Nowadays, a small home sauna is among the best ways to unwind, cleanse the body, and sharpen the mind. Whether your sauna is wet or dry, the correct heater will help you create comfortable, pleasant surroundings. However, with so many sauna heaters on the market, choosing which one best fits your needs and taste for design can take time.
To help you out, this article will explore the best small sauna heaters you can buy for your home. You will also learn the difference between dry and wet saunas so you can pick the ideal one you need the most.
Dry Sauna vs. Wet Sauna: Which One Is the Best Sauna Heater?
Popular varieties of saunas are wet and dry, both of which have special qualities. The temperature, humidity, heating technique, and materials utilized differentiate dry saunas from wet ones.
Heating Method
Dry and wet saunas differ primarily in their heating systems. Dry saunas heat using either wood-burning stoves or electric heaters. This creates a friendly environment ideal for lounging and sweating.
In wet saunas, sometimes referred to as steam rooms or steam baths, a steam generator heats water and releases steam into the chamber creating a humid environment. You will thus experience a tropical rainforest impression or a pleasant mist.
Material
A sauna's construction materials are what distinguish them. Although any non-porous material—including tile—can be used in wet saunas, wood is the recommended material for dry saunas. The temperature and humidity of the sauna are set by the used materials.
Temperature
A dry sauna runs hotter than a wet one, generally speaking. While dry saunas usually include temperatures of 160°F to 200°F, moist saunas usually have temps of 110°F to 120°F. Dry saunas' higher temperature allows both more heavy sweating and more intense cleansing.
Humidity
A wet sauna's humidity is much higher than a dry sauna. Including steam in the air helps a wet sauna create more humid surroundings. Those who struggle with dry skin or dyspnea could find this useful. On the other hand, some people could find the humidity too high, which would make breathing more difficult.
Benefits of Dry Sauna
To aid detoxification, you can spend time in a dry sauna, a warm, wooden room heated to a specific temperature. An electric, wood, or gas-powered heater makes the dry sauna perform its magic. The heater is turned on high to prepare the sauna area for use, usually between 160°F and 195°F.
There are many ways in which your health might improve with regular usage of a dry sauna.
Better Exercise Performance
Using a sauna may also benefit people who exercise regularly, such as athletes and gym enthusiasts. Research suggests that athletes may benefit from taking a sauna before a workout.
However, note that these results are based on two short interventional trials that did not control for anything and examined the physiological effects of sauna sessions repeated by athletes.
Fewer Symptoms of Asthma
For patients with asthma, breathing gets more difficult since the condition produces intermittent inflammation and lung constriction of the airways. Frequent sauna use could enable asthmatics to control their wheeze.
Positive Impact on Heart Health
Keeping up with sauna sessions regularly may promote heart health and longevity. More precisely, the frequency is linked to a decreased likelihood of:
- All-cause mortality
- Cardiovascular disease
- Coronary heart disease
- Sudden cardiac deaths
Reduced Symptoms of Rheumatic Diseases
Patients with inflammatory disorders, including fibromyalgia and ankylosing spondylitis, may find relief from saunas. Regular sauna treatments might also benefit people with the following disorders:
- Chronic fatigue and pain syndromes
- Allergic rhinitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Relief from Certain Skin Conditions
Sauna helps some people with psoriasis lower inflammation. Usually found on the outer parts of the scalp, knees, and elbows, psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by elevated, red, scaly patches.
Benefits of Wet Sauna
Wet saunas, sometimes called steam saunas, are a great way to unwind and revitalize since they employ moist heat. Usually running at a colder temperature, steam saunas have a considerably greater humidity level—roughly 100% than dry saunas.
Here are some of the benefits you can experience by having a wet sauna session:
Clears Congestion
Most people probably think of steam rooms as a way to relieve congestion. Many anecdotal accounts attribute steam's benefits to the following:
- Cough
- Headache
- Stuffy nose
- Throat irritation
One excellent way to unwind is in a steam room. The warmth of the sauna and deep breathing can help temporarily relieve sinus and lung congestion.
Helps Support Workout Recovery
Delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, is the term for the aches and pains you may experience after exercise. Professional athletes long ago realized that heat treatment helps with recuperation following training sessions.
Heat penetrates deep muscle tissue and helps alleviate DOMS. Studies have shown that wet heat speeds up muscle healing just as much as dry heat.
Improves Circulation
Using moist heat improved circulation, especially in the legs. Instead of a steam chamber, a moist heat pack was applied just under the skin. When blood flow improves, the heart and circulatory system are less stressed. Another prevalent concern among the elderly is slow skin tissue recovery, which can help with this.
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Some people's hormones cause their heart rates to alter while they're in a steam room. One of these hormones governing blood pressure is aldosterone. Sitting in a steam room releases aldosterone from your body, which can help lower your blood pressure. This is part of the reason the steam room is so relaxing.
