Isn’t it great when you don’t have to wake up in the morning an hour before just to switch on your hot water unit? It all disrupts your sleep and at the same time increases your utility expenses! The best solution to combat such problems is a ‘point of the use water heater.’
These small heating appliances are compact and deliver an instant supply of hot water. They are designed as mini storage tanks or tankless units and heat water quickly to supply to a single fixture.
Small apartments, RVs, cottages, and numerous commercial units are all their customers as they provide high efficiency with minimum resource utilization and without augmenting utility bills.
If you too want to be delighted with all the benefits of point-of-use water heaters, get one now. For simplifying your buying process, check our shortlisted 10 best products along with other details including:
- Features and Considerations
- Comprehensive Buying Guide
- Selection Criteria for a Good Point of Use Water Heater
- Helpful questions and answers
10 Best Point of Use Water Heaters
1. Best Tank Water Heater – Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Tronic 3000T
Tank Volume – 2.5 gallons
Recovery Rate – 6.8 GPH
Temperature Range – 65 – 145 Degree Fahrenheit
Dimensions – 13.75 x 13.75 x 10.75 inches
Weight – 15.5 lbs
The High Points – best for small applications, quality for long life, latest Thermo technology, independent installation, fast recovery rate
The Not-So – useful for small spaces only
Offering hot water instantly and equipped with a pressure/temperature relief valve, this heater by Bosch is engineered to perfection and lasts long. It is a superior quality piece integrated with advanced components and a perfect solution for small spaces. This lightweight and compact unit are easily mountable on walls, shelves, and floors. Installing this attractive and sleek design promises that you will never go wrong with it!
It is very efficient, robust, silent, well-insulated, and compact. Once the water gets hot it maintains for 24 hours. At a temperature of 98 Degrees, it yields around 5-7 gallons of hot water for dishes, showers, and other applications.
The advantage is its small size, which lets it easily crawl under the kitchen space, sink, or cabinet to save space on the main floor. The small tank works equally efficiently as the large tank and saves water by offering instant access.
Features & Considerations
Meet your hot water needs instantly with this electric mini-tank heater. You can use it as a supplement or under a single sink to meet varied applications. You can choose from 2.5 – 7 gallons tank size as per your choice. The thermal efficiency is up to 98% and you just have to plug it into a 120 Volt cord.
The premium glass-lined material for the inner lining is complemented well with thick CFC-free foam insulation offering maximum energy efficiency. The fast recovery rate eliminates long wait hours for hot water and brings on-demand hot water at every requirement.
- CONVENIENT HOT WATER HEATER: 2.5 gallon point-of-use mini-tank fits under...
- LONG LASTING QUALITY: This electric water heater is easy to maintain and...
- INDEPENDENT INSTALLATION: 36-37" cord plugs into a 120 volt outlet for...
- FAST RECOVERY RATE: Eliminates long waits for hot water at your sink, get...
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Best Reheat Technology – Ecosmart ECO MINI 2.5 120V Electric Tank Heater
Meeting everyday hot water requirements will now be much easier with this wonderful heating unit. It is small enough to perfectly fit under the sink with all waste disposal and drain lines fit around.
It is an amazing unit with an ultra-flow shower system. The relief valve and metal coupler are tight and nice and work fine.
Though it does not have a great capacity, it reheats fast so it works fine to fill horse buckets with hot water and then return back for more.
Features & Considerations
This heater can be installed directly at the sink or into the waterline. It saves your money from costly recirculating pumps and lines. It eliminates the wait for hot water especially when you require more volume.
It is compact and lightweight and needs to be plugged into a standard 100V outlet. With 99.8% energy efficiency, it saves you a lot of money, which is otherwise spent on utility bills. It is corded-electric and holds a wattage of 1440 Watts allowing efficiency at every step.
- Sleek and compact design with digital output temperature display
- ECOSMART tankless water heaters are 99.8-percent energy efficient
- Manufactured in United States
- 12 A
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Easiest Installation – Stiebel Eltron 233219 Mini-Tank Water Heater
Made in Germany, the Stiebel Eltron SHC mini-tank is curated to put hot water exactly where you require it fast. This energy and water-saving solution enhances convenience and supplies enough water needed by a small family.
The European, sleek, and attractive design complements every décor whether it is hidden under the sink or exposed to view. You can use it as a stand-alone device or plumbed with hot water to minimize delays.
