The difference between a sauna and a steam room is dry heat versus wet heat. A traditional sauna runs hotter, about 150 to 195°F, with low humidity, and a stove warms the air and a pile of stones. A steam room runs cooler, about 110 to 120°F, but a steam generator fills it with moisture until the air is close to 100% humidity. As a result, both feel intense, just in different ways.
This guide compares the two side by side, explains which one fits a home or backyard, and answers the common questions, such as which to use first.
Key takeaways
- A sauna is dry heat at 150 to 195°F; a steam room is wet heat at 110 to 120°F with near 100% humidity.
- A steam room feels hotter than it is because sweat cannot evaporate in saturated air.
- At home, a sauna is easier: no water line, no drain, and outdoor models stand in the yard on a level base.
- Outdoor saunas in our shop start at $5,956.50 (Canadian Timber MiniPOD); a steam room is a bathroom remodel with plumbing.
- You still get steam in a sauna by pouring water on the stones.
Sauna vs steam room at a glance
| Traditional sauna | Steam room | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat type | Dry heat, steam on demand | Wet heat, constant steam |
| Typical temperature | 150 to 195°F | 110 to 120°F |
| Humidity | Low; rises when you pour water on the stones | Close to 100% |
| Heat source | Wood or electric stove with stones | Steam generator that boils water |
| Room | Wood walls and benches, often cedar | Sealed tile, stone or acrylic, with a drain |
| Water and drain | Not needed (a bucket of water for steam) | Water supply and floor drain needed |
| Outdoor use | Common (barrel, pod and cabin saunas) | Rare |
| Upkeep | Air it out, wipe the benches | Grout, seals, drain and generator descaling |
Sources for the temperature and humidity figures: Cleveland Clinic and Good Housekeeping.
What is the difference between a sauna and a steam room?
A sauna heats the air with a stove and stones, so the heat is dry until you add water. A steam room heats a sealed room with steam from a generator, so the air is always saturated.
How a sauna makes heat
A traditional sauna is a wood room with a stove that warms the air and a load of stones. Heat rises, so the top bench is the hottest seat. When you ladle water onto the hot stones, a wave of steam called löyly rolls through the room. According to Good Housekeeping, which cites the North American Sauna Society, humidity sits around 10% without water and can pass 60% when you add it. In other words, you choose how dry or steamy each round is. Read what a traditional sauna is for the details.
How a steam room makes heat
A steam generator, usually installed outside the room, boils water and pipes the steam in. The room must be sealed and waterproof, typically tile or stone with a sloped floor and a drain, because the moisture condenses on every surface. Wood would soak it up, which is why steam rooms are not wood-lined.
Why does a steam room feel hotter than it is?
A steam room feels hot at only 110 to 120°F because the saturated air stops sweat from evaporating. Sweat that cannot evaporate cannot cool you, and the condensing steam also adds heat to your skin.
The same thing happens on a smaller scale in a sauna. For example, 165°F with steady löyly can feel more intense than 190°F with dry air. Our guide how hot should a sauna be explains how temperature, steam and bench height work together.
Is a sauna or steam room better?
Neither is better for everyone. Choose a sauna if you like hot, dry air with steam when you want it. Choose a steam room if you prefer gentler air temperatures and constant, heavy moisture. Most people decide by feel, so try both at a gym or spa first.
- A sauna suits you if you like a crisp, hot room, the smell of cedar, and control over the steam with a ladle.
- A steam room suits you if you find dry heat uncomfortable and enjoy a warm, misty room.
- At home, the question is different: where it can stand, what it needs, and how much upkeep you accept. The next section covers that.
Sauna or steam room at home: which is easier?
For most homes, a sauna is easier. It needs no water line or floor drain, and outdoor models stand in the yard on a level base. A steam room needs waterproof construction, plumbing, a drain and a steam generator, so it usually ends up inside, often as part of a bathroom remodel.
What a backyard sauna needs
- A level base: a gravel pad, pavers or a concrete slab.
- A heater: electric on a dedicated 240V circuit, or wood-burning with no power at all.
- A permit check with your building department.
In 4 steps
How to set up a backyard sauna
- Step 01Pick the spotLevel ground, a clear delivery path, and room to open the door. Check setbacks with your building department.
