Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
From dishes to laundry to showers, many household tasks hinge on having the best water heater. We've expertly selected 10 reliable options to help you find your home's perfect fit.
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Whether municipal or privately sourced, all water comes into your home cold. Unless you love chilly showers, you’ll need some way to warm it up. Enter the water heater. Water heaters crank up the temperature of your home’s water supply, whether it flows through the heater or is stored in a reservoir tank. The heater might do this with a flame or a solid heating component; and they can be powered by natural gas, propane or electricity.
While choosing a water heater seems straightforward, according to David Chisolm, VP of Marketing and Customer Experience for A.O. Smith Water Heating, it’s not as simple as finding the right fit upfront. “Homeowners should consider the range of technologies that are now available. Up-front cost versus lifetime cost of ownership is a big consideration. What fuel type they have is another consideration (natural gas, propane, electricity) that will shape the decision,” he says.
Because choosing a water heater is a big decision that will impact the homeowner for years to come, A.O. Smith developed a useful tool to help guide customers in this decision-making process. “It takes into account the homeowner’s hot water needs, local utility rates, incoming groundwater temperature and a number of performance factors to simplify the selection process,” says Chisolm.
Once you find the right type of heater, the next step is deciding on the right model. Luckily, Family Handyman is here to save the day. No matter what type you’re looking for, we’ve found 10 excellent options for households of all sizes.
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When it comes to traditional gas water heaters, the A.O. Smith’s Signature 100 Series 50-gallon model is a dependable unit at a reasonable price, earning it our top spot for best water heater. You can find less expensive gas units, but this heater’s six-year warranty, self-cleaning dip tube and ceramic-fused tank shield mean fewer potential headaches down the road.
We also like that it’s got an environmentally-friendly burner that produces lower levels of nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide than a traditional gas unit.
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Tankless water heaters only generate heat when you want it. By not keeping a tank of hot water constantly at the ready, you’ll see significant savings in your energy bill.
Units like the Rheem Performance Tankless Electric Water Heater can supply about seven gallons a minute, providing hot water for the whole house. But generating that much heat requires a significant amount of space in the electrical breaker box—you’ll need to dedicate four 40-amp double-pole breakers to this heater.
We love this model because it’s simple to use. The easy-to-read LCD display shows the temperature, and the single dial on the unit’s face allows adjustments in one-degree increments. Plus, the unit comes backed by Rheem’s five-year warranty.
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The A.O. Smith Signature Series Tankless Water Heater strikes the perfect balance between price and performance. Gas tankless units have a higher initial purchase price than electric versions, but the lower operating costs normally balance out over the life of the unit.
This model provides enough hot water to run three showers simultaneously. Plus it’s Energy Star rated, meaning it’s one of the most energy-efficient units available. Because the unit uses gas for fuel, you’ll need to run a vent line. If you’re planning on DIYing the installation, make sure you comply with all codes and required permitting.
Hot water heaters may be the last thing on your mind until your current one breaks. But when it does, the GE Electric Storage Tank Water Heater is a worthy upgrade. A 50-gallon real capacity unit, this tank-style electric heater offers a flexible capacity of up to 80 gallons. The flexible capacity setting, when activated, stores your hot water at higher temperatures—this saves money and energy, especially when coupled with the unit’s 2.75″ insulation that reduces lost heat.
With a first-hour delivery rating of 75 gallons, it’s a solid high-efficiency heater that is suitable for larger families of up to six people. WiFi features allow folks to control the temperature of the heater directly from their phones. It’s a perfect pick for those looking to conserve their hot water usage.
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If your biggest concern is running out of water, you’re better off going tankless to ensure “endless” hot water or buying a pretty large tank. Of these options, the gas tank may actually be the most economical. That’s because medium-sized families regularly drain a water heater tank, so the heater isn’t burning energy to keep an unused tank at temperature. For this reason, medium-sized families typically take longer to recoup the cost of a tankless unit.
If you think a 40-gallon tank is the right fit for you, consider the Reliance Natural Gas Water Heater. An electronic gas control thermostat valve provides precise temperature control. In addition, a blinking LED operational indicator light allows you to see whether it’s running at a glance.
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The GE Electric Storage Tank Water Heater is shockingly wallet-friendly for a high-performance unit. The 30-gallon traditional tank makes it a good fit for smaller families or households with an offset usage cycle since it takes less energy to keep it warm between uses.
It only needs a 30-amp electrical breaker, so it shouldn’t require a massive electrical overhaul to install. If you’re replacing an existing electric unit, it may be tough to find a better bargain than this.
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If environmental friendliness is your primary concern, consider the A.O. Smith Signature 900 Hybrid Water Heater. This Energy Star-certified electric model saves the average home with three to four users hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs, according to the manufacturer.
