Disclosure: Cold & Ember is reader-supported. If you buy through some links on this site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is a research-based comparison: we have not personally tested the HUUM DROP or the Harvia Cilindro. Every spec below comes from the manufacturers’ own product pages (checked on October 25, 2026), and running-cost figures are worked examples, not measurements.
If you’re building a home sauna and you’ve started shopping for an electric heater, two names come up over and over: HUUM, the Estonian brand behind the rounded, wall-hung DROP, and Harvia, the Finnish heavyweight whose Cilindro pillar heater shows up in a huge number of home builds. Both are good-looking, both hold a lot of stones, and both promise soft, long-lasting steam. So which one should go in your room?
The honest answer is that the “better” heater depends far more on your room size, your wall layout and your electrical panel than on the logo. In this guide I’ll put the two side by side using the published specs, explain what the differences actually mean in a real sauna, and give you a short checklist so you can make the call with confidence.
The quick answer
- Pick the HUUM DROP if your sauna is small to mid-size (roughly 106 to 460 cubic feet), floor space is tight, and you want a compact wall-mounted heater with app control through HUUM’s UKU WiFi system.
- Pick the Harvia Cilindro (US PC-E series) if you want the biggest stone mass you can get in this class (200 lb, or 265 lb on the 10.5 kW model), you have room for a 40-inch floor-standing pillar, or your room is larger or might grow later (the range runs up to 636 cubic feet).
- Either way, size the heater to your room volume first, then check the breaker and wire size with a licensed electrician before you order. That step decides more than the brand does.
HUUM DROP vs Harvia Cilindro: spec comparison table
The table below uses the US 240V versions. HUUM lists its DROP figures on the DROP product page (imperial/240V view). Harvia lists each US Cilindro model on its own page: PC60E, PC80E, PC90E and PC110E.
| Model (240V) | Power | Recommended room size | Stone capacity | Heater weight | Size (H x W x D) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUUM DROP 4 | 4.5 kW | 106–248 ft³ | 121 lb (55 kg) | 24.3 lb | 23.3 x 15.35 x 13.2 in | Wall |
| HUUM DROP 6 | 6 kW | 177–318 ft³ | 121 lb (55 kg) | 24.3 lb | 23.3 x 15.35 x 13.2 in | Wall |
| HUUM DROP 7 | 7.5 kW | 248–389 ft³ | 121 lb (55 kg) | 26.5 lb | 23.3 x 15.35 x 13.2 in | Wall |
| HUUM DROP 9 | 9 kW | 283–460 ft³ | 121 lb (55 kg) | 26.5 lb | 23.3 x 15.35 x 13.2 in | Wall |
| Harvia Cilindro PC60E | 6 kW | 141–294 ft³ | 200 lb | 37.5 lb | 40 x 14 x 13 in | Floor |
| Harvia Cilindro PC80E | 8 kW | 141–431 ft³ | 200 lb | 37.5 lb | 40 x 14 x 13 in | Floor |
| Harvia Cilindro PC90E | 9 kW | 141–494 ft³ | 200 lb | 37.5 lb | 40 x 14 x 13 in | Floor |
| Harvia Cilindro PC110E | 10.5 kW | 141–636 ft³ | 265 lb | 46.3 lb | 45 x 16 x 15 in | Floor |
Harvia lists heights as 3.33 ft (PC60E/80E/90E) and 3.75 ft (PC110E); converted to inches above. Specs can change, so always confirm against the current manufacturer page and installation manual before you buy.
Price: check the current price before you compare
Neither manufacturer shows a fixed US retail price on the product pages I used for this comparison. Harvia sends US buyers to its dealer network, and HUUM sells through retailers as well. Prices also vary a lot depending on whether a listing bundles the controller, the stones and accessories. So instead of quoting a number that may already be out of date, here’s my advice: check the current price for the complete package (heater + control unit + stones + any required safety accessory) from an authorized dealer, and compare those totals, not the heater-only price.
Key differences that actually matter
1. Room size coverage
This is the big one. Each DROP model covers a fairly tight band, and the band moves up as the power rises. The DROP 4, for example, is rated for 106 to 248 cubic feet, while the DROP 9 is rated for 283 to 460. The Cilindro range is different: every US PC-E model starts at 141 cubic feet, and the top end grows with power, from 294 cubic feet on the PC60E up to 636 on the PC110E.
In plain terms, the DROP 4 reaches a smaller room than any Cilindro in this series, and the Cilindro PC110E reaches a bigger room than any DROP. In the middle (roughly 150 to 450 cubic feet), both brands have an option. If you haven’t measured your room yet, start with our guide to sizing a sauna heater; it walks through the volume math and the extra allowance you need for glass, stone or tile walls.
