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Last Updated on November 21, 2023

The Best Boilers in the UK 2023

What is the best boiler available today – how to choose the best boiler for you.

A good supply of hot water and having confidence in your heating system is required for homeowners in 2023. Whether its a combi, system or regular boiler you need, what’s important is efficiency and knowing it will last.

All boilers sold today need to be A-rated which means 90%+ energy efficient. A good efficient boiler can save you up to £590 a year on your gas bills meaning you could save £1,000s in the 12-15 lifespan of a top-of-the-range boiler.

There are many boiler brands and models available, but we suggest Viessmann in most circumstances. This is because they have a great range for different circumstances, good modulation, quality parts, good customer service and best of all, super-high efficiency (the Vitodens 200-W is 98% efficient).

Below we’ll go through different boiler brands and models for a couple of different house sizes. We understand that boilers and central heating systems are complicated and unique to every home and family. So, the below is designed to help you understand more about boilers.

If you need a new boiler, get an online quote on our website and we’ll call you back to ensure we have all the right information before sending your full and final quote. We try and do everything over the phone and with photos to save time and keep prices down.

Key points…

We recommend Viessmann in most circumstances.
We’ll always want to get to know you and your unique circumstances to recommend the best boiler for you.
We work with Grant, Navien and Alpha as well as Viessmann.

Page contents…

Things you should know before deciding on a boiler >
Best boiler brands of 2023
Which boiler is best for your house >
The best boiler for gas & LPG >
The best oil boiler brand – Navien >
Frequently asked questions >

Page contents…

Things you should know before deciding on a boiler >
Best boiler brands of 2023
Which boiler is best for your house >
The best boiler for gas & LPG >
The best oil boiler brand – Navien >
Frequently asked questions >

What you need to know for this guide

Types of boiler
In order to understand the best boilers in the UK there are a few different things you will need to know to make the best decision for your home. You can read our boiler type guide here >. In summary:
- Combi boilers have no tanks or cylinders. Instead, they heat water for central heating and domestic hot water as required.
- A system boiler has a hot water tank but has done away with an exterior pump and header tank. The pump is an integral part of the boiler which also has an expansion vessel to replace the cold tanks.
- Conventional boilers are fed by 2 header tanks in the loft. There is a pump outside the boiler to pump water around the radiators. Hot water is stored in a cylinder which supplies hot water when required.
If you are unsure what your boiler is read our what type of boiler do I have guide >.
Combi boilers vs. Storage combi boilers vs. Floor standing storage combi
A storage combi boiler is a combi boiler with an internal hot water tank so that it is able provide more hot water on demand than a standard combi boiler. They’re great for properties with lower cold water flow rates. You can read more about storage combi boilers in our guide >.

A floor standing storage combi boiler is the same but with a larger hot water tank. For example, the Viessmann Vitodens 222-F was a 100 litre tank compared with the Vitodens 111-W which has a 46 litre tank.

Best UK Boiler Brands in 2023

We’ll start with the best boiler brands before moving onto specific models.

Our Pick: Viessmann

The brand we work with most is Viessmann. This is because we think their product is well built and designed to be efficient for the longest possible time, all whilst being affordable.

Viessmann boilers all have a patented stainless steel heat exchanger which is a pretty big deal in terms of long-term efficiency. They don’t degrade over time like aluminium heat exchangers, and most other boiler manufacturers use aluminium because it’s cheaper.

Another great reason to go with Viessmann is their boilers have a 10 year warranty and the Vitodens 100-W model comes with an industry-leading 12 year warranty.

It’s because of the fantastic build quality, great heat exchanger and leading warranty that we recommend Viessmann in most circumstances. Obviously we will always take each situation into account.

Other Brands

Boiler manufacturers like Worcester Bosch and Vaillant are trusted names not just within the UK and Europe, but all around the world. They are known as premium, top of the line boiler brands. Whereas brands like Ideal, Baxi and Glow Worm fall in the affordable or cheap boiler category.

