Contura Stoves Review (UK 2026)
Swedish contemporary stoves — designed, developed, and assembled in Sweden by NIBE AB (parent of Stovax). Cylindrical 500-series, panoramic 3-sided glass 800 Style, and the soapstone T-series flagship.
Contura at a glance
Contura is the contemporary stove brand of NIBE Industrier AB (Sweden) — the same parent group that owns Stovax. The brands stay distinct: Stovax is the mass-market UK volume brand (Stockton, Sheraton, Studio); Contura is the premium Swedish contemporary line.
Warranty: 5 years on the stove body. Soapstone components and door glass are typically consumable after the first year (industry standard for premium brands).
UK distribution: Bonfire (Reading) is the official UK distributor with nationwide delivery, plus authorised dealers including The Stove Company, Topstak (South Wales), and Leeds Stove Centre. Authorised-dealer purchase is required to validate the warranty.
Current Contura range (UK 2026)
| Model | kW | RRP | Feature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contura 210 | 5.0 | £2,250 | Entry — wood | Recently relaunched. Compact contemporary entry. |
| Contura 310 | 5.0 | £2,495 | Wood — slimline | Tall slimline body. |
| Contura 320T | 5.0 | £3,175 | Soapstone (225kg) | Soapstone variant for sustained heat release. |
| Contura 510 Style | 5.0 | £2,575 inc VAT | Most-installed UK | Automatic Start Function (door closed during light-up), Silent Sliding Ashtray. |
| Contura 510G Style | 5.0 | £2,850 inc VAT | Full glass door | 510 Style with full glass front instead of cast iron door. |
| Contura 556 Style | 5.0 | ~£2,950 | 3-sided glass | Panoramic viewing on three sides. |
| Contura 856 Style | 5.0 | ~£2,850 | Wide 3-sided glass | Wider variant of the 556 Style. |
| C800 Style | 5.0 | ~£2,950 | NEW 2026 | Latest 800-series. Updated styling with even more elegant design. |
| Contura 620T | 5.0 | £4,435 | Tall soapstone (290kg) | Flagship soapstone — heaviest in the range. |
| Contura i51 inset | 7.0 | ~£2,800 | Inset cassette | For media-wall and fireplace recess installs. |
Calculate your Contura install cost
The 500 Style and 800 series sit at the premium tier in the calculator. The C800 Style and soapstone T-series are at the top of the premium band.
Open the calculator →The 510 Style — the most-installed UK Contura
The Contura 510 Style (£2,575 inc VAT, 5kW DEFRA Ecodesign) is Contura's UK volume leader. Cylindrical contemporary body, cast-iron door, double airwash. Features Contura's signature functions:
- Automatic Start Function (ASF): the stove door can be closed during light-up — sensors manage the air supply automatically
- Refuelling Boost Function: revives dying embers with a momentary air pulse
- Silent Sliding Ashtray: latest Style redesign — quieter ash removal
- Integrated cool-touch handles: safer operation
For a panoramic 3-sided glass view, the 556 Style or 856 Style (~£2,850–£2,950) extend the visual without changing the mechanism.
Soapstone T-series — heritage tech, modern price
The T-suffix models (320T, 520T, 556T, 620T) wrap the steel stove body in soapstone — 225–290kg of stone that stores heat during the fire and slowly releases it for hours after the fire stops. Total weight makes installation on suspended timber floors challenging; typically requires joist strengthening (£200–£500 extra).
Premium pricing: 320T at £3,175, 520T at £3,515, 620T at £4,435. About 25–40% more than the equivalent steel models. Worth it if you appreciate slow sustained warmth more than the immediate radiant heat of a steel-bodied stove.
Pricing vs UK alternatives
- 5kW contemporary cylindrical: Contura 510 Style £2,575 vs Charnwood Aire 5 £1,595 vs Morsø S10 £2,500 — Contura is the most expensive but has ASF and Silent Sliding Ashtray uniquely.
- 3-sided glass: Contura 856 Style ~£2,850 vs Charnwood Skye 7 £2,994 — comparable; Charnwood wins on warranty (10 yr body + 3 yr consumables), Contura on design language.
- Soapstone flagship: Contura 620T £4,435 vs Morsø 7943 £3,680 — both premium Scandinavian; Contura is soapstone-led, Morsø is cast iron with the panoramic glass.
- Inset cassette: Contura i51 £2,800 vs Stovax Riva2 50 £2,465 — comparable.
Where to buy
UK authorised dealers only:
- Bonfire — Reading, official UK distributor with nationwide delivery
- The Stove Company — broad Contura stockist
- Topstak — South Wales
- County Woodburning Centre, Amberglow Fireplaces, Hagley Stoves, Ignite Stoves, Leeds Stove Centre, Heatsource of Uppingham
Street prices usually match RRP — Contura maintains tight price discipline.
Should you buy a Contura?
Yes, if: you want a Swedish contemporary cylindrical stove with the ASF and Silent Sliding Ashtray features. The 510 Style is the obvious choice for most UK living rooms.
Consider Charnwood instead, if: you want a stronger warranty (10-year body + 3-year consumables) or broader clearSkies Level 5 certification. Charnwood guide →
Consider Morsø instead, if: you specifically want cast-iron Danish heritage at a slightly lower entry price. Morsø guide →
Get 3 quotes from HETAS installers who fit Contura
Tell us your postcode and we'll match you with HETAS installers experienced with the Contura range — especially the soapstone T-series.
Find an installer →Frequently asked questions
Where are Contura stoves made?
Contura is the contemporary stove brand of NIBE AB (Sweden) — the same parent group that owns Stovax. Designed, developed and assembled in Sweden. UK distribution is via Bonfire (Reading) and authorised dealers.
What's the best Contura for a UK living room?
The Contura 510 Style (£2,575 inc VAT, 5kW DEFRA Ecodesign) is the most-installed UK Contura — contemporary cylindrical body with the Automatic Start Function (door closed during light-up) and Silent Sliding Ashtray. For a panoramic 3-sided glass view, the 556 Style (~£2,950) or 856 Style (~£2,850).
Is Contura's soapstone worth the premium?
If you want a slow, sustained heat release after the fire dies down — yes. Soapstone T-series models (520T at £3,515, 620T at £4,435) carry 250–290kg of stone that radiates warmth for hours after the fire stops. Not suitable for suspended timber floors without joist strengthening.
Contura vs Stovax — they're the same company?
Both are owned by Sweden's NIBE Industrier AB. But the brands stay distinct: Stovax is the mass-market UK volume brand (Stockton, Sheraton, Studio), Contura is the premium Swedish contemporary line (cylindrical 500-series, soapstone T-series, three-sided glass 800 Style). Different design language, different dealer mix.
What's the warranty on a Contura stove?
5-year manufacturer's warranty against material and manufacturing defects on the stove body under the NIBE parent group structure. Soapstone components and door glass are typically considered consumable after the first year — same as most premium UK brands.
Where can I buy a Contura in the UK?
Through Bonfire (Reading — official UK distributor) and authorised dealers nationwide including The Stove Company, County Woodburning Centre, Topstak (South Wales), Amberglow Fireplaces, Leeds Stove Centre. Street prices usually match RRP — Contura maintains tight price discipline.