Best Tankless Water Heaters
Top tankless water heaters ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Rinnai RU199iN Condensing Tankless
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 11 GPM handles simultaneous showers
- Condensing efficiency with PVC venting
- Recirculation support built in
Cons
- Professional gas and vent install is costly
- Needs 3/4-inch gas line verification
Don't buy this if…
- Do not buy any 199k BTU unit without checking your gas meter capacity, since undersized supply starves the burner.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Stainless condensing heat exchanger
- Strong freeze protection
- EcoNet app integration
Cons
- Condensate drain is mandatory
- Annual descaling in hard-water regions
Don't buy this if…
- Skip gas tankless entirely if your water hardness exceeds 12 grains untreated, because scale will strangle the exchanger.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Internal recirculation pump and buffer tank
- Top-of-class flow rating
- Dual stainless heat exchangers
Cons
- Most expensive mainstream option
- Service network is thinner than Rinnai's
Don't buy this if…
- Do not pay the recirculation premium for a compact single-bath home, since short pipe runs never had a wait problem.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- No venting required
- Flow control prevents cold surprises
- Compact silent operation
Cons
- Needs two 60-amp double-pole breakers
- Winter groundwater halves output in cold states
Don't buy this if…
- Do not buy 24kW electric tankless north of the Mason-Dixon line for multi-shower duty, since 40F inlet water caps you near two fixtures.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Excellent price per kilowatt
- Self-modulating energy draw
- Tiny wall footprint
Cons
- Requires three 40-amp breakers and 200A service
- Flow sensor is a known wear part
Don't buy this if…
- Avoid this if your electrical panel is 150 amps or less, because a 112-amp max draw leaves no headroom for the rest of the house.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Serviceable screw-in elements
- Simple two-breaker install
- Accurate digital control
Cons
- Not whole-house in cold climates
- Plastic fittings on early units
Don't buy this if…
- Do not expect this to run two winter showers at once, since 18kW yields roughly 2 GPM against cold groundwater.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Rinnai build quality below four figures
- No condensate management
- Compact indoor footprint
Cons
- Stainless venting is expensive per foot
- 0.81 UEF trails condensing rivals
Don't buy this if…
- Skip non-condensing gas if your vent run exceeds a few feet, because stainless Category III pipe erases the purchase savings.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Lowest-cost indoor gas tankless
- Attractive compact design
- Modulating burner
Cons
- 4 GPM is single-shower territory
- Shorter warranty than major brands
Don't buy this if…
- Do not buy this for a full-time family home, since it is engineered for intermittent cabin-grade demand.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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