At Harvest Hosts, we know that of all the appliances in your RV, the hot water heater probably gets used the most! The ability to take hot showers and do dishes with warm water are luxuries most RVers take for granted—that is, until the hot water heater goes out.
When this happens—and you’ve checked all the trouble shooting things—you may not know where to go for your next hot water heater. Well, we are here to help you with that. We will list off some of the best hot water heaters, the pros and cons, and who might benefit from each one. So let’s get started!
Best Overall: Truma AquaGo Comfort
(Photo Courtesy of Trumanet.com)
The Truma AquaGo Comfort has had a lot of hype around it throughout the RV world. It offers instant hot water for all your showering, washing, and rinsing needs. The Truma AquaGo Comfort is compact and offers straightforward operating procedures. The maintenance of this system is incredibly easy. The decalcification sensor lets the owner know when it’s time, and it’s easily accessible. And the drain lever makes it simple to winterize too.
Pros:
- Up to a 24-month warranty
- Uses hybrid technology to keep water temperature consistent
- Incredibly compact system
- Easy to maintain
- Antifreeze kit that helps prevent cold weather from damaging your system
- Might be the most powerful heating system on the RV market
- Operates at flow rates as low as 0.4 gallons per minute
Cons:
- The price tag—upwards of $2,000-$2,600—can be a tough pill to swallow for a lot of RVers
- Must be professionally installed
Who is the Truma AquaGo Comfort for?
The Truma AquaGo Comfort is for the RVer who doesn’t want to have to worry about their system and is willing to spend a little more money upfront. The system is perfect for all scenarios—including boondocking in the mountains or at your favorite winery.
Best Hybrid Hot Water Heater: Girard RV Tankless Hot Water Heater
(Photo Courtesy of lci1.com)
Girard hot water heaters are some of the best and most trusted hot water heaters in the RV world. They offer a lot of hot water in a very compact size—which is perfect for the RVer on the go.
Pros:
- More affordable than the Truma AquaGO Comfort
- Easy self installation
- Constant hot water
- Adjustable temperature setting from 95 to 124 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 51 degrees Celsius)
- Offers ultimate lifestyle flexibility by allowing either electric or propane to heat the water
Cons:
- You might need to buy a new exterior door kit
Who is the Girard RV Tankless Hot Water Heater for?
This is for the RVer who wants the ultimate flexibility without spending big dollars. This system offers two fuel options—electric for your time at the RV Park, and propane while you’re boondocking. With built-in freeze protection, this system can go anywhere with you.
Best Electric Hot Water Heater: EcoSmart ECO 11
(Photo Courtesy of ecosmartus.com)
The EcoSmart ECO 11 is a tankless hot water heater that is perfect for smaller RVs due to its compact size. With an endless supply of hot water while you’re connected to shore power, you’ll be happy with this option.
Pros:
- An endless supply of hot water when connected to shore power
- Takes advantage of campgrounds’ electricity
- Removes the need to worry about propane tanks or pilot lights
- Compact size
- Easier to use alongside other high amperage appliances inside your RV
- Very inexpensive—$200-$300
Cons:
- Not ideal for boondocking
- Makes using high amperage appliances a jungling act due to most RVs only having a 50 Amp breaker inside
Who is the EcoSmart ECO 11 best suited for?
The EcoSmart ECO 11 is best suited for people who are consistently connected to shore power and want an endless supply of hot water. If that speaks to you, you’ll want to make sure you have room in your breaker box for a 30 AMP breaker. Plus, you need to remember to flip this appliance off when using other appliances like your microwave, electric range or oven, and other high amperage appliances.
Best Propane Hot Water Heater: Suburban SW10D RV Propane Hot Water Heater
(Photo Courtesy of pantherrvproducts.com)
This hot water heater comes with a 10 gallon tank to help extend those hot showers. The tank is porcelain-lined and provides a longer life by protecting the stainless steel from the varying water qualities across the country. The tank is also well-insulated to allow you to heat up water and then shut off the tank—while conserving hot water for future use.
Pros:
- Quality construction and a porcelain-lined tank
- Traditional hot water heater that people are familiar with
- Inexpensive
- Straightforward to install
- Well-insulated tank
Cons:
- It is not on demand and might take 20 to 30 minutes to heat up
- A 10 gallon tank could take up quite a bit of space
Who is the Suburban SW10D RVt for?
The Suburban SW10D system is for the person looking to replace a traditional hot water heater in their RV. This is a simple swap out and will probably allow for the same exterior kit to be used. It is budget-friendly and a proven RV hot water workhorse.
Best Portable Hot Water Heater: Camplux 2.64 GPM on Demand Camping Gas Water Heater
(Photo Courtesy of camplux.com)
Camplux offers a variety of portable hot water systems. These systems include both tank and tankless options. The Camplux 2.64 GPM on Demand Camping Gas Water Heater is one of the best options for those looking for maximum portability.
Pros:
- Portable design
- Low cost of $270
- Able to function at lower water pressures—and offers a compatible pump option
- Energy-efficient design allows your propane tank to get more hot water per tank
- Quality brass fittings and construction backed by a 1-year warranty, and a 30-day money back guarantee
Cons:
- Must remain outside due to propane ventilation needs
- Needs to be set up each time you stop to use it
- Need to maintain propane levels
Who is the Camplux 2.64 GPM on Demand Camping Gas Water Heater for?
This hot water heater is best for van lifers, tent campers, and RVers who are willing to only have hot water in limited scenarios. The need to set it up each time you relocate your RV or van can be taxing for some, but others will only set it up for showers and find it totally worth the hassle.
A Complete List of the Best Hot Water Heaters for RVers
- Best Overall Hot Water Heater: Truma AquaGo Comfort
- Best Hybrid Hot Water Heater: Girard RV Tankless Hot Water Heater
- Best Electric Hot Water Heater: EcoSmart ECO 11
- Best Propane Hot Water Heater: Suburban SW10D
- Best Portable Hot Water Heater: Camplux 2.64 GPM on Demand
Figuring out what to do when the hot water runs out isn’t the most enjoyable process. With this list of the best RV hot water heaters, we hope you can make an informed decision and get back out to enjoying some of your favorite Harvest Hosts locations.
