Blog Details
Stand-Up vs Lay-Down Tanning Beds: Which Is Better?
Dec 26 ,2025

Stand-Up vs Lay-Down Tanning Beds: Which Is Better?

What Are Tanning Beds Used For?

Tanning booths use UV light to create melanin in the skin to give your customers that sun-kissed look. Customers may want to use indoor tanning booths because of aesthetic reasons, to ensure that their tan is maintained throughout the year, or to ensure that they achieve a desired outcome in a controlled environment. Providing your customers with an option to use different types of booths will help cater to their needs.

Stand-up Tanning Beds vs Lay-down Tanning Beds

Stand-up Tanning Beds/Booths

Stand-up Tanning Beds are upright booths that clients use while standing as they tan. The bulbs that are installed in these booths are stronger compared to normal booths, meaning they produce an efficient tan since the bulbs surround a person while they tan. 

Since the clients do not come into contact with the booths, pressure areas that could impact the tan are eliminated since these areas reduce the effectiveness of tan production.

Lay Down Tanning Beds
This type of bed is more traditional in nature; customers are required to lay flat when using the bed. The bed allows customers to relax while tanning. Additionally, customers using these beds take longer to tan because of the distance of the bulbs from the body of the customer. There are specialty beds with facial tanning sections for customers in this type of bed.

Advantages of Stand-up Tanning Booths

More Even Coverage - The client receives more even coverage because the UV light shines on all sides of the body without being obstructed by the weight of the body in some regions.

Shorter Sessions - Increased intensity lamps will enable customers to attain their preferred tan in a shorter period of time. This is ideal for time-pressed customers.

Cleaner Experience - "No lying down" means that there's less direct contact with the surface, and this is preferred by certain clients in respect of hygiene."

Efficient Use of Floor Space - Stand-up booths occupy less floor space in your salon business, ensuring that more clients are attended to in a single floor space.

Disadvantages of Stand-Up Tanning Beds

Less Relaxing - Not as Relaxing Standing in an upright position throughout may be less relaxing than lying down in an actual bed.

May Feel Intense - The more powerful light bulbs might feel warmer to touch or more intense compared to others.

Non-Ideal for All Clients - Some patients with mobility problems may have difficulties standing up; therefore, stand-up beds are not ideal for them.

Advantages of Lay-Down Tanning beds

Comfort and Relaxation - The clients are able to lie down during their tanning session. This option is convenient for those who may want to relax during their tanning session.

More Space - Lay-down beds have ample space in which the client is able to relax and stretch out throughout their therapy session.

Long Sessions - For clients that value a longer and more relaxed tanning process. Lay-down tanning beds would prove to be ideal. They can offer a much-extended period of exposure to ultraviolet light.

Familiar Experience - Many clients may be able to react with familiarity towards the lay-down beds and might be comfortable around them, given their familiarity with tanning beds.

Disadvantages of the Lay-Down Tanning beds

Pressure Points May Impact Tanning - Areas where skin is in contact with the surface of the bed may not tan evenly, resulting in patchy skin.

Increased Session - Times Because the bulbs may not be as intense or as close to the skin as those used at a tanning salon, the duration of a session may be longer to get the same results.

More Space Required - Lay-down tanning booths are larger compared to stand-up booths, and they will consume more space at your beauty shop, thus reducing the capacity that your shop can handle at a time.

Stand-Up and Lay-Down Tanning Beds: Which Performs Better by Category

Category

Stand-Up Tanning Beds

Lay-Down Tanning Beds

Even Tanning Coverage

Best choice due to full-body exposure without pressure points

Pressure points may affect tanning consistency

Session Time

Best choice as high-intensity lamps provide faster results

Longer sessions are required to achieve similar results

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Best choice because there is minimal surface contact

Direct contact with the bed surface

Floor Space Efficiency

Best choice since it occupies less salon space

Requires more floor space

Comfort and Relaxation

Standing for the entire session may feel tiring

Best choice as clients can lie down and relax

Accessibility

Not ideal for clients with mobility limitations

Best choice for clients with varying mobility needs

Familiar User Experience

Less familiar for first-time users

Best choice due to traditional and widely known use


Conclusion

In the end, the best choice between stand-up and lay-down tanning beds depends on your clients’ preferences. Some may prefer the quick session and even coverage of a stand-up tanning bed, while others might prefer the comfort and relaxation of a lay-down bed. Offering both options can provide variety and improve the overall experience for your clients, allowing them to choose what works best for them.

If you’re running a tanning service business, it’s important to comply with the regulations around indoor tanning excise tax. Regardless of which tanning service you provide, you’ll need to report your Indoor Tanning Excise Tax using Form 720. Filing this manually can be time-consuming, so opting for electronic filing makes the process much easier. Choose Simple720, an IRS-authorized online provider, to simplify your filing and save you valuable time.

Looking to reduce recurring Form 720 compliance costs? Upgrade to the Unlimited Annual Filing Plan

Check Pricing
infoTag