Heat Pump Comparison
3,379 heat pumps from 77 manufacturers · updated 2026-09-01
This is a heat pump comparison built on published manufacturer specifications rather than sales copy. Every product in the Heat Pump Database carries its capacity, COP and SCOP with the test conditions they were measured at, sound level with its measurement basis, flow temperature limits, refrigerant, dimensions and MCS certification, so two products can be compared on the same terms.
Open the side-by-side comparison tool →
Pick any products while browsing and the tool puts their full specifications in adjacent columns. The summaries below give you the shape of the data first.
Comparison by heat pump type
Air, ground and water source machines are not interchangeable: they differ in installation cost, achievable efficiency and how they behave in cold weather. Typical capacity is the middle half of each group — this database covers commercial and industrial plant as well as domestic units, so the full span runs far wider at both ends. Medians are across every product of that type:
| Type | Products | Typical capacity | Median SCOP | Median noise | Highest flow temp | MCS listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Source (ASHP) | 1,969 | 12–137.9 kW | 4.2 | 66 dB(A) | 170°C | 520 |
| Ground Source (GSHP) | 301 | 9.34–33 kW | 5.03 | 47.5 dB(A) | 82°C | 116 |
| Water Source (WSHP) | 1,079 | 94.4–576 kW | 5.7 | 86 dB(A) | 170°C | 1 |
Comparison by capacity
Comparing a 5 kW unit against a 20 kW one tells you little. These are the air source bands most UK homes fall into, with the most efficient product in each:
| Capacity band | Air source products | Median SCOP | Highest SCOP in band | Full ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–6 kW | 152 | 4.82 | Acond Grandis-N (5.38) | See the ranking |
| 7–12 kW | 389 | 4.74 | Acond Grandis-R (5.58) | See the ranking |
| 13–25 kW | 440 | 4.65 | Hoval Belaria pro (5.7) | See the ranking |
| Over 25 kW | 1,059 | 3.83 | Kronoterm ADAPTMAX (5.82) | — |
Comparison by refrigerant
Refrigerant choice drives both environmental impact and the flow temperature a unit can reach, which in turn decides whether it suits existing radiators. Refrigerant guide.
| Refrigerant | Products | Median SCOP | Median max flow temp | Highest max flow temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R410A | 843 | 4.74 | 60°C | 75°C |
| R32 | 705 | 4.5 | 60°C | 75°C |
| R290 | 602 | 4.72 | 75°C | 85°C |
| R454B | 364 | 5.05 | 60°C | 77°C |
| R513A | 197 | 4.19 | 60°C | 80°C |
| R1234ze | 163 | 4.99 | 65°C | 90°C |
| R407C | 141 | 4.64 | 65°C | 70°C |
| R717 | 90 | — | 70°C | 120°C |
How to compare heat pumps fairly
Most published heat pump figures are only comparable if you check the conditions they were measured at. These are the traps worth knowing before you put two products side by side.
| SCOP, not COP | COP is efficiency at one instant under one test condition. SCOP is a seasonal average across a heating season and is the fairer single number. Always check the flow temperature it was measured at — a SCOP at 35°C and one at 55°C are not comparable. Full explanation. |
|---|---|
| Test conditions | A COP quoted at A7/W35 (7°C outside air, 35°C flow) will always look better than the same unit at A-7/W55. This database records the stated condition alongside every figure so you can see when two numbers are not measuring the same thing. |
| Sound power vs sound pressure | Sound power is an absolute figure; sound pressure depends on distance and is typically 8–12 dB lower for the same unit. UK permitted development noise assessments under MCS 020 use sound power. Comparing one manufacturer’s pressure figure with another’s power figure will mislead you. |
| Capacity at what temperature | A “12 kW” heat pump is usually 12 kW at a mild outdoor temperature. What matters for sizing is its output at your design outdoor temperature, which can be much lower. Size calculator. |
| Flow temperature | The maximum flow temperature decides whether a unit can work with existing radiators or needs underfloor heating. Higher flow temperatures cost efficiency. More on flow temperature. |
| Grant eligibility | Only MCS-certified products on the Ofgem Product Eligibility List qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This database records the certificate number where one exists. Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide. |
Other ways to compare
| Side-by-side tool | Compare selected heat pumps — put any products’ full specifications in adjacent columns. |
|---|---|
| Rankings | Best heat pumps — ranked by SCOP, sound power and price per kW. |
| By manufacturer | All 77 manufacturers — compare a brand’s full range on one page. |
| By type | Air source, ground source and water source category pages. |