With a large  variety of styles and sizes of saunas, there comes an even larger variety of different types of sauna heaters to choose from. When deciding on a sauna heater, you should consider the size, location, usage and of course the design of your sauna. The wide array of heater structures, heating methods, power ratings and brands can be overwhelming, so we have compiled a guide to help you decide on the best sauna heater for your needs.

Sauna Installation with an Electric Heater
Sauna Installation with Tulikivi Tuisku electric sauna heater

 

Wood Burning or Electric

There are several different types of wood burning and electric sauna heaters to choose from. In turn, infrared saunas use electromagnetic radiation from infrared lamps. In this article, we’ll be focusing on traditional sauna heaters. If you’re interested in the differences between infrared sauna and traditional sauna, you can read our article on the link below. 

Infrared Sauna Benefits Vs Traditional Sauna Benefits- Which is best?

When it comes to traditional saunas and the heating methods, the choice is between a wood burning sauna stove or an electric sauna heater. Wood burning sauna stoves provide an authentic, relaxing atmosphere accompanied with the crackling of firewood, pleasant aroma and soothing light from the fire heating up the sauna stones. 

On the other hand, electric sauna heaters are generally quicker and easier to get up to temperature with a push of a button or two. 

Both wood burning stoves and electric heaters have their own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to consider which one is best for your needs.

Narvi Velvet wood burning sauna stove

Narvi Velvet wood burning sauna stove offers a generous steam. Image by Narvi

 

Traditional wood burning saunas are a classic choice offering a rustic, authentic sauna experience whilst saving on electricity. However, they can require slightly more maintenance and planning around the installation. 

A flue kit and heat shielding are important to account for when considering a wood burning sauna stove. You will also need a sufficient supply of firewood, and live in an area that isn’t within a smoke-free zone.  If unsure, it’s always best to get in touch with the local authority to check on this before making a purchase. 

Electric saunas are a convenient and easy-to-use option. Electric heaters get up to temperature quickly and are fairly simple to maintain. They are also typically more affordable at the point of purchase. However, you will need to account for the available power supply and electricity costs. 

You can read our article on estimating the running costs of an electric sauna heater here. You should also check the available options for powering the heater. Most electric heaters up to 9kW can be installed on a single-phase UK supply. However, anything above 9kW requires a 3-phase supply. 

Narvi Velvet Electric and Wood Burning Sauna Heaters
Narvi Velvet electric and Softy wood burning sauna stove. Image by Narvi

Purpose

Consider where and for what purpose the sauna will be used for. Is it within domestic or commercial settings? How many people will be using it? Will there be children bathing in the sauna? How often will the sauna be heated on a weekly basis and what are the approximate hours it is required to be on at one go? 

The size, stone capacity and materials used in the construction vary significantly between heaters. Heaters designed for commercial use withstand heavy use and can be on for several hours a day and multiple times a week. Commercial saunas are also often larger and used by larger groups of bathers. Majority of domestic sauna heaters aren’t equipped for such heavy use. It’s worth noting that most suppliers’ warranty won’t cover misuse, including that of a domestic heater installed in a commercial environment. 

Some heater suppliers outline the maximum recommended run times for their domestic and electric models. These are specified later on this article for our heater suppliers. 

Helo SKLA commercial electric sauna heater by Helo
Helo SKLA is a great choice for commercial saunas. Image by Helo

Size

Make sure to select a heater that is appropriately sized for your sauna. A heater that is too small will not get the sauna up to temperature effectively and wastes energy. A heater that is too large for the space will also waste resources. Reputable heater manufacturers will always specify the recommended room size for each model and power rating. 

It’s good to bear in mind that any uninsulated areas, such as glass, will add to the overall computational volume of the sauna and generally require a more powerful heater. As a rule of thumb, each square meter of an uninsulated surface will add approximately 1.5m3 to the overall volume of the space. 

