If the colder season is just around the corner and you are looking for warm water in all the faucets of your living space, you must need the best and most reliable water heater brand.
Currently, this utility is available with many exclusive features and smart control options. Choosing the right appliance will become quite confusing; the infinite number of models and their brands make things more difficult for home consumers.
Below, you will provide enough information about the best and worst water heater brands with a complete buying guide that will help you pick the right option according to your needs.
Common Water Heater Types
Before introducing you to the best water heater brands, it is better to learn about the types of water heaters for better understanding.
You might hear about electric water heaters or traditional tank and tankless water heaters, but other formats also exist in the current market. Let’s have a closer look at every type here:
Tankless Water Heaters
Starting with the most popular type of water heater provides you with many modern facilities. The tankless water heater is the most demanding product and takes up very less space in your living area. Plus. they are available in different sizes.
You can instantly get hot and cold water from both taps with different energy sources. The major sources of this form of water heater are electric or natural gas.
You can connect this tankless water heater to any of these sources and get an on-demand water level per your requirements.
Tank Water Heaters
This is the most conventional type of water heater that will store the water on its tank for heating. Again, you can use the natural gas or electric power source to heat this tank full of water. You have to warm this water tank before use to get the required amount of water.
It will allow you to use the hot water from its tap at any time, but remember that this type of water heater will take time to heat the water. This format is also energy efficient and automatically switches off when it reaches the highest temperature.
Hybrid Water Heaters
This water heater uses a heat pump to generate the heat in the air and you can use it to warm the water in any tank. This water heater type will compress the air and eliminate the cool air from its surroundings.
Once you have retained the warm air, it will provide enough heat to water to warm it. The other heating source of this pump is the electrical coils which will provide heat to the tank’s base full of water.
If you are residing in a cooler area, then this format of water heater is an ideal structure to adopt.
Solar Water Heater
If you can absorb continuous sunlight, you can convert this natural source into heat with a solar system. It is the most affordable water heater that will provide hot water from natural energy sources.
Occasionally, you might not get warm water, especially on colder days or in cool areas, because of no daylight in some seasons. Therefore, you should arrange a backup heating source or plan with a solar water heater.
Condensing Water Heater
You can get a continuous flow of warm water at any tap with a condensing water heater. It is the smarter format of water heater, which uses less energy of about 10 to 15% compared to other instant water heaters.
If you have colder water, give it a pre-heat to access the hot water in the right spot.
Our Top Picks – 7 Best Water Heater Brands
Now, let us take you through the top seven water heater brands that deliver high-class performance on any usage. These are truly the best companies for various energy sources and provide your preferred warm water supply in every home’s faucet.
When it comes to the electric water heater, some of these companies also offer their models in this format. They will deliver instant hot water anytime with a perfect flow rate. Now, let’s learn more about these brands of water heaters:
1. O. Smith – Best Overall
The most trustworthy brand of water heater in the current market is A.O. Smith. It is an extremely popular brand in North America and manufactures hybrid, solar, tank, and tankless water heaters in all sizes.
This company started operations in 1874 as a hardware shop and has become the best plumbing product wholesaler. You can make a solid investment in high-efficiency electric heaters of this brand or choose any natural gas-sourced product to get your desired warm water.
You will never notice any complaints from this brand about the tank capacity, warranty, or price by any of its consumers.
2. Takagai – Most Reliable Water Heater
Takagai is a Japanese brand delivering high-quality water heaters. The innovations of this brand are quite efficient and smart. You will get perfect results as per your preferred warm water, especially from the tankless water heater format.
This brand is also backed by A.O. Smith company, which is why most buyers trust it. Some exceptional water heater models of Takagai brand deliver instant warm waters even from multiple sources.
If you check the reviews of the 40-gallon electric water heater of Takagai, you will surely purchase it in your first instance.
3. Rheem Water Heater – Maintenance Free Brand
You can also trust the Rheem water heater products, as they have been delivering high superiority products in this field since 1925.
This manufacturer is California based and is quite famous for producing heating, cooling, commercial refrigerators, and spa heating products at affordable prices.
You can check the reliability of this brand through their massive warranty and free after-sale services. A full range of solar, gas, and electric water heaters is available in all formats and sizes.
The water storage tanks of the Rheem brand are also very reliable; you will never notice any leakage issue in their products.
4. Ecosmart Water Heater – Environment-Friendly Option
If you are looking for an environment-friendly brand, you can go for Ecosmart water heater models. The innovative SmartBoost technology of this company outperforms many top brands’ water heater products.
Moreover, you can reduce your electricity bills with these Ecosmart water heaters by up to 60%. Many consumers trust Ecosmart units because of these two important features.
If you compare the quality of their water heater products with their cost, you will surely be amused with your selection because their products never disappoint you at any stage.
5. Bosch Water Heaters – Energy Efficient
Here comes another vintage water heater brand from Germany. The Bosch brand is also quite popular in manufacturing household appliances and other electronic gears.
The solid performance and quality construction of Bosch home products make them reliable and famous for householders. Most of the Bosch models are energy efficient with longer warranties.
This company’s electric water heaters will deliver 97% thermal efficiency, which is economical from natural gas energy sources.
The customer support and after-sales service of the Bosch brand are also quite good; home users can always get warm water from their water heating products.
6. Kenmore Water Heater – Massive Variety Brand
Although Kenmore products are still quite famous in the kitchen appliance category, they produce a huge range of water heaters in all formats.
The hybrid and tankless water heater models are also renowned for commercial uses. The household models are also infinite and provide energy-efficient water heaters with the right tank capacity.