Its hybrid design features a heat pump, similar to the one you may already have to heat and cool your home, to transfer heat from the surrounding air into the water tank. Because the heat pump is slower than traditional heating, the Signature 900 also features two backup heating elements. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty and may qualify for additional rebates or tax credits.
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Sure, some homeowners use a solar array for off-grid living. But if you really want simplicity, consider a wood-fired water heater. This Amish-made unit comes crafted from 3/16-inch welded steel, holds 15 gallons and is efficient enough to continue heating fresh water as it cycles through the tank. It can provide water for back-to-back showers.
We love that it’s not reliant on gas or electricity. But we do need to point out this disclaimer from the manufacturer: “Not UL listed. Not pressure tested. If not properly used or installed, may explode with life-threatening force.” This is a good reminder of why it’s important to be careful when installing any water heater.
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With several different operation modes—including heat pump, electric and vacation modes—the Reliance electric water heater reduces water heating costs by up to 78%. The heat pump mode utilizes the heat pump for all water heating, making it an energy-efficient operation. Plus, WiFi connectivity notifies and manages the unit from your smartphone, including simplifying temperature control and checking the operational status, thus extending the heater’s life.
An included CSA-certified and ASME-rated temperature and pressure relief valve adds additional safety. As an added bonus, there’s no need to worry about saving energy while on vacation. A vacation mode setting maintains the tank’s temperature at 60°F during vacation or extended absence, for up to 99 days.
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There are lots of myths out there about tankless water heaters, but the Rinnai liquid propane tankless water heater blows them all out of—well—the water. This Luxury Series unit uses a space-saving, modern design and incredible efficiency to deliver endless hot water.
A built-in temperature lock function prevents accidental or unauthorized changes to water temperature. It’s also handy for preventing disasters since a leak detection unit shuts off water to the interior units when it detects water on the floor.
Chisolm notes that some of the key factors to consider when buying a water heater include:
I’m an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with expertise in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends. Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece.
For this article, Way sought insights from David Chisolm, who serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience at A.O. Smith Water Heating. Chisolm brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously worked in the new product development department. With 25 years of experience in the manufacturing sector and the home-building industry, he provided valuable expertise.
Choosing the right hot water heater is an important decision that impacts the next 10 years of showers you take, so we took this search very seriously. First, we spoke to industry experts to gain insights into the essential features that should guide our selection. Next, we meticulously combed through top-selling heaters at renowned retailers like Lowe’s, Wayfair and Ace Hardware to pinpoint the market’s highest-rated units. Lastly, we read through each product’s specifications, ensuring they meet our stringent standards. Finally, we identified and highlighted the standout features of each unit, allowing you to find the best water heater that will diligently serve your family for years to come.
According to Chisolm, the average lifetime of a water heater varies widely based on water quality. “The average lifespan of a traditional water heater is around 14 years,” he says. “If your water heater is approaching this age, one might consider proactively replacing it since there are a range of more energy-efficient, better-performing water heaters on the market now.” To increase the lifespan and efficiency, try installing a water heater timer. It reduces electricity waste and lowers heating costs for most units.
Quality water heaters range in price from around $500 to $1,500 or more. The cost of a unit will vary depending on whether you decide to go for a tankless or traditional unit. You might also need to budget for a permit to install a unit from your municipality, or pay for professional installation if you don’t want to DIY it. However, the upfront price tag is only part of the total cost breakdown.
“Many homeowners only take into consideration the up-front cost and dismiss the total cost of ownership,” cautions Chisolm. “For example, a standard electric model may cost $600 for the product, but that product costs $600 per year to operate. In contrast, a heat pump water heater may cost $2,000 for the product but only costs $120 in annual cost of operation. The payback would be just under three years in this case—and years four through 14 yield savings of $480 per year. In addition, many utilities and local municipalities have lucrative rebates for high-efficiency water heaters, bringing down this payback period significantly—and often break-even at purchase.”
“Water heaters are the second highest source of energy usage in the home,” notes Chisolm. “On average, they use more energy than a refrigerator, dishwasher, laundry washer and dryer combined.” According to Chisolm, those looking for a more energy-efficient solution should consider a heat pump water heater. “Designed to help drastically reduce energy usage, heat pump technology is the best kept secret in water heating and by far the most efficient way to heat water in the home, regardless of fuel type.”
“To help offset the cost of upgrading to a heat pump water heater, now is a great time to take advantage of the federal tax credit of up to $2,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act,” says Chisolm. “There are also state and local utility incentives, including instant rebates as high as $3,100 in California (TECH Clean California program) and up to $1,000 in other parts of the country,” he adds.
