For frequent campers or full-time RV occupants, one of the most important dynamics of their experience is the ability to save space and make packing a smooth process. When your whole life is packed into an RV saving even the smallest amount of space can be a huge victory. Combine this with the ability to produce hot water on demand, your convenience and level of enjoyment can increase significantly.
Having the best tankless water heater for RV trips can be a game-changer. Avoiding the hassle of dragging around a tank for your hot water needs provides you with two luxuries. First, the space you save makes it easier to pack other items you might find appropriate for the trip. Second, the ease of being able to produce hot water in the same way you would in your home eliminates a ton of hassle for your trip.
After a long day of fishing, hiking, or just relaxing, having hot water for a shower or cooking and beverage purposes is a priceless amenity. Choosing to purchase this RV add-on puts your site at the top of the “best host” list. The peace of mind of having one less manual chore to complete or a large item to move around is priceless.
We tested six of the top options in this category, and found that the EcoSmart ECO 11 Tankless Water Heater to be the best option overall.
The goal of this post is to give you an idea of which water heaters are best suited for your needs. We’ll show you how each product differs from the rest, and why you should or shouldn’t consider it based on what your camping needs are.
Things to Consider
There are a few things you should consider when making your choice for a water heater. Do you want a heater that uses a battery or not? Would you prefer a water heater with an electronic ignition system? How many people will you be accommodating? Are special gas lines or extra plumbing an issue?
Each water heater has its key features that appeal to certain campers. Keep all of these things in mind when reading and narrowing down your final selection will be a lot easier.
Best Tankless Water Heaters for RV
- EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater
- Bosch Mini-Tank Water Heater 4-Gallon
- Camplux 2.64 GPM Portable Tankless Heater
- GIRARD 2GWHAM Tankless Water Heater
- EZ 202 Propane Tankless Water Heater
- Marey Gas 10L Tankless Water Heater
Best Tankless Water Heater for RV Reviews
1. EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater
This model is perhaps the most versatile on our list. It is so versatile that it could actually power a whole house.
This water heater really is “EcoSmart”. An energy efficiency rating of 99.8% is sure to save you a ton of money during operation.
The EcoSmart can deliver a whopping 2 gallons of hot water per minute. This is the equivalent of a showerhead in a house and a kitchen sink running simultaneously.
You are in complete control of the flow and temperature. Digital controls allow you to decide exactly how you want this unit to operate.
The sensory system and processors on this unit do an amazing job of monitoring the flow of water and the temperature. However, this high performance comes with a catch. You’ll need a panel of 125 amps with a 60 amp pole breaker attached. 6 AWG wire is also required for the installation of this model.
This unit gets our vote for RV owners on a budget.
Specs:
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Energy Star Rating: Yes
- Power: Electric
- Water Temperature: 140 degrees
- Flow Rate: 3.1 GPM
Pros
- Very budget friendly
- Endless hot water supply
- 99.8% energy efficient
Cons
- Does have some dripping issues
2. Bosch Mini-Tank Water Heater 4-Gallon
This Bosch water heater comes in a compact size for couples or RV owners with a small family. This particular selection would be best suited for a group of one to three.
This unit has a very sleek design and can be installed out in the open without being hidden. However, if you aim to keep it concealed it can easily be mounted underneath counters, behind doors, and in closets.
The Bosch Mini-Tank may be one of the most durable products on our list. The glass tank prevents rust and corrosion, allowing for longer life.
The installation process with this water heater is very easy. It can be connected easily to a 120-volt outlet for immediate use. If you’re looking for permanent mounting it can also be connected to a larger, more permanent power source anywhere in the RV.
Although the tank is small, it can supply hot water to two sinks at once. The recovery rate on this water heater is extremely fast. This can come in handy when multiple people are waiting in line to use the shower.
This model received our vote for the best water heater for smaller family sizes.
