Best Tank Water Heaters

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 16, 2023
If there's no centralized hot water supply in your house, you can solve the problem a different way and purchase a water heater. It also can be useful for an RV, a cabin in the woods, yachts, etc. In this review, you'll find the best and most popular electric and gas heaters as of today.   ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Capacity
Wattage
Temperature Range
Thermal Efficiency
Recovery Rate at 90 °F Rise
Corrosion Resistance
Dimensions
Weight
Warranty
 
PROS
The tank is made of high-grade 316L stainless steel which is known not only for corrosion-resistance but also for shockproof features. It is frequently used in healthcare institutions.
CONS
The unit is rather heavy.
OUR VERDICT
This model will be the best solution for a big family living in a large house. It is so big and efficient that you will always have enough water for everything: from washing dishes to having a bath.
detailed parameters
Type
Electric
Capacity
80 gallons
Wattage
4500 W
Temperature Range

120 - 180°F Temp. limit 200°F

Thermal Efficiency
98%
Recovery Rate at 90 °F Rise
20 GPH
Corrosion Resistance
316L stainless steel
Dimensions
69" x 23.2" x 23.2"
Weight
151 lbs
Warranty
Residential use warranty: 10 years - heat exchanger, 5 years - parts, Commercial use warranty: 5 years - heat exchanger, 1 year - parts
PROS
Inlet and outlet connections are side-mounted, providing easier assembly and installation in any cramped place.
CONS
Not the best option for a large family.
OUR VERDICT
If you are a family of two living in a mid-sized apartment this water heater is just for you. It is also a good option to install in an RV, on a yacht, etc.
detailed parameters
Type
Electric
Capacity
19 gallons
Wattage
1650 W
Temperature Range

~120 - 160°F

Thermal Efficiency
Not specified
Recovery Rate at 90 °F Rise
8 GPH
Corrosion Resistance
Glass lined
Dimensions
33.5" x 20" x 18.8"
Weight
68 lbs
Warranty
Residential use by original owner warranty: 6 years on tank and parts, Other use warranty: 1 year
PROS

Thick CFC-free foam insulation makes this mini-tank heater very energy-efficient.

CONS

Not a good option if you love taking long showers.

OUR VERDICT
This heater is the perfect choice for household use. You can easily use it as a main or emergency hot water supply at home.
detailed parameters
Type
Electric
Capacity
7 gallons
Wattage
1440 W
Temperature Range
65 - 145°F
Thermal Efficiency
98%
Recovery Rate at 90 °F Rise
6.8 GPH
Corrosion Resistance
Glass lined
Dimensions
17.6" x 17.6" x 14.5"
Weight
29.5 lbs
Warranty
8 years limited warranty on tank, 1 year limited warranty on parts
PROS

The device has waterproofing of class IPX24, and is able to handle water jets from any angle, which allows you to install it in places with high humidity, for example, in the shower.

CONS

Fasteners are not of the best quality.

OUR VERDICT

Despite its compact dimensions, the Camplux ME40 water heater is notable for its high performance, simple installation and stylish appearance. Ideal fit into the smallest space.

detailed parameters
Type

Electric

Capacity

4 gallons

Wattage

1440 W

Temperature Range

50 - 140°F

Thermal Efficiency

N/A

Recovery Rate at 90 °F Rise

6.8 GPH

Corrosion Resistance

Glass lined

Dimensions

19.25" x 11.75" x 10.38"

Weight

24 lbs

Warranty

Water heater unit 1 year warranty, accessories 90 days warranty

PROS

The water heater has an ultra-compact size while at the same time endowed with a rather impressive capacity, which allows it to heat water to its maximum in a very short period of time.

CONS

The instructions give no useful guidance.

OUR VERDICT

The Ecosmart ECO MINI is an affordable solution for small bathrooms, a workshop, a garage or a country house. The kit has all the necessary mounting accessories and a safety valve.

detailed parameters
Type

Electric

Capacity

2.5 gallons

Wattage

1440 W

Temperature Range

50 - 140°F

Thermal Efficiency

N/A

Recovery Rate at 90 °F Rise

N/A

Corrosion Resistance

Glass Lined

Dimensions

17" x 11" x 11.25"

Weight

15.8 lbs

Warranty

5 years limited leaks, 2 years parts

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Westinghouse WEC080C2X045 High-Efficiency Electric Water Heater

Hot Water Everyday

The WEC080C2X045 water heater made by Westinghouse is, no doubt, one of the best in its class. It represents a wonderful combination of a long service life and an energy-saving technology. The appliance can heat water continuously for a really long time, consuming minimum energy. The heater is designed so that cold water comes directly to the heating element located on the bottom of the tank. As a result, cold water does not mix with hot one. Technical features of the tank are also amazing. The recovery rate is up to 20 gallons of hot water within 1 hour and standby losses are minimized due to 2-inches thick walls of the heater.

