Best Heat Pumps UK 2026: Brand Comparison Guide

With over a dozen manufacturers selling air source heat pumps in the UK, choosing the right brand can feel overwhelming. This guide compares every major brand on the metrics that actually matter: real-world efficiency, noise levels, reliability, warranty, price, and installer availability. Whether you are replacing a gas boiler or upgrading from oil, this is the definitive side-by-side comparison to help you invest wisely.

Every brand covered here is available through MCS-certified installers and eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of up to £7,500. We focus primarily on air source heat pumps as these represent the vast majority of UK domestic installations.

What Makes a Good Heat Pump?

Before comparing brands, it helps to understand what separates a good heat pump from an average one:

• COP and SCOP: The coefficient of performance measures how many units of heat the pump produces per unit of electricity consumed. Higher is better. Seasonal COP (SCOP) gives the average over a full heating season and is more useful than peak COP figures. Our guide to heat pump running costs explains how COP affects your bills.
• Noise levels: Measured in decibels (dB) at one metre distance. Under 45dB is considered quiet, under 40dB is very quiet. Noise matters for planning compliance and neighbourly relations.
• Refrigerant: R290 (propane) is the most environmentally friendly option with a global warming potential (GWP) of just 3, compared to R32 (GWP 675) and R410A (GWP 2,088). The industry is transitioning towards R290.
• Warranty: Standard warranties range from 3 to 7 years, with some brands offering up to 10 years through approved installer programmes.
• Installer network: The best heat pump in the world is worthless if there is no trained installer in your area. Brands with strong UK installer networks provide better installation quality and after-sales support.
• Price: Heat pump unit prices range from roughly £3,000 to £8,000 before installation. Total installed costs typically range from £7,000 to £15,000.

Brand-by-Brand Comparison

Daikin

Daikin is a Japanese manufacturer and one of the world's largest heating and cooling companies. Their Altherma range is one of the most commonly installed heat pump lines in the UK.

• Key range: Daikin Altherma 3 (R32 refrigerant), 4kW to 16kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.64 (Altherma 3, low-temperature model)
• Noise: 37 to 46dB depending on model and output
• Max flow temperature: 55°C (low-temp models), 70°C (high-temp models)
• Warranty: 5 years standard, extendable to 10 years
• Typical unit price: £3,500 to £6,500
• Strengths: Excellent COP, very quiet operation, strong installer network, proven reliability
• Weaknesses: Still uses R32 refrigerant, slightly higher price point than some competitors

Read our full Daikin heat pump review for detailed analysis.

Vaillant

Vaillant is a German manufacturer with an enormous boiler install base in the UK. Their Arotherm Plus range uses R290 (propane) refrigerant, making it one of the most environmentally forward-looking options on the market.

• Key range: Arotherm Plus (R290 refrigerant), 3.5kW to 15kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.65 (Arotherm Plus 5kW)
• Noise: 38 to 48dB depending on model
• Max flow temperature: 75°C
• Warranty: 5 years standard, extendable to 7 years
• Typical unit price: £4,000 to £7,000
• Strengths: R290 refrigerant (ultra-low GWP), high flow temperatures, excellent SCOP, massive UK installer network
• Weaknesses: Premium pricing, R290 requires slightly larger clearance distances

Read our full Vaillant Arotherm review for detailed analysis.

Mitsubishi Electric (Ecodan)

Mitsubishi Electric's Ecodan range is the most installed heat pump brand in the UK. It has been available for over 15 years and has a well-established reputation for reliability and consistent performance.

• Key range: Ecodan (R32 refrigerant), 4kW to 14kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.30
• Noise: 42 to 49dB depending on model
• Max flow temperature: 55°C (standard), 60°C (Ultra Quiet)
• Warranty: 5 years standard, extendable to 7 years
• Typical unit price: £3,500 to £6,000
• Strengths: Proven track record, largest installer network in UK, extensive spares, MELCloud monitoring
• Weaknesses: SCOP slightly lower than leading competitors, noise slightly higher, still on R32

Read our full Mitsubishi Ecodan review for detailed analysis.

