Sauna Heater Buying Guide — Choosing the Right Heater (Electric vs Wood vs Infrared)
Your sauna heater is the heart of your sauna. It shapes how quickly your room heats up, how the air feels on your skin, how much steam you can generate, and ultimately how much you enjoy your sauna ritual. This guide will walk you through how to choose the right sauna heater for your home — including electric sauna heaters, wood burning sauna stoves, and infrared heating panels — so you can confidently match the heater to your space, lifestyle, and budget.
Below, we’ll compare heater types, talk about sizing and installation basics, look at real-world models like Harvia and HUUM, and help you narrow down the best option for your specific sauna room or outdoor setup.
Table of Contents
- Why Your Sauna Heater Choice Matters
- Sauna Heater Types at a Glance
- Electric Sauna Heaters
- Wood Burning Sauna Stoves
- Infrared Sauna “Heaters” (Panels)
- Matching Your Heater to Sauna Type & Location
- Heater Sizing Basics: kW vs Sauna Volume
- Heat-Up Time, Steam, and Experience
- Controls, Installation & Safety Considerations
- Operating Costs & Value Over Time
- Bringing It All Together — Next Steps
For a complete overview of everything that goes into choosing a home sauna — including size, location, wood types, and accessories — you may also want to read our Best Home Sauna Buying Guide .
Why Your Sauna Heater Choice Matters
When most people start shopping for a sauna, they think first about the cabin style — barrel, cabin, or indoor corner unit. But in practice, the sauna heater has just as much impact on your experience as the structure itself. The heater influences:
- How quickly your sauna heats up and how often you’ll realistically use it.
- What the air feels like — soft and steamy, dry and intense, or deep penetrating warmth (infrared).
- Where you can install the sauna — on-grid vs off-grid, indoor vs outdoor.
- What your ongoing energy or wood costs look like over months and years.
A small indoor 1–2 person sauna in a condo will likely benefit most from a compact electric sauna heater. A forest cabin or lakeside retreat might be better served by a classic wood burning sauna stove. And an urban wellness space with clients coming and going may lean toward an infrared cabin for quick warm-up and lower surface temperatures.
This guide will help you narrow that decision down step by step.
Sauna Heater Types at a Glance
There are three main categories you’ll encounter as a home buyer:
- Electric sauna heaters – The most common choice for indoor and many outdoor traditional saunas.
- Wood burning sauna stoves – The classic, fire-powered option for cabins and outdoor barrel or cabin saunas.
- Infrared heating panels – Used in infrared saunas, which heat the body directly rather than heating the air.
For a deep dive into how traditional saunas compare to infrared, including heat profiles and typical use cases, explore our Infrared vs Traditional Sauna Guide .
Electric Sauna Heaters: Convenience and Control
For most modern homes, an electric sauna heater is the default choice. It’s clean, simple to operate, and doesn’t require storing or handling firewood. You flip a switch or use a control panel, the elements warm the stones, and your sauna is ready to use once it reaches temperature.
Where Electric Heaters Make the Most Sense
- Indoor saunas in homes, condos, or finished basements.
- Outdoor saunas where electrical service is readily available.
- Users who want set-and-forget timers, remote controls, or Wi-Fi integration.
- Those who prefer a low-maintenance option with predictable performance.
In terms of power, most residential electric sauna heaters range from roughly 4.5 kW to 9 kW or more, depending on sauna volume. For example, a compact 1–2 person sauna may be well served by a 4.5–6 kW heater, while a 4–6 person room often benefits from a 7–9 kW model.
Example Electric Sauna Heater Models
To give you a feel for what real-world electric heaters look like, here are a few commonly used models and how they’re typically applied:
- Harvia Cilindro PC60 – A 6 kW pillar-style electric heater designed for small to medium traditional saunas. Its tall, open rock basket allows for generous steam when you pour water over the stones.
- Harvia Cilindro PC90 – A 9 kW version better suited for larger 4–6 person saunas where more heat output is needed to maintain temperature.
- HUUM Drop 6 – A 6 kW wall-mounted heater with a rounded, modern design and generous stone capacity, ideal for smaller rooms where aesthetics matter.
- HUUM Hive Mini 9 – A 9 kW floor-standing heater with a cylindrical stone tower, designed for medium to large traditional saunas that need steady, even heat.
These models differ in footprint, control options, rock capacity, and appearance, but all of them operate on the same basic principle: electrical elements heat the stones, and the stones radiate heat into the room.
If you’re considering a traditional indoor unit, take a look at our curated indoor sauna collection and traditional saunas to see how different cabins pair with electric heaters.
Pros and Considerations for Electric Heaters
Benefits:
- Simple daily use — no firewood, no ash, no chimney.
- Precise control of temperature and session length.
- Compatible with timers and smart controls in many models.
- Ideal for urban homes and indoor installations.
Things to keep in mind:
- Most larger heaters require 240V electrical service.
- Installation may require a licensed electrician and dedicated circuit.
- Outdoor units may need additional weather protection and proper enclosures.