Review of Westinghouse WEC080C2X045 High-Efficiency Electric Water Heater

Anti-corrosion Protection

This heater can keep water hot for a long time. To make the tank durable, Westinghouse made it from laser-welded stainless steel. The manufacturer guarantees that this material isn't prone to corrosion and scale and it doesn't require using anode. The exterior of the water heater is also quite nice. It should be mentioned that Westinghouse covers its product with a lifetime warranty if it's used by the original purchaser only for household needs. Taking the high top temperature limit of the heater into account, there's no need to worry about overheating. You can pick a smaller Westinghouse tank water heater; there are two capacities available - 40-gallons and 52-gallons.

Westinghouse WEC080C2X045 High-Efficiency Electric Water Heater in the use

Do You Know?

Westinghouse is famous not only as the manufacturer of top-notch home appliances but also for its immense contribution to the development of the nuclear power industry. The company was founded by George Westinghouse in 1886. After his return from the Civil War, George was employed by maintenance workshops of a large railway company and began his research activities at the same time. In 1866, he started his own business in Pittsburg and opened a railway car repair shop. Soon, he developed automatic air brakes for railway cars and started their production. Those Westinghouse products gained great popularity on the US and European markets. Some time later, Mr. Westinghouse recognized a potential of electricity and invested considerable funds into the production of electric machinery. As a result, his company became the largest producer in the electrical industry with the headquarters in Pittsburg, PA. Today, Westinghouse is engaged in development and design of nuclear power-generating units. It is the world leader in production of pressurized water and boiling water reactors. Three companies share 75% of the world market of nuclear fuel currently and 31% of this share belongs to Westinghouse.

Detailed review of Westinghouse WEC080C2X045 High-Efficiency Electric Water Heater

More Products to Consider

The tap water is full of chemicals and can make your skin too dry and itchy. The best way to prevent this is to take advantage of a shower filter.

Westinghouse WEC080C2X045 High-Efficiency Electric Water Heater application
Last updated price $2,006.87
Stock In stock
ASIN B00OY119HY

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

Bought it because it is made of durable and worry-free stainless steel.

Performance

The water heater is hooked into a geothermal water furnace and provides sufficient hot water for my family of 4 without ever runnig out of hot water. I suspect this Westinghouse 80 gallon 4500 watt hot water heater will last as long.

Features

Install went fine and warranty was received
 

Reliance Products Compact Mobile Home Electric Water Heater

'Golden Mean' Water Heater

The Reliance Products 6 20 SOMS K water heater can be called a golden mean among other similar appliances. It does not have a large tank, though the capacity of 19 gallons is sufficient for one person to take a shower, wash dishes, or shave. At the same time, it is relatively small, allowing you to install it in any convenient place. A cold water inlet and a hot water outlet are side-mounted for the ease of installation even in cramped places. We would like to highlight that the process of installation is really simple! Perhaps, it is the perfect option for a small apartment, an RV or a yacht. The heater is very durable and protected from corrosion by the inner glass lining. The anode is used for heating water up. The warranty for residential use amounts to 6 years (on the tank and parts). We have highly appraised the efficiency of the heater; the maximum outlet water temperature is approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit - a really fantastic result for a tank water heater!

Review of Reliance Products Compact Mobile Home Electric Water Heater

Invention of Electric Water Heaters

The idea to use electricity as a source of heat was developed in Germany at the end of the 19th century. The German company called Allgemeine Elektrizitaets-Gesellschaft patented the invention of Johann Vaillant in 1885. He invented an electric water heater consisting of a tank and a heating element used for boiling water. But this appliance was not that perfect. The tank was not very big and not corrosion-resistant though the electricity consumption was considerably high. In 1924, another German, Doctor Theodor Hermann Friedrich Stiebel, invented the first immersion heater. The first unit had a round rod which was later replaced with a coil. The advantage of coils was obvious - it increased the heating area and reduced the boiling time. This idea was used by the Stiebel Eltron company that started a mass production of home water heaters in the middle of the 20th century.

Reliance Products Compact Mobile Home Electric Water Heater in the use

More Products to Consider

Mounting a boiler requires some tools; we think that a screwdrivers set will help you with any task from minor repairs to some complex jobs.

Detailed review of Reliance Products Compact Mobile Home Electric Water Heater
Last updated price $629.04
Stock In stock
ASIN B000XPCS0C

What customers say about this product

Features

Easy to install, piping hot water. I use this for my shed so I don't have to wait 10 minutes to get hot water from my house. Since it's connected right to my sink, it's like an instant hot. T

Size & Weight

This water heater is the perfect size. It fits under the cabinet (just barely though)

Performance

Easy to install under the sink. Heats the water quickly.
 

