Electric Vs Wood Burning Sauna: Which One Is Better For Your Home?

So, you're thinking about adding a sauna to your home? 

Good for your health and wellness goals!

But before you buy that big-ticket sauna equipment and call in installation people, there’s a big question to answer: Do you go with an electric heater or a wood-burning stove?

You see, both options offer similar benefits that you expect from a sauna. They deliver heat, offer health benefits, and that unbeatable post-sauna sense of ease. 

But the vibe? 

Well, that's where things get interesting. 

So much so that choosing between electric vs wood burning sauna is all about picking between authenticity and convenience. 

In this blog, I will walk you through all things electric vs wood sauna. By the end, you’ll have the clarity to choose what’s best for you based on your space, lifestyle, and liking. 

Let’s get started. 

Key takeaways

• Wood saunas feel more natural, deep, and traditional.
  
  
• Electric saunas heat faster and are easier to use.
  
  
• Wood stoves need more work and maintenance.
  
  
• Electric heaters need less upkeep and are safer indoors.
  
  
• Wood is best for off-grid setups; electric is best for homes.
  
  
• Both get equally hot but the heat feels different.
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TL;DR, electric vs wood burning sauna: Which one should you choose?

For those of you who find it a lot to read through lengthy comparisons of electric and wood saunas, here’s a quick tip. 

If you’re someone who loves the feel of an authentic Finnish sauna, wood burning saunas are the ones for you. Here, you can indulge in the traditional sauna rituals like löyly, have a deeper heat, and even build an off-grid setup.

However, if you’re someone who has a fast-paced lifestyle and you need something on-the-move, electric saunas are your best bet. They offer convenience, fast heat-up, low maintenance, and perfect control at the push of a button.

Now, let’s go deeper and see how both the saunas really differ.
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Electric vs wood burning sauna: What’s the difference

When it comes to comparing wood vs electric sauna, the differences usually boil down to two main factors: 

• How the heat feels 
• How easy it is to use

For instance, a wood burning sauna offers an experience that’s hard to beat. Here, the crackling sound of the fire, the rich heat, and that unmistakable aroma of burning wood all add to the ambiance. 

Plus, the heat itself feels different from electric heat. It is deeper, softer, and more radiant. 

In short, if you’re in for an authentic old-world sauna and you’re not in a rush, this is something you should definitely consider. 

On the other hand, an electric sauna is all about convenience. 

No fire to start, no wood to chop, no ash to clean. You simply press a button, set your desired temperature, and let the heater do its job. 

The heat from an electric sauna tends to be very even and consistent, making it easy to control.

Plus, there’s no need to worry about ventilation or smoke. It’s just a nice clean heat that can be set exactly how you like it.
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Let’s have a closer look at all the differences between wood vs electric sauna

1. What does the heat actually feels like

The difference between a wood burning sauna and an electric sauna is a lot like the difference between a traditional fireplace and a space heater.

How? 

In a wood burning sauna, the heat comes from the stove that  heats up the rocks. These rocks then radiate warmth throughout the room, and the whole experience feels very full and natural.

This is a deeper, softer, and more enveloping heat, something people describe as radiant or atmospheric. It’s a warmth that seems to seep into your body in a way that’s just different from electric heat.

And then there’s löyly or the steam created when you throw water on the hot rocks. Sauna purists love this because the steam feels fuller, softer, and more intense than in electric saunas.

On the other side, electric saunas are all about predictable heat, something that’s even and controlled. 

You set the temperature, and it stays there until you change it. People like the clean no-fuss nature of this kind of heat, especially when they’re looking for a quick sauna session.

In short:
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Feature	Wood Burning Sauna	Electric Sauna
Heat Type	Deep, soft, radiant	Even, controlled, predictable
Experience	More atmospheric and traditional	Clean, simple, no-fuss
Steam (Löyly)	Stronger, fuller, richer	Good but lighter and less intense
Ambiance	Crackling fire + wood aroma	Quiet and modern

2. How complex or easy installation is
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For starters, installing a sauna isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. And the type of sauna heater you choose will play a big role in how and where you can install it.

Now, if you’re going with a wood burning heater, there are some special requirements you’ll need to think about. 

For instance, you’ll need a chimney to vent the smoke, good ventilation in the room, propersauna floor drain, and proper clearances to make sure the stove is installed safely. 

