We believe the sauna heater is the engine of the entire sauna experience. We have curated a collection of the best electric and wood-burning sauna heaters from trusted brands like Harvia, HUUM, Finlandia and Scandia to cover everything from compact home builds to large commercial rooms. Our goal is to help you match the best sauna heater to your specific room volume, insulation quality, and control preferences. When correctly sized and installed, these units deliver stable temperatures, predictable warm-up times, and the smooth "löyly" (steam) that defines a quality session.
- Correct Room Sizing: We size sauna heaters based on cubic volume, adjusted for heat-loss surfaces like glass and stone that increase power demands.
- Heater Type Options: Choose electric for push-button convenience and consistency, or wood-burning for a traditional, fire-driven ritual.
- Stone Capacity Matters: High stone mass heaters create softer, longer-lasting steam, while lower mass sauna heaters provide faster heat-up times.
- Control Compatibility: We offer units with built-in dials for simplicity, as well as models requiring external digital or Wi-Fi controls for precision.
- Mounting & Space Planning: Wall-mounted units save floor space; floor-standing pillar models act as a design focal point and hold more stones.
- Safety & Install Requirements: Proper clearances and licensed electrical installation are non-negotiable for safety and performance.
Most Common Questions About The Best Sauna Heaters
Heater questions usually revolve around brand selection, sizing, and installation. The FAQs below cover the practical realities of choosing the right heater for your sauna room.
What is the best brand of sauna heater?
Harvia is the "workhorse" choice for proven reliability and parts availability. HUUM is the top choice for design and high stone capacity. Scandia and Saunacore are excellent for heavy-duty or commercial applications.
What size room is a 9kW sauna heater?
Typically 280–530 cubic feet. However, if you have glass walls or stone surfaces, you effectively lose insulation, meaning you may need a 9kW heater for a smaller room to compensate.
How to pick a sauna heater?
First, calculate cubic volume (LxWxH). Second, adjust for glass/stone. Third, choose fuel type (electric vs wood). Finally, decide on control style (manual dials vs Wi-Fi app).
How far from the floor should a sauna heater be?
Follow the specific manual, but generally 5–7 inches off the floor. This gap allows cold air to be drawn into the heater from the bottom to create the convection loop.
How to calculate sauna heater size?
Multiply Length x Width x Height to get cubic feet. Add a 10-15% buffer for glass doors or uninsulated walls. Match this "adjusted" volume to the heater's rating.
Where is the best place to put a sauna heater?
On the front or side wall, usually near the door. This helps pull fresh air in for the heater to heat up and circulate effectively.
Is HUUM or Harvia better?
Harvia is better for pragmatic reliability and fast heat-up. HUUM is better for aesthetics and softer steam due to massive stone capacity. Both are excellent choices.
What is the difference between Harvia Cilindro electric and wood-burning models?
Electric offers precise temperature control and timer convenience. Wood-burning offers a traditional atmosphere but requires a chimney flue and more complex installation clearances.
How is the steam experience with Harvia Spirit compared to other heaters?
The Spirit uses rounded stones and a large capacity, creating smoother, lingering steam compared to the sharp, intense burst of low-stone wall heaters.
What are the advantages of Harvia Spirit over HUUM Drop?
The Spirit includes integrated air channels for slightly faster heating times, whereas the Drop focuses almost entirely on stone mass. Both excel at soft steam.
How does Virta compare to Harvia KIP or Cilindro?
Virta is a premium, robust unit often used in commercial settings for fast recovery. KIP is a basic home wall heater. Cilindro is a pillar heater focused on steam quality.
What size sauna stove do I need for my sauna room?
Match the heater's kW rating to your adjusted cubic footage. Never undersize a heater; it will run constantly and fail to reach optimal temperatures.
What Harvia wood-burning stove models are available and what sauna sizes do they fit?
They range from the M3 (small cabins) to the Legend series (large rooms). Always check the specific cubic foot rating for each model before buying.
What sauna room size is the Harvia M3 suitable for?
It fits rooms roughly 200 to 450 cubic feet. It is the ideal choice for small to medium outdoor saunas or barrels.
How do I know what heater size I need?
Measure your room. If you have uninsulated stone or glass, treat 1 square foot of glass as roughly 1 extra cubic foot of volume when sizing the heater.
Where are Harvia heaters made?
They are designed and manufactured in Muurame, Finland.