We’ve included Grant and Navien in this list as we use them for our oil boiler options. We tend to lean towards Navien which is a fantastic Korean brand that has great ‘blue flame’ technology which is super efficient helping keep fuel bills down.

Read more about the ranges of the following brands:

So, do we have a definite answer for which boiler is best among the ones listed above? Not really. There are always subtle differences below the surface which make some boiler brands stand out from the crowd.

Our job is to talk with you and fully understand your property, heating and water usage. We don’t have a one-fits-all mentality, even identical homes will have different usage parameters. So talking to you for 10 minutes will allow us to advise on the best option for you.

Which boiler is best for your house?

No single type of a boiler is best in all situations. Combi boilers are generally best for smaller properties, and standard/conventional and system boilers suit larger homes, but not always.

When you’re in the market for a new boiler, the most important decision is obviously choosing the right boiler size (or power) for your house. Which depends on the size of your house and the number of bathrooms as this all determines your heating and hot water requirements.

What’s great with modern condensing boilers is that even if you buy a larger capacity boiler, they will modulate energy usage to save money. Modulation is generally from 1-8 or 1-10. This means a 30kW boiler could work as low as 3.75kW and 3kW respectively.

Let’s take a look at the types of boilers suitable for your property type:

Flat/1-2 Bedroom House – 1 Bathroom

If your property size is small, say a house with 1-2 bedrooms, or a 1 bedroom flat, with no more than 1 bathroom, which boiler is best?

You don’t need a high capacity boiler. Whilst you may have a system boiler, and do not want to change, we would still recommend conversion to a combi. This is for two main reasons: Saving space, and saving energy.

Please note, the prices below are for the boiler only, and do not cover installation costs including pipework, workmanship warranty, filters and labour.

Brand	Model	Output (kW)	PRICE	Fuel
Viessmann	Vitodens 100-W Combi	26	£1,042.20 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Worcester Bosch	Greenstar 25i Combi	24	£911.98 inc VAT	Gas/LPG
Vaillant	ecoTEC pro Combi	24	£976.32 inc VAT	Gas/LPG
Grant UK	Vortex Eco External System 21-26	26	£2,465.31 inc VAT	Oil
Viessmann	Vitodens 050-W	29	£825.60 inc VAT	Gas/LPG

The boilers listed above are mains gas boilers, and can be used for LPG with a conversion kit (additional work and parts will be required). However, the Vitodens 200-W can adjust to any fuel type, mains gas or LPG, automatically.

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 100-W

The Vitodens 100-W boiler ticks all the boxes when it comes to answering the “Which boiler is best?” question. It’s a fantastic boiler that comes with a 12 year warranty and stainless steel heat exchanger which remains super efficient over its lifetime.

Semi-Detached, Mid or End Terraced House – 3 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms

A 3-4 bedroom house will usually have one bathroom, an en suite and maybe a separate toilet. A higher capacity (28KW to 35KW) powerful combi boiler should work well for a property of this size.

A new, energy efficient conventional or regular boiler (18kW-24kW), with a water tank, is also an option. It is best to talk to a heating expert at Boilerhut to ensure that all your unique circumstances are taken into account before quoting for the installation.

However, there is another option; storage combi boilers. These are great for larger properties. A storage combi boiler is a combi boiler with an in-built hot water storage tank. Depending on your mains water pressure, a Viessmann 111-W Storage Combi Boiler can give you up to 20 litres per minute of hot water, enough for two showers.

These are our recommendations of the best boilers for an average 3 bedroom house in 2023.

BRAND	MODEL	OUTPUT (KW)	PRICE	FUEL
Viessmann	Vitodens 111-W Storage Combi Boiler	26	£1,516 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Viessmann	Vitodens 100-W Combi Boiler	35	£1,200 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Worcester Bosch	Greenstar Highflow 440CDi Floor Standing Combi Boiler	29	£2,109 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Vaillant	ecoTEC plus 938 Storage Combi Boiler	38.7	£1,571 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Viessmann	Vitodens 200-W Combi with Weather Compensation (98% Efficiency)	30	£1,515 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Viessmann	Vitodens 050-W Combi Boiler	35	£870 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Grant	Vortex Eco External System 26-35	26	£2,169.17 inc VAT	Heating Oil

Please note: The prices above are from an online plumbing wholesaler for boiler only, and do not cover the installation costs or any extras.

