Water heaters are among the most crucial appliances in every modern home. But what do you do when it breaks and needs to be replaced? Of course you do not just shop online blindly and getting a random one that is on sale. Actually choosing the right hot water heater can be tricky, if you are not very keen. There are lots of considerations that need to be taken into account. Otherwise, you will find yourself buying a piece of junk, leaving you with regrets. With this understanding, we have done a thorough research and engaged with industry experts to help us come up with a list of the best electric hot water heaters in the market.
Best Pick – EcoSmart ECO 27 Water Heater
Energy Efficient, Reliable & Best Rated
There is always that product that stands out, and in this case, the EcoSmart ECO 27 is the best electric hot water heater in the market. The electric water heater is the best rated in the market, thanks to its sophisticated functionality, advanced technology and a design that makes water heating very convenient. It is tankless and comes in a compact design which can be easily installed anywhere including in confined spaces.
Best Electric Hot Water Heaters 2021
After carefully churning through thousands of customer reviews online and consulting with top experts, here is a list featuring the best electric hot water heaters one can find online.
9. Ecotouch Tankless Water Heater Electric
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Self-modulating feature, Advanced safety features.
Capacity: Tankless.
Dimensions: 15.74 x 10.24 x 2.05 inches.
EcoTouch electric hot water heater is a compact and sleek unit that is very efficient and dependable when it comes to heating water in your home. This particular unit is still new in the market, but already getting a lot of love from many users. The self modulating feature that is found in this water heater ensures that the system is efficient and helps to keep the electricity bill low.
Installation it is easy and the unit design saves a lot of space. If you are looking for an easy to use, compact electric water heater, then this affordable unit is surely worth considering.
Pros and Cons
- It is designed with a space saving design.
- Comes at a low price than most in its class.
- Goes to overflow with high pressure water.
8. Ariston Andris 4 Gallon Tankless Water Heater
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Relief valve, Inner anti-corrosion lining.
Capacity: Tankless.
Dimensions: 19.5 x 16 x 14.2 inches.
Ariston Andris 4 Gallon mini-tank electrical water heater stands out with its sleek and functional design. It is compact and can be easily mounted on the wall and pretty much anywhere, thanks to its wall bracket and rubber feet. The heater offers a wide range of temperature setting which is between 65°F-161°F on a standard 120-Volt outlet.
To avoid corrosion and keep the inner side of the tank clean, there is an inner lining which also makes it more durable. It is an affordable yet dependable water heater that saves energy and delivers on its promise.
Pros and Cons
- It is very easy to installation and with basic experience, you may not even need the help of a professional.
- The unit is one of the cheapest in the market.
- The company’s tech support could be improved.
7. American Standard CE-12-AS Electric Water Heater
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Brass drain valve, Inner Dura glass lining.
Capacity: 12 Gallons.
Dimensions: 15.88 x 15.88 x 21.88 inches.
American standard’s electric hot water heater stands among the best one can get in the market. It is well designed using sturdy and durable steel tank which has a Dura glass lining on the inside to prevent corrosion. It is compact and designed to be easily installed under counters, cabinets and fit in most confined spaces.
The heater comes with a brass drain valve that is meant to help remove sediments in the tank as well as ensure easy cleaning of the tank. Being a point-of-use model, the electric water heater is best for use in instances where running long hot water pipes isn’t the best option.
Pros and Cons
- It is compact and easily fits in spaces.
- It is cost efficient.
- The manual instructions needs to be improved.
6. Titan SCR2 N-85 Electric Tankless Water Heater
Price: Modest priced.
Special features: Reset button, Compact design.
Capacity: Tankless.
Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 6 inches.
The Titan tankless is an efficient electric hot water heater that is conceived as a result of Titan’s years of experience in the industry. The unit is easy to install but may need a professional to do it if you are totally new to setting up water heaters.
There is a unique reset button that the water heater comes with which can help restore settings and functionalities should it fail. If you are looking for a compact, tankless electric water heater that you can install in your home, cabin or RV, then this could be your best option.
Pros and Cons
- It is made with enhanced safety features.
- The unit lasts long.
- Takes some time to heat up.
5. Rheem 240V Heating Chamber RTEX-13 Residential Tankless Water Heater
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: LED display, External adjustable thermostat, 2 heating elements.
Capacity: Tankless.
Dimensions: 12.6 x 8.3 x 3.6 inches.
Rheem RTEX-13 residential tankless water heater is a modern heating chamber with sophisticated features designed to deliver cost efficient home heating. It is made with an external digital thermostat which can be easily adjusted while you see the adjustment on the LED display it comes with.
Yet another great perk that comes with this tankless electric water heater is that it has been threaded and designed with replacement in mind, which is something different as compared to many other brands. Overall, it is an excellent electric water heater which gives the user total control and reliability.
Pros and Cons
- Comes with ton of additional features.
- It is easy to control and adjust the thermostat settings.
- Does not allow simultaneous usage.
4. Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Silencing technique, Compact & space saving design.
Capacity: Tankless.
Dimensions: 4.63 x 16.63 x 14.50 inches.