Plus, don’t forget about heat shield safety to protect the surrounding surfaces.

On the other hand, installing an electric sauna is much simpler. You’ll need a 240V circuit and a licensed electrician to make sure everything is wired correctly, along with the right breaker and wiring. 

But once these are figured out, the installation process is pretty straightforward. You can install your sauna just about anywhere including bathrooms, basements, and garages.

Moreover, you can also go for  DIY sauna kit assembly. It doesn’t require special expertise and you can complete it over a weekend. 

In short: ​

Feature	Wood Burning Sauna	Electric Sauna
Complexity	More complex	Simple
Needs	Chimney, ventilation, floor drain, clearances, heat shields	240V line, electrician, proper breaker
Location Options	Best for outdoor or spacious indoor rooms	Fits bathrooms, basements, garages
DIY Friendly	Requires more skill	DIY kits available and easy

3. How long it takes to heat the sauna

One of the things that matter a lot when you’re buying a sauna is how long it takes to warm up.

And this is where electric and wood burning saunas differ a lot. 

For instance, a good electric sauna will easily heat the sauna room in about 30 minutes.

That’s a lot faster than a wood stove. And it’s great if you don’t want to spend too much time waiting. 

Wood burning saunas, on the other hand, take up more time to heat. You’ll usually be waiting about 60 to 120 minutes or more, depending on the size of the stove and the insulation of the sauna. 

Now, for some people, this slow warm-up time is part of the experience. But for others, this long wait might be a dealbreaker, more so if you’re looking for something quick and convenient.

In short:
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Feature	Wood Burning	Electric
Warm-up Time	60-120+ minutes	Less than 30 minutes
Best For	Slow, ritual-style sessions	Quick, convenient daily use

4. What it costs to run the sauna

When you’re deciding between a wood and electric sauna, it’s important to think about the running costs. 

On this front, wood burning saunas can actually be more affordable than electric saunas, especially if you have access to firewood or you’re able to chop and store them. 

However, if you have to buy premium kiln-dried wood or if you don’t have enough space to store it, the costs can add up quickly. So, it all depends on your situation.

Talking about electric sauna heaters, the operational cost depends on several factors, like your local electricity rates, how often you use the sauna, and the size of the heater.

If you’re installing an electric sauna for the first time, you’ll notice an increase in your electric bill. But for most homes in the country, it’s still cheaper than running a hot tub or pool.
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In short:

Factor	Wood Burning Sauna	Electric Sauna
Cost Variability	Depends on wood supply; cheap if you have wood	Depends on electricity rates
Ongoing Expense	Low if you chop your own wood	Moderate, predictable
When Cheaper	Rural homes with wood access	Urban or suburban homes

Curious how much electricity will your sauna use?
Read my blog about how much electricity a sauna exactly uses and get precise estimates.
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5. What is it like to maintain the sauna 

Ongoing maintenance is another thing you need to think about, especially how much time you're willing to spend keeping everything in working order.

For starters, wood burning saunas need more attention to keep it running smoothly. That’s because you'll need to do ash cleaning, flue and chimney cleaning, regular inspections, wood chopping and stacking, tending the fire, and a lot more. 

If you love the idea of doing some of the maintenance yourself, a wood-burning stove can be part of the charm of owning a sauna. But if you prefer something low-maintenance, you might not love the extra work involved.

Electric saunas, on the other hand, are much easier to maintain. All you need to do is some occasional rock replacement, minimal cleaning, heating element replacement once in a while. 

But for the most part, electric saunas are maintenance-free.
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In short:

Feature	Wood Burning Sauna	Electric Sauna
Work Needed	Ash cleanup, chimney cleaning, wood chopping	Occasional rock change, light cleaning
Skill Needed	Higher	Very low
Reliability	Very durable if maintained	Consistent, minimal upkeep

6. What are the safety codes you need to follow

Both wood-burning and electric saunas have their own safety considerations, and it’s important you understand them.

With a wood-burning sauna, you’re working with open flame, which can present a higher fire risk if not maintained properly. 

So, you’ll need to make sure that the stove is installed with proper clearances. Also, you need a proper chimney to vent the smoke safely. 

Electric saunas, on the contrary, don’t have an open flame, so they’re generally considered safer indoors. 

