How do I know which is the best heater for my sauna ? The choice of sauna heater depends on factors such as the size of the sauna, the layout of the sauna heater, and the desired heating and control method. It is also a good idea to ask yourself a few questions, such as what kind of heat you want from the heater, to make sure you make the right choice. The best heater is one that has been chosen with both the characteristics of the sauna and the preferences of the sauna users in mind.

The Mondex range consists of electric and wood heaters, which can be further divided into four categories: electric heaters, wall heaters, floor-standing heaters, wood-burning heaters and soapstone heaters. The heaters are available in a wide range of power ratings and are suitable for saunas of many sizes. After reading this guide, it will be easier for you to choose a heater!

The size of the sauna determines the power of the electric heater 

Choosing the right electric heater is an important part of a successful sauna experience, which means that the heater should be sized correctly. When the heater is not over- or undersized, the sauna heats up to just the right temperature and the heater heats from toe to ceiling. If your sauna is between two capacity classes, you should choose a heater with a higher capacity. Click here for our guide sauna sizing and sauna size planning!

When choosing an electric heater, you should therefore start by limiting your selection to those that are suitable for your sauna in terms of power. To do this, you can use our heater calculator. Just enter the dimensions of your sauna into the heater selector, and the heater selector will tell you which of our range of heaters could be just right for your sauna in terms of efficiency. Read also: Electric heater for small sauna - 4 options!

Heater safety distances and layout in the sauna 

If you are renovating or building a new sauna, the safety distances for the heater must be strictly observed to ensure safe sauna use. Heater safety distances vary depending on the type of heater and where it is installed. It is extremely important to check the instructions and manufacturer's recommendations that come with the heater, as these may vary between different models and manufacturers. In addition, local building codes and safety standards should be taken into account when installing the heater. Also remember that an electric heater should only be installed by a qualified electrician. Read also: heater safety distances - these things you need to know, as well as The first heating of an electric sauna heater – a guide to safe commissioning

In addition to the heater's safety distances, it is essential to consider where in the sauna the new heater will fit best - should it be installed in a free space, or embedded in the sauna bench? Nowadays, many people want plenty of space for the benches in their sauna, so embedding the heater into the bench structure can be a good solution. Mondex heaters are suitable for a wide range of saunas, they come in a variety of wattages and most models can either be installed in a free space or embedded in the bench.

If you choose a heater with a corner model, for example, corner heater Aura is the right choice for a sauna when you want to make particularly efficient use of the sauna's square footage. The plough is designed to fit into the corner of the sauna, making the most of the square footage that would otherwise be wasted. Aura is available with E2 or E2 WiFi control. Mondex Aura and several of our other heater models can be embeded into the bench. For embedding, you will need an optional embedding collar, with the exception of Kaira E2/E2 WiFi. The unique design of the heater allows it to be embedded without the need for a collar, with a safety distance of only 4 mm at the grommet. 

How to control the heater: manual, remote control or wifi?

An essential part of choosing a sauna heater is also selecting the right type of control. Our range of electric sauna heaters includes manually controlled models, heaters with a separate control unit, and WiFi‑enabled heaters. A manually controlled heater is operated using rotary knobs that allow you to set the heating schedule, operating time, and temperature. Manually controlled heaters are generally slightly more affordable than comparable heaters with a separate control unit. Both manually controlled and separately controlled heaters can be integrated into the sauna bench structure, but with manually controlled heaters special attention must be paid to the placement of the control knobs and ensuring they remain easily accessible by hand. 

The E2 and E2 WiFi standalone heaters can be controlled either from a standalone controller or, if you choose the WiFi version, from a computer, phone or other smart device. The E2 and E2 WiFi heaters come standard with a stand-alone controller with a 10 m control cable. The separate controller can be placed on the wall of a washroom or dressing room, for example, where the heater can be turned on by pressing the button. The E2 WiFi heater's user interface also allows the heater to be controlled completely remotely. The WiFi heater interface also provides interesting statistics, such as the number of times the heater is used, the power consumption of the resistors, and keeps track of when the heater stones need to be replaced. Read also: The renewed Mondex WiFi is more than a heater.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TUB for your sauna?

Choosing the right heater is also important when designing a wood-burning heater. The best wood heater for your sauna is one that has been chosen with the requirements and constraints of the sauna in mind. You can read more about this here: The best wood heater for your sauna? Consider at least these points!

Our range includes wood heaters Klapi and Motti. Klapi is a beautifully designed, round wood heater that fits into even the smallest wood heater. The Motti is a square wood heater, available with or without a water tank. This makes Motti the ideal choice even for saunas without running water, as the water is conveniently heated in a tank on the side of the heater. Both heaters have a glass hatch through which the glow of the fire, together with the sound of burning wood, adds atmosphere to the wood-burning sauna.

The choice of heater is also influenced by the kind of heat you want 

Perfect steam is at the core of our heater design, so choosing a sauna heater from the Mondex range is sure to succeed. Perfect steam can mean different things depending on who you ask, which is why the steam produced by our heaters is adjustable. The open casing featured in many of our heater models allows water to be thrown onto different parts of the heater, making the steam versatile and helping you find a heater that suits your steam preferences. Pouring water onto the top of the heater produces strong, intense steam, while throwing water onto the sides and lower sections of the heater creates softer and more humid steam.  

The appearance of the heater is part of the sauna interior 

In addition to practicality and safety, we have invested heavily in the design and appearance of our sauna heaters to make choosing the right one as easy as possible for you. In an ideal situation, the best sauna heater is the perfect match for your sauna in terms of features, steam quality, and visual appearance. Most of our heaters are available in two color options, stainless steel or black, allowing you to choose a heater that best suits your sauna. In addition, our range includes, among others, design sauna heater Rakka. Its unique rough stone structure is patented, and the heater appears externally to be made entirely of stone, creating a distinctive atmosphere in the sauna. The large stone mass guarantees excellent steam quality, similar to that of a wood‑burning sauna heater. 

To sum up, the best heater is one that has been chosen with thought, taking into account both the characteristics of the sauna and the preferences of the sauna-goers.