Steam Shower Glossary: 20 Terms to Know Before You Shop

Shopping for your first steam shower means reading product pages full of unfamiliar terms. This glossary explains the 20 terms you’re most likely to see, in plain English so that you can compare models with confidence.

The core parts

1. Steam generator
   The engine of a steam shower. It’s a small, enclosed unit that heats water into steam and pipes it into the cabin. The generator’s size determines how quickly and how evenly the cabin fills with steam. Learn more in How to Choose a Steam Shower Generator.
2. KW rating
   Kilowatts (kW) measure a steam generator’s power. A higher kW rating produces more steam and suits a larger cabin. Most residential units fall between 3kW and 6kW. The right rating depends on cabin size and materials.
3. Enclosure
   The complete walled structure of the steam shower: walls, ceiling, base, and door. A steam shower must be fully enclosed, including a ceiling, so the steam stays inside.
4. Cabin
   Another word for the interior of the enclosure, where you sit or stand during a session.
5. Acrylic base
   The molded floor (or shower pan) of most prefab steam showers. Acrylic is durable, non-porous, and easy to clean.
6. Tempered glass
   Heat-treated safety glass used for doors and panels. It is several times stronger than standard glass and breaks into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards.
7. Steam outlet
   The small fitting, usually low on the wall or under the seat, where steam enters the cabin. It gets hot, so it’s always positioned away from where your feet and legs rest.
8. Control panel
   The digital keypad inside the cabin used to set temperature, time, lighting, audio and other features.

Water features

1. Rain head
   A large, overhead shower head that releases water in a gentle, rain-like flow.
2. Body jets
   Small nozzles set into the walls that spray water at your back and shoulders for a massage-like effect.
3. Handheld sprayer
   A detachable shower head on a hose, useful for rinsing off, cleaning the cabin, or rinsing children and pets.

Comfort and wellness features

1. Chromotherapy
   Colored LED lighting designed to influence mood. Many people use cool colors to relax and warm colors to energize. See our chromotherapy guide.
2. Aromatherapy reservoir
   A small cup or compartment near the steam outlet where you add essential oils, so the steam carries their scent. See our aromatherapy guide.
3. Built-in seat
   A molded or fold-down bench inside the cabin. Sitting is the most comfortable way to enjoy a full session.
4. Bluetooth / FM audioBuilt-in speakers that stream music or podcasts from your phone, or play radio, during a session.
   

Hygiene and convenience features

1. Ozone sterilization
   A feature that releases a small amount of ozone into the cabin after use to help reduce bacteria and odors. The ozone is available on most models.
2. Auto-drain
   A feature that automatically empties the water left in the steam generator after each session. This helps reduce mineral buildup and extends the generator’s life. All models have the auto-drain feature.
3. Auto shut-off
   A safety feature that turns the steam off automatically when the timer ends or if the generator detects a problem.

Types of steam showers

1. Steam shower tub combo
   A unit that combines a full bathtub with an enclosed steam shower, ideal if you don’t want to give up your tub. Browse tub combos.
2. Prefab vs. custom steam shower
   A prefab steam shower arrives as a complete kit with enclosure, generator, and controls. A custom steam shower is built on site with tile, a vapor barrier, and a separately installed generator. Prefab units are usually faster and less expensive to install. Read Should I Build or Buy a Steam Shower?

Frequently Asked Questions

What does kW mean on a steam generator?

kW (kilowatts) measures how much power the steam generator uses, which determines how much steam it can produce. Larger cabins need higher-kW generators to fill with steam quickly and evenly. The right rating depends on the size of the enclosure and the materials it’s made from.

What is ozone sterilization in a steam shower?

Ozone sterilization is a hygiene feature that releases a small amount of ozone into the cabin after a session to help reduce bacteria and odors. It’s an optional feature on some models and works alongside regular cleaning, not as a replacement.

What’s the difference between a steam shower and a steam room?

A steam room is usually a larger, custom-built room used only for steam, like those in spas and gyms. A steam shower is a shower enclosure with a steam generator, so it works as both a regular shower and a steam room in a much smaller space.

What is a steam shower tub combo?

A steam shower tub combo is a single unit that includes a full-size bathtub inside an enclosed steam shower. It lets you soak, shower, and steam in one footprint, which makes it a popular choice for bathrooms where the tub is the only bathing fixture.

Still have questions?

Our team can translate any spec sheet into plain English. Call 800.791.8232 or browse all steam showers.