In the past, even the best electric tankless water heaters on the market did not last long, and their lack of durability and longevity gave this type of appliance a bad name. These units were also generally known for not being able to keep up with the water heating demands of a full, busy household. Simply put, they were not considered worth the investment by most technicians and homeowners. However, this has all changed in recent years.
Thanks to technological advances and further development through trial and error, electric tankless water heaters are now one of the best options if you are looking for a water heating option that uses less energy than your current system. Let’s quickly cover some key aspects of the technology used in the best electric tankless water heaters. Then, we’ll look specifically at a wide range of the most prominent models out there today.
The technologies used in striving to design the best electric tankless water heater are still new to most of us. Therefore, you may have some questions regarding how these heaters actually work and why they may be a better option than your classic water heater with a large tank. Here are some questions that are bound to arise.
Table of Contents
What Is an Electric Tankless Water Heater?
An electric tankless water heater is an alternative source of hot water for any structures where water can be better heated using electricity rather than gas as an energy source. They take up less space than models with tanks and provide a continuous supply of hot water.
Does an Electric Tankless Water Heater Require Maintenance?
Yes, even the very best electric tankless water heater will require regular maintenance. Just like most other appliances and devices in your home, you do need to check up on your electric tankless water heater from time to time and, the “harder” your water is, the more maintenance your heater may need.
How will you maintain your tankless heater? It’s actually quite easy. As a precaution and to prolong the unit’s life, it is best to flush the system as directed about once a year. This will depend on your usage patterns, however.
If you live alone and are not using your electric tankless water heater as much as a household of five might, for example, you may only need to flush every two-to-three years. Consult your heater’s manufacturer or a specialist to determine how often you should flush your unit out.
Hard Water vs. Soft Water
What does the term “hard water” actually mean? Well, it means that the water in your system contains high levels of minerals content. Whether your water is hard or soft depends a lot on where you live. For example, if you live in the southern U.S., your water is likely to be hard. There are various charts and diagrams to show you where your water rates on the soft-to-hard scale.
There are “water softener” attachments and chemicals you can add to your tankless water heater to eliminate many of the minerals in the water. Use of these solutions may enable you to go as long as five years without flushing your water heater unit.
What Happens When Your Power Goes Out?
Susceptibility to failure during a power outage is probably the biggest drawback for this design approach, and it applies to even the best electric tankless hot water heaters. When the power goes out, you lose your hot water supply right away.
In contrast, with a conventional heater with a full tank, you may have up to 50 gallons of hot water to use should your power go out.Also, because these tankless heaters operate on an as-needed basis and the tank does not hold water at all times, it may take a little longer than you expect for your water to heat up when washing dishes or taking a bath, for example. This extra time for heating is generally not a huge burden, but it is something to consider.
How We Reviewed
In our search for the best electric tankless water heater, we evaluated many models from different makers. Our parameters included features, pricing, availability, warranty coverage, and overall value based on notable pros and cons we discovered for each.
Overall Price Range of the Best Electric Tankless Water Heaters
As with other household appliances, prices vary widely for the best electric tankless water heaters. Spending more will typically get you benefits such as faster heating and water delivery, greater energy efficiency, more convenient controls, and reduced maintenance requirements.
Water Heaters We Reviewed – Our Top Picks of Heaters
Stiebel Eltron 231045 Mini 2
No products found.
Features
This is a strong candidate for the best electric tankless water heater if you are looking for a small, compact unit that can fit almost anywhere in your home. If you live in a smaller home with little or no storage space and want to use an electric tankless water heater, this is indeed a great option for you. It has a sleek design that does not look like an industrial piece, allowing it to be installed virtually anywhere without creating an eyesore.
Warranty
This product has a leakage warranty of seven years and a damage-or-defect warranty extending for three years.
PROS
- Compact design
- Easily mounted during installation
- Energy savings vs. older technology
CONS
- Water temperature may be inconsistent
- Low rate of delivery, measured in gallons per minute (GPM)
Bosch Electric Tankless Water Heater
No products found.
Features
This may be the best electric tankless water heater for you if you are looking for one that can be used either residentially or commercially. This heater has a built-in water movement sensor to make sure the temperature of the water going out is consistent. There is virtually no loss of energy when the device is not in use, making it a great energy-saving option.
Warranty
This device has a five-year limited warranty and a two-year limited warranty on additional accessories.
PROS
- Consistent hot water delivery
- Great for residential or commercial use
CONS
- Expensive for some budgets
- Cannot be plugged into a standard outlet, but must be hard-wired with a breaker
Eccotemp EM-2.5 Electric 2.5-Gallon Mini Tank Water Heater
No products found.
Features
This is one of the best electric water heaters to check out if you are looking for a “mini” option. It comes in various sizes, including 2.5 gallons for solo users and couples, 4 gallons for medium-sized households, and 7 gallons for larger households. Again, like other heaters listed here, this one is designed to blend into your decor unobtrusively. It can be placed on the floor or easily mounted on a wall with the heavy-duty brackets included.
Warranty
This product has a five-year limited warranty.
PROS
- Compact design
- Floor-standing or wall-mountable
- Various tank sizes available
CONS
- Must turn this unit upside down to flush
- Low water pressure
Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 29 kW
No products found.
Features
This is one of the most technically advanced and, therefore, one of the best electric tankless water heaters on the market. It is equipped with a flow monitor to ensure constant and reliable temperatures, and there are various controls on the outside of the tank enabling you to regulate the heat level and other operating variables.
