Quick answer: a dry sauna keeps humidity low and relies on hot air or infrared heat. A wet sauna is a traditional sauna where you pour water over the hot stones to raise the humidity for a few moments. In most home saunas, "wet" and "dry" are two ways of using the same cabin, not two separate products.
What Is a Dry Sauna?
A dry sauna has low humidity. Two common types fit this description. A traditional sauna heated by an electric heater and stones, used without adding water, runs hot and dry. An infrared sauna warms your body directly with infrared panels and usually runs at a lower air temperature, so the air stays dry as well. Our sauna temperature guide lists typical ranges for each type.
What Is a Wet Sauna?
People use "wet sauna" in two ways. Most often it means a traditional sauna where water is thrown on the heated stones. The water turns to steam, the humidity rises briefly, and the heat feels more intense on your skin. In Finnish sauna culture this steam is called löyly. The air temperature on the thermostat does not change, but the room feels hotter for a minute or two until the steam clears.
The second meaning is a steam room, which is a sealed, waterproof enclosure fed by a steam generator. That is a different build from a wood-lined sauna, and we compare the two in our sauna vs steam room guide.
Wet vs Dry Sauna: Side by Side
| Dry sauna | Wet sauna (water on stones) | Steam room | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humidity | Low | Low, with short bursts of steam | Near 100% |
| Heat source | Electric or wood heater, or infrared panels | Heater with stones | Steam generator |
| Typical air temperature | About 150°F to 195°F traditional; about 120°F to 140°F infrared | Same as traditional | About 110°F to 120°F |
| Construction | Wood-lined cabin | Wood-lined cabin | Waterproof enclosure |
Which Feels Better?
It comes down to preference. Some people find dry heat easier to breathe and prefer to stay a little longer. Others like adding water to the stones because the steam makes the heat feel stronger and more enveloping. Because a traditional sauna lets you choose, many owners add water a few ladles at a time and stop when it feels right.
Can an Infrared Sauna Be Wet?
No. Infrared saunas are designed to stay dry, and pouring water on an infrared heater would be unsafe. If you want the option of steam, you need a traditional sauna with a heater and stones. Our infrared vs traditional sauna comparison covers the other differences.
Choosing a Sauna for Wet or Dry Use
If you want to switch between wet and dry, look for a traditional model sold as wet/dry and check the product page and manual before adding water. Some traditional saunas are listed as dry-only, so do not assume every model is built for steam. Browse indoor traditional saunas or outdoor traditional saunas and filter by what the listing says. If you would rather have steam without a wood cabin, see our steam showers.
Using Water on the Stones Safely
- Add a small amount of water at a time with a ladle; do not flood the stones.
- Use plain water unless the heater manufacturer says otherwise.
- Keep sessions short, stay hydrated and leave if you feel dizzy or unwell.
- Follow the manual for your heater and sauna model.
For session lengths and who should check with a doctor first, read how long to stay in a sauna.
