Rating of the best electric sauna stoves for 2022

A good electric stove for a bath or sauna will allow you to comfortably equip both a home and a commercial steam room. On today's market there are many similar devices in different variations and price groups, therefore, choosing the right one (even from the budget series) will not be difficult. Moreover, it is not necessary that a cheap device will be deprived of most of the additional options. The furnace devices under consideration can be used not only for heating steam rooms, but also for heating water. Usually, the designs of modern electric furnaces have a double casing, inside of which the heating elements are located. In the upper part of the apparatus, a crate or pallet is installed, where bath stones are placed. The heating rate of the entire steam room will directly depend on their number and placement, because the heated stone immediately begins to transfer its heat to the external environment. Today's electric furnaces can be installed both on the floor and hung on the wall. Most often, their control is controlled by a remote control.

General information about electric furnaces

The equipment in question is an electric heater that uses special elements to generate heat - heating elements (thermoelectric heaters, they are also tubular electric heaters). It is these elements that are a kind of "motor" of the stove, and their heating occurs when the device is connected to the electrical network. During the heating process, by means of heating elements, heat is transferred to nearby objects (water tank, bath stones) or to the external environment (steam room space).

IMPORTANT! The total number of heating elements in an electric furnace can vary from 4 to 12, and the use of this type of apparatus elements refers the latter to the group of electric heating devices, the production of which is regulated by the State Standard "R" No. 52084 of 2003.

Design features of electric furnaces

Sauna electric stove structurally consists of the following parts:

• Double hull;
• Thermoelectric heaters;
• Thermal insulation.

Inside the case there are heating components, on top of which a stand for heating bath stones is mounted. The correct selection of stones (as well as their proper location) will determine the rate of heating of the room and the quality of the steam produced (for example, heavy and large stones can maintain the optimum temperature of the environment in the steam room for a long time). Outside, the case must be sheathed with metal plates with special gaps, at least 3.5 mm, which is required to cool the device when it is turned off. Metal screens can also act as the main cooling heat-insulating elements, which will protect nearby wooden objects from overheating and fire.

In the commercial use of the steam room, it can accommodate an oven with both an open and a closed design. The first, today, are more in demand, because they are able to warm up the room faster, while giving out very clean steam. Open constructions feature a nichrome wire filament that integrates into the stand to become a heating base.Closed variations of the furnaces can be mounted both vertically and horizontally, and they differ in the presence of a special bus responsible for conducting electric current to the heating elements.

Pros and cons of bath electric stoves

The main advantages of the devices under consideration can be safely attributed to:

• Rapid heating of the premises and maintaining a stable temperature in them for a long period of time;
• Light weight and ergonomic body, perfect for steam rooms with a small area;
• The possibility of self-assembly without obtaining permits;
• It does not require a separate supply of fuel material, which significantly saves usable space in a heated room;
• The design does not provide for the emission of smoke, which indicates additional safety and the possibility of installing this equipment without interference in city apartments;
• Easy and affordable maintenance;
• The temperature control system is very convenient, which is a consequence of the presence of an internal regulator;
• There is an installed safety system that prevents overheating of the case;
• There is an adequate degree of protection against possible ignition of combustible materials in the vicinity of the oven.

Of the obvious disadvantages, only two main ones can be distinguished, but they are extremely significant:

• Electric ovens consume a huge amount of electricity, which will require some time restrictions when taking steam baths, so as not to receive huge electricity bills;
• These appliances have a reduced thermal output and cannot be compared with wood or gas stoves.

Calculation of electricity costs when using an electric heater

As mentioned above, the main disadvantage of electric furnaces is their excessive consumption of electricity, which will obviously lead to overpayments for electricity by the owner. However, by rationally calculating the mode of using a steam room with an electric furnace, it is possible not only to put costs in order, but also to reduce them. So, usually an electric sauna heater is used for taking steam baths 1-2 times a week for a total time period of 2 hours each. Thus, a furnace with a power of up to 18 kilowatts will consume approximately 36 kilowatts per session, which will produce from 72 to 108 kilowatts per week or from 288 to 432 kilowatts per month. However, these figures will be valid for voluminous private baths, and if the steam room is of modest size and is located in a city apartment, then the figures will be much less, because in these cases a stove with a power of up to 6 kilowatts can be used. For such low-power ovens, the costs will be as follows: the procedures will require 12 kilowatts per day, from 24 to 36 kilowatts per week, from 96 to 144 kilowatts per month.