Samsung

Samsung's EHS (Eco Heating System) range has become a serious contender in the UK market with competitive pricing and the quietest operation of any major brand.

• Key range: EHS Mono (R32 refrigerant), 5kW to 16kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.60
• Noise: 35 to 44dB — among the quietest on the market
• Max flow temperature: 65°C
• Warranty: 5 years standard
• Typical unit price: £3,000 to £5,500
• Strengths: Excellent value, very quiet operation, competitive SCOP, good smart home integration
• Weaknesses: Smaller UK installer network, shorter track record in UK heat pump market

Read our full Samsung heat pump review for detailed analysis.

Bosch

Bosch (including their Worcester Bosch brand) has leveraged its strong boiler presence in the UK to build a growing heat pump business. The Compress range is well-regarded for build quality.

• Key range: Compress 7400i AW (R290 refrigerant), 5kW to 13kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.50
• Noise: 38 to 47dB
• Max flow temperature: 75°C
• Warranty: 5 years standard, up to 10 years through Bosch Pro network
• Typical unit price: £4,000 to £6,500
• Strengths: R290 refrigerant, high flow temperatures, excellent build quality, good UK support
• Weaknesses: Smaller dedicated heat pump installer network, though growing rapidly

Read our full Bosch heat pump review for detailed analysis.

Nibe

Nibe is a Swedish manufacturer with decades of heat pump experience in Scandinavian climates. They are particularly strong in ground source systems but offer a competitive air source range with industry-leading smart controls.

• Key range: F2120 (R290 refrigerant), 8kW to 20kW
• SCOP: Up to 5.03
• Noise: 37 to 55dB
• Max flow temperature: 65°C
• Warranty: 5 years standard, extendable to 7 years
• Typical unit price: £4,500 to £7,500
• Strengths: Scandinavian engineering, excellent cold-weather performance, industry-leading myUplink smart controls, smart tariff optimisation
• Weaknesses: Higher price point, smaller UK installer network

Read our full Nibe heat pump review for detailed analysis.

LG

LG's Therma V range has gained market share in the UK with a good balance of performance and value, plus R290 refrigerant in their latest monobloc models.

• Key range: Therma V R290 Monobloc, 5kW to 16kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.60
• Noise: 35 to 48dB
• Max flow temperature: 65°C
• Warranty: 5 years standard, up to 10 years on compressor
• Typical unit price: £3,000 to £5,500
• Strengths: Competitive pricing, R290 option, good SCOP, ThinQ smart home integration, in-house compressors
• Weaknesses: Smaller UK support network, less heat pump heritage than Daikin or Mitsubishi

Read our full LG Therma V review for detailed analysis.

Panasonic

Panasonic's Aquarea range is well-established in Europe and has a growing UK presence. Known for reliable performance, competitive pricing, and their unique T-CAP cold-climate models.

• Key range: Aquarea L-Generation (R290 refrigerant), 5kW to 16kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.65
• Noise: 37 to 50dB
• Max flow temperature: 65°C
• Warranty: 5 years standard, extendable to 7 years
• Typical unit price: £3,000 to £5,500
• Strengths: Good COP at low outdoor temperatures (T-CAP technology), competitive pricing, in-house compressors, corrosion-resistant coatings
• Weaknesses: Smaller UK installer network, brand less associated with heating

Read our full Panasonic Aquarea review for detailed analysis.

Grant

Grant is an Irish manufacturer with a strong presence in the UK and Ireland, particularly for oil boiler replacements in rural areas. Their Aerona3 range is designed specifically for the British and Irish climate.