In healthy individuals, taking a steam bath can lower blood pressure, which in turn improves cardiac function. Taking a steam bath for 10-15 minutes once a week for 12 weeks lowered heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in healthy people.
Reduces Stress
One is well aware of the relaxing properties of a steam room or hot bath. Some studies claim that the heat of a steam room sets off endorphins, hormones that boost mood and help to reduce tension and anxiety.
Still, another plausible explanation is that steam rooms lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Mood and energy increase along with a drop in cortisol levels.
Best Small Sauna Heaters
Now that you know the difference between a dry and a wet sauna, here are the small sauna heaters for sale for your home. Each heater offers unique features, ensuring you can find the perfect option for your cozy relaxation space.
1. Harvia Xenio WiFi Remote Control
Designed to simplify and maximize your sauna experience, the Harvia Xenio WiFi Remote Control is a high-tech control system. Using your phone or computer, you may adjust the temperature, lighting, and other sauna settings from anywhere with this advanced remote control.
Integrating a WiFi connection makes operation and control smooth, giving you the freedom to heat your sauna or change the settings from afar.
Features:
- WiFi connectivity using the Harvia XENIO app
- Touchscreen interface
- Programmable timer
- Compact design
2. HUUM Drop 9.0 kW Wi-Fi Control Sauna Heater
The HUUM Drop 9.0 kW Wi-Fi Control Sauna Heater is a high-performance heater made to heat your sauna quickly and easily. It has both modern technology and a sleek design, making it a stylish and useful addition to any sauna. With the built-in Wi-Fi control, users can handle their sauna experience from anywhere with a smartphone or tablet.
Features:
- 9.0 kW heating power suitable for medium to large-sized saunas
- Remote management via smartphone or tablet using the HUUM app
- Modern design
- Customizable settings
- Advanced heating technology
3. Harvia Forte AF100
Made for medium-sized to large saunas, the Harvia Forte AF100 is a high-performance sauna heater that heats consistently and fast. Although it’s well-known for being straightforward and long-lasting, it also looks beautiful in homes and businesses.
In addition, this heater has both advanced technology and a strong design to keep the heat steady and make the sauna experience relaxing.
Features:
- 9.8 kW power output suitable for saunas with a volume of 355 to 527 cubic feet
- It’s made from high-quality stainless steel
- Compatible with Harvia's Xenio and other external control panels
- Modern and sleek with a minimalist look
- It can hold up to 220 lbs of sauna stones
- Designed for wall-mounted installation
- Removable front panel for easy access to the heating elements and stones
4. HUUM HIVE Mini 11
The HUUM HIVE Mini 11 is a small but strong sauna heater made for smaller saunas that need to heat up quickly and with little space. The HIVE Mini 11 is a great sauna because it combines Scandinavian style with cutting-edge technology. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel and has a unique stone compartment plan.
Like traditional wood-burning saunas, it gives off a soft, even heat. This heater is perfect for home saunas or small business saunas because it looks good, works well, and is easy to use.
Features:
- 10.5 kW power output suitable for saunas with a volume of up to 706 cubic feet
- Holds up to 330 lbs of sauna stones, providing a larger stone surface area for a softer, more even heat
- It offers rapid heating with an optimal balance of heat and humidity
- Designed for floor installation
- Compatible with HUUM's UKU control units
- Energy efficient
- Equipped with an overheat protection system and a safety guard
- Comes with a 5-year warranty for residential use
5. Harvia WP800
The Harvia WP800 is a traditional water heater that burns wood. It’s made to heat water for saunas outside or in a house. This long-lasting heater has a rustic look and works reliably, so you can use natural firewood to heat water efficiently. It's great for places that are far away and may not have easy access to power.
It also makes it easy to make hot water when you're not connected to the grid. The WP800 is made from high-quality materials that can withstand different types of weather, making it a great addition to any outdoor sauna setting.
Features:
- Features an 80-liter cauldron suitable for providing hot water for multiple users
- It’s made from high-quality stainless steel
- Rapidly heats water using firewood
- Equipped with a sturdy lid and handle
- Compatible with standard flue pipes
- Easy to clean and maintain, with a removable ash pan for quick disposal of ashes
Find the Perfect Sauna Heater for Cozy Relaxation
Establishing a comfortable and relaxing sauna experience in your house depends on selecting the appropriate small sauna heater. Whether your ideal sauna is wet or dry, you have choices to fit your demands. For instance, the Harvia Xenio WiFi Remote Control is the best option if you prefer a more compact and high-tech sauna heater.
What are you waiting for? Buy the best small sauna heater. If you have the ideal sauna heater, you can enjoy a sauna from the comfort of your home, providing calming, revitalizing effects.