Sun Home Nova vs Almost Heaven Bridgeport (2026)
A balanced, verified head-to-head between the modern Sun Home Nova (carbonized tile, HUUM Wi-Fi controls, dual-stack benches) and the heritage Almost Heaven Bridgeport (6-person, made-in-USA cedar, Harvia 8kW, from $5,993). We give the verdict by buyer type, not a single winner.
Last updated July 7, 2026. Prices verified July 7, 2026. Specs verified against manufacturer product pages July 7, 2026.
Two traditional water-on-stones cabins, two very different philosophies. The Sun Home Nova is the modern, tech-enabled interpretation: hand-laid carbonized tile, black privacy glass, dual-stack tiered benches, and HUUM Wi-Fi controls. The Almost Heaven Bridgeport is the heritage answer: a made-in-USA cedar cabin from a brand founded in 1978, rated for 6 people, at a noticeably lower price. Both deliver real loyly (steam from water poured on hot stones), and both need a dedicated 240V circuit wired by a licensed electrician.
So which one belongs in your home? The honest answer is that it depends on whether you are buying an aesthetic and a feature set, or buying seats and a lower sticker. Below we give the verdict by buyer type, with every spec taken straight from each manufacturer's current product page.
Quick answer
For a modern, design-forward cabin with carbonized tile, black glass, dual-stack benches, and HUUM Wi-Fi control, the Sun Home Nova 3-Person ($11,099) is the pick. For the lowest price, the most seats (6-person), and made-in-USA heritage, the Almost Heaven Bridgeport ($5,993 to $7,624) is the pick. Choose by priority: aesthetics and tech, or price and capacity.
At a glance
| Cabin | Type | Capacity | Heater | Max temp | Wi-Fi control | Made in USA | Price (verified July 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Home Nova 3-Person | Traditional, water-on-stones | 3 | HUUM Drop 6kW (30A/240V) | 230F | Yes (HUUM app) | US company; heater and tile from Estonia, cedar from Canada | $11,099 |
| Sun Home Nova 5-Person | Traditional, water-on-stones | 5 | HUUM Drop 7.5kW (40A/240V) | 230F | Yes (HUUM app) | US company; heater and tile from Estonia, cedar from Canada | $15,199 (preorder, ships Aug 2026) |
| Almost Heaven Bridgeport | Traditional, water-on-stones | 6 | Harvia 8kW (40A/240V) | Confirm with manufacturer | Not included | Yes (brand founded 1978) | $5,993 to $7,624 |
All three are electric rock heaters on a dedicated 240V circuit that a licensed electrician must install. None run on a standard household outlet.
What to weigh before you buy
Traditional cabins come down to a handful of decisions: design and materials, heater and controls, capacity, and total install cost. On design, the Nova is the standout, with a hand-laid carbonized hexagonal tile wall from a single workshop in Estonia, a thermal-optimized black privacy glass front, and tunable RGB lighting. The Bridgeport is a classic heritage cedar cabin without those elements. On heater and controls, the Nova pairs a HUUM Drop heater with UKU controls, an in-cabin capacitive panel, and Wi-Fi via the HUUM app; the Bridgeport uses a Harvia 8kW heater. On capacity, the Bridgeport leads at 6 people. On price, the Bridgeport leads clearly.
A quick note on evidence, because sauna marketing often overreaches. The strongest mortality and dementia data in this category comes from traditional Finnish sauna cohorts, not from infrared or from any single brand. A 20-year Finnish cohort (Laukkanen et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015) associated frequent traditional sauna use with lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, and a related analysis (Laukkanen et al., Age and Ageing, 2017) associated it with lower dementia risk. These are observational associations, not proof that a sauna will change any individual's outcome. Both the Nova and the Bridgeport are traditional water-on-stones cabins, which is the format that cohort research studied. For a broader breakdown of the format question, see our infrared vs traditional sauna guide.
The picks
Sun Home Nova 3-Person: best for modern design and app control
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Traditional, real water-on-stones loyly |
| Capacity | 3 person |
| Max temp | 230F |
| Power | Dedicated 30A/240V circuit (licensed electrician; not a shared household outlet) |
| Heater | HUUM Drop 6kW electric rock heater |
| Wood | Grade-A Canadian cedar, thermally treated and moisture-resistant |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime on cabin; 1 year on fan, lighting, and controls; HUUM Drop heater under HUUM's standard warranty (3 years on body and controls for residential use; heating elements are consumables) |
| Price (verified July 2026) | $11,099 |
| Best for | Buyers who want a tile-and-glass modern aesthetic, dual-stack tiered benches, and HUUM Wi-Fi control |
| Skip if | You want the lowest price or 6-person capacity |
The Nova 3-Person is the design statement in this matchup. You get hand-laid carbonized hexagonal Estonian tile, a black privacy glass front, dual-stack benches with a hot upper zone and a milder lower zone, marine-grade stainless fasteners, a built-in continuous ventilation fan, and tunable RGB plus warm ambient LED tile lighting. Control is via the HUUM UKU remote, an in-cabin capacitive panel, and Wi-Fi through the HUUM app, with Sun Home app integration listed as coming. It is also HSA/FSA eligible via TrueMed and ships free.
