The Best Wood Burning Stoves in 2026: Our Expert Picks
12th Sep 2026
Choosing a new stove is about much more than simply comparing heat output. The size of the fireplace opening, the available space around the appliance, efficiency, fuel choice, ease of use and the overall style of the room can all influence which model will work best in your home.
At Manor House Fireplaces & Stoves, we help homeowners compare wood burning and multi-fuel stoves based on the practical requirements of the property as well as the appearance and features they want. For this guide, we have selected five of our favourite stoves for 2026, with each model recognised for excelling in a particular area.
How We Rated the Stoves
Our ratings consider the qualities that matter most when choosing a wood burning or multi-fuel stove:
- Heating performance and efficiency
- Build quality and overall design
- Ease of use and day-to-day practicality
- Installation flexibility and suitability for different homes
- Overall value for money
Prices shown were correct at the time of writing but may change depending on the model, finish and optional extras selected. Please check the individual product page for the latest price and available options.
Our Best Stoves at a Glance
| Stove | Our Award | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dik Geurts Ivar 5 Low | Best Compact Stove | £1,495 | ★★★★½ 4.5/5 |
| Woodwarm 5kW Fireview Eco Contemporary | Best British-Made Stove | From £1,872 | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Contura 510 Style | Best Freestanding Stove | From £2,595 | ★★★★½ 4.5/5 |
| Dean Forge Woodbury Slimline 5 Eco | Most Versatile Stove | From £1,975 | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Contura 110 | Best Value Stove | £1,350 | ★★★★½ 4.5/5 |
Best Compact Stove
Dik Geurts Ivar 5 Low
Price: £1,495
★★★★½ 4.5/5
The Dik Geurts Ivar 5 is an excellent choice where space is limited but you do not want to compromise on efficiency or flame visibility. Its relatively compact dimensions make it well suited to smaller chimney openings and inglenook installations, while the large front window still provides a clear view of the fire.
With a nominal output of 4.9kW and efficiency of up to 82%, the Ivar 5 combines useful heat output with strong energy performance. It carries an A+ efficiency class, is Ecodesign compliant and is approved for use in smoke control areas when installed and operated correctly.
The stove is designed primarily as a wood burner, with a multi-fuel conversion kit available as an option. An external air connection is also available, giving installers additional flexibility depending on the property and ventilation requirements.
Why We Recommend It
- Compact dimensions for smaller fireplace openings
- 4.9kW nominal heat output
- Up to 82% efficiency and A+ energy class
- Large viewing window for its overall size
- Ecodesign and DEFRA approved
- Optional multi-fuel and external-air configurations
Value for money: ★★★★½
Efficiency: ★★★★★
Features & flexibility: ★★★★½
Overall rating: ★★★★½
Best British-Made Stove
Woodwarm 5kW Fireview Eco Contemporary
Price: From £1,872
★★★★★ 5/5
The Woodwarm 5kW Fireview Eco Contemporary is our pick for buyers who want a British-made stove with excellent efficiency, strong environmental credentials and a high level of day-to-day usability.
Handcrafted in Devon, the Fireview Eco Contemporary combines a clean modern appearance with a 5kW nominal output. Efficiency reaches 82.5% when burning wood, while the stove is also designed for multi-fuel use. Its full riddling grate can form a flat bed for wood burning, making it a particularly flexible choice for households that want more than one fuel option.
Woodwarm's advanced clean-burn airwash system is designed to help keep the glass clear, while the stove has achieved clearSkies Level 5 certification and exceeds Ecodesign requirements. A range of colour, handle and base options also allows the appliance to be tailored to the surrounding fireplace and room.
Why We Recommend It
- British made and handcrafted in Devon
- 5kW nominal heat output
- Up to 82.5% efficiency when burning wood
- A+ energy rating
- Multi-fuel capability with excellent wood-burning performance
- Advanced clean-burn airwash system
- clearSkies Level 5 and Ecodesign compliant
- Choice of finishes and configuration options
Value for money: ★★★★½
Efficiency: ★★★★★
Features & flexibility: ★★★★★
Overall rating: ★★★★★
Best Freestanding Stove
Contura 510 Style
Price: From £2,595
★★★★½ 4.5/5
The Contura 510 Style is our choice for homeowners who want a freestanding stove to become a prominent part of the room rather than simply sit within a traditional fireplace opening.
Its tall Scandinavian design and large curved-front presentation give the flames plenty of visual presence, while the 5kW output and 80% efficiency make it a practical option for a wide range of living spaces. The 510 Style is also particularly well suited to corner positioning, where its proportions can help make efficient use of the available floor area.
