What is the best combi boiler in the UK in 2022? It’s the burning question for every boiler buyers. Here, we’ll tell you what to look for, what to avoid like the plague and why Viessmann come out top dog when buying a new combi boiler for your home.
You might not have even been aware of your boiler until it failed you. It was a seldom thought of white box in the corner of an equally seldom thought of cupboard in a lesser-used room.
Going about its job in peace with a resolute and unfailing work ethic despite knowing full well you not only don’t care for it but prefer to pretend it doesn’t exist.
Everyone has a passing knowledge of cars – just enough to make an informed purchase. But, what makes a new boiler the best? A brand name? Boiler size? Efficiency percentage? Awards?….Boiler awards exist?!
Our clear winner is: Viessmann boilers. But there’s more to it than that, and much more boilers than that, including tough competition from the likes of Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, BAXI, and more.
How Did We Pick the Best Combi Boilers?
To determine which are the best combi boilers available in 2022, we considered the following factors:
- Warranty period offered by the brand – a key sign of how long the boiler will last
- The overall reputation of the brand based on customer reviews
- Trustpilot reviews
- Awards and accolades e.g. Which? Best Buy Awards
- Customer service performance
- The price range of their boilers
- Efficiency ratings
Best Combi Boilers of 2022 (By Brand)
A loveable list to start, here are our top 6 best combi boiler brands in the UK right now, in 2022:
- #1 Viessmann Combi Boilers
- #2 Alpha Combi Boilers
- #3 Vaillant Combi Boilers
- #4 Worcester Bosch Combi Boilers
- #5 Ideal Combi Boilers
- #6 BAXI Combi Boilers
#1 Viessmann Combi Boilers (Best boilers)
Viessmann is already an astronomical force in the European boiler market and also leads the way in commercial boiler installations.
Now they’re here to bestow their majestic German engineering upon the UK domestic market providing your home with a new boiler so good, you can forget about it for good this time.
Why do we think Viessmann offers the best combi boilers?
- Which? Best Buy Award winner – titled as the UK’s “most reliable boiler”.
- 10-year warranty (when purchased via Heatable).
- State of the art German engineering – no plastic or rubber components (like some competitors).
- Patented Inox Radial Stainless Steel Heat exchanger (not aluminium found in inferior brands).
- The only boiler with Lamda combustion control – maximising efficiency.
- Hydrogen ready – for the next generation of fuel.
- Availability of parts is second to none.
- Excellent customer reviews and aftercare.
#2 Alpha Combi Boilers (2nd Best combi boilers)
Alpha innovation or simply Alpha boilers are a relatively new brand in the UK’s domestic boiler market but have quickly made a name for themselves, thanks to their reliability and affordability.
Made in the heart of Italy and with a headquarters based in Kent, this manufacturer offers a comprehensive range of boilers that on a technical level rival market leaders.
There’s no doubt that Alpha offer the top combi boilers for those on a budget.
Why else do we think Alpha boilers are a great choice?
- Good Homes Magazine Approved (2021).
- 10-year guarantee (when purchased via Heatable).
- Superior build at an affordable price point.
Alpha’s 2022 combi boiler range & overviews:
| Alpha Model | Kilowatt (kW) outputs | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha E-Tec | – | 28kW | 38kW |
| Alpha E-Tec Plus | – | 28kW | 38kW |
| Alpha Evoke | – | – | 38kW |
Alpha E-Tec Combi Boiler
Alpha’s most popular combi boiler.
The Alpha E-Tec is the brand’s best selling combi boiler and offers a level of quality to rival premium manufacturers, but at a budget-friendly price point.
For example, they utilise a stainless-steel heat exchanger which is usually something you would only expect in a premium brand.
Alpha offers a warranty of 7 years on their Alpha E Tec, but Heatable offers an exclusive 10-year warranty, which also matches some of the premium brands.
Ideal for: Those looking for high quality and reliable boiler at an affordable price point.
#3 Vaillant Combi Boilers
Another proud owner of a Which? Best Buy award and a huge player in the British boiler market. Vaillant is a time served and well-respected boiler manufacturer and certainly amongst the premium contenders.
Vaillant combi boilers are made in the UK to impeccably high standards, they’re already in a staggering amount of UK homes, offer excellent warranties, and are loved by boiler installers too.