Where it gives ground: it is the most expensive cabin here and seats the fewest people at 3. It is a US company (Sun Home Saunas, founded 2021), but it sources key parts internationally, with the HUUM heater and hexagonal tile from Estonia and the cedar from Canada, so it is not a made-in-USA pedigree play the way the Bridgeport is. If price or a made-in-USA claim is your deciding factor, this is not your cabin.
Sun Home Nova 5-Person: best for the Nova aesthetic at larger size
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Traditional, real water-on-stones loyly |
| Capacity | 5 person |
| Max temp | 230F |
| Power | Dedicated 40A/240V circuit (licensed electrician; not a shared household outlet) |
| Heater | HUUM Drop 7.5kW electric rock heater |
| Wood | Grade-A Canadian cedar, thermally treated and moisture-resistant |
| Warranty | Same structure as the 3-Person: limited lifetime cabin; 1 year fan, lighting, controls; HUUM heater under HUUM's standard warranty |
| Price (verified July 2026) | $15,199 (preorder, ships August 2026; Affirm from about $527/mo at 0% APR) |
| Best for | Buyers who want the full Nova design language with more room |
| Skip if | You need it now, want the lowest price, or want 6-person capacity |
The Nova 5-Person carries every design and control feature of the 3-Person (Canadian cedar, dual-stack benches, Estonian hexagonal tile, black privacy glass, HUUM controls, ventilation, and the same warranty structure) in a larger footprint, with a step up to a HUUM Drop 7.5kW heater on a 40A circuit. Financing is available via Affirm from about $527/mo at 0% APR.
Where it gives ground: it is a preorder that ships August 2026 per Sun Home, so it is not for buyers who want a cabin installed this month. At $15,199 it is the priciest option in this comparison, and it still tops out at 5 people versus the Bridgeport's 6.
Almost Heaven Bridgeport: best for price, capacity, and made-in-USA heritage
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Traditional, water-on-stones |
| Capacity | 6 person (indoor) |
| Max temp | Confirm with manufacturer |
| Power | 240V/40A dedicated circuit (licensed electrician) |
| Heater | Harvia 8kW electric heater |
| Wood | Cedar (heritage made-in-USA cabin) |
| Warranty | Confirm current terms with Almost Heaven |
| Price (verified July 2026) | $5,993 to $7,624 |
| Best for | Buyers who want the lowest price, the most seats, and USA heritage from a brand founded in 1978 |
| Skip if | You want the Nova's carbonized tile, black glass, dual-stack benches, HUUM Wi-Fi control, or RGB lighting |
The Bridgeport is the heritage value pick. From a brand founded in 1978, it is a made-in-USA cedar cabin rated for 6 people, running a Harvia 8kW heater, and it lists well below either Nova at $5,993 to $7,624. If you care most about seats-per-dollar and a USA-built cabin from an established name, it is the rational choice. (The Bridgeport is not sold through our affiliate program, so we link it for reference and earn nothing from it, which is exactly why we can recommend it plainly where it fits.)
Where it gives ground: it does not offer the Nova's carbonized hexagonal tile wall, thermal-optimized black privacy glass, dual-stack tiered benches, HUUM Wi-Fi controls, or RGB lighting. It is a classic cabin, not a modern design object. Confirm its current max temperature and warranty terms directly with Almost Heaven before you buy.
The cost gap in the open
Conflicted brand blogs rarely publish the number that matters most to a value buyer: the honest sticker delta. Here it is, dated and transparent. These are sticker-only figures verified July 2026; both traditional cabins additionally require a licensed electrician to run a dedicated 240V circuit, and that install cost applies to either, so it roughly cancels out in a head-to-head.
| Matchup | Nova price | Bridgeport price | Sticker delta (Bridgeport advantage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova 3-Person vs Bridgeport (base) | $11,099 | $5,993 | $5,106 |
| Nova 3-Person vs Bridgeport (top config) | $11,099 | $7,624 | $3,475 |
| Nova 5-Person vs Bridgeport (base) | $15,199 | $5,993 | $9,206 |
| Nova 5-Person vs Bridgeport (top config) | $15,199 | $7,624 | $7,575 |
Read it this way: the Nova premium buys carbonized Estonian tile, black privacy glass, dual-stack benches, HUUM Wi-Fi control, and RGB lighting. If those features are worth $3,475 to $5,106 to you over the base Bridgeport, the Nova is a rational buy. If they are not, the Bridgeport keeps thousands in your pocket and adds a sixth seat. Neither answer is wrong; they are different buyers.
How we evaluated these
We rank using verified manufacturer specs, warranty, power requirements, heater type and sizing, materials, install complexity, capacity, price, and buyer fit. This is a spec-based review, and we update it when hands-on testing is complete. Where a manufacturer does not publish a figure (for example, the Bridgeport's max temperature and current warranty terms), we say to confirm it with the manufacturer rather than guess. For a full walkthrough of how to size and shop a cabin, see our sauna buyers guide and the pillar Best Home Saunas 2026.
