Which is better: wood or electric sauna?

Choosing between an electric and a wood-burning sauna can be a challenging decision due to their significant differences. In this post, we have outlined the key distinctions between these two types of saunas.

Time

Having an electric heater saves time at the expense of adding wood to a heater. Using an electric sauna involves simply pressing a button and waiting for it to heat up, whereas a wood-burning sauna requires investing time and effort to generate heat. On the other hand, the act of heating up a wood stove is an enjoyable ritual in itself.

Notably, some electric heaters can also be connected to a mobile app that allows you to heat up the sauna while even being miles away from home. Our Hele electric saunas are equipped with HUUM heaters, which are equipped with a mobile app. Read about its benefits from our blog post here.

Atmosphere

There's nothing quite like the soothing sound of wood crackling during a sauna session, providing a true sauna bathing experience. In our wood-fired saunas, you can relish the crackling even in the changing room, creating an immersive experience. Imagine also enjoying a panoramic view of the surroundings...

Temperature Setting and Maintenance

Electric heaters allow you to set and maintain the temperature according to your preference throughout the sauna session. In contrast, achieving and sustaining the desired temperature with a wood heater can be more challenging.

The HUUM sauna controllers have three control system models to choose from based on whether you prefer to heat the sauna locally, via WiFi, and/or 4G. More details about the controllers can be found here.

Steam Quality

Is the sauna steam sharper in an electric sauna? No, this is a common misconception. The quality of steam doesn't depend on the heating source but rather on the quantity of heater stones. More stones lead to better steam.

Energy Use

A wood-fired stove doesn't rely on electrical energy which means it can be installed practically anywhere.

Maintenance

Opting for a wood-fired sauna entails investing time and effort into ordering and storing firewood. Also, firewood creates a lot of ash in the ashtray and debris, that needs to be cleaned constantly.

In conclusion, the choice between wood and electric saunas ultimately depends on your preferences and needs. If you prioritize comfort and convenience, an electric sauna may be the better choice – push a button, and you can enter the sauna within 30-60 minutes. However, if you relish the traditional process of heating a sauna and the soothing atmosphere it creates, a wood-burning stove is the way to go.

Our Hele Singe and Double saunas are available with both stove options. Explore the different alternatives here. In Estonia, you can try out both options at Shanti.