This paper reviews state-of-the-art aluminum rod billet heating furnaces, focusing on gas-fired systems, induction heating, and hybrid configurations. Induction heating provides superior temperature uniformity (±1.5 °C), reduced oxidation loss (<0.5% vs. 2.5–3.0% for gas), and 40–60% higher energy efficiency than conventional gas furnaces. Gas-fired heaters remain cost‑effective for small batches and large billets but suffer from higher oxidation and longer soak times. Emerging hybrid designs combine gas preheating with induction finishing for isothermal extrusion. Advanced technologies such as multi‑stage waste heat recovery, digital twin platforms, and AI‑based temperature control (including neural networks and fault detection) further optimize performance and sustainability. Selection of the appropriate furnace depends on production volume, quality requirements, energy costs, and environmental targets.