Wood burning stove brands rated

You may choose to use a wood burning stove (also called wood burners and log burners) or multifuel stove (in which you can burn wood and other fuels) as a source of heat in your home. 

In order to rate the performance of popular wood burning stove brands, we asked 1,375 Which? members to tell us about their experience using a wood burning or multifuel stove. 

We asked them to rate their overall satisfaction with their stove (called customer score) and evaluate some of its specific aspects (e.g., ease of use and value for money).  

Before you purchase a stove, make sure that you are aware of their health and environmental impacts. You can read more in our guide to wood-burning stoves and pollution.

Wood burning stove reviews

Which? members can log in to access the scores and ratings for different stove brands. If you're not a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Customer score is a combined score, based on stove owners’ ratings of their overall satisfaction with their stove and likelihood they would recommend it to a friend.

Star ratings reflect customer evaluations of specific aspects of their stoves, such as ease of use or value for money.

Individual stove brand reviews

Which? members can log in to access individual reviews for different stove brands. 

If you're not a member, join Which? to get instant access. 

Clearview stoves review

We are not currently reporting our survey data for Clearview stoves. This is because, at the time of writing, the company does not provide data about whether its stoves comply with Ecodesign regulations - a legal requirement for any new stoves. 

When we asked Clearview to confirm which of its stoves are Ecodesign compliant, it did not give a definitive answer. However, it did tell us:

"Clearview Stoves will endeavour to offer a stove we consider most suitable for the installation. It is everyday performance that is important, not the highest speed or M.P.G.. Efficiency figures given in Clearview Manuals range from 71.6% to 84.5% with air-dried logs."

Find out more on the new regulations for wood burning stoves in our guide to stove pollution and regulations. 

Log burner and wood burning stove questions answered

Are log burners going to be banned?

According to its Environmental Improvement Plan, released in January 2023, the UK government is not considering a ban on domestic burning. This is because some people are reliant on wood burners for heat, hot water and cooking. 

However, the government continues to tighten restrictions on stoves. For example, stoves in designated smoke control areas will now only be allowed to emit 3 grams of smoke per hour, down from 5 grams. The fine for failure to comply is £300. 

You can find out whether your home is in a smoke control area by contacting your local council.

In addition, many researchers and campaign groups continue to call for much tighter restrictions on wood burning stoves. Some campaign groups, such as Mums for Lungs, are calling on the government to phase out the sale of wood burners. 

Read more in our guide to guide to stove pollution and regulations. 

Are log burners safe?

Burning wood in a log burner or multifuel stove produces very fine particles of dust and soot, called particulate matter. There are concerns that these particles can damage your health. They have been linked to illnesses such as heart and lung disease, and they can also exacerbate existing conditions, such as asthma. 

Some research suggests that two types of particulate matter emitted by burning wood, called PM2.5 and PM0.1, are small enough to enter your bloodstream and travel around the body. This means they could impact other organs, including your brain and liver. 

However, the amount of PM2.5 (and other particulates) released by wood burning stoves is currently unclear. In addition, you can reduce the amount of particulate matter released by your wood burner, for example, by only burning kiln-dried wood or smokeless fuels and ensuring your stove is Ecodesign ready and Defra exempt. 

Read more about the health and environmental impacts of stoves in our guide to stove pollution and regulations. 

What size log burner do I need?

The heat output of a log burner is measured in kilowatts. Although larger log burners typically generate more heat, the amount of output does vary across different models. Therefore, instead of just considering size, you should consider the number of kilowatts of heat you want when choosing a wood burner. 

To work out the number of kilowatts you need, you can use a relatively simple formula: the volume of your room in cubic meters divided by 14. To calculate the volume of your room, multiply its length, width and height in meters.

For example, if your room measures 3.5m*5.5m*2.5m then the volume of the room is 48 cubic meters. 48 divided by 14 is 3.4.

However, this is an approximate value. You should also consider the type of room you are trying to heat, the type of wood burner, and your personal heat requirements. Your fitter or the store from which you purchase the stove should be able to help you choose the correct stove. 

Check out our installation guide for more information. 

How much does it cost to install a log burner?

As well as purchasing a wood burner, you will need to pay to have it installed professionally. It is not possible to install a wood burner yourself. Your installer will need to make sure that it complies with building regulations.

The cost of your installation will depend on a variety of factors, such as: 

• The condition of your chimney
• Whether you have a vent in the room 
• Whether you need a flue installed

If your chimney is in good condition, installation can cost approximately £1,500. However, costs can reach up to around £6,000 if you need a lot of structural work done to get your home ready. 

Find out more in our guide to wood burning stove installation.