Off gas, replacing a cylinder
A flat or bungalow with no gas, where basins and maybe one shower replace an immersion cylinder. The DCE-X 10/12 Premium fits only if an electrician accepts a 10/12 circuit. Reviews still disagree on shower flow.
Stiebel Eltron water heater comparison 2026
The best Stiebel Eltron water heaters, compared.
Top pick: Stiebel Eltron SNU 10 Plus (GB) Best value: Stiebel Eltron DCE-S 10/12 Plus – Lowest product price among the 10/12-class listings, about £327.61 against about £412.86, with rotary 3i control rather than the Premium display. Updated 17.10.2026.
A Stiebel Eltron water heater in this UK set is either a compact instantaneous or a 10 litre open-vented store. You are usually off gas, taking out a cylinder, or adding one basin or one shower. An honest kilowatt rating and the right tap matter more than the star line. None of the models belongs on a BS 1363 socket. The 10/12 models need a dedicated high-current circuit, the 6/8 is a step down, and the 10 (GB) is about 2 kW on a non-pressurised tap. How to order those checks is in the [Stiebel Eltron water heater buying guide](/hub/hot-water/stiebel-eltron-water-heater/sub/stiebel-eltron-water-heater-buying-guide). The instantaneous models heat water as it passes. They are about 217 mm wide, 372 mm high, 109 mm deep and 2.5 kg. Stiebel’s table, at 230 V, rates the 10/12 at 11.0/13.1 kW, up to 12.0/14.3 kW at 240 V, and the 6/8 at 6.6/8.7 kW, up to 7.2/9.6 kW at 240 V.
A Stiebel Eltron water heater in this UK set is either a compact instantaneous or a 10 litre open-vented store. You are usually off gas, taking out a cylinder, or adding one basin or one shower.
14 products checked · 56 hrs invested · +16,400 readers
4 of 4: Best Stiebel Eltron water heaters compared
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1-2 of 4Best overall
Best value
8.7/10
8.8/10
8.4/10
7.6/10
∼ £161
∼ £413
∼ £345
∼ £328
5.0(1)
4.4(116)
4.2(25)
3.8(11)
Personal buying guide
Which Stiebel Eltron water heater fits?
Question 1 of 2
What must this heater serve?
The best Stiebel Eltron water heaters in detail
Our view
The SNU 10 Plus (GB) stores 10 litres beneath one basin or kitchen sink instead of heating continuously as water passes through. Its 2 kW, 230 V specification is far less demanding electrically than the DCE models, but the plumbing is more restrictive: it is an open-vented appliance that needs a matching non-pressurised tap. The listing names anti-drip and thermostop functions, and the 35–85 °C control range gives you flexibility over stored-water temperature. The store can deliver a useful short draw, then needs time to reheat once its hot water has been used. Its 5.0-star line is based on a single rating with no written review, so it says almost nothing about long-term performance. This is the sensible family for one compatible undersink outlet, not a budget substitute for a mains-pressure instantaneous heater or a shower.
Pros
- Modest 2 kW electrical load
- 10-litre store for a single basin or kitchen sink
- Wide listed temperature range of 35–85 °C
- Anti-drip and thermostop functions named by the listing
Cons
- Requires a compatible open-vented, non-pressurised tap
- Hot-water supply is finite and must reheat
- Single rating with no written customer review
Best for: One vertical undersink installation using the correct open tap, where a modest electrical load matters more than continuous hot water.
Less suitable: A normal mains-pressure mixer, more than one outlet, a shower, or anyone who needs continuous heated flow.
Specifications
- Model
- Stiebel Eltron SNU 10 Plus (GB)
- Brand
- Stiebel Eltron
- Price
- ∼£161
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(1)
- Heater type
- Vented storage
- Listed output
- 2 kW
- Installation
- Undersink, vented
- Control
- Rotary selector
- Temperature
- 35–85 °C
- Listed use
- One basin or sink
- Capacity
- 10 litres
- Listed flow
- 10 l/min
- Weight
- 4.2 kg
- Voltage
- 230 V
Common questions
Can it use a normal mixer tap?
The listing says vented, non-pressurised installation only, and vertical undersink only, for a bathroom washbasin or a kitchen sink. It does not describe a mains-pressure mixer.
What output and size are listed?
2 kW at 230 V, 10 litres, maximum temperature 85 °C, efficiency A. The case is listed as 28.2 cm wide, 50.6 cm high, and 282 mm deep, at 4.2 kg.