2. Stone mass and steam feel
Both brands lean on stone mass. HUUM says the DROP holds 55 kg (121 lb) of stones, which it points out is more than many wood-burning stoves. Harvia’s US Cilindro holds 200 lb on the 6, 8 and 9 kW models and 265 lb on the 10.5 kW model. Harvia also notes that the open, grate-like front lets you adjust the steam: water poured in the middle gives a gentler steam, while water on top of the pillar gives a sharper one.
More stone generally means more stored heat and a steadier, softer löyly, but it can also mean a longer warm-up. Neither manufacturer publishes a heat-up time on the pages I checked, so I won’t guess at one. If a quick warm-up matters to you, ask the dealer for the manufacturer’s guidance for your exact room.
3. Footprint and placement
The DROP is wall-mounted and only 23.3 inches tall, which keeps the floor clear in a tight room. HUUM also offers a bench-embedding option, as long as at least 550 mm (about 21.7 inches) of the heater sticks up above the bench surface. The Cilindro is a floor-standing pillar about 40 inches tall (45 inches for the PC110E). Harvia pitches it as easy to embed into a bench or show off in front of a glass wall.
Clearances are just as important as the heater’s own size. Harvia’s US pages list a 35-inch ceiling clearance and 1.2-inch side and rear clearances to non-combustible materials for the PC60E and PC90E. HUUM publishes model-specific safety distances in its US manual. Read both manuals before you finalize your bench layout, because the clearances can push the bench further away than you’d expect.
4. Electrical requirements
HUUM’s DROP page lists the 240V breaker size for each model: 30 A for the DROP 4 and DROP 6 (10 AWG cable), 40 A for the DROP 7 and 50 A for the DROP 9 (8 AWG). The Harvia US pages confirm that the Cilindro PC-E models run on 240VAC single phase at 60 Hz. The breaker and wire size for a given installation come from Harvia’s installation manual, and your electrician should confirm them.
One detail is easy to miss if you’re in a building with 208V service: HUUM publishes lower output for the DROP at 208V (for example, the DROP 6 drops from 6 kW to 4.5 kW), which shrinks the room size it can handle. The Harvia US PC-E pages I checked list only a 240V option. If your home or condo runs on 208V, sort this out before you pick a model.
5. Controls and app
Neither heater runs on its own. HUUM says the DROP “additionally needs” its UKU sauna control system, plus stones and heat-resistant power cable. UKU comes as UKU Local (control panel only) or UKU WiFi (adds remote heating through the HUUM app), with GLASS, CLASSIC or WOOD panel options.
The Cilindro PC-E is an “E” model, which Harvia defines as a heater without integrated electronics: the control unit is sold separately. For remote use, Harvia’s support pages say you need a WiFi-compatible control unit and a safety device or door switch. Budget for those parts from the start rather than discovering them at checkout.
6. Running cost
Running cost follows power, not brand. A 6 kW DROP 6 and a 6 kW Cilindro PC60E draw the same power at full output. Using the U.S. average residential electricity price of 18.16 cents per kWh (EIA, August 2026) from our sauna running cost guide, here’s the ceiling cost per hour at full draw:
- 4.5 kW: about $0.82 per hour
- 6 kW: about $1.09 per hour
- 7.5 to 8 kW: about $1.36 to $1.45 per hour
- 9 kW: about $1.63 per hour
- 10.5 kW: about $1.91 per hour
Thermostats cycle the elements off once the room is hot, so real-world sessions usually cost less than these figures. The bigger lever is choosing the smallest heater that comfortably covers your room, not oversizing “just in case.”
HUUM DROP: pros and cons
Pros
- Compact, wall-mounted design (23.3 in tall) that keeps floor space free
- Four power options, including a 4.5 kW model for small rooms down to 106 ft³
- 121 lb stone capacity, large for a wall-hung heater
- Clear 240V breaker and cable sizes published on the product page, plus 208V figures
- App control available through UKU WiFi; Red Dot design award (2015), per HUUM
Cons
- Top model tops out at 460 ft³, so it’s not an option for larger rooms
- Less stone mass than the Cilindro
- Requires the separate UKU control system; output drops on 208V service
- Each model covers a narrower room-size band, so accurate measuring matters more
Harvia Cilindro (US PC-E series): pros and cons
Pros
- 200 lb of stones (265 lb on the PC110E), the most in this comparison
- Adjustable steam character thanks to the open-front stone pillar
- Wide room ranges, up to 636 ft³ on the 10.5 kW model
- ETL-certified US 240V versions listed on Harvia’s site
- Big dealer network from one of the best-known sauna brands
Cons
- Floor-standing and about 40 inches tall, so it takes floor space in a small room
- Smallest US PC-E model starts at 141 ft³; there’s no 4.5 kW option in this series
- Control unit sold separately, and remote use also needs a safety device or door switch
- Heavier to move and install, especially once it’s loaded with stones
Buying criteria: how to choose between them
- Measure your room volume (length x width x height in feet), then add an allowance for glass or masonry surfaces. Pick only models whose published range clearly covers your number.
