Last Updated on April 13, 2021 Steam Showers have grown in popularity recently and for good reason. Having a steam shower in the home can be like having your own spa treatment without leaving the comfort of your own home.
Not only are steam showers soothing and relaxing, they also offer several benefits to your overall health and wellness. A steam shower is a great alternative to a sauna after a long day at the office, or after a tough workout.
On top of helping you to relax, steam showers can also help clear congested sinuses, benefit the skin, and improve circulation. All of these are more reasons to install a steam shower in your home.
In order to build a steam shower in your home, You will need to purchase a steam shower generator. The steam generator is the unit that heats the water up to the proper temperature to create the steam. The steam then runs through your shower system and is emitted through the steam head, which almost immediately fills your shower with hot, relaxing steam. So when you’re on the market for a new steam generator, shouldn’t you choose the best steam shower generator available?
When choosing which steam shower generator will be right for your home, there are several things to take into consideration before buying. The size of your steam shower will correlate with what size steam shower generator you need. Some generators have different functions, features and capabilities. The heating elements can also vary on different models of steam generators. Below are some different models and options to help you decide which generator is right for you.
Our Choices
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases | Learn More | Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Best Steam Shower Generator
Elite Steam 10 Kilowatt Luxury Home Steam Shower System
This EliteSteam Unit is manufactured by Steamist, which is a trusted brand, and made in the U.S.A. This model uses quality components to ensure that your generator runs smoothly. This generator is built to last and is backed up by a warranty.
This model is built to be small and compact so that it can fit in whatever space you have available near your steam shower. (15x6x15.5 inches) This makes it a good option for those who have limited space to build their steam shower.
The Elite Steam is available in 3 different finishes: polished chrome, polished nickel, and brushed chrome.
The Elite Steam is fairly simple to install and comes with thorough home installation instructions. The company also offers amazing installation support via email, chat or telephone.
Superior 12 kW Self-Draining Steam Bath Generator
This self-draining steam generator has waterproof programmable controls, as well as 2 chrome steam outlets. It also has a temperature sensor as well as a special aromatherapy outlet, so you can use your favorite essential oils in your steam bath.
The control panel for this model can be installed inside OR outside of your shower room. This gives you the options to have the controls located right in front of you while using your steam shower.
The unit comes with a chrome steam head, and the control panel is basic and simple to operate.
There is also not a high flow rate required for this unit, The unit will hold less than 3 gallons of water total, so there is no need for excessive water pressure, and the steam builds quickly.
EliteSteam 15 kW Luxury Home Steam Shower System
This model is also manufactured by Steamist, so you know you will be getting a quality product built by a respected company based in the U.S.A. With Steamist products, you also get the benefit of a warranty.
This unit is similar to other EliteSteam generators, but this unit has 15 KiloWatts, making it an ideal steam generator for a larger shower space.
The EliteSteam is made using a stainless steel tank, and also comes in 3 options of finish: polished chrome, polished nickel, and brushed chrome.
This shower steam generator is 25.7 x 18.1 x 10.5 inches. This is a good high-capacity steam unit that will start to fill your shower with steam in a matter of minutes.
Happybuy Steam Shower Generator, 9 kW w/ Programmable Controller
This Happybuy steam generator is a basic model. It is 9 kilowatts, making it good for smaller steam showers.
This generator has a temperature range of 95-131 degrees fahrenheit. The temperature is adjustable, as well as the time of the steam shower, and can run up to 60 minutes.
This Happybuy steam generator also has a LED digital display for temperature and time of your shower.
This is a great basic option for your home. It is simple to use and is fairly compact. The only thing that could be considered a downside to this unit is that it must be manually drained after each use. Some higher-end steam generators have self-draining capability.
Super Steam Generator DeLuxe
This superior steam generator by Steam Planet is available in different sizes so that you can find the right size generator to accommodate your home steam shower. It is available in 6 kW, 9 kW, or 12 kW.
It is supplied with a single chrome steam head, and also contains a special aromatherapy outlet so that you can use your favorite aromatherapy scents while enjoying your steam shower.
This generator comes with a temperature sensor, a digital controller, and a control panel which can be mounted inside or outside of the steam room.
The Super Steam DeLuxe is also self-draining, giving you one less thing to deal with after enjoying a nice relaxing steam shower. It runs quietly, and produces steam quickly, so that you can be relaxing in just a few minutes.
