Best Cedar Hot Tub Electric Heaters

Cedar hot tubs need reliable, safe, and appropriately sized electric heating options to maintain comfortable soaking temperatures. Below is a comparison of five electric heaters that are commonly used with cedar tubs — including dedicated spa heaters, immersion heaters with GFCI protection, and a heat pump option for larger installations. The short summary table highlights core attributes to help you compare at a glance.

Product	Type	Power/Capacity	Key Safety/Control Features
NEWTRY 5.5KW SPA Heater	Hardwire Spa/Hot Tub Heater	5.5 kW (220V)	Digital thermostat, auto heating, 1.5″ PVC fittings
Dr Infrared Heater DR-1100HP	Full DC Inverter Heat Pump	Up To 110,000 BTU Equivalent (for large pools)	WiFi smart control, inverter compressor, CSA/AHRI certified
LASTINGCAPE 1500W Titanium Immersion	Immersion Submersible Heater	1500 W	GFCI, waterproof control, titanium alloy element
Titikula 1800W Immersion Heater	Immersion Heater With Display	1800 W	Adjustable thermostat, auto shutoff, dry-burn protection
HeavenBird Immersion Water Heater 1500W	Portable Immersion Heater	1500 W	Built-in temperature control, fuse, LCD thermometer

NEWTRY 5.5KW Spa Heater For Cedar Hot Tubs

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The NEWTRY 5.5KW spa heater is a dedicated hardwire hot tub heater designed for 220V spa systems. Its LCD touchscreen shows real-time water temperature and allows switching between Celsius and Fahrenheit, which is useful for precise setpoint control in cedar tubs.

Built-in auto heating logic maintains the preset temperature by pausing when the target is reached and restarting when water cools. The unit uses 316 stainless steel heating tubes for corrosion resistance and quicker response.

Installation expects standard 1.5″ schedule 40 PVC plumbing for proper flow; undersized plumbing can cause insufficient flow and reduce heater effectiveness or safety. As a hardwired option, this heater is suitable when the cedar tub plumbing and electrical service match the unit’s requirements and local code permits a fixed electric heater installation.

Dr Infrared Heater DR-1100HP Heat Pump For Larger Cedar Systems

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The Dr Infrared DR-1100HP is a full DC inverter heat pump intended primarily for larger in-ground or above-ground pools but can be considered where a cedar tub installation is large or integrated with a pool system.

This unit emphasizes energy efficiency via variable-capacity inverter technology and provides WiFi smart control for remote monitoring. Certification by CSA and AHRI indicates third-party performance verification and reliability standards.

Heat pumps operate differently than direct-resistance electric heaters: they extract environmental heat rather than converting electricity directly into heat. That makes them more efficient in suitable climates, but they require adequate airflow, space, and electrical specifications (208–230V input) and are generally larger and more complex to install than inline electric spa heaters.

LASTINGCAPE 1500W Titanium Immersion Heater With GFCI

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LASTINGCAPE supplies a fully submersible immersion heater with a titanium alloy element, waterproof control panel, and an integrated GFCI. The design is aimed at portable applications, inflatables, and smaller wooden or cedar tubs where a permanent hardwired heater isn’t available.

Key features include fast heating, ±0.1°C sensor accuracy, and automatic shutoff and restart to maintain temperature. The titanium construction adds corrosion resistance and scale tolerance, which is useful if cedar tub water chemistry is variable.

As an immersion device it must be used with caution: the heater relies on being fully submerged, and users must follow manufacturer instructions and electrical safety practices. For some cedar tubs, this type of heater is a practical retrofit or auxiliary heater when a dedicated in-line electric element is not installed.

Titikula 1800W Immersion Heater With Real-Time Display

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The Titikula 1800W immersion heater is a higher-power portable option with an adjustable thermostat and auto shutoff/dry-burn protection. It’s intended for bathtubs, buckets, and some small hot tubs.

Its safety features include automatic shutdown at target temperatures and restart behavior when temperature drops, which helps maintain a steady soak temperature. The 1800W rating offers faster heating than many 1500W immersion models and may be more effective for modest-volume cedar tubs.

