With nature becoming more approachable to us and road trips becoming a new trend, more people are buying RVs and living on the road, than in houses. You need convenience in your movable home as much as you need it in your permanent home. One thing that defines comfort better than any other is the availability of hot water. Whether its for bathing or cooking, you will need hot water no matter what, on the road. Things go down quickly when you don’t have hot water, as compared to not having something else. It’s good that now we have Rv Hot Water Heater that can be plugged into the RV and give you hot water almost instantly.
RV water heater is a must-have a companion for you if you like travelling a lot or lives in your recreational vehicle. RV water heater provides hot water for all your needs instantly without having to wait a long for boiling of water otherwise. With a portable water heater, you can have all the comforts of having instant hot water even at outdoor as well. To make the selection of the best rv water heater easier for you, we have reviewed the best rv water heater available in the market.
Unlike the typical 40-gallon or 50-gallon water heaters we have at home, Tankless RV Electric Water Heater are more instant and give you hot water as soon as you turn them on. They save a lot of energy and are much more convenient as well because of their small size and portability. Like conventional water heaters, they don’t have a storage tank, so you can’t store hot water.
Best RV Hot Water Heater
You would have seen a lot of water heaters; some are as huge as a room but RV water heaters as small as a box fitted in the wall of the RV. That is how much convenience they offer along with being quieter than usual and consuming lesser propane as well. These are the factors that will help you choose the best RV hot water heater so that nothing is stopping you when you are on the road.
You can make your RV feel like home with just a few little things. Also, there are some big things which you need to consider while staying. One such this is this Water Heater. Yes, it is essential to have hot water in the RV when you are on a trip or when you want to live with modern conveniences. So, to make your shower much more enjoyable, you need to get one of the best RV Water Heaters. This also makes your RV feel like a real home. To make your camping experience more comfortable or to have a home-like stay check out the top 10 RV Water Heater Reviews below. All the heaters listed here are best in their own way. So, based on your requirement choose the best one.
Top Rated RV Hot Water Heater in the Market
- Best Overall: Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
- Best Tankless Water Heater: Girard 2GWHAM Water Heater
- Easy Installation: Suburban SW6DE RV Water Heater
- Best Natural Gas Water Heater: Excel Tankless Gas Water Heater
- Best Dual Water Heater: New RV Atwood 6 Gallon Water Heater
- Best Over Heating Protection: Gas land BS264 RV tankless Water Heater
- Best Energy Efficient: Gas land BE158B tankless Water Heater
- Best Portable: EZ 101 Tankless RV Water Heater
- Best Wall Mounted Water Heater: Camp Chef Triton 10L Portable Water
- Best Propane Gas Water Heater: Gas land BS158 tankless water heater
Review of Top 10 RV Hot Water Heaters in 2023
1
Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
- Easy to install
- Temperature Control
- Long Lasting Quality
2
Girard 2GWHAM Water Heater
- Easy to operate
- Steady hot water flow
- Quiet brushless motor
3
Suburban SW6DE RV Water Heater
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
- 6 Gallons Capacity
4
Excel Tankless Gas Water Heater
- LPG Propane Gas
- Vent-Free Technology
- Temperature Control
5
New RV Atwood 6 Gallon Water Heater
- 6 Gallon Capacity
- Temperature Control
- Easy installation
6
Gas land BS264 RV tankless Water Heater
- 1-year warranty
- 3.6PSI water pressure
- Anti-freezing protection
7
Gas land BE158B tankless Water Heater
- 5 feet hose
- Overheating protection
- 2.5PSI water pressure
8
EZ 101 Tankless RV Water Heater
- Easy portability
- Easy to operate
- Battery Powered Ignition
9
Camp Chef Triton 10L Portable Water
- Wall mounted
- 4 shower head settings
- Adjustable water temperature
10
Gas land BS158 tankless water heater
- Multiple protection
- 41000 BTU output
- 1.58 GPM flow rate
1
Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 2.5-Gallon (ES2.5)
Bosch electric mini tank water is small and compact and can be easily mounted on shelf, wall or floor as per your choice. It can deliver 2.5 gallons of hot water per minute with an excellent thermal efficiency of 98%. The equipment is long-lasting and durable with easy maintenance. The premium glass lined material provides a longer service life. The 36-37″ cord can be plugged into a 120-volt outlet for independent installation or can be installed in-line with a larger hot water source.
Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 2.5-Gallon (ES2.5)
FEATURES
- Long Lasting Quality
- Bosch ThermoTechnology
- Easy to install
- Temperature Control
The Bosch water heater has a faster recovery rate and supply upto 2 sinks at a time, and you don’t have to wait long for hot water. You can control the temperature of the water with an external dial. There is a temperature and pressure release valve provided as an added safety feature. The sleek and cool design makes it suitable for you existing décor.
PROS
- Greater thermal efficiency of 98%
- Small and compact and easy to be mounted anywhere
- Long lasting
- Faster recovery rate
- Safety valves
- Cool and stylish design
CONS
- Threads tends to leak unless you use a sealant tape
2
Girard 2GWHAM On-Demand Tankless Water Heater
Girard 2WWHAM is the latest and upgraded version of 1GWHAM. The Girard RV water heater has an average size and is compatible for use in your RV’s. The water heater can detect the incoming temperature and adjust the heat requirements subsequently with its automatic monitor system. The rv water heater is equipped with an onboard microprocessor which monitors the incoming cold water temperature, flow rate and outgoing hot water temperature to maintain a consistent supply of hot water.
Girard 2GWHAM On-Demand Tankless Water Heater
FEATURES
- Quiet brushless motor
- Steady hot water flow
- Easy to operate
The equipment consists of freeze protection and is suitable for winter use. The equipment consists of a quiet brushless motor and is less noisy. The Girard rv water heater can deliver upto 42000 BTU’s. The water heater doesn’t require any individual LP gas lines or any exceptional plumbing and is easy to install and use. All these features make Girard water heater the best rv water heater for your winter needs.
PROS
- Freeze protection
- Consistent hot water supply
- Doesn’t require any LP gas lines or special plumbing
- Easy to install and use
- Less noisy
- On board temperature monitoring
CONS
- Does not include mounting hardware
3
Suburban SW6DE RV Water Heater Camper Trailer DSI Elec/lp w/White Door
Suburban RV water heater is a combination of gas and electric water heater and works both on LPG and Electricity. As claimed by the manufacturers “it is the best water heater on the road today”. The features and size of suburban RV water heater is suited according to the requirements of any RV.
Suburban SW6DE RV Water Heater Camper Trailer DSI Elec/lp w/White Door
FEATURES
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
- 6 Gallons Capacity
The suburban rv water heater is lightweight with a weight of fewer than 35 pounds. The water heater has a capacity of 6 gallons and has a faster recovery rate of 10.2 gallons per hour. The electric heater provides 1440W and gas burner provides 12000 BTU heating. Both gas and element can be used together for better recovery rate. The model includes a polar white door.
PROS
- Light weight
- Combination gas and electric water heater
- Faster recovery rate
CONS
- Noisy
- Expensive
4
Excel Tankless Gas Water Heater (Low pressure Startup) 1.6 GPM LPG Vent Free
Excel tankless gas water heater is exclusively featured with low water pressure start-up technology and requires only 2 psi of water pressure to start. In contrast, other outdated water heater requires a minimum of 20 to 30 psi to start. It is a perfect choice for use in RV’s, camps, sailboats, small apartments, flat etc. The water heater is an energy saver as well as water saver and provides hot water instantly on opening the tap.
Excel Tankless Gas Water Heater (Low pressure Startup) 1.6 GPM LPG Vent Free
FEATURES
- Easy to install
- Temperature Control
- Vent-Free Technology
- LPG Propane Gas
The stylish design of the water heater will be a decoration in your kitchen or washroom. As the water heater is vent-free, it can be easily installed inside, and you do not have to do a costly installation of flues and ductwork because it consists of oxygen depletion safety shutoff. The water heater consists of a magnetic water flow sensor, which enables it to work at low water pressure. Two size D batteries are also included in the package.
PROS
- Advanced low water pressure start up technology
- Energy saver and water saver
- Stylish design
- Vent free
- Safer
- Oxygen depletion safety shut off
- Magnetic water flow sensor
CONS
- Water gets heated up quickly but doesn’t stay consistent
5
New RV Atwood 6 Gallon Gas/Electric GC6AA-10E Water Heater DSI
Atwood gas and electric water heater consist of aluminium clad tank, and it does not require aluminium anode for corrosion protection. Most of the parts are removable and can be serviced externally. This water heater can work either on LP gas or electricity. The gas burner provides heating of 8800 BTU. So it is suited for you to use in your RV.
New RV Atwood 6 Gallon Gas/Electric GC6AA-10E Water Heater DSI
FEATURES
- 6 Gallon Capacity
- Direct Spark Ignition
- Temperature Control
- Easy installation
Enhanced safety protection is guaranteed with high-temperature limit switch, temperature control and pressure relief. The water heater has a capacity of 6 gallons. The electric heater provides 1400 watts for heating. The recovery rate with electric heater is 6.2 gallons per hour. The water heater is capable of direct spark ignition.
