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Harvia Sauna Heater Review: Features, Benefits, and Performance

Harvia Sauna Heater Review: Features, Benefits, and Performance

Joan Maxwell Joan Maxwell
11 minutes read

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As a brand with over 70 years of experience, Harvia sauna heaters are some of the most sought-after in the market. The Finnish brand has become a leading sauna solutions company with its high-quality products and innovative features. 

With a wide range of electric, wood-burning, steam, and infrared heaters, Harvia is an excellent choice for both residential and commercial saunas. 

In this post, we’ll share everything you need to know about Harvia sauna heaters, from their features, performance, and key products. Read on and find out which Harvia product will suit your sauna room!

Key Takeaways

  • Harvia is a Finnish brand with over 70 years of experience focusing on function, innovation, and performance.

  • Harvia has an extensive product line that can cater to indoor or outdoor saunas, starter saunas, small and large saunas, and ever-ready saunas that can store heat.

  • Some of Harvia's most popular lines are the KIP Series, Cilindro Series, Spirit Series, GreenFlame Series, and M3 Series.

  • Harvia heaters are durable, efficient, authentic, and provide high-quality steam with consistent heat.

  • The downside is that electric heaters can result in high energy costs while wood-burning needs regular cleaning and maintenance.

Introduction to Harvia Sauna Heaters

Founded in 1950 by Tapani Harvia, the company’s journey started when Harvia built his first wood-burning sauna stove to find warmth and healing. Several decades later, Harvia is the biggest sauna manufacturer in the world, with products in over 100 countries. The company extended its product line to electric, infrared, steam, and ready-made sauna cabins. 

Harvia has come a long way from its traditional wood-burning stove! Its products are now equipped with smart controls, safety features, and innovative designs for better and more efficient heating. 

In this post, we’ll cover Harvia’s most popular heater types: electric and wood-burning. We’ll compare each product line thoroughly, so you can find out which one will be the best for your needs.  

Harvia Sauna Heater Types

Harvia is a company with numerous product lines, including steam and infrared heaters, but we’ll focus more on electric and wood-burning heaters. 

So, what’s the difference between Harvia’s electric and wood-burning heaters? Here’s an easy guideline: 

  • Harvia electric sauna heaters: Powered by electricity, Harvia’s electric saunas are easy to install, have fast heating, and are suitable for indoor saunas. These heaters can be easily integrated into your sauna room without the need for a special exhaust or chimneys for the combustion process. Some of Harvia’s most popular electric heaters are the Cilindro, KIP, and Forte series. 

  • Harvia wood-burning sauna seater: Low energy cost and provide a more rustic experience, Harvia’s wood-burning stoves will give you that traditional Finnish atmosphere. It’s best for outdoor saunas because you’ll need to install chimneys for the combustion process. Some of Harvia’s most popular wood-burning stoves include the GreenFlame and M3 series.

Features of Harvia Sauna Heaters

The brand has incorporated unique features that make operating your Harvia sauna heaters much easier, such as:

  • Harvia digital controls and timers: Most Harvia products come with a digital controller that can allow you to schedule your heating in advance. You can set the time between 0 to 18 hours in advance. 

  • Mobile controller: Several Harvia heaters are also mobile-compatible if you purchase the add-on Xenio WiFi control, so you can set up your heaters on the go.   

  • Safety features: Harvia puts safety as a top priority, which is why their sauna heaters are equipped with automatic shut-off, overheat protection, and cool-touch exterior panels.

Performance of Harvia Sauna Heaters

The brand is known to have a short heat-up time, with some heaters needing a mere 30 minutes to reach the desirable temperature. There’s even Harvia Forte - an innovative electric heater that can store heat and be ready anytime you need it. 

Their heaters can also reach a relatively high temperature, with the maximum temperature for most Harvia products being 194°F or higher. Some models, such as Harvio Cilindro and Forte have high heating consistency due to their large stone capacity. 

Harvia Sauna Heater Specifications and Key Models

Harvia has numerous product lines, but these are the brand’s popular models that can cover different sauna requirements. In this section, we’ll cover three Harvia electric heaters and one wood-burning option. 