- Step 02Build the baseA gravel pad, pavers or a concrete slab, sized a little larger than the sauna footprint.
- Step 03Choose the heaterElectric on a dedicated 240V circuit (electrician needed), or wood-burning with no power at all.
- Step 04Assemble and seasonKits go together in a day or two. Run the first heat cycle with the door open to air the wood.
Read where to put a barrel sauna for placement, and indoor vs outdoor sauna if you are still deciding on the location.
What a steam room needs
- A sealed, waterproof enclosure with a vapor-tight door.
- A water supply and a floor drain.
- A steam generator with access for service.
- Ventilation, so the room can dry out after use.
We do not sell steam rooms or steam generators. For a steam room, talk to a local contractor about waterproofing and plumbing.
What does a sauna cost compared with a steam room?
Steam room costs depend on the remodel, so we cannot give a fair number. For a sauna, here is what the outdoor models in our shop cost today (sauna only; you choose the heater separately for the Canadian Timber kits):
| Sauna | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Timber MiniPOD | Cedar pod kit, 4 people | $5,956.50 |
| Canadian Timber Harmony | Cedar barrel kit, 4 people | $5,976.50 |
| Canadian Timber Luna | Rounded cabin kit, electric only | $7,391.50 |
| Canadian Timber Avalon | Cabin kit, three bench tiers | $11,344.50 |
| Sweaty Yeti Sauna | Finished sauna house with heater, 4 to 6 people | $29,700 |
Heaters run from $1,211 for the Harvia KIP to $3,956 for the WiFi Huum DROP, and the wood-burning TimberGlow 14 costs from $2,339. For the full budget with base, electrician and running costs, read how much an outdoor sauna costs.
Can a sauna give you steam too?
Yes. In a traditional sauna, you pour water on the hot stones to make steam whenever you want it. A heater with plenty of stone gives softer, longer steam. For instance, the Homecraft Revive (from $2,986) and the TimberGlow 14 each hold 200 lbs of rock.
All you need is a bucket and ladle, such as our cedar bucket and ladle ($64) or the Starter package ($98), which adds a thermometer. However, a sauna never becomes a steam room: the steam fades as the stones cool, and the room dries out again. Only use water on heaters built for it, and follow the heater manual.
What about health benefits?
Both are mainly used to relax and warm up. When it comes to dry heat versus wet heat, a Cleveland Clinic doctor says there is no clear indication that one is better than the other. We do not make health claims. Talk to your doctor before using either if you have a heart condition, blood pressure issues, are pregnant or have another health concern.
Safety tips for both
- Drink water before and after, and skip alcohol.
- Keep the first rounds short, and leave right away if you feel dizzy or unwell.
- Cool off between rounds, then rest.
- Follow the posted rules in a gym or spa.
New to the heat? Read how to use a sauna and how long to stay in a sauna.
Sauna vs steam room: FAQ
Should you go in the steam room or sauna first?
There is no fixed rule, so it comes down to preference. Many people start with the gentler steam room and finish in the sauna. Either way, cool off and drink water between the two.
Is a steam room hotter than a sauna?
No, the air in a steam room is cooler, about 110 to 120°F versus 150 to 195°F in a sauna. It can feel hotter, though, because sweat cannot evaporate in saturated air.
Is a sauna or steam room better after a workout?
Both are popular after exercise. Drink water first, cool down a little, and keep the round short.
Does a sauna or steam room help you lose weight?
The weight you lose while sweating is water, not fat, and it comes back when you drink. Neither replaces exercise or a healthy diet.
Can you put a steam room outdoors?
It is possible but rare, because the room needs waterproofing, a drain, plumbing and protection for the generator. A backyard sauna is the more common choice, and you still get steam from the stones.
Which is easier to keep clean?
Usually a sauna. Leave the door open after use so the wood dries, and wipe the benches. A steam room needs regular cleaning of grout, glass, seals and the drain, and the generator needs descaling. See our cedar sauna care guide.
Find your sauna
If you want heat and steam in your own backyard, browse outdoor saunas and sauna heaters, or compare shapes in barrel vs cabin sauna. Thinking about a hot tub instead? Read sauna vs hot tub. Questions? Call +1 (307) 309-8328.