PROS
- Can work either on LPG or electricity
- Corrosion protection with aluminium clad tank
- Faster heating of water
- Good water pressure
- Enhanced safety protection
- Good recovery rate
CONS
- Will not work with 30A motor
- Produces noise
6
Gas land BS264 RV tankless water heater
When you have a Rv Tankless Hot Water Heater like this, you obviously need goof flow rate to be able to get enough hot water at that point. This gas land water heater gives you that along with a great power output backing it, to make sure you get hot water quickly whenever you want to.
Gas land BS264 RV tankless water heater
FEATURES
- Anti-freezing protection
- 68000 BTU max power output
- 2.64 gallons per minute supply
- 1-year warranty
- 3.6PSI water pressure
This Rv Tankless Hot Water Heater from gas land is as safe as it is useful. It has specific features to make sure your entire family can easily use it by making it safe enough for them. It is easy for water heaters to catch flame or get overheated, but there are protection mechanisms already installed in the water heater so that no harm comes to the water heater or the person using it.
The water pressure automatically gets decreased to a certain rate when there is any chance of such an incident. Otherwise, also, the water heater is not too much to take care of. Its lightweight design and compact size pretty much make it completely easy for you to install and carry around if needed. Most people prefer installing it in their outdoors also to wash their pets etc. because of its powerful nature. You will get endless hot water, no matter where you are. There is no need to pre-heat it like conventional heaters, as soon as you switch it on, you will get 2.64 GPM flow rate. This can be adjusted as well, if you need. It’s a propane based heater which is designed to save energy so it will consume much less fuel and you will save a lot of money.
PROS
- Lightweight design
- Saves 11.5% energy
CONS
- Not as budget friendly
7
Gas land BE158B tankless water heater
Whether you are travelling alone or with family, this compact Tankless Rv Water Heater will be just enough for everyone because of its good flow rate and easy use. Anyone will be able to operate it, even kids because of its great design.
Gas land BE158B tankless water heater
FEATURES
- 41000 BTU power output
- 1.58 gallons per minute capacity
- 2.5PSI water pressure
- Overheating protection
- 5 feet hose
Its not just hot water that you get from this Tankless Rv Water Heater. Its how convenient it is to use also adds on to how great it actually is. It is small in size and has a very compact fitting which is what one usually requires in an RV water heater. Nothing is better than an amazing hot shower when you are camping in the woods. It has a bracket which you can use to hang it according to your use and its quite quick to install as well.
You will receive endless hot water no matter where it is plugged in because of its powerful design that gives an output of 41000 BTU per hour. No need of preheating is there, the water will flow right out of the tap at whatever temperature you have set the water heater. It has a low water pressure start-up, but there are mechanisms to maintain proper water pressure, while making sure it doesn’t go too beyond as well, for safety concerns. There are other safety related features as well in it, like overheating protection and high-water temperature protection over 167 degrees. The gas supply is shut off immediately in case of the situations arise while using.
PROS
- 100% money back warranty
- Very affordable
CONS
- Water pressure is less
8
EZ 101 Tankless RV Water Heater Model
EZ 101 RV tankless water heater weighs only 14 lbs which is Portable and lightweight. The Tankless RV water heater requires 2 D cell batteries for battery-powered ignition. As cell batteries are not included in the package, you need to buy them. The water heater runs on LP propane gas and does not require any electrical plugin. It can provide a thermal efficiency of around 85% with its built-in ignition system.
EZ 101 Tankless RV Water Heater Model
FEATURES
- Easy portability
- Battery Powered Ignition
- Easy to operate
The heating temperature and water flow can be regulated with multiple control knobs. RV hot water heater provides a consistent hot water supply. The built-in 20-minute timer prevents any chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. The EZ101 can be a great companion for your outdoor camping activities to provide hot water for your needs.
PROS
- Compact and portable
- High thermal efficiency
- Automatic ignition
- 20-minute safety timer for protection
- Control knobs to adjust the temperature and water flow
- Doesn’t require any electrical connections
CONS
- Batteries are not included
- No freeze protection
9
Camp Chef Triton 10L Portable Water Heater
Camp chef triton portable water heater can deliver on demand supply of hot water at a rate of 2.6 gallons per minute. It is suitable for all your outdoor camping activities. It requires 2 batteries for ignition which are not included with the package. It has four settings for its shower head – off, mist, shower and jet.