Harvia Kip Series

Harvia KIP Series 8kW Stainless Steel Sauna Heater at 240V 1PH with Built-In Time and Temperature Controls

Harvia KIP Series 8kW Stainless Steel Sauna Heater at 240V 1PH with Built-In Time and Temperature Controls

$1,028.00 $1,285.00

Harvia KIP Series 8kW Stainless Steel Sauna Heater at 240V 1PH with Built-In Time and Temperature Controls The Harvia KIP80B sauna heater is designed to power home saunas up to 424 adjusted cubic feet (ACF). The Harvia KIP80B features durable… read more

Variants

3 kW, 4.5 kW, 6 kW, 8 kW

Best for

Small to medium, starter saunas

Price

US$1,187.50 - US$1,285 

Wood/Electric

Electric

Room Capacity

84 to 130 cu ft (3 kW)

100 to 210 cu ft (4.5 kW)

170 to 300 cu ft (6 kW)

 250 to 425 cu ft (8 kW)

Stone capacity

50 lbs

Smart controls

Available

Pros

Affordable

Built-in time and temperature controls

Simple and easy to use

Cons

Small stone capacity

Limited features

The Harvia KIP series is perfect for a starter sauna. They’re affordable and cover small to medium-sized rooms. The KIP Series is made of stainless steel components, making it durable for long-term use. 

It features a simple built-in control panel, so you can preset the sauna room up to 8 hours before your session. It’s available in as low as 3 kW of power, so you can choose the ones that are suitable for your sauna room’s dimensions without wasting electricity. 

The downside of the Harvia KIP series would be its small stone capacity and limited features, but it’s still a recommended starter heater for new sauna enthusiasts. But if you’re looking to invest in a more high-tech or innovative heater, other heaters on this list can serve you better. 

Harvia Cilindro Series

Harvia Cilindro Half Series 9kW Stainless Steel Sauna Heater at 240V 1PH with Built-In Time and Temperature Controls

Harvia Cilindro Half Series 9kW Stainless Steel Sauna Heater at 240V 1PH with Built-In Time and Temperature Controls

$1,558.00 $1,772.50

Harvia Cilindro Half Series 9kW Stainless Steel Sauna Heater at 240V 1PH with Built-In Time and Temperature Controls The Harvia Cilindro PC90 electric sauna heater contains a massive amount of stones. Thanks to the grate-like outer shell, each bather can… read more

Variants

6 kW, 8 kW, 9 kW, 10.5 kW

Best for

Small to medium saunas with high-quality steam

Price

US1,237.50 - US$1,705

Wood/Electric

Electric

Room Capacity

141 to 294 cu ft (6 kW)

141 to 431 cu ft (8 kW)

141 to 494 cu ft (9 kW)

141 to 636 cu ft (10.5 kW)

Stone capacity

264 lbs

Smart controls

Available

Pros

Sleek, modern design

Large stone capacity

Even, consistent heat


Cons

May need a longer heat-up

The beautiful, towering Harvia Cilindro can serve as both a heater as well as a statement piece in your sauna room. Because of its tall, pillar-like build, the Cilindro can pack loads of stones. 

Its grate-like outer shell design allows bathers to enjoy even steam and consistent heat due to exposed stones. The model also comes with built-in time and temperature controls so you can pre-heat it. 

The downside of the Cilindro series is that it may need longer heat-up time, with some online reviews saying it takes around one hour to reach optimum temperature. However, you can counteract this by using the controller and heating the sauna room beforehand. 


Harvia Forte Series

Harvia Forte Series, 9.8kW Sauna Heater Digital Control at 240V 1PH

Harvia Forte Series, 9.8kW Sauna Heater Digital Control at 240V 1PH

$4,475.00 $5,406.25

Harvia Forte Series, 9.8kW Sauna Heater Digital Control at 240V 1PH The Forte is Harvia’s innovative version of the heat-storing electric heater, combining top-of-the-range heater technology with a sleek design. Just grab a towel, lift the Forte’s cover and climb… read more

Variants

4.4 kW, 

Best for

Efficient and ever-ready saunas

Price

US$5,472.50 - US$5,918.75

Wood/Electric

Electric

Room Capacity

178 to 283 cu ft (4.4 kW)

250 to 421 cu ft (6.5 kW)

355 to 527 cu ft (9.8 kW)

Stone capacity

220 lbs

Smart controls

Available

Pros

Can store heat and save heating energy

Large stone capacity

Equipped with safety switch

Shorter wait time

Cons

High setup cost

Are you someone who uses your sauna almost every day? Then you should try the Harvia Forte Ever-Ready series. As the name suggests, the Forte Ever-Ready heater is always ready to welcome you for a warm sauna session. That’s because the innovative product can store heat, so it’s always at a certain temperature. 