Bosch T Electric Mini-Tank Under Sink Water Heater

What Compact Size Hides

The Bosch ES8 Tronic 3000 T heater is a compact water heater. It is necessary to mention that despite moderate tank capacity, the heater's capable of providing a continuous flow of warm water and heating a new cycle really fast. Owing to efficient insulation inside the heater, the heater can keep water hot in a long while too. The insulation consists of a thick layer of energy-efficient CFC-free foam, ensuring the appropriate water temperature. The tank interior is glass-lined for extra corrosion resistance and durability. All in all, this great water heater can be used as a main water heating source for a single sink, as a supplement to another bigger heater located far from a sink, or as a buffer appliance installed in-line with a tankless water heater to avoid a cold water flow during frequent use of a faucet. The primary purpose of this heater is to provide users with hot water at the point of heating: for washing dishes, shaving and all other minor household needs. Due to its compact size, the unit can be installed literally in any place: on a rack, on a floor, under a kitchen sink, on a wall, etc.

Review of Bosch T Electric Mini-Tank Under Sink Water Heater

First Success of Bosch

Probably, everyone in the modern world has heard the name Bosch. It's a renowned manufacturer of versatile high-quality equipment and home appliances. Though few people know that the company's founder Robert Bosch started his business in a backyard workshop where originally he repaired typing machines, telephones, photo cameras, and other devices (1886, Stuttgart). The first business success of the company was the development of a low voltage magneto for gas motors. The patented Bosch magneto for automobiles was exactly what the car manufacturer Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler needed. At that time, his cars were equipped with a hot tube ignition that required some time to start the car. The replacement of the hot tube with the Bosch magneto simplified the work of a mechanic and made the ignition a lot faster. As a result, Daimler and Bosch joined their efforts on designing the ignition system that would later be installed in Daimler automobiles. After two years of work, a new magneto was created. It was so good that the demand for this device grew immensely. By 1901, Bosch had produced over 10 000 magnetos per year. It was the first major success of the company.

Bosch T Electric Mini-Tank Under Sink Water Heater in the use

More Products to Consider

To install a tank water heater, make sure to purchase a valve kit additionally. 

Detailed review of Bosch T Electric Mini-Tank Under Sink Water Heater

Additional Info

User Manual

Last updated price $205.79
Stock In stock
ASIN B0148O64JE

VIDEO
Bosch 3000T - Instant Mini-Tank Hot Water Heater

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

Very good and compact unit. Fits well under the sink and provides IMMEDIATE hot water!!

Features

Keep in mind that the unit itself weighs about 30 pounds, and with the extra weight of 7 gallons of water, the total weight of the heater will be almost 90 pounds. We set the heater on cement blocks to make a firm foundation.

Performance

Once hot it will maintain the water hot enough for my outdoor shower for 24 hours. It draws about 25 ahr's to heat the tank to its max temperature. Mixing the water down to about 98 degrees yeilds 5-7 gallons of hot water for shower and dishes.
 

Camplux ME40

Electric Mini Tank Heater

There are certain areas in virtually any house where having access to hot water is a must. Of course, the two most common places are the kitchen and bathroom, but some houses may have extra bathrooms or other rooms where having access to hot water is sometimes necessary, such as in a garage. In such places, having a mini tank water heater is an excellent way to have access to hot water even if it's not needed all the time.

The Camplux ME40 Mini Tank Electric Water Heater is a great small capacity water heater that is ideal for places where hot water is only sometimes needed. This small, affordable model has a capacity of up to 4 gallons, giving you acess to plenty of hot water in certain areas where a larger capacity tank is not necessary. This tank water heater features a glass-lined tank that makes it perfect for long durability, making it resistant to damage and helping it maintain a long service life. The model is small enough to fit in areas where there is a minimum of space, such as underneath a sink or next to a cupboard, and this also makes it easier to place near access to a 120 V power outlet. The mountings for it allow it to shelf, floor, or wall mounted, giving you flexibility in where to place it. 

Review of Camplux ME40 Mini Tank Electric Water Heater

Exceptional Performance

The small dimensions and flexibility of this small capacity water heater are great, but where it really shines is in its performance. This water heater includes a thermostat control that lets you easily adjust the water temperature to your liking. The device includes a heating range of 50 to 140 degrees F, letting you adjust it to any level that is necessary. Despite the high temperature range, there is no risk of overheating thanks to its built-in high limit overheating protection. As this is a direct access model, there is virtually no heat loss due to the water not needing to travel through pipes before reaching a faucet, giving you access to water that is heated to precisely the temperature that you desire.

The controls on the heater are quite simple and intuitive, letting you easily adjust the thermostat. A red indicator is located underneath the thermostat dial that is lit whenever water is in the process of being heated, meaning that there is no guessing game as to whether hot water is ready or not. There is even an anti-freezing feature that can be set on the dial whenever the heater will be exposed to freezing weather, and which prevents it from freezing up while not in use. This small water heater is sure to meet your needs in any situation where you require it.

