Best and worst energy companies in the UK named – is it time to switch?

The UK’s best and worst energy companies in 2026 have been named as part of a Which? report. The consumer group looked at factors including:

• customer satisfaction
• complaints performance
• ease of contacting your supplier
• supporting customers who need help
• switching options

Which? surveyed existing customers as part of gathering the data, giving them a score out of 100%. This was comprised of a customer score as well as Which’s own assessment score.

What are the UK’s lowest-scoring energy companies in 2026?

According to Which, the lowest-scoring energy companies in 2026 are:

• British Gas – with a total score of 59%
• EDF energy – with a total score of 58%
• Scottish Power – with a total score of 56%

The bottom three energy companies did not perform as well as their competitors in categories including customer service, clarity of statements, and value for money.

What are the UK’s best energy companies in 2026?

The report also revealed the UK’s best energy companies according to Which. The top five UK energy suppliers in 2026 are:

• E (Gas & Electricity) - with a total score of 79%
• Octopus Energy – with a total score of 74%
• 100Green – with a total score of 72%
• Co-op Energy – with a total score of 71%
• Sainsbury’s Energy – with a total score of 71%

The total score is worked out by looking at the customer score and Which’s own assessment score.

Should you switch energy suppliers?

Deciding to switch energy suppliers is very individual. If you’re happy with your supplier and your tariff, switching might be pointless. The best performers and poorest performers alike will have happy customers and dissatisfied customers, so Which’s survey results alone should not be the driving factor behind your decision.

That said, there are currently deals out that work out cheaper than the January energy price cap (currently set at £1,758 or around £147 per month for the typical household).

These are usually fixed-price deals meaning you could be locked into a contract for a set period of time. If the energy cap falls below your existing deal in the future, you might be stuck paying more.

However, if you’re struggling with your energy bills and you’re on a variable tariff anyway, now might be the time to see what else is out there.

Can you switch to a different energy supplier if you’re on a fixed tariff?

If you’re unhappy with your energy supplier for whatever reason, switching can be a little tricky if you’re on a fixed tariff. These usually lock you in for the duration of the contract.

If you decide to switch mid-contract, you might need to pay an exit fee which can sometimes wipe out any savings you’d get from switching. This might not be an issue if you’re switching for a different reason, such as because you’re unsatisfied with the level of customer service and you’re happy to pay if it means leaving early.

It’s always worth ringing your energy supplier before deciding. They’ll be able to tell you how much you’d have to pay if you decided to leave and when you’ll be able to switch without having to pay an exit fee. You shouldn’t need to pay an exit fee if you have less than 50 days left on your contract.