Contura has added several useful features designed to make the stove easier to live with. The cool-touch handle reduces heat transfer to the operating handle, while the Automatic Start Function manages lighting air during start-up. A refuelling boost function can also direct additional air to fading embers to help the next load of wood catch more easily.
Why We Recommend It
- Distinctive freestanding Scandinavian design
- 5kW output and 80% efficiency
- Large glass area for a strong view of the flames
- Well suited to corner positioning
- Cool-touch handle
- Automatic Start Function and refuelling boost
- Optional outside-air connection
- Ecodesign and DEFRA approved
Value for money: ★★★★☆
Efficiency: ★★★★½
Features & flexibility: ★★★★★
Overall rating: ★★★★½
Most Versatile Stove
Dean Forge Woodbury Slimline 5 Eco
Price: From £1,975
★★★★★ 5/5
The Dean Forge Woodbury Slimline 5 Eco earns our versatility award because it combines a shallow body with a wide range of fuel, finish and installation options.
At just 325mm deep, the Slimline format is particularly useful where the fireplace or room layout makes projection into the room an important consideration. The stove still provides a 5kW nominal output and 81.4% efficiency, with an A+ energy rating. It is available in wood-burning and multi-fuel configurations and uses a preheated airwash system to help maintain a clear view through the large glass door.
There are nine colour finishes as well as black or stainless-steel handle and control options. When the appropriate double rear heat shield and twin-wall flue arrangement are used, the manufacturer specifies a reduced rear distance to combustibles of 150mm, potentially opening up installation possibilities where space is more restricted. Suitability must always be confirmed for the individual installation.
Why We Recommend It
- Shallow 325mm body depth
- 5kW output and 81.4% efficiency
- A+ energy rating
- Wood-burning and multi-fuel options
- Nine colour finishes
- Black or stainless-steel handle and control options
- Exceptional preheated airwash system
- British made
- Part of a wider Woodbury range with different proportions and outputs
Value for money: ★★★★½
Efficiency: ★★★★★
Features & flexibility: ★★★★★
Overall rating: ★★★★★
Best Value Stove
Contura 110
Price: £1,350
★★★★½ 4.5/5
The Contura 110 is our best-value choice for buyers who want a compact, well-engineered wood burner from an established Scandinavian manufacturer without moving into the higher price brackets represented elsewhere in this guide.
Its 390mm width and compact cast-iron format allow it to fit into many existing fireplaces with relatively little alteration. Despite its modest footprint, the stove provides a 5kW nominal output and around 80% efficiency, making it a practical choice for many everyday living spaces.
The large front window gives the flames plenty of visibility, while the straightforward controls keep operation simple. The Contura 110 is Ecodesign compliant and approved for use in smoke control areas when fitted and operated in accordance with the relevant requirements.
Why We Recommend It
- Excellent value at £1,350
- Compact 390mm-wide format
- 5kW output and approximately 80% efficiency
- A+ energy rating
- Large glass window for its size
- Designed to fit easily into many existing fireplaces
- Optional outside-air kit
- Ecodesign and DEFRA approved
Value for money: ★★★★★
Efficiency: ★★★★½
Features & flexibility: ★★★★☆
Overall rating: ★★★★½
Which Stove Should You Choose?
The best stove for your home will depend on the size and layout of the room, the dimensions of the fireplace or proposed installation area, the fuel you want to burn and the amount of design flexibility you need.
For a compact stove with strong efficiency, the Dik Geurts Ivar 5 is an excellent all-round option. The Woodwarm Fireview Eco Contemporary stands out for British manufacturing, high wood-burning efficiency and multi-fuel flexibility. If you want a freestanding stove to become a design feature in its own right, the taller Contura 510 Style is particularly attractive.
The Dean Forge Woodbury Slimline 5 Eco is especially useful where a shallower stove and a broad choice of finishes or fuel configurations are priorities. For buyers working to a tighter budget, the Contura 110 provides a strong combination of compact dimensions, 5kW performance and straightforward Scandinavian design.
Before choosing a stove, it is important to consider chimney and flue suitability, hearth requirements, ventilation, distances to combustible materials and whether the property is within a smoke control area. The correct appliance and installation arrangement should be assessed for the individual property rather than chosen on appearance or heat output alone.
Our experienced team can help you compare suitable models and advise on the practical requirements for your home. You can browse our full range of stoves online, or find out more about our fireplace and stove installation services.
Compare Stoves in Our Kenilworth Showroom
Visit our Kenilworth showroom to compare stove sizes, finishes, flame views and controls in person and speak to our experienced team about the right model for your home.
Alternatively, contact our team to discuss your stove and installation requirements.
