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Mr. Steam Steam Generators, Controls, and Accessories Explained
When buying into a steam shower system, the generator is the foundation, but the controls and accessories are what shape the daily experience. Mr. Steam approaches this as an integrated product family, meaning each category is designed to work with the others. Whether the goal is a relaxing home steam shower or a high-end commercial spa, consistent build standards carry through the full lineup, from compact residential units to resort-scale installations.
Understanding what each product category covers helps you buy with confidence and avoid gaps in your installation.
Residential Steam Generators: The MS-E Series
The MS-E Series is Mr. Steam's core residential generator line. Units are built around a corrosion-resistant stainless-steel tank, industrial-grade heating elements, and an advanced microprocessor operating platform. Each generator is compact enough to install out of sight in a cabinet, closet, or under a bench, and can be positioned up to 60 feet from the steam room. All MS-E generators use less than two gallons of water during a 20-minute session, making them efficient for daily use. Controls are sold separately, giving buyers the flexibility to pair the right generator with the right interface.
Commercial Steam Generators: The CX Series
The CX Series is Mr. Steam's commercial and health club line, designed for steam rooms with higher volume and back-to-back usage demands. Every CX package includes the generator, CX Control, Commercial SteamHead, Condensation Pan, and a factory-installed AutoFlush System, covering rooms from 360 cubic feet up to 5,000 cubic feet. The series is engineered for quieter operation, ease of installation, and an advanced touch-screen control interface, making it well suited to gyms, hotels, and resort spa facilities.
Steam Shower Controls and Operating Packages
Controls are where the user experience lives. Mr. Steam offers several control interfaces that manage steam temperature, session duration, and optional features like aromatherapy and chromatherapy from a single panel. Buying a generator and control as a bundled operating package is the most common approach, as it ensures compatibility and includes the steamhead in the same order.
The range spans from the entry-level MSITEMPO digital control, which handles programmable temperature and time settings, through to the battery-powered AirTempo, which requires no cable run to the generator, mounts to virtually any wall including glass, and can be removed from its dock to pre-start a session from outside the enclosure. The iTempoPlus adds two programmable presets and direct compatibility with AromaSteam and ChromaSteam accessories. Pairing the right control to your generator matters because not all controls are compatible with all generator models, so confirming compatibility before purchase is worth the extra step.
Aromatherapy, Chromatherapy, and Steamhead Accessories
Beyond the core steam function, Mr. Steam offers accessories that address the sensory side of the experience. The AromaSteam system injects essential oil blends directly into the steam stream and is operated through the AirTempo, iSteam, and iTempo/Plus controls. The ChromaSteam-72 suffuses the enclosure with colour-changing LED lighting spanning the full spectrum, selectable directly from the control keypad. Steamheads are available in standard round and 16" linear formats, with multiple designer finishes to match existing bathroom hardware.
Maintenance and Installation Accessories
The catalogue also includes practical accessories that protect the investment over time. Inline water filters reduce mineral scale buildup inside the generator tank, which left unchecked shortens service intervals and affects steam output. A condensation pan, acrylic steamhead shield, and concentrated steam room cleaner round out the maintenance side of the range, keeping the enclosure and equipment performing as intended between service visits.
Who Mr. Steam Is Built For and How to Choose the Right Setup
Most buyers encounter the same challenge when researching steam showers. Generator specifications look straightforward until room volume, ceiling height, wall material, and personal preferences all pull the selection in different directions. Getting it wrong means a unit that cycles constantly, never reaches temperature, or underperforms for the space you built around it.
Residential Buyers: Home Wellness Without the Guesswork
If you are outfitting a primary bathroom or a dedicated home spa room, the selection criteria centre on enclosure size, wall materials, and usage frequency. Glass, tile, and natural stone all behave differently from a heat-retention standpoint, and that affects the generator output required before any other feature is considered. The control interface matters here too. Residential users typically want precise temperature settings, programmable schedules, and optional aromatherapy or chromatherapy integrations that turn a functional steam session into a daily ritual.
For buyers unsure of which output level fits their space, Mr. Steam publishes sizing guidance based on adjusted cubic footage, and the Norse Steam team can walk through the calculation using your room dimensions directly.
Commercial Buyers: Output, Durability, and Reliability Under Load
Commercial installations carry different stakes. A spa, gym, or hotel facility needs a generator that handles back-to-back sessions without recovery lag, built from components rated for sustained daily use. The CX Series addresses this with a factory-installed AutoFlush system that manages water quality automatically and a touch-screen control interface suited to operator environments. The selection process typically starts with a load calculation based on peak simultaneous usage, enclosure count, and local water quality. A water filter at the point of connection is a practical addition to any commercial installation and is worth factoring into the initial build.
Matching Controls and Accessories to Either Context
The generator is only part of a complete steam shower system. Steamheads, controls, and accessories like the AromaSteam and ChromaSteam determine how the experience actually feels during a session, and they need to match both the generator's capabilities and the user's preferences. Steamhead placement and quantity are also functional decisions, not purely aesthetic ones. Larger enclosures typically require multiple steamheads to distribute heat evenly and prevent cold spots near the entry. Working through those variables before purchase prevents the most common installation regrets.
Shop Mr. Steam at Norse Steam
Norse Steam carries the full Mr. Steam residential and commercial lineup, backed by a 100% Price Match Guarantee. If you find the same product advertised for less at an eligible competitor within six months of purchase, we will refund the difference. Free shipping is available on most orders to the contiguous US. See our full Shipping Policy for details.
If you have questions about sizing, compatibility, or which control package suits your setup, our team is available by phone, text or email. You can also take the Sauna Quiz for a guided recommendation before you browse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of products does Mr. Steam make?
Mr. Steam covers the full steam shower ecosystem. The lineup spans residential and commercial generators, control packages, AromaSteam systems, ChromaSteam lighting, steamheads, water filters, and maintenance products. Buying within a single ecosystem reduces compatibility issues and makes for a more consistent installation process.
Do I need a contractor to install a Mr. Steam system?
Generator installation typically requires a licensed electrician and, in most cases, a plumber for the steam outlet connection. Complexity scales with unit size and the controls selected. If you are working on a new construction or full bathroom renovation, integrating steam from the outset is significantly easier than retrofitting later.
How do I know which generator size is right for my space?
Generator sizing is based on the adjusted cubic footage of the steam enclosure, accounting for ceiling height, wall materials, and whether the space includes exterior walls or windows. Glass enclosures and stone tiles require more output to maintain temperature than smaller, well-insulated spaces. Mr. Steam publishes sizing guidance, and the Norse Steam team can walk through the calculation with you directly.
Can Mr. Steam controls be added or upgraded later?
In most cases, yes. Many generator models are compatible with a range of control interfaces, from the entry-level MSITEMPO through to the iTempoPlus and AirTempo packages. Confirming compatibility at the time of initial purchase preserves that flexibility without replacing the core unit.
Is steam therapy suitable for everyday use?
Daily use is common among regular steam shower users, with sessions typically running between 15 and 20 minutes. The key factors are staying hydrated before and after, avoiding excessively high temperatures, and not using steam immediately after intense physical exertion. Anyone with a specific health condition should consult a physician before establishing a regular steam routine.















