If you want to enjoy the therapeutic luxury of the small indoor sauna in your home, chances are you are well into doing a little research.  By now, you are curious about what exactly makes the sauna and the steam room different. While the sauna packs the heat with low humidity, the steam room is quite the opposite. 

Which option will give me more bang for my buck?

While the sauna and steam room share many of the same benefits, one of these options is less expensive with more customization options. To give you a transparent idea of the difference between the two, here is more information on the small indoor sauna vs the steam room and the pros and cons of both.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SMALL INDOOR SAUNA AND THE STEAM ROOM 

While both the traditional sauna and the steam room are heated by steam, they provide a different type of heat. Here are the specifics on how they differ:

THE SAUNA

Saunas produce dry heat and have low humidity. 

The temperature is usually 180 - 195 degrees Fahrenheit.

Traditional saunas use a sauna heater and sauna rocks to increase temperature.

Infrared saunas use infrared heat rays to directly heat the body and increase core temperature.

For example, one of the best indoor sauna kits on the market is The Almost Heaven Logan Indoor Sauna. 

THE STEAM ROOM 

• Steam rooms use generators and boiling water to make steam.
• They give off lots of humidity. They often have a high humidity level of 100%.
• The temperature is usually 100 - 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• They are also referred to as steam baths. 
• For example, steam room users may opt to redefine their steam bath experience with the  Steamcore Pro-Series by Saunacore.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE SAUNA & STEAM ROOM

Both the sauna and the steam room provide many of the same health benefits. From improved circulatory function to being able to breathe better, the list seems endless.  Here are a few ways your body will benefit from them:

BETTER CIRCULATION

Your cardiovascular system benefits from both the sauna and the steam room. Not only will your circulation get better, but you will have lower blood pressure. Your heart health will improve. Broken skin tissue will heal easier as well.

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

While relaxing in your session, whether it’s a steam room or sauna, your body releases a hormone - aldosterone. This helps with regulating your blood pressure. As you bask in therapeutic bliss, your blood pressure will decrease. This is why your body feels so relaxed afterward.  

LOWER STRESS LEVELS 

As you enjoy your sauna or steam room, your body will produce less cortisol. This hormone is responsible for regulating your body’s stress levels. As your cortisol levels lower, your body feels more relaxed. Overall, this has a tremendous effect on your mind and focus. 

LESS CONGESTION

While you relish in your moments of relaxation, the heat warms your mucous membrane. In turn, you will notice that you can breathe deeper. If you are dealing with sinus or lung congestion, heat therapy is perfect.  Countless studies show that respiratory infections heal quicker when treated with steam therapy. 

IMPROVED SKIN HEALTH

During your therapeutic getaway, your pores will open as you begin to sweat. Dirt, debris, and dead skin cells get trapped beneath and on the surface of your skin. They lead to skin inflammation and breakouts. When you perspire, your body flushes them away and clears your skin.

THE PROS AND CONS

While the steam room and sauna boost your body’s health in incredible ways, they host a separate set of individual benefits. Here is a better look at the pros and cons of both. 

PROS OF THE SAUNA 

• Indoor sauna cost is less expensive.  
• They are amazing for gradually detoxing your body from harmful chemicals. 
• Saunas are great for cleaning your skin by way of sweat. 
• Your circulation will improve as you relax.
• Having a sauna makes keeping up with proper maintenance much easier. 
• The resale value of your home will increase.
• You will sleep longer and deeper.
• Installation is quick and painless.
• If you are sensitive to humidity, the sauna is a better choice.
• You have the option of choosing between a traditional sauna for steam therapy or an infrared sauna for direct body heat. You can even choose both with a hybrid sauna. 

CONS OF THE SAUNA

• No matter where you put it, the sauna will take up some of your home’s interior space.
• Children and women who are expecting should not use the sauna. 
• If overused, the sauna can cause short-term male infertility.
• The sauna only reduces water weight. 
• They can be uncomfortable for those who have heat sensitivity.

PROS OF THE STEAM ROOM 

• They are safer than using steam therapy from a humidifier. 
• Steam rooms eliminate the possibility of scalding. 
• If you suffer from heat sensitivity, the steam room is better. The humidity makes your body feel hotter even though the temperature is cooler compared to the sauna. 
• They also work well for cleaning your skin through perspiration. 
• This option works better for treating dry skin. 
• You can turn the steam room into a shower experience.
• They also increase the resale value of your home.

CONS OF THE STEAM ROOM 

• Relaxing for longer than 15 minutes can cause dehydration. 
• If not properly sanitized, steam rooms can hold bacteria. 
• The heat does not reach a temperature hot enough to kill germs. In fact, germs and bacteria might increase due to the heat. 
• The steam room cannot aid with serious health conditions. 
• You cannot use this option if you are pregnant, healing from surgery, or have an immune deficiency. 
• They do not work for detoxification purposes. 

WHICH IS BETTER - SAUNA OR STEAM ROOM?

While both the sauna and the steam room share the same health benefits, the sauna is a better option for your home overall. There are 3 main reasons why this decision will benefit you in the long run: 

1. If you choose to install a sauna in your home, regular maintenance and upkeep are simple and easy. Steam rooms require more attention.  
2. While the sauna helps kill viruses, the temperature in the steam room is not hot enough to kill germs. The steam room can be highly unsanitary if not properly cleaned. 
3. Small indoor sauna kits are more affordable than the steam room option. 

SUMMARY

The sauna and the steam room both share many health benefits. They both have key differences as well.  By choosing a sauna, you have the option of opting for bursts of steam with a traditional version. You can also directly heat your body with an infrared sauna. If you choose, you can even enjoy the luxury of both with a hybrid sauna. 

Simply put, steam baths can carry lots of germs. On the contrary, maintaining a sauna after each therapeutic session is as simple as using warm water and a soft cloth. Placing a sauna in your home can also help you detox your body from harmful chemicals. Take a second to compare and contrast different indoor sauna models to find the one that is perfect for your needs.