Research-backed
Image: MomJunction Design Team
The idea that you can carry your water heater anywhere may seem wild, but the best tankless water heaters are designed to be easily portable. Due to the lack of a storage tank, they are compact and quick to heat, and you can carry them on trips and enjoy a hot, refreshing shower anytime, anywhere.
A tankless water heater is easy on the pocket and much more energy-efficient than conventional water heaters, thus making them an excellent option during the winters. Keep scrolling as we have listed the top professional-grade tankless water heaters with superior heating capacities that are worth every penny and give you a few tips on choosing the perfect one.
Top Picks
11 Best Tankless Water Heater
1. Best Durable:Ecosmart ECO 18 Electric Tankless Water Heater
Image: Ecosmart The Ecosmart electric tankless water heater will never let you run out of hot water when used correctly. It has a stylish appearance and does not take up much space, and can be mounted on the wall. The unit weighs 14 pounds and measures 3.63x14x17 inches. Compared to traditional tanks, it is 90% smaller and has highly advanced self-modulating technology. It uses energy to heat the incoming water only when needed, and thus, can save time and up to 50% of your hot water bill. If you want to find out more about this product and its usage, make sure to check out this review on YouTube.
Pros
- Field replaceable elements
- Lifetime warranty for residential use
- Simple operation
- Tested and certified by NSF
- Highly durable
Cons
- May not have remote temperature control
"Although compact, it delivers hot water throughout my shower without a hitch. While it has proven durable enough to survive a few moves, installing it has required professional help. Still, the convenience it brings with its tankless design has been commendable."
2. Best Anti-Freezing Protection:Camplux Tankless Water Heater
Image: Camplux The expert-approved Camplux tankless water heater has an oxygen-depletion sensor protection function and energy-saving technology, making it suitable for use in a well-ventilated room. It has a compact structure and a foldable handle, so it can be used outdoors too.
The maximum power output is 28,000 Btu/hour, the propane gas pressure is 0.4psi, and offers an output of 1.32 gallons/minute of hot water. The device weighs 14.08lb and measures 11.42×4.33×14.8 inches. If you need further convincing, check this YouTuber’s review out.
Pros
- Anti-freezing protection
- Energy saving
- Easy to use
- Simple installation
- Approved by CSA
Cons
- May overheat, causing a fire
"After using this heater for a while, I�ve noticed it is easy to set up and offers a steady performance. Plus, it is capable of providing hot water on demand even in freezing weather. I'm pretty satisfied with it."
Point to consider3. Best Easy-To-Install:Rinnai Tankless Water Heater
Image: Rinnai 
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 362 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people love this product.
The Rinnai tankless water heater, a trusted product, with ThermaCirc360 technology recirculates water through your pipeline to quickly deliver hot water. The heater is designed to optimize energy usage and conserve water, playing a significant role in the sustainable reliability mechanism. The average service life of Rinnai tankless water heater is 20 years. It weighs 45.6 pounds, and the overall dimensions are 14.04×9.27×26.9 inches. Check out the review of this product on YouTube to know why it is one of the best out there.
Pros
- Saves valuable space
- Easy to install
- Perfect for indoors
- Saves money
Cons
- May require a venting system
"Unlike my older water heater, this one takes just a few minutes to heat the water. Installing it was also straightforward, as it fit well with my existing fixtures. Plus, it has helped me reduce energy bills as it heats the water only when required."
Ecosmart ECO 18 Electric Tankless Water Heater Best Durable | Camplux Tankless Water Heater Best Anti-Freezing Protection | Rinnai Tankless Water Heater (Rinnani or Rinnai?) Best Easy-To-Install | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | White | White | V65iN - Natural Gas/6.5 GPM |
| Dimensions | 3.63 x 14 x 17 inches | 12.8 x 6.1 x 21.65 inches | 17.5 x 30 x 13 inches |
| Weight | 14 pounds | 23.4 pounds | 45.6 pounds |
| Material | Plastic | Iron,Metal,Copper | - |
| Wattage | - | 20 KW | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 4,370 | 203 | 362 |
| Price | $429.74 | $269.99 | $757.48 |
4. Best For Silent Operation:Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater
Image: Stiebeleltron Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product boasts 1,390 reviews on Amazon, and many buyers have said they would purchase the product again.
Stiebel Eltron tankless electric water heater has advanced flow control German patented technology, preventing water temperature fluctuations and bringing endless comfort. Compared to traditional water heaters, it saves up to 20% of electricity. It also has a digital display to provide an accurate temperature reading and is known for its highest standards and reliability.
Pros
- Prevents irregular temperature rise and fall
- Small and compact
- Silent operation
- Easy to install
- Endless hot water
Cons
- May not have an installation kit
"I have installed this heater recently and was surprised to see that it provides hot water for several bathrooms at a time, making me enjoy the endless water supply. Plus, its installation is pretty simple but operating the temperature controller needs some assistance."