CGoldenwall 6 kW Steam Generator
This little steam generator by CGoldenwall is both easy to install and easy to operate. It is built with dual-tank technology, which gets the steam flowing very quickly.
This generator has LED digital temperature display and light system controls. The time and temperature are adjustable, and can run up to an hour.
Although this generator must be manually drained, the company does offer an upgraded self-draining generator for just a bit more money. It’s up to you if the extra money is worth not having to drain the generator after use.
Boasting easy installation and consistent results, customers have nothing but good things to say about this model.
Mophorn Steam Generator 9 kW
This Mophorn 9 kW steam generator is a fairly basic unit, but still has everything you need to build a steam shower in your home. It features adjustable time and temperature, long-distance signal transmission, as well as light system controls.
This unit has over-high temperature protection, to ensure that your steam shower does not get unbearably hot, and also has a high pressure protection system, which will keep your tank from expanding if your steam head becomes blocked. These safety features can give you peace of mind while enjoying your steam shower.
If you’re looking to set up a steam shower in your home, but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, this steam generator is a quality product without the hefty price tag. This machine DOES, however, require manual drainage.
ThermaSol Pro-395 Pro Series Steam Shower Generator
This Pro Series Steam Generator by Thermasol is a quality steam shower generator with patented technology. This unit has FastStart(™) technology, which puts out steam in a matter of seconds, rather than minutes. It also has patented whisper-quiet operation and is one of the most quiet running machines on the market.
Another great feature of this steam generator is that it features an automatic power flush inner tank cleaning system. This keeps the generator clean, in turn making it run more efficiently. This also means less upkeep for you.
The Thermasol generator can also be plumbed up to 50 feet away from the actual steam shower. This gives you more options for placement during installation, especially if you have minimal room in the shower area, it can be installed in a nearby closet, bedroom, etc.
On top of this being a high-quality steam generator with patented technology, the Pro-395 also comes with a lifetime factory warranty and a 3-year in-home warranty. If you’re looking to make your steam shower the feature of your bathroom, this is a good choice for you.
CGoldenwall 6 kW Commercial Self-Draining Steam Generator Shower System
This is another steam generator by CGoldenwall, which offers several similar features to other models, at a mid-range price.
This steam generator was designed to be both easy to install and easy to operate. This unit has a waterproof touch controller, easy to read LED display to show time and temperature, and allows you to set for auto-shutoff.
The CGoldenwall also has the overheat protection feature, so you can rest assured that you won’t have scalding hot temperatures. With ease of operation, safety features, and the ability to produce steam in 3-5 minutes, this is a quality generator that gets great reviews from customers. This unit also has a self-draining feature.
Steamist Premium 10 kW Home Steam Shower Generator
This is yet another reliable steam shower generator made here in the U.S. by Steamist. Steamist is a trusted brand with a solid reputation and they offer a 2-year warranty on their generators. The warranty alone might be enough to convince some customers to choose this brand.
In addition to the warranty, this steamist steam generator is slim and compact, making it easy to install anywhere that might be convenient. (underneath benches, hallway closets, or other small hidden spaces.)
This generator features an “instamist” function for on-demand steam, as well as a steady steam function for a more gentle, continuous flow of steam.
This unit comes with the steam generator only, and control units must be purchased separately. Take this into consideration if you are looking for a “package deal” that comes with everything you need for setup and installation.
What To Look For When Buying A Steam Shower Generator
If you’re considering putting a steam shower in your home, you’ve probably already considered the therapeutic benefits as well as the health benefits that a steam shower can bring. What you may not have thought of yet is what to look for when buying a generator. Here are a few ideas of what to take into consideration before investing your time and money in a steam shower.
How Big Will Your Steam Shower Be?
You may have noticed by now that different steam generators all have different amounts of kilowatts. This has a direct effect on how much steam the unit can generate, and how large of an area that the generator will be able to fill.
The first thing you will want to do is to determine the cubic footage of your steam shower enclosure. This can be done by measuring and multiplying the length x width x height of your steam room. Finding the total cubic footage will help you to determine how many kilowatts your generator must be. Here is a basic breakdown of how much area each size generator can fill :
- 7 kW Steam shower Generator: 101-250 Cubic Ft.
- 10 kW Steam shower Generator: 251-450 Cubic Ft.
- 12 kW Steam shower Generator: 451-550 Cubic Ft.
- 15 kW Steam shower Generator: 551-675 Cubic Ft.
