Best free electricity weekend tariffs UK (January 2026)
Compare whole-of-market weekend electricity deals and see if “free weekends” could cut your bills in January 2026 — especially if you can shift EV charging, laundry and dishwashing to Saturday/Sunday.
- Whole-of-market comparison for home energy (not business)
- Check eligibility by postcode in under 2 minutes
- See estimated savings vs standard variable tariffs
- Understand the fine print: peak rates, caps and fair-use rules
Estimates only. Availability, rates and terms vary by supplier, meter type and region. We’ll show options based on your postcode and household details.
Compare free weekend electricity tariffs for your home
“Free electricity weekends” can be great value — but only if the weekday unit rate, standing charge and any time-of-use peak periods still stack up for your usage. EnergyPlus helps you compare whole-of-market options for January 2026 and highlights the details that matter most.
What you’ll get from this check
- Whether any weekend-free/timed-free tariffs are available for your postcode
- Estimated annual cost vs common alternatives (e.g. standard variable, fixed, EV tariffs)
- Clear notes on restrictions (e.g. free hours, caps, fair-use, smart meter needs)
If you have an EV charger at home, weekends can be the easiest time to shift big loads — but it’s still worth comparing against dedicated EV night tariffs. Jump to how it works or what to check.
Get my weekend tariff options
Fill in your details to see available tariffs and estimated costs for January 2026.
Who free electricity weekend tariffs suit best
A weekend-free deal isn’t automatically cheaper — it rewards households that can move a meaningful share of electricity use into the free window without increasing weekday consumption.
EV drivers charging at home
If you can charge mainly on Saturdays/Sundays, you may offset a higher weekday unit rate. Compare versus EV night tariffs if you also do weekday overnight charging.
Families at home on weekends
Dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer and cooking can add up. The more you can schedule to the free window, the more compelling it can be.
Smart-home schedulers
If you’re comfortable setting timers (or using EV / appliance scheduling), you can capture the benefit without constantly thinking about it.
High electricity usage households
Larger homes or electric-heavy lifestyles see bigger absolute savings when shifting kWh into cheaper periods — but check standing charges carefully.
Heat pump / immersion users
Only suitable if your system can safely pre-heat or run more at weekends. Always prioritise comfort and manufacturer guidance.
Not sure?
We’ll estimate costs using your inputs and show when a weekend-free tariff is likely worse than a fixed or time-of-use alternative.
How “free electricity weekends” tariffs work (UK)
In the UK, “free weekends” typically means your electricity unit rate is reduced to £0.00 per kWh for a defined period on Saturday and Sunday, while weekday unit rates and the standing charge still apply. Some tariffs offer “free hours” rather than the full weekend, and some may apply fair-use rules or usage caps.
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Supplier sets a free window
Examples: “all weekend”, “Saturday & Sunday 9am–5pm”, or “free Sunday afternoons”. The exact window varies by supplier and product. -
Outside the window, rates can be higher
Many weekend-free tariffs recover costs via a higher weekday unit rate and/or standing charge. -
Smart meter is often required
Time-based pricing usually needs half-hourly or time-of-use capable metering to allocate usage correctly. -
Your savings depend on shifting kWh
You’ll get the most value if you move energy-heavy tasks into the free period (EV charging, laundry, batch cooking, hot water).
Important for January 2026 comparisons
Tariffs change frequently. For the most accurate January 2026 view, compare by postcode and your meter details. We’ll show what’s available at the time you check and flag key terms that could impact real-world savings.
What to check before choosing a free weekend tariff
Use this checklist to avoid deals that look good on paper but cost more overall. If you’re unsure, submit the form above and we’ll compare options side-by-side for your household.
| Check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Free window definition | “Weekend” can mean full days or limited hours. | Exact times, local time changes, and whether bank holidays count. |
| Weekday unit rate | Often higher to offset free usage. | Compare p/kWh against fixed and standard variable alternatives. |
| Standing charge | A higher daily charge can wipe out savings for low users. | Daily p/day by region; check electricity-only vs dual fuel. |
| Fair-use / caps | Some deals limit how much can be “free”. | Any kWh cap, maximum hours, or policy wording on abnormal consumption. |
| Smart meter requirement | Needed for time-of-use allocation. | Whether SMETS2 is required and if half-hourly reads are mandatory. |
| Exit fees & contract length | Flexibility matters if better deals appear. | Early exit fees, fixed term length, and what happens at renewal. |
Quick rule of thumb
If you can’t shift at least a meaningful chunk of your weekly electricity into the free window (often 20–35%+ depending on rates), a weekend-free tariff may not beat a competitive fixed deal.