If you’re unsure which heater will work best for your sauna, you can use our sauna heater calculator

 

Guideline for power ratings and recommended sauna sizes: 

Model Power Output

4.5 kW

6/6.8 kW

9 kW

10.5 kW

Capacity of the sauna

4-7m³

5–8/9 m³

8–14 m³

10–18 m³


*These can vary between different brands and heater models, so it is always advisable to check the recommendations under each individual sauna heater

Budget

The price of sauna heaters can largely vary depending on the brand, design and features. We will be introducing our different sauna heater suppliers later on in this article. 

Many heaters come with different controlling options, which reflect on the price. A manually controlled heater is an easy to work, entry-level option and a Wi-Fi controller that allows you to adjust the timing and temperature remotely from your phone is the most premium choice. Many heaters offer a mid-spec external control unit depending on the model and supplier. Additionally, a lot of the controllers are compatible with different brands’ heaters. 

Wood burning sauna heaters require a flue kit and potentially some heat shielding, depending on the layout of the sauna. These are good to account for in the early stages of deciding on a sauna heater that fulfils your needs and fits within the planned budget. 

Velvet electric sauna heater by Narvi

Narvi's Velvet electric heater can be controlled with either a Wi-Fi controller or an external control unit installed either inside the sauna or just outside on the external wall

Features

The technology of sauna heaters keeps developing with an array of special features. These include built- in water tanks and containers, Wi-Fi controllers, surface claddings and flexibility in the design and installation options. Some like a modern sauna heater with all the bells and whistles, whilst others prefer a standard, easy to work with, manually controlled heater with a simplistic design. There is certainly something for every type of sauna goer. 

Wall mountable electric sauna heater Routa by Tulikivi
The Routa electric heater by Tulikivi is a wall mountable model with small safety distances and a mid-spec external control unit. Photo by Tulikivi

Safety Distances

The minimum required safety distances to combustible materials differ between heater models. Consider the layout of the sauna and where you are intending to place the sauna heater. Building safety railings is a good solution, especially if children will be using the sauna. 

Some heater models are encased in high-density, heat-storing materials such as soapstone, which allow for smaller safety distances to wood and other combustible surfaces in the sauna. A soapstone cladded heater won’t burn you if you accidentally brush your skin against it, which makes it a popular choice among families with young children as well as commercial saunas.

 

Design

There’s a rich variety of design options when it comes to both electric and wood burning sauna heaters. 

Electric sauna heaters range from wall-mounted to floor standing, from pillar shapes to rounded structures, and from fully encased surfaces to visible stones covered in a stainless-steel mesh. Some heaters can be easily mounted into the sauna benching, allowing for more space for the bathers. 

When it comes to choosing the design of the sauna heater, it’s worthwhile to have a think about the overall sauna area. Where will the heater be placed, the location of the door and the layout of the benches. Some sauna users prefer the stones to be only visible at the top of the heater and others would rather choose a heater body made of a stainless-steel mesh, so you can throw water to the sides of the heater as well. This is completely up to your personal preference and the type of a sauna aesthetic you’re after. 

 

Our Sauna Heater Suppliers

Location of Finnmark's Sauna Heater Suppliers
Our sauna heater suppliers on the map

Helo: For Those Seeking Simplicity with Nordic Design

Founded over a 100 years ago, Helo is one of the first large heater manufacturers in the world. Helo factory is located in the Southern-Finnish port city of Hanko, where they produce a variety of reliable and cost-effective heaters for those who value simplicity in design. With a variety of models that have manual dials for controlling the heaters, Helo offers easy to work with options for all types of saunas. 

Helo Rocher Electric Sauna Heater

Helo Rocher electric sauna heater is stylish floor standing model. Image by Helo

 

Maximum recommended run times for electric Helo heaters:

Domestic electric Helo heaters designed for private use should not be on for more than 6 hours at a time. 

Commercial electric Helo heaters such as those in spas, swimming pools and gyms can be on around the clock as long as they are supervised. There should be at least one 6- hour period within 24 hours where the heater is switched off. This can be 6 hours straight or broken into 2-hour intervals. As an example: 3 x 2 hour off times within 24 hours.