Camp Chef Triton 10L Portable Water Heater
FEATURES
- Adjustable water temperature
- Easy turn brass garden hose connector
- Wall mounted
- 4 shower head settings
The carry handle can be folded for convenient storage. The equipment includes a regulator hose for its bulk propane tank. The temperature and water flow can be adjusted as per your needs. When the water is turned ON, the auto-ignition automatically ignites the heating unit. It can provide a total output of 68000 BTU per hour the camp chef triton portable water heater has a 1 year warranty.
PROS
- Multiple shower settings
- Foldable handle
- Adjustable temperature and water flow
- Auto ignition system
- Instant supply of hot water
- 1 year warranty
CONS
- Shuts off in the slightest breeze
10
Gas land BS158 tankless water heater
The reason that this gas land Rv Tankless Water Heater has turned up to be the best one is that it is the cheapest out of the three and has features to easily give you what you need, which is hot water and that too very timely.
Gas land BS158 tankless water heater: Best Rv Tankless Water Heater
FEATURES
- Multiple protection
- 41000 BTU output
- 1.58 GPM flow rate
- 11.5% energy saving
- 2.5 PSI water pressure
This is the most affordable and the best Rv Tankless Water Heater you can plug into your vehicle and have fun on the road or have it installed in your outdoors for washing your pets. Anything you need can be accomplished by this water heater and that too safely. Its multi-protection design makes sure that it is safe for everyone to use. There are features like the flame failure device, ant-freezing protection, overheating protection which hints towards the very detailed design of the water heater.
The gas supply also immediately shuts off if there are any unexpected situations. You can enjoy on-demand hot water without worry with its great capacity. There is no need to pre-heat as well because the heat output of 41000 BTU handles everything well. You can set the temperature beforehand and as soon as you turn on the tap, water flows at your desired temperature without any disruptions. Its compact design is what you will find really helpful when you are on the move because its hard to carry heavy stuff on vacation and that too and appliance. It will easily fit in the space that RVs have for water heaters if yours has it.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Saves energy
- Compact design
CONS
- Not suitable above 3300 ft
RV WATER HEATER BUYING GUIDE
Buying the best RV tankless water heater
The best RV tankless water heater will be that is compact and convenient at the same time. These are two factors that should be on your priority list while checking out the features of your water heater.
Why Gas land BS158 tankless water heater is best?
The major benefit of having a tankless or Rv Propane Water Heater is that you get hot water instantly and there is no better reason than that. Within seconds of switching it on, you will have hot water in the tap. Above that, you save a lot on cost as there isn’t a tank where hot water is being stored. You will never run out of hot water because your water heater constantly provides you with it, and you use only as much as you need. This makes the tankless systems affordable as well since lesser components are there in its system. Another reason why tankless water heaters are considered better is that they are a greener option for us to use. They are heating water directly which makes it evident that energy consumption will be less and so will be the fuel consumption, so, you are not just saving your own money instead you are saving our resources. These water heaters are anyway very convenient so, all the more reason to have them.
Why do you need an RV water heater?
The major benefit of having a tankless or Rv Propane Water Heater is that you get hot water instantly and there is no better reason than that. Within seconds of switching it on, you will have hot water in the tap. Above that, you save a lot on cost as there isn’t a tank where hot water is being stored. You will never run out of hot water because your water heater constantly provides you with it, and you use only as much as you need. This makes the tankless systems affordable as well since lesser components are there in its system. Another reason why tankless water heaters are considered better is that they are a greener option for us to use. They are heating water directly which makes it obvious that energy consumption will be less and so will be the fuel consumption, so, you are not just saving your own money rather you are saving our resources. These water heaters are anyway very convenient so, all the more reason to have them.
Working of a RV tankless hot water heater
As you must have seen with normal water heaters, they have tanks where they store the hot water upon heating. As for tankless systems, the cold water directly passes through a pipe and into the unit, when it gets heated. This happens only when you turn on the hot water tap, never when not needed. Unlike normal water heaters, Rv Tankless Hot Water Heater doesn’t wait for its tank to fill up with hot water, so you can use it when the tank is full. You have an endless supply because of the lack of a tank. Flow rate is really important because of this reason. You can find either a gas-fuelled unit or an electric unit, which seems to be the perfect one for you but the functioning remains pretty much the same.
