I love the steam room or sauna at a hotel or gym, but only when I’m there alone. For me, sitting in a small, windowless room, sweating and sweltering among half-naked strangers, was not a relaxing experience. But as a Health editor for 12 years, I know all about the benefits of heat therapy, from relieving headaches and arthritis pain to helping muscles recover from workouts and reducing anxiety and stress. Mayo Clinic research shows that saunas and steam rooms can also lower blood pressure, improve lung function (especially in people with asthma or sinus problems), and reduce the risk of heart disease (heat dilates blood vessels, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure).
Sure, it would be ideal to have a traditional wooden steam room or sauna at home, but if you’re like me, the chances of you owning one are about as slim as having a Bentley parked in your driveway—basically zero. That’s why, when a public relations rep introduced me to the HoMedics SaunaZen, I was so intrigued. It’s a portable steam sauna that weighs 13.7 pounds and costs less than $150. (Disclaimer: Saunas use dry heat, while steam rooms use wet heat. Manufacturers and others mistakenly call these products saunas because they use boiling water to heat them.)
I quickly discovered that fold-up steam saunas are all the rage right now, which probably explains why they’re one of the most popular products in the homes I’ve reviewed. My husband, two sons, daughter, and son-in-law have all been so excited to spend time in the tent that I recently joked that I might have to send out sign-up sheets. Everyone loves a steam sauna for different reasons: My sons and I use one after exercising, my daughter loves it to moisturize her skin and hair, and my husband jokes that it eases the pain of his arthritis and gives him a place to escape from the rest of us.
The Homedic Portable Steam Sauna sets up in less than two minutes and provides up to an hour of steaming. It’s affordable and allows you to replicate this popular spa experience in the comfort of your own home. Plus, it folds up for easy storage.
The pop-up tent unfolds like a laundry basket and stands 4 feet 10 inches tall, and the manufacturer claims it can accommodate people up to 6 feet 5 inches tall (my son-in-law is 6 feet 1 and fits in it very comfortably). The kit includes four pieces: the tent (made from three types of fabric, including waterproof oxford for moisture protection, synthetic cotton for insulation, and a waterproof linen outer layer), a steamer (to hold water), a hose (covered in the same quilted fabric as the tent), and a folding chair. The chair is rated for 275 pounds, but it doesn’t have a lock, so it feels a little flimsy.
Assembly is a breeze, taking less than two minutes. Just open the tent, place a towel inside (to absorb excess moisture), and fill the steamer to the highest point (listen for a click to ensure the lid is secure). “You can use hot or cold water—hot water produces steam faster,” said Daniel Kaufman, director of corporate strategy for FKA Brands, the parent company of Homedics. He noted that adding essential oils to the water is not recommended, as some essential oils can be corrosive to the steamer. “But you can bring a bowl of essential oils into the tent, which will diffuse the scent and enhance your sauna experience.” Next, connect one end of the hose to the steamer’s port and the other end to the tent’s inlet. Plug the steamer into a 120-volt AC outlet, set the timer (I usually set mine for 15 minutes), and you’re good to go.
Unless I need to transport the steam sauna, I leave it fully assembled. Disassembly is also easy—let it cool for 30 minutes, remove the hose, and empty and rinse the tank. Be sure to wipe up any water or sweat stains on the tent and chairs to prevent mold (for a deeper clean, mix warm water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio). When I’m not using the sauna, I keep the door open to allow air circulation. Kaufman also recommends leaving the door ajar or opening a window for extra ventilation. The steam sauna comes with two storage bags: one for the tent and one for the chair, which is convenient for storing under a bed or in a closet.
The sauna has two-way doors and zipped windows, and a bag behind the window to store water bottles or mobile phones. Once plugged in, a green light comes on to indicate that the unit is plugged in and ready to use, but the water will not heat up until the timer starts. Once the timer starts, a red light comes on to indicate that the unit is heating up and producing steam. The timer knob can be set for a maximum of 60 minutes, and also functions as an on/off button. When the water runs out or the knob is returned to the 0 position, the unit automatically switches off. The unit takes about 15 minutes to generate steam, and the steam output time is not adjustable (you can unzip the zipper to let in cool air to reduce the temperature).
When you’re ready to enter the tent, simply open the door, sit down, and close it. The manufacturer claims the unit can reach 115°F and 100% humidity. I grabbed a food thermometer and found that the vapor temperature stayed at 111°F for most of the fifteen minutes I was there. I continued driving with a full tank—it emptied after 58 minutes and, as promised, automatically shut off.