Is there a warranty, and are there reviews?
No warranty sentence is on the listing. A separate line says EU spare-part availability of 10 years. The star line is 5.0 from 1 rating, with no written review.
Our view
The DCE-X 10/12 Premium delivers hot water on demand for a sink or a carefully specified single shower, with the UK listing giving a 12 kW output and 5 litres per minute. Its 4i controls are the easiest in this group to live with: the illuminated display, two memory keys and ECO settings make repeat temperatures simpler than on the rotary DCE-S. The 4.4-star average from 116 amazon.co.uk reviews is also the broadest body of customer feedback among these four heaters. That feedback is not unanimous, however, as some buyers consider the shower flow sufficient while others find it disappointing. Installation is a serious part of the purchase because this is a permanently connected high-current appliance, not something you can plug into a normal socket. It is our top pick when an electrician has confirmed the circuit and the expected flow suits your outlet, but it is excessive for a straightforward single basin.
Pros
- Illuminated 4i controls with two temperature memories
- ECO flow settings for more controlled everyday use
- Broadest amazon.co.uk review base in this comparison
- Compact 10/12-class heater for sinks or a specified single shower
Cons
- Requires a dedicated high-current electrical circuit
- Customer reviews disagree about shower performance
- Highest listed price of the four models
Best for: A kitchen sink or single shower where a qualified installer has confirmed the 10/12-class supply and the expected flow.
Less suitable: A bath, an ordinary 13 A socket, or a single hand basin that does not need this output and control level.
Specifications
- Model
- Stiebel Eltron DCE-X 10/12 Premium
- Brand
- Stiebel Eltron
- Price
- ∼£413
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(116)
- Heater type
- Instantaneous
- Listed output
- 12 kW (10/12)
- Installation
- Wall, oversink
- Control
- 4i, display, memory
- Temperature
- 55 °C max
- Listed use
- Sinks or shower
- Listed flow
- 5 l/min
- Weight
- 2.5 kg
- Voltage
- 220–240 V
- Warranty
- 2 years
Common questions
Can this heater plug into a normal socket?
Reviews on this listing say no. They describe a dedicated cable, with 10 mm² or 16 mm² and a high-rated breaker mentioned, depending on the kilowatt step. The listing does not print a fuse size.
Does the listing say it suits a shower?
The title and the application bullet say showers, kitchens, and utility sinks, installed oversink. Reviews on the same listing disagree about whether the shower flow is enough.
What power does the listing state?
The wattage and heat-output lines say 12 kW. The title says DCE-X 10/12. Reviewers mention an internal step of 10, 11, or 12 kW.
Our view
The DCE-X 6/8 Premium brings the display, memory keys and 4i control of the larger Premium model to a lower electrical load. That makes it a more proportionate option for a hand basin or kitchen sink, provided an electrician can still install the required dedicated circuit. Its listing is inconsistent, showing 6 in the wattage field, 8 kW for heat output and 6/8 in the title, so you should order by the exact model number and confirmed connected load. The 4.2-star average comes from 25 amazon.co.uk reviews, which is useful but much thinner than the evidence for the 10/12 Premium. One reviewer reports satisfactory kitchen-sink use, while a bath buyer describes the flow dropping to a trickle after a few seconds. Treat the listing's shower wording cautiously: the lower output is the limiting factor, and the sophisticated controls cannot create more heated flow.
Pros
- 4i display and two memory settings
- Lower connected-load band than the 10/12 models
- Well matched to a single basin or kitchen sink
- Two-year warranty stated on the listing
Cons
- Still needs dedicated wiring rather than a normal socket
- Conflicting power and capacity fields on the listing
- Too little flow for a bath and potentially weak for a shower
Best for: A single hand basin or kitchen sink where you want Premium controls and a contractor has approved the 6/8-class circuit.
Less suitable: Bath filling, an assured high-flow shower, or any installation based only on the listing's inconsistent specification fields.
Specifications
- Model
- Stiebel Eltron DCE-X 6/8 Premium
- Brand
- Stiebel Eltron
- Price
- ∼£345
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(25)
- Heater type
- Instantaneous
- Listed output
- 8 kW (6/8)
- Installation
- Wall, oversink
- Control
- 4i, display, memory
- Listed use
- Sinks or shower
- Capacity
- 5 litres listed
- Weight
- 2.5 kg
- Voltage
- 220–240 V
- Warranty
- 2 years
Common questions
Which power figure is on the listing?
