Types of sauna: dry, steam, wood-fired and infrared
Compare electric, wood-fired, steam, infrared and smoke saunas. Learn what changes in the bathing experience and the build, and why a dry sauna can have steam.
A sauna can be dry, Finnish and electric at the same time. It can also be Finnish and wood-fired. The confusion starts when traditions, energy sources and ways of heating the body are listed as though they were mutually exclusive choices.
Whether you are choosing somewhere to bathe or planning a build, separate two questions: how is the heat produced, and what experience does the room offer? “Dry or steam?” is a different comparison from “electric or wood-fired?”.
The main types of sauna
Four formats commonly appear under the sauna label. This table compares heating systems, not countries of origin.
| Format | Where the heat comes from | What to consider before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Electric sauna with stones | Electricity heats the assembly | Do you want stone-based bathing with electric controls? |
| Wood-fired sauna | Combustion heats the stone assembly | Is a fire part of the experience you want? |
| Steam room, sometimes called a steam sauna | A generator supplies steam to the room | Do you prefer sustained humidity? |
| Infrared cabin | Emitters provide radiant heat | Do you want heat without the water-on-stones ritual? |
Technical sources are the Finnish Sauna Society on heaters and manufacturer Harvia on steam systems and infrared. The final column is our editorial guidance for choosing, not a quality ranking.
Dry or Finnish sauna: can it have steam?
Yes. Löyly is the steam released when water meets hot stones. It belongs to Finnish bathing culture. “Dry” does not necessarily mean “no water”: the room can receive waves of steam without becoming a continuously humid steam room. The Finnish Sauna Society explains the custom.
When visiting, ask whether bathers may pour water on the stones or whether staff handle it. The name on the door does not replace the instructions for that heater or consideration for other bathers.
Electric sauna: stones without burning wood
Electric heaters use heating elements and temperature controls. They can also produce löyly when designed for water to be poured on the stones. As a technical example, Harvia’s documentation for The Wall Combi describes this use even with its additional steaming function switched off.
For a build, this is an option to consider when you want a stone-based sauna without a combustion source. The room still needs a design. Harvia advises accounting for glazing, dimensions and power supply before installation, with professional electrical work. See its sauna design guide.
When comparing venues, do not dismiss a sauna because it is electric. Visit the room: the heater label alone tells you little about how comfortable the bath will be.
Wood-fired sauna: making room for the fire
In a wood-fired sauna with a chimney, combustion smoke leaves through the flue. Some heaters keep burning during bathing; others store heat beforehand. The Finnish Sauna Society’s classification distinguishes between them.
If you are designing a space, treat the fire as a decision to make from the start, not an accessory to add later. Ask your designer to assess heater placement and the smoke outlet before you settle on a floor plan. For a visit, find out whether watching the fire is actually part of the experience: “wood-fired” does not guarantee that bathers can see the firebox.
Steam room: a different room and a different build
A steam room has its own generator. Its construction needs to handle water and condensation: waterproofing, drainage and suitable surfaces are part of the system. In Harvia’s technical guide, the generator sits outside the room in a dry, ventilated location.
Look beyond the finishes. Ask for a quote covering the complete room, including where the equipment will go. Replacing wood with tiles is not enough to turn a stone-based sauna into a steam room.
Infrared sauna: heat without löyly
In an infrared-only cabin, emitters heat the body directly through radiation, without needing stones to produce steam. Hybrid saunas combine emitters with a traditional heater. Harvia distinguishes these two solutions.
If pouring water on stones and sharing that moment with other people is what appeals to you, check what the cabin offers. “Infrared” does not describe the same experience. Equally, a photo of wooden benches does not reveal which system is installed.
Smoke sauna: not just any wood-fired sauna
A smoke sauna has no chimney: smoke passes through the room during heating. UNESCO recognizes the smoke sauna tradition of Võromaa, Estonia, which includes communal bathing and knowledge passed between generations.
This does not mean bathing while breathing smoke. The Finnish Sauna Society stresses extinguishing the embers and clearing the smoke before bathing, with particular attention to carbon monoxide. This tradition requires specific expertise, not an improvised conversion of a wood-fired room.
How to choose without getting lost in the names
For a visit, look for a description of the experience: will there be water on stones, continuous steam, a visible fire or emitters alone? Check clothing, quiet hours and shared-room etiquette too. An equipment list does not tell you what the bath will be like.
For a build, write down what you want to offer first. Then commission a design assessment for that system and that property. Compare proposals for the same experience, not just prices for heaters that deliver different things.
This comparison covers formats. For first-session advice, benefits and precautions, read our sauna guide. If you are considering a project, the next step is understanding what goes into the cost of building a bathhouse. To try a few before deciding, explore the Bathhouse map.