A water heater is an essential appliance that has far more usage beyond the known reason for bathing in winters. Hot water is a natural muscle relaxer that relieves your muscle tension which may be after a hectic day, intense workout sessions, daily routine tiredness. Hot water also improves your sleep cycle and helps you experience sound sleep without any problem. Other applications of hot water include cleaning, odour removal, etc. Using the best water heater in India is a great way to obtain hot water in a jiffy without manually doing the grunt work of putting it on a stove and wasting piped gas which is costlier.
I have searched and compiled the list of the best water heater in India that are reliable, have adequate storage capacity, and come with a plethora of safety features. Keep in mind that the best water heater in India is fairly cheaper to procure and is added to our list after meticulous research and review scrutiny from the existing users.
There are mainly two types of water heaters available in the retail market. I am discussing only the electrical water heaters in this post and if you want to learn about other methods such as the best solar water heater, you can check out another relevant post on our website.
Storage Water Heater
Storage Water Heaters can only heat the amount of water stored in the tank. They do not provide concurrent water heating functionalities and are require you to wait for hot water for a short duration.
Instant Water Heater
Instant Water Heater can provide a concurrent supply of hot water as soon as they are turned on and require no waiting time. They are on the higher end of the price bracket and demand a little for a minor difference in the heating capacity.
Bajaj New Shakti is the undisputed champion in our list of the best water heater in India. Being one of the oldest brands in the home appliances category, you can rest assured of a stellar performance from this water heater.
Product Warranty – 2 years Tank Warranty – 5 years Heating Element Warranty – 2 years.
Bajaj New Shakti comes with a 15 litres capacity fit enough for 2-4 people. It comes with titanium armour technology that enables to prevent corrosion build-up inside the storage tank. The external body also bears the same property and is carved out of single sheet metal to provide superior protection.
Bajaj New Shakti can brave up to 8 bar water pressure making it fit for installation in apartments and other high-rise structures. Its exterior bears a floral design that is elegant and exhibits a hint of style to your bathroom decor. There is a temperature display meter as well as a knob to alter the temperature of heating.
Bajaj New Shakti has multiple safety systems that prevent it from malfunctioning due to dry heating, overheating, and over-pressure. It is rated 4 stars and comes with a two-year warranty on the product and a five-year warranty on the inner tank. It is surely the best water heater in India that can be availed at a phenomenal price.
“Bajaj New Shakti is the best water heater in India.”
AO Smith HSE-VAS-X-015 another great alternative to the Bajaj water heater mentioned above that sports a sleek design with an adjustment knob that is accessible to the user. It is one of the best water heaters in India with great attention to safety.
AO Smith HSE-VAS-X-015 uses a water diffuser to break the flow of water into smaller streams and change the direction from vertical to horizontal. It is a vertically aligned water heater and should not be positioned any other way as it will mess up the controls and the water flow.
AO Smith HSE-VAS-X-015 has an inbuilt thermostat and a heavy gauge allow steel thank that is a barrier to corrosion buildup. It doubles up the protection with glass lining and is by far the best water heater in India. You can adjust the temperature via the knob provided on the water heater and there are two LED indicators for power and heating.
AO Smith HSE-VAS-X-015 doesn’t have a temperature indicator but does come with a robust warranty program like the one offered by the Bajaj water heater in our list for the best water heater in India. Still, it is a great 15 litre capacity water heater perfect for your bathroom with a five-star energy rating.
“AO Smith HSE-VAS-X-015 is a subtle approach to modern water heating.”
Crompton Amica 15-L is a bleak alternative for the best water heater in India with a boorish design but reliable water heating functionalities. The water is a five-star rated one and that can induce huge savings in the longer run. It also facilitates free installation with connectivity piped included.
7-year warranty on Tank 2-year warranty on Element 2-year warranty on Product
The Crompton Amica 15-L comes with three levels of safety that include a thermostat, auto cut-off, and a multifunctional valve to prevent it from grave malfunctioning. The water heater includes a magnesium anode that can disable the corrosion emanating from hard water.
Crompton Amica 15-L assures you of a 7-year warranty on the tank and two years on the rest of the water heater which is great for most users. They don’t provide a comprehensive warranty program or an extension so be cautious of repair costs when necessary. The water heater can sustain up to 8 bars of pressure and can be installed anywhere including building with multiple floors and varied pressure. Overall, it is a great option for the best water heater in India with a bland aesthetic.
“Crompton Amica 15-L is an energy-conserving water heater.”
Usha Misty is another great water heater by a trusted appliance manufacturer with a history of long-lasting products. The water heater features a beige color scheme with some pattern that looks very appealing as far as the aesthetics are concerned.
2 years on product 3 years on the heating element 7 years on tank
Usha Misty is a 15 litres water heater that comes with five safety features for superior protection. Apart from the usual safety features, it also bears an IPX4 rated body that can easily function even after encountering minor splashes. It uses a copper heating element and is able to provide hot water in just 20 minutes.
Usha Misty has an oddly positioned temperature regulator that can confuse many users. It also lacks the LED indicator leaving everything up to the temperature indicator at the top of the water heater. Despite these minor flaws, the best water heater in India comes with a five-star rating and a superior warranty program that adds one year to the warranty coverage of the heating elements.