It is a newer design with a smaller water volume to heat up and a fast recovery time. It works excellently well and is quality made. It comes with a one-month warranty and a fantastic pressure relief valve.
The installation is super easy and it works exactly as mentioned. The product is nice and perfectly caters to most of the daily hot water needs. The only drawback is the lack of a drain valve.
Features & Considerations
It is a flat back design that makes installation space-saving and east. It comes with a bracket or can sit on the floor. With an 11 amp current draw, there is no special wiring needed. Fill the SHC tank with water and just plug it into the standard electric outlet with the factory-installed plug and cord.
It features a simple thermostat dial, which offers convenience situated on the top for simple temperature adjustment from 86-140 Degree Fahrenheit. A unique frost protection setting can be chosen to avoid internal tank temperatures higher than freezing.
- Plugs into standard 120 volt outlet
- T and P valve included
- Wall-mounted with included bracket
- Glass-lined tank and fast recovery
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Best for Single Faucet – Ecosmart POU 6 Electric Tankless Water Heater
This is a powerful tankless heater that operates using electricity. It is designed particularly for single, under-the-sink applications and delivers a maximum flow rate of 0.5 gallons in one minute.
Installing it is very simple as the size is compact and lightweight that makes the task very easy. Being available in different sizes, you can pick a model that meets your home requirements perfectly. From strip malls, wet bars, to recreational vehicles, kitchen and bathroom sinks, you can use them everywhere you want.
This does not work as great as a regular tank-type heater but is perfect for a single faucet. It offers about 120 Degree water and the low volume clearly justifies the utility bills.
It starts working instantly and takes just a second to flow out hot water. Hence, you don’t have to wait longer for receiving hot water again and again.
Features & Considerations
It is a 6-Kilowatt electric water heater perfect for all kinds of household applications like bars, bathrooms, doctor’s offices, recreational vehicles, malls, offices, and others. It delivers a maximum flow rate of 1.0 gallons every minute and is equipped with a 0.5 GPM sink aerator.
It is useful for single fixtures and not meant for multiple fixtures. For cold climatic conditions, the POU 6 is used. It needs 10 AWG wires and can offer 0.5 GPM in warmer climates.
- Can provide hot water for one sink at 0.5 GPM in warmer climates
- Requires 1 x 30 amp breaker and 10 AWG wire
- For one sink at 0.5 GPM in colder climates the POU 6 is recommended
- This product is recommended for use with a single sink only. Do not use...
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Best Vent-Free Heater – Sitebel Eltron 224201 Electric Water Heater
Quench your instant hot water requirements efficiently with this tankless water heater. A flexible and powerful heating solution heats hot water immediately with up to 50% less power consumption.
It is a seismic-proof construction offering reliable and efficient performance from the proprietary technology. It leads to no scalding and controls temperature by setting the external dial. With advanced microprocessor technology, you are always ensured that the water temperature does not fluctuate from the set point of flow.
It comes with two temperature sensors and has micro-adjustments that save power to a great extent. Its sleek design fits anywhere.
Also, it needs no maintenance and lasts roughly twice as long as the tank water heater. Just make sure you follow the load and wiring requirements carefully so that you don’t experience any hassle while using it.
Features & Considerations
Excellent at offering hot water, this unit comes with a heating element controlled using a flow switch. Hence, it never dry-fires or leads to premature failure. Being hydraulically controlled, it delivers quiet operation.
The resettable safety switch is another unique feature of this device. The completely rugged copper design offers years of reliability. For this reason, you can use it in bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, utility areas, laundry areas, RVs, and boats. Most importantly, it has a smart microprocessor technology that regularly monitors details from the flow sensor.
- No venting required
- Reduces hot water pipe runs
- Outperforms bulky hot water tanks
- Voltage: 240.0
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Most Energy-Efficient POU Water Heater – EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Heater, 13KW at 240 Volts
Enjoying everyday living is now possible easily with the life-enhancing electric tankless water heater by EcoSmart. Delivering endless hot water is a time-saving and money-saving design that reduces overall water and energy use.
This safe and reliable water heating unit is technologically advanced and perfect to use in a multitude of applications. It is a dependable and easy to install unit backed with rich customer support.
It delivers consistently hot water, excellent performance, and amazing energy savings. For the best performance, just open all water faucets so that there is no air inside the pipes.
Its working capacity is more than sufficient for any normal house. For installation, it needs a minimum 125amp electrical panel with a 60amp pole breaker connecting unit. If you use it in colder areas where more hot water is needed then the gallons of water delivered will be limited.
