10 Best Portable Water Heaters To Buy In 2024
We all deserve comfort, amidst the stress that comes with modern day activities. However, this convenience gives us a better taste of life as well as relieves us of stress.
There are a lot of things that can bring convenience in this modern world; one of them is going on a long trip if you’re an adventure enthusiast, whether camping, hiking, swimming, kayaking, or boating.
One thing that makes your trip even more fun is having a long hot bath after every activity of the day to cool your body and prepare for the night’s sleep.
And if you’re out fishing all through the night, a quick hot bath in the morning can wash off the cold and prepare you for morning sleep. Some might resort to using a campfire, but a propane-powered portable water heater is better.
This is because the former is not so eco-friendly, not body-friendly, and takes more time to produce the needed heat, while the latter gives you instant access to the hot water you so desire.
1. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 4-Gallon (ES4)
The Bosch company never disappoints in delivering top-notch products with lasting performance. They have upheld their reputation again in the Tronic 3000t Mini-tank Water Heater.
The electric water heater features a mini-tank of 4-gallon capacity that fits below your sink, dishing out hot water to you wherever you need it. It has a whopping thermal efficiency of 98%.
It also features a 12A and 120V outlet with 36-37″ cord plugs for independent installation. Moreover, the heater supplies you with instant hot water at your every demand, supplying up to 2 sinks at the same time.
What’s more, you can choose to place the device on the floor using the included brackets, place it on a shelf, or even mount it on a wall. All you need to do is connect to the line for cold water, connect your water heater to the sink, and enjoy unlimited hot water.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Quick installation: 12A and 120V outlet with 36-37″ cord plugs for independent installation
- Excellent thermal efficiency of 98%
- Multiple mounting options: wall, shelf, or floor
- Compact and lightweight
- High water efficiency
- Multiple safety protection
- Automatic temperature safety shut-off
2. Ecosmart ECO Electric Tankless Water Heater
The Ecosmart ECO is a special heater that delivers continuously whenever you need it. Its compactness and lightweight are superb, with about 90% smaller than a conventional tank heater with dimensions of 17″ x 17″ x 3.75″.
For convenience, you can choose to mount it on a wall or simply place it close to where you intend to use it. And thanks to its ergonomic design, you can easily monitor and control the level of flow to ensure efficiency at the set temperature.
Moreso, the electric heater runs with a thermal efficiency of up to 99%, coming to work only when you call it. According to the US Department of Energy, the heater’s efficiency saves you up to 50% heating costs, making it one of the best you can find on the market.
Furthermore, for effective performance, this 27KW electric water heater requires three 40AMP double pole breakers to supply hot water to your whole house. It is powerful enough to supply hot water quantity between 2.7-6.5GPM.
To cap it all, the EcoSmart ECO tankless electric water heater comes with a Patented Self Modulating Technology plus Scale Inhibition System.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Powerful performance
- Large hot water quantity supply between 2.7-6.5GPM
- Excellent thermal efficiency of 99%
- Cost-saving up to 50%
- Double mounting options
- Compact and lightweight
- High water efficiency
- Multiple safety protection
- Automatic temperature safety shut-off
3. Camplux Enjoy Outdoor Life 5l 1.32 Gpm Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater
This is one of the best Camplux portable water heater models and one of the best on the market.
It is a CSA-certified tankless water heater for users in the US and Canada with a water pressure requirement of just 3.0 PSI to start. Its compact and lightweight design with foldable handles allows for easy package and set-up.
The Complex Enjoy Outdoor Life comes with a water capacity of up to 5 liters of water and gives a hot-water flow rate of 1.32 gallons per minute.
Moreso, it features many anti-hazard functions like anti-freezing protection, a flameout protection device, and a safety auto-trigger when oxygen is depleted. The temperature setting ranges from a minimum of 46.4°F(8°C) to a maximum of 114.8°F(46°C).
To cap it all, the portable water heater comes with an energy-saving technology that provides you with an almost instant and continuous hot water run without consuming too much gas.
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Can handle up to 5 liters of water
- Large temperature range
- High fuel efficiency
- Satisfactory safety functions
Cons
- Might be unfit for high altitudes
4. Eccotemp L5 Outdoor Tankless Portable Water Heater
The Eccotemp L5 is a qualified candidate for the top position among the best portable water heaters in the market. It comes with incredible features that make it a perfect companion for your outdoor activities.