Because it’s designed for immersion, it’s straightforward to use where permanent heaters aren’t available. It’s important to confirm that your cedar tub’s construction and electrical setup permit use of an immersion device and to follow grounding and GFCI protection best practices.

HeavenBird 1500W Immersion Heater With Built-In Temperature Control

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The HeavenBird 1500W immersion heater features double safety protection with a built-in thermostat and a fuse that will cut power if temperatures exceed the specified limit. It also includes an LCD thermometer probe for monitoring water temperature.

At 1500W it’s suited to smaller cedar tubs or as an emergency/auxiliary heater. The product emphasizes fast heating for small volumes and recommends limiting run time and avoiding multiple units on a single outlet to reduce electrical risk.

As with other immersion heaters, correct submersion, proper grounding, and GFCI protection are essential for safe use in wooden tubs. Users should follow the listed operating cautions and local electrical codes.

Buying Guide: Choosing The Right Electric Heater For A Cedar Hot Tub

Selecting an electric heater for a cedar hot tub depends on tub size, installation preference, local electrical capacity, and safety requirements. Below are the primary factors to evaluate.

1. Heater Type

• Inline/Hardwired Spa Heaters: Designed for permanent installation in spa circulation systems. Better for full-featured temperature control and sustained heating in traditional cedar hot tubs.
• Immersion Heaters: Portable and often lower cost. Suitable for small tubs, temporary use, or supplemental heating. Require strict safety practices (full submersion, GFCI, no contact during operation).
• Heat Pumps: High efficiency for larger installations or climates where air-source heating performs well. Require larger upfront space and infrastructure and may be overkill for small cedar tubs.

2. Power And Capacity

• Match heater capacity to tub volume. Small cedar tubs may perform adequately with 1500–3000W in mild climates; larger cedar tubs typically need 4–6 kW or more for reasonable heat-up and recovery.
• Consider heat loss factors: outdoor placement, ambient temperature, wind, and insulation. A well-insulated cedar tub with a tight cover will require less continuous power.

3. Electrical Requirements And Installation

• Confirm your site’s available voltage and amperage. Many serious spa heaters require 220–240V and dedicated circuits.
• Hardwired heaters should be installed by a licensed electrician and follow local code. Immersion heaters must be used with grounded outlets and GFCI protection.

4. Controls, Accuracy, And Automation

• Digital thermostats and auto-maintain features simplify maintaining set temperatures and reduce energy use by avoiding unnecessary runtime.
• Remote control or WiFi features can add convenience for preheating but increase system complexity.

5. Safety Features

• Look for GFCI protection, automatic shutoff at high temperature, dry-burn protection, and durable corrosion-resistant materials (316 stainless or titanium elements).
• Follow manufacturer guidance on maximum continuous run times, required flow rates, and wiring to avoid fire or electrical hazards.

6. Material Compatibility And Durability

• Elements made of titanium or high-grade stainless steel resist scale and corrosion better in mineralized or chlorinated water.
• Cedar tubs are natural wood; ensure heater attachments, plumbing, and any mounting hardware are compatible and will not damage the wood or compromise sealing.

7. Plumbing And Flow Considerations

• Inline heaters require sufficient flow to avoid overheating; check required pipe sizes (for example, 1.5″ PVC) and pump capacity.
• Immersion heaters are independent of plumbing flow but must be fully submerged and should not contact wooden surfaces that could be damaged by prolonged heat exposure.

8. Use Case Scenarios

• Permanent Cedar Hot Tub With Circulation: Prefer a hardwired inline spa heater sized for your tub volume and local electrical capacity.
• Small Or Portable Cedar Barrel Tubs: Immersion heaters with GFCI and thermal cutoff can be appropriate if used per safety instructions.
• Energy Efficiency Priority: Consider heat pump systems if the climate and installation support them, and if the tub size justifies the investment.

9. Maintenance And Water Chemistry

• Maintain balanced water chemistry to reduce scale and corrosion on heating elements.
• Schedule periodic inspections of wiring, GFCI devices, and element condition, especially in outdoor cedar tubs exposed to weather.

10. Compliance And Professional Advice

• Always follow local electrical codes and consult a licensed electrician or spa technician for permanent installations or when converting a cedar tub from wood-fired heating to electric heating.
• Confirm warranty and service options for the heater model you choose.