+43 1 997 28 98
Mo–Th 10–5 & Fr 10–3
Hours: Mo–Th 10AM – 5PM & Fr 10AM – 3PM
Steam shower or sauna: Which one is really right for you?
In short:
Whether a steam shower or a sauna is a better fit depends on your space, budget, and health: A steam shower uses moist heat at around 45 °C, saves space, and can be used as a regular shower. A Finnish sauna reaches 80–100 °C, has more scientific backing, but requires its own cabin and uses more electricity.
You’re faced with a question: steam shower or sauna—which is the better choice for your home? Both promise relaxation after work, but they work in fundamentally different ways. One envelops you in warm, moist mist; the other in dry heat at high temperatures. Which option is right for you depends on your space, budget, health, and the level of maintenance you’re willing to handle.
This guide compares both systems step by step—with specific figures on temperature, electricity consumption, and space requirements, rather than general statements like “both are healthy.” This way, you can ultimately make an informed decision about whether a steam shower or a sauna is the right fit for your bathroom or home.
First things first: There is no objectively “better” solution. There’s only the one that fits your everyday life. That’s exactly why we’re providing you with the facts here.
What exactly is a steam shower—and what is a sauna?
At its core, a steam shower is an enclosed shower stall with a built-in steam generator. You press a button, the generator heats water, and fills the stall with warm mist. What makes it special is that you can also use the same stall as a regular shower without the steam (ktipp.ch). Two functions in one space—that’s what makes it particularly appealing for small bathrooms.
A sauna, on the other hand, is a wooden cabin with a Sauna Heater that heats the entire room. In a classic Finnish sauna, temperatures typically range between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius (Apotheken Umschau). The air is very dry; humidity rises only briefly when water is poured onto the stones.
Humid Heat vs. Dry Heat
The key difference is the environment. The steam shower uses moist heat at around 45 degrees and nearly 100 percent humidity. The sauna uses dry heat at 80 to 100 degrees. Both methods make you sweat, but they affect your circulation to varying degrees.
In a hot sauna, your body really works hard: During a sauna session at 80 degrees or higher for up to 15 minutes, your skin temperature rises by about ten degrees and your core body temperature by up to two degrees (FITBOOK). A mild steam shower provides a much gentler experience—a plus if you don’t tolerate heat well.
Steam Shower vs. Sauna: A Direct Comparison
To help you see the differences at a glance, here’s a comparison of the key specifications.
| Criteria | Steam shower | Finnish Sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | approx. 45 °C | 80–100 °C |
| Humidity | nearly 100% | Very low (except for steam infusions) |
| Space Requirements | low, replaces the shower | Requires a dedicated room |
| Dual-Purpose Use | Yes, it can also be used as a regular shower | no |
| Power Consumption | moderate | 6–8 kW heater |
| Research Findings | thin | well-researched |
| Typical Uses | 1–2 times a week | 1–2 times a week |
The statistics on saunas are taken from the sources linked below (energie.web.de, Apotheken Umschau). The frequency of use is similar for both: Many steam shower owners use the steam function only once or twice a week, for example, to relax after exercising (ktipp.ch).
What Are the Operating Costs?—A Look at Electricity and Space
In terms of electricity consumption, the sauna clearly exceeds that of the steam shower. The average home Sauna Heater requires 6 to 8 kW; with two hours of use per week, this results in annual electricity costs of around 250 euros (energie.web.de). Insulation is key here: To ensure adequate thermal insulation, the wall thickness of a sauna cabin should not be less than 55 millimeters, as thinner walls allow heat to escape and thus waste energy (energie.web.de).
A steam shower heats only a small volume inside the cabin and is used much less frequently for long periods of time—so its ongoing energy consumption is correspondingly lower. Another cost advantage: It takes up less space than a whirlpool and replaces your existing shower at the same time (ktipp.ch).
Space Requirements and Installation
A sauna cabin requires its own dedicated space—in the basement, in a hobby room, or in the garden. A steam shower, on the other hand, can be installed wherever a shower is already located. It requires a water supply, a drain, and a suitable electrical outlet for the steam generator. In many bathrooms, it can be retrofitted as long as these connections are available or can be installed.
Health: What Is Actually Proven?
This is where the biggest gap lies in many comparative articles. The Finnish sauna has been studied much more extensively than the Steam bath. The well-known Finnish KIHD long-term study, analyzed by the Medical University of Innsbruck, collected data from 1,688 men and women over a 15-year period, during which 181 participants died from cardiovascular diseases (MedUni Innsbruck).
The results are clear: Sauna use four to seven times a week reduced cardiovascular mortality by up to 70 percent, while two to three visits per week reduced it by 29 percent (MedUni Innsbruck). To promote health benefits, the German Sauna Association recommends one to two visits per week to a Finnish sauna (90 degrees) with three to four sauna sessions each time—according to the association’s experts, a fourth session offers no proven additional benefit (FITBOOK).
At the same time, a sauna is not merely a source of well-being: A visit to the sauna initially places a strain on the body, and the popular myth of detoxification should be viewed with a critical eye (Apotheken Umschau). There are significantly fewer reliable studies on Steam bath Steam bath to date—anyone who reads concrete health claims about them should remain skeptical.
