Turning on a faucet and getting splashed with cold water is not any fun for anyone, especially in the cold winter months. That’s why a good water heating unit is a must-have in every modern home.
When you are shopping for a water heater, you want to get one that has been tested and proven. That’s why it’s important to get the best heater for your home.
If this is your goal, then I have put together a list of the 4 best-rated water heaters to choose from in this guide.
Best Rated Water Heaters Reviews
Here is a list of our top picks for the best water heaters. Let’s see how they stack up!
Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater
If you are looking for a great water heater, then you need to get one that can supply your home with an unlimited amount of hot water. You don’t want to miss out on some chores because the hot water runs out! That is what you get with this heater.
The heater features self-modulating technology, which means that it only turns on when hot water is needed. This helps a lot when it comes to energy conservation. With a flow of 3 gallons per minute water flow, you have enough water for multiple simultaneous access points.
Being an electric water heater, there are no poisonous exhaust gases emitted by this heater, which makes it one of the most eco-friendly heaters out there. You will not need a complex venting system either.
It features a small compact design that makes it suitable for you if you are pressed for space. You don’t have to worry about the noise when it is operating like with some heaters, as it has a quiet noise-free operation mode.
With the digital display for temperatures, you see the exact temperature reading. You need a 240V power outlet to plug in this heater.
When buying a water heater, you want to get one with a solid warranty, because then you know you are cushioned against losses that you can incur if the unit is damaged. This heater comes with a solid 7-year warranty, so you know you won’t be taking a risk by getting it.
Pros
- Small compact design that does not require a lot of space for installation
- Very eco-friendly
- An unlimited supply of hot water
- Self-modulation technology
- 7-year warranty
Cons
- You need professional help to install the heater
- Not suitable for large families
Bosch Electric 7-Gallon Mini-Tank Water Heater
Sometimes, your bathroom or kitchen sink may be located too far from the main water heating unit. Sometimes, you may have to wait for a long time for the system to flush out the cold water before you start receiving hot water. This is wasteful as well as inconveniencing, especially when you only need hot water for small tasks like washing your face.
This is where the Bosch mini-tank heater comes in handy, providing you with an instant supply of hot water while conserving a lot of water too. You can install this heater to complement the main water heating system in your home, or independently where there is no hot water available.
It features a compact design that doesn’t take up much space when it comes to its installation. If you have to mount it at an open spot, the heater’s attractive design allows it to blend right in with your kind of room finishing.
The mini tank has a capacity of up to 7 gallons of water when vertically installed, and it uses a 1440W heating element. You need a 120V power outlet to operate the heater.
Pros
- An instant supply of hot water
- Features a compact design that doesn’t take up much space
- Eliminates the wait time for hot water at the access point
- Blends in with your existing décor should you need to mount it in an open space
Cons
- May not be suited for large scale hot water needs
Ecosmart ECO MINI-Tank Water Heater 2.5 Gallon Capacity
If you are tired of waiting for hot water to get to you when you turn on the faucet at the access point, then it’s time you got this heater.
If you don’t have a hot water line at some point in your home, then instead of doing the expensive plumbing work, you can install this heater. It has a sleek compact design that requires minimal space for installation. It’s also easy to install – you can do it without hiring professional help.
You can use it as a complementary heater to the main water heating unit, or independently as a primary heater if you have no hot water access in your home. It has an energy efficiency rate of 99.8, which will help cut your water heating energy bills as it conserves a lot of energy.
The heater features a compact design that takes minimal installation space. And with the digital temperature display, you know exactly the water temperature you are going to get. It has a tank capacity of 2.5 gallons.
Pros
- Instant hot water access at the point of use
- 99.8 energy efficiency rate saves a lot of energy
- Digital temperature display
- Sleek compact design that doesn’t take much space
Cons
- Not suitable for large scale use
Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater for Outdoor Activities
For most people, outdoor activities like camping and hiking are a lot of fun, but the cold water you have to endure can be a deterrent.
If you are one of these people, now you can enjoy outdoor activities in the wild without having to worry about unpleasant cold water showers, thanks to this portable propane gas water heater. It features a compact lightweight design that makes it easy to take with you on the road if you need to, and it uses a 20 lb propane tank that’s easy to carry as well.