Technical differences between modern electric sauna stoves

The considered heating devices can be distinguished by the following technical parameters:

• Installation method - there are two of them, i.e. floor and wall. The latter option is preferable to use for small-sized steam rooms, which will save usable space in them, creating maximum comfort when taking procedures. Floor models, on the other hand, are designed for large rooms. Their body can be the most diverse: angular, square, round, cylinder and rectangular. From this it is clear that the choice of the shape of the body should be influenced by the geometric features of the steam room.
• Design - it can be open or closed.The latter type is good in maintaining the optimum temperature for a long time, and the first type is best used in order to quickly warm up the room.
• Housing material - usually, electric furnaces are made of stainless steel, cast iron or aluminum. Models made of cast iron are considered the most reliable and durable, and they also have high rates of heat capacity. Metal models are easy to use and practical, they can provide uniform and fast heating of the room.

For high-quality and efficient operation of electric stoves, you will need to take into account several additional parameters:

• Generated power - it determines the upper limit of heating the steam room;
• The volume of the working room and the number of bath stones used - the speed of heating the surrounding space will depend on them (for example, small rooms need only 2.5 kilograms of stones, and for large rooms this figure should start from 5.5 kilograms);
• Using a steam generator - this additional device can be either built-in or remote (i.e. external). For the operation of the steam generator, it will be necessary to pour water into a special tank, which, under the influence of high temperatures, will evaporate, producing wet steam. To get drier air, the steam generator duct is simply directed towards the heated stones, and then the air becomes dry and light.

Difficulties of choice

Before purchasing an electric heater, you should pay attention to the following important points:

• Correspondence of the areas of the steam room with the areas that the stove is able to warm up in a short time;
• Essential features of the control and operation of the heating device;
• General design and availability of additional options;
• Number and types of heating elements installed in the furnace;
• Required volume and weight of loaded bath stones;
• Possibility of control of the device by means of the remote control;
• Case execution - metal or facing from a mountain stone;
• Possibility of work in the modes "full power" and "waiting";
• Mounting method - floor legs or wall brackets.

Voltage selection

For an ordinary city apartment, a stove with a capacity of up to 7 kilowatts is enough, because the power grid supports 220V, which will be quite enough. Such a stove will be able to serve a small steam room of 7 cubic meters. However, for a large steam room located outside the city or intended for commercial use, such power is clearly not enough. Thus, a voltage with an indicator of 380V will already be required, because. and the oven will be used with more power. When using a voltage of 380V, it is necessary to use special rubberized wiring to ensure safety in case of increased heating of the cables. To ensure the supply of three-phase current in a private area, unlike a city apartment, permission from the Energy Supervision authorities is not required. It is only necessary to create a grounding with normalized resistance, mount a switchboard, and equip a channel for laying cables. It is worth recalling that the stove must be connected to a 380 V source in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations set out in the instructions for the device.

The need for a steam generator

Traditionally, the Russian bath involves the presence of saturated wet steam, while the Finnish version is famous for its dry steam generation.Accordingly, buyers from Russia prefer to purchase such models of stoves, on which (at least) it would be possible to water the stones with water. However, modern models of electric furnaces can be equipped with steam generators that are capable of producing both wet and dry steam. Accordingly, the need for a steam generator will depend solely on the desire of the consumer.

Types of heating elements

Heating elements are the most important part of any electric furnace. To date, the following types are widely used:

• The classic tubular model - it is able to heat the electric furnace to the maximum. However, such elements are characterized by particular fragility and fragility. The preferred option will be one in which the tube is made of metal and can withstand many heating cycles.
• Ceramic tape model - it can warm up faster, is environmentally friendly, consumes 1.5 times less electricity. Tapes do not burn out oxygen and therefore serve much longer.
• The combined model is considered the best, albeit quite an expensive option. Differs in the highest speed of heating of environment in the room.

IMPORTANT! All the features of the device and the technical characteristics of the heating elements must be indicated in the passport for the furnace equipment.