“Usha Misty is a great chic alternative to modern water heater.”
Panasonic Duro Digi is equipped with a LED temperature display and a button panel to alter the temperature which makes it appear on our list of the best water heater in India.
4 years on the heating element 3 years on product 10 years on tank
Panasonic Duro Digi uses a glass-lined storage tank with a combination of glass-lined heating elements. The result is faster heating of water inside the tank with improved resistance against corrosion.
The water heater is rated for 8 bar pressure and if you even use it in high rise structures, the heater will perform consistently. The water heater uses a multifaceted valve that can perform 4 functions at once without adding complexity to the connection. Panasonic Duro Digi is able to repel most water splashes due to an IPX4 rating.
Panasonic Duro Digi comes with a supreme warranty scheme that can put many brands to shame. It offers 10 years warranty on the tank and a three years warranty on the product which is the best you can get if you are looking for the best water heater in India.
“Panasonic Duro Digi has the best warranty program.”
Pros
10 years warranty program
Digital temperature display
Cons
Troublesome after-sales
Improper installation service
Final Words
Bajaj water heater remains the optimum choice if you are searching for the best water heater in India. Its lineage, quality components, and satisfying service make it the best-in-class water heater. Other noticeable water heater options include the AO Smith and the Panasonic, which have great warranty schemes but only the latter comes with a LED temperature display.
Factors to consider when choosing the best water heater in India
Before rushing to buy the first water heater you see, explore the following factors that can greatly affect your decision.
Capacity
The capacity of the best water heater in India should be chosen as per your family size. If you are planning to buy a water heater for bathroom installation, you should consider a water heater with 15 litres or above capacity. The larger the capacity of a storage water heater, the longer it will take to heat up the water. I would recommend choosing a 15-25 litres water heater for a family of 2-5 members.
If you want to buy a water heater for kitchen usage, a storage water heater of 3-8 litres of capacity is a viable option. Going beyond that will be just a waste of resources for a tiny area such as your kitchen.
Tank Material
Storage Water Heater uses a stainless steel tank, at least in the newer versions but it is common to find copper heating tanks too. They are both good and preventing rust build-up but if I were you, I would go for the stainless steel one. Glass-lined water heaters are also available that provide the same anti-corrosive properties.
Anti-Scale
Anti-scale properties help to prevent the mineral deposits build-up inside the tank of a storage water heater. If your building or household has a supply of hard water, ensure that anti-scale properties are present in the water heater of your choice. Skimping on a water heater with anti-scale properties will reduce your initial cost but pile up the operating costs.
Pressure
For one or two-story households, pressure may not be as important as it is for individuals living in flats and apartments or other high-rise structures. Modern storage water heaters come with a pressure rating up to which they can work without any malfunctioning.
Insulation
Insulation plays a pivotal role in sustaining the high temperatures inside the tank for a long time. It allows the rapid seepage of temperature from the body and keeps the water hot for a long time after it is heated. Good insulation material can help you to even use the hot water after a few hours without any noticeable drop in the temperature. Not only the thickness but also the material of the insulation determines its efficacy in protecting against heat loss.
Safety
Modern storage water heaters come with safety valves, a thermostat, and auto cut-off features to increase the safety of users while operating the appliance.
Thermostat
The thermostat simply performs an action based on the measurement of the temperature inside the water heater. It is used to signal to turn the heating on or off depending upon the temperature inside the storage tank. The thermostat can be mechanical as well as electrical in construction, although the latter is installed if you go for the best water heater in India.
Power Consumption
The power consumption of a water heater is fairly high but if you go for the water heaters with a high energy rating, you can surely save a decent amount on the operating costs.
Installation
Most storage water heaters are mounted on the wall and make sure to use metallic fasteners that can bear the load. Also consider the installation position before placing the fasteners as different water heaters support different alignments, namely vertical or horizontal.
Maintenance
Storage water heaters do not require maintenance as other appliances like water purifiers do but need occasional servicing once in a while. Make sure of calling an experienced professional, preferably from the same brand so that he/she can find the root cause of all the problems.
Warranty
Water heaters usually come with 5 years plus warranty which differs from brand to brand. Being an expensive product meant for prolonged usage, the warranty should be a crucial determinant along with the price.
General FAQ
Which is the best instant water heater in India?
Bajaj has a great line-up of the best water heater in India, be it storage or the instant category.
Which water heater is best for the bathroom?
A storage water heater with a capacity of 10 litres onward is the best water heater in India suitable for a bathroom.
Which geyser should I buy?
Your choice should be based on the price, capacity, and efficiency of the best water heater in India.
Can you shower in an instant water heater?
If you use a moderate amount of hot water, it is a definite possibility but for the best results, you should opt for a large capacity water heater.
Is a 10-litre geyser enough for the bathroom?
Yes. One person can bathe easily using the hot water from a 10-litre geyser.
What are the disadvantages of a tankless water heater?
When multiple outlets are in operation, the temperature drop can be felt by the users.
What happens if the heater is left on accidentally?
If the heater lacks an auto cut-off feature, then it will overheat and explode due to the pressure build-up. It is best to buy an auto cut-off feature water heater rather than one that lacks this important safety feature.