Getting in touch with nature is one of the best parts of traveling in your RV, but so is the ability to get outdoors while still enjoying the conveniences of modern life. If you’ve camped without hot water before, you know how jarring icy cold showers can be. We consider a quality water heater to be an essential component of RVing, so we’ve compiled some of our top picks for you.
Source: rvweb.net
Buying Guide
- Type of power. The two main types of energy for RV water heaters are electric and gas. Electric will require you to have your RV running to heat the water, and gas can utilize heat from the engine or simply uses a gas-powered pilot light. Some heaters have a battery backup or run on D-cell batteries.
- Capacity. There are “on-demand” water heaters, which warm water as it goes through the panel instead of heating and storing it in a tank. These usually just over a gallon per minute capacity, while tanks will store various amounts of hot water depending on their size.
- Portable or full system. Full system RV water heaters require installation, whereas portable heaters will also need to be hooked up, but some can be moved to other locations when desired.
- Thermostat. Most contemporary RV water heaters will have a way to adjust the temperature, but be aware that some do not. If your water heater lacks a thermostat, you will not be able to change the hottest setting of water, even if it’s scalding.
Buying Recommendations
Best Budget RV Water Heaters
1. Foruee Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater – Editor’s Pick
Power source: two D-cell batteries
Portable or full system: portable
Capacity: 1.32 gallons per minute
Warranty: one year
- Stationary or hand-held shower head option
- Hot water on-demand
- Overheating and anti-freeze protection
- Simple to install
- No large tank required
- Reasonable price
- Not ideal for more substantial water usage at one time
- Does not pre-heat a tank of hot water
No products found.
2. Barbella Electric Hot Water Heater
Power source: 110-volt outlet (electric)
Portable or full system: portable
Capacity: 1.32 gallons per minute
Warranty: unlisted
- Budget-friendly
- Adjustable temperature
- Lightweight
- Does not require a gas hookup
- Compact size
- Small tank/limited hot water supply
- Must be connected to a pump
Best Premium RV Water Heaters
1. Suburban SW12DE Water Heater – Editor’s Pick
Power source: combination gas and electric
Portable or full system: full system
Capacity: 12 gallons
Warranty: limited on parts
- Pilot or electric ignition option
- Anode rod inside to prevent corrosion
- Insulated to maintain heat
- Reputable brand name
- Decent tank capacity
- Expensive
- A bit heavy
- SUBURBAN WATER HEATER Steel tanks with porcelain lining
- Anode rod protects against electrolysis
- Pilot or electronic ignition
2. Atwood Mobile Water Heater
Power source: 110-volt electric
Portable or full system: full system
Capacity: 6 gallons
Warranty: parts only/manufacturer warranty can be requested
- Fits well in many RV units
- Reliable hot water
- Operates efficiently
- Foam insulation to maintain heat
- Electric pilot light
- Pricey
- Not the largest tank capacity
- CONTINUOUS FLOW – Advanced Flow Control patented technology invented by Stiebel Eltron, automatically maintains water temperature for constant comfort. It’ll reduce flow slightly if hot water demand exceeds capacity. Hot showers will never be interrupted again
- SPACE & ENERGY SAVER – Its small, sleek white design saves space yet still provides endless hot water for your whole house, and no venting is required. Eco friendly unit saves energy with auto-modulation and the ability to electronically control water flow. Savings monitor even shows how much you save on energy costs
- EASY OPERATION – Electronic switch activates the hot water heater and it’s noise free while in use. Has a digital temperature display and preset temperature and memory buttons, while the interior solid copper heating system does all the power work
Best Electric RV Water Heaters
1. Suburban Electric RV Water Heater – Editor’s Pick
Power source: 1440-watt electric/LP gas
Portable or full system: full system
Capacity: 6 gallons
Warranty: one-year limited
- Fast heating
- Reliable brand name
- Combined gas and electric options for heating
- Ideal for RVs
- Capacity is excellent for one to three people
- Requires a bit of electric knowledge to install
- Not the most budget-friendly
No products found.
2. Camplux Mini Tank Electric Water Heater
Power source: 120-volt electric
Portable or full system: portable
Capacity: 4 gallons
Warranty: none listed
- Compact size for RVs
- Super hot water on the highest setting
- Other tank sizes available
- Simple plug-in power
- Efficient water heating
- No warranty
- Not ideal for high-flow showers
- Saving Energy & Money - Built-in insulation foam reduces heat loss. 4-gallon point-of-use mini-tank fits under your sink to provide hot water right where you need it
- High Quality Built & Elegant Design - CAMPLUX electric water heater has glass-lined tank for long service life and easy to maintain. Elegant streamline design cover, made your kitchen more pretty
- UL Approval Safety - Thermostat Control allows adjustment of water temperature. With 3 temperature level settings, range from 50°F to 149°F. High Limit devices provide protection while overheating
Best Gas RV Water Heaters
1. GASLAND 6L Portable Gas Water Heater – Editor’s Pick
Power source: gas
Portable or full system: portable
Capacity: 1.48 gallons per minute
Warranty: one-year limited
- Compact and portable
- D-cell battery backup
- On-demand, efficient hot water
- Anti-freeze and over-heat protection
- Reasonable price
- Not ideal for high altitudes
- Occasional issues with cord breaking
No products found.