Stone tray

Electric furnaces can also differ in the weight of stones that can be placed on the heating stand:

• Models with heaters for 20-40 kilograms are perfect for a small-sized steam room, equipped in a city apartment. Such stoves are easy to install, not very expensive, warm up quickly and distribute heat evenly.
• Models with heaters for 60-120 kilograms - are intended for a medium-sized room and warm up in 1.5-2 hours. If there is a steam generator, then it is possible to add water at any time, without waiting for the tank to heat up completely.
• Models with heaters for 120-280 kilograms - they are intended for large-sized steam rooms, for example, for public baths. They are capable of heating a space of several tens of cubic meters at once in high-speed mode.

Rating of the best electric sauna stoves for 2022

Models up to 5 kW

3rd place: "Sawo Mini X MX-30NB-Z"

The products of the eminent brand are distinguished by high performance, reliability and endurance, they look attractive in appearance and are sold at a reasonable price. In the manufacturing process, the company uses advanced technologies that improve the overall physical characteristics of the equipment. Technical specifications: location area - wall installation in the corner, heated area - 4 m³, operating power - 3 kW, body construction type - closed stainless steel, additional features - built-in control panel, practical thermostat to maintain a certain temperature, safety sensor, shutdown oven with pronounced overheating. Sawo's electric ovens are carefully checked to ensure they comply with current regulations before they hit the market. This makes it possible to avoid entering the store with goods with factory defects. The recommended price for retail chains is 19,950 rubles.

• Timer and delayed start option;
• Warm-up time - 15 minutes;
• Connections to the mains 220 V or 380 V.

• There is no steam generator;
• The set does not include stones.

2nd place: "Polytech ClassiK"

Solid and reliable electric heater is designed to service compact residential and commercial saunas and steam rooms. The internal heater consists of frames equipped with high-resistance steel tape. This equipment provides rapid heating of the sauna / bath to the required temperature. All models before being sent to retail chains are tested for performance and the presence of factory defects. The furnace with a tape heating element works for a long time, retains its physical qualities throughout the entire operational period and does not “eat up” oxygen in the room. The recommended cost for retail chains is 16,900 rubles.

• Wide band heater;
• Rapid heating of the room;
• Good capacity - 20 kg of stones.

• No steam generator;
• The control panel is purchased separately.

1st place: Harvia Sound M45

This heater has a control unit with a timer and a thermostat. The model is attached to the wall with special brackets, which are provided in the kit. The electric stove is equipped with overheating fuses - if the temperature rises critically, the heating element will automatically turn off. To avoid an emergency, it is necessary to follow the rules for placing the stove, laying stones and controlling the ventilation efficiency. The unit is available in five different colors: black, silver, steel, white and beige. The stove is popular due to its appearance, the duration of heat retention, the possibility of a delayed start. The recommended cost for retail chains is 29,900 rubles.

• Overheat protection;
• Delayed start option - up to 8 hours;
• Robust double-walled housing.

• Sauna heating time is up to 1 hour.

Models with power from 6 to 7.5 kilowatts

3rd place: "Sawo TOWER PREMIUM TH3-60NB-P"

A stylish cylindrical model is suitable for both classic baths / saunas, and for steam rooms with multi-tiered canopies. Provides uniform heating of each tier. The humidity level can be adjusted directly during the soaring process by adding the required amount of water to the stones. The specific design of the electric sauna heater from Sawo makes it possible to regulate the saturation of the supplied steam. If you sprinkle water on the lower stones, it will become thicker and vice versa. The model looks unusual and demonstrates excellent heat dissipation. The air between the stones circulates easily, without creating traffic jams and stagnation. Compact dimensions make it possible to use the stove in small home saunas and steam rooms. The recommended cost for retail chains is 34,000 rubles.

• Compact narrow body;
• Intuitive control;
• Warranty - 3 years.

• Special requirements for the order of loading stones;
• Low position of the control panel.

2nd place: Harvia Cilindro PC70E

A cylindrical heater from a popular Finnish brand looks catchy and impressive. The compact design makes it possible to use it in small spaces. Aesthetic appearance and excellent performance make the model particularly attractive and allow it to be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as a stylish design element for home baths and saunas. The specific design allows the appliance to be built into the bottom shelf.To do this, you need to mount a flange made of anodized stainless steel, and place the sauna heater itself on it. The recommended cost for retail chains is 30,000 rubles.

