How to Choose the Right Heater for Your Sauna

How to Choose the Right Heater for Your Sauna

"The heater is the heart of every sauna." The old Finnish saying might sound poetic, but it’s true — your sauna is only as good as what powers it.

Think of it like this: the wood, benches, and glass create the body, but the heater? That’s the soul. It determines how fast your sauna heats up, how it feels, and even how it smells. Yet most people pick one without really understanding the difference. Let’s change that.

1. Electric Heaters — Convenience Meets Control

Electric heaters are the modern favorite. They’re plug-and-play (well, almost — you’ll need an electrician), heat up quickly, and give you full temperature control. If you live in the city or have an indoor sauna, this is likely your best choice.

Most high-end electric heaters, like those from HUUM, can reach optimal temperature in 30–45 minutes. Many even connect to Wi-Fi, so you can preheat your sauna before you get home. That’s not luxury — that’s practicality.

Pros:

  • Heats up fast and evenly.

  • Easy to maintain (no ash, no soot).

  • Works great for both indoor and outdoor saunas.

  • Can be integrated with smart home systems.

Cons:

  • Requires professional installation (220V circuit).

  • Misses the crackle and scent of real wood.

If your space is connected to the grid and you value simplicity, go electric. It’s efficient, consistent, and low-maintenance.

2. Wood-Burning Heaters — The Traditional Experience

Then there’s the purist’s choice — the wood-burning heater. The smell of birch, the soft hiss of steam on the stones, the rhythm of stacking and tending the fire. This isn’t just heat — it’s ritual.

For rural properties or cabins without reliable power, it’s also practical. A well-built wood stove can heat even a large outdoor sauna to full temperature within an hour, and it produces a heat quality that’s hard to replicate.

Pros:

  • Authentic, traditional experience.

  • Works anywhere — no electricity required.

  • Produces rich steam and softer heat.

  • Great for off-grid living.

Cons:

  • Needs ventilation and regular chimney cleaning.

  • Takes more effort to start and maintain.

  • Slower to heat up.

Wood-burning heaters reward patience. The payoff? The sound of crackling logs and the earthy scent of wood smoke mixing with steam — pure magic.

3. Size and Power — Don’t Overlook the Numbers

Here’s where it gets technical — but stay with me. The size of your heater must match the cubic volume of your sauna. Too small, and it’ll struggle to keep up. Too large, and it’ll overheat before you can enjoy the session.

As a rule of thumb:

  • For every 1 cubic meter (35 cubic feet) of sauna space, you’ll need 1 kW of heating power.

  • Add 10–15% more power if your sauna has glass walls or poor insulation.

Example:
A 6' x 6' x 7' sauna = roughly 252 cubic feet = about 7.2 kW heater needed.

At Inland Sauna, we always size the heater for your specific build — no guesswork, no shortcuts.

4. Safety and Installation — The Non-Negotiables

Whether it’s wood or electric, safety is everything. Always ensure:

  • Your wiring is rated for the correct amperage (for electric).

  • The heater has proper clearance from wood surfaces.

  • A licensed electrician handles the installation.

  • You use heat-resistant materials near the heater.

If you’re building a custom sauna, these details should be discussed during design — not after. Retrofitting safety features is costly and avoidable.

5. The Feel — Because Heat Has Personality

An electric heater gives you precision. It’s steady, predictable, and efficient.
A wood heater gives you depth. The kind of heat that feels alive — breathing, moving, changing.

Neither is “better.” It’s about what kind of experience you want to create.

Do you want a ritual — chopping wood, lighting fires, sitting quietly while the heat builds? Or do you want the modern ease of stepping into a perfectly heated room after work with no effort?

That’s the beauty of saunas — there’s no wrong choice, only your choice.

Final Thoughts

At Inland Sauna, we’ve built everything from urban indoor saunas in Kelowna condos to off-grid retreats in the Alberta foothills. Every one of them started with this same conversation:
“What kind of heat do you want to feel?”

Because the right heater doesn’t just warm the room — it defines the experience.

So before you choose, ask yourself:
Do you want the silence of electricity or the song of fire?

Whichever you pick, make sure it reflects you. That’s what makes it your sauna.

Back to blog