Specs:
- Warranty: Six years
- Energy Star Rating: No
- Power: Electric
- Water Temperature: 145 degrees
- Flow Rate: 1.2 GPM
Pros
- Instant hot water
- LED temperature monitor
- Sleek, space-saving design
Cons
- No drain plug
3. Camplux 2.64 GPM Portable Tankless Water Heater for RV
This Camplux model packs enough flow to power a full apartment. The ignition system runs on 2D batteries. The battery system on this water heater is a game-changer.
In areas with no electricity, this water heater can still be used because of the battery system. For serious off-grid campers, this is a model you don’t want to miss.
Although normally this water heater would be best suited for an outdoor mount, there is an extra flue pipe that allows exhaust gases to be efficiently ventilated. This adds the option of an indoor mount if this better suits your setup.
This water heater can run a 12-volt pump or newer water systems. A 20-pound tank is more than enough to run this unit for up to eight hours.
The Camplus consumes about 2.5 pounds of gas per hour. Dry combustion protection and a flame-failure device make this model incredibly safe.
With a thermal efficiency of 88.5%, the Camplux is guaranteed to save you money during the peak season.
This model gets our vote for the best unit suited for off-grid and full-time campers.
Specs:
- Warranty: 3 years
- Energy Star Rating: Yes
- Power: Propane
- Water Temperature: 167 degrees
- Flow Rate: 2.64 GPM
Pros
- Lightweight, very portable
- Front panel monitors temperature
- CSA authorized gas regulator
Cons
- Display can glitch and become unresponsive
4. GIRARD 2GWHAM Tankless Water Heater for RV
This particular model is one of the more popular selections out of our list. There is no installation required with this water heater.
The extremely user-friendly design doesn’t require any installation of gas lines.
You’ll also save a lot of money with this unit. The 12-volt design runs on a very impressive 3 amps.
What puts this model ahead of others in its class is the freeze protection. If you are a year-round camper or RV user, you’ll find this unit performs flawlessly in cold temperatures.
This smart water heater has a processor equipped as well. This processor monitors the in and outbound temperature and flow of water. A constant and stable stream of hot water is provided as this unit rarely stops providing hot water.
This user-friendly and very popular model receives our pick for the best value for your money.
Specs:
- Warranty: 2 years
- Energy Star Rating: Yes
- Power: Electric and Propane
- Water Temperature: 124 degrees
- Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Has monitor to set temperature
- Freeze protection
- No special gas or plumbing lines needed
Cons
- Requires high water flow
5. EZ 202 Propane Tankless Water Heater
For owners that are in the market for a more portable tankless water heater, you may want to research the EZ 202. This propane-powered water heater doesn’t lack efficiency at all. Don’t be fooled by its portable size.
This unit is capable of producing very hot water at a very high rate. 3.2 gallons per minute can flow through this model while it produces a maximum temperature of an astounding 150 degrees.
This particular model is perfect for the rugged outdoor type. Hunters and fishermen can really enjoy this water heater. The propane power allows you to take this unit anywhere beyond the RV.
Hunters on excursions into the woods can take it on longer journeys since there’s no need for electricity
The design of this unit makes it perfectly suited for larger-sized families to use. The user-friendly controls make it easy to operate when hunting and hiking. The EZ 202 even has an automatic setting that kills the ignition whenever the water source is no longer available.
This model receives our vote for the most convenient model.
Specs:
- Warranty: 5 years
- Energy Star Rating: No
- Power: Propane Gas (LP)
- Water Temperature: 150 degrees
- Flow Rate: 3.2 GPM
Pros
- Very portable
- Produces very high temperatures
- Fast water flow
- Easy to use
Cons
- Material is somewhat flimsy and is prone to damage
6. Marey Gas 10L Tankless Water Heater
Number seven on our list is another gas-powered model. Much like the previous model, this Marey model is very convenient for RV owners who find themselves being mobile.
The beautiful part of this unit is the ability to control the flow of water and temperature. You can even control the flow of the gas output used to heat the tank.
