Sauna vs Steam Room: Dry Heat vs Moist Heat

A sauna and a steam room both make you sweat, but they do it with very different heat. A sauna uses dry heat at high temperatures, while a steam room uses moist heat at lower temperatures but near-total humidity. Here is how they compare, and how to decide which suits you.

The core difference: dry heat vs moist heat

A sauna delivers dry heat, usually 150 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity, produced by an electric or wood-burning heater or by infrared elements that warm your body directly. A steam room delivers moist heat, typically a cooler 110 to 120 degrees but at close to 100 percent humidity from a steam generator. Because of that difference, the two feel distinct. The sauna feels noticeably hotter and the air is dry, so sweat evaporates. The steam room feels lower in temperature but wraps you in wet, heavy air, and sweat does not evaporate, so it feels constantly damp. Both raise your core temperature and make you sweat; they just take different routes. Saunas also carry the deeper research base, especially the long-term cardiovascular findings, while steam rooms are valued mainly for the soothing feel of moist heat.

Sauna vs steam room at a glance

Factor	Sauna	Steam room
Heat type	Dry, low humidity	Moist, near 100% humidity
Temperature	About 150 to 195 F	About 110 to 120 F
Feel	Hot and dry	Cooler but wet and enveloping
Home install	Simpler, very common	Needs a sealed, waterproof room

Which should you choose?

Choose a sauna if you prefer dry heat, want the format with the strongest research base, and want a simpler home install. Choose a steam room if you love the feel of warm, moist air and find humidity soothing. For most homes, a dry sauna is the practical pick, and steam saunas bring moist heat in a more manageable format. Compare options in our sauna buying guide.

Safety note: Both raise your core temperature and heart rate. Keep sessions short, hydrate, and if you have a heart condition or are pregnant, check with a clinician first. See our sauna safety guidelines. This page is educational and is not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a sauna and a steam room? A sauna uses dry heat at 150 to 195 F with low humidity; a steam room uses moist heat around 110 to 120 F at near 100 percent humidity. The sauna feels hotter and drier; the steam room feels cooler but wetter.

Is a sauna or a steam room better? It depends on preference. Saunas have the deeper research base and suit people who dislike humidity; steam rooms feel gentler and more soothing in moist air. For home use, dry saunas are far easier to install.

Can you get both in one? At home most people choose one, since steam rooms need a sealed enclosure. Steam saunas and portable options bring moist heat in a simpler format.

Exploring your options? Browse our steam saunas and traditional saunas, or see our cooler infrared saunas. As an authorized retailer we offer free US shipping, financing, and HSA and FSA eligible options.