Best Air Source Heat Pumps UK 2026

Best Heat Pumps UK 2026: Comparing the Top Brands

Choosing the right heat pump brand matters almost as much as the installation quality. The five brands below account for the majority of UK residential installations and have earned strong reputations for reliability, efficiency, and installer support. Each has its strengths, and the best choice for your home depends on your priorities: maximum efficiency, quiet operation, or keeping upfront costs down.

All figures are based on manufacturers' published specifications and MCS database data for 2025–26. Installed costs include the heat pump unit, labour, controls, and commissioning by an MCS-certified installer, but exclude any additional costs such as new radiators, hot water cylinders, or insulation work.

Heat Pump Brand Comparison Table

Brand & Model	Peak COP	Refrigerant	Noise Level	Typical Installed Cost	Warranty
Vaillant Arotherm Plus	5.1 (A7/W35)	R290 (propane)	54 dB(A) at 3m	£10,000 – £14,000	7 years
Mitsubishi Ecodan	4.6 (A7/W35)	R32	45–62 dB(A)	£9,000 – £13,000	5 years
Daikin Altherma 3	5.1 (A7/W35)	R32	55 dB(A)	£9,000 – £13,000	5 years
Samsung EHS	4.6 (A7/W35)	R32	52 dB(A)	£7,000 – £10,000	5 years
Grant Aerona3	4.58 (A7/W35)	R32	56 dB(A)	£8,000 – £12,000	5 years

COP measured at A7/W35 (7°C ambient air, 35°C flow temperature) to EN14511 standard. Installed costs after the £7,500 BUS grant will be approximately £7,500 lower. For a full breakdown of what you'll pay, see our heat pump costs guide.

Best Overall: Vaillant Arotherm Plus

The Vaillant Arotherm Plus is the standout choice for most UK homeowners who want the best combination of efficiency, reliability, and long-term peace of mind. Its headline COP of 5.1 is matched only by the Daikin Altherma 3, and Vaillant backs it with the best warranty in the market at 7 years — two years longer than the competition.

The Arotherm Plus uses R290 (propane) as its refrigerant, which has a global warming potential (GWP) of just 3 compared to 675 for R32. This makes it significantly more environmentally friendly if refrigerant ever leaks, and it future-proofs you against potential F-gas regulations that could affect R32 systems.

The noise level of 54 dB(A) at 3 metres is better than average for the market, and Vaillant's installer network in the UK is extensive and well-trained. The higher price reflects the premium components and longer warranty, but after the BUS grant, the premium over a mid-range alternative is typically only £1,000–£2,000. See our Vaillant vs Mitsubishi comparison for a head-to-head breakdown.

Best for:

• Homeowners who want maximum efficiency and lowest long-term running costs
• Those who value warranty length and reliability above all else
• Environmentally conscious buyers who want the lowest-GWP refrigerant

Best Budget Option: Samsung EHS

Samsung's EHS (Eco Heating System) range offers solid performance at prices that consistently come in £2,000–£4,000 below the Vaillant and Daikin equivalents. The COP of 4.6 is perfectly respectable, and Samsung's manufacturing scale means component reliability is generally strong.

The noise level of 52 dB(A) is actually slightly better than the Vaillant on this metric, and the 5-year warranty is standard for the category. For budget-conscious homeowners or those in homes where the maximum efficiency gain from the premium models would not be fully realised (for example, in homes with higher heat demand), the Samsung offers excellent value.

Samsung has been expanding its MCS-certified installer network in the UK, though it remains less extensive than Vaillant or Mitsubishi. Check installer availability in your area before committing.

Best for:

• Homeowners with tighter budgets who still want a name-brand, reliable unit
• Rental properties where capital cost matters more than running cost optimisation
• Homes in areas with good Samsung installer coverage

Quietest Option: Mitsubishi Ecodan

Mitsubishi's Ecodan range has built its reputation on quiet operation. The smaller models in the range achieve as low as 45 dB(A) at 1 metre — genuinely quiet for a heat pump, and well below the MCS 020 planning threshold of 42 dB(A) at a neighbour's window in many installation scenarios. If you have close neighbours, a bedroom near where the unit will be sited, or simply value peace and quiet in your garden, the Ecodan is the front-runner.

Mitsubishi has one of the most established installer networks in the UK and has been selling heat pumps here for over two decades. Its reliability record is excellent. The trade-off versus the Vaillant is a slightly lower COP (4.6 vs 5.1) and a 5-year rather than 7-year warranty.

Best for:

• Semi-detached and terraced homes with close neighbours
• Urban installations where planning permission for noise may be a concern
• Homeowners who prioritise proven reliability over headline efficiency figures

Also Worth Considering

Daikin Altherma 3

The Daikin matches the Vaillant's COP of 5.1 at a slightly lower price point, making it a serious alternative. Daikin's installer network is large, and its controls platform is intuitive. The main reason it does not take the top overall spot is the standard 5-year warranty versus Vaillant's 7 years, and the use of R32 rather than the lower-impact R290.

Grant Aerona3

Grant is a British brand with a strong following among rural homeowners transitioning from oil heating, where its customer service and parts availability track record is particularly well-regarded. The COP of 4.58 and noise level of 56 dB(A) are mid-table, but for an off-gas-grid property replacing an oil boiler, Grant's familiarity with rural installation challenges and excellent UK-based support make it a compelling choice.

What to Ask Your Installer

Whatever brand you choose, the installation quality matters as much as the unit itself. Before signing a contract, ask your MCS-certified installer:

• Will you carry out a room-by-room heat loss calculation?
• What flow temperature will the system be set to, and will any radiators need upgrading?
• Is a hot water cylinder included, and what size do you recommend for our household?
• How will the system be commissioned and what monitoring will be set up?

For guidance on what to expect from the installation process, see our guide to heat pump installation. For the full cost breakdown including installation, read our heat pump costs guide. Once your heat pump is installed, a smart thermostat and an energy monitor will help you get the most from it.