I use the steam sauna twice a week and find that the steam is the perfect temperature—not blindingly hot, but hot enough to feel like I’m in a steam bath. I stay in the tent for a maximum of 15 minutes, while my family prefers to stay longer. “The length of time you stay in the tent depends on your comfort level, but it’s generally recommended to stay in the steam sauna for no more than 20 minutes,” says Alexis Young, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. “Research shows that using a steam sauna one to three times a week can provide the most health benefits.”
Once you step out of the tent, you’ll be soaking wet and, as my son Luke likes to say, “feeling completely clean.” (“Some toxins are eliminated through sweat, including certain medications, heavy metals, and metabolic byproducts like sodium, chloride, and urea,” says Dr. Young. “However, the organs primarily responsible for removing toxins from the body are the liver and kidneys.”) That’s when you’ll be thankful you’re home and can head straight for the shower. Dr. Young says this is a must after the steam bath. “To cool the body, sweat evaporates, causing water loss through the skin,” she says. “It’s important to get rid of the sweat quickly and apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp to help retain moisture.”
You may be wondering, can you use a steam sauna outdoors? The answer is yes, says Kaufman. “Always bring it indoors after each use, as the steam chamber is not waterproof, and remember that any drop in temperature outside will affect the internal temperature of the tent,” he says.
If you suffer from claustrophobia, sitting in a small zip-up tent may cause you to react, but my husband, who also suffers from the disorder, said it didn’t affect him because the interior zippers on the doors and windows were easy to close, and because the windows and fabric were light, light could shine through.
The first time I used a steam sauna, I burned my skin by getting my hand too close to the interior vent, located just under the floor. I quickly learned that you should never put your hands or feet near the opening of the hose (this is why children need close supervision). “Be sure to face the window so that your back is facing the interior vent,” Kaufman advises.
Some may not like that there is only one steam setting and that the maximum temperature is 115°F, but I have no issues with either setting.
While a chair is a good option, it has no back and may be uncomfortable if you like to spend a lot of time in the tent. You can bring your own chair, but sitting on the floor is not recommended as it is too close to the steam jets.
The SaunaBox Smart Steam Kit Pro costs twice as much, but it offers better temperature control and a more premium look thanks to a durable fiberglass frame and ThermoShield insulation, and its components are BPA- and microplastic-free. Plus, all materials are Oeko-Tex certified. The steam reaches up to 130°F (about 61°C) and has seven heat settings. The kit also includes a machine-washable desiccant (which absorbs excess moisture), a microfiber towel, a one-month subscription to the BetterHelp app, a seat with a backrest, a carrying case, and a two-year warranty. The company recently released the SaunaBox GQ, a two-person sauna for $549 that can be connected to an app that allows users to turn on the unit remotely.
The Costway Portable Steam Sauna is ideal for those with claustrophobia, as it has a hole in the top so you can watch TV (or hang out with your kids) while enjoying the steam. Included are nine timer settings (from 15 to 90 minutes), nine adjustable heat levels (up to 149°F), an herb box, a foot roller, an absorbent mat, and a 198-pound reclining chair (like the one you see on the soccer field where your kid plays).
The compact Vevor portable steam sauna with black and orange tubes is similar in shape to the Homedics model, but costs less and comes with nine steam temperature settings that can be adjusted via remote control, an absorbent oxford cloth mat, plastic footrests, a chair with backrest and a storage bag.
I find there’s nothing better to end the day than sitting in this steam sauna with the lights dimmed and Alexa playing spa music in the background. I love that it forces me to do nothing – it’s truly the only time of day when there are no distractions, and I always leave the sauna in a better mood than when I arrived. This feeling of well-being and calm often carries over into the night, helping me sleep better.
Most people benefit from a steam sauna, but some people should avoid it: people with blood pressure problems (either high or low), pregnant women, and people with heart disease (including a recent heart attack, serious valve problems, or abnormal heart rhythms). “If you have any medical conditions, be sure to consult your doctor before using a steam sauna, and be sure to drink plenty of water during your session to avoid dehydration, which can cause dizziness and fainting,” Dr. Young said.
You can purchase a logo and credits license for this article here. Disclosure: This story was written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We feature products and services that might interest you. If you buy it, we may earn a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive free products from manufacturers for testing. This does not influence our decision about whether to feature or recommend a product. We operate independently from the advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Please email reviews@businessinsider.com.