Steam shower controls
A steam shower control is where you start the steam and set the temperature, and the steam head is the fitting where that steam enters the shower. This guide compares every control and steam head in our ThermaSol and Mr. Steam configurators, then sets each manufacturer's placement rules side by side.
Quick answer: For the largest touchscreen of either brand, choose ThermaSol's ThermaTouch2 15; for steam only, ThermaSol's MicroTouch or Mr. Steam's iTempo or TempoTouch; for a control Mr. Steam calls wireless, its battery-powered TempoFlex; for a phone app, Mr. Steam's SteamLinx; for Wi-Fi and Alexa, the ThermaTouch2. ThermaSol's controls go inside the shower, 60 inches from the floor to the center; Mr. Steam's go inside, 4 to 5 feet above the floor, or outside with a remote temperature probe (part MSTS) installed inside the steam room. Steam heads go 24 inches above the floor (ThermaSol SteamVection) or 6 to 12 inches (Mr. Steam).
What a steam shower control and steam head do
The generator makes the steam outside the shower (both brands' manuals say never to install it inside the steam room), and a steam line carries it to the steam head, the fitting on the shower wall where it enters the room. The control turns the generator on and off and sets the temperature; in the words of ThermaSol's FAQ, "Set your temperature and duration using the controller."
Mr. Steam's controls also read the room temperature: its manuals say the control "features an integral temperature sensor" and must not sit above or near the steam head or direct steam. A Mr. Steam control mounted outside the steam room needs a remote temperature probe (part MSTS); both Mr. Steam manuals say the probe "must be installed inside the steam room." ThermaSol lists an integrated temperature sensor for its MicroTouch.
Both brands sell the control separately from the generator. Each Mr. Steam control comes with a steam head in the same finish and, Mr. Steam says, is compatible with every Mr. Steam generator. ThermaSol lists a SteamVection kit as included with the PRO Series III, and its installation manual lists a "Steamhead Housing and Cable Kit" among the parts enclosed with the generator. Sizing the generator is a separate step: see our guide to the best steam shower generators or our steam shower generator size calculator.
ThermaSol controls
Our configurator on each PRO Series III page offers three ThermaSol control families in seven versions. ThermaSol describes the MicroTouch as "a steam-only control" that operates FastStart and Auto PowerFlush.
| Control | Versions and size | What it controls | Profiles | Connectivity | Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThermaTouch2 | 15 (15.875 × 10.0 in), 10 (10.75 × 7.5 in) or 7 (8.8 × 6.125 in) | Steam, water, lighting, audio and more | Two user profiles plus a guest setting | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (pairs with HydroVive), Alexa | 15; the 7 in black trim only |
| SignaTouch | Wall mount (5.8 × 4.00 in) or recessed (6.625 × 3.75 in) | Steam, audio, chromatherapy and lighting | Two user profiles | Bluetooth when paired with HydroVive, Serenity Advanced or Serenity Essential rainheads | 15; recessed in black trim only |
| MicroTouch | Round wall mount (3 × 3 in) or recessed square (3.75 × 3.75 in) | Steam only, with a built-in 45-minute timer | Recalls the previous steam temperature | None listed | 15 |
Cutouts, mud rings and power
ThermaSol lists a wall cutout of 7.5 × 5.5 inches for the ThermaTouch2 7 and 10 × 6.625 inches for the 10 and 15 (width by height, 3.5 inches deep), with at least 3.5 inches of clearance around all sides of the mud ring cutout. The recessed SignaTouch needs a 5.7 × 3.9 inch cutout at 1 inch depth; the wall-mount version needs a 1.5-inch through-hole for the cable. The ThermaTouch2 also includes a Power Distribution Module (PDM) that requires 110 VAC power.
The 60-inch rule
ThermaSol's pages for all three families say the control "must be installed inside the shower and mounted 60 inches from the floor to the center of the controller," and its manual adds: as far as possible from the steam head, and as close as practical to where the user will be sitting. ThermaSol recommends running the 50-foot control cable, supplied with the generator, through electrical conduit, never wrapped around the steam line. Our ThermaSol steam generator buying guide covers the generators.
Mr. Steam controls
Mr. Steam's current controls are the iSteamX, the iTempo (round or square), the TempoFlex and the TempoTouch. Mr. Steam lists each as compatible with all of its generators, each comes with a steam head, and all four come in 13 finishes.
| Control | Screen or interface | Adjusts | Presets or profiles | App and audio | Connection and power | Face, shape or trim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iSteamX | 7 in touchscreen | Session time, temperature and clock | Custom profiles | Bluetooth; Mr. Steam's 2023 planning guide adds Wi-Fi streaming apps, which need the Audio@Home system with speakers for sound | Control cable to the generator | Black or white face |
| iTempo | 2 in | Session time and temperature | None listed | SteamLinx module and app | Control cable to the generator | Round or square |
| TempoFlex | 2.75 in | Time (2 to 60 minutes) and temperature (80 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit) | Two user presets | None listed | Rechargeable battery, or wired for constant power; the MAX manual still lists a 30 ft or 60 ft control cable for it | Black or white glass face |
| TempoTouch | Capacitive touch: a center button and a temperature arc | Temperature only (80 to 120 degrees) | None listed | None listed | Hard-wired to the generator | Aluminum bezel |
Where Mr. Steam controls can go
Mr. Steam's manuals say its controls can be installed inside or outside the steam room "as a matter of personal preference."
Our Mr. Steam steam generator buying guide covers the MS, MS Super and MAX generators.
Know which control you want?