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 111-W or Vitodens 100-W

The Vitodens 111-W storage combi boiler ticks all the boxes for larger homes. If there is only 1 shower, however, the 100-W is a great option as it will be able to feed a shower and tap.

Both of these boilers are wall-mounted units that can be hidden away if needed. However, their sleek design and quiet operation means they are great out in the open as well. Both have stainless steel heat exchangers which remains super efficient over its lifetime.

Detached House/Bungalow – 4+ Bedrooms – Multiple bathrooms

Obviously, as your house size goes up, so will your heating and hot water demands. Which means a more powerful boiler is required to heat and provide hot water to your larger property. We do not recommend a small capacity combi boiler for a property this size.

However, as we’ve mentioned earlier, there are some high capacity storage combi boilers that may be suitable. Our recommendations for the best boilers for a larger detached house, bungalow with more than 4 bedrooms and more than 3 bathrooms are:

BRAND	MODEL	OUTPUT (KW)	PRICE	FUEL
Viessmann	Vitodens 111-W Storage Combi Boiler	35	£1,743 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Viessmann	Vitodens 100-W Open Vent	35	£1,319 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Worcester Bosch	Greenstar FS 30CDi Regular	30	£1,532.27 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Vaillant	EcoTEC Plus 438 Open Vent	38	£1,582 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Grant	VortexBlue Internal Sealed System 26	36	£2,370 inc. VAT	Oil
Viessmann	Vitodens 222-F Floor Standing Storage Combi Boiler	35	£2,850 inc. VAT	Gas/LPG
Viessmann	Vitodens 242-F Floor Standing Storage Combi Boiler (Solar Integration)	26	£4,748 inc VAT	Gas/LPG

Please note: The prices above are from an online plumbing wholesaler for boiler only, and do not cover the installation costs or any extras.

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 222-F

The Vitodens 222-F is a larger storage combi boiler that holds 100 litres of hot water (think small fridge). This model will act as though you had a 300 litre hot water tank without the need for a second installation of a tank somewhere in the home. They have a stainless steel heat exchanger which remains super efficient over its lifetime.

The Best Boilers for Gas or LPG – Viessmann

You may have noticed we’ve recommended Viessmann plenty of times in this post. There are many reasons for that. Even if we didn’t have a close working relationship with Viessmann, we would still recommend them when you ask which boiler is best because of the following…

Patented Inox-Radial Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger (manufactured in-house)

This is what separates Viessmann from other boiler brands in the UK. It’s patented and manufactured in-house, which helps Viessmann keep the costs down.

Inox Stainless Steel with 10.5% chromium content and 1.2% carbon (by mass) is vastly superior to aluminium for a heat exchanger. The chromium content makes it highly resistant to corrosion across a wide range of pH levels.

Whereas for aluminum, if the proper fluids are not used to produce and maintain a narrow pH range, it will corrode much faster. If you do damage the heat exchanger, your warranty could be voided, because most manufacturers will cite improper use of fluids.

In direct comparison, stainless steel heat exchangers do not require special fluids, are compatible with plain, clean water and commonly available propylene glycol. Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion and staining, and it’s low maintenance make it an ideal material for a heat exchanger inside a boiler that has to go through furnace-like thermal stresses on a daily basis.

We will always recommend a boiler with a stainless steel heat exchanger in it.

Check this comparison between a stainless steel and aluminium heat exchanger’s lifespan below:

As you can see, an aluminium heat exchanger starts off slightly better than stainless steel because of higher thermal conductivity. But over the life of the boiler due to daily thermal stresses, and being more prone to corrosion, the drop in output and energy efficiency is quite large. No other brand can use the patented Inox-Radial design.

