Choosing between a wood‑burning or an electric sauna heater is a big decision. It shapes your experience, affects maintenance, and even impacts your lifestyle. In this guide, we'll break down the pros and cons, look at real examples, compare heat‑up times and highlight other considerations to help you make the most informed decision before committing to a sauna. Let’s dive in!
Why is it important to find the answer before committing to a sauna?
A sauna is an investment—of both time and money—so getting the heater right matters.
Wood‑burning heaters lend a traditional, cozy atmosphere and independence from power, but require more maintenance and upkeep.
Electric heaters are easier to control, cleaner, and low‑maintenance, though they demand reliable electricity infrastructure and might feel less authentic.
Matching the heater type to your needs is key to long‑term satisfaction.
Wood-burning sauna heater review
Wood‑burning sauna heaters offer a crackling fire and independence from electricity. They're deeply rooted in Finnish tradition and bring a rustic, authentic vibe to any sauna.
Pros
- Delivers warm, natural glow and aroma of real burning wood.
- Works without electricity, which is great for remote cabins or off‑grid use.
- Provides intense, enveloping heat that purists love.
Cons
- Needs chimney installation and adequate ventilation.
- Requires manual fueling and regular cleaning (ash removal, chimney cleaning).
- More challenging to control the temperature precisely.
Example: Harvia M3
- Power output: approximately 16.5 kW, suitable for 4.5–13 m³ saunas.
- Weight: the heater itself weighs 45 kg and has the stone capacity of up to 30 kg.
- Features tempered glass door for a great view of the fire and airflow control.
Harvia M3 is a tried‑and‑true classic: simple, rugged, and traditional.
Electric sauna heater review
Electric heaters heat up quickly and cleanly and are easy to use even for a novice.
Pros
- Quick heat‑up and precise temperature control.
- Clean operation: no smoke, no ash, no chimney.
- Safer and low‑maintenance: just add stones, plug in, and go.
Cons
- Requires reliable electricity infrastructure and sometimes a high‑voltage circuit.
- Less traditional ambiance: some users miss the crackling of wood and open flames.
Example: HARVIA Cilindro PC90
- Power output: approximately 9 kW, suitable for 8–14 m³ saunas.
- Weight: the heater itself weighs about 10 kg and has the stone capacity of up to 80 kg.
- Features a stainless steel pillar design with integrated timer and thermostat.
The sleek and simple HARVIA Cilindro packs a punch when it comes to heat and is super easy to operate.
Comparison of heat-up time for electric vs wood-burning sauna heaters
Wood‑burners’ heat‑up time depends on a variety of factors: how much the heater itself weighs (as the heater first needs to heat itself up, before it can heat up the stones); the wood quality, airflow, and setup. Typically, wood-burning heaters come up to working temperature in 45–90 minutes. However, it’s important to note that during this time, you’ll need to tend the fire to maintain heat.
Electric heaters generally heat up in 30–60 minutes. The more stone mass, the longer it may take to warm up, but once heated, electric sauna heaters offer steady steam.
Overall, electric sauna heaters always win points for convenience and predictability, while wood-burning heaters give ambiance and independence at the cost of prep time.
Other important aspects to consider
Kids and pets
Wood‑burning introduces hot surfaces, open flames, and ash, which increase risk. The constant maintenance of the fire and its ambiance also means that both kids and pets are likely to be drawn towards wood-burning heater. Therefore, strict supervision of kids and pets is important to ensure everyone’s safety.
Electric heaters still have the risk of hot surfaces, but risk is significantly diminished due to its plug-and-go nature and safety rails that should always be installed around the electric sauna heaters.
Environment
Wood‑burning heaters produce emissions, though using sustainable firewood can mitigate environmental impact. It’s important to check your local regulations, as some areas are banning the use of wood-burning devices to limit pollution in urban areas.
Electric heaters offer no pollution in and of themselves, and the emissions ultimately come down to the source of your electricity. For instance, if you have solar panels installed, your sauna might not only be very cheap to operate but would be much greener too.
Location and lifestyle
Wood‑burning is ideal for off‑grid use, rustic settings, or for sauna purists who enjoy ritual and ambiance.
Electric is best for cabins with solid power infrastructure or urban settings. It’s low‑maintenance and convenient.
Checklist: what to consider before making the final decision on your sauna heater?
- Do you have reliable, high‑voltage electrical access?
- Do you enjoy the ritual of tending the fire and its ambiance?
- How fast do you want your sauna ready?
- Who will use it? Kids, pets, or less experienced users?
- How much time are you willing to put towards sauna maintenance?
- Are there any local environmental regulations that might make the decision for you?
Summary
In short, electric heaters give you simplicity, speed, and precision, while wood‑burning delivers authenticity, ambiance, and off‑grid readiness.
If you’ve made up your mind about the sauna heater, why not look into a ready-made one built by our team of traditional craftspeople? Based in the heart of Samogitia, we design outdoor saunas (like Jurgis, Ula, Elena) that can be fitted with either wood‑burning or electric heaters. Whether you want a cozy fire‑lit retreat or a plug-and-enjoy electric oasis, we’ll build you the perfect match.
- September 4, 2025