• Key range: Aerona3 (R32 refrigerant), 6kW to 21.5kW
• SCOP: Up to 4.52
• Noise: 35 to 48dB
• Max flow temperature: 65°C
• Warranty: 5 years standard, extendable to 7 years
• Typical unit price: £3,000 to £5,500
• Strengths: Best value for money, designed for UK/Ireland climate, strong rural installer network, wide output range
• Weaknesses: Less well known than major international brands, R32 not R290

Read our full Grant Aerona review for detailed analysis.

Head-to-Head Comparison Summary

Figures based on manufacturer data sheets for flagship models. Real-world performance varies by installation quality, home insulation, and flow temperature settings.

Which Brand Should You Choose?

The honest answer is that brand matters less than installation quality. A well-installed, correctly sized heat pump from any major brand will perform well. A poorly installed premium brand will disappoint. That said, here are practical guidelines based on your priorities:

• Best all-rounder: Daikin Altherma 3 — excellent COP, quiet, proven reliability, wide installer network
• Best environmental credentials: Vaillant Arotherm Plus — R290 refrigerant, high SCOP, high flow temperatures
• Best proven track record: Mitsubishi Ecodan — most installed brand in UK, extensive parts and support
• Best value for money: Grant Aerona3 or Samsung EHS Mono — competitive pricing with strong performance
• Best efficiency: Nibe F2120 — highest SCOP figures, best smart controls
• Best for cold climates: Panasonic T-CAP — maintains output in extreme cold
• Best for high-temperature applications: Vaillant Arotherm Plus or Bosch Compress 7400i — both reach 75°C, ideal for homes keeping existing radiators
• Best for noise-sensitive locations: Samsung EHS or LG Therma V — as low as 35dB

If you are combining your heat pump with solar panels, brands like Nibe and Viessmann offer built-in solar PV integration that can maximise self-consumption and reduce electricity costs further.

The Importance of the Installer

We cannot stress this enough: the installer matters more than the brand. An experienced, MCS-certified installer who has fitted hundreds of heat pumps will deliver better results than a less experienced installer using a premium brand. When choosing an installer, ask:

• How many heat pumps have you installed in total?
• Which brands are you trained and approved for?
• Can you provide references from previous customers?
• Will you carry out a full room-by-room heat loss calculation?
• What is your approach to commissioning and post-installation support?

The brand the installer recommends may be influenced by their training and commercial relationships. This is not necessarily negative — an installer deeply experienced with one brand will install and commission it better than a brand they rarely work with. Use our suitability checker to confirm your home is ready for a heat pump before requesting quotes.

Costs include unit, cylinder, controls, pipework, and commissioning. Excludes radiator upgrades or insulation work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best heat pump brand in the UK?

There is no single "best" brand. Daikin, Vaillant, and Mitsubishi are market leaders with the strongest track records. Samsung and LG offer excellent value. The best choice depends on your noise sensitivity, budget, environmental priorities, and which brands your local installers are trained in.

Are more expensive heat pumps better?

Not necessarily. Price differences often reflect manufacturing origin and marketing costs rather than a direct quality difference. A correctly sized and installed mid-range unit can achieve the same COP and comfort as a premium brand.

Does the refrigerant type matter?

Yes, increasingly so. R290 (propane) has a GWP of just 3, making it the most future-proof choice. EU regulations are phasing down high-GWP refrigerants. Brands offering R290 include Vaillant, Bosch, Nibe, and LG.

How long do heat pumps last regardless of brand?

Most air source heat pumps last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Annual servicing is the biggest factor in longevity, regardless of which brand you choose.

Should I choose the brand my installer recommends?

Generally, yes. An installer fully trained and experienced with a particular brand will install and commission it to a higher standard. If you prefer a different brand, find an installer who specialises in it rather than asking your current installer to fit something they rarely work with.

Can I mix brands for different components?

No. Heat pump outdoor units and indoor components must be from the same manufacturer or explicitly compatible. Mixing brands voids warranties and causes serious performance and reliability issues.