We Tested Our Sauna LED Strip at 120°C for 60 Hours. Here’s What Happened.
We ran our sauna LED strip in a temperature and humidity chamber for 60 hours, with the chamber temperature reaching 120°C. After the test, the strip was still working normally and showed no visible signs of heat damage. There was no yellowing, deformation, LED failure, or significant loss of brightness.
The test included repeated temperature cycles, with the strip held at its maximum rated temperature of 120°C for a total of 40 hours.
Here’s how we put the strip through the test, why we made it tougher than a typical test, and what the results tell us about using it in a sauna.
Why Sauna Conditions Are Challenging for LED Strips
A traditional sauna can reach 70–100°C, while a steam room can be nearly saturated with moisture.
That combination can be challenging for a standard LED strip. A regular indoor strip may experience problems such as:
- The adhesive is subject to softening.
High temperatures can weaken regular adhesive and cause the strip to peel away from the surface. - It starts to warp.
Heating up and cooling down can mess with the circuit board. It starts to warp and curve, which puts pressure on the spots where things are joined - It yellows and becomes brittle, then cracks.
PVC just can’t handle super hot temperatures. Over time, it gets hard, turns a sickly yellow, and ends up cracking. - Water gets inside
If it’s really damp, water can slip through tiny gaps and touch the tiny electronic parts. When that happens, the strip gets rusty and stops working.
Here’s how a regular strip and a sauna-grade strip compare at a glance:
| Comparison Metric | Standard LED Strip | Sauna-Grade LED Strip |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | ||
| Outer cover | PVC or TPU — hardens and yellows in heat | 100% silicone — stays flexible even at 120°C |
| Heat & Moisture | ||
| Max working temperature | ~40–60°C | Rated from -20°C to +120°C |
| Moisture protection | IP20–IP44, not sealed | IP67, wrapped end to end in silicone |
| In Sauna | ||
| Typical lifespan | Weeks to months before yellowing, peeling, or failure | 50,000+ hours rated |
| Best used for | Indoor coves, under-cabinet, shelves | Saunas, steam rooms, hot and humid zones |
That’s why we designed this LED strip for sauna use and tested it at 120°C to see how it would perform under extreme heat.
Our Test: We Pushed It Beyond the Usual Standard
You may have heard of the 85/85 test. The term “85/85” refers to a test condition of 85°C and 85% relative humidity, commonly used in accelerated environmental testing based on standards such as IEC 60068-2-67 and JEDEC JESD22-A101. For many LED products, testing stops there.
We decided to push the temperature further.
Our sauna LED strip is rated from -20°C to 120°C, so instead of stopping at 85°C, we designed the test to reach the strip’s rated temperature limit:
| Test Stage | Temperature | Humidity | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stage 1
Warm up
|
40°C | 50% RH | 1 hour |
|
Stage 2
High heat
|
85°C | 30% RH | 1 hour |
|
Stage 3
Maximum rated temperature
|
120°C | 0% RH | 4 hours |
One important detail: at 120°C, water is present as vapor rather than liquid under atmospheric pressure, so humidity cannot be controlled in the same way as at lower temperatures. For this reason, the humidity stages were performed at lower temperatures, while the 120°C stage was used primarily to evaluate heat resistance.
Three temperature stages of each 6 hour cycle were analysed. The chamber slowly attained the desired temperature for each stage and held it for the required period before proceeding to the next stage.
We ran the test continuously for 60 hours in a temperature and humidity chamber. That means 10 complete cycles, including a total of 40 hours at 120°C.
For reference, 120°C is 20°C higher than a 100°C sauna. During the test, the LED strip remained at the maximum temperature for a total of 40 hours.
The CCT Sauna LED Strip Specifications
LED type: 2835 SMD
LED density: 192 LEDs/m
Voltage: 24V DC
Power: 7W/m
Color: Tunable white
PCB width: 12 mm, flexible
Waterproofing: IP67, fully silicone-wrapped
Working temperature: -20°C to +120°C
The silicone wrap is a big reason this strip can handle sauna conditions. It helps protect the electronics from heat and steam. And the same sauna-grade construction is available across different light options.
The strip we tested is our tunable white model. We also offer RGB, RGBW, COB, and other versions, all made with 100% silicone, IP67 protection, and a -20°C to +120°C operating temperature range.
Check out our specialized LED strips for sauna and steam rooms designed for high-temperature environments.
How We Tested the Strip
- Before the test
We photographed the light strip at various color temperature settings and measured the corresponding color temperature values. This gave us a clear “before” picture.
- Inside the chamber
We placed the strip in our testing machine. The LED strip was powered on during the temperature cycle. It ran through 6-hour cycles: 40°C for the first hour, 85°C for the second, and 120°C for the remaining four hours. We repeated this for 60 hours straight, keeping an eye on the readings.
- During the test
At the end of each cycle, we looked through the chamber window and took a photo. We checked for yellowing, bubbles, or any signs of silicone separation.
- After 60 hours
We finally pulled the strip out and compared it to our first photos. We inspected it up close with a magnifying glass. Then, we turned it back on at full brightness, tested different color temperature settings, and took final measurements to see if anything had changed.
The LED strip exhibits exceptional color stability with a shift well below 200K after extreme thermal testing.
