7 Best Sauna Heaters for 2024: Expert Reviews
Are you ready to transform your sauna experience? Finding the best sauna heater can make all the difference in creating the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and rejuvenation. With so many options on the market, from electric sauna heaters to wood-burning sauna stoves, it can be challenging to know which one will meet your needs. That's where our expert reviews come in handy.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the top 7 best sauna heaters for 2024. You'll discover the pros and cons of each model, including popular choices like electric sauna heaters with rocks and compact options for small saunas. We'll also dive into important factors like steam quality and energy efficiency, helping you make an informed decision. Whether you're a sauna novice or a seasoned enthusiast, you'll find valuable insights to enhance your sauna setup and elevate your wellness routine.
Top Sauna Heaters
- Harvia Cilindro Pro
- HUUM Drop
- Finlandia FLN-30
- Saunum Air
- Harvia Virta Combi
- Amerec AK Series
- HUUM Hive
Harvia Cilindro Pro
Features
The Harvia Cilindro Pro is a powerhouse among electric sauna heaters, designed to deliver an exceptional sauna experience. This impressive pillar-style heater boasts a massive stone capacity of up to 140 kg, ensuring excellent heat retention and soft, gentle steam.
Its grate-like outer shell allows you to customize your steam experience – pour water on the side for a softer feel or directly on top for a sharper sensation. The Cilindro Pro's sleek stainless steel exterior adds a modern touch to your sauna while providing durability and easy maintenance.
Harvia Cilindro Pro performance
When it comes to performance, the Harvia Cilindro Pro doesn't disappoint. Available in power outputs ranging from 10 to 13.2 kW, this best sauna heater can efficiently heat sauna rooms from 9 to 20 cubic meters. Its robust heating elements are designed to withstand extended use, making it ideal for commercial settings like spas, hotels, and fitness centers.
The heater's unique design allows for flexible installation options, including embedding it into the sauna bench or placing it in front of a glass wall for a striking visual effect.
Harvia Cilindro Pro Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional steam quality and heat retention
- Flexible installation options
- Suitable for large saunas and commercial use
- Durable stainless steel construction
Cons:
- Requires a separate control unit (not included)
- May be oversized for smaller home saunas
- Higher power consumption compared to smaller heaters
HUUM Drop
Design
The HUUM Drop is a unique electric sauna heater that stands out with its water drop-inspired design. Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Award, this compact wall-mounted heater adds a touch of elegance to any sauna interior. Its rounded shape softens the angular lines of classic saunas, creating a visually appealing focal point.
HUUM Drop Heating Capacity
Despite its compact size, the HUUM Drop packs a punch when it comes to heating capacity. Available in various power outputs, including 6kW and 7.5kW models, it's suitable for sauna rooms ranging from 177 to 441 cubic feet. The heater's impressive 122-pound stone capacity, exceeding most wood-burning stoves, ensures excellent heat retention and steam quality.
HUUM Drop Unique Selling Points
What sets the HUUM Drop apart is its combination of form and function. The direct contact between stones and heating elements creates a longer, milder heat, perfect for a relaxing sauna experience. Its wall-mounted design saves valuable floor space, making it ideal for smaller saunas. Additionally, the available Wi-Fi control allows you to preheat your sauna from anywhere, adding convenience to your sauna routine.
Finlandia FIN-30
Specifications
The Finlandia FIN-30 is a compact yet powerful electric sauna heater designed for spaces up to 130 cubic feet. This wall-mounted unit measures 16" wide, 11" deep, and 24" high, making it ideal for small saunas. With a 3kW power output, it operates on 240V single-phase electricity, drawing 12.5 amps. The heater features industrial-grade stainless steel heating elements and a large rock capacity for consistent heat distribution.
Finlandia FIN-30 Energy Efficiency
This best sauna heater boasts excellent energy efficiency thanks to its triple-wall construction. The design allows for direct contact between sauna rocks and heating elements, improving heat transfer and steam quality. The built-in control panel includes a 60-minute timer and a programmable pre-set option for up to 8 hours, ensuring your sauna is ready when you are while minimizing energy waste.
The Finlandia FIN-30 offers great value with its durable construction and versatile features. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is fully serviceable, making it a long-lasting investment for your home sauna. The heater is available in a standard red enamel finish or an optional stainless steel exterior, allowing you to choose the best option for your sauna's esthetic.
Saunum Air
Climate Equalization Technology
Saunum Air revolutionizes the sauna experience with its patented air blending system. This innovative technology mixes cold, oxygen-rich air from the floor with hot, oxygen-poor air from the ceiling, creating a more even and comfortable environment throughout the sauna. By equalizing the temperature by more than 60%, Saunum Air eliminates cold spots and hot spots, allowing you to breathe deeply and comfortably without excessive fatigue.
Saunum Air Heating Capabilities
The Saunum Air series offers various models to accommodate different sauna sizes. The Saunum Air 10, with its 9.6kW power output, is suitable for rooms up to 424 cubic feet. These electric sauna heaters feature large stone capacities, ranging from 99 to 231 pounds, producing softer, more even heat. The built-in Himalayan salt reservoir enhances the experience by releasing healthful salt ions throughout the room.
Saunum Air User Experience
Users report a transformed sauna experience with Saunum Air. The even heat distribution allows for longer, more satisfying sessions with intense sweating. The optional Wi-Fi-enabled AIRIQ controller lets you activate custom sauna profiles remotely, ensuring your sauna is ready when you are. With its ability to create different sauna conditions by adjusting temperature and fan strength, Saunum Air caters to various preferences, making it a versatile choice for sauna enthusiasts.