Camplux ME40 Mini Tank Electric Water Heater in the use

Additional Info

User Manual

Last updated price $169.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0789CC1TN

 

Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5

Instant Hot Water Access

Some people who have large houses with only one hot water heater know how difficult it can be to get consistently hot water, especially from a bathroom or washroom that is located far away from the main water heater. When hot water is accessed from a heater, it has to travel through pipes, where the heat can quickly dissipate, leaving the water at a much lower than desired temperature by the time it reaches the faucet. In situations such as this, having a small hot water heater that can be placed in the same room is the best solution to having constant access to hot water.

The Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 Mini Tank Water Heater is a great heater for helping to have direct and instant access to hot water in rooms where it is needed. This small capacity heater holds an impressive amount of water for its size, with the 2.5 gallon capacity being plenty for a sink where hot water is needed. The unit has quite small dimensions, and can be easily installed under a sink or somewhere else out of the way, and also supports both buffer and point of use applications, which gives it a great amount of flexibility in its use. Those with small bathrooms or washrooms located far away from their main hot water heater will love this.

Review of Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 Mini Tank Water Heater

Simple to Use

Installation of this hot water heater is not too difficult for most people, but unfortunately it is not aided by the included manual, which does not offer much help in providing installation instructions. However, those who are already familiar with installing a water heater should find the installation process to be simple enough. For those that don't, finding some help online or from a friend who knows how to install water heaters is necessary. If nothing else, you can always hire a professional to install it for you.

Despite the difficulty some people may have with installing it, using it is another matter entirely. This tank water heater is quite easy to use once it is installed, with virtually no maintenance or adjustments necessary. The dial on the front lets you adjust the temperature to your own choosing, with a red light located underneath that remains lit while the water is in the process of being heated. Once the water is fully heated, you should have direct access to hot water from your faucet without any required waiting time for hot water to travel through the pipes. Anyone who needs direct and instant access to hot water will find this model to be quite suitable to their needs.

Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 Mini Tank Water Heater in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $162.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00M05ISBQ

 

What Is a Tank Water Heater?

All the time we seek new means that could make our household life more comfortable and less stressful. Today it's almost impossible to imagine a house without such amenities as gas, electricity or hot water. The thing, however, is that we wouldn't have had all these conveniences if not for certain appliances. In this review, we're going to give a rundown on popular water heaters that are widely used by people as a main or emergency source of hot water for washing dishes, taking a shower, etc. Learn the features to consider and make your pick.

In short, tank water heaters are devices that are used to heat a certain amount of water that is stored internally in the heater's tank, which in turn allows us constant access to hot water for times that we need it. Hot water heaters are found in virtually every home and apartment, but there are times when they need replacing, and finding an effective model is one that all of us would prefer.

You can also get an oil heater to keep your place warm and comfortable in wintertime.

What Features to Compare

Type

The choice of a water heater depends on certain requirements against the features like size, capacity, and so on. It is important to understand the difference between various water heaters to be able to pick a suitable one. First of all, you should know that some heaters are electric and others are gas-powered. The latter are usually powered by natural gas or butane (some heaters are oil-fired) and fitted with exhaust pipes to draw out exhaust fumes. Electric water heaters do not need any air pipes, what they need, however, is connecting to a power grid.

Technical Details

Before you decide on a water heater, you should ask yourself several questions, how big is your family, why exactly you need a water heater, is it going to be only a backup water source supply or maybe you would need it for regular use? Your own answers will help you choose the right capacity and power of the heater you need. People who live by themselves shouldn't overpay for big water tanks, while if your family is rather big, you wouldn't get along with a tiny water heater. The power should be considered too. It will tell you how quickly the heater can heat the water and how long it would take it to run a new cycle.

Special Features

Nearly every water heater has certain special features that can provide users with extra convenience. The heater should be equipped with user-friendly controls and convenient inlet and outlet connections. It may also feature an information display on the front. Don't ignore the material; tank water heaters should be made of corrosion-resistant material and feature protective inner layer. This is the only condition you can be sure of great performance and long service life of the chosen heater.

Sources:

1. Your guide to RV water heaters, About. February 29, 2016.

2. Marshall Brain, Sara Eliott How Water Heaters Work, HowSuffWorks.

3. Gas vs. Electric Water Heater, Diffen.

4. SELECTING A NEW WATER HEATER, Energy Saver.

5. Charles W.Bryant How to Choose a New Water Heater, HowStuffWorks.

6. Water Heater Buying Guide, Lowe's.

7. Choosing a New Water Heater, The Family Handyman.

8. Donna Boyle Schwartz How To: Choose a Water Heater, Bob Vila.

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