Vaillant’s 2022 combi boiler range & overviews:
| Vaillant Model | Kilowatt (kW) outputs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ecoTEC exclusive | – | – | 35kW | 43kW |
| ecoTEC plus | 25kW | 32kW | 35kW | 38kW |
| ecoTEC plus store | – | – | – | 38kW |
| ecoTEC pro | 24kW | 28kW | 30kW | – |
| ecoFIT pure | – | 25kW | 30kW | 35kW |
Vaillant ecoTEC exclusive Combi Boiler
The brand’s entry-level offering.
Available in outputs at the higher end of the scale -35kW and 43kW, the ecoTEC exclusive is a premium combi boiler for larger homes that boasts an impressive 17 litres of hot water per minute. Certainly impressive if you like lotsa’ hot water.
Ideal for: Those looking for Vaillant’s entry-level combi boiler.
Vaillant ecoTEC plus Combi Boiler
The brand’s mid-range combi model.
A broad range of kW outputs starting from 25kW makes Vaillant’s ecoTEC plus the combi allrounder for almost any small to medium home. Excellent efficiency ratings, premium components and the addition of the Quiet Mark award for quiet operation make this Vaillant’s flagship boiler.
Ideal for: Anyone looking to secure themselves Vaillaint’s mid-range or so-called ‘flagship’ combi.
Vaillant ecoTEC plus store Combi Boiler
A combi with built-in water storage.
A beast of a storage combi boiler that’s premium in every manor. A hot water delivery rate of up to 20 litres per minute that you would struggle to find elsewhere makes this an outstanding choice for larger homes if you don’t want to, or have the room to fit an additional water storage tank.
Ideal for: Those with high hot demands, looking for a combi boiler that can handle it, equivalent to the Viessmann 111.
Vaillant ecoTEC pro Combi Boiler
Vaillant’s premium combi option.
The perfect combi boiler solution for small to medium homes with the kW model’s coming in three different outputs to suit all. A bright LCD display makes the ecoTEC pro super simple to use and it also comes with a Quiet Mark award so it’s not going to wake you up whilst warming your home in the morning.
Ideal for: Those looking for a powerful combi boiler with a durable stainless steel heat exchanger and built-in energy-saving tech.
Vaillant ecoFIT pure Combi Boiler
The brand’s super-compact model.
Another super-efficient combi boiler suitable for almost any sized home with the added bonus of being extra compact if you’re shy on cupboard space or a boy wizard lives under your stairs. It’s clever too – automatically reducing its energy usage to lower your bills.
Ideal for: Those looking for a super-compact combi boiler that can squeeze into cupboards.
Premium Vaillant boiler, premium Vaillant price? Afraid so.
If you’re splashing out on a Vaillant then there is a very slim chance that your new boiler will disappoint but splashing out you will be.
Unfortunately, Vaillant’s price range does often make you feel like you’ve stood up too quickly so may well hold the more savvy shopper at bay.
They sit firmly behind Worcester and Viessmann in the boiler pecking order but are so often priced above and beyond them.
It’s difficult to put our finger on why they’re priced so highly – perhaps five different combi boilers have spoilt their broth but whilst Vaillant has to make our best boiler list due to their undeniable quality, their pricing structure does make you wonder if boiling your kettle and washing in the sink is really that bad?
#4 Worcester Bosch Combi Boilers (4th Best boilers)
A prestigious name within the heating industry and probably the UK’s best, most sought after combi boiler, historically. One of three combi boilers with the Which? Best Buy award and you can’t go far wrong with a Worcester.
Worcester 2022 combi boiler range & overviews:
| Worcester Model | Kilowatt (kW) outputs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar i | – | – | 25kW | 30kW |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 | – | – | 25kW | 30kW |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar Si Compact | – | – | 25kW | 30kW |
| Worcester Bosch CDi Classic | 29kW | 34kW | 38kW | 42kW |
| Worcester Bosch CDi Compact | – | 28kW | 32kW | 36kW |
| Worcester Bosch CDi Highflow | – | – | 44kW | 55kW |
| Worcester Bosch 2000 Style | 24kW | – | – | 30kW |
| Worcester Bosch 8000 Style | 30kW | 35kW | 40kW | 45kW |
Greenstar 2000 Combi Boiler
The brand’s entry-level offering.
