Your heater is the heartbeat of your sauna. It’s what makes that wooden box (or barrel) a sauna, and not just an intricate, albeit stunning structure. Choosing the right heating solution is not something you should take lightly.

In weighing your options you’ll likely come across two manufacturers that consistently receive high praise: Harvia vs HUUM. Each brand has earned a reputation for producing exceptional products, but is one better than the other?

This comparison of HUUM vs Harvia sauna heaters will leave you feeling clear and confident about which is right for you. We’ll unpack the top models from each and look at factors like sustainability, efficiency, design, price, and more. 

But ultimately, this is a win-win situation. You can’t go wrong either way. We’re proud to carry both HUUM sauna heaters AND Harvia sauna heaters here at Nordica Sauna, both at the lowest prices online with world-class customer service every step of the way.

Overview of HUUM Sauna Heaters

HUUM sauna heaters are an ode to the traditional Finnish sauna style. They’re stunning works of art, and they’re known for performing incredibly well. 

This Estonia-based manufacturer is comprised of a team that actually uses sauna therapy, so they know what customers want and need. Believe us when we say they deliver on it, too. 

Sauna heating runs in the family for HUUM. The founder is the third in his bloodline to create sauna heaters. The company has been around for a bit over a decade and has earned the highly coveted Red Dot product design award along the way.

You’ll find sizes ranging from 3.5kW all the way up to 18kW, with tons of options in between. Let’s get into some of the most popular models HUUM is known for.

HUUM Drop

This was the first heater HUUM produced. The goal was to come up with something unlike anything else on the market. The sleek, eye-catching design certainly accomplished that goal. It resembles the symbol of purity in nature, a single drop of water.

These are available in 4.5-9kW sizes, each of which is guaranteed to create soft, consistently high heat and long-lasting steam. The design supports direct contact between stones and heating elements. These mount on the wall of your sauna. 

HUUM Hive

The Hive series is the most sophisticated option, with a focus on performance. These are equipped with an internal air tunnel to speed up heating by 25% while extending the heating element's lifespan.

You’ll have access to more variety in this series with kW ratings ranging from 6 all the way up to 18. Homeowners and spas alike depend on this series. You can find it in both electrical and wood-fired styles. These are typically situated on the ground of the sauna.

HUUM Steel 

Those tight on space can count on the HUUM Steel series to deliver a compact, high-performance heating solution. The structure can be installed closer to the wall - as low as 2” - than most other options, helping you maximize space. They can be wall-mounted as well.

Sizes range from 3.5kW all the way up to 10.5kW. All are equipped with an internal air duct for 25% faster heating, similar to the Hive series.

HUUM Cliff 

The HUUM Cliff series is another slim design perfect for compact sauna footprints. The safety distances on these models are remarkable, and individual ribs can be removed for more accurate stone stacking. kW ratings range from 3.5-10.

 

Ultimately, choosing among these series comes down to your preferred layout and the size of your sauna. Tight on space? Opt for the Steel or Cliff series. The Hive models are floor-standing, whereas the Drop models are wall-mounted.

The point is, there is a HUUM heater for every sauna layout and configuration. All of these are controllable via the HUUM UKU Wi-Fi controller, which will need to be purchased separately.

Overview of Harvia Sauna Heaters

Now, let’s look at the other half of the HUUM vs Harvia comparison. This manufacturer has a really unique origin story. Tapani Harvia’s plane plummeted from the sky into an icy Finnish lake in the 1940s. He emerged from the wreckage and searched for a sauna to warm himself.

Today, Harvia sauna heaters are known as one of the most reliable, high-performance options available. You’ll have access to electric and wood-burning models alike, each of which is carefully crafted from premium materials.

Similar to HUUM, you’ll see that there is a Harvia heater for every taste and need. Let’s unpack the most popular series below.

Harvia Spirit

This elegant electric sauna heater is available in both 6 and 8kW designs, both of which heat the sauna rapidly so you can get to enjoying it ASAP. 

Safety features have been thoughtfully added for peace of mind, like built-in overheating protection. It won’t turn on if anything is on top of it, either. You can control it remotely with the Harvia Xenio Controls.

Harvia KIP

These electric sauna heaters feature built-in control mechanisms and range in kilowattage from 3.0-8.0. Durability and affordability were the core requirements in designing this heater, and it’s why these simple styles are among the most popular on the market still today. 

The wall-mounted design maximizes floor space while the direct rock-to-heating element contact supports speedy warming. Some customers have reported using their Harvia KIP heaters for over a decade, making this a great investment that will stand the test of time.

Harvia Cilindro

As the name suggests, the cylinder-style units are a sleek, modern option for home saunas of all shapes and sizes. Choose from 6.0 to 10.5kW models. 

While some styles feature built-in controls, others will require the use of an external controller panel for enhanced and accurate temperature regulation. You can also control these remotely using a WiFi add-on. 

You’ll need roughly 200lbs of stones to make the most of this heater, and the grate-like outer shell allows you to control the nature of the steam for softer or more powerful effects.

Harvia Virta

The Harvia Virta models range from 6kW up to massive 20kW styles for commercial saunas. They’re elegant and multifunctional, and perfect for those who want a gentle, moist steam with added fragrances - it has specialized areas for fragrance liquids and bags!

They’re versatile in that you can mount them on the wall or on the floor. Heating elements on the are industrial grade and easily serviceable. You can also automate the water filling if you’d like. 

Harvia Wood Stoves

Those who are interested in the most traditional sauna experience are often drawn toward a wood-burning stove rather than an electrical heater. This series is for you.

