Сryosauna vs. cryo chamber: what is the difference?

People enthusiastic about whole-body cryotherapy as a natural and holistic wellness treatment often confuse the concepts of a cryosauna and a cryo chamber. With good reason, as their purpose is the same. Both a cryousauna and a cryo chamber are modern cryotherapy machines designed to administer whole-body cryogenic treatments. Still, there are significant differences between the two cryotherapy devices. Let’s briefly go through the common features and distinctions between cryosaunas and cryo chambers.

What is a cryosauna? 

A cryosauna is an open-top tube with a door and an elevator for customer positioning. Cryosaunas run on liquid nitrogen, which produces lower temperatures (down to -170/-180℃) as compared to an electric cryo chamber.

What is a cryo chamber? 

A cryo chamber is a walk-in enclosed space cooled by electricity or liquid nitrogen. Nitrogen-cooled machines feature indirect injection in a closed-loop contour. Both electric and nitrogen-run configurations provide breathable air inside the cabin and treatment temperatures down to -110℃. The main difference between the two machines is their design, open-top, with the customer’s head staying out, or enclosed, for the full-body experience.

Let’s list the other differences.  

Cryochamber vs. cryosauna: what’s the footprint?

On the other hand, cryo chambers are usually more complex design-wise. Electric chambers require an electric generator to cool down the cabin and may also include a cooling plant for the generator which means they need more space. Even individual cryo chambers are typically bigger than cryosaunas. With two- or three-person cryo chambers, this difference in footprint is even more prominent. All this results in a higher initial equipment cost, especially for electric chambers. Delivery and installation costs also tend to be high, but less so in nitrogen-cooled machines. 

Read more about the cost of cryotherapy machines here. The difference in design reflects on the cryotherapy experience.

What is a cryosauna treatment like?

In an open-top cryosauna, the client is lifted inside the cabin so that only his body is cooled while the head stays outside. A client can speak to an operator or other clients during a session for a more comfortable experience. Open-top design is a critical factor for people who fear enclosed spaces. Group configurations for open-top cryosaunas do not exist.

In a cryo chamber, the customer walks into a cooled room, thus exposing their entire body to subzero temperatures. There are individual and group chambers where several people can take a session at the same time.

Cryo chamber vs. cryosauna: cryo session temperature

In a cryo chamber, the temperature usually doesn’t exceed -110°C (-230°F), while in a cryosauna, it can go down to about -170°C (-274°F). That means that in a cryosauna, your body is exposed to a higher “positive” stress, and the effect of a cryotherapy session will be more pronounced. Or it will take less time to achieve the same effect as in a cryo chamber.

What clothing is required for cryotherapy?

For a cryotherapy session, you need to leave uncovered as much skin as possible but protect vulnerable body parts. In a cryosauna, wear warm footwear and underwear, preferably made of natural fabric, e.g., cotton. Gloves are used only together with an over-the-cabin cover. Otherwise, hands stay at the top of the cabin, making gloves redundant. As for a cryo chamber, in addition to the clothes listed above – gloves are a must – you will need to put on a beanie or earmuffs and respiratory mask to protect your head, ears, and airways.

As cryosaunas and cryochambers use different modes to produce cryogenic temperatures, their running and maintenance costs differ as well. 

What is a cryosauna’s consumption vs. a cryo chamber’s consumption?

As for the running costs, with an electric cryochamber, expect your electricity bills to go up, while a cryosauna or a nitrogen-cooled cryochamber will hardly affect them, as they consume 1.5 kW at most. Nitrogen-cooled cryo chambers, in addition, need liquid nitrogen, and the amounts are double or triple compared to cryosaunas, depending on the brand and whether it’s a two-person, three-person, or some other group configuration.

Both cryosaunas and nitrogen-cooled cryochambers are low-maintenance. Electric cryochambers require professional maintenance every year.  

All the factors above can influence your cost of a cryo session and the number of potential clients, thus affecting your return on investment. Cryo chambers are usually not advisable if your daily customer flow is below 30 to 40 people. On the other hand, open-top cryosaunas can serve up to 90 people daily, catering to a wider range of businesses. 

For free advice on the best option for your business, contact our sales department at +421 948 224 850 or info@cryomed.pro.