Features & Considerations
Featuring advanced self-modulating technology, it utilizes a small amount of energy to heat water. It turns on only when hot water is required. This 13-kilowatt unit runs on electricity and can deliver between 1.3 and 3.1 gallons of water per minute.
It is suitable for regions where the temperature is 67 Degree Fahrenheit and above. The digital temperature regulator lets you pre-set the temperature requirement and heat water accordingly.
- Endless On-Demand Hot Water; Consistent hot water when you need it that...
- Save Space; EcoSmart tankless electric water heaters are 90% smaller than...
- Save Energy; EcoSmart tankless electric water heaters are 99% thermal...
- EcoSmart ECO 11 Sizing; 13-kilowatt tankless electric water heater ideal...
Last update on 2022-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Overheat Protected – ECOTOUCH Tankless Water Heater
Volts – 240Volts
Wattage – 5.5 KW
Dimensions – 14.3 x 10 x 4.4 inches
Weight – 6.29 pounds
The High Points – intelligent self-adjustment, immediate hot water supply, easy use, durable, safe, sleek design, easy temperature setting
Not so – it does not supply consistent water if the flow rate is more than 2.5 GPM
It is a compact and sleek design holding lightweight. The attractive design blends it perfectly with décor. It is highly capable of delivering hot water in steady streams. The sufficient flow rate is 1-1.5 gallon per minute leading to no standby or preheat energy loss.
It adjusts power input on the basis of temperature sitting and flow rate in real-time. Equipped with numerous protection devices, every component goes through a stringent test to offer you 100% safety.
The touch control panel and digital display are smart features perfect for modern users. It appears of great quality and is backed with sound customer service.
Features & Considerations
With smart modulation heating technology, this tankless water heater offers endless and instant hot water. It provides an optimal thermal efficacy of 98% and reduces energy costs to a great extent. It heats up to 1.2 GPM water from 67 – 109 Degree Fahrenheit.
This compact size gives you freedom from bulky storage and avoids bacterial growth and rusting problems that can lead to health issues. Based on smart modulating control for stable temperature control, it heats the water to the exact requirement. Hence, rather than scalding hot water, you always get hot water at your preferred temperature.
- 【INSTANT & SUFFICIENT HOT WATER】Applied with 5.5KW heating system, the...
- 【SMART SELF ADJUSTMENT】The hot water heater adjusts power input based...
- 【CONVENIENT USE】The tankless water heater comes with digital display &...
- 【SAFE and DURABLE】Applied with multiple protection devices, every piece...
Last update on 2022-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Best for Residential Use – Camplux ME25 Electric Water Heater
The compact size Camplux water heater is a viable way to avail of hot water instantly and whenever you want. It is integrated with an adjustable thermostat that sets once and afterward automatically regulates water temperature.
If you don’t use the water for an extended time period, then it guards it against freezing and from being wasted. It is easy to maintain and holds a long life while being energy-efficiency at the same time thereby saving you bills on energy and wastage.
It works perfectly for most of them and can handle the camping requirements of a small family.
In addition to a clean and elegant look, it is fully functional and can raise and maintain the water temperature level to about 10 degrees.
Features & Considerations
Having a capacity to store up to 2.5 gallons of water, it is a perfect companion to patio kitchen, attic, garage, basement, or even in a boat. The easy installation lets you gain an immediate hot water supply without spending on expensive pumps and circulating lines.
This robust glass-lining offers amazing insulation and enhanced durability, while its fast recovery rate eradicates long waiting hours for hot water. There is an external dial for easily controlling the temperature range and CSA listed pressure and temperature relief valve adds to your safety. A cherry on the top has an attractive and stylized exterior.
- Saving Energy & Money - Built in insulation foam, reduces heat loss....
- High Quality Built & Elegant Design- Camplux electric water heater has...
- UL Approval Safety - Thermostat Control allows adjustment of water...
- 43.3‘’ cord plugs into 120 volt outlet for independent installation or...
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Best Propane Point of Use Heater – Rinnai Outdoor Hot Water Heater
No need to choose between applications as this tankless heater will never be short of hot water. Its compact design permits easy installation in non-conventional areas like the attic, closet, or even crawl space. It is equivalent to the size of a small luggage bag.
With its incomparable innovation and unsurpassed quality, you only bring peace of mind to your home.
