The best woodburners - how you can help,

Wood burners are known to lower blood pressure and help relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles they release into the air?

New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. This means you can enjoy a warm and cozy home, and not break your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't skimp on performance. It's a great option for people who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it a good choice for larger rooms and the huge fire glass offers a beautiful view of the flames.

It features a contemporary wood burning stoves steel frame that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove is highly efficient, meaning that it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced to your home instead of being emitted up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was shown that they could contribute to the creation of tiny sooty air particles called PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung problems. Modern models that are compliant with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution produced from burning fossil fuels, like gas and coal.

It is important to choose the right wood for the stove in order to get the best efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is quick-burning, but also offers a lot heat, is a good choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is also a great choice, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to cope with the upcoming changes to regulations that have been put in place, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means you can use it with approved fuels, provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a powerful sturdy burner with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing guidelines that govern the use of these stoves. In fact, some groups are calling for stricter restrictions, and even a ban on log burners, which is why it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you buy an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

One company that is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves, who have recently launched a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that offers a great flame picture. It also has an airwash system that prevents soot build-up.

With a heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove to heat all rooms. It's very easy to maintain and use. The curvaceous lines and classic style makes it a great choice for modern or traditional design. The flat back design means it can be fitted into shallower recesses. It's also very simple to install a direct-air system to boost the efficiency further.

Another great feature of this stove is the built-in ash dump, which makes it very easy to remove and clean out ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the chance of odours and dust getting into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you are using, and it's equipped with the option of a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they create lovely ambience in our homes. It's important to consider the health consequences of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. If you're installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when not interacting with the fire. It is also recommended to regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help to reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause harm due to the production of tiny particles of soot that end up in your breathing system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log stoves meet higher standards. This will reduce smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to comply with a brand new standard and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out, this multi-fuel stove does not just meet but also exceeds the new standards. It features a large-screen glass view window that provides a great flame view, and is kept clean with the power of an air wash system. The stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning that it can be used in areas that are smoke-free. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions on wood bruner burning stove emissions which will take force in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with a free air venting kit, making it easier than ever to install. It's a durable stove made of high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated in an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove indicates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves we've reviewed that has the full five star clearSkies rating, which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has a maverick style that shouldn't be overlooked. They specialize in small, do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements, stove tops with hotplates, integrated ovens and a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a great example of their focus on brand and shows that they can provide a top-quality product at an affordable price that isn't too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five credentials. It is a great option for those who aren't sure which direction the directive is headed and want to be confident that their stove remains exempt from smoke control regulations.