 

Domestic Electric Helo Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Hanko (6kW-8kW)

5-12m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings available

Cup (4.5kW-9kW)

3-14m3

Vienna (4.5kW-9kW)

3-13m3

Havanna (6-9kW)

3-13m3

Roxx (6kW-9kW)

5-13m3

Ringo (6kW and 8kW)

5-13m3

Rondo (6.5kW and 9.6kW)

7-18m3

Saunatonttu (6.4kW and 8kW)

7-17m3

Rocher (7kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Piccolo (3kW)

2-4m3

Himalaya (7kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

 

Commercial Electric Helo Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Laava (9kW-15kW)

8-24m3

Magma (18kW-26kW)

18-46m3

SKLE (9kW-15kW)

8-24m3

SKLA (18kW-26kW)

15-46m3

 

Wood Burning Helo Stoves

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Kastor Karhu 

12-40m3

Click on the product name for more information on the model options and recommended flue kit

Kastor Saga

12-30m3

 

HUUM: Where Style and Technology Meet

HUUM is a young Estonian sauna company, who have invested in a carefully designed selection of stylish and modern sauna heaters. The signature HUUM heaters feature a modern stainless-steel structure encasing a large amount of sauna stones. HUUM heaters have been recognised for their innovative designs and controlling options. Although the company does not have the same long-standing establishment in the sauna heater market as the majority of other heater suppliers, they are the “go-to" choice for the modern-day sauna user. The HUUM heaters will stand as a noticeable design feature in both commercial and home saunas.

HUUM Steel Electric Sauna Heater

HUUM Steel electric sauna heater is the perfect choice for a modern sauna. Image by HUUM

 

Domestic Electric HUUM Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Drop (4.5kW-9kW)

3-15m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

Hive Mini (6kW-10.5kW)

5-20m3

Hive (12kW-18kW)

12-35m3

Core (6kW-10.5kW)

6-20m3

Cliff (6kW-10.5kW)

5-17m3

Cliff Mini (3.5kW)

3.5-6m3

Steel (6kW-10.5kW)

6-17m3

Steel Mini (3.5kW)

3.5-6m3

 

Wood Burning HUUM Stoves

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Hive Heat

6-13m3

Click on the product name for more information on the model and recommended flue kit

Hive Wood

6-16m3

 


Narvi: An Excellent All-Rounder 

Narvi is a Finnish sauna heater manufacturer, founded in 1937. All Narvi heaters bear the Finnish Key Flag Symbol indicating that they are designed and made in Finland, with 95% or more of the production within the country. Narvi heaters are an authentic, safe and quality product with a wide range of electric and wood burning heater options. 

Narvi has a large variety of heater models to suit all budgets, functionality needs and design tastes. 

Narvi Trio Electric Sauna Heater

Narvi Trio electric sauna heater can be also integrated into the benching. Image by Narvi

 

Domestic Electric Narvi Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Minex (3kW and 3.6kW)

2-4m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

NM (4.5kW-9kW)

3-15m3

NS (4.5kW-9kW)

3-14m3

NC (6kW and 9kW)

6-15m3

Saana (6.8kW and 9kW)

5-14m3

Slim (6kW and 9kW)

5-14m3

Trio (6.8kW and 9kW)

5-14m3

Style (6.8kW and 9kW)

5-14m3

Smooth (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-18m3

Softy (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-18m3

Velvet (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-18m3

Steam Ready (6kw and 9kW)

5-14m3

 

Commercial Electric Narvi Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Ultra Small (6kW and 9kW)

5-14m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

Ultra (9kW-15kW)

8-24m3

Ultra Big (19kW-33kW)

18-66m3

Style Pro (9-15kW)

8-24m3




Wood Burning Narvi Stoves

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Narvi NC

8-24m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size and flue kit for each model

Narvi Black

8-24m3

Narvi Stony 20

8-20m3

Narvi Velvet

8-20m3

Kota Kuru

8-20m3

Kota Luosto

8-20m3

Kota Inari/Kota Inari Plus

8-18m3

Kota Pallas

8-20m3

Narvi Steam Master

10-25m3

Narvi 30/Narvi 50

20-70m3

Aito kiuas AK47-AK57

8-25m3

 

IKI: Where Durability is Paramount

IKI-Kiuas has been providing Finnish craftsmanship for sauna enthusiasts since the mid-nineties. The signature IKI heaters have a stainless-steel mesh frame alongside a substantial stone capacity, providing a uniquely effective, oxygen rich and soft steam experience. IKI has over 40 years’ experience in welding black iron and stainless- steel, and their heaters are one of the most durable in the market. 

