11 best log burners for heating rooms of all sizes, tried and tested

The multi-fuel, 5kW widescreen version of the ever-popular go eco stove provides a terrific flame view and comes with an airwash system to keep the internal glass clean. The dimensions of the burner mean that if you’re looking to install it into a larger chimney opening, then this is a really good option. And if you’ve got a big open plan space, this model offers very little lag time between being fired up and pumping out a lot of heat.

In addition, its construction means it only needs 50mm of space in order to be safely installed, so it’s incredibly versatile when it comes to locating it in your home. Plus, it's Defra-approved, meets ecodesign standards and its level five clearSkies credentials mean it produces 90 per cent fewer emissions than an open fire and 80 per cent fewer than a stove that is more than 10 years old.

The core makes the list of the best stoves again this year, thanks to its combination of modern styling and clearSkies level four status. The 4kW of output means it’s ideally suited for smaller rooms, with a modern design. A generous viewing window will satisfy fans of caveman TV and the door opens easily to give good access to the grate when you need to add more fuel.

One of the best things about the Ekol range remains the fact that it’s part of the brand’s modular system. That means you can keep adding to the core to make it even more versatile for cooking with options including a top oven, top plates for boiling water and even a pizza plate.

A burner with a generous window that gives a good view of the flames and the airwash system stops soot build up. Well-engineered with good seasonal efficiency, (which means the stove’s 8kW of heat is actually warming the room, not going up the chimney) means that the burner is a good option for heating medium to large-sized rooms, using the bare minimum of logs to do it.

This model has solid build quality and a generous firebox that makes the fire easy to set and even easier to clear out in preparation for the next fire. The Farringdon also has plenty of colour options with seven in the original series and four zingier colours in the company’s new bold edit.

This 7kW cast iron model will look good as a centre point for traditional homes, although the large window and largely unadorned frontage would also be a fit for more modern dwellings too. Its cast-iron construction means you won’t have any problems with heat retention; in fact, I found that even when the logs were burning down, the Ashdale still generated a very satisfying glow that could keep those gathered around it warm. It’s ecodesign and Defra-approved and has a very large window that’s served well with an efficient airwash system, so you can really enjoy the view when the fire’s roaring.

This ecodesign and Defra-approved stove is the smallest in the Huntingdon range, but don’t assume that just because this is small, it isn’t mighty. It’s sure to take centre stage in your home, with two door options – one a clear arch, which looks modern and gives a good view of the fire itself, or a Tracery option, which adds dramatic Gothic arches to look through to the flames.

The Stove’s number refers to the size of logs (25cm) that will fit through the door, which made the fire a doddle to set. Thanks to some very responsive air control, it lit without incident and took just under half an hour to start throwing heat out, and it was easy to feel the benefit of the 4.9kW output. The airwash system, which draws in air to wash the glass of soot and blackening, worked well and the venting was efficient enough to give total control over the fire.

This 4.7kW multi-fuel burner from Welsh manufacturer Chilli Penguin is supremely efficient whether it’s being fed with wood or smokeless fuel, which made it stand out from the crowd in the showroom, and it looks great. As the name suggests, not only will you be able to defrost when you come in from a wintry walk, but you’ll be able to cook and brew, too.

The addition of an oven box and top plate means you can bake at temperatures ranging from 140C to 300C and there’s room for a small saucepan and a kettle on the top plate. It’s ecodesign and Defra-ready and the oven and top plate mean heating and cooking come from the same fuel load, so you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. The square window gives a good view of the flames and it’s available in a range of six colour finishes, so you can colour-match or choose one from the palette that’ll really make the stove stand out.

This simple-looking but very effective 10kW burner is double-sided, which gives you the option to get two views of the fire from different rooms. The high heat output also means it can heat both those rooms effectively, with its large windows giving a see-through view of your fire burning.

Defra-approved, the Blithfield straddles classic and contemporary design and would look equally at home in a Victorian chimney breast or a more modern domestic setting. It’s also a nicely customisable unit with the handle and controls coming in a choice of chrome or brass and the burner itself being available in a range of six different colour finishes to suit your taste and the environment in which it’s being installed.

Another ecodesign and Defra-exempt Stovax product that’s widescreen, but slimline enough to make it a good fit for shallower recesses in the home. A big, square pane gives good fire visuals and some clever engineering reduces any of the precious 5kW heat output from being wasted by directing the warm air (that sometimes gets trapped between the stove’s firebox and outer walls) back into the room. I noticed a discernible difference in heat output, in comparison with lesser burners and because it makes the back of the burner cooler, it opens up more installation spaces.

I absolutely loved the look of this 5.8kW cylindrical fireplace and if you’re looking for a wood burner to add some wow factor to your room (as much as you are to heat it), then the ME not only looks impressive but also comes with a number of fitting options. These range from pedestals and benches to wall mountings and even an option to suspend it by the chimney from the ceiling.

With good heat output and an airwash system, you can even opt for side windows, which can be fitted to the burner so you can see the flames no matter where you are in the room. The ME is Defra-approved and is ecodesign-ready, so its environmental credentials are sound, and the stoves are actually manufactured by Stovax, so you can guarantee the quality.

Steel stoves were often seen as less efficient and robust compared with their iron alternatives, but there is no difference between the two materials in modern stoves and this modernist 5kW model heats up quickly, retains heat well and has a solid cast iron door. Its big fire view, with accompanying airwash system, will instantly lend atmosphere to your room and the burn was highly efficient with plenty of warmth for a small- to middle-sized room.

As the name suggests, this is a 5kW burner for those who glamp, although it’s equally good at home in any small area where you just need to add a little warmth and practicality. I loved the porthole-esque window, which is kept clean with an airwash, through which you will be able to see a very efficient fire burning, and the burner is equipped for boiling or cooking with a warming shelf and fiddle rail (to stop your kettle falling off). There’s also the option to add an oven to the top for an extra fee.