EV households
If most charging happens on weekdays, compare with EV overnight tariffs. If you mainly charge at weekends, a free-weekend product could be strong — but only if weekday rates aren’t punitive.
Eligibility, meters and regional availability
Weekend-free electricity tariffs are not available everywhere and may depend on your meter and how suppliers price electricity in your region.
Smart meter
Many time-of-use deals require a smart meter (often SMETS2). If you don’t have one, you may still be able to join if you agree to a smart meter installation.
Payment method
Some tariffs are direct debit only. Prepayment options can be more limited, but availability varies — we’ll show what’s possible for your postcode.
Region & network
Standing charges and unit rates vary across Great Britain by distribution region. Postcode checking matters, especially when savings margins are tight.
Northern Ireland
Energy markets and tariff availability differ in Northern Ireland. If you’re in NI, submit your postcode and we’ll indicate what comparison options are available for your area.
Common mistakes with weekend-free electricity deals
Focusing only on “£0 weekends”
The weekday unit rate and standing charge can make the overall annual cost higher. Always compare the full estimate for your usage pattern.
Not shifting enough usage
If your weekends are already low usage (or you’re out), you may not benefit. The tariff works best when you can actively move demand.
Assuming any EV tariff is better
Some EV or time-of-use deals have very cheap off-peak but expensive peak periods. Your cooking/heating pattern matters as much as charging.
Ignoring contract terms
Check exit fees, end dates and what happens after the fixed period. If you plan to switch again, flexibility can be worth more than a headline perk.
FAQs: free electricity weekend tariffs (UK)
Are free weekend electricity tariffs really free?
The electricity unit rate in the defined weekend window may be £0.00 per kWh, but you’ll still pay the standing charge and any usage outside the free window at the tariff’s normal rates. The best measure is the estimated annual cost based on your actual pattern.
Do I need a smart meter?
Often, yes. Time-of-use pricing usually needs a smart meter so your supplier can attribute usage to the correct time window. If you don’t have one, some suppliers may offer installation as part of switching.
Will it work with an EV charger?
It can. If you can schedule most charging into the free period, weekend-free can be attractive. If you need weekday overnight charging too, compare against EV-focused tariffs with cheap night rates.
Can weekend-free tariffs increase my bill?
Yes. If the weekday unit rate and standing charge are higher and you don’t shift enough usage to the free window, the annual total can be more expensive than a good fixed tariff or a standard variable tariff.
How do I know what’s best in January 2026?
The “best” tariff depends on your postcode, meter type and consumption pattern, and tariffs can change. Use the comparison form to see currently available options and estimated costs.
Why households use EnergyPlus
We focus on clarity, whole-of-market comparisons and helping you pick a tariff that matches how you actually use electricity — not just what looks good in a headline.
“The comparison made it obvious that the ‘free weekends’ deal wasn’t best for us because weekdays were higher. We switched to a better fixed rate.”
Homeowner, Manchester
“We charge our EV mostly at weekends. The guidance on smart meter requirements and the tariff window saved us loads of hassle.”
EV driver, Bristol
“Clear breakdown of standing charges and weekday rates. No hard sell — just the numbers and the options.”
Tenant, Glasgow
Trust & transparency
- Whole-of-market approach (availability varies by postcode, meter type and supplier participation)
- We focus on estimated annual cost, not just promotional features
- Clear notes on smart meter requirements and tariff restrictions
Ready to find the best weekend-free tariff for your postcode?
Submit your details and we’ll show whole-of-market options, highlight any “free weekend” windows, and compare likely annual costs for January 2026.
- Home energy comparison (UK)
- Estimated costs based on your inputs
- Clear notes on rates, standing charge and restrictions
Takes ~2 minutes. No scripts. No obligation.
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