See this comparison between two of the best boiler brands in the UK: Worcester Bosch vs Viessmann.

World Leading Commercial Heating Experience

Not very well known in the UK residential boiler market, although growing quickly, Viessmann have a long and rich history in the commercial heating space.

Many of the world’s largest stadiums, corporate buildings, and factories depend on Viessmann for their central heating. This includes the Principality Stadium and Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff.

Interesting fact: the Vaillant manufacturing facility in Germany is kept warm by a Viessmann commercial boiler, because Vaillant couldn’t build one or find one big enough!

Most Impressive Boiler Range in the World

Solution for Every Need.

No other boiler brand in the UK can boast of sky high 98% efficiency on residential boilers like the Vitodens 200-W or the Fuel Cell Heating Appliance, the Vitovalor 300-P (generates power and heat simultaneously). And as we discussed earlier, floor standing, space saving storage combi boilers like the Vitodens 222-F.

Focus on Energy Efficiency and Excellence

Viessmann’s focus remains on making highest efficiency, technologically brilliant boilers. That’s helped them win the Which? Best Buy Boiler UK status for the second year running in 2018.

The Best Oil Boiler Brand – Navien

Established in 1978 in South Korea, Navien has been operating in the UK since 2014 and has been offering combi boilers here since 2017. Whilst a new entrant to the UK boiler market, Navien is the world’s best-selling boiler brand and its factory in Seotan in South Korea, is the largest boiler manufacturing facility in the world.

Already the market leader in its native South Korea, the manufacturer of the best-selling boiler in the USA, and a market leader in Russia, Navien is already shaking up things in this country with its cutting-edge oil boiler technology.

So, why do we consider Navien to be the best oil boiler brand?

Stainless steel heat exchangers across all boilers
Like Viessmann, Navien is also an advocate of the stainless steel heat exchanger and utilises this across its entire oil boiler range. Navien stainless steel heat exchangers have been designed to prevent corrosion and erosion, ensuring an extended lifespan for the boiler and its efficiency.
All Navien boilers utilise blue flame technology
One of the standout features of the Navien oil boiler range is its use of blue flame technology across all boiler models, something that few competitors offer. Blue flame technology is designed to provide superior efficiency and guarantees low NOx emissions.
Made with high-quality components
The stainless steel and brass components utilised within the Navien range go a long way to stop the boiler from falling foul of the corrosion that plagues boilers that utilise plastic and copper parts.
Filled with innovative technology
Navien joins a long list of South Korean companies including Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, who are bringing technological innovations to the rest of the world. In addition to Navien’s blue flame technology, Navien oil boilers are also equipped with the ability to set heating zones so that the heat in different areas of a property can be controlled independently.

In addition to this, the boilers are compatible with Navien’s Smart Plus smart thermostat app, which allows heating and hot water to be controlled remotely wherever you are in the world. Further to this, the Smart Plus app also enables the boiler to connect to the internet, monitor the weather via the OpenWeatherMap, and adjust the inside temperature based on the weather conditions outside.
Highly efficient boiler range
Navien offers highly efficient oil boilers, with its LCB700 oil boiler offering 93% efficiency, for example.
Easy to install and repair
Navien has invested heavily in the development of its boiler range so that the boilers are not just user-friendly but also easy to install, service and repair. The benefit of this to the consumer is cheaper labour costs as the engineer won’t have to spend as much time on-site with the boiler.
Warranty periods give you peace of mind
All Navien boilers come with a 10-year parts and labour warranty. Both long and comprehensive, this warranty period provides you with peace of mind when purchasing a Navien boiler.

The current Navien oil boiler range

MODEL	OUTPUT (KW)	PRICE (installed)
LCB700 Blue Flame Oil Combi Boiler	21	From £4,400 inc. VAT
LCB700 Blue Flame Oil Combi Boiler	28	From £4,500 inc. VAT
LCB700 Blue Flame Oil Combi Boiler	36	From £4,700 inc. VAT

Frequently asked questions

What boilers are best?