Compact and lightweight, it features a water flow rate of 1.5 GPM, a typical flow rate for its size. It also comes with a showerhead, stainless steel hose, and an adapter for the hose. Its ergonomic design allows for easy usage and it comes at a price that will not tear your pocket.
You can adjust your water temperature between 50 and 140°, an excellent range for a water heater of its caliber. Plus, it features an automatic shut-off when the water is boiled to the maximum range it runs efficiently on liquid propane.
Moreover, the water heater is easy to transport to wherever you want to go. You can even place it in your bag.
However, it occupies excess space than you probably can afford for a portable water heater. Besides that, the Eccotemp L5 is a perfect choice for your outdoor adventure.
Pros
- Provides extreme convenience
- Compact and lightweight
- Excellent water flow and pressure
- Ergonomic design
- Adjustable water and propane gas flow
- Automatic shut-off
Cons
- Flame protection could’ve been better for windy conditions.
5. Camp Chef HWD5 Triton Water Heater
The Camp Chef HWD5 Triton is another great option on our list with high-end features. Lightweight and portable, this highly versatile model is powered by 2D batteries and provides you with the hot water that you readily desire outdoors in little time.
Plus, it comes with an auto-ignition feature. While the water boils, you can easily adjust the gas flow rate and the water temperature to the desired level.
Moreso the heater features an 8′ shower hose that allows you to take your shower at a convenient distance from the 1.5 gallons per minute capacity water heater.
This model also features a showerhead with 4 water-release settings including, shower, must, and jet, to provide a similar experience to the home. Did we remember to mention that you also get to choose from mounting it and standing it?
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Has a volume capacity of up to 1.5 GPM
- 8′ shower hose for maintaining distance from the heater
- Adjustable water and gas flow
- 4 shower settings
- Runs for up to 11 hours on one LP Tank
- Comes with automatic ignition
Cons
- Absence of automatic breaker/shut off
6. Foruee Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater
One thing that sets this portable water heater apart, and it’s smart protection technology. It is specifically designed for you if safety is as important as a function for you.
It features thermal protection, an O2 depletion auto-safety shutoff system, anti-freezing, flameout protection, and overheating protection. These safety features are built-in to prevent any form of hazard during usage.
But if you prefer to shower with very hot water, then you would need to set the flaw at low and flame at maximum. To begin heating, the heater only needs a water pressure of 2.5 PSI, the lowest available.
The above features make it unique among other heaters. Other features it contains are basic features, similar to what you will find in many others. Its flow rate of 1.32 GPM could’ve been higher but it is enough for your outdoor needs.
Pros
- Excellent safety
- Great design
- The pressure doesn’t have to be high to begin work
- Ergonomic design allows for easy installation and putting down
- Comes with a copper heat exchanger
Cons
- Low flow rate: water may be insufficient at max flow.
7. Camplux Pro 6L 1.58 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater With 1.2 GPM Water Pump
The Pro 1.58 GPM is the second portable water heater beast from Camplux on our list. And it made the list for so many reasons. One is its offer of relatively higher power output than the competition despite being compact and lightweight.
Another reason is that it starts to work at a low water pressure range between 3.0psi and 11.0psi. Moreover, it maintains a reasonable temperature range between a minimum of 46.4°F(8°C) and a maximum of 114.8°F(46°C).
Perhaps, the most important feature it possesses is the whopping 1.58 gallons per minute flow rate which surpasses the competition.
In addition, it produces lower noise, and, therefore, its efficiency is higher than Camplux’s previous models. Did we mention that it comes with numerous safety functions to prevent an accident from happening?
Pros
- Works powerfully
- High water flow rate
- Less noise
- Numerous safety functions
- High fuel efficiency
- Comes with more than enough accessories
Cons
- Might fail to work at altitudes over 2,000 feet, so not recommended for elevated heights like mountains.
8. GASLAND Outdoors BE158 1.58GPM 6L Portable Propane Water Heater
The GASLAND BE 158 stands out among its peers with its unique design available in three different colors: red, white, and silver. It provides a flow rate of 1.58 GPM with multiple safety functions to keep you or anyone around from harm.