Statistics show just how widespread sauna use is: The German Sauna Association estimates that more than 30 million people—roughly one in three citizens—are regular sauna-goers (FITBOOK). The association describes itself as the world’s largest association in the sauna industry (German Sauna Association).
And what about the Infrared Cabin?
Many people also wonder: Infrared Cabin or sauna? Unlike a Finnish sauna, an Infrared Cabin Infrared Cabin does not heat the air in the room; instead, it warms the skin directly through infrared radiation—which places less strain on the body in comparison (Apotheken Umschau). However, benefits beyond the thermal effects—such as stimulation of the immune system—are considered unproven, as only a few studies have been conducted to date (Apotheken Umschau).
Which product is right for whom?
Not every option is suitable for everyone. The most important rule of thumb concerns the cardiovascular system: Neither infrared saunas nor steam showers are recommended for people with severe cardiovascular conditions. From a medical standpoint, however, there is no reason not to use them for joint problems such as osteoarthritis (ktipp.ch). If you have a pre-existing medical condition, consult your doctor before use—regardless of which system you choose.
- Whether you have a small bathroom or live in a rental apartment, the steam shower is a great choice because it replaces the regular shower and doesn’t require a separate shower stall.
- If you love intense heat and want the proven cardiovascular benefits, the Finnish sauna is the right choice for you.
- If you have trouble tolerating dry heat, the mild, humid climate of the steam shower is more comfortable.
- Sensitive airways: Many people find warm steam soothing—but this does not automatically prove that it has a healing effect.
Why buy a steam shower in the first place?
The steam shower combines two things in one space: daily showering and occasional steam baths. You don’t have to sacrifice a separate room; you can use existing plumbing connections and enjoy a gentle way to relax at home after a workout or a strenuous day at work. On the other hand, if you’re looking for dry, intense heat and the well-documented health benefits, a home sauna is a better choice.
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Care and Hygiene
One factor that many people overlook when making a purchase is crucial to the product’s lifespan: descaling. Our own experience with customers shows that many do not descale their steam showers—and this is precisely what leads to repeated complaints. The steam generator operates using heated water, and depending on water hardness, limescale builds up. Without regular descaling, performance declines, and the generator can be damaged.
So plan for maintenance right from the start:
- Descale your steam generator regularly—how often depends on your water hardness.
- Be sure to ventilate and dry the cabin thoroughly after using the Steam bath to prevent mold.
- Check the seals and drains.
Even a sauna needs maintenance: The wood should be kept dry, the benches should be cleaned, and the heater should be inspected regularly. The risk of mold is generally higher in humid heat—so proper ventilation is essential when using a steam shower.
Can the two be combined?
Yes—and that’s often the best solution, even though it’s frequently underestimated. A steam shower is a gentle way to get started that’s easy on your circulation before you head into the hot sauna. This allows your body to slowly adjust to the heat. After your sauna session, you can use the shower to cool down. So if you have the space and the budget, you don’t necessarily have to choose between a steam shower and a sauna.
A wellness provider’s product lineup offers the best of both worlds—from steam showers to Indoor Sauna Indoor Sauna and Sauna Heater Sauna Heater to Infrared Cabin Infrared Cabin. The key is to choose the system that fits your space, your daily routine, and your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a steam shower?
A steam shower is an enclosed shower stall with a built-in steam generator. At the push of a button, it fills with warm mist at around 45 degrees and nearly 100 percent humidity. Without steam, it functions as a regular shower, which makes it particularly space-saving.
What is the difference between a steam shower and a sauna?
The steam shower uses moist heat at 45 degrees, while the Finnish sauna uses dry heat between 80 and 100 degrees. In the sauna, your core body temperature rises by up to two degrees during a single session, so the experience is significantly more intense. The steam shower saves space and replaces the shower, whereas the sauna requires its own cabin.
How much does it cost to operate a steam shower compared to a sauna?
A Sauna Heater requires 6 to 8 kilowatts; with two hours of use per week, this results in approximately 250 euros in electricity costs per year. The steam shower heats only a small cabin volume and runs for shorter periods, so its energy consumption is lower.
Is a steam shower suitable for people with high blood pressure or heart problems?
Infrared saunas and steam showers are not recommended for people with severe cardiovascular conditions. However, from a medical standpoint, there is no reason not to use them for joint problems such as osteoarthritis. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consult your doctor before use.
Is it possible to retrofit a steam shower into a bathroom?
This is possible in many bathrooms if a water supply, drain, and a suitable electrical outlet for the steam generator are available or can be installed. Since the steam shower replaces your existing shower, you don’t need any additional space.
How do I properly clean a steam shower?
The most important thing is to descale the steam generator regularly, as heated water causes limescale buildup depending on the water hardness. If you don’t descale it, performance will decline and damage will often occur. Be sure to ventilate the cabin well after every Steam bath, dry it thoroughly, and check the seals and drains to prevent mold.
Sources
- energie.web.de – Sauna: Calculate Electricity Consumption
- Medical University of Innsbruck – myPoint: Updates from the Sauna Study
- Apotheken Umschau – Sauna: How the Body Benefits
- Apotheken Umschau – Infrared Cabins and Health
- FITBOOK – How to Use a Sauna Properly
- Deutscher Sauna-Bund e.V. – Saunas: Naturally Healthy
- ktipp.ch – A relaxing alternative to showers and saunas
- ktipp.ch – Infrared Sauna or Steam Shower?
Leave a comment