Introduction#

If you’re considering replacing your gas, oil or LPG boiler with an air source heat pump, choosing the right manufacturer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

At Enerus, we’ve designed and installed heat pumps across the North East and beyond, giving us first-hand experience with many of the leading brands available in the UK.

In this guide, we’ve selected the three heat pumps we’d confidently recommend in 2026 based on:

• Performance
• Reliability
• Ease of installation
• Running costs
• Noise levels
• Warranty support
• Long-term value

After comparing dozens of products, our current favourites are:

• Vaillant aroTHERM Plus
• Samsung EHS Mono R290
• Ideal Logic Air

Rather than repeating manufacturers’ marketing claims, we’ll explain where each system excels, who it’s best suited for, and the situations where we’d choose one over another.

Quick Comparison#

Why We Chose These Three#

The UK heat pump market has grown considerably over the last few years. While there are many excellent manufacturers—including Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, NIBE, Viessmann and Ebac—we’ve selected these three because they offer the best balance of performance, reliability and value for the majority of UK homeowners.

All three systems:

• Use environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant
• Produce hot water temperatures up to 75°C
• Qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• Operate efficiently during UK winters
• Are suitable for radiator and underfloor heating systems
• Offer excellent manufacturer support

1. Vaillant aroTHERM Plus#

Overview#

The Vaillant aroTHERM Plus continues to set the benchmark for premium domestic heat pumps. It’s exceptionally quiet, highly efficient and one of the easiest systems to integrate into existing heating systems.

Ideal for#

• Premium installations
• Larger family homes
• Customers wanting maximum efficiency
• Older radiator systems

Pros#

✔ Excellent SCOP

✔ Very quiet

✔ Superb controls

✔ Outstanding build quality

✔ Excellent installer support

Cons#

✘ Higher initial purchase price

2. Samsung EHS Mono R290#

Overview#

Samsung has rapidly become one of the UK’s fastest-growing heat pump manufacturers. The latest EHS Mono R290 combines impressive efficiency with excellent smart-home integration and competitive pricing.

Ideal for#

• Smart homes
• Homeowners wanting app control
• Medium to large properties
• Modern renovations

Pros#

✔ Excellent controls

✔ High efficiency

✔ Attractive design

✔ Competitive pricing

✔ Strong UK support

Cons#

✘ App setup can be slightly more involved

3. Ideal Logic Air#

Overview#

Ideal has become one of the strongest UK brands in domestic heating, and their heat pump range reflects that. It offers an excellent balance of price, efficiency and straightforward servicing.

Ideal for#

• Homeowners wanting excellent value
• Boiler replacements
• Standard family homes

Pros#

✔ Great value

✔ UK support

✔ Easy servicing

✔ Simple controls

✔ Good warranty

Cons#

✘ Fewer advanced smart features than Samsung

Running Costs#

Actual running costs depend far more on correct design than the manufacturer itself.

A professionally designed heat pump with weather compensation, correctly sized radiators and proper commissioning can often outperform a premium system that’s been poorly installed.

That’s why every Enerus installation includes:

• Full room-by-room heat loss calculations
• Correct emitter sizing
• Weather compensation setup
• Hydraulic balancing
• Full commissioning
• Customer handover

Which Heat Pump Would We Choose?#

If budget wasn’t a consideration, we’d install the Vaillant aroTHERM Plus.

For homeowners wanting the latest technology and excellent smart controls, the Samsung EHS Mono R290 is an outstanding choice.

If value for money is your priority, the Ideal Logic Air delivers impressive performance at a competitive price.

The best heat pump isn’t simply the most expensive one—it’s the one that’s correctly designed for your home.

Final Verdict#

All three systems are excellent choices, and we’d happily install any of them.

Our overall ranking for 2026 is:

🥇 Vaillant aroTHERM Plus – Best Overall

🥈 Samsung EHS Mono R290 – Best Smart Heat Pump

🥉 Ideal Logic Air – Best Value

Thinking About Installing a Heat Pump?#

If you’re considering replacing your current heating system, we’d be happy to help.

At Enerus, every quotation includes:

• Free home assessment
• Heat loss calculations
• System design
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme application
• MCS-certified installation
• Full commissioning and aftercare

Book your free home assessment or contact us today to see how much you could save with a professionally designed air source heat pump.