The title says 6/8. The wattage line says 6 and gives no unit. The heat-output line says 8 kW. A capacity line also says 5 litres.
Do the reviews support using it for a bath?
One reviewer bought it for a bath because the listing says suitable for showers, then reported a trickle after about five seconds. Another uses it for a kitchen sink and likes the set temperature.
Does it plug into a wall socket?
One review says a 6/8 kW unit needs about 6 to 10 mm² cable back to the consumer unit, in the same way as a shower unit, and is not an ordinary socket appliance.
Our view
The DCE-S 10/12 Plus provides the 10/12-class instantaneous-heater format with a straightforward rotary temperature selector rather than the Premium model's display and memories. Its listed 20–60 °C range and 43, 50 or 55 °C limit settings cover practical sink and shower setpoints, while the lower £327.61 product price makes it our best-value choice in this output class. You are not getting a cheaper electrical installation, because the same high-current circuit question still has to be resolved by a qualified installer. The amazon.co.uk evidence is comparatively weak: the 3.8-star average has only 11 ratings, and one of the three available review texts concerns a doorbell rather than this heater. Another reviewer says the water reached only a warm temperature at maximum and returned the unit, so the limited feedback is not uniformly positive. Choose it for simpler controls and a lower purchase price, not because the thin rating set proves consistent shower performance.
Pros
- Lower product price than the DCE-X 10/12 Premium
- Clear rotary control across a listed 20–60 °C range
- 10/12-class format for a suitable sink or single shower
- Two-year warranty stated on the listing
Cons
- No display, memory keys or ECO settings
- Only 11 ratings and one irrelevant written review
- Requires the same kind of dedicated high-current supply as the Premium 10/12
Best for: A buyer who wants 10/12-class output at a lower product price and is content with a rotary selector.
Less suitable: Anyone wanting Premium control features, relying on a standard socket, or expecting the limited reviews to guarantee shower flow.
Specifications
- Model
- Stiebel Eltron DCE-S 10/12 Plus
- Brand
- Stiebel Eltron
- Price
- ∼£328
- Customer rating
- 3.8/5(11)
- Heater type
- Instantaneous
- Listed output
- 10 kW (10/12)
- Installation
- Wall
- Control
- 3i, rotary selector
- Temperature
- 20–60 °C
- Listed use
- Showers (listing)
- Weight
- 2.5 kg
- Voltage
- 220–240 V
- Warranty
- 2 years
Common questions
What temperature range does the listing give?
The title and bullets say 20 °C to 60 °C. A limit can be set to 43 °C, 50 °C, or 55 °C. The maximum-temperature line says 60 °C.
What power figure should you use from this listing?
The heat-output line says 10000 W. The wattage line says 21 and is not a power you can compare. The title says DCE-S 10/12.
What do the written reviews say?
One review says the water only got warm on maximum and the heater was returned. Another of the three texts describes a doorbell, not this heater. The star line is 3.8 from 11 ratings.
How we compared
For this comparison we read the four Stiebel Eltron listings on amazon.co.uk in this set, plus the manufacturer pages and UK public sources named below. The number on each row is that listing’s star line times 20, shown here on a ten-point scale. It is not a lab mark and not a bill-saving test. A single 5.0 does not outrank a thick review set, and price is not inside the score. Price is used only to name the best-value row inside the 10/12 class. The SNU is cheaper because it is a 10 litre vented store, not because it wins that class. Listing conflicts, a doorbell review, and a one-rating star line stay in the written assessment.
1
Outlet and job
30%Which outlets must run, and whether one is a shower or a bath. A 6/8 is a basin heater. A shower bullet on that listing is not a bath filler.
2
Electrical supply
25%None of the DCE models belongs on a 13 A plug. A 10/12 needs a dedicated high-current circuit confirmed before you order. The SNU is about 2 kW.
3
Vented or instantaneous
20%The SNU 10 Plus (GB) is open vented, undersink, one draw-off, and it must use a non-pressurised tap. The DCE models heat water as it passes.
4
Control
15%DCE-X Premium adds 4i control, a lit display, two memory keys and an ECO option. DCE-S Plus is 3i with a rotary selector. Limits are heater settings, not a bath mixing valve.