- Warm light: shifted only from 3431K to 3417K — a change of just 14K — while keeping a high CRI of 94.
- Cool light: stayed stable from 15498K to 15654K, with a drift of about 156K.
What We Measured
We didn’t just look at the strip after the test. We also checked its brightness and color before and after the 60-hour test.
The results showed only a small change in brightness and color temperature, with no dead LEDs or visible change in appearance.
| Check Item | Before | After 60 hours | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone Appearance Looks clear, no yellowing |
✔ | Still clear, no bubbles or cracks | Passed |
| Physical Structure Strip is straight and flat |
✔ | No warping, no bending | Passed |
| Adhesion Quality Silicone still bonded to the board |
✔ | No peeling, no separation | Passed |
| LED Functionality Dead LEDs check |
0 | 0 | Passed |
| Brightness Output | 100% | ≥95% | Passed |
| Color Temperature / Waveform | Baseline | <200K shift | Passed |
| Power-on Behavior | Normal | Normal on every color setting | Passed |
What Helps the Strip Handle High Heat
The test showed that the strip could handle the heat. But what makes it work in these conditions?
Full silicone protection
The entire strip is enclosed in a high-quality silicone covering. It remains flexible across a temperature range of -20°C to +120°C. Plus, silicone is a much better choice than PVC because it won’t easily turn yellow, get hard, or crack under high heat.
A heat-resistant flexible PCB
We also use a 12mm flexible PCB designed for high-temperature applications. It is designed to withstand elevated temperatures and help maintain the strip’s physical structure during operation.
Fully sealed construction
Every joint is packed with silicone, and the ends are completely sealed off. This keeps moisture and water from getting to the LEDs and other delicate electronic parts.
24V DC design
A 24V strip draws less current than a lower-voltage strip that puts out the same amount of A A lower voltage strip delivering the same power will draw more current than a 24V strip. The current is reduced therefore there is less resistance lost and less heat created. That helps to keep the components cooler while the strip is running.
Learn more in our guide: PU vs PVC vs Silicone – Which is Better?
For more details, you can also refer to the relevant specification sheet.
Things to Check Before Buying a Sauna LED Strip
If you’re a contractor or sauna manufacturer: Don’t rely on product claims alone. Ask your supplier for test data and samples before placing a large order.
Here are some ideas to look into:
- Heat and humidity test results: Find out how the strip was tested and what temperatures and humidity conditions it was subjected to.
- IP test reports: Request test reports to back up the strip’s IP67 or IP68 rating.
- Samples: Test the strip yourself before moving to a larger order.
A supplier that can provide clear test data gives you a better idea of how the strip will perform in a real sauna environment.
If you’re building a home sauna: Keep the power supply and controller outside the sauna room. Only the LED strip should be installed in the hot area. Place the driver and controller in a cool, dry location away from heat and steam.
Key Tips for LED Installation in Sauna Environments
- Use clips or an aluminum channel. The adhesive alone won’t last. High temperatures can weaken the adhesive and cause the strip to come loose.
- Make sure you leave a bit of room at the ends. Give the strip some space at the ends and cut points so it can expand slightly when heated.
- Keep It Away from Heat. Don’t place the strip near heaters or hot stones. The temperature right next to them can be much higher than the air around it—so keep some distance to be safe.
- Make sure all connections are sealed properly. Use suitable waterproof cable glands and sealed connectors. The connections are often the most vulnerable part of a waterproof LED strip installation.
FAQ
What temperature can LED strips withstand?
That depends on the LED strip you use. Standard LED strips are often rated for around 40–60°C. Sauna-rated silicone LED strips can handle much higher temperatures. Our strip is rated from -20°C to +120°C.
Can LED strip lights be installed in sauna environments?
Yes, but you cannot use just any regular LED strip. You specifically need one built to survive high heat and heavy moisture. The key is to look for a strip that has a complete silicone casing, a solid IP protection rating, and an operating temperature limit that fits the hot sauna environment.
What IP rating is needed for a steam room?
If you are putting lights in a place with lots of humidity and water splashing around, it’s smart to go with an IP67 rating or higher. However, the exact IP rating you need also depends on exactly where you place the strip and how you install it.
How long do sauna LED strips last?
Our sauna LED strips have a lifespan of more than 50,000 hours under regulated settings. Actual service life may depend on the operational environment and installation conditions.Actual service life is determined by parameters such as operating temperature, quality of installation and operating hours.
What does the 85/85 test mean?
The 85/85 test is a standard way to see how electronics hold up against heat and moisture. In this type of test, the product is exposed to 85°C and 85% relative humidity for an extended period. We actually took this test a step further and exposed our strips to much harsher conditions, pushing the temperature all the way up to 120°C.
Conclusion: We Tested It at 120°C
A temperature rating on a datasheet is one thing. We wanted to see how the strip would actually perform under high heat.
So we put it in a temperature and humidity chamber for 60 hours, with the temperature reaching 120°C. After the test, the strip was still working normally. We saw no yellowing, no deformation, no dead LEDs, and no noticeable drop in brightness.
That gives us confidence that the strip can withstand the high temperatures encountered in sauna applications.
Want to see the strip for yourself? Contact us to get a sample, view the sauna LED strip product page and download the full test report.