Users will enjoy a 3.1 GPM rating with this model. This makes it suitable for a full-sized family during a camping outing.
Hunting, fishing, and hiking offsite becomes very convenient with models like this. Another major factor to consider is the convenience it brings during a power outage.
While electric models are obsolete during a power outage without a generator involved, this unit keeps putting out hot water with no electricity. This is one of the major benefits of using a gas-powered model.
Specs:
- Warranty: 5 years
- Energy Star Rating: No
- Power: Natural (NG) or Propane Gas (LP)
- Water Temperature: 150 degrees
- Flow Rate: 3.1 GPM
Pros
- Compact design
- Easy to install
- No electricity needed
- Can heat unlimited amounts of water
Cons
- Not suitable in apartment homes
Buyer’s Guide
There are a few very important specifications you’ll want to look into when purchasing a tankless water heater for your RV. These will determine whether or not a particular model will accommodate your size party or the amount of hot water you will need at one time.
Water Temperature
Examine the specifications for each model and find out what the temperature range and maximum temperature are. You want a range that will make it fairly easy for the heater to handle the amount of hot water you’ll be pumping.
Let’s say for example your hot water purposes will be to provide showers for four people. You’re going to want a temperature range of about 70-130. Somewhere within those numbers and you should be fine. A maximum temperature of 130 and above would be perfect.
However, let’s assume you’re going to be using your hot water primarily for cooking and sink purposes. A range of 60-125 would be better suited because you won’t need to maintain an average temperature quite as high.
Flow Rate and Recovery Rate
The flow rate is a very important factor when it comes to tankless water heaters. This number will be displayed in GPM or “gallons per minute”.
Essentially this figure lets you know the volume of water the heater can cycle every minute. A rating of 6 GPM means every minute the heater can comfortably heat 6 gallons of water to temperature. This is a pretty impressive GPM rating.
Your recovery rate is a little different. I’m sure you’ve been in the shower and lost your hot water. We’ve all been there. Do you remember how long you had to wait for the water to heat up again?
However long it took to reheat the water is what your recovery rate is. This will also be displayed in GPM. The higher the GPM on the recovery rate, the shorter amount of time you will have to wait to get your important hot water.
Price and Warranty
Finally, examine the price and warranty. For an item like a water heater, you’re going to want some sort of extended warranty.
Items like this work very hard. They are constantly running and put under intense pressure. Accidents happen and sometimes products fail. Your warranty will cover you in case something like this happens.
Don’t just go for the cheapest product. In cases like this, you get what you pay for. You don’t have to go for the biggest product and break the bank. Find a comfortable area that seems to be a good mix between budget-friendly and efficient value for money.
The Bottom Line: Our Pick
All of the water heaters we reviewed have unique features that make them stand out. There were different things we liked about each that gave them a certain draw to different situations. Some will be suited for certain situations and styles of use.
However, there is one model that stood out to us. This particular unit made us feel like it provided everything an RV owner needs for convenience, longevity, and user control.
The EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater is our pick for the best RV tankless electric water heater. We arrived at our decision for several reasons.
This particular model is very energy efficient. It will end up saving you a ton of money in the long run and requires very little power to operate.
The controls on this model are very user-friendly. The owner has the final say over the temperature with the push of a button. For any RV owner, we feel that this is a very important dynamic.
Installation may take a little extra work, but there is a solid foundation behind that work. A clean install means a permanent, professional home for this unit. This provides a long-lasting shelf-life. This is very important for a water heater, which ends up becoming a pretty major purchase for any RV owner.
Having any type of tankless water heater in our opinion is a must for any RV owner. Whether you are a full-time veteran or just a seasonal weekend warrior, nothing puts you in control of one of the most important camping amenities like one of the models we reviewed.
When you decide to make a decision and pull the trigger on a particular model, we recommend purchasing either online or at a major appliance retailer. If you decide to purchase online, make sure it is directly through the manufacturer and not a third party. Always ensure that you get your warranty coverage in writing. Good luck and happy camping!
