The best water heater in 2018 has some impressive and unbeatable features. Read on to find out what they are and which is fit for you.
Modern families use hot water for a variety of reasons. If you don’t have a good water heater, you may not be able to effectively clean dishes, take showers or perform other common tasks.
While water heaters do a good job of delivering hot water when you most need it, they don’t last forever. When you begin to shop for a new water heater, you will likely notice the dozens that are on the market today.
As you may suspect, while you have options for purchasing a new water heater, not every water heater is a smart investment. If you are busy, you may not have time to sufficiently research water heaters. We are here to help.
In this article, we review the five best water heaters of 2018. Read on to see which water heaters made our list.
How We Reviewed Water Heaters
If you are like most individuals, you probably use your water heater every day. To avoid investing in an inferior appliance, you need as much information as possible. We take our responsibility to provide you with honest, reliable and useful material seriously. Therefore, we took great care in reviewing the appliances that appear on our list.
To earn a spot on our survey of the best water heaters of 2018, each appliance must excel in the following areas:
- Effectiveness
- Efficiency
- Design
- Size
- Affordability
While we looked at several water heaters when compiling our rankings, we didn’t only consider marketing materials and other specifications. Instead, we read through dozens of professional and amateur reviews. We paid special attention to the experiences of actual customers, and when a consumer has remarkable insight about a water heater, we relay that information.
To help you understand how the water heaters on our list compare with each other, we rank each appliance in descending order. We also assign the water heaters on our list with a rating on a five-point scale. You can use these ratings to see precisely how we think the water heaters in our survey measure up to each other.
Our goal is to provide you with insider knowledge about some of the best water heaters on the market today. Whether you choose to purchase a water heater that made our list or another one altogether, we hope you use the information in this article to find a water heater to fit your lifestyle.
Product |
Details |
Price & Rating |
|---|---|---|
Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP Indoor Tankless Water Heater[amazon fields=”B0057X28EG” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Takagi”] |
Heating source: Propane Tank setup: Tankless Best Feature: Excellent flow rate |
[amazon fields=”B0057X28EG” value=”button”] |
EcoSmart ECO 27 Tankless Water Heater[amazon fields=”B002635ODW” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”EcoSmart best water heater”] |
Heating source: EcoSmart ECO 27 Tank setup: Tankless Best Feature: Environmentally friendly |
[amazon fields=”B002635ODW” value=”button”] |
Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater[amazon fields=”B00OBVKBB2″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Rinnai best water heater”] |
Heating source:Natural gas Tank setup: Tankless Best Feature: Space-saving design |
[amazon fields=”B00OBVKBB2″ value=”button”] |
Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater[amazon fields=”B0084CPDFS” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Rheem best water heater”] |
Heating source: Natural gas Tank setup: Tankless Best Feature: Digital display |
[amazon fields=”B0084CPDFS” value=”button”] |
Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 29-Kilowatt Tankless Electric Water Heater[amazon fields=”B003QSGIAY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Stiebel Eltron best water heater”] |
Heating source: Electric Tank setup: Tankless Best Feature: Advance flow control |
[amazon fields=”B003QSGIAY” value=”button”] |
The Top 5 Best Water Heaters in 2018: Rankings, Ratings and Reviews
Here we rank the five best water heaters in 2018. While our list has something for everyone, it certainly isn’t exhaustive. As such, you may find a fantastic water heater that we didn’t rank. That’s fine. Simply compare your intended water heater with the appliances on our list to see how it measures up.
Here are the five best water heaters on the market today.
The Winner: Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP Indoor Tankless Water Heater |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [amazon fields=”B0057X28EG” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Takagi”][amazon fields=”B0057X28EG” value=”button”]
The best water heater in our opinion is the Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP Indoor Tankless water heater. This appliance runs on propane. As a tankless water heater, this Takagi heater supplies your household with hot water on demand. Accordingly, regardless of the amount of hot water you need, you get it. That’s right, you don’t have to worry about running out of hot water if you choose to purchase this appliance. The Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP has an adjustable flame height. It also has a tremendous flow rate. Simply put, this water heater can handle just about any home’s hot water supply needs. Unfortunately, though, the Takagi appliance is expensive. Moreover, because this water heater uses propane, it is incompatible with some homes.
[amazon fields=”B0057X28EG” value=”button”] |
The Runner-Up: EcoSmart ECO 27 Tankless Water Heater |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| [amazon fields=”B002635ODW” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”EcoSmart best water heater”][amazon fields=”B002635ODW” value=”button”]
Another tankless water heater, the EcoSmart ECO 27 almost won the top spot on our ranking of the best water heaters in 2018. This appliance is electric, which makes it less expensive to operate. The EcoSmart ECO 27’s best feature is its ability to heat up water quickly. Even if you live in a cold climate, the appliance gets the job done fast and effectively. We like the environmental friendliness of the EcoSmart ECO 27. Still, this appliance isn’t easy to install. Instead, you likely need to rely on a certified installation technician. Be careful, though, as using the wrong installer could void the warranty.
