Sauna vs Steam Room: What's Actually Different

Sauna and steam room get lumped together as "the hot room at the gym", but they work in genuinely different ways.

How the heat is delivered

A steam room uses moist heat, usually around 40-45°C with high humidity, generated by boiling water. An infrared sauna uses dry radiant heat that warms your body directly rather than heating the air around you, which is why infrared cabins can feel comfortable at lower air temperatures than a traditional sauna.

What each is better suited for

Steam rooms are often better for respiratory relief and skin hydration thanks to the humidity. Infrared saunas are generally associated with deeper tissue warming, and many people find the lower, drier heat easier to tolerate for longer sessions.

Home setup: why infrared wins for most people

Steam rooms need plumbing and ventilation that make them impractical for most homes. Infrared saunas like the Cove Indoor Infrared Sauna just need a power point and a bit of floor space, which is why they're the more realistic option for home recovery setups.

Explore the range in our Infrared Saunas collection.