Stovax Stoves Review (2026)
The UK's largest stove producer by unit volume. UK-manufactured in Exeter, Devon since 1981. The Stockton 5 is the most-installed UK mid-market wood-burner.
Stovax at a glance
Stovax Heating Group is described by industry sources as "the UK's largest stove and fireplace producer" by volume, exporting to over 25 countries. Sister brand Gazco handles gas and electric; Stovax is also the UK & Ireland distributor for Dovre and Nordpeis. Parent company NIBE Industrier AB (Sweden) also owns Contura.
Warranty (from 1 February 2025): 2-year standard extending to 10 years on registration with a Stovax Expert Retailer. Note: consumables (glass, firebricks, grates, baffles, log guards, ashpans, rope seals) covered only in year 1. Annual service by a HETAS engineer is a condition.
Current Stovax range (selected highlights)
| Model | kW | RRP | Fuel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunel 1A | 4.6 | £849 | Multifuel | Stovax's most affordable freestanding. Triple air control. |
| Stockton 3 | 3.6 | £1,130 | Wood / MF | Compact, suits snug-sized rooms. |
| Stockton 5 | 5.0 | £1,223 (£995 street) | Wood / MF | The UK's most-installed Stovax. Mid-market default. |
| Stockton 5 Wide | 5.0 | £1,653 | Wood / MF | Wider viewing window. Same output as standard Stockton 5. |
| Stockton 8 | 8.0 | £1,653 | Wood / MF | Larger output. Optional rear-flue back-boiler. |
| Stockton 11 | 11.0 | £1,970 | Wood | Flagship Stockton output. |
| Sheraton 5 | 5.0 | £1,721 | Wood / MF | Premium traditional styling. |
| Huntingdon 30 Eco | 5.0 | £2,189 | Wood / MF | Heritage cast-iron traditional. |
| Vogue Midi | 5.0 | £1,895 | Wood | Contemporary mid-size. |
| Studio 2 Freestanding | 8.0 | from £4,325 | Wood | Designer flagship. Warm-air duct option. |
Stovax has 12 stove ranges and dozens of variants — the table above shows highlights. Full catalogue at stovax.com.
Calculate your Stovax install cost
Stockton 5 sits at the mid-tier (£1,500–£3,000) in the calculator. Sheraton, Huntingdon, and Studio sit in the premium tier.
Open the calculator →The Stockton 5 — the UK's most-installed mid-market stove
The Stovax Stockton 5 (£1,223 RRP, £995 street) is the single most-installed Stovax model and the most-recommended "first stove" on r/DIYUK and stove forums. 5kW, multifuel, triple air control, cast-iron door, well-suited to most UK living rooms 13–25m².
For wider viewing, the Stockton 5 Wide (£1,653) is the natural upgrade. For larger rooms, the Stockton 8 (£1,653, 8kW) and Stockton 11 (£1,970, 11kW) follow the same design language.
Owner experience
Praised for: universally strong dealer network and spare parts availability (UK manufacture). The Stockton 5 has 1,610 Trustpilot reviews at a 4-star average for the broader Stovax brand. Cleanburn + airwash work well with kiln-dried logs; cast-iron door is durable.
Criticised for: trade forums describe Stovax as "decent quality but… overpriced for what they are owing to vast sums spent on advertising." Baffle plates on older Stockton 5s can warp if consistently over-fired; door rope seals need replacing every 3–4 years. Efficiency (~79–80%) lags Charnwood Skye E700's 86%.
Pricing vs UK alternatives
- Entry: Brunel 1A at £849 vs Hunter Herald 4 at £896 vs Aarrow Hamlet 4 at £695 — all comparable.
- Mid: Stockton 5 at £1,223 vs Hunter Herald 5 at £1,099 vs Aarrow Ecoburn 5 at £1,379 — Stovax wins on brand recognition and dealer footprint; Hunter is cheapest.
- Premium:Sheraton 5 at £1,721 vs Charnwood Aire 5 at £1,595 — comparable. Charnwood wins on warranty (10 yr + 3 yr consumables vs Stovax's 10 yr base only).
- Designer flagship:Studio 2 Freestanding from £4,325 vs Charnwood Skye E700 at £3,594 — Charnwood is more efficient (86% vs Studio's ~80%); Studio has the clean glass-side-panel aesthetic.
Where to buy
Authorised dealers only — required for the 10-year warranty extension. Top UK dealers:
- Direct Stoves — Cheadle, full range online + showroom
- Stoves Are Us — online, large Stovax stockist
- Rangemoors — Devon, local to the Exeter factory
- Also Stovesonline, Fireplace Megastore, The Fireplace Warehouse
Street prices typically run 15–20% below RRP at Expert Retailers.
Should you buy a Stovax?
Yes, if: you want the broadest UK dealer network, well-known mass-market name, and the Stockton 5 as a safe bet. The dealer support is genuinely the best in UK stoves.
Consider Charnwood instead, if: you want the stronger warranty package (10 years body + 3 years consumables) or contemporary design (Aire, Skye).
Consider Hunter instead, if: you want equivalent quality at lower price, especially with a back-boiler integration.
Get 3 quotes from HETAS installers who fit Stovax
Tell us your postcode and we'll match you with HETAS installers experienced with the full Stovax range.
Find an installer →Frequently asked questions
Is Stovax a UK brand?
Yes — Stovax Heating Group is UK-manufactured in Exeter, Devon since 1981. It's the UK's largest stove and fireplace producer by unit volume, exporting to over 25 countries. Parent company is NIBE Industrier AB (Sweden), which also owns Contura.
Which Stovax stove is best for a UK living room?
The Stockton 5 (£1,223 RRP / £1,155 street) is the UK's most-installed Stovax model and consistently recommended on r/DIYUK and stove forums. 5kW multifuel, triple air control, suits most UK living rooms 13–25m². For wider viewing, the Stockton 5 Wide (£1,653) is the obvious upgrade.
What's the warranty on a Stovax stove?
From 1 February 2025: 2-year standard warranty extending to 10 years on registration with an Expert Retailer. Note: consumables (glass, firebricks, grates, baffles, log guards, ashpans, rope seals) are covered only in year 1. Annual service by a HETAS engineer is a condition.
Where can I buy a Stovax stove in the UK?
Authorised dealers only. Major UK retailers: Direct Stoves (Cheadle), Stoves Are Us (online), Rangemoors (Devon — local to the Exeter factory), Stovesonline, Fireplace Megastore, The Fireplace Warehouse. Street prices typically run 15–20% below RRP.
How does Stovax compare to Charnwood?
Both are premium UK-made. Charnwood wins on warranty (10 years body + 3 years consumables vs Stovax's 2-year base extending to 10), broader clearSkies Level 5 range, and contemporary design (Aire, Skye). Stovax wins on dealer network breadth, brand recognition, and a wider model catalogue (Stockton, Sheraton, Huntingdon, Chesterfield, Vogue, Studio, Riva).