The heat storing capability means you’ll also save money on electricity bills because you won’t have to start the heater every time you want a session. Make sure that all stones are dry before you close the heater’s lid for a longer lifetime.  


Harvia M3 Series

Harvia M Series 16.5kW Wood Sauna Stove w/ Exterior Feed

Harvia M Series 16.5kW Wood Sauna Stove w/ Exterior Feed

$1,295.00 $1,483.75

Harvia M Series 16.5kW Wood Sauna Stove w/ Exterior Feed If you are looking to get additional uses out of your sauna stove than this Harvia M3 SL is the stove for you. The M3 SL is placed in the… read more

Variants

16.5 kW

Best for

Outdoor saunas

Price

US$1,483.75

Wood/Electric

Wood

Room Capacity

212 to 459 cu ft

Stone capacity

66 lbs

Smart controls

Not available

Pros

Traditional sauna experience

no electricity required

Can opt for one with an exterior feed

Quick heat up

Cons

Needs constant cleaning

Needs chimneys/proper exhaust

If you want a sauna stove that gives you a rustic experience, the Harvia M3 series is the one. With adequate stone capacity, the heater can give you a decent amount of steam and even heat. Many customers also mentioned that the heater can heat up quickly and requires less wood than expected. 

The downside to a wood-burning sauna heater is you need to clean your heater after each use. It also requires more complicated installation, such as chimneys and exhaust. Nevertheless, a Harvia M3 is still a great option for those wanting a traditional Finnish sauna experience.   


Benefits of Harvia Sauna Heaters

Still not convinced about Harvia’s sauna heaters? Here are some benefits you can expect when you choose the brand:

  • Ease of Use and Installation: Even DIY-ers can install their electric heaters. It also comes with user-friendly controls that new bathers will appreciate.

  • Authentic Sauna Experience: Both electric and wood-burning sauna heaters still give you an authentic sauna experience with even heat distribution and steam 

  • Durability and Longevity: Harvia uses nothing but the best materials to build their long-lasting heaters. One of their strengths is having heaters that can last for years with minimal maintenance. 

Harvia Sauna Heater Installation

If you’re thinking of installing a Harvia sauna heater, here are some tips to get you ready:

  • When installing electric heaters, make sure you check the voltage and phase

  • Make sure you have enough clearance, based on the manual provided, for both electric and wood-burning heaters

  • Wood-burning models would require proper ventilation, so you might need a professional to install one for you 

Harvia Sauna Heaters Pros and Cons

Should you choose a Harvia sauna heater? Here are some pros and cons to help you consider:

Pros

Cons

Excellent and durable quality

Wide range of models

Affordable models available

Electric heaters are easy to install and have smart controllers

Wood-burning heaters provide an authentic experience

Electric models have higher energy costs

Wood-burning models have elaborate installation and maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions About Harvia Sauna Heaters

Where Are Harvia Sauna Heaters Made?

Harvia sauna heaters are made in Finland, a country that’s known for its long tradition of sauna culture. 

How Hot Does a Harvia Sauna Heater Get?

Most Harvia sauna heaters can get up to 194°F or higher, depending on the model. Some models, like the Harvia Forte Ever-Ready heaters have a much higher internal maximum temperature because they are meant to store heat. 

Can you pour water over a Harvia sauna heater?

Yes, you can! Most Harvia sauna heaters will have stones that you can pour water over to create a steamy sauna experience, just like a traditional Finnish sauna. 

Get the Best Harvia Sauna Heater at Sauna Heater Supply!

Did you choose a favourite yet? Get the best Harvia sauna heater at Sauna Heater Supply. We have both electric and wood-burning Harvia sauna heaters, so traditional and modern bathers can have their pick. 

Sauna Heater Supply also provides you with expert advice to help you decide which heater is best for your room. All orders have free shipping and there’s a price-match guarantee to get you the best prices!

Final Take

Harvia is one of the biggest players in the sauna industry, and their 70 years of experience are evident in their innovation. The brand provides various products that can cater to different bathers, whether you’re just starting your journey or want something that’s more cutting-edge. 

Electric Harvia sauna heaters are great for indoor saunas, with smart controls and compact designs. Wood-burning heaters are more suitable for outdoor saunas and can provide a traditional Finnish sauna experience. 

Pick one that’s best suited for your needs, and start with your healing journey! 




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