Cheap Gas and Electricity UK

    How to find the cheapest gas and electricity in the UK right now — without the marketing fluff. Live tariff comparison, our 6-month forecast, and a free 30-second bill check.

    CD

    PowerGuardian Consumer Desk

    Switching, savings & household guidance

    Based on UK household dataKept currentIndependent rankingsEstimates are indicativeMethodology

    Key insights

    • Most households save £200–£500/year by leaving the cap
    • Dual-fuel deals usually beat separate gas + electric
    • Watch for high standing charges — they hit low users hardest
    • Exit fees over £75 per fuel can wipe out the saving

    Cheapest UK energy tariffs right now

    #1

    Octopus Energy

    Variable · Rolling

    £1,460

    per year

    #2

    Utility Warehouse

    Fixed · 12 months

    £1,497

    per year

    #3

    EDF Energy

    Fixed · 12 months

    £1,528

    per year

    #4

    OVO Energy

    Fixed · 12 months

    £1,552

    per year

    #5

    E.ON Next

    Variable · Rolling

    £1,568

    per year

    How to find the cheapest deal

    Cheap electricity

    Look at unit rate (p/kWh) AND standing charge. Time-of-use tariffs (e.g. Economy 7, EV tariffs) can be cheaper if you can shift usage to off-peak.

    Cheap gas

    Compare on annual cost, not headline rate. A low unit rate with high standing charges can cost more if you use little gas in summer.

    Actionable advice

    • Always compare on annual cost, not unit rate alone.
    • Factor in exit fees if you'd switch again within 12 months.
    • Avoid prepayment meters where possible — they cost more on average.
    • Check renewable / green tariffs — many now match standard prices.
    • Re-check every 6 months — the cheapest deal moves often.

    Check your energy costs now

    We compare what you're paying against the cheapest UK deals — in 30 seconds, no signup.

    Check My Bill

    Sources

    Figures are checked against primary sources before publication. See our methodology for details.

    Supplier tariff figures are checked monthly, and the date each was last verified is shown with the comparison. Always confirm pricing with the supplier before switching. Not financial advice. See our methodology.

    Explore this topic

    Switching and supplier performance

    This page sits inside our guide to comparing UK energy suppliers, which brings together supplier performance scores, tariff types and the switching process.

    Related guides

    PowerGuardian research

    Continue Saving Money

    Free calculators picked for this topic.

    Energy Bill Calculator

    Enter your kWh usage, unit rate and standing charge for daily, monthly and annual totals.

    Open Calculator

    Should I Switch Energy Supplier?

    Is switching worth it right now? A decision framework using the current cap and fixed-deal evidence.

    Open Calculator

    Standing Charge Calculator

    What the daily standing charge costs you over a month and a year, gas and electricity.

    Open Calculator

    Compare Energy Suppliers

    Independent PowerGuardian scores out of 100 for relevant suppliers, as at 14 September 2026.

    Octopus Energy

    92/100

    Octopus continues to lead the UK market on customer service and complaint handling, backed by genuinely competitive smart tariffs and strong financial backing. The clear front-runner on our intelligence dashboard.

    Compare Supplier

    EDF Energy

    73/100

    EDF is a steady, financially robust supplier with mid-table service and fair fixed-tariff renewals. Few surprises in either direction.

    Compare Supplier

    British Gas

    55/100

    The UK's largest supplier remains financially rock-solid but service and complaint metrics continue to lag the market, with smart-meter billing delays a recurring theme.

    Compare Supplier

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.

    Free PowerGuardian Report

    UK Energy Market Report 2026

    Our flagship annual analysis of where UK energy prices, suppliers and policy are heading through 2026.

    Save This Advice

    Create your free personalised dashboard to keep track of useful guides, calculators and savings opportunities.

    Create My PowerGuardian