HUUM sauna heaters: every model compared

HUUM is an Estonian maker of sauna heaters with a distinctive look: the DROP is a rounded steel cage of stones shaped like a drop, and the range holds a lot of stones, from about 55 kg in the DROP to about 250 kg in the full-size HIVE, according to retailers’ listings. We found 24 HUUM heater listings from 4 UK retailers (Finnmark Sauna, Palmako, Steam & Oak, Waltons). Prices for the same heater vary widely, partly because some retailers include the controller and stones and others don’t, so this page puts the prices side by side with what each one includes. Everything was checked on 30 September 2026; for other brands see sauna heaters.

Every HUUM heater sold in the UK

Prices as shown on each retailer's page on 30 September 2026. Room sizes and supply are the retailer's stated figures. Aqualine Saunas and Leisurequip do not say whether their prices include VAT; Leisurequip shows “from” prices only, so some rows have no price.

HUUM ranges explained

From the retailers’ listings:

• DROP is a rounded drop shape that holds around 55 kg of stones. Listed at 4.5 kW, 6 kW and 8.5 kW or 9 kW (retailers differ on the top size’s rating). It needs a separate controller.
• HIVE Mini holds about 150 kg of stones and is listed at 6 kW, 9 kW and 10.5 kW, for single or three-phase supplies, with a separate controller.
• HIVE is the full-size version, holding about 250 kg of stones, listed at 12 kW, 15 kW and 18 kW. It’s three-phase only, which rules it out for most homes.
• CLIFF holds about 75 kg of stones, listed at 6 kW, 9 kW and 10.5 kW.
• STEEL holds about 150 kg, listed at 6 kW, 9 kW and 10.5 kW.
• HIVE Wood and HIVE Flow are HUUM’s wood-burning stoves. See wood-burning sauna stoves for the rules on smoke.

HUUM DROP

The DROP is the HUUM heater stocked by the most retailers in our data. We list 9 DROP listings from 4 retailers, at 4.5 kW, 6 kW and 8.5 kW or 9 kW, from £430 to £2,300:

Palmako’s 6 kW listing includes the stones and a controller, and Finnmark’s prices are for the heater alone: there’s more on that below. From HUUM’s DROP manual:

• Heat-up. A properly insulated room with the right size of heater takes around an hour to reach temperature.
• Water. HUUM recommends ladling about 80 ml onto the stones at a time.
• Stones. Replace all the stones after 400 hours of use.
• Before switching on. Check there’s nothing on, above or near the heater.
• The room. HUUM gives 1,100 to 1,300 mm between the top bench and the ceiling, and says sauna doors should always open outward.

Sources: HUUM: DROP electric sauna heater user manual, EU edition (PDF). Checked 30 September 2026.

HUUM HIVE, HIVE Mini and HIVE Wood

The HIVE family holds far more stones than the DROP: about 150 kg in the HIVE Mini and 250 kg in the full-size HIVE, according to the listings. The HIVE Mini (6 kW to 10.5 kW) is listed for single or three-phase supplies; the full-size HIVE (12 kW to 18 kW) is three-phase only; and HIVE Wood and HIVE Flow are the wood-burning versions.

For the HIVE Wood, HUUM’s manual gives 1,200 mm above the stove to anything combustible, says the stove must have its own flue, and says the chimney and flues need cleaning at least once a year. That manual doesn’t cover the HIVE Flow, so check its own. See wood-burning sauna stoves.

Sources: HUUM: HIVE Wood wood-burning sauna stove user manual (EU). Checked 30 September 2026.

The HUUM UKU controller

Most HUUM electric heaters are listed as needing a separate controller, and HUUM’s own is the UKU, which comes in Local and Wi-Fi versions. From the US edition of HUUM’s UKU manual, the one we could read:

• Temperature range. It can be set between 40 and 110°C.
• Heating time. For a private sauna the maximum heating time is 3 or 6 hours.
• The sensor. It must be 15 cm from the ceiling, and not above the heater but 50 cm from its outer edge.
• Overheating. HUUM gives 130°C as the point at which the overheating protection applies, after which the sauna must be inspected.

Check each listing for whether the UKU is in the price: that’s a big part of why the same heater costs so much more in one shop than another.

Sources: HUUM: UKU 4.1 (Wi-Fi/Local) sauna control system user manual, US edition (PDF). Checked 30 September 2026.

The same HUUM DROP, three very different prices

The 6 kW DROP is listed by 3 retailers in our data, at £488, £999, £1,590. Much of the gap is what’s in the box. Finnmark’s listing says “Stones & Controller to be purchased separately”; Palmako’s includes the stones and HUUM’s UKU Local controller; Steam & Oak’s says the heater needs a separate control unit but doesn’t say whether one is in the price. Add a controller and stones to the cheapest before comparing, and ask the retailer if the listing isn’t clear.

Grouped by brand, range and stated output. Each price is labelled with what the retailer says it includes; compare like with like, and add the cost of a controller and stones where they're not included.

Which size HUUM, and what supply?

HUUM’s rule of thumb, which our heater size calculator uses, is about 1 kW per calculated cubic metre, adding any glass or uninsulated wall area to the room’s volume. Then check the supply. Finnmark lists HUUM’s stated fuse sizes:

Supply requirements as stated on the retailer's product page. Your electrician will size the cable and protection for your installation; these figures show why a sauna heater needs its own circuit.

A 9 kW HUUM on a single-phase supply needs a 40 A fuse on its own circuit, far beyond a 13 A socket; the electrical supply calculator works it out for any size. The electrics are covered in installing a garden sauna.

Saunas sold with a HUUM heater

None of the 489 garden saunas in our data comes with a HUUM heater in its listed price, but several retailers offer one as an option on the same page. Finnmark offers HUUM DROP packages, with a UKU Wi-Fi controller and stones, on many of its barrels and cabins, and Waltons offers a HUUM DROP as one of the heater options on its Novi saunas. The table on each type page shows the price without a heater, so add the option before comparing. You can also buy any sauna without a heater and add a HUUM yourself: barrel saunas and cabin saunas are where most heater-less models are.

Where to buy a HUUM heater

• Finnmark Sauna: 17 listings, from £429.99.
• Palmako: 1 listing, from £1,590.
• Steam & Oak: 3 listings, from £899.
• Waltons: 3 listings, from £1,599.99.

For what a HUUM will cost to run, use the running cost calculator. For the other big name, see Harvia heaters.