For a focused breakdown of electrical considerations, you can explore our Sauna Electrical Requirements Guide .
Wood Burning Sauna Stoves: Classic Heat and Ritual
A wood burning sauna stove is the traditional choice for cabins, lakeside retreats, and off-grid saunas. Instead of using electricity, you build a fire in the firebox, which heats the stones above. Many people love the smell of the wood, the sound of the fire, and the steam created when water hits the hot stones.
Where Wood Burning Stoves Make the Most Sense
- Outdoor saunas in rural or natural settings.
- Properties where it is easy to store and handle firewood.
- Users who enjoy the ritual of lighting and tending a fire.
- Off-grid cabins or locations with limited electrical capacity.
Example Wood Burning Sauna Stove Models
Here are a few wood-burning models often used in outdoor barrel and cabin saunas:
- Narvi Kuru – A compact yet capable wood stove suited to small and medium outdoor saunas, known for robust heat and a simple, functional design.
- Harvia M3 – A classic wood-burning heater commonly seen in backyard saunas and cabins, designed for even heating and a traditional Finnish sauna feel.
- Narvi Inari – A stylish option with a focus on even radiant heat and a balanced steam experience, ideal for those who want both performance and visual appeal.
These stoves usually require a chimney, proper clearances from walls and benches, and attention to local building and fire codes. For many owners, the firelight, aroma, and steam are worth the extra steps.
If you’re leaning toward an outdoor wood-powered experience, you may want to explore our outdoor sauna collection and Barrel Sauna Buying Guide .
Pros and Considerations for Wood Burning Stoves
Benefits:
- Authentic sauna atmosphere with a live fire.
- Excellent steam and heat retention with the right stone mass.
- Can be used in off-grid locations without electrical service.
Things to keep in mind:
- Requires a chimney or flue and careful installation.
- Needs proper ventilation and clearances for safety.
- Requires ongoing wood supply and ash clean-out.
Infrared Sauna “Heaters” (Panels)
Infrared saunas don’t use a traditional sauna heater with stones and steam. Instead, they use heating panels that emit infrared energy, which warms the body directly rather than primarily heating the air. Many users appreciate that infrared saunas operate at lower air temperatures while still providing a deep feeling of warmth.
Finnmark FD HeatWave Panels as an Example
In premium infrared cabins, such as the Finnmark FD series, HeatWave infrared panels are strategically placed along the walls, behind the backrests, and sometimes in the floor area. This layout helps distribute warmth evenly so you don’t feel a single “hot spot” on your back or legs.
Infrared cabins are often a strong fit for:
- Users who prefer lower ambient air temperatures during their session.
- People who want quick warm-up times and shorter preheat periods.
- Spaces where traditional ventilation or clearances are harder to achieve.
For a complete comparison of infrared vs traditional heating styles, including temperature ranges and typical session lengths, see our Infrared vs Traditional Sauna Guide .
Matching Your Heater to Sauna Type & Location
The right heater depends not just on preference, but also on the type of sauna you’re installing and where it will live.
Indoor Saunas
For most indoor saunas — whether it’s a 1–2 person, 3–4 person, or larger — an electric heater is the most practical choice. Electric models like the Harvia Cilindro series or HUUM Drop 6 are well suited to:
- Finished basements and wellness rooms.
- Primary homes where ease of use is key.
- Spaces where you want clean, simple operation and precise control.
You can browse indoor saunas and size-specific options like 2 person saunas or 4 person saunas to see how different heater pairings look in real cabins.
Outdoor Barrel and Cabin Saunas
For outdoor saunas — especially barrel saunas and cabin-style structures — you can often choose between a robust electric heater or a wood burning sauna stove. Wood-burning stoves like the Narvi Kuru, Harvia M3, or Narvi Inari pair beautifully with outdoor units, especially in natural settings where firelight and chimney smoke feel at home.
If you want outdoor convenience with less hands-on fire management, an outdoor-rated electric heater combined with a well-insulated structure can also deliver excellent performance. Our barrel saunas and outdoor saunas for home are a good starting point for exploring both options.
Infrared Cabins
If you are primarily drawn to lower air temperatures and a different style of heat, you might lean toward an infrared cabin rather than a traditional heater. In that case, you’ll be choosing between panel layouts, panel materials, and wattage rather than between a stone-based heater and a stove. You can explore our infrared sauna collection for options that use advanced HeatWave-style panels.
Heater Sizing Basics: kW vs Sauna Volume
No matter which type of heater you choose, sizing is important. An undersized sauna heater may struggle to reach your target temperature, while an oversized unit can heat very quickly but may require careful control to keep the session comfortable.
A common starting point is to look at sauna volume — length × width × height — and use manufacturer sizing charts to match volume to heater kilowatt rating (kW). For example:
- Small 1–2 person cabins with modest ceiling height may pair well with a 4.5–6 kW electric heater.
- Medium 3–4 person saunas often land in the 6–8 kW range.
- Larger 5–6 person rooms may benefit from 8–9 kW+ electric heaters.