Although there isn’t a large variety of designs to choose from, the high-quality IKI heaters will last for years on years through heavy sauna use. An IKI heater is ideal for the hard-core “löyly” lovers. 

Commercial or Domestic IKI Heater?

Any Heaters starting from 12kW and upwards do not have specific limitations when it comes to maximum run times. As such, even 12kW-15kW electric sauna heaters by IKI can be chosen for a commercial sauna. This is as long as the size of the sauna space falls within the recommended capacities outlined by the supplier. 

The IKI Pro heaters are specifically designed for large, commercial saunas. 

IKI Wood Burning Sauna Stove
IKI Original wood burning sauna stove is a classic choice. Image by IKI Kiuas

 

Domestic Electric IKI Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Pillar IKI (4,5kW-30kW)

3-44m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

Corner IKI (6kW-9kW

5-16m3

Wall IKI (6kW-9kW)

5-16m3

Monolith (6.9kW-18kW)

7-28m3

Float (13.8kW)

15-25 m3

---

 

Commercial Electric IKI Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

IKI Pro 14 

15-25m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

IKI Pro 21 

20-35m3

IKI Pro 28 

26-42m3

IKI Pro 35 

35-50m3

 

Wood Burning IKI Stoves

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Mini-IKI 

5-12m3

Click on the product name for more information on each model, sizes available and recommended flue kit

Löyly-IKI jr. 

8-14m3

KIVI-IKI jr. 

10-20m3

Original IKI 

10-25m3

Maxi-IKI 

20-30m3

KIVI-IKI 

15-30m3

Löyly-IKI 

20-40m3

SL-IKI 

15-30m3




Tulikivi: Leader in Quality and Experience

Tulikivi is known for high-quality, soapstone cladded sauna heaters and fireplaces. The exclusive soapstone is over 2 billion years old and carries heat storing capacities, wrapped in a beautiful look and feel. 

Because of the natural qualities of soapstone, each Tulikivi product is unique with no heater looking exactly like the other. The heaters have minimal safety distances due to the soapstone cladding that will get hot but won’t burn you if you accidentally brush your skin on it. Tulikivi is a great heater choice in commercial saunas where safety is a concern, as well as in family saunas used by young children. 

Tulikivi Naava Electric Sauna Heater
Tulikivi Naava electric sauna heater. Image by Tulikivi

 

Maximum Run Times for Tulikivi Domestic and Commercial Electric Sauna Heaters: 

Domestic electric heaters: Maximum 6 hours on straight in private saunas (2-year warranty).

Commercial Electric Tulikivi heaters: Max 12 hours + a 6-hour break in public saunas (1-year warranty). 

 

Domestic Electric Tulikivi Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Routa ST (4.5kw- 9kW)

3-13m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

Routa E (4.5kW-9kW)

3-13m3

Naava (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Tuisku (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Rae (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Kuura 1 (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Kuura 2 (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Huurre (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Riite (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Halla ST (4.5kW-9kW)

3-13m3

Halla E (4.5kW-9kW)

3-13m3

Sumu ST (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

Sumu E (6.8kW-10.5kW)

5-15m3

 

Commercial Electric Tulikivi Heaters

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Tuisku XL

12-36m3

Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

 

Wood Burning Tulikivi Stoves

Model:

Recommended Sauna Size:

Additional Information:

Hile

8-20m3

Click on the product name for more information on each model, sizes available and recommended flue kit

Kinos

8-20m3

SK950

14-28m3

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