Electric sauna heaters are still by far the most commonly used type of stove in modern saunas. First produced in the 1930s, they virtually revolutionized the use of saunas as even those people with little time or small spaces could have a sauna. Compact electric sauna heaters can easily be stored in a small closet. They are very easy to install, do not give off harmful fumes or smoke, and often modestly priced. Most homes have enough electrical to handle an electric sauna heater without upgrades.

Like the gas heaters, stones are placed above the heating elements or distributed among them. To avoid corrosion and rust, the elements are often encased or enclosed in a non-corrosive metal. The outside of the stove is built of an insulating material so that it does not become excessively hot and allows the stones to do the heating of the air.

Electric stoves are the simplest of sauna heaters. They don't require any venting flues, or chimneys and come in a very wide variety of styles with many options. They can be free-standing or mount to a wall if you have a small sauna and are looking to save space. Due to their small stature, electric sauna heaters also give the designer many more options than it's counterparts.