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    Most Reliable Boiler Brands of 2026

    Models from companies including Peerless and Crown should keep you warm and cozy this winter

    A radiator, which gets its heat from a boiler, in front of an orange background.
    Even the most trustworthy boilers should be serviced every year by a professional to ensure efficient heating.
    Photo: Getty Images

    When wintry cold fronts hit, a reliable boiler is a lifeline. Consumer Reports analyzed reliability and owner satisfaction data for 13 boiler brands, ranging from those with a significant market share—including Burnham and Weil-McLain—to lesser-known ones like Buderus and Williamson. Four of them earned a top rating of excellent for predicted reliability, with two of those also earning respectable marks for owner satisfaction.

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    Boilers are far less common than gas furnaces, and that’s reflected in the responses to Consumer Reports’ most recent survey on central heating. Our members installed 1,791 new boilers between 2009 and 2025, compared with more than 34,000 gas furnaces.

    But just like a furnace, when a boiler breaks, you want it repaired—or replaced—ASAP. Forty-two percent of members who responded to our 2021 and 2023 surveys said they had their boiler inspected at least once a year, and over 20 percent said they had it maintained once every two years. According to our 2025 analysis, 26 percent of boilers purchased between 2009 and 2025 broke within 10 years of ownership.

    For more information on boilers, including how to maintain yours for maximum efficiency, see our boiler buying guide. And for our full ratings, check our boiler reliability ratings, where we break down each brand we test.

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Mary Farrell headshot

    Mary H.J. Farrell

    As a senior editor at Consumer Reports for more than 15 years, Mary H.J. Farrell reported on all manner of vacuums and cookware, as well as microwaves, mixers, freezers, and fans. Starting in the mid-1990s, she held senior positions at People.com, MSNBC, and Ladies’ Home Journal. One of her earliest jobs was at Good Housekeeping.