Furthermore, this high-quality portable water heater only needs a water pressure of 2.5 PSI to begin work. In addition, it adopts an advanced energy-saving technology to manage how much gas is consumed.
If you’re a person who cares about looks and aesthetics as much as you care about excellent power and performance, this might be a good choice for you.
Pros
- Reaches high temperatures quickly
- Requires low pressure for starting
- Impressive flow rate
- Stand-out design; available in multiple colors
Cons
- Not recommended in environments marked for strong winds
- Not recommended for heights above 3,300
9. Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump
Enjoy an uninterrupted flow of hot water wherever you go with the Hike Crew Portable Water Heater.
It adopts a digital panel system that helps control the unit power switch, run the pump, as well as monitor the level of temperature. The heater is powered by propane gas and an interchangeable AC/DC 12V power adapter.
The AC/DC adapter plugs into an RV outlet or a standard outdoor generator to supply power to the unit, while the 12V DC adapter plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car to power the unit.
A control knob helps you to adjust the temperature to your desired level. And a built-in temperature sensor helps to stop the burner automatically when the water reaches 52°C.
In addition, for optimum convenience, the device comes with a lightweight and compact design featuring all necessary attachments and accessories including, hoses, adapters, etc in a carry case.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Consists of a built-in temperature sensor
- Provides extreme convenience
- Compact and lightweight
- Interchangeable power adapter
- Excellent water flow and pressure
- Ergonomic design
- Adjustable water and propane gas flow
- Auto-safety shut-off system
- Comes with all necessary accessories
Cons
- It does not come with propane
- Can be a little weighty
10. Thermomate 2.64GPM 10L Propane Tankless Water Heater
If you’re looking for a portable water heater that combines ruggedness with style, you have found one in the Thermomate 10L Tankless Propane Water Heater.
The heater is bombarded with a lot of features that make it stand aloft. You will get a maximum power output of up to 68,000 BTU/He and a flow rate of 2.64 gallons per minute.
You do not have to keep hot water, the heater produces hot water for you on-demand, almost immediately. A perfect companion for hiking, camping, fishing, road trip, hunting, etc.
The portable heater only needs an incredibly low water pressure of 0.7 PSI to start. And with magnetic sensors, the water flow is efficiently controlled, maintaining a stable supply to meet your demands if you’re camping in an area with a low water supply.
Also, the device features multiple safety protection. An example is overheating protection which causes the gas supply to automatically go off when the temperature exceeds 176°F.
The flameout protection also does this when there’s a sudden flame out. Another example is the anti-freezing protection that helps to drain off the stock water during cold weather to avoid freezing damage to the machine.
Despite all the amazing features listed about this device, it is lightweight and compact, helping you to free up enough storage space with just 17.9 pounds weight and 21.7″ × 7.1″ × 13.0″ dimensions.
To cap it all, the manufacturer includes all the necessary accessories you’ll need for just about 5-minutes of installation.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Quick installation
- Compact and lightweight
- High water efficiency
- Multiple safety protection
- Requires low water pressure of 0.7 PSI to start
- Automatic temperature safety shut-off
You can as well stay in your home after a long week of work to enjoy the best bath with hot water that comes almost instantly without the need to preheat. The feeling goes beyond mere showering.
However, selecting the best model for you can be a daunting task as there are many excellent ones out there. We understand this, and that is why we have made research and compiled a reliable list with great options to choose from.
We do this so that you don’t have to stress when next you visit the store to get one. But first, let us look at some benefits of portable water heaters, and factors to consider when selecting one.
What are the Benefits of Buying a Portable Hot Water Heater?
Buying a portable water heater is geared towards fulfilling an objective: to enjoy much snugness and convenience during any outdoor activity.
One might say it will not bring so much change to our lives at once over the already existing stationary water heater. But, there are a few advantages associated with portable water heaters over stationary ones. Let’s see what they are below:
Portability
Without too much debate, one major advantage of a lightweight and portable heater over a stationary one is that the former makes heated water available to you almost in no time when you need it.
You can leave your house, go on a camping trip alone or with your family, and still carry your heater with you in the car.