It is a great heater that runs efficiently and supplies hot water in just a minute. This is an outdoor unit, which means no containment, no vents, nothing! Installation is quite challenging as it is slightly heavy.
Features & Considerations
It is a wise investment as every part of this unit is replicable. One of its splendid features is Wi-Fi monitoring that lets you monitor the efficiency of your unit and address issues immediately.
It is based on ThermaCirc360 technology that recirculates hot water through the pipes. Having a flow rate of 6.5 GPM, it is an outdoor installation unit. The 2.0 mobile app timers let you schedule the hot water requirement throughout the day and remotely switch off the system into vacation mode.
- Endless Hot Water: Enjoy unlimited hot water flow throughout the house;...
- Energy and Space Efficient: Space-saving design conserves energy as it...
- Optimal Water Pressure: High-performance up to 6.5 GPM hot water flow rate...
- Enhanced scale detection lessens possibility of serious, long-term damage...
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10. Best Build Quality – Stiebel Eltron 239223 Water Heater
Amperage Capacity – 120 Amps
Voltage – 240 Volts
Dimensions – 4.63 x 16.63 x 14.5 inches
Weight – 1 pound
The High Points – German engineering technology, digital display, pre-set temperature buttons, advanced flow control, silent operation, compact and small
Not so – The installation is simple but requires professional assistance.
It is a great product featuring unique Advanced Flow control German patented technology introduced by Stiebel Eltron. It maintains constant water temperature automatically for enhanced comfort. It uses 20% less energy than conventional water heaters. This saves a lot of energy.
It is a top-rated design performing to the top-notch standards for reliability and comfort. No venting is required for this quiet operation unit. With this heater, you always enjoy a consistent hot water supply.
This model is capable of delivering exceptional results. It can be conveniently fixed and supplies hot water on a regular basis. The easy-to-use interface and extremely quiet operation make it an optimal choice for all applications needing hot water.
Features & Considerations
Designed with digital displays, it maintains accurate temperature performance and enhances energy efficiency. The pre-set temperature settings make sure you only have to switch the unit on and avail of a hot water supply.
Another great feature of this equipment is advanced flow control. It automatically maintains the temperature for hot water for constant comfort. Hence, your showers always remain hot. The latest self-modulating functionality, 99% energy efficiency, and zero standby losses make it a perfect fit to every household and commercial application.
- Endless Hot Water: Enjoy unlimited hot water flow throughout the house;...
- Energy and Space Efficient: Space-saving design conserves energy as it...
- Optimal Water Pressure: High-performance up to 6.5 GPM hot water flow rate...
- Enhanced scale detection lessens possibility of serious, long-term damage...
Last update on 2022-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Makes a Good Point of Use Water Heater for You?
- Choose the Type of Heater
A good point of using a water heater is one that appropriately meets your requirements. For this, you need to be sure about the type you pick. These units are either Tankless or Tank-based.
Tankless POU heaters do not have a storage tank and work in the same way as whole home water heaters. They do not store any water but heats it when there is a requirement for the same. This saves energy spend on heating the stored water. Instead of keeping hot water stored, it supplies instantly when there is a need. Most of these units are rated for 2.0 to 2.5 gallons per minute. The good feature about them is that you will never run out of hot water.
The other type available is POU heaters with a storage tank. They have a small size storage tank, which keeps the water stored at a constant temperature. The size of the tank varies from 2.5 gallons to 20 gallons. You can pick a model depending on the number of fixtures you wish to connect.
- Features to Look For
The best POU water heater is equipped with some amazing components that support extending the heater’s lifespan, increase its efficiency and performance, and automatically regulate the system.
Most of these units are incorporated with metal tanks. But there are a few models available with plastic tanks. Make sure you always pick a model that holds great resistance to corrosion.
These heating units mainly equip a single screw-in style of heating element that possesses a power range from 1.5 to 2 KW. They transfer heat efficiently and directly to the surrounding water.
Units with storage tanks are safeguarded from the corrosive impacts of hot water. It is because they are coated with glass or ceramic coating and combined with the anode rod.
Units with 120V are provided with a cord that can be plugged into a standard outlet. While units with 240V come with a junction box and allow easy installation.
- Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficiency of your heater mainly depends on whether it is gas-based or electricity-based and whether it has a storage tank or it is tankless.
