There are several sauna heater manufacturers on the market, and their products differ in terms of structure, technology, design, and sauna experience. Choosing the right sauna heater directly affects the kind of sauna experience you get and how pleasant your sauna experience will be.
In this article, we will go over how the products of different heater manufacturers typically differ from each other and what you should consider when making a choice.
Electric stove vs. wood stove – basic considerations
Before looking at the different manufacturers, it's good to understand the two main types:
Electric heater
- Easy to use, quick to heat up.
- Particularly suitable for city and house saunas.
- Often more compact and allows for modern features such as timing or WiFi control.
Wood stove
- Offers more traditional, “soft” saunas.
- Especially suitable for cottages and saunas where an authentic atmosphere is desired.
- Requires more maintenance and a chimney.
Most heater manufacturers offer both options, but the emphasis and specialization vary between manufacturers. There are also huge differences in the selections by country.
Harvia – a Finnish classic
Harvia is one of the best-known and internationally respected sauna heater manufacturers. The company was founded in the 1950s and its selection is very wide today.
Typical features:
- High-quality and durable construction, designed for long-term use.
- The collection includes basic models, designer heaters, and smart WiFi-controlled electric heaters.
- Good amount of stones in many models → soft and even saunas.
- Spare parts and maintenance are readily available in Finland thanks to a comprehensive network.
Who is suitable for:
Harvia is suitable for almost everyone – whether for a home sauna, a cottage or public use. If you value reliable quality and domestic production, Harvia is always a safe choice.
Narvi – a combination of tradition and design
Narvi is another strong domestic manufacturer, known especially for its wood-burning stoves and energy efficiency.
Typical features:
- Invest in ecology and clean combustion – lower emissions and efficient heat utilization.
- The appearance is often restrained and traditional, but more modern models are also available.
- The saunas are soft and long-lasting, especially in wood-burning stoves.
Who is suitable for:
Narvi is especially suitable for those who value the traditional sauna experience and want a wood-burning stove that is both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Helo – modern technology and design
Helo is one of the world's oldest heater manufacturers and known for its innovations. Helo focuses particularly on electric heaters and smart solutions.
Typical features:
- Modern design and compact solutions for apartment buildings, for example.
- Good control panels and the ability to integrate the heater into home automation systems.
- Excellent heating speed.
Who is suitable for:
Helo is particularly suitable for city saunas and modern homes where comfort and a stylish appearance are valued.
Iki – design and massive saunas
Iki heaters are known for their distinctive mesh-like structure, which allows for an exceptionally large number of stones in the heater.
Typical features:
- A very impressive appearance that makes the heater the focal point of the sauna.
- Massive amount of stones → long and soft saunas.
- Also suitable for larger saunas and public spaces.
- Both wood and electric models available.
Who is suitable for:
Iki is suitable for those who want an impressive design and high-quality saunas – for example, for a modern home sauna or representative spaces.
Other manufacturers and specialties
There are also smaller or more specialized manufacturers on the market, such as Tulikivi, which combines a heater and a rock mass into a heat-saving whole. Kastor is known for its traditional and durable wood-burning heaters. There are also specialized manufacturers, such as Saunatuli, which focus on smoke saunas or custom-made solutions, for example.
How to choose the right heater?
Different manufacturers emphasize different things in their heaters. When making your own choice, it is worth considering:
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Sauna size and purpose – Choose the power class and heater depending on how large the space is to be heated.
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The nature of saunas – Do you want soft, long-lasting saunas or quick heating?
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Appearance and design – A sauna heater can become the eye-catcher in the sauna.
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Maintenance and spare parts – Spare parts and maintenance are easily available for products from well-known manufacturers.
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Technical features – Smart control, scheduling, and automation can be a big advantage in everyday life.
What price range do different heater manufacturers fall into?
- Harvia offers the most options in all price ranges.
- Mid-range 500-1000€
- Narvi is most often placed in the middle class and slightly above it, especially in wood-burning stoves.
- Mid-range 700-1200€
- Helo is close to Harvia's price level, but emphasizes technology and modern design.
- Mid-range 600-1200€
- Iki and Tulikivi clearly represent the premium segment, where appearance and sauna quality are the focus.
- Mid-range 1200-2000€
The right heater can usually be found based on your budget, intended use, and desired experience.
Summary
The differences between sauna heater manufacturers are particularly visible in the design, number of stones, heating method, technical solutions and, of course, price. Domestic brands such as Harvia, Narvi and Helo offer reliable basic solutions for different needs, while Iki and specialist manufacturers offer options for impressive design and unique saunas.
Choosing the right sauna heater makes sauna bathing an experience – and when you combine a high-quality sauna heater with, for example, good sauna scents, you get an even more invigorating and fresh experience from your sauna.