For wood-burning stoves, sizing may be expressed in terms of recommended cubic volume as well, with specific guidance on minimum and maximum room size. It’s always a good idea to follow the heater manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific cabin or barrel.
If you’re unsure where your sauna fits, our Sauna Size Buying Guide walks through different room sizes, layouts, and seating arrangements.
Heat-Up Time, Steam, and Overall Experience
Once you’ve chosen a heater type, it’s worth thinking about how you actually want your sessions to feel.
Typical Heat-Up Times
- Electric sauna heaters – Often take around 30–45 minutes to bring a well-sized, well-insulated room into the typical traditional sauna temperature range.
- Wood burning sauna stoves – Require lighting and tending the fire; once established, they can deliver powerful heat and rich steam, especially with adequate stone mass.
- Infrared panels – Usually need less preheat time; many users begin their session once panels have warmed slightly and continue as the cabin gradually warms up.
Stone capacity also plays a role: heaters with more stones (like pillar-style Cilindro models or stone-forward HUUM designs) can create softer, more enveloping steam when you ladle water onto the rocks.
Steam and Löyly
In traditional saunas, the combination of heat and gentle steam from the stones is often called löyly. The feel of this steam depends on:
- The temperature of the stones.
- The type and size of the stones (like the Harvia olivine stones shown above).
- How much water you pour, and how frequently.
Most electric heaters and many wood burning sauna stoves are designed to handle light, frequent water pours for a soft, rejuvenating steam. Always check the manufacturer’s guidance for safe use with water.
Controls, Installation & Safety Considerations
Control Options
Modern electric heaters often give you a range of control options:
- Simple built-in dials on the heater body.
- Wall-mounted digital controllers.
- Optional Wi-Fi modules for app-based control in some systems.
Consider how you want to integrate the sauna into your routine. Some owners prefer to preheat their sauna remotely so it is ready when they walk in the door; others are happy to turn it on manually 30–40 minutes before use.
Electrical and Installation Basics
Larger electric units typically require a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician. The wire size, breaker rating, and disconnect requirements will depend on your local electrical code and the specific heater model.
For wood-burning stoves, installation considerations include:
- Chimney routing and roof or wall penetration.
- Clearances to combustibles around the stove and chimney pipe.
- Proper floor protection under and around the stove, as required.
For a more detailed overview of power supply considerations, you can refer to our Sauna Electrical Requirements Guide .
Safety and Ongoing Care
Regardless of heater type, it’s important to:
- Follow manufacturer installation and operating instructions.
- Maintain proper clearances around the heater and chimney.
- Check stones periodically and replace damaged pieces as needed.
- Keep controls, wiring, and vents in good condition.
You can explore practical tips for cleaning, upkeep, and long-term care in our Sauna Maintenance Guide and Sauna FAQ .
Operating Costs & Value Over Time
While the upfront cost of a sauna heater is important, it’s helpful to also think about ongoing operating costs and how often you plan to use your sauna.
Factors that influence operating cost include:
- The heater kW rating (for electric units).
- Session length and how many times per week you use the sauna.
- Local electricity rates and, for wood, the cost or availability of firewood.
- Insulation quality and whether the sauna is indoors or outdoors.
A well-sized electric heater paired with a properly insulated sauna can be surprisingly efficient for regular home use. Wood-burning stoves can be cost-effective when you have ready access to firewood and value the ritual of fire building as part of the experience.
For a more detailed look at how heater choice fits into overall ownership cost, you can review our Sauna Cost and ROI Guide .
Bringing It All Together — Choosing Your Sauna Heater
Choosing the right sauna heater comes down to a few key questions:
- Will your sauna be indoors or outdoors?
- Do you prefer the simplicity of an electric sauna heater or the ritual of a wood burning sauna stove?
- Are you drawn to the feel of traditional steam, or do you prefer infrared-style warmth at lower air temperatures?
- What is your sauna volume and seating capacity, and how does that align with heater sizing?
Once you answer these, you can narrow your options quickly:
- If you are installing a compact indoor sauna and want low-maintenance convenience, consider an electric heater like the Harvia Cilindro PC60 or HUUM Drop 6.
- If you are building an outdoor barrel or cabin sauna in a natural setting and enjoy tending a fire, a wood-burning stove such as the Harvia M3, Narvi Kuru, or Narvi Inari may be the most rewarding choice.
- If you’re drawn to lower air temperatures and direct body warmth, explore infrared cabins with HeatWave-style panels, such as those used in Finnmark FD saunas.
From there, you can refine your decision by comparing wood types, cabin styles, and accessories. Our other buying guides can help you fill in those details:
If you’d like help matching a specific heater to a cabin, room size, or layout, you’re always welcome to reach out to us directly through our Contact page . You can also explore why many wellness-focused homeowners choose to work with us on our Why Buy From Us page and review our Price Match Guarantee .
Your sauna journey starts with choosing the right heater. Once that decision is clear, everything else — the cabin, layout, accessories, and rituals — falls into place much more easily.
Written by Pedram Beheshti