However, they do need to be installed correctly by a licensed professional as they need a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to protect against electrical hazards. This is especially important for indoor installations, like in bathrooms or basements.
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In short:

Feature	Wood Burning Sauna	Electric Sauna
Main Risk	Open flame, higher fire risk	Electrical hazard if not installed properly
Safety Needs	Chimney, clearances, ventilation	GFCI breaker, licensed electrician
Indoor Use	Can be done but needs more requirements	Safer and easier indoors

7. How well they’re suited for outdoor installations

If you’re planning to set up a sauna in an outdoor or off-grid location, this is an important factor to consider. 

Now, installing a wood burning sauna off-the-grid is easier as you can heat it up with nothing but firewood. This makes it perfect for:

• Cabins or cottages in remote locations
• Off-grid tiny homes
• Lakeside or mountain properties where electricity isn’t available

However, using an electric sauna off-grid is possible but trickier. You’ll need a strong solar and battery system, a powerful generator, or a hybrid setup that combines both. 

But setting all of this up can get complicated and expensive.

In short: ​

Feature	Wood Burning Sauna	Electric Sauna
Off-Grid Use	Ideal as it only needs firewood	Needs generator, solar, or battery system
Best Outdoor Choice	Yes	Possible but complex
Cost for Outdoor Use	Low if wood is available	Higher due to power needs

Bonus: Want to improve your outdoor sauna decor?
Read my blog on the best outdoor sauna landscaping ideas and get inspired. 
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To sum up

By now, I am sure you know all the differences between electric vs wood burning sauna. 

You see, there’s no wrong choice when it comes between these saunas. It is all about what best fits your home, your lifestyle, and the kind of experience you want.

For instance, if you love ritual, atmosphere, and rich steam, go for wood saunas.

And if you want convenience, speed, and easy daily use, go for electric ones.

Got more questions or want to install one of these saunas in your home? 

You can get in touch with us!

At Steam and Sauna Experts, we’ve got both. 

Whether you prefer the warm glow of a wood-burning sauna or the efficiency of a modern electric heater, we design and install saunas that are safe, durable, and custom-fitted saunas.
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FAQs about electric vs wood sauna

Which is hotter, electric or wood?
Both electric and wood-burning saunas can reach the same high temperatures (typically between 150°F and 195°F), so in terms of raw heat, they’re on the same playing field. 
However, the way the heat feels is quite different.

Wood-burning saunas tend to have a deeper, more radiant heat that feels like it really soaks into your muscles and skin. 

Electric saunas, on the other hand, provide a consistent and even heat throughout the room. 


Which produces better steam or löyly?
In a wood-burning sauna, the steam from the hot rocks is generally stronger and fuller. The heat from the wood stove tends to create a denser steam that feels richer, more round, and intense. 

Electric heaters are also great for creating steam, but it tends to feel a little different. The steam might not have the same strength that wood-burning stoves create, but it can still be quite enjoyable. 


Which is cheaper to run?
Wood-burning saunas are often the cheaper option if you have access to inexpensive firewood or even better, if you cut and store your own wood. 

However, if you’re buying premium kiln-dried wood or don’t have easy access to firewood, the costs can add up. 

Electric saunas, on the other hand, are more predictable when it comes to running costs.

Your electricity bill will rise depending on how often you use the sauna and your local electricity rates. 

On average, running an electric sauna is still cheaper than maintaining a hot tub or pool. 


Which is better for beginners?
For beginners, electric saunas are the clear winner. They’re easy to use, low-maintenance, and don’t require any fire-starting or wood management. 

All you have to do is press a button to turn it on and set your desired temperature. There’s no need to worry about the complexities of managing a fire, and the heat is consistent. 


Can you install a wood-burning sauna indoors?
Yes, it is possible to install a wood-burning sauna indoors, but there are some important considerations.

What You’ll Need:

• Proper chimney: You’ll need a chimney or flue pipe to vent smoke safely.
• Ventilation: Good airflow is essential to ensure the room doesn’t fill with smoke.
• Space and clearance: The room will need enough space around the stove for safety. You’ll also need to meet local building codes, which may require specific clearances around the stove.

If you have the space and the ability to install all the necessary components, like a chimney, ventilation, and meeting building codes. then installing a wood-burning stove indoors is possible.

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