The Worcester Bosch 2000 is the brand’s entry-level combi boiler and is officially their quietest model to date. It is designed to fit into small spaces e.g. kitchen cupboards and features easy to remove side panels for convenient servicing and maintenance.
Like all of the latest boilers from the brand’s updated Greenstar range, 2000 also benefits from the super sleek, contemporary design and digital interface.
Ideal for: Those looking for an entry-level, super-quiet boiler from an award-winning brand.
Greenstar 4000 Combi Boiler (Replacing the Greenstar i)
The brand’s mid-range combi boiler.
The Greenstar 4000 is a brand new arrival to the Worcester Bosch range of combi boilers, designed to replace the best selling Greenstar i range. The Worcester Bosch 4000 offers everything the i range did, but with some major improvements, including a quieter operation and a higher hot water output.
The 4000 benefits from a new, sleek curved edge case, user-friendly digital display and easy to use push control buttons, a major improvement on the boring square boxes of old.
Ideal for: Those looking for a mid-range boiler from an award-winning brand.
Greenstar i Combi Boiler (Best combi boiler in terms of sales)
The Greenstar 30i is Worcester’s best seller and over a million of them are in homes throughout the UK. If choosing between the two, then do consider opting for the Greenstar 30i over the Greenstar 25i as they are known to be much more reliable and often don’t have too much disparity in price.
If you do have a super small property though, then the 25i will be more than adequate and could secure you a hell of a Worcester bargain.
Note: This boiler has now been replaced by the new and improved Greenstar 4000.
CDi Compact Combi Boiler
A combi boiler designed for small spaces.
Another range-topper from Worcester Bosch boilers with more compact dimensions for homes short on space. The CDi compact is still complete with outstanding efficiency levels, a Which? Best Buy award and can still pack a punch for its size – comfortably powering homes with two bathrooms.
Ideal for: Those looking for a powerful and compact boiler that can squeeze into a tight spot e.g. kitchen cupboards.
Worcester Bosch 8000 Style (Replacing the CDi Classic)
The brand’s premium combi boiler model.
Worcester’s most powerful and connected wall-hung boiler to date, capable of delivering up to 50kW’s, and with optional smart technology that will top up the boiler for you when low pressure is detected.
As its name suggests, it is also arguably the best looking boiler on the market and readily available in black – a boiler industry innovation on a par with the introduction of the iPod.
Ideal for: Those looking for a top of the range boiler, with all of the latest and greatest features.
#5 Ideal Combi Boilers (5th Best boiler brand)
Joyful wordplay aside, an Ideal combi boiler might just be the ideal boiler for your home.
Ideal boilers have been a mainstay in the British boiler market for what seems like an eternity. Picture a horse that relentlessly finishes in the top 6 at the Grand National but never quite gets its nose in front – no cigar but you know that horse is from a damn good stable.
Ideal is all about inclusivity and range – their combi boilers range from budget to bedazzling and everything in between meaning they cater to the folks funding their boiler replacement with change found down the side of their couches, as well as those looking for the best boiler money can buy (see; Ideal Vogue).
Ideal’s 2022 combi boiler range & overviews:
| Ideal Model | Kilowatt (kW) outputs | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Logic | 24kW | 30kW | 35kW |
| Vogue Gen2 | 26kW | 32kW | 40kW |
| Vogue Max | 26kW | 32kW | 40kW |
Do you have a back boiler and want it replaced with a modern combi boiler? Ideal looking like an ideal choice? Get a fixed online price
Ideal Logic Combi Boiler
The brand’s entry-level combi boiler.
Ideal, Logic, Vogue. Ideal’s marketing team don’t like unnecessary syllables and loves assigning words to their products that already hold positive connotations.
Fortunately, their technical team do tend to back this up.
The Logic combi is without a doubt a logical choice for any grudge purchase boiler installation.
Are the odds of your boiler breakdown being expected and affordable? We’ve checked, it’s 3%. The Ideal Logic is a no thrills, solid boiler that’s popular for its price to quality ratio. Ideal offers a 2-year standard warranty providing you with the required peace of mind – not bad for a dual award winner.
Ideal Logic combi’s best boiler perks:
- Made in the UK… so you know it’s good
- Compact in size (ideal for cupboards)
- Roughly as difficult to program as peeling a banana
- Won the Queens Award in 2013
- Won Good Housekeeping Award 2013 & 2017
- 2-year warranty as standard
Ideal Vogue Combi Boiler
Their mid-range model.