Top Rated and Best Selling RV water Heater
Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 2.5-Gallon (ES2.5) is the top rated and best seller in amazon. The compatibility of the bosch water heater to be mounted anywhere easily and its excellent performance makes it one of the best rv water heaters. The bosch water heater has got a very good thermal efficiency of 98% and is made of long-lasting premium glass-lined material. You do not have to wait a long time for hot water because it has a faster recovery rate and provides hot water instantly as per your needs.
Features to consider while buying an RV tankless water heater
Before your purchasing the Portable RV water heater for your outdoor activities, you have to be crystal clear of all the features to be considered so that you can make the right choice. Here we are listing out the features to be considered for choosing the best rv water heater.
Water Capacity
Most RVs have a 6-gallon water heater space, and very few have the space for a 10-gallon water heater. If you are buying Electric Tankless Water Heater for Rv then a 6-gallon should do for you, otherwise more options can be considered.
Heat Output
Heat output of a water heater determines how quickly it can heat up the water, which is why a better production is recommended. Units with more heat output are usually efficient as well so a higher rating is something you should be on the lookout for.
Water output
The water output of Rv Hot Water Heater is measured in GPM is gallons per minute. This unit determines how quickly the water is flowing out, which is why it is also sometimes called the flow rate. A minimum flow rate of 1.5 GPM is needed in a tankless water heater.
Quality
Quality directly refers to the materials used in making and how durable they will be. Something like a water heater has to be durable enough to last you for years because something expensive can’t be purchased every day.
Warranty
Warranty is really important when buying appliances of such cost. You will have assurance if you have warranty and just in case anything goes wrong, you can have a back up for it. Many water heaters turn up broken which is when its most helpful.
Type – Gas/ Electric
There are two types of rv water heater which can work on gas or electricity or a combination of both gas and electricity. In gas type, it might require LP, propane or kerosene to work and can provide a good efficiency. These are more cost-effective compared to electric water heater due to the lower cost of gas. But gas type rv water heater are not environmentally friendly due to the emission of greenhouse gases.
The electric type of rv water heater are environment-friendly and provides excellent efficiency of upto 98%. Electric-type water heater does not emit any greenhouse gases.
Compactness
The size of the rv water heater should be compatible and suitable to be fitted in your RV’s for outdoor camping activities. The smaller, the better.
Recovery rate
The rv water heater with a faster recovery rate provides instantaneous hot water supply, and you do not have to wait a long time for hot water. Usually, the gas and electric combination type rv water heater offer a faster recovery rate.
Controllable temperature and water flow
Water heater with controllable knobs for adjustment of temperature can ensure hot water as per your requirements. You can select a water heater with digital display and adjustable temperature to adjust the temperature.
B.T.U ( British Thermal Unit)
British Thermal Unit or B.T.U indicates the heating capacity of the rv water heater. B.T.U ranges from 30000 to 50000 for rv water heater. 1 B.T.U is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of 1lb of water by 1 degree.
Protection
Make sure the rv water has safety valves for protection and freeze protection so that you can use it without difficulty in winter seasons too.
Cost Effectiveness
If you are planning for a long-lasting and durable rv water heater, make sure not to compromise the cost with quality of the rv water heater. The average price ranges between $500 to $1000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Follow the steps below to start a hot water heater in RV-
1. Make sure to check the bypass valve of the water heater in the RV.
2. Let the water flow into the primary tank.
3. Connect the RV to a nearby water outlet and pump the water.
4. Turn on the hot water faucet and let the water flow into the heating tank.
5. Open the hot water faucet and let the water out.
Follow the steps below to convert an RV water heater to tankless-
1. Switch off the propane and the water connection.
2. Disconnect the electrical unit.
3. Measure a hole for fixing the water heater.
4. Place the unit carefully.
5. Screw the unit and secure it properly.
6. Add the cold and hot water connection to the heater.
7. Mount the control panel accordingly and set the temperature.
Follow the steps below to put vinegar in an RV hot water heater-
1. Add vinegar water mixture to the RV water tank and pump in.
2. Make sure to release the pressure valve and pour the vinegar through a funnel.
You can leave the RV water heater on till required if you are on a trip.
It usually costs $800-$1000 to replace an RV water heater.
Yes, RV water heaters do run on electricity.
An RV shower uses 2.5 gallon/minute.
Conclusion
By purchasing the RV Water heater with more excellent quality and performance and durability, you can use it for all your outdoor camping activities. If you are among the one who loves outdoor camping activities with your family, make sure to purchase an RV Water heater so that you can enjoy instant hot water anywhere as per your needs. Why leave all the comforts at home when going for outdoor camping activities if you have an rv water heater with you as your companion.