These water heaters eliminate water wastage that runs down the drain while hot water travels from a distant unit. It is not common to wait for a few minutes, provided that a standard shower utilizes 2.5 gallons of water in a minute. Hence, the amount of water wasted reduces to a great extent.
The cold water coming out of the faucet first was initially hot water. It was heated by the heating unit and then delivered to the pipes before the faucet turned off. The energy utilized for heating the water ends up being wasted when the water is not used and it again cools down in the pipes. Hence, this results in wastage of both energy and water.
POU heaters are prone to reduce the amount of energy and water wasted, which in turn reduces utility bills and adds to energy efficiency.
- Installation
The space-saving design of these units allows perfect installation in every area with limited space or where you cannot mount a standard heater. These small and compact heaters can be installed almost anywhere, in the bathrooms and kitchen under the sink, condos, cabinets of apartments, hanging on the wall, in camps, offices, stores, and other places.
The size of the heater you select depends on the availability of space where it will be installed. Make sure the space has a power supply. Units of small size are mainly used for tasks such as hand-washing, while the bigger models with the higher flow are useful for showering, shaving, dish-washing, and supplying more than one faucet.
The best heater is one that allows easy installation and supplies even distribution of water to all faucets.
Selection Criteria | How We Ranked the Best Point of Use Water Heaters
When you wish to buy a POU water heater, you have to be sure about it. To confirm your decision, here are some really imperative traits you must take into account.
1. Size
Just like other appliances, even these heaters come in various sizes. Decide an area where you want to install it, like under the bathroom sink, near the kitchen cabinet, and others. Then choose a size that is an apt fit for it. Avoid picking a bulky or too-small option.
2. Thermostat
You definitely don’t need the same level of temperature throughout the year. It is, therefore, essential to pick a unit with temperature modulating technology. POU units with adjustable thermostats let you easily select the preferred temperature level.
3. Heating Element
Most of the heaters fail to perform well because of their low-quality heating element. It is an extremely essential part of a heater, and hence, it must be strong enough to deliver flawless performance. Whether you select a tank-based or a tankless heater, it must be built-in with a high-quality heating element that works well and renders great efficiency to the entire unit.
4. Size of the Tank
If you want a heater for yourself then a small tank would do the work. But if you want to cater to the needs of your entire family, you must pick a unit with at least a medium-size tank. Also, an appropriate tank size ensures there is adequate storage available.
5. Hot and Cold Water Inlets
Another essential aspect worth considering is the cold water passages and inlets for hot water. Check the installation lines before fixing them permanently. Improperly done lines can impact the performance of your heater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How does a Point of Use Water Heater Work?
A. Point of use heaters are either tankless or come with a tank. A tank-based unit is primarily connected to the water supply line and stores hot water. This stored hot water is supplied to the necessary faucet.
A tankless water heater does not store water as it has no such tank. It heats the water immediately whenever there is a need. The water temperature is usually controlled by the water’s flow rate. A higher flow rate yields low water temperature and a slower rate yields high water temperature.
Q2. Do point-of-use water heaters work well?
A. Definitely yes! These heaters are equally powerful as other water heaters. The only difference they hold is in terms of functionality. They do not heat the entire pipeline connected to them, rather work near the faucet. Hence, you get instant hot water in the faucet close to them. They are great to meet the short-time requirements of a user.
Q3. Why do a few POU heaters go cold?
A. Going cold implies a water heater runs into a cold water layer. It indirectly implies that the product you have selected can experience sudden fluctuations in temperature. So, when you receive warm and hot water, you may witness this issue. In such a situation, you may have to ask for professional help.
Q4. Are point-of-use heaters useful for showers?
A. Yes, these units can be installed at the bottom of the shower. It is an easy task. You just have to install the unit properly. It will function for a limited quantity of water. Also, the rate of flow may also be slightly compromised. But it is still a good option to select as it saves lots of water and reduces energy consumption.
Q. What is the difference between an electric whole home tankless water heater and an electric POU water heater?
A. A whole-home heater is large enough to heat all kinds of hot water applications from just one location. An electric point-of-use tankless heater usually serves as a single plumbing fixture.
On a Concluding Note
Buying a good point-of-use water heater is quite a task. Hope our reviews and detailed guide helps. Happy buying!

I am Richard A. Jackson man behind propane heating solution, An HVAC expert working as a team lead of the heating department, Provide services all over the USA (around all major cities), and from planning to implementation, you will get all your solution here. We provide various tanks (propane and other natural gases) and deal with disposable waste.