5. Best Energy Efficient:Ecotouch Electric Tankless Water Heater
The tried- and -tested Ecotouch tankless electric water heater has a self-adjusting control function, which can maintain a stable temperature outlet, ensuring the best energy efficiency of about 98%. The electric heater also has a digital display and touch control panel to make temperature setting easy.
This is suitable for colder climates as you don’t need to wait for the cold water to heat because it can continuously provide hot water of 110°F or higher within a few seconds. For safety, the internal water and electricity lines have been kept separate, thus preventing leakage or accumulation risk and enhancing longevity.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Simple operation
- Efficient design
- Helps lower energy consumption
- Over high temp protection
- Electric leakage protection
Cons
- Connection quality not up to the mark
"In my opinion, this hot water heater is suitable for my usage requirements. It accommodates well to various settings; however, it took me a while to figure out how to achieve optimal results. Also, it is great for guest rooms in my home."
Quick tip6. Best Self-Modulation Technology:Rheem Tankless Water Heater
Image: Rheem Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is a hit with users, evidenced by the 1,118 fine reviews on Amazon.
Rheem tankless water heaters, known for its proven performance, have an eternal digital thermostatic control with an LED display. This water heating unit also offers self-modulation technology to align hot water requirements with power output. The flow rate is around 4.4 gallons per minute, and it helps deliver hot water round the clock. The unit weighs 14.8lb, and the dimensions of this device are 18.25×3.5×14.5 inches.
Pros
- Silent operation
- Easy to install
- Digital temperature display
- Replacement model
Cons
- May not be energy efficient
"I was impressed by its space-saving design and efficiency, despite the installation demanding some focus on plumbing and other electrical details. Plus, I consider it worthy as it offers me an endless hot water supply."
7. Best Compact:Marey Tankless Gas Water Heater
Do you experience frequent power outages in your area? The Marey tankless water heater is the right choice because it works on propane gas and not electricity. Just adjust the size according to your requirements, and you will never run out of hot water. Also known as an on-demand water heater, it can save up to 87% of energy and save electricity bills. The Marey water heater weighs 21lb and measures 6.9×13.6×23.6 inches. This tankless gas water heater can work on a 2D battery, and you can start the device with power ignition.
Pros
- Simple installation
- Uses propane gas as fuel
- Efficient design
- Helps reduce energy consumption
- Five-year warranty
- Hardware included
- Compact saves space
Cons
- May not have vent pipes
"While not the easiest to install, its non-electrical mechanism has made it perfect for my RV. Its capacity is also decent, and the option to adjust the temperature is a bonus. Overall, it has proven to be reliable for my modest domestic needs."
8. Best Overheating Protection:Gasland Tankless Water Heater
Image: Gasland The Gasland tankless water heater weighs 14.65 pounds and measures 11.8×6.1×17.3 inches. It is small in size, easy to carry on vacations, and can save up to 11.5% of energy. The device has passed the CSA certification and has an anti-freeze protection drain plug that can drain the remaining water to prevent freezing when not in use or cold areas.
Protection from overheating at temperatures exceeding 167°F can ensure home safety. It is ideal for outdoor use, but you can use it indoors if you install a ventilation duct or a flue pipe.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Excellent customer service
- Compact and lightweight
- Battery-powered
- Safety-tested to meet US and Canadian standards
- Easy to use
Cons
- May not be suitable for high altitude areas above 3300ft
"I have been using this heater for a few months and find it easy to operate. It even warms the water quickly, and the auto shut-off mechanism offers peace of mind. The only issue is that the showerhead's coating has started to peel, but its overall functionality remains unaffected."
Quick tip9. Best Easy-To-Program:Eemax Electric Tankless Water Heater
The Eemax electric tankless water heater can provide hot water quickly and continuously. It is equipped with advanced self-adjusting technology, indicating that the device can automatically adjust the required energy according to the hot water demand.
Make sure you purchase the size according to the hot water requirements and check it carefully before installation. The electrical model weighs 8.08lb and measures 11.5x 8×3.75in. The compact size of the heating device saves on storage space.
Pros
- Simple installation
- Easy to program
- Five years warranty for leaks and one year for parts
- Great energy saver
Cons
- Suitable for sink and not shower
"Upgrading to this water heater has been a boon for my morning routine. It's small yet provides a continuous hot water supply even when I use my sink and shower simultaneously. Additionally, the digital knob allows me to adjust the temperature with ease."
10. Best Safety Functions:Biselong Electric Tankless Heater
This professional grade electric tankless hot water heater is specially designed for bathing as it can maintain a constant water temperature. It has an in-built smart chip that calculates the required power base for the water flow without disturbing the water temperature, thus saving energy and your bill. You can use this instantaneous water heater for the kitchen, bathrooms, school, hospital, and hair salon. Tested by many reviewers, the digital display allows you to see the water temperature, and the touch control panel enables easy adjustment of temperature. It measures 7.4×2.5×11.8 inches and weighs 5.13 lbs.
