Hunter Herald 5 Eco Review (UK 2026)
£1,669 RRP, typically ~£1,165 at UK retailers. One of the cheapest mid-market 5kW wood-burner from a Devon-made brand. Strongest back-boiler integration at this price point. 10-year warranty.
Headline specs
- Heat output: 5kW nominal
- Certification: DEFRA-approved, Ecodesign 2022
- Fuel: Multifuel (wood + authorised smokeless)
- Dimensions: ~510×580×380mm
- Weight: ~108kg
- Flue: 5” (125mm)
- Air control: Double
- Back-boiler option: Yes (£300–£500 supplement)
- Warranty: 10 years on authorised dealer registration
- UK manufacture: Devon
- RRP: £1,669 / Street ~£1,165
Why the Herald 5 wins on value
At ~£1,165 street (RRP £1,669), the Herald 5 Eco is among the cheapest UK-made mid-market 5kW wood-burners from a brand with a serious dealer network and 10-year warranty. Direct UK rivals are priced within a few pounds: Stovax Stockton 5 at ~£1,210, Aarrow Ecoburn 5 at ~£1,220 (street, September 2026).
r/DIYUK consensus from 2024–25 sums it up: “good solid mid-range product… on a par with Stovax for quality but without the price tag.” Stove fitters consistently rate Hunter as their go-to value pick at this kW.
Calculate your Herald 5 install cost
The Herald 5 sits in the mid-tier in the calculator. Total installed cost typically £2,700-£3,700 with an existing chimney.
Open the calculatorBack-boiler — Hunter’s niche
Hunter’s strongest single feature at this price: back-boiler integration is available across the Herald range, including the Herald 5 Eco. For owners who want a stove that also helps heat the central heating system, the Herald 5 with back-boiler is the most accessible UK route.
See our dedicated back-boiler install cost guide for the full integration scope. Typical total install cost with back-boiler: £5,000–£8,000.
Herald 5 vs Herald 5 Eco Slimline
Two variants for different fireplace configurations:
- Standard Herald 5 Eco (~£1,165): standard body depth (~380mm). Best for openings with full standard depth available.
- Herald 5 Eco Slimline (£1,669 RRP / ~£1,165 street): shallower body for shallow fireplace recesses. Available as single-door or double-door variant. Best for older UK homes with shallow openings.
Same 5kW output. The Slimline costs more and gets you a different form factor — not a feature upgrade. Measure your fireplace depth first.
Pricing vs UK alternatives
- Herald 5 ~£1,165 vs Stovax Stockton 5 ~£1,210 — effectively the same street price; Stovax has the broader dealer network. Both 5kW multifuel. Stovax guide →
- Herald 5 ~£1,165 vs Aarrow Ecoburn 5 ~£1,220 street — effectively level; Aarrow has clearSkies Level 4 and lifetime body warranty. Aarrow guide →
- Herald 5 ~£1,165 vs Charnwood C-Four £1,259 — comparable. Hunter is about £90 cheaper; Charnwood has the broader warranty package (3-year consumables in addition to body).
Where to buy
UK authorised dealers for the 10-year warranty:
- Direct Stoves (Cheadle, online + showroom)
- Stoves Are Us (online, broad range)
- Castfireplaces (Heanor, Derbyshire — main Hunter showroom)
- Rangemoors, Stove Supermarket, The Stove House, Bonfire
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Get quotesFrequently asked questions
Is the Hunter Herald 5 Eco a good UK mid-market stove?
Yes — one of the most-installed UK 5kW wood-burners at ~£1,165. Mid-market workhorse with Hunter’s standard 10-year warranty. Particularly strong if you want a back-boiler option, where Hunter outshines Stovax and Aarrow at this price point.
Herald 5 Eco vs Herald 5 Eco Slimline?
Standard Herald 5 Eco (~£1,165) has standard-depth body. Slimline variant (£1,669 RRP / ~£1,165 street) has a shallower depth profile for shallow fireplace recesses where a standard stove won’t fit. Same 5kW output, same internals. Choose Slimline if your fireplace depth is under 350mm.
Does the Herald 5 come with a back-boiler option?
Yes — back-boiler integration is available across the Herald range. The Herald 5 Eco with back-boiler is one of the most accessible UK boiler stoves at this kW. See our /cost/back-boiler guide for the integration cost (typically £5,000–£8,000 total).
How does the Herald 5 compare to the Stovax Stockton 5?
Both are go-to UK mid-market 5kW wood-burners. Street prices are level (~£1,165 vs ~£1,210) and back-boiler integration options. Stovax wins on dealer network breadth and slightly more cosmetic variants (Wide, Sheraton, Huntingdon). Either is an excellent choice; pick the one with the nearer dealer.
Where to buy a Hunter Herald 5?
Major UK retailers: Direct Stoves (Cheadle), Stoves Are Us (online), Castfireplaces (Heanor — main Hunter showroom), Rangemoors (Devon). Also Stove Supermarket, The Stove House, Bonfire.