Best Electric Boilers 2026

Electric boilers are a common option for UK homes without a gas connection, and they can also suit some flats where adding a flue is difficult. They can be compact, quiet, and simpler to fit than a fuel burning boiler.

This guide explains what an electric boiler is, the main types available in 2026, and who they suit.

It also includes a shortlist of well known models used in UK homes.

What an electric boiler is and how it works

An electric boiler heats water using electrical heating elements rather than burning gas or oil.

In simple terms, electricity heats an internal element and that heat transfers into water.

The hot water then circulates through radiators, and depending on the system, it can also supply hot taps and showers.

Because there is no fuel burning at the boiler, there is no flue and no combustion gases to manage.

Many units are compact and quiet for that reason.

The main trade off is usually running cost. Electric boilers can be close to 100 percent efficient at point of use, but electricity typically costs much more per kWh than gas.

Types of electric boilers in 2026

Electric boiler “type” matters more than the badge on the front.

Choose the wrong type and you can end up with slow hot water, a system that cannot cope at busy times, or higher running costs than you expected.

The right starting point is your hot water routine.

If you often need more than one shower or hot tap at the same time, stored hot water usually matters more than anything else.

Electric combi boiler

An electric combi provides heating and instant hot water from one unit, with no hot water cylinder.

It usually suits smaller homes with one bathroom and modest hot water demand.

It can also suit homes where space is tight, such as a kitchen cupboard or small utility area.

The limit to understand is output. Electric combis often struggle if you want two hot outlets at once, especially in a larger home.

If you regularly get overlap at peak times, a storage based electric setup is usually a safer fit.

Electric storage boiler

A storage electric boiler heats hot water into a cylinder, either built in or installed separately.

This setup suits homes with higher hot water demand, including two bathrooms, or where shower times overlap in the morning.

The stored hot water acts as a buffer, so you are not relying on instant production at the exact moment demand spikes.

Storage can also work well with scheduled heating times, which can help manage costs if your tariff rewards off peak use.

Dry core storage boiler

A dry core system stores heat in an internal core and releases that stored heat into the heating system when required.

This can suit homes whose routine matches storage style heating, but it can feel different to an instant system.

Response time can be slower and it is not always the right fit if you want fast changes in temperature.

Electric CPSU

A combined primary storage unit stores a larger volume of hot water inside the unit to deliver stronger flow.

These are often more than most homes need and are more common where hot water demand is unusually high.

Running costs and physical space are usually the sticking points for typical households.

Solar compatible electric boiler

Some electric boilers can work alongside solar PV or solar thermal, but “compatible” can mean different things depending on the setup.

If solar is part of your plan, focus on how the boiler and any cylinder will be controlled.

The key question is whether the system can make meaningful use of self generated electricity when it is available, rather than exporting it.

Electric combi vs electric storage

This is the most common decision point, so it is worth making it clear.

A simple rule of thumb is this. If you regularly need more than one hot tap or shower at the same time, stored hot water is usually the safer option.

Best electric boilers in 2026

The “best” electric boiler depends on heat demand, hot water routine, and what your electrical supply can safely support.

The models below are common options used in UK homes and are a sensible starting shortlist.

Electric Heating Company Comet Combi

Type: Electric combi

This is a common choice for smaller homes where space is limited and hot water demand is modest.

It is designed around simple day to day use and tends to suit one bathroom homes best.

Heatrae Sadia Electromax

Type: Electric boiler with integrated cylinder

This is a storage based option that can suit homes needing more stable hot water performance.

If you are trying to avoid temperature drop off when demand increases, storage style options like this are often more suitable than an instant combi setup.

Elnur Mattira MACC

Type: Electric combi

This can suit flats and smaller houses that want an electric combi style layout.

It is typically chosen for its compact wall mounted format and modern control approach, with output options that can work across a range of smaller properties.

Fischer EB Electric Combi

Type: Electric combi

This is often considered where a home needs a higher output electric combi style system.

Higher output can help in some cases, but it does not automatically solve multi bathroom peak time demand, so match it to your routine before you focus on the numbers.

Vaillant Eloblock electric boiler

Type: Electric system style boiler

This type is often used as part of a system style layout, typically paired with a cylinder.

It can suit homes that want stored hot water and a broader system approach rather than instant hot water.

Running costs in the UK

Running cost is usually the deciding factor with electric boilers.

A practical way to think about cost is simple. Your home uses a certain amount of energy in kWh for heating and hot water, and you pay a unit rate per kWh.

Your overall bill also includes standing charges, so the unit rate is not the whole picture.

As of January 2026, typical price cap unit rates for homes paying by direct debit are around 27.69p per kWh for electricity and 5.93p per kWh for gas.

Standing charges vary by region, but are typically around 54.7p per day for electricity and 35.1p per day for gas.

These figures can change with tariffs and future cap updates, so treat them as a snapshot.

Quick cost comparison example

This is not a full bill calculation, but it shows the scale of the unit rate difference.

Electric boilers convert almost all electricity into usable heat at point of use. Gas boilers lose some energy through the flue.

Even allowing for that, electricity can still be significantly more expensive per kWh, which is why insulation and heat demand matter so much.

Advantages of electric boilers

Electric boilers can be a good fit in the right home.

They do not need a flue or gas pipework, which can make installation simpler in some properties.

Many run quietly and can fit neatly into cupboards or utility spaces.

They are also highly efficient at the point of use, often close to 100 percent, because there are no flue losses at the boiler.

Maintenance is usually a different profile to gas because there is no combustion system, but any wet heating system still needs to be installed correctly and looked after.

Disadvantages and limits to consider

Electricity is usually much more expensive than gas per kWh, so larger homes can face higher ongoing costs.

Electrical load is also a key constraint. An electric boiler can draw significant power, so your home’s supply, consumer unit, and cabling must be suitable.

This needs checking before you commit to the idea.

Hot water output is another limit, especially with electric combi boilers.

If you have two bathrooms and regular simultaneous use, stored hot water is usually the better fit.

Finally, electric boilers rely entirely on the electricity supply.

If there is a power cut, heating and hot water stop until power returns.

Who electric boilers are best suited for

• Electric boilers tend to suit:

• Homes without a gas connection

• Flats and smaller houses with one bathroom

• Properties with good insulation and lower heat demand

• Homes where a flue route is difficult

• Households that want a compact, low maintenance setup

They are often not the best fit for:

• Larger, poorly insulated properties

• Homes with multiple bathrooms and high peak time hot water use, unless using a storage based electric setup

• Households with very high space heating demand, where running costs may become difficult to manage

How to decide if an electric boiler is right for you

Use these practical checks to decide if electric is realistic.

First, check hot water demand. One bathroom with low overlap can suit an electric combi.

Two bathrooms or regular overlap usually points towards stored hot water.

Next, think about heat demand, not just bedrooms. Insulation and draughts drive how hard any boiler needs to work.

Then confirm electrical capacity. This is essential for safety and reliability.

If the electrics cannot support the load, you may need upgrades before electric heating is viable.

Finally, be honest about running costs. In many homes, improving insulation first is what makes electric heating more realistic.

iHeat support

iHeat does not currently install electric boilers.

We can, however, help homeowners understand whether electric heating might suit their home, what trade offs to expect, and what to ask an installer before committing.

If you would like a clearer view of your options, you can still get a quote for a modern gas boiler installation through iHeat, and use that information to compare suitability for your home.

Get a quote