2. Atwood RV Gas Water Heater
Power source: gas
Portable or full system: full system
Capacity: 6 gallons
Warranty: extended warranty available for purchase
- The aluminum-clad tank does not require anode stick
- 6-gallon recovery rate per hour
- Simple installation
- Overheat temperature lock option
- Produces high-temp water
- Quality customer service
- A bit expensive
- Some quality control issues from various sellers online
No products found.
Best Full-System RV Water Heaters
1. Suburban 10-Gallon Gas Water Heater – Editor’s Pick
Power source: gas
Portable or full system: full system
Capacity: 10 gallons
Warranty: manufacturer warranty can be requested
Source: homedepot.com
If you want reliable hot water and are not a fan of the “on-demand” heating style, or have more than a couple of people using water in your RV, Suburban’s full-system, 10-gallon gas model, is an excellent option. The water supply is high enough to take a couple of showers with the tank capacity, and the gas heating warms up to a toasting temp.
- Large tank capacity of 10 gallons
- Produces extremely hot water
- Ideal for more than one or two people
- Reliable brand name
- Expensive
- Heavy
2. Atwood 94026 XT Water Heater
Power source: LP/electric
Portable or full system: full system
Capacity: 10 gallons
Warranty: parts only
- Produces very hot water
- Plenty of supply with a larger tank capacity
- Ideal for families or more than a couple of people
- Efficient electric heating
- Well-known brand name
- Expensive
- Does not have an adjustable thermostat
- The Atwood XT 10- Gallon water heater provides the equivalence of a 16- Gallon unit without increasing the space required
- Saves weight while fitting in the same cut-out dimensions of other Atwood water heaters
- Comes pre-configured with a winterization bypass kit, tee fittings, hoses and a thermostatically-controlled mixing valve with check valves in both inlets
Best Portable RV Water Heaters
1. Eccotemp 2.5-Gallon Mini Tank Water Heater – Editor’s Pick
Power source: 120-volt electric
Portable or full system: portable
Capacity: 2.5 gallons
Warranty: parts two-years/tank five-years
- Ultra-compact for smaller RVs and campers
- Reasonable price
- Electric pilot light
- Bracket wall mount included
- Adjustable temperature
- No recirculating lines or pumps necessary
- Petite tank size (can run out of hot water quickly)
- Not ideal for larger families
- Plumb in line with your existing water heater or use with standalone sinks. The EM-2.5 Gallon Mini Tank Water Heater is ideal for homes, cottages, kitchenettes, RVs, boats, food trucks, salons, utility rooms, apartments, condos, and offices
- Quick recovery rate of 10-20 minutes, adjustable temperature range between 90F and 140F. The maximum tank capacity is 2.5 gallons, heating capacity of 1440 Watts and a 98% energy efficiency recovery rate
- ETL certified for US and Canadian installation in residential and commercial applications. This mini tank water heater meets and exceeds all efficiency requirements according to the DOE
2. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater
Power source: electric
Portable or full system: portable
Capacity: 4 gallons
Warranty: 2-year parts/6-year on unit
- Compact size is perfect for RVs
- Rapid heating time
- Reasonable price
- Simple to mount on a wall or under sink
- Excellent customer feedback
- Can’t be winterized
- Rare issues of leaking
- CONVENIENT HOT WATER HEATER: 4 gallon point-of-use mini-tank fits under your sink to provide hot water right where you need it. Thermal efficiency is 98%. Dimensions : 13.75 W x 13.75 H x 13.5 D Inches
- LONG LASTING QUALITY: This electric water heater is easy to maintain and has premium glass-lined material for a long service life. (Amps 12A, Volts (VAC) 120)
- INDEPENDENT INSTALLATION: 36-37" cord plugs into a 120 volt outlet for independent installation or in-line with a large hot water source
Final Thoughts
If you’re going to camp in an RV, you might as well have the convenience of hot water, even if you try to “rough it” with most other things. Hot water heaters can be incredibly expensive, but if you minimize your use of warm water, you don’t always have to spend several hundreds of dollars to get a decent unit. Using smart practices such as washing dishes in colder water or lathering up all over before rising off in the shower can extend the use of your hot water, and by doing so, you can often get away with a much smaller tank. Pick your favorite, and start enjoying warmer water in your RV today.
Last update on 2024-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API