Harvia Virta Combi
Versatility
The Harvia Virta Combi is a versatile electric sauna heater that combines traditional Finnish sauna with steam functionality. This best sauna heater allows you to choose between a dry sauna, steam sauna, herbal sauna, or fragrant sauna experience. Its large stone capacity ensures soft, abundant steam, while the efficient air circulation quickly heats the sauna room.
Harvia Virta Combi Steam Options
With its built-in steamer, the Virta Combi creates a soft, humid environment perfect for those who enjoy a gentler sauna experience. The 5-liter water tank can be filled manually or automatically, depending on the model. A soapstone cup for liquid fragrances and a stainless steel grate for bagged aromatics enhance your sauna session.
Harvia Virta Combi Control Features
This electric sauna heater with rocks works with the Xenio Control system, sold separately. It offers precise temperature and humidity settings, allowing you to customize your sauna experience. Some models feature an automatic drying cycle and exhaust fan activation to prolong the life of your sauna's wood.
Amerec AK Series
Build Quality
The Amerec AK Series stands out with its robust construction. These electric sauna heaters feature a stainless-steel tank and industrial-grade heating elements, ensuring durability and longevity. The compact design allows for convenient installation in various locations, making it suitable for both home and commercial use.
Amerec AK Series Power Options
Available in multiple power outputs, the AK Series caters to different sauna sizes. Models range from 4.5kW to 11kW, accommodating spaces up to 375 adjusted cubic feet. The generators can be field-wired for single-phase or three-phase configurations, offering flexibility in installation.
Amerec AK Series Warranty
Amerec backs its AK Series with a limited lifetime warranty, demonstrating confidence in the product's quality. The warranty covers manufacturing defects in workmanship and materials, providing peace of mind for sauna enthusiasts. To activate the warranty, users must register their product within 60 days of installation.
HUUM Hive
Commercial Grade Features
The HUUM Hive electric sauna heater is a powerhouse designed for large-scale saunas up to 1,060 cubic feet, making it ideal for health clubs, spas, and gyms. Its sculptural design adds modern elegance to any sauna space. The Hive comes with an Air Tunnel that speeds up heating by 25% and extends the lifespan of heating elements. This best sauna heater is constructed with commercial-grade stainless steel and industrial-quality heating elements, ensuring durability and longevity in high-use settings.
HUUM Hive Rock Capacity
The HUUM Hive boasts an impressive stone capacity of up to 595 pounds, surpassing many wood-burning stoves. This substantial rock capacity ensures excellent heat retention and steam quality, providing a consistent and mild heat throughout your sauna session.
The large stone mass allows for a luxurious sauna experience, producing soft, abundant steam that enhances relaxation and wellness benefits. Round olivine diabase stones are recommended to complement the heater's design and deliver milder steam.
HUUM Hive Installation Considerations
When installing the HUUM Hive, it's crucial to verify that the maximum amperage of the main circuit breaker complies with the heater's parameters. Ensure proper safety distances from flammable materials and walls. The power cable must meet UL 62 requirements in the US and CSA 49 in Canada.
Only a certified electrician should connect this electric sauna heater to the power supply. The junction box must be waterproof and located up to 19.7 inches from the floor for optimal performance and safety.
Conclusion
Choosing the right sauna heater has a significant impact on your overall sauna experience. From the powerful Harvia Cilindro Pro to the innovative Saunum Air, each heater offers unique features to enhance relaxation and wellness. The diverse range of options caters to various preferences, whether you're looking for traditional dry heat, steam functionality, or cutting-edge climate control technology.
As you weigh your options, consider factors like room size, energy efficiency, and desired heat quality to find the perfect match for your sauna setup. Remember, investing in a high-quality sauna heater not only improves your immediate comfort but also contributes to the longevity of your sauna. With the right choice, you're set to enjoy countless hours of rejuvenating heat therapy in your personal oasis of relaxation.
FAQs
What is the most suitable type of sauna heater?
Wood sauna stoves are ideal for medium to large saunas because they produce a substantial amount of heat, which is very warm and suitable for sauna environments. Although the heat from wood stoves can be harder to regulate, they also offer the benefit of having a hot water tank, making them excellent for off-grid setups.
Which manufacturers offer the best saunas?
For the best home saunas, consider the following: The best infrared sauna is the Sun Home Saunas Solstice 2-Person Infrared, the best steam sauna is the Redwood Outdoors Thermowood Cabin, the best portable sauna is the Sunlighten Portable Sauna, the most affordable is the SweatTent Outdoor Sauna, the best outdoor sauna is the Plunge Sauna, and the best traditional sauna is the Almost Heaven Auburn 2-3 Person Sauna.
How long does a sauna heater typically last?
A sauna heater generally has a lifespan of about 20 years, though this can vary based on the heater's quality and frequency of use. To maximize the longevity of your sauna heater, adhering to the manufacturer's care and maintenance guidelines is crucial.
Do sauna heaters consume a significant amount of electricity?
A sauna heater in a home sauna typically consumes around 6 kW (kilowatts) of electricity to heat the room to the desired temperature. Once the sauna reaches the appropriate temperature, the energy usage decreases to about 3 to 4 kW during the session, as less energy is required to maintain the temperature.