The Best Hot Water Heaters
Every household uses hot water for numerous reasons.
We need it for showering, cooking, coffee making, cleaning, etc.
Alongside large whole-house water heater, there are also smaller units suitable for kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Witing for water to boil can be boring, so many people turn to the water heaters.
Once installed, hot water heaters are very practical household items.
Here is the list of the top ten hot water heaters for your house.
Highest Rated Hot Water Heaters (by Customer Reviews)
- 1Takagi T-KJr-IN-LP Indoor Tankless Water Heater
- 2Reliance Control Corporation, Reliance 6 6 SOMS k 6 Gallon Compact Electric Water Heater
- 3Bosch thermotechnology, Bosch Tronic 3000 T 2.5-Gallon Electric Mini-Tank water heater
- 4Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater
- 5EcoSmart ECO 27 Electric Tankless Water Heater
- 6Bosch Thermotechnology, Bosch Tronic 3000 T-7-Gallon Electric Mini-tank water heater
- 7Takagi T-Kjr-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater, natural gas
- 8Eccotemp Systems. Eccotemp L10 Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
- 9Bosch Tronic 3000 T 4-Gallon Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
- 10EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater
1
Takagi T-KJr-IN-LP Indoor Tankless Water Heater
This Takagi unit is the smallest in the Takagi offer, so it is suitable for smaller apartments and homes.
The maximum flow rate is 6.6 GPM and the maximum BTUs are 140,000.
The product has numerous safety features such as freeze, overheat, surge protection, and troubleshooting diagnostic codes.
You will need 4-Inch category III stainless steel venting for proper installation.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Energy-star certified
- 10-year exchange warranty
- Tankless
Cons
- Not suitable for larger houses
Jake's TakeThis Takagi unit is an excellent option for everyone with limited space.
The tankless design saves space and Energy-star certification ensures the low costs.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
2
Reliance Control Corporation, Reliance 6 6 SOMS k 6 Gallon Compact Electric Water Heater
The Reliance water heater is suitable for crawl space installation or inside the counter.
It makes it a perfect choice for people who have limited height storage.
The product uses a single 120 volts and 1650 watt copper heating element.
The installation is easy due to side-mounted cold water inlet and hot water outlet.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Easy installation
- 6-gallon capacity
- Space-saving option
Cons
- Not suitable to use with the water softener
Jake's TakeIf you want to use this product with the water softener, just replace the magnesium zinc anode with the aluminum-zinc anode.
That can prevent unpleasant water smell.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
3
Bosch thermotechnology, Bosch Tronic 3000 T 2.5-Gallon Electric Mini-Tank water heater
This mini water heater from Bosch Thermotechnology fits easily under the sink, or you can put it on the shelf.
The thermal efficiency of the product is very high, around 98%.
The product features a fast recovery rate, so it will heat the water very quickly, whenever you need to.
You can install it in the line with the water source, or mounted it on the wall using brackets.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Mounting brackets included
- Fast recovery rate
- Easy to install
Cons
- Small tank
Jake's TakeThis unit is easy to use and convenient for every household.
It can heat the water very quickly and the maintenance is simple.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
4
Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater
This Camplux unit is suitable for outdoor use and is CSA approved tankless heater.
The product comes with the folding handle which makes it easy to move around when needed.
Safety features include flame failure device, anti-freezing protection, and oxygen depletion, safety shut-off protection.
The hot water output is 1.32 gallons per minute.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Portable device
- Low start-up pressure
- Comes in two colors – black and white
Cons
- Maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius
Jake's TakeIf your family goes camping, or you have animals that require bathing in the field, this product will work like a dream.
It is easy to use and it uses batteries, so you don’t have to worry about electrical outlets nearby.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
5
EcoSmart ECO 27 Electric Tankless Water Heater
This Ecosmart unit is designed to reduce 50% of water heating costs.
It features digital temperature control and is made of stainless steel and copper.
The product is durable and easy to use and install.
It has a compact design and doesn’t take a lot of space.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Reduce the costs
- Self-modulating technology
- Durable
Cons
- High price tag
Jake's TakeThis energy-saving unit is a suitable choice in the long run.
