Do home saunas come with a heater?

Some do and some don't. At Select Saunas, the Dundalk MiniPOD and Almost Heaven Salem include a heater, while the SaunaLife X2, G2, and Ergo E7 ship without one. Always check the listing.

What size heater does a small sauna need?

A common rule is about 1kW per 45–50 cubic feet of well-insulated room. Harvia's 4.5kW KIP is rated for roughly 100–210 cubic feet, and the 6kW for 170–300 cubic feet.

Is it cheaper to buy the sauna and heater separately?

Not necessarily. Buying separately gives you more choice of heater and controls, but you have to add the heater's price, and sometimes stones, to the cabin price before comparing.

Sauna Heater Included or Not? How to Compare Prices Fairly

When you compare saunas, the price is the first number you look at. It’s also one of the easiest to misread, because some cabins include the heater and others leave it out entirely.

This article covers that one question: how to compare cabins fairly when heaters are sometimes included and sometimes not. For the bigger picture, see the home sauna buying guide.

Short answer: add the heater (and stones, if needed) to every cabin’s price before comparing. An included heater wins when you want one purchase and a heater already matched to the cabin.

Which cabins include a heater

Cabin	Price (Select Saunas, Oct. 1, 2026)	Heater
Dundalk MiniPOD	$5,957	4.5kW electric, included
Almost Heaven Salem	$4,176	6kW, included
Almost Heaven Sutton	$4,667	Included (4.5kW standard at Select Saunas; 6kW upgrade offered)
SaunaLife X2	$4,990	Not included
SaunaLife G2	$4,990	Not included
SaunaLife Ergo E7	$5,190	Not included

On paper, the SaunaLife cabins look close in price to the Almost Heaven models. Once you add a heater, they aren’t.

Why an included heater can be worth it

You get a heater the manufacturer has already sized for the cabin. You also get one order, one delivery, and one warranty conversation if something goes wrong.

You give up choice. If you want a specific heater brand, a smart controller, or a wood-burning stove, a heater-included cabin limits your options.

Sizing a heater yourself

If you buy separately, size the heater to the room. A common rule is about 1kW per 45–50 cubic feet of well-insulated space, and more for glass doors, uninsulated walls, and outdoor or barrel saunas. Harvia’s KIP range gives a clear example: the 4.5kW model is rated for about 100–210 cubic feet, the 6kW for 170–300, and the 8kW for 250–425 (2026 sizing guide).

Here’s what the spec sheet won’t tell you: the heater also sets your electrical work. Larger heaters need larger circuits, so pick the heater before you call the electrician.

Don’t forget the stones

Traditional heaters need sauna stones, and they aren’t always included. Check the heater listing; Finnmark’s Trinity models, for example, call for 29–50 lbs depending on the model.

When to choose which

My rule of thumb: if you want the sauna to work the day it’s assembled with no extra shopping, buy a heater-included cabin like the Dundalk MiniPOD or Almost Heaven Salem. If you want to choose the heater or go wood-burning, buy a cabin without one, like the SaunaLife Ergo E7, and budget for it.

The traditional sauna buying guide covers electric versus wood-burning heaters in more depth.

Bottom line: compare saunas on the installed, heated price, not the sticker. That one habit prevents most budget surprises.

Sources

The Sauna Republic, “What Size Sauna Heater Do I Need?” 2026: thesaunarepublic.com
Haven of Heat, “Harvia Sauna Heater Buyer’s Guide 2026”: havenofheat.com
Prices and heater inclusion: Select Saunas listings, checked October 1, 2026

Not medical advice.This page is general product information. Heat and cold exposure aren't safe for everyone. Talk to a physician before starting a sauna or cold plunge routine, particularly if you are pregnant or have a heart, blood pressure, or circulation condition. See our Editorial Policy.