The heater comes with an electronic ignition system, as well as two D-cell batteries for use in places off the grid where electricity is not available. With a flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute, you can have an unlimited supply of hot water for as long as you need it.
If you are in an area with a scarce supply of water and a low flow rate, you won’t have to worry about going without hot water anymore, as this heater only needs a flow rate of 20 PSI to activate.
Pros
- Reliable hot water when you are on the go
- Portable
- Unlimited supply of hot water
- Small compact design
- Activates at a minimum pressure of 20 PSI
- Electric ignition with two D-cell batteries for remote areas with no electricity
Cons
- May not be suitable if a large volume of hot water is required at the same time
Considerations for Getting the Best-rated Water Heater
Getting the best-rated water heater on the market can be tough when you don’t even know what to look for in the first place. For this reason, I’m listing the most important considerations that will guide you in picking the best water heater.
Hot Water Flow Rate
A heater’s flow rate determines the hot water you will get from a heater. The higher the indicated flow rate, the more water you can get from your heater.
You should choose a heater based on the amount of hot water you need for your home. The larger the volume of hot water you need, the higher the flow rate of the heater you pick should be.
Energy Cost
The cost of running a water heater is another factor you should keep in mind. This cost will majorly depend on the fuel type for the heater you choose.
Electric water heaters, while they are the most eco-friendly, can be very expensive to run because the cost of electricity is higher than other fuel options available. For this reason, electric water heaters are most suitable for small families whose hot water volume requirement is low. If you need a lot of hot water, on the other hand, natural gas heaters are a better option as they are more economical in fuel cost.
Are the Parts Replaceable?
Sometimes parts of a heater fail, especially electric water heater elements. When this happens, it is easier and more affordable to replace the damaged part than do away with the whole unit.
This can only happen if the heater’s parts are replicable and readily available. When this is not the case, you might be forced to replace the whole unit, which is expensive.
Warranty Information
A heater you purchase should have a solid warranty. This ensures that you are making the right choice and should anything go wrong, you have a warranty to fall back on.
A good warranty should be of reasonable duration and also simple to invoke. You should also be able to easily seek help from the manufacturer’s support team.
Size
Depending on the storage space you have, you should pick a heater that can fit into your available space. Luckily, with the current tankless technology, most heaters feature a small compact design significantly smaller than old tank heaters. If you go with these types of heaters, you don’t need much space to install one.
Digital Control and Display
Heaters with digital control systems give you a lot of control over your heater. You can set the water temperature more precisely.
Unlike with traditional heaters, a digital control system heater is easy to control, even when you are not around the house. It’s possible to put it into vacation mode when you leave your house.
Elevation Level
Some heaters are designed to work up to a certain elevation level. If you are buying a water heater, especially natural gas heaters, you should keep this in mind.
Best Rated Water Heaters Frequently Asked Questions
1) What’s the best heater to use in high altitude areas?
As I have already stated earlier, the elevation level of the area you live in should be one of the things to keep in mind when getting a water heater. A natural gas heater’s efficiency declines with increasing elevation levels, due to decreasing levels of oxygen in the air. For this reason, if you live at high elevation levels past 4000 ft, an electric water heater may be a more appropriate choice.
2) What’s the energy factor and is it important in a heater?
A heater’s energy factor spells out how energy efficient the heater is. It’s the rate at which a heater converts the energy applied to heat energy. It’s an important factor you should consider when getting a heater. The higher the energy factor, the more energy-efficient it is.
3) Does spending more on a heater mean better quality?
Although quality heaters can be expensive, buying an expensive heater does not guarantee quality in a heater. There are many factors you should keep in mind depending on your hot water requirements. This should form the basis of your decision on what heater to buy.
Conclusion
Deciding what heater to buy is not as simple when you don’t know what to look for in one. When you know what to consider, however, things can get a lot easier.
In this article, I have highlighted all you need to know to make an informed choice as far as the best-rated heaters are concerned. The four heaters in this list are great choices.