5
Review depth
10%Only the 10/12 Premium has a thick UK review set, and that set disagrees on showers. A one-rating 5.0 and a mis-filed doorbell review are not performance evidence.
Independent review
Last updated: 17.10.2026
8 sources checked
Stiebel Eltron water heater buying guide
Start with the outlet, then the supply, then whether you need a vented store or an instantaneous heater. Control and the star line come after those three. A 10/12 on the wrong circuit, or an SNU on a mains mixer, fails before any review score matters. Prices below are the amazon.co.uk shelf figures in this set. Installation is extra.
What is a Stiebel Eltron water heater?
A Stiebel Eltron water heater in this comparison is one of two families. The instantaneous DCE models heat water as it passes. They are about 217 mm wide, 372 mm high, 109 mm deep and 2.5 kg. The names 10/12 and 6/8 are switchable loads. Stiebel’s DCE-X table, at 230 V, rates the 10/12 at 11.0/13.1 kW, up to 12.0/14.3 kW at 240 V, and the 6/8 at 6.6/8.7 kW, up to 7.2/9.6 kW at 240 V.
Best for
- A flat or bungalow with no gas, if an electrician accepts a 10/12 circuit for basins and maybe one shower
- One kitchen or cloakroom sink on the matching open, non-pressurised tap
Not ideal for
- A bath, or a 6/8 treated as a bath filler because the listing mentions showers
- A DCE on a 13 A socket, or an SNU fitted to a mains-pressure mixer
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Putting any DCE on a socket
None of the DCE models belongs on a BS 1363 plug. The 10/12 needs a dedicated high-current circuit. The 6/8 is a step down and is still described in reviews as a cabled unit, not a plug-in appliance.
- 2
Fitting the SNU to a mains mixer
The SNU 10 Plus (GB) is open vented, undersink, and one draw-off. It must use a non-pressurised tap. A standard mixer closes its only vent.
- 3
Reading a 6/8 as a bath filler
Some listings call the 6/8 suitable for showers. A bath buyer on that model reported a trickle after a few seconds. Do not judge a 10/12 shower while it is still on the lower kilowatt step.
What to weigh up
Outlet, shower and the tap
HighThe first decision is which outlets must run, and whether one of them is a shower or a bath. A 6/8 kW unit is a basin heater. Some listings also call it suitable for showers. UK reviews of the 6/8 include a bath buyer who got a trickle after a few seconds. Keep a mains-pressure shower separate from one undersink outlet on an open tap. The SNU 10 Plus (GB) is non-pressurised, undersink, and one draw-off. It must use a non-pressurised tap. A standard mixer closes its only vent.
Supply, then control
HighElectrical supply comes before price. None of the DCE models belongs on a 13 A plug. UK mains are 230 V. The 10/12 models need a dedicated high-current circuit. Confirm the consumer unit with an electrician before you order. In England and Wales that new circuit is notifiable under Part P. Part P schemes do not apply in Scotland, and Northern Ireland has its own Building Regulations. The 6/8 is a step down, and reviews still describe it as a cabled circuit, not a socket appliance.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
One sink on an open tap
A kitchen or cloakroom that needs one basin or sink. The SNU 10 Plus (GB) is the 10 litre open-vented store, about 2 kW, and it must use a matching non-pressurised tap.
One basin, lower load
You are replacing a failed cheap instant heater for a single basin, and nobody expects it to fill a bath. The DCE-X 6/8 Premium is the step down, still on a dedicated circuit, not a 13 A plug.
Common questions about Stiebel Eltron water heaters
Which Stiebel Eltron water heater is the top pick in 2026?
The DCE-X 10/12 Premium is the top pick when an electrician has confirmed a 10/12 circuit and the outlet is a sink or a carefully specified single shower. The listing states 12 kW and 4i controls, with 4.4 from 116 amazon.co.uk reviews. Those reviews do not agree on shower flow. It is too much heater for one hand basin, and it does not plug into a 13 A socket. The listing price here is about £412.86.
How much does a Stiebel Eltron water heater cost?
On the amazon.co.uk category scrape used here, the SNU 10 Plus (GB) is about £160.68, the DCE-S 10/12 Plus about £327.61, the DCE-X 6/8 Premium about £344.99, and the DCE-X 10/12 Premium about £412.86. Neighbours under about £100 or near £550 on the same shelf were other brands and are not in this comparison. Installation and any supply upgrade are extra and are not priced here.
Can a Stiebel Eltron DCE plug into a normal socket?