[amazon fields=”B002635ODW” value=”button”] |
Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| [amazon fields=”B00OBVKBB2″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Rinnai best water heater”][amazon fields=”B00OBVKBB2″ value=”button”]
The most expensive appliance on our list earns the third spot. The Rinnai RUC98iN Natural Gas Tankless water heater is an on-demand heater. While this water heater is set up to run on natural gas, you can configure it for propane usage. If you live in an area that requires you to own a water heater with no emissions, this one is a perfect choice. You simply can’t run out of water with the Rinnai RUC98iN. This appliance delivers as much hot water as you want, whenever you want it. It isn’t cheap, though. In fact, you may have to save up a bit before buying this water heater.
[amazon fields=”B00OBVKBB2″ value=”button”] |
Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| [amazon fields=”B0084CPDFS” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Rheem best water heater”][amazon fields=”B0084CPDFS” value=”button”]
The Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM Tankless natural gas water heater is efficient and effective. That is, the appliance does a good job warming up water. Still, you may have to wait a few seconds for hot water to leave the heater. This is slower than some of the other water heaters on our list. The Rheem water heater runs on natural gas. It is also efficient, meaning you will likely save on monthly energy costs. This heater also has a self-diagnostic tool to help you quickly identify issues with it. Overall, despite its comparatively slow delivery of hot water, the Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM is a good appliance.
[amazon fields=”B0084CPDFS” value=”button”] |
Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 29-Kilowatt Tankless Electric Water Heater |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| [amazon fields=”B003QSGIAY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Stiebel Eltron best water heater”][amazon fields=”B003QSGIAY” value=”button”]
The last water heater on our list is an electric water heater. The Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus 29-kW Tankless water heater delivers hot water on demand. Unfortunately, though, this water heater is not energy efficient. That is, you can expect to pay more per month on energy bills with this water heater than with some of the others on our list. We like the Stiebel Eltron Tempra for its advance-flow system. Even better, this water heater doesn’t require ventilation. As such, you can install it in areas where cutting vents is impractical or impossible. The digital display also makes using the water heater simple.
[amazon fields=”B003QSGIAY” value=”button”] |
Water Heater FAQs
What Is a Water Heater?
A water heater is an appliance that heats water. Usually, water heaters store heated water in a tank until you need to use it. Some, however, have on-demand features that heat only enough water for your immediate needs. Water heaters are generally either gas or electric.
How Do Water Heaters Work?
Water heaters work by heating up water. Gas water heaters usually fill large tanks with heated water. Electric water heaters, by contrast, usually heat only the water you need to use. When you no longer need water, it returns to room temperature. Accordingly, electric water heaters are usually less expensive to operate than their gas counterparts.
What Is the Difference Between Tank and Tankless Water Heaters
In addition to gas and electric versions, water heaters usually come either with or without a tank. Tank water heaters are what most individuals picture when they think of a water heater. These appliances heat water before storing it in their tank. A tankless water heater heats water, but only when you need it. Of course, tankless water heaters are usually smaller than those with tanks.
How Much Do Water Heaters Cost?
The cost of water heaters varies considerably. You also usually must budget for the cost of installation. To help you better understand how much water heaters cost, we discuss the subject in more detail later in this article.
Where Can You Buy a Water Heater?
Like most appliances, water heaters are available for purchase in a variety of places. You may purchase one at a big-box home-improvement store or another retail outlet.
You may also shop for your next water heater at an appliance store. If you prefer to order your water heater online, that’s possible too. Some consumers choose to buy water heaters directly through the manufacturer’s website. Others use a third-party seller, such as Amazon. Furthermore, most plumbers sell water heaters.
Overall Price Range of Water Heaters
We mentioned in our FAQ section above that the price range of water heaters is vast. Generally, the more expensive a water heater, the more features it includes. If you pay more for a water heater, you can usually expect the following options:
- Brand name
- Large-capacity tank
- Programmable system
- Electronic screen
- Efficient operation
- Easy installation
While it is possible to spend a small fortune on a new water heater, you probably don’t have to break the bank to replace an old, damaged or outdated one. Instead, you must work to understand which features you need, which ones you want, and which are unnecessary.
You also must decide whether you want a gas or electric appliance. Generally, this analysis requires understanding which sort of water heater is compatible with your home’s plumbing system. After you have analyzed your water heating needs, your home’s requirements and your ultimate goals, you can begin to define your water heater budget.
In our review, we give you some information about how much each water heater costs. This is an estimate only. As you probably know, the price of appliances fluctuates frequently. When you are looking for your next water heater, be sure to check with a retailer for real-time pricing information.
Additionally, remember you probably have to pay installation costs for any water heater you decide to purchase. When establishing your budget, be sure you set aside a couple of hundred bucks for installation fees.
The Verdict: The Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP Is the Best
There is nothing quite as frustrating as running out of hot water when you are trying to take a shower in the morning. If you are relying on an old, damaged or inefficient water heater, it is probably only a matter of time until your appliance fails entirely.
When you are ready to replace your water heater, you have dozens of options. Which one is right for you largely depends on your home’s setup and your hot water goals.
In our opinion, the Takagi T-KJr2-IN-LP is the best on the market today. This propane water heater delivers a consistent supply of hot water. In fact, it is virtually impossible to run out of hot water when using the Takagi.
Of course, your home may not support a propane water heater. If you are looking for an electric or natural gas appliance, the EcoSmart ECO 27 and Rinnai RUC98iN are good options respectively. Both of these water heaters will likely deliver enough hot water to meet your household’s needs.
Again, whether you decide to purchase a water heater that made our list of the five best or a different appliance, we hope you use the information in this article to make a smart purchase.
