Comparison

Embr Wave 2 vs Sunlighten

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Embr Wave 2

Control a wearable thermal device to manage temperature discomfort, stress, and improve sleep. Explore custom sessions, personalize settings, and track usage for better well-being.

Highlights
  • Explore thermal sessions for sleep, relaxation, and focus
  • Personalize device button programming
  • Customize temperature and session duration
  • Schedule automatic cooling and warming sessions
  • Track device usage and learn about your body
  • Receive app and firmware updates
Read full description

Unlock the full power of your Embr Wave thermal wristband with the Embr Wave 2 app. Embr Wave is the first clinically-validated thermal wearable + app that helps your body tap into its natural response to temperature to feel better. Using Embr Wave provides immediate relief from temperature discomfort, stressful moments, and can improve sleep. The Embr Wave 2 app is the "Mission Control” for your Wave device. A full menu of sessions is available in the app to help to crush that hot flash, sleep better, and focus on the task at hand. The app gives you access to ways to relax and unwind when you need it most or to keep your cool no matter the situation. From the office, to the plane, to your own bed—and even when walking into that next meeting or social event—your Wave has you covered. Use the Embr Wave 2 app to: - Explore thermal sessions designed for Sleep, Relaxation, Destressing, Hot Flashes, Focus, Personal Comfort, your guide to all things Embr Wave and personal temperature relief and control! - Ask Tempura anything about your Embr Wave. Learn how to improve how you feel with temperature, get immediate help with your Embr Wave, discover new features, and more. - Personalize your Wave by programming the buttons on the device for quick access to your favorite sessions. - Customize sessions by setting the temperature level (9 levels) and session duration (from 1 minute to 9 hours). - Save, edit, and rename your favorite sessions to your preferences. - Schedule your Wave to run cooling and warming sessions automatically at specified times. - Dim or turn off the lights on your device for an optimal sleep experience. - Track how you use the Wave to learn about your body over time. - Keep your Wave up to date with the latest features and improvements with app and firmware updates. The Embr Wave has received numerous awards, including Time Best Inventions honorable mention (2018); the AARP Innovator in Aging prize (2019); the Men’s Health Sleep Award (2020); the IF World Design Guide Award (2021), and the National Sleep Foundation Sleep Tech Award (2023).

About

Sunlighten

Optimize your well-being with this app, designed to enhance your light therapy and sauna experiences. Create personalized wellness programs, track sessions in real-time, and control your devices remotely for a seamless health journey.

Highlights
  • Science-based wellness programs
  • Personalized program creation
  • Real-time session tracking
  • Remote sauna control (Wi-Fi)
  • Audio and lighting management
  • Red light therapy panel programs
Features
Read full description

Take your wellness journey to the next level with the Sunlighten app, designed to enhance your Sunlighten sauna and Sunlighten RED Light Therapy Panel experience and optimize your well-being. Stay in control, feel your best, and enjoy the full potential of Sunlighten products. Key Features: • Science-based wellness programs designed to help you reach your health goals. • Create your own personalized programs. • Real-time session tracking. • Schedule your sauna sessions to build a routine. • Remote sauna control for compatible connected saunas • Manage your sauna's audio and lighting settings. • Get the most of our your RED Light Therapy Panel with over 20 scientifically optimized programs and guidance from the leaders in light therapy. Owners of mPulse saunas and RED Light Therapy Panels can enjoy full access to all app features, while owners of Amplify, Signature, and Solo Rise models can take advantage of convenient audio control. Stay connected for exciting updates as we continue to enhance your Sunlighten experience!

Screenshots

Embr Wave 24 screens
Sunlighten4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Embr Wave 2 at 72% against Sunlighten's 20%. Embr Wave 2 also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.7) and ratings volume (4K vs 88). Sunlighten's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Embr Wave 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Embr Wave 2 has 4K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Embr Wave 2's written reviews are positive against 20% of Sunlighten's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Embr Wave 2 ships an update every 2 months, Sunlighten every 4 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Embr Wave 2 versus Sunlighten: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmbr Wave 2Sunlighten
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4K ratings) — better2.7 (88 ratings)
Positive reviews72.4% of reviews — better19.8% of reviews
Number of ratings4K — better88
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.515.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB53 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperEmbr Labs Inc.Sunlighten Inc

Customer experience

Embr Wave 2

All ratings3,618 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive72.4%
Neutral8.0%
Negative19.5%

Sunlighten

All ratings77 ratings
Positive33.8%
Neutral16.9%
Negative49.4%
Written reviews131 reviews
Positive19.8%
Neutral8.4%
Negative71.8%

User reviews

Embr Wave 2

From 4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Effective at cooling/warming
  • 👍 Helps with hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep issues
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 👍 Versatile for various use cases (Raynaud's, anxiety, etc.)
  • 👍 Positive impact on quality of life

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues with app
  • 🐛 Firmware/software compatibility problems
  • 🔋 Battery life concerns
  • 💡 Desire for more advanced features (Apple Watch integration, automatic mode, etc.)

Sunlighten

From 88 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Convenient remote control
  • 👍 Customizable programs
  • 🚀 Easy to use app
  • 👍 Enhances sauna experience

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable app connectivity
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection
  • 🐛 Inconsistent scheduling and remote start
  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy app
  • 👎 Limited remote functionality

Bugs and requests

Embr Wave 2

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Connectivity issues between device and app
  • Firmware/software compatibility problems with newer devices
  • Battery life draining faster than expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Automatic mode/detection of hot flashes
  • More customization options
  • Improved app functionality and stability

Sunlighten

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App fails to connect to sauna
  • Scheduled programs not running as expected
  • Inconsistent lighting controls
  • Tablet frequently restarts or loses connection

Requested features

4 requests
  • Remote start and preheat capability
  • Improved app stability and reliability
  • Better integration between app and sauna
  • More customization options

In-app purchases

None

Embr Wave 2

No in-app purchases

None

Sunlighten

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Embr Wave 2 free?
Embr Wave 2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sunlighten free?
Sunlighten is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Embr Wave 2 or Sunlighten?
Embr Wave 2 is rated higher. Embr Wave 2 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4K ratings, while Sunlighten averages 2.7 from 88 ratings.
Do Embr Wave 2 or Sunlighten have ads?
Embr Wave 2 shows ads; Sunlighten does not.
Which is updated more often, Embr Wave 2 or Sunlighten?
Embr Wave 2 ships an update every 2 months, and Sunlighten every 4 months. Most recently, Embr Wave 2 was updated on November 3, 2026 and Sunlighten on November 3, 2026.

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