Different Styles And Colors
When looking for a steam shower generator, you will notice that there are not very many different options available as far as “looks” go.
Most generators look fairly similar to one another. Style and color of your steam generator shouldn’t really be an issue, because the generator is meant to be installed in a hidden area, such as under a bench, inside a nearby closet, etc.
Don’t spend too much time trying to find a nice looking steam shower generator, because chances are once it is installed, you will rarely see it.
Noise
All steam shower generators are not created equal. Some generators can be rather loud, and produce a number of annoying sounds.
If noise is something you want to avoid, there are a number of shower steam generators that are designed to run more quietly.
The best way to find a nice, quiet steam shower generator is to do some research. Read up on the product description page, and look online for reviews from other customers.
Price & Warranty
As you can imagine, you can find shower steam generators on both ends of the price spectrum. You can spend anywhere from $100 up into the thousands of dollars.
The price differences will be related to brand name, quality, size, components, and features. The more spendy units are self-draining and made with quality components and fittings, where many of the cheaper models you will find must be manually drained after each use.
As a general rule, the larger the steam shower generator, the higher the price will go. This correlates directly with the size of your steam room and how much steam you need your generator to produce for you.
Some other features that the more expensive steam generators may have can include digital LED time/temperature displays, remote control, lights, and music features, as well as built-in aromatherapy options. How far you want to go with features is up to you.
You may also want to take warranties into consideration. Some brands offer an appealing warranty on their pricier models. As with any other piece of working equipment, your steam shower generator will be doing a lot of work, and will eventually need maintenance or even replaced. You may want to choose a steam generator that has at least a 1-year warranty.
The most important thing when buying a steam generator is to buy one that has the correct amount of power to fill your steam room efficiently. Once you get the size of your generator figured out, then you can move on to exploring different features and different models.
Steam Shower Generator FAQ
How do I clean my steam shower generator?
A: Some steam generators come with an auto-cleaning system, that can be used to flush out your system with the push of a button. Even if Your unit does have this feature, you will still want to take apart your generator and manually clean it once in a while.
Make sure your generator is powered off and has cooled down. You can then drain the unit, take off the entry panel to the unit, and manually scrub the inside with a household cleaner or vinegar. You may need to use a screwdriver, or other scraping tool to scrape away calcium buildup.
How do I install my steam shower generator?
A: The first thing you will need to do is decide where your steam generator will go. Keep in mind it must be near a power supply, as well as close to water hookups. Keep in mind that your steam shower must be sealed to keep the steam trapped inside.
The steam shower will need to be tied into your existing plumbing. You will also need to run a wire from your home breaker box to the generator. Steam generators will require their own dedicated circuit breaker to operate. This will keep your breakers from tripping. You will need to hook up the drain outlet, as well as the steam head to the inside of your shower.
Be sure to follow all manufacturer installation instructions, and go step by step. If you are uneasy about hooking your generator up yourself, you can always hire a professional to help.
What size steam shower generator do I need?
A: To find the proper generator size, you will first need to take some measurements of your steam shower and find the adjusted cubic footage. Once you have found this number, you can find the proper amount of kilowatts your generator will need to fill your steam room.
The tiles, glass, and materials used inside your steam shower can also have an effect on how your steam generator will perform. There are several tools available online to help you size your generator for your steam shower. Here is a link to a handy sizing tool.
Should I buy a steam shower generator kit?
A: If you are intimidated by the idea of building your own steam room, finding the right generator, and figuring out how to hook everything up on your own, a steam shower kit might be a good option for you.
These kits come with the actual enclosed shower unit, which you can install inside your home. On top of already having the steam shower space built, these kits also come with everything you need to get your steam shower up and running in little time.
Although kits may be a more expensive route, they can take a lot of the guesswork out of setting up your steam shower. If you’re looking for a way to buy everything you need at once, and not have to completely gut your bathroom, this could be the best option for you. Here is an example of a steam shower “kit.”
Conclusion
Because of the many health benefits and relaxing effects that steam showers have, many people are starting to add steam showers to their homes. Whether you use a steam shower to relax your muscles after a workout, or if you just need to unwind after a stressful day at work, having a steam shower in your home can be of great benefit to your health and state of mind.
With more and more models becoming available for residential use, steam showers in the home are gaining popularity. Now that you have a basic understanding of what a shower steam shower generator is, and how it works, you’re ready to start planning the perfect steam shower for your home.