Huum vs Harvia Sauna Heater: Which Is The Best For You?
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Setting up your very own sauna? Great! The centerpiece will be your heater. Two brands immediately spring to mind: Huum and Harvia.
These two are the go-to heaters when it comes to saunas.
In this Huum vs Harvia sauna heater review, we're comparing two well-known products: Huum Drop and Harvia Spirit.
We'll cover several aspects that can help you choose the best option, from design aesthetics to performance and pricing. Read on, and by the end of this post you should have a clear choice.
Key Takeaways
- Huum and Harvia are two high-quality brands that are favorites among sauna enthusiasts.
- Both designs are wall-mounted heaters, suitable for medium-sized personal sauna rooms.
- Huum Drop has a more modern and sleek design, while Harvia Spirit is traditional and robust.
- Huum Drop has more power range options with 4 product variants, while Harvia Spirit has 2.
- Huum Drop has a bigger stone capacity and creates more uniform steam with even heat distribution.
- Harvia Spirit has a faster heat-up time, making it more energy efficient.
- Huum has more extensive control features, while Harvia is simpler and more user-friendly.
- Huum Drop carries a higher price tag, while Harvia Spirit is a budget-friendly option.
- Both brands are low maintenance, but Huum Drop's sleek, modern models are easier to clean.
- At Sauna Heater Supply, we carry one of the largest collections of Huum sauna heaters — shop our collection for your sauna build.
| Aspects | Huum Drop | Harvia Spirit |
| Design | Sleeker and modern | Traditional and robust |
| Heating Capacity and Performance | 4 product variants (4.5 kW, 6 kW, 7.5 kW, and 9 kW); bigger stone capacity and uniform steam | 2 product variants (6 kW and 8 kW); less stone capacity and more intense steam |
| Energy Efficiency | Needs more time to heat up | Quicker heat-up, more energy efficient |
| Control Features | Extensive | Simpler, user-friendly |
| Price | More expensive | Budget-friendly |
| Maintenance | Easier to clean, low maintenance | Needs more effort to clean, low maintenance |
Huum vs. Harvia Sauna Heaters: Comparing the Two Brands?
HUUM DROP 9
$1,751.00 $2,188.75
Inspired by the shape of a water drop, this heater's rounded design softens and complements the angular interior of a classic sauna.
View ProductTwo of the most popular sauna heater brands are Huum and Harvia, companies with some of the biggest market shares that can easily dictate industry trends. Both are known for their high-quality heaters, but each offers a different sauna experience.
Huum provides high-tech convenience for those who want a modern sauna experience, while Harvia focuses on traditional simplicity.
In this post, we'll compare two specific products: Huum's Drop and Harvia's Spirit lines. Both lines have similar designs and are used for medium-sized personal saunas.
Both are wall-mounted heaters, making them compact and space-saving. They also feature exposed stones, creating an enjoyable steam sauna experience.
Although they have similarities, there are subtle differences between the two heaters that may affect your choice. Let's get to know them better in this Huum vs Harvia comparison and see which one is right for you.
Design and Aesthetics
Harvia Spirit SP80E Electric Sauna Heater
$1,974.44 $2,468.05
The elegantly curved shape of this 8kW wall-mounted heater has a natural, organic design highlighted by rounded sauna stones, with a modern look.
View ProductOne of the most obvious differences between Huum Drop and Harvia Spirit is their design and aesthetics. Here's a summary of Huum vs Harvia heaters in terms of design and aesthetics:
| Huum Drop | Harvia Spirit |
| Modern and sleek design; winner of the Red Dot design award | Traditional, robust, and simple |
Huum Drop has a minimalist, nature-inspired design that resembles a sculpture and can serve as an additional visual accent. Inspired by the shape of a water drop, it presents a very simple design and won the Red Dot award for its minimalist construction, which gives you a clear view of the organically shaped stones.
Harvia Spirit, on the other hand, focuses more on functionality and simplicity. It has a similar shape to Huum Drop, with exposed rocks and a wall-mounted design. The difference is that the Spirit has a thick band that covers some of the heater. Both heaters look simple and organic, but Huum Drop has the sleeker design.
Heating Capacity and Performance
In terms of heating capacity and performance, each brand has its strengths. Here's a summary of Huum vs Harvia's heating capacity and performance:
| Factors | Huum Drop | Harvia Spirit |
| Power Range | 4.5 kW, 6 kW, 7.5 kW, 9 kW | 6 kW, 8 kW |
| Room Size Compatibility | 106 cu ft up to 530 cu ft | 177 cu ft up to 431 cu ft |
| Heating Efficiency | Needs more time to heat up | Heats the room quickly |
| Stone Capacity | 122 lb stones | 110 lb stones |
| Heat Distribution | Generates softer, consistent heat | More intense steam, less even distribution |
The Huum Drop line has more power range to choose from, ranging from 4.5 kW to 9 kW. This makes its room size compatibility more versatile, covering sauna rooms from 106 cu ft up to 530 cu ft.