Weary of churning out their regular award winning boilers, Ideal set out to make a boiler to break the mould.
The Ideal Vogue Gen2 is Ideal’s best, premium offering, also picking up numerous awards, it has been blessed with internal component upgrades, a backlit LCD colour display, a standard 10-year warranty, built-in frost protection and an endorsement from the Energy Saving Trust for its outstanding efficiency and global warming protest organisational skills.
Ideal Vogue Max Combi Boiler
Ideal’s range-topping combi option.
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Ideal to know that it’s just plain logic. So their Vogue Max is just their regular Vogue but with an added Ideal approved water filter, magically increasing their already whopping 10-year warranty to an unprecedented and industry-leading, 12-years. It’s the best combi boiler in its class in terms of warranty length vs cost.
#6 BAXI Combi Boilers (6th Best combi boiler)
Nobody has ever been struck with such elation after being offered a BAXI boiler that they’ve moonwalked to work the next day and offered their colleagues a poorly baked lemon drizzle cake – but perhaps they should.
Baxi might not be considered amongst the premium boilers of the market but they certainly have some premium products backed up by award-winning customer service and excellent warranties so if you’re looking for a bargain, you might just find it in a BAXI.
BAXI combi boiler range & overviews:
| BAXI Model | Kilowatt (kW) outputs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Combi | 24kW | 28kW | – | – |
| 200 Combi | 24kW | 28kW | – | – |
| 400 Combi | 24kW | 28kW | – | – |
| 600 Combi | 24kW | – | 30kW | 36kW |
| Duo-tec | 24kW | 28kW | 33kW | 40kW |
| EcoBlue Advance | 24kW | 28kW | 33kW | 40kW |
| EcoBlue + | 24kW | 28kW | 33kW | – |
| Platinum | 24kW | 28kW | 33kW | 40kW |
We know what you’re thinking:
So many Baxi boilers and so little time and why do Baxi avoid prime numbers in the combi models like they know something we don’t.
Baxi has more combi boilers than we would care to run through but if you’re looking for top quality and aiming for that reassuring 10-year warranty mark, make sure you aim for the Baxi 600, the Baxi duo-tec, the Baxi EcoBlue range or the Baxi Platinum.
Consider avoiding the Baxi 100, 200 & 400 range if you’re looking for a premium standard and long warranty.
If your radiator is cold at the bottom, it may be a sign of a faulty boiler valve, in which case getting your new boiler replaced may be appropriate, check out the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i, which you can purchase through us.
Best combi boiler for a small flat/apartment
Best Boiler: Worcester Bosch Greenstar 25i
Best Boiler Size: 25kW
25 Kilowatts of pure Ideal will perform well for smaller properties, providing heat and hot water on demand. It’s also backed up by outstanding customer reviews and through Heatable, packs a whopping 5-year warranty.
Best combi boiler for a 2 bedroom house
Best Boiler: Worcester Bosch Greenstar CDi Compact
Best Boiler Size: 28kW
A 28kW CDi Compact with a 10-year warranty effortlessly glides into a 2 bedroom home. It’s the manufacturer’s bestseller, isn’t at all bad to look at, and is remarkably simple to operate.
Best combi boiler for a 3 bedroom house
Best Boiler:Viessmann Vitodens 050-W
Best Boiler Size: 29kW
German design at its best. The Vitodens 050-W 29kW is perfect for three-bedroom homes and not only more powerful than its competitors but officially more reliable too.
Best combi boiler for a 4 bedroom house
Best Boiler: Viessmann Vitodens 050-W
Best Boiler Size: 35kW
Eternal reliability, award-winning and a 10-year parts and labour warranty – that’s basically like Helen Mirren personally looking after your home’s heating requirements and keeping a close eye on your energy bills.
Best combi boiler for a 5+ bedroom house
Best Boiler: Viessmann Vitodens 100-W
Best Boiler Size: 35kW
The only other building in the world that harbours more of these boilers than Viessmann’s actual factory is Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty has at least 1 per every member of staff and three for every dog. In all seriousness though, it is genuinely the boiler of choice for the palace and rightly so. It’s a peerless and powerful boiler built entirely from premium components.