Pros
- Compact design
- Energy saving
- Multiple safety functions
- Quick heating
- 360 degrees installation
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Ineffective temperature control
"This heater suits my compact bathroom space. What impressed me is its ability to offer instant hot water and support multiple connections. However, I would recommend considering professional installation to prevent leakage."
11. Best State-Of-The-Art Technology:Rinkmo Electric Tankless Water Heater
The Rinkmo electric tankless water heater is extremely safe because the hot water and the electric hose are separated to prevent rust and explosion. Using the Rinkmo heater, you can save on power bills. It also supports LED alarm, which reflects as LL or HH, when the inlet water temperature is lower than 37°F or higher than 167°F.
Silicone wire ensures heat resistance and durability. The machine weighs 11.2l pounds and measures 18x14x3.7 inches.
Pros
- Low maintenance
- Saves energy
- Compact design
- State-of-the-art technology
- Continuous supply of hot water
Cons
- May not be suitable for showers
"I love the fact that this water heater can manage numerous showers and faucets at once. While it does draw a sizable amount of power, it smoothly replaced my conventional tank heater with increased efficiency."
How To Choose The Right Tankless Water Heaters?
Here are some factors that you should consider before buying a tankless water heater.
- Flow rate: It depends on your hot water requirement and household size. If you have a larger household and high water consumption, you need an instant water heater with a high maximum flow rate. Some heaters have multiple water outlets, while others provide only one tap. You can figure out the number of pipes that require access to hot running water to estimate the flow rate.
- Fuel type: Gas tankless water heaters heat water faster but may not be as convenient to carry as electric equipment. The gas needed for fuel requires a lot of space and proper installation of vents, so it is suitable for large houses. Regular post-installation maintenance is also essential. On the other hand, electric tankless water heaters are energy-efficient and provide lesser flow rates. They are stylish and require little space. The maintenance cost also is relatively less.
- User-friendly: Always buy a tankless water heater that is easy to use, has multiple safety features, and low noise levels. Modern technology used in these heaters ensures ease of operation. Digital displays, auto adjustment mechanisms, and other functions are always selling points.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a tankless water heater work for a whole house?
A whole-house tankless water heater or centralized water heater can supply hot water to many fixtures and appliances, including showers, faucets, garage taps, dishwashers, and washing machines.
2. How do I know what size electric water heater I need?
The size of the tankless water heater required is calculated keeping in mind the flow rate — how many fixtures or appliances need a hot water supply and how much — and the temperature required to be raised by the heater.
3. How does a tankless water heater work?
Once the tankless water heater is installed at a fixed place, you can connect it to your desired fixtures and appliances that require hot water using hot water lines. These heaters have two fuel types and run either on electricity or gas, with electric heaters being more cost-effective and compact.
4. How do I flush a tankless water heater?
You should cut off the power and water supplies to and from the heater and rinse the inner parts of the heater with vinegar for 45 minutes using an external pump, garden hose, or bucket. The procedure, which takes about an hour, helps remove sediments from the heater.
5. Do tankless water heaters need a vent?
Tankless water heaters need an exhaust vent to remove the hot air they generate.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We have compiled this list of the best electric tankless water heaters after considering their quality, safety, and features. Picked from the best tankless water heater brands, these best-in-class tankless water heaters are easy to use, portable, and have higher heating power. Several users on various e-commerce sites have also endorsed them. We have included a buying guide and explained the pros and cons of each product to help you make the right decision based on your requirements.
The Bottom Line
With an electric tankless water heater, you can get access to hot water on the go. These nifty devices are compact, portable, and save more energy than traditional water heaters. You can also choose from several options that are different in size, performance, and style. Our top choices are the Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater, which has a noiseless operation, and the Ecosmart Eco 18 Electric Tankless Water Heater, which has energy-efficient features. You may also consider the Rheem Tankless Water Heater, equipped with advanced self-adjusting technology. However, before choosing the best tankless water heater, assess your water requirement and household size and choose one with a reasonable flow rate. Besides this, ensure it is user-friendly with features such as an easy-to-read digital display and auto adjustments.
Infographic: Features To Check In An Electric Tankless Water Heater
A water heater is an essential home appliance for hot water for household activities, especially during winter. An electric tankless water heater is a good option if you have less space and also do not wish to store the hot water. Explore the infographic below to learn other features of a good tankless heater.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Tankless or Demand-Type Water Heaters
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters
Recommended Articles:
- Best Heaters For Baby Rooms
- Best Under-Desk Heaters
- Best Infrared Heaters
- Best Heaters For Small Greenhouse
