We carry Amerec, Mr. Steam, and ThermaSol — and we get asked to compare them every day. The honest answer is that all three make excellent steam generators and any of them will serve you well. But they are genuinely different in ways that matter when you are choosing between them. This guide gives you the complete, unbiased breakdown so you can make a confident decision.
TheSteamStore.com is an authorized dealer of all three brands. We do not have a financial reason to recommend one over another — our goal is to match the right system to your project. Contact our team if you want a direct recommendation for your specific space and goals.
Brand overview
Mr. Steam
Mr. Steam has been manufacturing residential and commercial steam systems in the United States for over 50 years — making it the most established brand in the category by volume and market presence. The brand is built around accessibility and reliability: the idea that a high-quality steam experience should be available to any homeowner, not just those building luxury spaces. Mr. Steam offers the broadest product lineup of the three brands, covering steam rooms from 60 to over 900 cubic feet, with the widest range of controls, steamheads, and accessories. The brand is the most specified residential steam brand in the country and has the most mature dealer and installer network.
ThermaSol
ThermaSol has been pioneering steam and shower technology since 1958 — making it the oldest steam brand in North America. Where Mr. Steam is built on reliability and breadth, ThermaSol is built on engineering-led innovation. The company holds multiple patents on core steam generation and control technologies that no other brand can replicate, manufactures its products in the USA, and backs them with the industry's only no-questions-asked lifetime warranty. In 2024, ThermaSol joined the Harvia family of wellness brands — Harvia, founded in Finland in 1950, is the world's leading sauna and spa company operating in over 80 countries. ThermaSol is the brand of choice for architects, interior designers, and homeowners building high-end primary baths or dedicated wellness spaces.
Amerec
Amerec has built its reputation over decades as the contractor's preferred steam generator — the brand most commonly specified by plumbing and HVAC professionals for both residential and commercial installations. Amerec's approach is defined by practical engineering: consistent steam quality, durable construction, straightforward installation, and long-term serviceability in the field. The brand is particularly strong in commercial applications — health clubs, hotels, spas, and gyms — where generators need to perform reliably under heavy daily use. Amerec generators are ETL listed for both the USA and Canada and are designed to be serviced in the field without specialized tools.
Side by side: the key differences
| Mr. Steam | ThermaSol | Amerec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1950s — over 50 years in steam | 1958 — oldest steam brand in North America | Decades of commercial and residential steam |
| Manufactured | USA | USA | USA |
| Steam technology | Standard on/off cycling | Smart Steam — continuous modulation (patented) | Sequential Temperature Control — modulated |
| Automated cleaning | AutoFlush — optional add-on, activates 2 hours after each session | PowerFlush — built into the PRO Series III | ADK Auto Drain — included in select packages |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | No-questions-asked lifetime (2yr in-home, lifetime factory) | 1 year parts, 1 year labor |
| Wall material sizing | 1.75× multiplier for natural stone | No adjustment — cubic footage only | 1.75× multiplier for natural stone |
| Maximum install distance | 60 ft from steamhead | 50 ft from steamhead | 25 ft from steamhead |
| Maximum single unit coverage | ~900 cu ft (MS225E) | 1,200 cu ft (PROIII-1200) | 550 cu ft (AK14), gangable to 1,500 |
| Smart home integration | Amazon Alexa via iSteamX + SteamLinx | Amazon Alexa via ThermaTouch2 | Google Home + Amazon Alexa via K2 |
| Flagship control | iSteamX — Wi-Fi, Alexa, 8 user profiles, SpaNet Hub | ThermaTouch2 — Android-powered, 7"/10"/15" screen, full app store | K2 — Wi-Fi, Google Home + Alexa, scheduling |
| ETL listed USA + Canada | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best known for | Broadest lineup, proven reliability, bathroom ecosystem integration | Patented technology, lifetime warranty, luxury design integration | Contractor reliability, commercial strength, field serviceability |
Where each brand genuinely wins
Mr. Steam wins on: breadth, ecosystem, and flexibility
No other brand covers as many configurations. If you want a specific combination of generator size, control type, steamhead style, and accessory — Mr. Steam almost certainly has it. The iSteamX's SpaNet Hub is also a unique advantage: no other brand extends smart control to heated floors, fog-free mirrors, towel warmers, and lighting from the same interface. The AutoFlush system — which activates two hours after every steam session and drains the generator automatically — is the most proven maintenance solution in the category. And with a maximum generator distance of 60 feet, Mr. Steam offers more flexibility on where the generator can be located than either ThermaSol or Amerec.