Stiebel Eltron tankless water heater is an on-demand electric water heater with so much to offer. It is made with a compact space-saving design that you can always install easily on confined locations of your home. The heater comes with an easy to read LCD screen that gives temperature readings. The water temperature output from this heater is between 86˚ to 140˚F.
It has been designed with unique silencing techniques that ensures a no-noise operation. For a continuous flow of hot water and saving on energy, this electric hot water heater delivers on its advertised promise.
Pros and Cons
- It is cost efficient and convenient.
- The heater operates quietly.
- It is pricier than most in the market.
3. Camplux ME40 Mini Tank Electric Water Heater
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Glass lined interior, Pressure relief valve.
Capacity: 4 gallons.
Dimensions: 23.1 x 13.25 x 12.3 inches.
Camplux is yet another great brand that is loved by many for its high quality products. Their electric hot water heater is a high performance heating option that is compact and easy to install. The water heater installs on a 120 volt outlet and can be easily mounted on the wall, cabinet or shelf. It has pressure of 150 psi and is CSA certified and comes with a safety pressure relief valve.
The electric water heater comes with a capacity of 4 gallons with an option to get a 2.5 and 6 gallon depending on your needs and number of users in your home.
Pros and Cons
- It comes at a very affordable price.
- Easy to install and operate.
- The anode rod can make the water come out brown during its first time of use.
2. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Compact design, Fast recovery rate function.
Capacity: 4 gallons.
Dimensions: 13.75 x 13.5 x 13.75 inches.
The Bosch electric hot water heater is designed with a compact design for easy installation. It can be installed under the sink, in the cabinet and fits pretty much any small space. Bosch have brought out their best creativity and features in this water heater and you can count on it to deliver. It has a capacity of 4 gallons but there is also a larger 7 gallon option in case you need one to heat more water.
This is one of the most convenient electric water heaters that one can get, and for its low price tag, you are getting good value for the money.
Pros and Cons
- It is easy to install and very convenient.
- The hot water heater comes at a price that is hard to beat.
- Might not last very long and could use some quality upgrades.
1. EcoSmart ECO 27 Electric Tankless Water Heater
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: Self modulating feature, Sleek & compact design.
Capacity: Tankless.
Dimensions: 3.63 x 17 x 17 inches.
Ranking top in our list of the best electric hot water heaters is the ECOSmart ECO-27 water heater. The creativity that Ecosmart employs in the design of this electric hot water heater is just amazing. Perhaps the biggest highlight is the self modulating feature which helps save energy by using only the energy needed for certain amount of water.
It can handle up to 6 gallons per minute heating at between 80°F – 140°F. This makes it good even for multiple uses simultaneously. The heater is not the cheapest, but with the tons of features and capabilities, it is worth every dime spent.
Pros and Cons
- It saves energy, thanks to its self modulating technology.
- Comes with a high customer rating.
- It has tons of high performance features.
- It is pricier than most in the market.
Choosing The Best Electric Hot Water Heater
If you are seriously looking for the best electric hot water heater, then there are a number of things one must keep in mind. Here they are;
Capacity
Perhaps the first thing that you need to have in your mind when shopping for the right electric hot water heater is its capacity. How much water do you expect to heat at a time? If you have a smaller family or live alone, then you can get a smaller unit, and consider getting a larger one depending on the number of dwellers in your home.
Compactness & Size
Water heaters come in different shapes. Whether it is as a cost-efficient consideration or for any other reason, its size and compactness is crucial to ensure that it fits well in its space. Otherwise, if you buy an oversized water heater, you will find yourself stuck and having to return it later.
Additional Features
Besides the normal standard features and controls that every hot water heater comes with, there are some additional features that could bolster its performance and improve convenience. Some of the features that one could consider are advanced safety features like leak alarms and those that help save on electricity.
Warranty
A water heater is one of those delicate appliances and it is not unheard of to find one that is faulty. That said, it is very important to know what the warranty covers and how long it lasts. A good water heater should come with a warranty of about 10 to 15 years. And even though it doesn’t cover the whole unit, at least it should cover the delicate parts.
Final Verdict
Almost every modern home needs a water heater. But picking the right one doesn’t come that easy. Luckily, we have done all the hard work and on this guide, you will find all the information that you need to know to get the best electric hot water heater for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are electric hot water heaters safer than gas heaters?
A: Electric hot water heaters tend to be more safer as compared to gas water heaters. One of the advantages that most people opt for electric water heaters is simply because of their safety. There is an added risk with gas water heaters because it involves combustion of propane which, although rare can explode.
Q: How does a hot water heater work?
A: Electric hot water heaters work through a system where electric currents (usually 220 volts) is passed to the heating elements. The heating elements are usually placed at the middle and at the bottom of the water heater. A thermostat then monitors the change in water temperature and automatically switches it off when it reaches the right temperature.
Q: What is the best water heater temperature setting?
A: Is there a thing like “perfect water heater temperature”? the short answer is, Yes. The energy department recommends that you set your temperature to 120 degrees, although most of the electric water heaters have been factory pre-set to 140 degrees.
Q: Do I need a professional to install an electric hot water heater?
A: Installing a hot water heater isn’t as easy as plugging in an electric cooker. It takes some prowess and it is highly recommended that you get a certified professional to do the hard job. Unless you are handy and have experience in doing it.
