E.ON Next

E.ON Next says it is focused on making it easier for customers to change their habits and work towards sustainable goals. We've asked its customers what they really think, and assessed how well it supports its users.

The brand is part of the German-owned E.ON Group, which is one of Europe's largest operators of energy networks and energy infrastructure. E.ON took on around 2 million former Npower customers in 2021, and is the third-largest of what used to be known as the Big Six UK energy suppliers, after Octopus Energy and British Gas.

Below, we take a closer look at how customers rate E.ON Next, plus our own expert assessment of the brand's business practices and procedures.

Compare energy prices using our free tool to see if you could spend less. 

E.ON Next score

We combine the results of our customer survey with an in-depth assessment of companies' behind-the-scenes practices and policies to give you an overall view.

Take a look at our table below to see our score breakdown for E.ON Next:

Here's how E.ON Next's customer and policy assessments break down:

Find out how E.ON Next compares with other energy companies – click to see our full results of the best energy suppliers.

E.ON Next customer review

E.ON Next was ranked in the lower half of the table of the 17 energy companies rated in the Which? energy customer survey of 11,984 members of the public. It received a customer score of 63% – the same as So Energy.

Just four companies received worse customer ratings than E.ON Next: EDF Energy (62%), British Gas (61%), Scottish Power (58%) and Ovo Energy (56%).

Customers gave E.ON Next a three-star rating for all but one of the areas measured, including overall customer service, but awarded just two stars for value for money. EDF Energy, Scottish Power, British Gas and Ovo Energy scored the same.

One respondent told us: 'They are a good company in general but the energy costs are too expensive for me – so I am considering changing provider next year.' Another said: 'Decent service and fair pricing; however, I feel they have bombarded me with calls and emails about getting a smart meter, which I do not want.'

Ultimately, the brand's results in the customer survey are best described as middling.

Which? verdict on E.ON Next

• Pros: Very good at supporting customers who need it
• Cons: Below-average customer score in our survey, rated poorly for value for money

Our E.ON Next supplier assessment

In September-November 2024 we looked at five aspects of suppliers' business practices and procedures:

• Contacting your supplier – including how and when you can get in touch, and the quality of self-service help online
• How well they deal with complaints – how many complaints suppliers get and how quickly they resolve them
• Supporting customers who need it – including web accessibility, those in vulnerable situations, in financial difficulty, who use prepayment meters, and those who need materials in languages besides English 
• Switching – how easy it is for customers to switch
• Smart meter targets performance in 2023 –the most recent figures available.

We did this using a combination of the responses to a survey we sent to suppliers and our own assessments.

E.ON Next finished in the lower half of our Which? assessment score table with an overall score of 60%. Sat beneath the brand are Ovo Energy (59%), British Gas (55%), Sainsbury's Energy (56%), So Energy (52%) and Good Energy (50%). In contrast, the top scorer was E (Gas & Electricity) with 76%.

The brand's key strength is its willingness to help those who need it and E.ON Next scored 11 out of 12 in our assessment. There is room for improvement in other areas, however – it scored 7 out of 15 for how it deals with complaints and 2 out of 5 for ease of switching.

E.ON Next customer service

Customer service doesn't appear to be a stand-out strength, as the provider received a mediocre three-star rating.

Four suppliers in our survey achieved four stars, while three achieved a maximum five-star score – Octopus Energy, Utility Warehouse and 100Green. Four companies received a worse two-star rating (Outfox the Market, Scottish Power, British Gas and Ovo Energy).

In our supplier assessment of its customer service, E.ON Next scored 7 out of 13.

E.ON Next common complaints

When we asked E.ON Next customers, 4% said they had engaged with the company to make a complaint in the past year.

The brand performed poorly for value for money in our latest survey and we saw a selection of comments related to this. One customer told us: 'Their prices are a little expensive and, honestly, I preferred the supplier I had at my previous address.'

Another said: ' I think it is too expensive for what you get, but there are no other providers for my area.'

We also saw comments tied to smart meters, with one customer explaining: 'They were very awkward when I wanted them to stop pestering me about a smart meter.'

Another survey respondent said: 'They constantly send me texts and emails to get a smart meter fitted. It's really annoying and, even though I've told them not to contact me about it, they continue to do so.'

Can you join E.ON Next with a prepayment meter?

Yes, E.ON Next can supply customers with pay-as-you-go meters.

• You can top up your credit at a Payzone, PayPoint or Post Office outlet. If you have a smart prepayment meter you can also top up online or via the E.ON Next app, and you'll be able to keep track of your balance using the website, app or your in-home display.
• If you have less than 50p in credit remaining on your electricity meter, you can get emergency credit of £5 from E.ON Next. For gas you can get £10 of emergency credit if you have less than £2 remaining. You'll pay the emergency credit back when you next top up.

Not sure if you should prepay? Find out: Is prepayment energy is right for you?

How sustainable is E.ON Next?

Sustainability credentials are important when choosing an energy supplier for two thirds of those responsible for choosing their provider. That’s according to our online survey of 3,000 UK adults in August 2024.

So we factor in a range of sustainability criteria in our annual Eco Provider assessment.

Here’s how E.ON Next fared:

• Proportion of renewable electricity sold to customers: 85.5%
• Doesn't generate renewable electricity, but some of its other UK subsidiaries do. It also buys some renewable electricity directly from generators that don't get government subsidies, helping support them.
• Offers a time-of-use tariff for EV drivers, with discounted overnight charging rates.
• Offers installation of solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps, insulation and EV chargers.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies renewable electricity, and find out how we assessed energy suppliers for sustainability.

Based on information supplied by companies in August 2024 and their most recent published fuel mixes, where available.

Making your home more energy efficient will save money on your bills in the long term and lower your carbon footprint. Get started with our guides to home energy efficiency.