If you are looking for a new boiler for your home, you will want to know which are the best boiler makes when comparing installation quotes from installers. The difficulty with choosing a boiler make which will provide reliable heating for your home and will stand the test of time, is that there are lots of makes and models to choose from. Unless you have prior knowledge or experience, you are unlikely to have any idea where to start.
In this guide we will introduce the best boiler makes on the market, including their bestselling models. We have focused on gas boilers as this is the most commonly installed type of boiler, but have indicated where other fuel types are available.
What do we mean by ‘boiler make’?
Just as with cars, phones, and household appliances, there is more than one manufacturer, brand, or make of boiler. Each boiler manufacturer offers at least one product range, as well as different types of boilers, each of which are usually available in multiple sizes (outputs).
What do we mean by ‘type’ of boiler?
Boilers can be fueled by gas, oil, LPG, electricity, or wood pellets. Most homes in the UK (over 80%) use natural gas boilers.
In addition to the type of fuel they use, boilers can be categorised into three types:
What do we mean by ‘size’ of boiler?
Boilers are available in different output sizes which represents how much hot water they will be able to provide. The size of boiler you need will be influenced by how many radiators and bathrooms you have, as well as how many people live in your property. Installing a boiler which is too small will not be able to meet your hot water demand, while installing a boiler which is too big will waste fuel and will be expensive to run.
So, the fuel, type, and size of your boiler is (for the most part) already decided for you, but you are in control of what make and model of boiler you have installed.
Why is boiler make important?
The boiler make that you choose will impact the price you pay, the warranty you receive, and the general reliability of your boiler.
Whether replacing an old boiler or installing a brand new boiler in a new build, you are investing in one of the most important appliances in the home. Make the right choice, and the boiler should last between 10-15 years in good working order. Make the wrong choice, and you could be facing regular repair bills and breakdowns before having to buy a new boiler in less than 5 years.
When you consider that the average gas combi boiler installation costs between £2,000-£2,500, it is clear that this is not an investment you want to have to repeat anytime soon.
Which are the best boiler makes?
The best boiler makes on the market is an ongoing debate amongst heating engineers and homeowners, but of the twenty-plus makes to choose from, there are some boiler makes which always top the polls.
Here are the five best boiler makes (according to our research).
| Worcester Bosch | Vaillant | Viessmann | Baxi | Ideal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel types | Gas, oil, LPG | Gas | Gas, oil | Gas, LPG | Gas |
| Boiler types (in a range of sizes) | Combi, system, regular | Combi, system, regular | Combi, system, regular | Combi, system, regular | Combi, system, regular |
| Available warranty* | Up to 12 years | Up to 10 years | Up to 10 years | Up to 10 years | Up to 12 years |
| Best selling combi range | Greenstar i | ecoTEC plus | Vitodens 100-W | Baxi 400 | Vogue Max |
| Approximate price range (excluding installation) | £800-£2,000 | £900-£2,500 | £1,000-£2,500 | £700-£1,500 | £700-£1,200 |
*The warranty you receive with your boiler will vary depending on which range you choose, whether it is installed by a heating engineer who has been accredited by the manufacturer, and is usually dependent upon the boiler being serviced annually. In some cases, you can extend the warranty further by including branded products in the installation, e.g. a magnetic filter.
Worcester Bosch
Worcester Bosch is one of the most well-known brands of boiler and has a great reputation for quality and reliability. Worcester Bosch produces gas, oil, and LPG boilers in combi, system and regular models to suit a range of properties. Most Worcester Bosch boilers come with a 5-10 year warranty, but some models are available with up to 12 years.
Vaillant
Vaillant is a German brand with an excellent reputation for their efficiency and reliability and have joined Worcester Bosch at the top of the market in terms of reliability. Unlike Worcester Bosch, Vaillant only produces gas boilers including combi, system, and regular models in a wide range of output sizes. The warranties included with Vaillant boilers are usually between 2-5 years, but can be extended if installed by a Vaillant Advance installer.
Viessmann
Viessmann is a leading boiler manufacturer incorporating German engineering, reliability and boasting exceptional efficiency. Viessmann boilers are fueled by gas or oil and are available as combi, system, or regular boilers. Most Viessmann boilers are covered by a 5, 7, or 10 year warranty.
Baxi
Baxi is an international boiler manufacturer, but the brand has a long history in the UK with its early roots dating back to 1866. Baxi produces gas boilers but some models can be converted to run on LPG. Many Baxi boilers now come with a warranty of between 7 and 10 years, which is an extensive period of time.
Ideal
Ideal has been manufacturing boilers since 1906 and offers a range of combi, system, and regular gas boilers. Ideal offers extensive warranties of up to 10 or 12 years with many of their boilers, but they are not as expensive as some other leading brands which makes them a popular choice with homeowners.
Finding boiler quotes
When you have decided which boiler makes you would consider installing in your home, it will be easier to compare installation quotes several heating engineers. You should always seek at least three different quotes from heating engineers as they will charge different labour costs and some will have more experience than others. In addition, some boilers will come with an extended warranty if the engineer is accredited by the brand.
Once you have all the quotes in go through them carefully, ensuring you’re comparing apples for apples. Check that they are offering comparable makes and models of boiler. Ensure the outputs and efficiencies of all boilers are similar, if not, question why.
If you’re looking to replace your boiler, we recommend reputable websites such as Boiler Guide where you can find and compare competitive quotes from Gas Safe registered installers in your area.