As a summary of this page, we think Viessmann are the best boiler brand available today. Their Vitodens 100-W has a 12 year warranty and when annually serviced through Boilerhut it is looked after be Viessmann themselves ensuring that warranty period. However, not all properties, fuel types and family situations would suit a Viessmann, this is why we talk to everyone about their quotes before moving forward to ensure all the details are correct.

Grab your free, no-obligation online quote now >

Are combi boilers best?

It depends on your situation but in general combi boilers are a fantastic type of boiler. They remove the need for a hot water tank saving you money by not storing hot water for long periods of time. They may take a few seconds longer to get hot water to you but a combi boiler can save you £590 a year on your energy bills.

If you think a combi can’t handle the hot water requirement of your home, you can consider a storage combi boiler which has a hot water tank built-in. This means they can produce more hot water flow than your incoming cold water flow.

Grab your free, no-obligation online quote now >

What are the best boilers on the market in the UK?

As discussed above, the Viessmann Vitodens range (050-W, 100-W, and 200-W) are a fantastic and quality product. They’re made in Germany with non-composite materials and a stainless steel heat exchanger ensuring long-term super-high efficiency.

Grab your free, no-obligation online quote now >

What’s the best boiler brand?

As discussed above, the Viessmann produce a fantastic and quality product. They’re made in Germany with non-composite (all metal) materials and a stainless steel heat exchanger ensuring long-term super-high efficiency.

Are gas boilers being phased out?

The UK government did say that they wanted to stop gas boiler from being installed in the UK from 2025. This has slightly changed recently. To facilitate this ban on new builds having gas boilers, air source heats pumps have been given a grant of £7,500.

However, it’s worth noting that most older homes will never be able to apply for this grant. This is because of the way heat pumps work, you can read more about heat pump regulations here, but in summary they work at lower temperatures meaning you need large radiators and thicker than normal pipework.

Are gas boilers being phased out?

Best boiler installers near me

Boilerhut are based in Cardiff, Wales but we have a panel of approved engineers across the UK meaning we can install boilers from northern Scotland to Southern England.

Get a quote today >

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The Best Boilers in the UK 2023

Page contents…

Page contents…

What you need to know for this guide

Best UK Boiler Brands in 2023

Our Pick: Viessmann

Other Brands

Which boiler is best for your house?

Flat/1-2 Bedroom House – 1 Bathroom

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 100-W

Semi-Detached, Mid or End Terraced House – 3 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 111-W or Vitodens 100-W

Detached House/Bungalow – 4+ Bedrooms – Multiple bathrooms

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 222-F

The Best Boilers for Gas or LPG – Viessmann

Patented Inox-Radial Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger (manufactured in-house)

World Leading Commercial Heating Experience

Most Impressive Boiler Range in the World

Focus on Energy Efficiency and Excellence

The Best Oil Boiler Brand – Navien

The current Navien oil boiler range

Frequently asked questions

Leave a Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Home

Who we are

Our Products

Boiler Range

The Best Boilers in the UK 2023

Page contents…

Page contents…

What you need to know for this guide

Best UK Boiler Brands in 2023

Our Pick: Viessmann

Other Brands

Which boiler is best for your house?

Flat/1-2 Bedroom House – 1 Bathroom

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 100-W

Semi-Detached, Mid or End Terraced House – 3 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 111-W or Vitodens 100-W

Detached House/Bungalow – 4+ Bedrooms – Multiple bathrooms

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 222-F

The Best Boilers for Gas or LPG – Viessmann

Patented Inox-Radial Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger (manufactured in-house)

World Leading Commercial Heating Experience

Most Impressive Boiler Range in the World

Focus on Energy Efficiency and Excellence

The Best Oil Boiler Brand – Navien

The current Navien oil boiler range

Frequently asked questions

Leave a Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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