It will reduce your costs while providing you with instant hot water whenever you need it.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
6
Bosch Thermotechnology, Bosch Tronic 3000 T-7-Gallon Electric Mini-tank water heater
This Bosch unit has a 7-gallon tank capacity and can be placed under the sink easily.
The unit has a heating capacity of 1440 watts and a maximum temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
The installation is straightforward and takes a few minutes.
The product heats the water quickly as well.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Glass-lined durable tank
- Fast recovery rate
- Easy installation
Cons
- Not suitable for showers
Jake's TakeThe 7-gallon capacity works great for RVs, sinks, basements, pool houses, garages and kitchenettes, and patio.
The product has a convenient design and is easy to use.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
7
Takagi T-Kjr-IN-NG Indoor Tankless Water Heater, natural gas
With an Energy factor of 0.81-0.83, this Takagi unit has excellent reviews in terms of efficiency.
On top of everything, the product has Energy star certification.
It has a 6.6 GPM max flow rate and 140000 BTU.
The product is safe to use due to many safety features and outlet and inlet thermistors.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- 10-year heat exchanger warranty
- A flow rate of 6.6. GPM
- Energy star certification
Cons
- Complex installation
Jake's TakeHire a professional to have this heater installed accurately.
That way, you will ensure maximum performance.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
8
Eccotemp Systems. Eccotemp L10 Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
The Eccotemp heater is a common choice for outdoor use.
It comes with the 9’CSA approved gas regulator and hose for tank use.
The unit has 74.500 BTUs and useful safety options such as shut-off timer.
The gas type you should use is liquid propane.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Suitable for outdoor use
- Easy to use
- Manual water temperature controls
Cons
- Not suitable for low temperatures
Jake's TakeThis Eccotemp unit is easy to mount on the wall and use outdoors whenever you need hot water.
It is also compatible with all showers and shower hoses.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
9
Bosch Tronic 3000 T 4-Gallon Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
This Bosch unit is small and compact, but highly practical for the household.
You can use it in the kitchen, bathroom, garage or wherever you need hot water.
The unit is capable of instant water heating and provides seamless performance when mounted on the wall or placed on the shelf.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Easy to use
- Straightforward installation
- Multi-use household product
Cons
- Small capacity
Jake's TakeThe 4-gallon tank is suitable for kitchen and sink, but not for showers.
However, this product is convenient and takes just a few minutes for installation.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
10
EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater
With this EcoSmart unit, you get a lifetime warranty.
The electric tankless water heater saves up to 50% of your water heating costs.
The product has a high Uniform energy factor of 0.98.
It features self-modulating technology and digital temperature control.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Easy to use
- Reduces costs
- Compact design
Cons
- Pricier
Jake's TakeInvesting in a high-quality water heater is beneficial in the long run.
This EcoSmart unit will pay for itself after just a few months of use.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
Hot Water Heaters Buying Guide
Every household needs a water heater to function without issues.
However, if you don’t choose wisely, you may struggle to have hot water when you need and have high energy costs.
You can use water heaters indoors or outdoors, for your mountain cabin, or when you go camping.
Deciding on a water heater should involve the heater capacity and the type of fuel.
There are also some design variations, such as a tank heater and tankless water heater.
Your needs are also a determining factor.
You don’t want to buy a heater designed for outdoor use if you need it for the sink?
Therefore, our buying guide will explain some of the primary information and specification when it comes to the water heater.
After you comprehend it, you can choose your water heater confidently and according to your needs.
Water Heaters Type
Water Heaters differ in performance, features, fuel, and price.
To figure out which one is for you, you will first need to get to know each type.
Standard Tank Water Heaters
The storage tank heater is the most common choice in a large number of households.
The operation principle is simple.
The unit heats the water, store in in the tank, until you need it and has a pipe which connects it with the faucet.
The storage tank water heater has a temperature and pressure valve.
They can be powered by natural gas or electricity, which is a bit more expensive.
However, the electric water heater is easier to use.
Tankless Water Heaters
The tankless water heater doesn’t have a tank and heats water on-demand.
