs. Folds to about the size of a large sleeping bag. Comes with a carrying case that’s adequate but not luxurious.
MiHIGH: About 71” long x 63” wide when open. Slightly narrower but the same length. Weighs roughly 17 lbs. Three pounds lighter, which makes it noticeably easier to carry and store. The carrying case is comparable.
The MiHIGH wins on portability. If you travel with your blanket or have limited storage space, the lighter weight is a real advantage. If the blanket lives in a closet and gets pulled out 3 times a week, the weight difference won’t matter.
The width difference (71” vs 63”) is worth noting if you’re broader. The HigherDOSE gives more room to move your arms inside the blanket. The MiHIGH feels a bit tighter for larger frames.
Controller and Settings
HigherDOSE: 8 heat levels with a clean, simple controller. Clear LED display showing temperature and timer. Responsive buttons. The interface is intuitive.
MiHIGH: 9 heat levels with a similar controller style. The additional level gives marginally more granularity, though in practice the difference between 8 and 9 levels of control isn’t something you’ll notice. The controller works fine but feels slightly less polished.
Both have a 60-minute auto-shutoff. Neither has Bluetooth, app control, or any smart features. Honestly, I think that’s fine. You don’t need your sauna blanket connected to your phone.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The cleaning routine is essentially identical for both blankets:
- Wipe interior after every session
- Use a non-toxic cleaner weekly for deeper cleaning (non-toxic cleaning products won’t add chemical exposure)
- Air dry before folding and storing
- Use a cotton insert to extend blanket life
The HigherDOSE’s slightly higher-quality PU leather may hold up marginally better over years of cleaning, but both blankets tolerate regular wipe-downs well.
Warranty and Customer Service
Both offer 1-year warranties covering manufacturing defects. Neither covers normal wear and tear on the PU leather or heating elements.
HigherDOSE’s customer service is US-based and generally responsive. MiHIGH is Australian-based, which means slightly longer response times for US customers but generally positive reviews.
Both offer 30-day return windows, which is barely enough time to properly evaluate a sauna blanket. I’d recommend starting sessions immediately if you’re on the fence.
Durability and Long-Term Outlook
Based on build quality assessment:
HigherDOSE V4: The thicker PU leather and cleaner construction suggest a longer lifespan. I’d estimate 2-3 years of heavy use (3-4 sessions per week) before meaningful deterioration.
MiHIGH: The thinner PU leather and slightly less refined construction suggest it may show wear sooner, potentially 1.5-2.5 years at the same usage rate. This is an estimate based on material quality, not a guarantee.
If durability plays into your cost calculation, HigherDOSE’s potential extra year of life narrows the effective price gap.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the HigherDOSE V4 ($599) if:
- Lowest possible EMF is your priority
- You want the best material quality available
- Even heat distribution across your whole body matters to you
- You plan to use it 3+ times per week for years
- You’re already invested in a non-toxic home setup (non-toxic bedroom guide, best non-toxic mattress, etc.)
- The $200 premium isn’t a financial strain
Buy the MiHIGH ($399) if:
- You want a quality sauna blanket at a lower price
- The EMF difference (3-8 mG vs 2-5 mG) doesn’t concern you for short sessions
- You travel with your blanket and value lighter weight
- You’re trying sauna blankets for the first time and want to test commitment at a lower investment
- You’d rather spend the $200 savings on other non-toxic upgrades (like an air purifier or better bed sheets)
The Verdict
For the non-toxic focused buyer: HigherDOSE V4. The lower EMF alone justifies the premium for someone who’s deliberately minimizing exposures. The better materials and heat distribution are bonuses.
For the practical buyer: MiHIGH. You get 80% of the HigherDOSE experience for 65% of the price. The EMF is slightly higher but still within reasonable bounds. The sweating is nearly identical.
For the undecided buyer: If you’re going to agonize over the decision, get the HigherDOSE. You’ll never wonder whether you should have spent more. If you go MiHIGH, you might always have that nagging “what if” about the EMF numbers.
For the full range of options including Sun Home and Hooga, check our complete best sauna blankets guide. And if you’re considering whether a blanket is even the right form factor, our sauna blanket vs portable sauna comparison breaks down the trade-offs.
If red light therapy is also on your radar, our guides on the best red light therapy panels and Mito Red vs PlatinumLED vs Vellgus cover that complementary modality.
Your Questions Answered
Is HigherDOSE really $200 better than MiHIGH?
It depends on what you value. The $200 buys you measurably lower EMF (2-5 mG vs 3-8 mG), better PU leather quality, more even heat distribution, and potentially longer durability. If minimizing EMF exposure is important to you, $200 is reasonable. If you just want to sweat, MiHIGH delivers.
Can you use MiHIGH and HigherDOSE blankets on the same voltage?
Both work on standard US 110V outlets. MiHIGH is an Australian company but sells US-compatible versions. Make sure you’re ordering the correct voltage version for your country.
Which sauna blanket has better customer service?
HigherDOSE edges ahead slightly for US customers due to domestic support. MiHIGH’s Australian-based team is responsive but time zones can slow things down. Both have decent reputations.
Do either of these blankets use PVC?
No. Both use PU (polyurethane) leather. This is a critical distinction. PVC off-gasses phthalates when heated. PU leather doesn’t require phthalate plasticizers. This is the primary reason both blankets made our recommended list. Many cheaper blankets under $250 still use PVC.
How often should you use either blanket?
Most manufacturers recommend 3-4 sessions per week, 30-45 minutes per session. Start with shorter, lower-temperature sessions and build up. There’s no evidence that daily use is harmful for healthy adults, but the research doesn’t clearly show that daily outperforms 3-4 times weekly.
Can you use a sauna blanket if you have metal implants?
Far infrared doesn’t heat metal the way a microwave would, so metal implants aren’t a direct contraindication. However, the overall body temperature increase could potentially affect areas around implants. Consult your doctor if you have metal implants, especially near the skin surface.
You Might Also Like
- Best Budget Infrared Saunas That Are Actually Safe
- HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Review
- Is Red Light Therapy Safe? Side Effects, Risks, and
Sources
- Building Biology Institute. EMF exposure guidelines and measurement standards.
- Vatansever, F., & Hamblin, M. R. (2012). Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications. Photonics & Lasers in Medicine, 1(4), 255-266.
- EPA guidelines on PU leather and PVC material safety.
- Hussain, J., & Cohen, M. (2018). Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: a systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
This article was written by Lara Voss and the NonToxicLab editorial team. We research non-toxic home and wellness products so you can make informed choices. This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we’ve thoroughly researched and believe meet our safety standards.