By the Steam Room Hub UK Team · Updated May 2026 · Independent, reader-supported

Infrared Sauna vs Steam Room for Home Use: Which Is Better for UK Buyers?

If you're considering adding a sauna or steam room to your home, you've probably noticed these two options get mentioned in the same breath—yet they're fundamentally different experiences. Both can fit in a dedicated space or garden room, both cost a fair amount upfront, and both attract similar health claims online. But they operate differently, cost differently to run, and suit different homes. Here's what you actually need to know to make the right choice for your space and budget.

How They Work: Heat Type Makes All the Difference

The core difference is straightforward but important. A steam room heats water to create humid steam, which warms you through moisture and conduction. An infrared sauna uses infrared light waves—similar to sunlight—to heat your body directly, with far lower humidity.

In a steam room, the air temperature reaches 40–50°C, and the humidity hits near 100%. You feel hot because the moist air transfers heat to your skin. In an infrared sauna, the air temperature is typically 40–60°C, but the humidity stays low (10–30%). The infrared rays penetrate your skin slightly, warming you from within rather than just heating the surrounding air.

This distinction shapes everything that follows: maintenance demands, running costs, comfort preferences, and what kind of space you need.

Space and Installation Requirements

Steam rooms need more careful planning. They require:

• A sealed, tiled chamber (usually 1.5m × 1.5m minimum for a home unit)
• A steam generator housed separately, usually in an adjacent cupboard or loft space
• Excellent ventilation to prevent moisture damage to surrounding walls
• Proper drainage and waterproofing throughout
• Regular professional installation recommended

Most UK homes can accommodate a compact steam room, but you're looking at fitting one into a dedicated shower room or garden building. Retrofit installation into an existing bathroom is possible but messy and requires careful moisture management.

Infrared saunas are more flexible:

• Pre-built cabins arrive as self-contained units (typically 1.2m × 0.9m to 2m × 1.5m)
• They plug into a standard 13-amp socket or a dedicated circuit for larger models
• No special installation beyond a level floor and roof clearance
• Can sit indoors in a spare room, garage, or garden lodge
• Minimal ventilation required (just a small exhaust gap)

For most UK homes, an infrared sauna fits far more easily. You can even move it if you relocate.

Running Costs and Electricity Use

This is where the practical economics diverge significantly.

Infrared saunas are relatively cheap to operate. A typical 2-person unit draws 1.5–2.5 kW and runs for 30–45 minutes per session. At current UK electricity rates (around 24p per kWh), a single session costs roughly 18–30p. Running one four times a week costs around £3–5 monthly in electricity. These units warm up in 15–20 minutes and don't need to maintain temperature between uses.

Steam rooms are hungrier. A domestic steam generator typically draws 3–6 kW and maintains heat continuously or between sessions. A 30-minute session costs 20–35p in electricity, but you're also paying for constant standby power draw. Realistically, expect £8–15 monthly if you use it regularly. Some models can be switched off between sessions, but you're losing the convenience of stepping in whenever you want.

Over five years, an infrared sauna might cost £150–200 in running electricity, versus £400–700 for a steam room.

Health Considerations: What the Evidence Actually Shows

Both are popular for relaxation, and both have enthusiasts claiming various health benefits. Be cautious with claims you read online—medical research on home saunas is limited, and marketing websites often overstate things.

What's reasonable to expect:

Both create a relaxing, warm environment that many people find stress-relieving. Some evidence supports improved circulation and short-term muscle relaxation from heat therapy, particularly for people with stiff joints. However, neither is a medical treatment.

Neither is suitable if you're pregnant, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or certain heart conditions—consult your GP if in doubt.

Infrared's lower temperature and humidity suits people who dislike the intensity of traditional heat or have breathing sensitivities. Steam's moisture appeals to those with dry skin or respiratory comfort preferences.

Maintenance and Durability

Infrared saunas are low-maintenance. You wipe down the interior occasionally, check the heater elements (which last 5–10 years), and that's mostly it. The wooden cabin may need occasional varnish refreshing depending on humidity and location. Lifespan is typically 10–15 years with basic care.

Steam rooms demand more attention. Limescale builds up in generators (water hardness varies across the UK, but it's almost everywhere). You'll need descaling every 3–6 months—either DIY with citric acid or hiring a technician. Tiles need regular grout maintenance to prevent mold. Generators last 5–7 years before needing replacement. Overall maintenance cost is meaningfully higher.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose an infrared sauna if:

• You value simplicity and minimal maintenance
• Your space is limited or you're renting (within landlord permission)
• You want low running costs
• You prefer a lower-humidity heat experience
• You want it ready to use at short notice

Choose a steam room if:

• You have dedicated space and can handle tiling/waterproofing properly
• You enjoy humid heat (and your lungs prefer it)
• Ongoing maintenance doesn't put you off
• You want an authentic sauna experience
• You're willing to invest more upfront and in long-term running costs

Final Thoughts

For most UK homeowners, an infrared sauna wins on practicality. They're easier to install, far cheaper to run, require minimal maintenance, and deliver the relaxation most people are after. Steam rooms are excellent if you have the space, don't mind the upkeep, and specifically prefer humid heat—but they're genuinely more demanding long-term.

Visit Amazon UK to compare current models in both categories; you'll find budget options around £800–1200 for infrared and £1500–3000 for steam, with premium versions higher. Read owner reviews carefully—real feedback about noise, heating speed, and durability matters more than marketing claims.