These units are more energy-efficient than standard, but they can provide a limited amount of hot water.
The water flow varies, but still, it cannot be higher than 3.5 gallons per minute.
Therefore, you can use for the kitchen sink or bathroom, but for a shower, you will need something more powerful.
If you have access to natural gas, tankless heaters will be a suitable choice.
Hybrid Water Heaters
The hybrid water heaters use a pump to extract the heat from the air, and then convert it to the water.
They are cost-efficient, but you will need a lot of space for it to operate and appropriate temperature.
Hybrid water heaters need at least a room of 1000 cubic feet to have enough air heat and temperature from 40 to 90 Fahrenheit degrees to operate.
Also, you will have to install a drain system.
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters use solar thermal energy to heat the water.
They are energy-efficient and environment-friendly.
Even though in the long run, a solar water heater is the most cost-efficient, it also needs an initial investment.
The installment of the solar water system sometimes cost up to 4.000$ and more.
They can provide up to 85% of household hot water needs.
Things to Consider when Buying a Water Heater
When getting a new water heater, you should think about the size, capacity, costs, etc.
Here is a brief overview of the most significant factors of the water heater.
Water Heater Size
Your water demands determine the appropriate capacity.
For example, if you decide to buy an electric water heater, look at the size of the water tank.
A water tank with 30 or 40 gallons is suitable for families up to four members.
Everything above is for larger families.
Therefore, if there are five or six people in your house, pick the one with the tank capacity of 80 gallons.
However, if you wish to buy a smaller water heater, for example, for your kitchen sink, you can find them with a capacity of 2.5 gallons that can be sufficient.
When it comes to the gas water heater, the capacity is slightly different.
For example, a gas heater with the 50 gallons capacity is an appropriate choice for families up to five members.
A tank with 30 or 40 gallons capacity is suitable for families with less than five family members.
Also, the recovery rate is significant because it determines how much water the unit can heat per hour.
For example, an average recovery rate is 40 gallons per hour (GPH).
The 40 GPH is suitable for households, and industrial use, the rate is higher.
Warranty
The average life span of a water heater is from three to 12 years.
Therefore, if you wish to invest in the more expensive model, make sure that the heater comes with the extended warranty period.
Therefore, you will make sure that it will last longer, or that you can get a refund or replacement when it comes to the issues.
Anti-Scale Water Heater
Hard water can damage your appliances and your water heater too.
The mineral buildup and scale inside the heater can affect the performance and lead to the malfunction, and heater can stop working.
Therefore, look for a device that has an anti-scale feature.
The anti-scale feature consists of continuous water swirling, so it cannot create a scale at the bottom.
If you don’t want to puy more money for the swirling feature, get the one with thicker material.
Point of Use Water Heaters
If you need an additional heater for your second bathroom or sink, there are numerous models on the market.
The capacity goes from 2.5 gallons to 19 gallons.
Those are suitable for shops, garages, and outdoor use.
On the other hand, if you need a water heater for a mobile home, look for those with Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved.
However, make sure to know the exact fuel type – propane or natural gas.
Energy-Efficient Water Heater
If you decide to use an electric water heater, the safest choice is to buy an Energy-star certified unit.
That way, you will be sure that your unit won’t make your electricity bills to hit the sky.
Even though some Energy-star certified models can cost more money, in the long run, they are a better choice.
If you are buying on a budget, make sure to compare a few models to get the one that is the most energy-efficient.
Conclusion
Hot water heaters are appliances in every household.
They differ in capacity, technology, price range, and purpose.
The most common types of water heaters are electrical, tankless, and gas water heaters.
Electrical heaters store hot water in the tank, while tankless heat the water instantly.
The tankless water heater is more suitable for point-of-use water heating, in the kitchen or bathroom sink.
An electrical heater with a tank works better for the entire house.
On the other hand, gas water heaters are for outdoor use or mobile home use.
When looking for a water heater check the product specification and warranty to get the best value for the money.
What's your take on Hot Water Heaters? You think they're just a luxury or a must-have item? Don't hesitate to share your comment below with your opinion!
