Wood burning stove brands rated
You may choose to use a wood burning stove or multifuel stove 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 and evaluate some of its specific aspects (e.g., ease of use and value for money).
Before you make a purchase, ensure you understand the link between wood burning stoves and pollution.
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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.
| Brand | Customer score | Quality and finish | Durability | Ease of use and controlling | Ease of cleaning | Value for money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aarrow* | Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableFull Access first month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? Log in | |||||
| Charnwood | ||||||
| Chesney | ||||||
| Contura | ||||||
| Jotul | ||||||
| Morso | ||||||
| Stovax | ||||||
| Woodwarm | ||||||
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Table notes: Customer score and star ratings based on an online survey of 1,375 Which Connect? members who bought a new stove in the past 10 years in October 2021. Customer score is a combined rating of overall satisfaction with the brand and how likely people are to recommend it. Sample sizes: Aarrow (40), Charnwood (111), Chesney (38), Contura (52), Jotul (36), Morso (69), Stovax (180), Woodwarm (39). Where no rating is given, sample size was too small. *Aarow is now part of the Arada brand, along with Villager and Stratford.
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 details
Which? members can log in to access individual information for different stove brands.
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Clearview stoves
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 about stove fines and regulations
Log burner and wood burning stove questions answered
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 wood burning stove pollution.
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.
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
Alternatives to wood burners include gas stoves, electric stoves, or underfloor heating.
This article uses insights from the Which? Connect panel, collected from research activities with our members. Find out how to get involved