How to choose
- Wants a modern tile-and-glass aesthetic: the Sun Home Nova 3-Person at $11,099.
- Wants the lowest price: the Almost Heaven Bridgeport from $5,993.
- Wants the largest capacity: the Almost Heaven Bridgeport at 6 people.
- Wants Wi-Fi and app control: either Sun Home Nova, via the HUUM app.
- Wants made-in-USA heritage: the Almost Heaven Bridgeport, from a brand founded in 1978.
- Wants dual-zone tiered benches at larger size: the Sun Home Nova 5-Person at $15,199 (preorder, ships August 2026).
Bottom line
There is no single winner here, and any blog that declares one is selling you something. The Sun Home Nova is the modern, design-forward, HUUM-controlled cabin, and the extra $3,475 to $5,106 over a base Bridgeport buys carbonized tile, black glass, dual-stack benches, and app control. The Almost Heaven Bridgeport is the heritage value cabin: made in the USA, 6 seats, and the lowest sticker. Decide which of those two stories is yours, confirm the open specs with each manufacturer, and buy accordingly.
Talk to a clinician before sauna use if you are pregnant, heat intolerant, prone to fainting, dehydrated, or managing unstable cardiovascular disease.
- Ryan, Founder
Watch this price
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Sun Home Nova or Almost Heaven Bridgeport, which is better?
Neither is better outright; it depends on what you value. The Sun Home Nova (from $11,099) is the pick for a modern design-forward cabin with carbonized hexagonal tile, black privacy glass, dual-stack tiered benches, and HUUM Wi-Fi controls. The Almost Heaven Bridgeport (from $5,993) is the pick for the lowest price, 6-person capacity, and made-in-USA heritage from a brand founded in 1978. Match the pick to your priority: aesthetics and tech, or price and capacity.
Which traditional sauna is cheaper, the Nova or the Bridgeport?
The Almost Heaven Bridgeport is the cheaper traditional cabin. It lists at $5,993 to $7,624 depending on configuration. The Sun Home Nova 3-Person lists at $11,099 and the Nova 5-Person at $15,199. At the low end that is a sticker gap of about $5,106 in the Bridgeport's favor. Both are electric water-on-stones cabins that need a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician, so budget for that install on either.
Which one fits more people?
The Almost Heaven Bridgeport is rated for 6 people, more than either Nova. The Sun Home Nova comes in a 3-Person and a 5-Person size. If maximum capacity is the priority, the Bridgeport leads at 6. If you want the Nova's larger size, the 5-Person lists at $15,199 and is a preorder that ships August 2026 per Sun Home. Always confirm current capacity and lead times with each manufacturer before buying.
Is the Sun Home Nova worth the extra money over the Almost Heaven Bridgeport?
It depends on what the premium buys you. The Nova 3-Person costs about $5,106 more than the base Bridgeport, and that delta pays for hand-laid carbonized hexagonal Estonian tile, a thermal-optimized black privacy glass front, dual-stack tiered benches, HUUM UKU Wi-Fi controls, and RGB lighting. If a modern tile-and-glass aesthetic and app control matter to you, many buyers find it worth it. If you want the lowest cost and the most seats, the Bridgeport is the rational pick.
What is the difference between HUUM and Harvia heaters?
Both are well-regarded electric rock heaters that heat water-on-stones traditional cabins. HUUM is Estonian and Harvia is Finnish. The Sun Home Nova uses a HUUM Drop (6kW on the 3-Person, 7.5kW on the 5-Person) with UKU controls and Wi-Fi via the HUUM app. The Almost Heaven Bridgeport uses a Harvia 8kW heater. As a general sizing guideline, roughly 1kW heats about 45 to 50 cubic feet of cabin, but confirm exact sizing with the manufacturer for your room.
Which traditional sauna is made in the USA?
The Almost Heaven Bridgeport is the made-in-USA cabin, from a heritage brand founded in 1978. Sun Home Saunas is a US company founded in 2021, but the Nova sources key components internationally: the HUUM heater and the hexagonal tiles come from Estonia, and the Grade-A cedar comes from Canada. If made-in-USA pedigree is a deciding factor, the Bridgeport is the clearer match. Confirm current sourcing with each brand before purchase.
Which one has app and Wi-Fi control?
The Sun Home Nova has Wi-Fi control via the HUUM app, plus a HUUM UKU remote, an in-cabin capacitive panel, and an RGB lighting remote (Sun Home app integration is listed as coming). The Almost Heaven Bridgeport uses a Harvia 8kW heater and does not include the Nova's HUUM Wi-Fi control setup. If remote preheating from your phone is a must-have, the Nova is the pick.
Which traditional sauna looks more modern?
The Sun Home Nova is the modern, design-forward option. It features a hand-laid carbonized hexagonal tile wall from a single Estonian workshop, a thermal-optimized black privacy glass front, a low-VOC black exterior finish, marine-grade stainless fasteners, and tunable RGB lighting. The Almost Heaven Bridgeport is a classic heritage cedar cabin without the tile wall, black glass, or RGB lighting. For a contemporary tile-and-glass aesthetic, the Nova is the pick.
The products this post references
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