| Sauna | Steam room | |
|---|---|---|
| Air temperature | 150–185 °F | 80–120 °F (typical control range) |
| Humidity | Low, about 10%, until water hits the stones | Saturated with steam |
| Heat source | Heater and stones | Steam generator |
| Room | Wood-lined, ventilated | Sealed, waterproofed, tiled |
| Plumbing | None needed | Water line and drain |
| Power | 240 V circuit (or wood) | 240 V circuit |
How each one feels
A traditional sauna runs hot, typically 150 to 185 °F, with low humidity until you throw water on the stones (Finnleo). A steam room runs much cooler, with Mr. Steam controls set between 80 and 120 °F, but the air is full of steam, so it feels intense at a lower temperature.
What each needs at home
- Sauna: a wood-lined room or a prebuilt cabin or barrel, a heater sized to the room, stones, a control and a 240 V circuit (or a wood stove). No plumbing. How to choose a sauna heater.
- Steam room: a fully sealed, waterproofed enclosure (usually your shower), a steam generator, a water line, a drain and a 240 V circuit. It’s a plumbing and tile project. Steam shower buying guide.
What the research covers
The long-term health studies were done on traditional dry sauna. Steam rooms have far less research behind them, so if the research is your reason, a sauna matches it more closely. What the research says.
How to choose
- Remodeling a bathroom anyway? A steam shower uses space you already have.
- Want high heat, the research conditions or an outdoor build? Choose a sauna.
Questions people ask
- Is a sauna hotter than a steam room?
- Yes. Saunas typically run 150 to 185 °F; steam room controls typically range from 80 to 120 °F. The steam room feels intense because the air is saturated.
- Does a steam room need plumbing?
- Yes: a water line to the generator and a drain. A sauna needs no plumbing.
- Can I turn my shower into a steam room?
- Often, if the enclosure can be sealed to the ceiling and waterproofed on every surface, with room nearby for the generator.
Shop sauna heaters Shop steam showers
Sources: Finnleo, traditional sauna temperatures and humidity; Mr. Steam TempoTouch control specifications; Sunhome Saunas, sauna vs steam room installation.