Warranty
This product carries a three-year warranty to protect the buyer against defects in the device or any materials or components that come with it.
PROS
- Top-quality design and construction
- Ability to set the flow level
CONS
- Expensive for the product category
- Large size can make fitting the unit in your home a challenge
2.3 GPM Electric Tankless Water Heater
No products found.
Features
This electric tankless water heater is made of stainless steel and certified lead-free. This differentiates it from other tankless hot water heaters that are made of plastic or other materials that may not be as durable. The stainless steel helps avoid deterioration of the tank. Also, this design is very compact, which makes it great for people with diverse lifestyles as well as light commercial applications.
Warranty
This product comes with a three-year warranty covering any internal or electrical issues that may arise and a five-year warranty that covers leaks.
PROS
- Great for residential or commercial use
- Affordable
CONS
- Only for indoor use
- Takes a while to heat up
Titan SCR2 N-120 Electric Tankless Water Heater
No products found.
Features
This 220V Titan heater is one of the best affordable options we found. For this smaller-capacity tankless water heater, it is extra-important to determine how close you will position the unit to your source of water flow, as this may influence your buying decision.
Warranty
This product comes with a three-year warranty covering any internal or electrical issues that may arise and a five-year warranty that covers leaks.
PROS
- Sufficient supply for about two hot baths
- Good for indoor use
CONS
- Complaints of hot water coming out cold or lukewarm
- Heater may turn off unexpectedly and require resetting
Marey ECO110 220V Self-Modulating 11 kW
No products found.
Features
This is an excellent tankless water heater if you live in a region where water flowing into your home is typically above 70 degrees. However, if you live in a colder region, this unit can only be reliably used to supply a sink with hot water. You will want to consider a larger, more powerful unit if you want to supply hot water to a busy household or multiple rooms.
Warranty
This product from Marey includes a five-year warranty.
PROS
- Affordable
- Great for one or two people
CONS
- Best suited for warmer climates
- Won’t handle two different water demands at the same time
Rheem 240V Heating Chamber RTEX-13
No products found.
Features
If you are accustomed to using digital appliances in your home, then you are probably going to love this electric tankless hot water heater. There is a digital external control that allows you to change the water temperature, and readouts are provided by LED lights so you can read the current water temperature in a dark room. This device is extremely easy to use and an Amazon Choice winner in the category of the best electric tankless water heaters.
Warranty
This product is covered by a standard manufacturer’s warranty. Please seek more details before you purchase.
PROS
- Affordable
- Great for one or two people
CONS
- Best suited for warmer climates
- Won’t handle two different water demands at the same time
Atmor Hand Washing Single Sink Heater
No products found.
Features
This is another solid option among the best electric tankless water heaters if you are looking for a unit to supply a sink only. This heater is not suitable for bath or shower use. If you live in a small apartment and want an alternate water heating source for your kitchen or bathroom sink, to cite one possible application, this Atmor heater is worth a look
Warranty
This product carries distinct two-year and seven-year warranties to protect the consumer against various defects and component issues.
PROS
- Nearly instant hot water source for sinks
- Easy installation
- Affordable
CONS
- Can only be used on one sink
Sio Green IR260 POU Electric Tankless Water Heater
No products found.
Features
This unit from Sio Green is an appealing, decidedly high-tech tankless water heater. It has digital infrared controls that are easy to read in the dark and enable precise control. The material it is made of ensures there will be no corrosion or bacteria buildup.
Warranty
This product comes with a two-year warranty.
PROS
- If placed close to a source, this unit is a great source of hot water
- You can use two water sources at once
CONS
- Works much better in warmer climates
- Customer support is questionable, according to reviewers
Ariston GL4S Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
No products found.
Features
If you are looking for a mini-tank electric water heater, this is a great option. It comes in one size, 4 gallons, which is suitable for most medium-sized households. This product is only to be used to supply sinks; it is not suitable for bath or shower use.
Warranty
This product comes with a 6-year limited warranty.
PROS
- Great choice if you are looking for a reliable water heater for your sink
- Can hold plenty of water for sink use alone
CONS
- Expensive for its functionality
- Heavy at 17 pounds
Rheem RTEX-18 Residential
No products found.
Features
This is one of the best electric tankless water heaters for residential use. It can be easily installed without the help of a plumber and. It is lightweight at only around 8 pounds and is small in size which makes it great to fit in different areas of your house, especially if you live in a smaller home.
Warranty
This product has no applicable warranty.
PROS
- Can hold 7 gallons
- Small size
CONS
- Claims that it raises water or electric bill
- Wiring set up may be difficult if you are switching from a tank
Rheem RTE 13 Electric Tankless Water Heater
No products found.
Features
This electric tankless water heater has great features and controls to help you regulate water temperature as accurately as possible. It is also great at regulating temperature flow, and all key variables can be changed via the high-visibility controls on the outside of this device.
Warranty
You should investigate the current, applicable warranty provided with this Rheem product before you purchase one.
PROS
- Works well in motor homes
- An efficient choice
CONS
- Power demands cause lights to flicker in some cases
The Verdict
The best electric tankless water heater for you and your family is definitely out there, now that there are so many options on the market. A projection that households will switch to tankless water heaters more and more in the next 10 years is very prevalent in the media as well. If you are in the process of figuring out which tankless water heater is best for you, we encourage you to put the information above to work, and also to consult your local plumber or electrician.