• Connection to a network of 220 V or 380 V;
• The possibility of embedding the stove in the lower canopy;
• Legs adjustable in height.

• The remote control must be purchased separately.

1st place: "EOS Finnrock 7.5 kW"

The electric stove is suitable for medium-sized saunas, the maximum heated volume of the room is 12 cubic meters. m. The EOS Finnrock unit differs from competitive models in a body with a partially open basket for laying stones. The front panel is assembled from interlacing ribbons - the design of the gratings looks beautiful and prevents stones from falling out. The rear wall is flat, the terminal box is recessed into the housing. Thanks to this solution, the stove can be placed in the center of the sauna or in front of the glass facade. The model looks beautiful in the interior of the sauna - the graphite coating retains its original attractiveness for a long time. The guarantee for the stove is 3 years, provided that the equipment is operated in everyday life. If the unit is used for commercial purposes, then the warranty period is reduced to 2 years. The recommended cost for retail chains is 130,000 rubles.

• Remote control panel;
• The set contains 40 kg of stones;
• Possibility of installation behind a glass facade.

• Very high price.

Power from 8 kilowatts

3rd place: "Sawo SCANDIA SCA-90NB-Z"

The frame, the outer case of this unit is made of stainless steel, from the inside the stove is reinforced with galvanization. The unit holds up to 22 kg of stones.The control unit is located on the body of the stove, if necessary, its location can be changed - rearranged from one side wall to another. Mode selection knobs, timer settings are made of heat-resistant material. The stove is easy to install, does not take up much space. The manufacturer recommends mounting the stove on the wall near the door. With this placement, the incoming cold air will mix with the hot air produced by the sauna heater. It cannot be installed on the floor or pushed into a niche. The recommended price for retail chains is 32,000 rubles.

• Delayed start of the furnace;
• Warranty - 3 years;
• Good value for money.

• Not detected.

2nd place: "Sawo Nordex NRX-80NB-Z"

The popular model of a famous brand at a loyal cost demonstrates excellent power, which is enough for a steam room with a volume of up to 7-13 cubic meters. m. The stove is equipped with a built-in control unit that can be installed from the bottom of the case, left or right. This feature gives a wide range of options for placing the heater, while maintaining access to the thermostat and timer knobs. For safe operation, the stove has a sensor that automatically turns off the unit when overheated. Buyers praise the stove for its good build quality, intuitive controls and the efficiency of heating the steam room. There are no complaints from users about malfunctions, the appearance of corrosion. The recommended cost for retail chains is 25,000 rubles.

• Three options for placing the control panel;
• Compact dimensions;
• The speed of warming up the steam room is 15-17 minutes;
• There is a timer and a delay start;
• Warranty - 3 years.

• No steam generator;
• Primitive design;
• There are no stones included.

1st place: "Sawo ARIES ARI3-90NB-P"

A distinctive feature of the unit is the tower structure. The stainless steel mesh is stylized as brickwork - this gives the model a certain charm and exclusivity. In addition to the non-standard design, the ARIES ARI3-90NB-P oven boasts good build quality, practical functionality and performance: the maximum room volume is 14 cubic meters. m., power - 9 kW, case type - open, useful functionality - built-in control unit, timer, thermostat, delayed start, connection - 380 V, bookmark - up to 50 kg of stones. You can pour water on the stones not only from above, but also from the side. At the same time, the evaporation area increases many times - the room is quickly filled with a large amount of finely dispersed light vapor. You can program the heating mode of the steam room in advance and make adjustments during the soaring. The recommended cost for retail chains is 35,000 rubles.

• Effective appearance;
• Speed ​​and uniformity of heating;
• Intuitive control panel;
• Wide power range - 4.5-9 kW.

• No steam generator;
• High price;
• Low location of regulators;
• Stones are not included.

Conclusion

The main charm of electric bath stoves is that you can connect them yourself. Nevertheless, experts recommend entrusting this process to an experienced person. It should be noted that domestic-made electric heaters are distinguished by more affordable prices. But in their development, modern technologies are also used - new generation heaters, remote control panels, etc.In some stoves, stainless steel and natural stone are combined, thanks to which the electric heater accumulates heat well, which allows you to maintain the temperature regime of the steam room without consuming additional energy. The design has also improved in recent years and is up to the mark.