Choose Mr. Steam if: you want the widest range of options, the most comprehensive bathroom ecosystem integration, or the most flexible generator placement.
Browse the full Mr. Steam collection.
ThermaSol wins on: technology, warranty, and design integration
ThermaSol's patented Smart Steam technology — which continuously modulates generator output rather than cycling on and off — produces a measurably smoother, more consistent steam experience than either of the other brands. No other residential steam generator does this, and it is not a marketing claim — it is a patented, verifiable engineering difference. The PRO Series III is the only residential generator with PowerFlush built in as a standard feature rather than an add-on. The no-questions-asked lifetime warranty is the best in the category by a significant margin. And the ThermaTouch2 — available in 7", 10", and 15" screen sizes — is the most sophisticated control in the category, running Android and giving access to the full Google Play app store. ThermaSol also does not require a material adjustment for natural stone walls, which simplifies sizing on premium builds where stone is specified.
Choose ThermaSol if: you want the most advanced steam technology, the strongest warranty, the largest and most capable control screen, or a fully integrated ThermaSol shower system with Digital Shower Valve and HydroVive rainhead.
Browse the full ThermaSol collection.
Amerec wins on: value, commercial strength, and dual voice assistant support
Amerec is the brand most commonly specified by plumbing contractors — and for good reason. Consistent steam quality, straightforward installation, field-serviceable components without specialized tools, ETL listing for both the USA and Canada, and a proven track record in commercial environments where generators run continuously for hours every day. Amerec's AK Series is also the only residential lineup that can be ganged to cover rooms up to 1,500 cubic feet — larger than either Mr. Steam or ThermaSol's single-unit ceiling. And the K2 control is the only residential steam control available with support for both Google Home and Amazon Alexa — a meaningful advantage for smart home setups built around Google's ecosystem.
Choose Amerec if: you want a reliable, contractor-proven system that prioritizes practical performance over premium features, need Google Home voice control support, or are speccing a commercial or large-scale residential steam room that requires ganged generators.
Browse the full Amerec collection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a ThermaSol control with a Mr. Steam generator?
No — controls and generators must match brands. The ThermaSol ThermaTouch2 only works with ThermaSol PRO Series III generators via the CAN Bus system. The Mr. Steam iSteamX only works with Mr. Steam generators (confirm compatibility with your specific model when ordering). The Amerec K2 only works with Amerec generators. Your control choice locks in your generator brand — and vice versa.
Which brand has the best warranty?
ThermaSol — no-questions-asked lifetime warranty with 2 years parts and labor in-home and lifetime coverage at the factory. Mr. Steam offers a limited lifetime warranty. Amerec offers 1 year parts and 1 year labor on residential generators.
Which brand works with Google Home?
Amerec — the K2 control supports both Google Home and Amazon Alexa, making it the only residential steam control available with both voice assistant integrations. Mr. Steam and ThermaSol both support Amazon Alexa only.
Does ThermaSol really not require a material adjustment for natural stone?
Correct — ThermaSol's sizing formula is based on cubic footage only. Whether your walls are porcelain tile, marble, or granite, you size the same way. Mr. Steam and Amerec both apply a 1.75× multiplier to the base cubic footage for natural stone enclosures before selecting a generator model.
Which brand is easiest to maintain?
ThermaSol PRO Series III has PowerFlush built in as a standard feature — no add-on required, no manual intervention needed. Mr. Steam's AutoFlush system is the most proven optional maintenance solution in the category and has been on the market the longest. Amerec's ADK Auto Drain is included in select control packages. All three require an automated flush system for optimal longevity — particularly in hard water areas.
I still can not decide — can you help?
Yes — that is exactly what we are here for. Contact our team or call 877-881-5501 Monday through Friday. Tell us your shower dimensions, wall material, ceiling height, and what matters most to you — and we will give you a direct recommendation.
Browse by brand
- Mr. Steam — the broadest residential steam lineup
- ThermaSol — patented Smart Steam, lifetime warranty, luxury design
- Amerec — contractor reliability, Google Home support, commercial strength
- All steam generators — browse and compare across all three brands