Tell us your shower's dimensions and the control and steam head you prefer, and we will reply with a quote.
Get PricingSteam heads from both brands
ThermaSol's SteamVection has a built-in aromatherapy well, and every Mr. Steam steam head has an aroma oil reservoir. The mounting rules for each are in the table under where they go.
ThermaSol steam heads
Mr. Steam steam heads
Each Mr. Steam steam head has an aroma oil reservoir, comes in 13 finishes and comes standard in the finish of its control:
Mr. Steam's MAX generators need two or more steam heads, which the MAX manual says should be spaced evenly through the steam room. Because each control comes with one steam head, our MAX quotes add a second one in the same style and finish.
Aroma wells and essential oils
Both manufacturers say not to add oil while the steam is on, and Mr. Steam also says never to add it to a hot steam head.
For more on oils, see our essential oils guide.
Where the control and steam head go
Most of these positions are fixed at rough-in, before the walls are finished.
| Placement rule | ThermaSol | Mr. Steam |
|---|---|---|
| Control location | Inside the shower | Inside or outside the steam room; outside needs a remote temperature probe (part MSTS) installed inside |
| Control height | 60 inches from the floor to the center of the control, as close as practical to where the user sits | 4 to 5 feet above the floor near the bather seating area, on a vertical wall (control inside) |
| Control and steam head | As far as possible from the steam head | Not above or near the steam head or direct steam |
| Control cable | 50 ft supplied; conduit recommended; never wrapped around the steam line | 30 ft standard, 60 ft maximum; dedicated 1 inch conduit, away from power lines and hot pipes |
| Steam head height | SteamVection 24 inches above the floor or tub rim; No-Touch 12 inches above the floor | 6 to 12 inches above the floor; 6 inches above the top edge of a tub |
| Corners and walls | At least 6 inches from all corners | Not within 12 inches of a wall (to reduce noise) |
| Seating and bathers | Not beneath seating or benches; as far as possible from where the bather sits or stands | Where a bather cannot touch the steam head or direct steam by accident |
| Door seals and wall cavity | Housing sealed to the wall so vapor or water cannot get behind it | Direct steam kept off door seals; sealant around the pipe for a moisture seal |
| Orientation | SteamVection mounted facing up, so the aroma well can dispense steam | Flush with the wall, oil well facing up |
Acrylic or fiberglass walls. ThermaSol says acrylic walls must be steam rated by their manufacturer and that it only recommends specific generators for acrylic modules. Mr. Steam says to ask the enclosure's supplier where the steam head should go and to use its Acrylic Shield.
Both manufacturers call for licensed electricians and plumbers. Our steam shower installation requirements guide covers the rest of the installation.
App and smart-home control
Here is what each manufacturer lists for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, app and voice control.
ThermaSol
ThermaSol's FAQ adds that its systems are compatible with voice assistants like Alexa and with smart home platforms.
Mr. Steam
How to choose a control
Match the control to the need:
To compare the generators, see our ThermaSol vs Mr. Steam comparison.
Choosing them in our configurator
Sauna Republic is an authorized dealer of both ThermaSol and Mr. Steam. On every ThermaSol PRO Series III and Mr. Steam generator page, our configurator lets you choose the control, steam head, finish and add-ons, then sends the build to us for a quote.
Plan add-ons before the tile goes up
Add-ons that wire back to the generator are easier to include before the walls are tiled; adding them later means opening the wall again. Mr. Steam's MAX manual says some options and accessories "require special plumbing, electrical or space accommodations," and both Mr. Steam manuals call for a 90-degree tee in the steam piping if the AromaSteam system will be installed.
Frequently asked questions
Can a steam shower control be installed outside the shower?
With Mr. Steam, yes, with a remote temperature probe (part MSTS) installed inside the steam room, which both Mr. Steam manuals require when the control is outside. ThermaSol says its controls must be installed inside the shower.
How high should a steam shower control panel be mounted?
ThermaSol: 60 inches from the floor to the center of the control. Mr. Steam, inside the steam room: 4 to 5 feet above the floor near the bather seating area, on a vertical wall.
How long can the control cable be?
ThermaSol supplies a 50-foot control cable with the PRO Series III. Mr. Steam's standard cable is 30 feet, and a 60-foot special order cable is the maximum.
Can I start my steam shower from my phone?
With Mr. Steam, yes, through the SteamLinx Wi-Fi module and its mobile app. ThermaSol's ThermaTouch2 is Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with Alexa, and ThermaSol describes activating the shower remotely.
How high should the steam head be installed?
ThermaSol: the SteamVection 24 inches above the floor or tub rim and the No-Touch 12 inches above the floor, each at least 6 inches from all corners. Mr. Steam: 6 to 12 inches above the floor (6 inches above the top edge of a tub), not within 12 inches of a wall.
Can I put essential oils in the steam head?
Yes, in the aroma well of the SteamVection or a Mr. Steam steam head, but never while the steam is on or the steam head is hot: Mr. Steam says to add drops to an unheated steam head before turning the steam on, and ThermaSol says not to touch or go near the steam head until 1 hour after the unit shuts off. Mr. Steam's manuals also say to use only Mr. Steam AromaSteam essential oils in its AromaSteam steam head.
Request a quote for your steam shower build
Send your configurator build or your shower's dimensions, and we will reply with a quote.
Request pricingBrowse all steam shower generators; each ThermaSol PRO Series III and Mr. Steam product page includes the configurator.
ThermaSol, Mr. Steam and the product and feature names in this guide are trademarks of their respective owners.
