Portable Steam Sauna vs Infrared Sauna: Which Should You Buy

Portable saunas are perfect for developing a home wellness routine, but if you decide to buy a portable sauna tent, you will have to choose between the two heating types – portable steam sauna vs infrared sauna. For a lot of people, this could be a tough choice as it will significantly affect their sauna experience.

While both types offer the same health benefits, they achieve this in a different way, so the type of sauna does play a large role in shaping your overall experience. 

In this guide, we will focus on the practical differences between portable steam sauna vs infrared sauna, and break down how each type feels, and who they suit best.

Difference Between Portable Steam Sauna vs Infrared Sauna

At first glance, the differences between a portable steam sauna and an infrared sauna may seem quite minor, but they do matter. The biggest one, of course, is the type of heat, with the former offering humid heat and the latter dry heat.

A portable steam sauna is closer to the authentic sauna experience as it provides humid heat. It usually consists of a foldable tent coupled with an external steam generator. The unit heats up water and pumps hot vapor into the tent, creating a warm, steamy environment. 

Unlike steam saunas and steam rooms, portable infrared saunas use heating panels that are built into the tent. As such, they do not generate steam to warm up the environment, but instead they emit heat that targets the user’s body directly with the so-called dry heat. Their infrared light penetrates the skin and goes deeper into the body. 

This is why infrared saunas can help with muscle and joint recovery faster, even while producing lower heat and generally a less overwhelming experience.

Heat and Effectiveness

As mentioned before, the biggest difference between these two types of portable saunas is how the heat feels on the body.

As the name suggests, portable steam saunas produce steam to heat up the environment. As a result, the environment is humid, and it feels hot immediately when you enter. The moisture in the air also makes the heat feel more intense. With the combination of high heat and moisture in the air around you, you will start sweating almost right away, similar to a traditional steam sauna.

Then, there are infrared portable saunas that use infrared heaters to produce dry, radiant heat. Apart from the tent form, they can also come in the form of an infrared blanket.

Heat from infrared panels is built more slowly, and it generally feels gentler, making it an easier option for beginners or those who don’t like heavy humidity. You will still sweat, but these saunas typically take a bit longer to produce that effect.

In the end, both types will cause you to sweat and can enable sauna benefits, but they differ in intensity and comfort, so make your choice based on that.

Comfort and User Experience

Another big factor when deciding between steam saunas, which are more traditional and infrared saunas, is comfort.

A steam sauna feels like traditional Finnish saunas – more immersive, with the tent filled with warm, steamy air. If you are a fan of traditional steam saunas and steam therapy, this is a big reason to go for the steam version. The downside, however, is that the steam can feel heavy, especially if you go for longer sessions.

In comparison, infrared saunas provide a very different experience. With them, the air remains dry, and the heat starts building up more gradually around your body. This makes it easier to breathe, and it makes the session feel less overwhelming. Users of infrared saunas also enjoy the benefits that traditional steam saunas provide – they just deliver them in a different way. 

This is why you can’t base your decision on the raw specs alone. For example, some people love the air filled with steam and find infrared saunas too mild, while others cannot stand the humidity of them, and would be better off trying out the dry sauna experience.

Benefits and Best Use Cases

When it comes to the benefits of the two types of sauna, both steam and infrared saunas can provide the same core perks that people who use a home sauna are after. They let you sweat, help you relax, and aid muscle and joint recovery. However, when picking the one to buy and use, you should consider which experience is a better match for your goals.

For example, a portable steam sauna for your home is better for those who want a traditional sauna experience. Thanks to the fact that you are entering a steamy tent with higher heat, you will start sweating faster. Furthermore, the vapor helps with skin hydration, allowing it to improve skin health. It is also a good option if you prefer the humid environment and want to have shorter sessions.

Unlike traditional and portable steam saunas, infrared types are better for relaxation, as there is no heat and humidity, which might make the experience uncomfortable for some users. In other words, pick this option if you are sensitive to steam heat.

It is also considered a better option for those seeking faster muscle and joint recovery, as direct heat from the panels in the tent penetrates skin and goes deeper into the body, affecting your muscles directly and faster.

Plus, thanks to slower heating and lower temperatures of infrared technology, you can have longer and more comfortable sessions.

Both types will help improve your circulation and general heart health, and if you use them before bed, they could also help you fall asleep more easily and improve your overall sleep quality. Note that they are not miracle devices, so they should not be used as a cure or treatment for injuries or illnesses, but they can help a little bit with relaxing and recovering from exercise or a hard day at work.

Setup, Maintenance, and Long-Term Value

Finally, when choosing between an infrared vs steam sauna, consider practical benefits, such as setup time, maintenance, and their long-term value. 

Note right away that a steam sauna requires a bit more effort when it comes to upkeep. That is because its steam generator needs to be filled with water before every session, and there is usually more cleanup once you are done, because of the moisture. On top of that, it also has a few more moving parts, such as the mentioned generator, hoses, frame, and zippers – each of which could get broken or malfunction and be a potential point of failure.

In comparison, an infrared sauna is simpler, with most models being plug-and-go. They have fewer components since the heat panels are built into the tent, so all you need to do is plug it in and hop inside.

In terms of price, steam versions are typically cheaper, going from $80 to $250, depending if you want a cheap or a mid-range model. Meanwhile, infrared saunas tend to sit between $150 and $600, making them a bit more serious investment.

Which One Should You Buy?

The goal of this comparison is not to say which of the two types of portable sauna is better, because the answer is that neither is objectively better than the other. They are simply doing the same thing in different ways. As such, it is up to each user to pick the version that suits their needs and preferences.

With that said, choose a portable steam sauna if:

• You want the closest thing to a traditional sauna feel
• You enjoy humidity and heat
• You want faster and heavier sweating during shorter sessions
• You don’t mind spending a bit more time on setup and cleanup

Alternatively, choose an infrared sauna if:

• You want greater convenience
• You prefer dry heat without humidity
• You wish to experience longer and more comfortable sessions
• You want to use it for relaxation and recovery

FAQ

Conclusion

When comparing a portable steam sauna vs infrared sauna, there is no universal winner. There are only two types of saunas, where one is a better fit with one group of users, and the other might be better for users looking for a different experience.

In other words, if you want a “better” one, that depends on your heat preferences, comfort level, and similar details. Their individual specs are important, of course, but the experience itself is what decides which is a better option for each user.

In short, if you want something similar to the traditional experience, go with steam. If you want convenience, dry heat, and less maintenance, infrared is a better fit. 

If you’re still having trouble deciding, explore our guides to the best portable steam and infrared saunas.