Harvia Spirit is ahead when it comes to heating efficiency, with a much faster heat-up time compared to Huum Drop, benefiting those who want a quicker session.
Huum Drop has a bigger stone capacity, which helps create softer, more consistent steam and heat. Its open design means the stones are fully exposed, leading to a more even distribution of steam.
Harvia Spirit has less stone capacity and a thick band in front of the heater rather than fully exposed stones. It creates more intense steam, but it's less evenly distributed compared to Huum Drop.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency can determine your operational costs and prolong your heater's lifetime. Here's a summary of Huum Drop vs Harvia Spirit in terms of energy efficiency:
| Huum Drop | Harvia Spirit |
| Energy-saving features such as smart control and airflow | Compact design and advanced heating elements mean less heat loss |
Huum heaters have high energy efficiency thanks to a system that can run at lower temperatures while still delivering high-quality steam and uniform heat distribution. Their models also incorporate airflow via integrated air tunnels, and smart controls that can reduce energy consumption and boost efficiency.
Harvia has a much more compact design, which makes its heaters more energy efficient and reduces heat loss. Its advanced heating elements also ensure quicker heating inside your sauna room, saving energy over time.
Control Features
Both brands have their own control features for regulating your heater. Here's an easy recap comparing both:
| Huum Drop | Harvia Spirit |
| UKU Control System; extensive smart control features that support Wi-Fi and 4G connections | Xenio Control System; simple and user-friendly interface |
In terms of control features, Huum has more advanced options. You can operate your Huum heater with the UKU control system, which supports Wi-Fi and 4G connections. It lets you select and monitor duration, temperature, lighting, door sensor, and ventilation remotely or via the mounted controls. It also features a child safety lock and a smart heating setting.
Harvia has much simpler, user-friendly control features. It's compatible with the Xenio control system, making it Wi-Fi-ready and mobile-accessible. You can control temperature, duration, lighting, and the door sensor remotely via the MyHarvia app.
Price Comparison
Budget and price can be the most important factor when choosing a heater. Here's a recap of the pricing comparison between Huum and Harvia:
| Huum Drop | Harvia Spirit |
| US$2,605 – US$3,011.25 | US$1,685 – US$1,743.75 |
Huum Drop heaters cost more because they focus on luxurious modern design and state-of-the-art smart features. The 4.5 kW, 6 kW, 7.5 kW, and 9 kW models are priced at roughly US$2,605, US$2,772.50, US$2,935, and US$3,011.25, respectively.
If you're working with a limited budget, Harvia Spirit is the way to go. Its 6 kW and 8 kW heaters are priced at roughly US$1,685 and US$1,743.75, respectively.
Durability and Maintenance
Both brands are durable, using high-quality materials that can withstand the intense heat required in saunas. Here's a summary of Huum Drop vs Harvia Spirit in terms of durability and maintenance:
| Huum Drop | Harvia Spirit |
| Durable and sleek design, easy maintenance | Durable and more robust traditional design; may take more effort to clean |
Huum Drop has a stainless steel design that ensures durability, and its sleek, open models make cleaning simple. Harvia Spirit has a more robust design with a thick band on the heater; its traditional construction might need more cleaning effort than Huum, though it's still relatively low maintenance.
Regardless of the brand you choose, there are a few general maintenance steps that will help your sauna heater last:
- Clean and restack your sauna stones: Do this every year, since their shape can change or flatten and affect air circulation. Clear off any debris or dirt using a brush and water.
- Check and replace your stones: While cleaning, check whether stones need replacing — if they crumble when tapped or have a yellow tint, it's time for new ones.
- Inspect your heater thoroughly: Check every part annually for holes or defective parts. If you find damage, contact the manufacturer about spare parts.
- Check wiring: Inspect the wiring annually, since it can degrade or connections can loosen over time. Watch for signs of overheating that could lead to electrical fires.
- Clean your heater thoroughly: Use mild soap and water on any components with dirt buildup, then dry gently with a soft cloth to remove moisture.
Beyond the annual check, inspect your heater any time it's not performing as well as it should. Major issues — like worn electrical wires, damaged elements, cracks in the heater body, or control unit malfunctions — usually call for a professional technician.
Huum vs. Harvia: Which Heater Is Right for You?
So, which heater is right for you? It comes down to personal preference and budget. We recommend Huum Drop for anyone looking for advanced technology, even steam distribution, and a heater that doubles as a visual accent.
Harvia Spirit is a better choice for those who value fast heat-up times, reliability, a traditional design, and a budget-friendly option.
If you're ready to make your pick, check out our collection of Huum and Harvia sauna heaters at Sauna Heater Supply with great savings you won't want to pass up. We also offer some of the fastest shipping in the industry, so you can start enjoying your sauna journey ASAP!