The Kenmore appliances also consume less energy, and their electric water heater models can be operated via android phones and other smart devices. You can also control their settings when you are away from your home.
7. Rinnai – Rich Brand History
Finally, have a closer look at another retro water heater brand! The Rinnai is a well-established firm that started manufacturing home appliances in 1920. The gas appliances of the Rinnai brand are extremely popular.
Currently, the company is also focusing on their tankless water heaters and making them Wi-Fi enabled for their consumers. Besides all this, you can utilize the Rinnai water heater products both for residential and commercial use.
The Energy Star compliant makes them more reliable for any consumer. You will get the right controller with Rinnai water heaters to maintain a standard temperature.
How to Choose the Best Water Heater? – A Complete Buying Guide
If you are thinking about picking your favorite hot water heater, then stop! There are still some crucial factors left that you must know before buying this utility. You must consider the following key elements to make your selection perfect according to your needs:
The Source of Energy
The most important factor is the source of water heater energy. The major sources are electric, gas, and solar, which can be chosen according to their availability.
It is easy for some householders to manage the electricity source, while others may have an access to the natural gas source. Therefore, you can consider the best water heater according to the available source.
Many homeowners currently install solar systems as well, especially in areas where you can get easy sunlight access. This format is the most economical and gives you hot water whenever you open the warmer tap.
You can consider this type even if you need a 50-gallon water heater without any breaks. However, make sure that you have continuous sunlight in your location.
Tank vs Tankless
The most common formats of a water heater are tank and tankless. Many householders are confused between these two types, although, the phenomenon is quite simple.
As the name suggests, the tank water heater contains a physical tank, while the tankless models are available without any bulky tanks or other fixtures.
The tank water heater is less energy efficient. Although you have to pay more upfront, the tankless type is an energy-efficient option. You will see most of the brands are offering tank or tankless units and available in electric hot water heaters.
Now, you can choose any water heater type according to your needs.
Tank Capacity
You also need to focus on the capacity of the hot water heater electric models. The householders must remember the following numbers before picking the best water heater brand:
| Number of Persons | Tank Capacity |
|---|---|
| 1 – 2 Persons | 20 – 35 Gallons |
| 2 – 4 Persons | 35 – 50 Gallons |
| 3 – 5 Persons | 50 – 60 Gallons |
| 5 – 7 Persons | 60 – 75 Gallons |
These figures may fluctuate on the usage of bathing or showering in the bathroom, running the washing machine in the laundry room, and dishwashing in the kitchen.
Digital Display
The presence of a digital display also matters a lot on most reliable water heater brands. The advanced models and hot water tanks are blessed with a digital display that gives better operations control.
You can operate and utilize the electric hot water heater in a better way. Consumers will easily turn on or off the water heater through this digital controller.
It will give you the luxury to increase and efficiency of this utility and save the energy source to a great extent.
Price and Warranty of Water Heater
The householders also need to ensure the warranty of their water heater and save their investment on replacements and repairs.
If you check the hot water heater at Lowes store, then you will notice that they provide good service coverage and free maintenance on their products. In this way, you can save your investment for some other future purposes.
These warranty terms are different on various brands or as per the quality of their models. Therefore, it is essential to check the warranty on the description of the products before purchasing them.
You can compare this warranty with the price, and if your preferred brand offers after-sales and repairing guarantees, you can purchase some expensive water heater products.
Worst Water Heaters in the Market: Try to Avoid these Brands
The above sections of our top picks and a complete buying guide help you to choose the best and most reliable water heater brands in the current marketplace.
However, some brands cut down their performance and offer discounted rates on their water heater products to trap consumers into selling their low-quality models.
Currently, some well-known water heater companies are also trying these fancy tricks to increase their annual sales. You have to take a closer look at these models and avoid these water heaters to save your investments.
The following is a list of the worst water heater models in the current market:
- Whirlpool – E50H6-45
- American® Water Heater
- Bradford White – RG240T6N Natural Gas Water Heater
- Richmond® & GE – 50 Gallon Electric Water Heater
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Most Reliable Brand of Water Heater?
The Tagaki brand is the most reliable water heater, both for residential and commercial use. Most expert plumbers and experienced contractors recommended this brand and sometimes preferred it even over A.O. Smith and American Standard Water Heaters.
What’s the Best Brand of Water Heater to Buy?
You can trust Rinnai or A.O. Smith companies to purchase the best water heater. They are reliable brands and produce high-quality products for both tankless and tank water heaters.
What Are the Top Three Water Heaters?
If you are looking to buy the top quality water heater, then you should go for any of the following three models:
- Rheem XG50T12DU38U2
- O. Smith EG12-50R55DV
- Rheem MHD85245
What is the Best Gas Water Heater Brand?
The Smith brand offers 50 and 40-gallon gas water heater products which are the best in the current industry. If you notice the reviews of most consumers, you will see most of them quite positive about these models.
How Long Should a Water Heater Last?
If you purchase a quality water heater and use it with the right care, as suggested by its manufacturer, it can easily last about eight to ten years.
Final Thoughts
You can trust the choice of our review board and research committee, which pick the seven most reliable water heater brands based on honest reviews and true testing results.
Our team has gone through numerous satisfaction forms, price charts, unbiased consumer reviews, and the performance of these water heater brands to provide our readers with a perfect choice.
We also provide a few models of water heaters which you should avoid. Our buying guide will also give you some decisive factors for a perfect selection. Now, it’s time to say Goodbye to your choice of the best water heater.
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