Are you feeling torn between Ideal combi boilers, and Worcester Bosch?

To be honest, I don’t blame you! If you’re looking for a good quality, reliable combi boiler you can trust, but that’s also value for money, it can be a tough decision!

There are so many factors to consider when choosing the right combi boiler for you. That’s why, as an experienced engineer, I wanted to help you compare Ideal combi boilers with Worcester Bosch combis.

This should help you choose, depending on what’s most important for you (outputs vs value for money, for instance).

Performance

Performance-wise, between these two brands, both are well-made, quality boilers. Worcester Bosch is slightly quieter than Ideal models, and are proven to last 18-20 years. I find I can just fit a Worcester Bosch, and forget about it (apart from the annual service, of course).

However, Ideal’s latest boilers simply haven’t been around that long to be tried and tested. So the winner here? Well, we’ll see if the Ideal passes the test of time.

The winner: Time will tell

Reputation

Although both are well-established British brands, Worcester Bosch has a bit of a lead here. They have been awarded Which? ‘Best Buy’ for around six years running now. On the other hand, Ideal lost some points for their reputation around 18 – 20 years ago, and they’re still working to gain back ground.

The winner: Worcester Bosch

Range of outputs

All of Worcester Bosch’s combis give a minimum output of 24kW to the heating circuit. The Ideal Vogue, however, offers a lower output to the heating for smaller properties that still want a decent flow rate. Ideal offers a slightly more varied range in smaller outputs than Worcester Bosch, and in some cases, more value compared to the Worcester equivalent.

However, Worcester offer a higher maximum output than Ideal, with 42kW compared to Ideal’s 40kW. So, in terms of outputs, it really comes down to the type of property you own as to who is the real winner here.

The winner: It’s a draw!

Flow rates

These days, everyone wants higher flow rates, which mean you can get more pressure to your shower, or fill a bath quicker. Ideal’s minimum flow rate is 9.8 litres per minute for their 24kW boiler, compared to Worcester Bosch’s 10.2 litres per minute for their Greenstar 25i.

As for the highest flow rate, Worcester Bosch is able to offer an astounding 25 litres per minute for their 550 Greenstar Highflow, compared to Ideal’s max of 16.4 litres per minute. This makes Worcester Bosch the surefire winner!

The winner: Worcester Bosch

Range of products

All of the Ideal Logic+ range of combis offer a wide range of outputs and compact models. Both also offer LPG models. However, unlike Worcester Bosch, Ideal doesn’t offer storage combis for larger homes.

So, if you have a much bigger property, and a high water demand, this probably puts Ideal combis out of the running!

The winner: Worcester Bosch

Guarantees

Both of these brands offer fantastic, no-quibble guarantees you can truly rely on, with dedicated engineers to-boot! However, to qualify for a 10-year guarantee with Worcester Bosch, you have to fit the brand’s own controls and filter.

This is in contrast to the Ideal Logic+ range, where you can get 10 years as long as you find the right accredited installer who is able to offer you that deal. The Ideal Vogue also comes with a 10-year guarantee, as long as you fit an Ideal filter.

The winner: Ideal

Value for money

Ideal have really been working on gaining market share recently, and they’re offering some incredible deals! With some Ideal models, you get slightly more output for your money compared to the Worcester Bosch equivalent. Typically, you can save around £200 – £300 on the boiler alone when going with Ideal.

And, in the Logic’s case, you don’t even have to fit extra controls!

The winner: Ideal

Customer service

Finally, I’ve had a lot of dealings with Worcester Bosch’s customer service, and their standards are very high. This is merely speaking from an installer’s point of view. As for Ideal, I haven’t used their customer service as much, that they’re also good and efficient. They don’t have priority for installers, however, whereas Worcester Bosch has its own dedicated team.

The winner: Worcester Bosch

Advice from an experienced heating engineer

In my opinion, if I was fitting a boiler in a large house, with a large output requirement, I’d go for Worcester Bosch. Mainly for two reasons:

1. Worcester Bosch is tried and tested, a brand leader. If I’m going to be spending more on a higher output, I know it’s an investment worth making.
2. The higher flow rate. None of Ideal’s offerings can beat the Worcester Bosch Greenstar Highflow.

However, if you’re looking to fit a combi boiler in an average-sized 3-bedroom house, or a small flat or apartment, I’d probably choose to save an extra £200 – £300 and get an Ideal with a 10-year guarantee.

Conclusion

I hope this blog has been helpful to you. Both of these brands are reliable, well-established manufacturers, so your choice really boils down to which factors are most important for you. For instance, if you need a high flow rate, Worcester Bosch may be your best bet. However, if value for money is important, you may choose to opt for Ideal!

Got a question about either of these two brands? Just pop it in the comments’ section. I’m here to help!