A Hot Place To ChillInfrared Sauna vs. Steam Room: Which Heat Is Right for You?
Written by: A Hot Place To Chill
Published Oct 30, 2026 · Updated Oct 30, 2026
Short answer: An infrared sauna gives you dry heat. Infrared heaters warm your body directly, and the air stays dry. A steam room gives you wet heat. The air is full of steam, so it feels thick and damp, even at a lower temperature. Neither one has been shown to be better for your health, so the right pick is the heat that feels best to you.
At our recovery studio in New Buffalo, Michigan, we offer dry heat: a private, full-spectrum infrared sauna. We don't have a steam room. This guide explains how the two compare, so you know what to expect before you go looking for heat this winter.
What does "heat therapy" mean?
"Heat therapy" is a broad term. It can mean a heating pad at home, a warm bath, a hot tub, a steam room, or a sauna. Researchers sort these by two things: how hot the air or water is, and how much moisture is in it (Laukkanen and Kunutsor, 2024).
That second part, the moisture, is the main difference between an infrared sauna and a steam room.
What is an infrared sauna?
An infrared sauna is a small room warmed by infrared heaters, with dry air inside. Mayo Clinic explains that a regular sauna heats the air, which then warms you. An infrared sauna "heats your body directly without warming the air around you" (Mayo Clinic).
Cleveland Clinic says infrared saunas usually run at about 110 to 135°F. Traditional saunas usually run much hotter, at about 150 to 195°F, with low humidity (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).
Mayo Clinic notes that an infrared sauna brings on sweating and a faster heart rate at lower temperatures than a regular sauna. That is why some people who can't stand the heat of a regular sauna prefer infrared.
What is a steam room?
A steam room is a closed room filled with steam. A research review describes steam baths as running at about 109°F (43°C), with the air holding all the moisture it can (Laukkanen and Kunutsor, 2024). You may also hear them called a Turkish bath or hammam.
The temperature is lower than most saunas, but the wet air changes how it feels. In very humid air, steam condenses on your skin and your sweat can't dry off as easily (Hussain and Cohen, 2018). So your skin stays wet the whole time.
Infrared sauna vs. steam room: side by side
| Infrared sauna | Steam room | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of heat | Dry | Wet (steam) |
| Typical temperature | About 110 to 135°F | About 109°F |
| Humidity | Dry air | Fully saturated with steam |
| How the air feels | Dry | Damp |
| How it warms you | Infrared heaters warm your body directly | Hot, wet air surrounds you |
| At our New Buffalo studio | Yes, 25 minutes, private room | Not offered |
Is a steam room or an infrared sauna better?
Neither has been shown to be better. A Cleveland Clinic doctor says there is no clear sign that wet heat or dry heat is the better choice (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).
Research on steam rooms is also thin. One review of sauna studies left steam rooms out on purpose. It said it is still unclear whether steam rooms affect the body the same way dry saunas do (Hussain and Cohen, 2018).
So choose by comfort:
- You like dry warmth and an easy breath? An infrared sauna is a good fit.
- You love damp, misty heat? A steam room may feel better to you.
- You don't like very hot rooms? Infrared runs cooler than a traditional sauna, and you can step out any time.
What is the infrared sauna like at A Hot Place To Chill?
Our Desert Heat infrared sauna is a full-spectrum sauna, so it uses all three kinds of infrared: near, mid, and far. The basics:
- Time: each session runs 25 minutes.
- Privacy: you get the room to yourself. It's usually one guest at a time.
- Heat: dry, never steamy. We don't have showers.
- What to wear: as much or as little as you like. We give you towels for the whole visit.
- Settings: you can choose from several, including one for relaxation. Ask our team and they'll help you choose.
Many guests report the sauna helps them relax and unwind. Some people find the warmth may help tight muscles feel looser, which is nice after a cold walk on the beach or a long drive.
Can I add other services to the sauna?
Yes. A full visit takes about an hour, so most guests pair the sauna with other services:
- Red light therapy. A 12-minute session in the Room 3 bed (3-wavelength), the Room 4 panel (4-wavelength), or the Room 5 bed (5-wavelength). Wear eye protection every session. See our red light therapy guide.