No. UK mains are 230 V and a normal plug is BS 1363. None of the DCE models belongs on a 13 A socket. Reviews of the 10/12 describe a dedicated cable, with 10 mm² or 16 mm² mentioned, depending on the kilowatt step. The listing does not print a fuse size. A 6/8 review describes cable back to the consumer unit. Confirm that supply before you order.
Will a Stiebel Eltron 10/12 run a shower?
The DCE-X title says showers, kitchens and utility sinks. Reviews on the 10/12 Premium split. Quoted flows at 220 V are about 5.1/6.2 litres a minute at a 28 K rise and 2.9/3.5 litres a minute at a 50 K rise. A 6/8 is not a bath filler. The Stiebel Eltron water heater for a shower page stays on that one outlet.
Can the SNU 10 Plus use a normal mixer tap?
No. The SNU 10 Plus (GB) is an open-vented, non-pressurised undersink store for one bathroom washbasin or one kitchen sink, mounted vertically. It must use a matching non-pressurised tap. A standard mixer closes its only vent. The listing names anti-drip and thermostop functions. It stores 10 litres and then needs time to reheat. It is not a mains-pressure instantaneous heater and it is not a shower.
What electrical rules apply to these heaters in the UK?
In England and Wales, Part P means a new circuit is notifiable under BS 7671. Part P schemes do not apply in Scotland, where standards 4.5 and 4.6 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 apply. Northern Ireland has its own Building Regulations. Stiebel requires a qualified contractor. Ask an electrician about the circuit and a plumber about the water connections.
What if you want a different brand of instantaneous heater?
These four rows are one brand. Three are instantaneous DCE heaters and one is a 10 litre vented store. If you are comparing other instantaneous models on amazon.co.uk, start with the tankless water heater comparison. A single undersink store is a different job from a whole-house cylinder. Stay on this page when the question is which Stiebel Eltron listing matches one outlet and the supply you can actually install.
When should you call a professional?
Before you order a 10/12, ask an electrician whether the consumer unit can take that circuit. A competent plumber should make the water connections. Notification is Part P in England and Wales, a warrant question in Scotland, and the local rules in Northern Ireland. Stop if the case distorts, the breaker trips, or an outlet was capped. A one-rating 5.0, or a doorbell review on the DCE-S, is not performance evidence.
Our verdict
The DCE-X 10/12 Premium is the top pick when an electrician has confirmed a 10/12 circuit and you want 4i controls for a sink or a carefully specified single shower. It is about £412.86, with 4.4 from 116 reviews that do not agree on shower flow. The DCE-S 10/12 Plus is the best value in that output class, about £327.61, with a rotary selector from 20–60 °C. The same high-current supply question remains, and the review set is thin. The SNU 10 Plus (GB), about £160.68, is the store for one open undersink tap, not a cheaper shower heater. The DCE-X 6/8 Premium suits one basin if nobody expects it to fill a bath. None of this is a lab test.
Best value
View offer
Stiebel Eltron DCE-S 10/12 Plus
Lowest product price among the 10/12-class listings, about £327.61 against about £412.86, with rotary 3i control rather than the Premium display.
Editorial
DIY & tools editor
DIY & toolsHot wateramazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: 17.10.2026
8 sources checked
Guides to Stiebel Eltron water heaters
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Stiebel Eltron water heater buying guideKilowatt band, vented or instant, and the supply, before the star line.Best Stiebel Eltron water heaterOne top pick and one best value, each with who should skip it.How to use a Stiebel Eltron water heaterControls, first use, and the point where a contractor takes over.Stiebel Eltron water heater for a showerWhether a shower is a fair job, using the split 10/12 reviews and the flow table.Stiebel Eltron instant vs storageDCE instantaneous heaters against the SNU 10 Plus store.
Related comparisons
Sources
Manufacturer pages, UK public sources and the amazon.co.uk listings in this comparison, retrieved on 17 October 2026.
- Stiebel Eltron DCE-X 10/12 Premium (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Stiebel Eltron DCE-X instruction and installation manual (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Stiebel Eltron DCE-S 10/12 Plus (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Stiebel Eltron SNU 10 Plus (GB) technical data (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, Schedule 2 (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Approved Document G (England) (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- HSE: hot and cold water systems (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- IET: Part P in England and Wales (retrieved 17 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing figures in this comparison. We did not lab-test these heaters.