- Check your electrical service. Confirm 240V vs 208V, spare panel capacity, and the breaker and wire size from the manual. A new 50 A circuit can change your install budget.
- Map the floor and walls. Sketch the heater, clearances and benches to scale. If a floor pillar crowds the door swing or benches, the wall-hung DROP may be the practical choice.
- Price the full kit. Heater, controller, stones, and any safety accessory, guard or railing. Compare totals from authorized dealers.
- Decide on remote control. If you want to start the sauna from your phone, confirm which controller and safety parts are required for that exact heater.
- Read the warranty terms from the manufacturer or dealer, including what it requires for stone maintenance and professional installation.
- Think about location. Outdoor builds in cold regions lose more heat, so read our cold-climate outdoor sauna guide and our indoor vs outdoor sauna comparison before you lock in heater size.
Which one is right for you?
A small indoor sauna under about 250 cubic feet (say, a basement or closet conversion): the DROP 4 or DROP 6 is the more natural fit. Its range starts lower and it stays off the floor.
A mid-size family sauna of 250 to 450 cubic feet: both brands have a match (DROP 7/9 or Cilindro PC80E/PC90E). Decide on layout, stone mass and controller preference.
A larger room or outdoor cabin above about 460 cubic feet: the Cilindro PC90E or PC110E is the one of these two that’s rated for it.
If you’re still choosing the sauna itself, our barrel vs cabin sauna guide can help, since the shape affects the volume you need to heat.
Frequently asked questions
Is HUUM or Harvia better?
Neither is better across the board. Going by the published specs, the HUUM DROP is the more compact, wall-mounted option for small and mid-size rooms. The Harvia Cilindro holds more stones and covers larger rooms. Match the model to your room volume and electrical supply first.
Does the HUUM DROP need a separate controller?
Yes. HUUM’s product page says the DROP additionally needs the UKU sauna control system, sauna stones and a heat-resistant power cable. UKU WiFi adds app control.
Does the Harvia Cilindro PC60E come with a control unit?
No. Harvia’s US page says it requires a separate control unit, sold individually. For remote use through Wi-Fi, Harvia says you also need a safety device or door switch.
How many stones do these heaters hold?
According to the manufacturers, the HUUM DROP holds 55 kg (121 lb) of stones. The US Cilindro PC60E, PC80E and PC90E hold 200 lb, and the PC110E holds 265 lb.
Can I use a HUUM DROP on 208V power?
HUUM publishes 208V figures, but output drops: for example, 6 kW becomes 4.5 kW on the DROP 6, and the supported room size shrinks too. Check HUUM’s 208V table and talk to an electrician.
Which heater is cheaper to run?
At the same kW rating, they draw the same power at full output. Cost depends on heater size, session length and your electricity rate, so pick the smallest model that properly covers your room. See our running cost guide for the formula.
The bottom line
The HUUM DROP and the Harvia Cilindro are both serious, high-stone-mass electric heaters. They just solve slightly different problems. The DROP fits small to mid-size rooms where floor space is precious. The Cilindro goes bigger on stones and room size, as long as you have space for a pillar. Measure your room, confirm your power, price the full kit with the controller, and the right pick usually becomes obvious.
Sources
- HUUM, DROP Electric Sauna Heater (specifications, 240V/208V, set contents): huumsauna.com
- HUUM, UKU sauna control panel CLASSIC (UKU Local vs UKU WiFi): huumsauna.com
- Harvia, Cilindro PC60E 6.0 kW 240 VAC: harvia.com
- Harvia, Cilindro PC80E 8.0 kW 240 VAC: harvia.com
- Harvia, Cilindro PC90E 9.0 kW 240 VAC: harvia.com
- Harvia, Cilindro PC110E 10.5 kW 240 VAC: harvia.com
- Harvia Support, Remote use for electric heaters: support.harvia.com
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, average residential price: eia.gov