- Whole-body cryotherapy. Three minutes of very cold, dry air. You don't get wet, because it's not a plunge. After the sauna, towel off completely before you go in. See Sauna or cold first? for how to order hot and cold.
- Compression or the robotic massage chairs to sit back and rest.
First time at a studio like ours? Start with What is a recovery studio?
Who should check with a doctor first?
Check with your doctor before using any sauna or steam room if you:
- have heart disease, a heart rhythm problem, or very high or very low blood pressure
- have had a recent heart attack or stroke
- are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- have a nerve condition such as epilepsy, or a condition that makes you sensitive to heat
- take medicines that affect sweating, heart rate, or blood pressure
Cleveland Clinic lists these same kinds of reasons to talk with your doctor first, and says to skip the sauna if you have been drinking alcohol (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). Harvard Health gives the same advice for anyone with heart disease or high blood pressure that isn't under control (Harvard Health).
Stay safe in the heat: drink water before and after. Leave the heat as soon as you feel too hot, dizzy, or unwell. Stop and tell our team right away if you feel faint, weak, short of breath, or have chest pain. Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, or confusion.
How much does it cost?
The sauna is one of our core services, so you don't pay for it on its own. A Day Pass ($67) covers one visit with cold air, heat, light, and compression, about an hour. In town longer? The Week Pass is $99 and the Month Pass is $200. For locals, Monthly All Access is $175 a month, and Longevity Paid in Full is $1,750 a year. See every plan on our memberships and passes page.
Where can I find an infrared sauna near New Buffalo?
You'll find A Hot Place To Chill in Harbor Country at 400 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI 49117. Guests come over from Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Grand Beach, Long Beach, Michigan City, La Porte, and New Carlisle. Questions? Call us at (269) 612-8913.
We're open Monday 8:30 to 6, Tuesday 9 to 6, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 to 6, Friday 9 to 4, Saturday 8:30 to 3, and Sunday 10 to 2.
Ready to warm up? Start my visit →
FAQ
Is an infrared sauna the same as a steam room?
No. An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters and dry air. A steam room fills the air with steam, so it is very humid.
Which is hotter, a sauna or a steam room?
Saunas usually run hotter. Steam rooms run about 109°F, infrared saunas about 110 to 135°F, and traditional saunas about 150 to 195°F. In a steam room, the wet air also keeps your sweat from drying off your skin.
Is wet heat or dry heat better?
Neither has been shown to be better. Pick the one that feels most comfortable to you.
Do you have a steam room?
No. Our studio has a private, dry infrared sauna. There are no showers, and towels are provided.
How long is an infrared sauna session?
A session at our studio is 25 minutes. If you are new to heat, it is fine to step out early.
What should I wear in the infrared sauna?
As much or as little as you like. It is a private room, usually for one guest, and towels are provided.
Can I do the sauna and cryotherapy in the same visit?
Yes. A full visit takes about an hour, so there is time for the sauna plus cold air, red light, or compression. Towel off completely before you step into the cryotherapy chamber.
Visit us
A Hot Place To Chill
400 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Call (269) 612-8913
Hours: Mon 8:30–6 · Tue 9–6 · Wed 8:30–6 · Thu 8:30–6 · Fri 9–4 · Sat 8:30–3 · Sun 10–2
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic, 2024: Get Your Sweat On: The Benefits of a Sauna
- Mayo Clinic: Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?
- Laukkanen and Kunutsor, 2024: The multifaceted benefits of passive heat therapies
- Hussain and Cohen, 2018: Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing
- Harvard Health: Saunas and your health
This article is for general information about relaxation and recovery services. It is not medical advice.
Keep reading
- What Is Compression Therapy, and What Does a Session Feel Like?
- Sauna or Cold First? How to Do Hot and Cold in One Visit
- Stiff and Tired After the Drive to Harbor Country? An Easy Way to Reset
- What Is a Recovery Studio, and What Happens on a Visit?
- Your First Cryotherapy Session: What to Wear and What to Expect
- Is Whole-Body Cryotherapy OK for People Over 50?
- All Learn guides