You can find these available in 15.7kW styles all the way up to massive 40kW styles depending on the size of your sauna. The large glass door and advanced combustion technology provide a clean burn and a long useful life. 

These stoves put out 20% fewer particulate emissions and 70% fewer carbon monoxide emissions, so you can rest assured you’re making a sustainable choice. 

HUUM vs Harvia: Which Sauna Heater Manufacturer is Right For You?

You might be leaning towards one brand or the other after reading through the different series above. But if not, let’s compare and contrast HUUM vs Harvia side by side below to leave you with a clear understanding of which better aligns with your budget and needs.

Aesthetics

HUUM is known for its stunning, captivating designs. The same could be said for Harvia, though. This is a bit too subjective for us to call it one way or the other. Just take a look at the styles both brands offer and see which resonates with your preferences!

In general, though, HUUM models are true works of art. The manufacturer has put an emphasis on striking designs that stand out from the rest. That’s part of why they earned that Red Dot Award back in 2015.

Meanwhile, Harvia creates more simple, understated styles, where the focus is on performance - not appearance. They’re a bit more traditional, but maybe that’s what you’re looking for.

Efficiency

You want a sauna heater that works quickly and doesn’t make a dent in your monthly energy bill. Both manufacturers produce highly efficient models, but HUUM takes the cake here.

Its heaters feature internal air tunnels that speed up heating by 25% while prolonging the lifespan of heating elements.

The KIP and Virta series from Harvia offer rapid heating and precise temperature control as well, though. These perform consistently. 

Meanwhile, the manufacturer’s wood stoves use advanced combustion technology for a clean burn, reducing particulate and carbon monoxide emissions.

Features

HUUM heaters are designed with cutting-edge technology, most notably, the ability to control your sauna remotely with the HUUM UKU WiFi controller. This means you can have your sauna warm by the time you get home from work and jump right in.

These heaters also feature innovative designs that allow for direct stone-to-element contact, delivering softer, longer-lasting steam.

On the other hand, Harvia heaters are also packed with powerful features, starting with safety mechanisms. As we mentioned earlier, they won’t start if they sense something on top of the unit, and they’ll turn off automatically if overheating is a concern.

Other features that stand out for Harvia sauna heaters are the specialized areas for fragrance liquids and automation for water filling in some Virta models.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the core of HUUM’s manufacturing process, from the environmentally friendly materials used to the focus on energy efficiency. 

But Harvia also takes sustainability seriously, especially with its wood-burning stoves. These are engineered to produce fewer emissions compared to standard wood stoves.

Cost

Maybe you’re looking to make your choice between Harvia vs HUUM based on budget. This is where Harvia has an obvious edge, with its cheapest heaters starting as low as $750. For context, HUUM’s most affordable option is over $1,000.

It’s not necessarily apples to apples, though, as the Harvia heater is only 3.5kW compared to the 4.5kW capability of the HUUM heater. We don’t love the idea of you choosing between HUUM vs Harvia based on price, either. Value is more important. 

Either way, though, you can trust that you’re getting the best deal here at Nordica Sauna thanks to our price-matching policy and free shipping. Speaking of which…

Find Both HUUM and Harvia Sauna Heaters for the Lowest Prices Online at Nordica Sauna!

We hope this comparison of Harvia vs HUUM sauna heaters has left you feeling clear and confident about which is right for you. Remember, these are two of the absolute best sauna brands on the market. You can’t go wrong either way.

If you still have your doubts, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our customer service team here at Nordica Sauna. After all, we carry both Harvia heaters and HUUM heaters, so we can give you our unbiased opinion based on your unique needs! We also carry other leading brands:

• Almost Heaven Sauna
• Auroom sauna
• Finnmark Saunas
• Dundalk Leisure Craft Saunas
• Golden Design Saunas
• Sauna Life Saunas
• Scandia Sauna
• Sunray Sauna

Our catalog features all the different types of saunas and sauna sizes, all at the lowest sauna prices online. We are proud to beat any price you find and we’ll even ship your order free. You can also use FSA/HSA funds and finance the purchase.

Whether you’re trying to heat an indoor sauna or outdoor sauna, barrel sauna or square traditional sauna, we have the perfect heater waiting to be discovered. You can also browse our infrared saunas for sale if you want to make the upgrade!

Browse our sauna buying guide for more tips on perfecting your sauna setup. Or, simply get in touch with our customer service team today. Why play the guessing game when personalized help is a click or call away?

Bringing Our Harvia vs HUUM Heater Comparison to a Close

That does it for our in-depth comparison of Harvia vs HUUM heaters. The choice of sauna heater is certainly not one to take lightly, and we hope this has left you feeling more clear in your decision. 

The key takeaway: both of these are world-class brands! You really can’t go wrong either way. For something more sophisticated and flashy, go with HUUM. For exceptional performance without some of the frills, Harvia is a great choice. 

Our blog has additional resources on topics like sauna fasting, red light therapy vs infrared sauna, sauna before or after massage, when is the best time to sauna, are infrared saunas safe, infrared vs steam sauna, sauna duration, infrared sauna vs dry sauna, indoor vs outdoor sauna, barrel sauna vs square sauna, and are infrared saunas worth it?

But whether you’re trying to choose between a HUUM vs Harvia heater or you just want the best infrared sauna for home, your search ends here at Nordica Sauna. 

We’re here to help you take the next step toward bringing the sauna benefits into your home, creating your own personal wellness oasis. Browse our catalog or take our sauna quiz below!