Hot Water Use in the Backyard and Garden
You know how the heels of your boots can be after walking on the moist backyard soil for a while. You know how your clothes too can be if any of those dirt gets to them as well as your equipment.
Now, imagine needing to clean up all the things you use after a long garden work so that you don’t bring them into the house.
We both know trying to do the washing with cold water will turn out stressful. And even if you wash them, especially your clothes, they may forever carry marks marking the spots the dirt gets to.
In essence, having a portable water heater might come in handy right there in the backyard, providing you with almost instant hot water to carry out all efficient cleanings.
Adventure-Friendliness
If you’re the type of person that believes in spending some long, quality, time all by yourself; away from the sound of people and civilization, you will need some basic utilities as you embark on your journey of solitude.
One of the things you might need to consider is a portable water heater, especially if you will be camping around rocks or water where there’s a high tendency for the low temperature at particular periods of the day.
Energy Efficiency
Portable water heaters have better energy efficiency than electric ones. This is because they are powered by propane.
Moreover, they work faster to give you your desired hot water almost immediately, so that you can better save the energy required for heating large amounts of water for a very long time.
Hot Shower On Outdoor Trips
Owning a portable water heater on a camping trip easily connects you to the abundant freedom nature offers.
After your long walk to and around the mountain, long cooking hours, a long surfing day, or even a long angling night at the shore, having a quick hot shower can add to the perfection and prepare you for a sound sleep.
What beautifies your experience, even more, is the ability to not think about the cold or how to get rid of stubborn stains that require hot water washing on your clothes when you know your portable water heater is readily available.
Cabin In the Woods
The primary purpose of going on camping is to enjoy some time alone with your family or all by yourself. This means you will be miles away from basic amenities like pure water and electric supply, and you will not be able to carry a large stationary water heater along.
That will be a waste of available resources that can be channeled somewhere else. Simply having a portable water heater will reduce the total stress you go through by providing consistent running hot water.
Interestingly, unlike stationary water heaters that can’t be used on camping trips, portable water heaters can be used in your house.
Having one can serve as a solid backup for your existing standing water heater in case there’s an issue with the electrical connection in your home, or there’s a power outage due to a disaster.
Although it might not be able to supply all the hot water demands in your home, it will serve you efficiently until you get your electrical power back and running.
What To Consider When Selecting A Portable Camping Water Heater
Now that you know the benefits a portable water heater can offer you, you must also know that there are a lot of brands currently available on the market.
Knowing what sets some models ahead of others is important to help you make the right decision in selecting one. Here are a few factors to consider:
Power Source
The power source is unarguably the number one factor to consider when selecting the best portable water heater. You have two options to choose from: propane and electric water heaters.
Electric heaters require that you find an electric source wherever you’re which is only mostly feasible at home, for those who have small apartments or RVs.
A propane heater on the other hand comes in handy and has become popular because you do not need electricity to power it.
Moreso, you can use it outdoors too, when you go on a little trip with your family. However, for it to perform, you will always need to take a propane tank along with you wherever you go.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of your portable water heater depending on your needs and the purpose you want it to serve.
Generally, portable water heaters are compact and slightly lightweight, so this shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you’re going for the more powerful and sophisticated models, expect them to be heavier.
A smaller, transportable model will be an ideal choice if you’re going on a camping or hiking trip. But you can drop the idea of transportability and take the heavier, more powerful one if you’re just planning to use it in your small home
Temperature Range
It is advisable to go for a portable heater with a wide temperature scale. It provides better versatility for wherever you want to take it to and whatever you intend to use it.
For instance, versatility comes to play when you choose to leave the beach for the mountains. The heat you’d need on the mountain wouldn’t be the same as on the beach.
You’d need more. Some portable heaters are not powerful enough to provide high temperatures in cold weather. If you’re a hiker, go for one that will give you that as well as save energy, without the need to break the bank.
Flow Rate (Gallons Per Minute)
Different tasks require a different quantity of hot water. GPM displays the flow rate of your portable water heater. That is, it shows the quantity of hot water that can be available for you per minute. If your tasks require a higher amount of hot water, then you’ll need a portable water heater with a higher GPM.
