Best Sauna Heaters

Discover the Best Sauna Heater for Your Home Sauna!

One of the most critical components of any sauna is its heater — how else will you experience the warm, steamy sensation a sauna offers without one? Whether you are looking for a rustic wood-burning stove or a convenient electric stove, there is a perfect heater for everyone. Take a look at some of our most popular models to find one for your sauna.

Wood-Fired Vs. Electric Heaters

You might wonder the difference between a wood-fired and an electric heater. Yes, they will both get your sauna to toasty temperatures, but the mechanism behind both is vastly different. Which is the best sauna heater?

A wood-fired heater is a more rustic and traditional version of a sauna heater as it requires burning wood to heat your sauna. A wood-burning stove must only be used outdoors as the smoke from the burning wood needs somewhere to go. It also requires a chimney kit for proper ventilation.

Why invest in a wood-fired stove? Suppose you are looking for a traditional sauna experience. In that case, the Finnish people use wood-fired heaters because they create a cozy ambiance and emit delightful smells of wood. The drawback is it takes a little longer to heat your space, but many sauna enthusiasts don’t see this as an issue.

An electric heater is all about convenience. After a long day at the office, you probably want to sit back and relax. With an electric heater, heating your sauna is as easy as the touch of a button. Turn on your sauna from an app on your phone, and it will be warm and ready by the time you step foot at home. Another great feature of electric heaters is an emergency shut-down system in case a child accidentally turns on the sauna or gets too hot. It can also be used both indoors and outdoors.

The drawback of an electric heater is the ambiance. You won’t hear the crackle of fire or smell the aroma of burning wood, but many lovers of electric heaters like the convenience over the ambiance of a more rustic wood-fired stove. If you still are unsure which type of model to purchase, take our two-minute sauna quiz to discover what you are looking for.

The Components of the Best Sauna Heater

There are a few components that you have to be aware of when it comes to sauna heaters; let’s discuss a few of them:

Sauna Stones

Sauna stones are very important when it comes to a sauna heater. Just ladle on some water and let the steam work wonders on your body. The stones themselves generate the heat from the stove. You must ensure these stones are not cracked or damaged; otherwise, you might experience less controlled heat. It is standard to inspect these stones yearly and replace them when they start to crack or crumble.

Remote Kits

Remote kits are used with electric stoves as they allow you to select your desired temperature when you want to heat your sauna and have extras like lighting or Bluetooth capabilities. Many electric saunas have an app you can download to your smartphone and operate from pretty much anywhere.

Chimney Kits

Chimney kits are used for outdoor saunas as the smoke and debris need a place to go while your logs burn. These kits are exactly what they sound like: a literal chimney installed in your sauna that comes out the top to release the smoke your logs create into the outdoor air and away from your sauna.

Extras

You can invest in extra items to complement your heater, like a safety rail, so you can’t get too close to the stones and burn yourself. You can also purchase a bucket and ladle to sprinkle water on your sauna stones and create steam. Lastly, you can get a heat-friendly thermometer to monitor your temperature without bringing your phone into your sauna.

The Best Sauna Heaters

Now that you know the critical differences between wood-fired and electric heaters, let’s discuss the best brands to invest in. The most popular brands are Xenio from Harvia and UKU from HUUM heaters, and we will dive into both of these heaters.

Xenio From Harvia

Harvia is a very popular brand at My Sauna World because it has thought of everything regarding a sauna heater. One of the things you should be looking for in a sauna heater is its ability to hold a large number of sauna stones, which are the key to keeping your sauna hot.

The Xenio heater offers an ample 18kg space to hold sauna stones but is also built from high-grade stainless steel that is durable and sustainable, as it will last for many years. This heater is incredibly space efficient as it is a wall-mounted heater, meaning it won’t be cumbersome on the ground, taking up valuable sitting space.

This electric heater will also get your sauna to a toasty 150 degrees Fahrenheit in 45 minutes or less. You can also heat your sauna with a touch of a button or set a delayed start time so it will heat at the same time every day, allowing you to jump right in the second you get home from your commute. The Xenio by Harvia has it all when it comes to convenience.

UKU from HUUM

HUUM is a popular brand of sauna heaters that originates from Estonia, one of the most influential sauna locales. The UKU is a great extra when purchasing a HUUM heater, as it allows you to add Wi-Fi to automate your sauna. Like the Xenio heater, the UKU enables you to turn on your sauna with the click of an app.

Not only can you heat your sauna whenever and wherever you want, but you will also get a notification letting you know your sauna is ready to go, so you aren’t sitting around waiting too long. The app also has features like an automatic shut-off and a child safety lock, so your kids won’t get hurt if they accidentally flip the on switch.

Harvia 36 Wood Burning Stove 

You might not have the quick heat like an electric stove, but this popular model boasts its own benefits. The Harvia 36 Wood Burning Stove is perfect for an outdoor sauna that holds a larger amount of people as this stove can bring in a ton of heat.

Another great benefit to this stove is its long-lasting heat capabilities and ability to give off steam even if the fire temporarily goes out. This stove has all the traditional and rustic ambiance that a sauna connoisseur is looking for. You will hear the crackling of the fire, smell burning wood, and see the soothing flames jumping from the stove.

Which Heater is the Best Sauna Heater for You?

Now that you know the ins and outs of electric and wood-fired heaters, you can rest assured that the best sauna heater is available for you to purchase. Whether you like the tradition and ambiance of a wood-fired heater or the convenience of an electric heater, there is something for everyone.

My Sauna World is a top retailer of saunas, heaters, and extras for you to create the perfect sauna oasis in your home. Shop now at My Sauna World and purchase the best sauna heater for your needs, making your sauna the relaxation haven you will be excited to use every day.