Are you looking tired for a quick and efficient way to have a hot water bath? But are fed up of heating water on the gas stove or using an immersion heater? Well, what you need then is the best water heater in India (also called a geyser).
Modern electric water heaters not only heat really quickly but also are pleasing to look at unlike the older generation of barrel style heaters. Also with many innovations in materials, water heaters are also more durable than before and come with long warranties too. But don’t they cost a bomb and suck electricity like a vampire? Of course not!
Modern water heaters come in a variety of price ranges from as low as Rs.3000 for instant heaters (low capacity ≈ 3 litres) all the way up to Rs.12000 for storage heaters (high capacity ≈ 25 litres). That’s not all, they even come with BEE star ratings of up to 5 stars which helps in reducing energy consumption as well. Read our Buying Guide to the best water heater in India to know more.
Best Water Heater in India
1. AO Smith HSE-SDS-15 15-Litre 2000-Watt Water Heater
As one of the highest rated water heaters online, the AO Smith HSE-SDS-15 offers the best blend of performance, power savings, durability and design. Also with a 15-litre capacity (and a 25-litre one), it sits in the sweet spot when it comes to usability and pricing.
But before we head on to the features, you have to admit it looks really good. There’s not a single sharp 90-degree edge on its, it’s also rounded and smooth making it feel very approachable and petite.
In terms of specifications, you have a 15-litre tank that is enough for a family of up to 3 members (if a bucket is used), a blue diamond glass lining tank which unlike regular steel tanks has a longer life due to its anti-scaling properties and corrosion-free design. And it’s not just the tank, but also the heating elements which has been glass coated for the same benefits.
You also have 2000W of power for quick heating and a BEE 5-star rating as well to keep electricity usage low. You also can control the temperature 25ºC to 75ºC giving you an extra level of comfort when it comes to your personal preference.
AO Smith hasn’t just focused on features and specifications but also on safety. You get a thermal cutoff which turns off the heater if the temperature exceeds the set value. There’s also a safety valve to prevents water pressure from increasing inside the heater. But how is it in real life?
As we said before people loved the product especially its sleek design, the quick heating time (10-15 minutes), good heat retention, quality of materials used and the low power consumption. The only complaint we read about was slow, often delayed installation and service from the company.
The AO Smith water heater with its 15-litre storage capacity is designed for people who not just want to heat water but also store it for some time (hence the name storage water heater). With the stored capacity you can get enough water in buckets for up to 3 people. The larger 25-litre variant is good for more than 5 people.
Priced at Rs.8000 for the 15-litre and Rs.10000 for the 25-litre, the AO Smith HSE-SDS-15 with its large capacity, durable tank, quick performance and long 2 years (+ 7 years on the inner tank, and 4 years extended warranty on the heating element) warranty is undoubtedly the best water heater in India.
Pros
- Sufficient capacity for 3-5 people
- 5-star BEE rating
- Extremely pleasing design
- Thermal and pressure safety cut off
- Glass lined tank
- Great warranty
- Good price
Cons
- Slow service needs to improve
- Service centres are located in major cities only
2. American Micronic AMI WHM3 25LDx 25-Litres Water Heater (White)
Hot on the heels of the AO Smith geyser is the America Micronic 25-litre storage water heater which also comes in two sizes, has a BEE 5-star rating and a glass-lined tank.
In terms of design, there isn’t a lot to talk about, its a plain white cylindrical design with an old school dial pasted right on the top centre. But, the black panel at the bottom with the chrome lined buttons do look premium and modern.
Specification-wise you get two models with a 15-litre tank and one with a 25-litre tank. Both the tanks are made of steel but lined with titanium enamel glass to protect against hard water and corrosion.
With 2000 watts of power, pressure rating of 8 bar (can be used on high rise buildings) and a 5-star BEE energy rating makes the American Micronic a powerful but efficient water heater for your home. Like the AO Smith, this one too has a working temperature range of 30ºC to 75ºC.
You also have other features like an adjustable thermostat, temperature gauge, power control modes, auto-power off, IPX4 rating for weather and moisture resistance, fire retardant cables and overheating/ dry heating protection. This makes it not only easy to control but also very safe to use without any hazards.
Coming to the customer reviews, we found people were very pleased with the quality of the product, its low price and the energy savings it got. The complaint about this product was that the water heater took slightly longer to heat water.
This American Micronic Water heater comes in two sizes: 15-litre and 25-litre. The 15-litre geyser is great for 2-3 people who use a shower. While the 25-litre geyser is great for 5 or more members who shower.
American Micronic offers a two-year warranty with doorstep service in 5200 pin codes across India. While this may seem like a lot remember we have around 20000 pin codes across the country. This put the American Micronic geysers in the same category of AO Smith when it comes to service
This geyser price starts at Rs.8000 for the 25-litre model and Rs.7000 for the 15-litre model, American Micronic water heaters offer great value for money and its not like they are short on features. They feature the latest glass lined tanks, have BEE 5-star rating and come in two large sizes if you are looking for the best water heater in India on a budget, this is where you search should stop.
Pros
- Sufficient capacity for 3-5 people
- 5-star BEE rating
- Thermal and pressure safety cut off
- Glass lined tank
- Great warranty
- Excellent pricing
Cons
- Average design
- Service available in only a few places
3. AO Smith 25 L Storage Water Geyser
The previous AO Smith water heater that we saw truly impressed us with its cutesy design and small dimensions, but this particular water heater from AO Smith takes a different approach. They have tried to go after the more conventionally designed water heaters like the one from American Micronic, Hindware, Bajaj and Racold.
In terms of design think of this water heater as the AO Smith HSE-SDS in the American Micronic clothes. It looks a bit more modern though with the raised control panel and a single dial on top flanked by the two led lights.
In terms of specifications and features though it is very identical to the previous AO Smith geyser. You get two models – 25-litre and 15-litre, you also have the same glass lined tanks and heating elements and also a 5-star BEE energy rating.
Getting into features and specifications, you have 2000 watts of power, temperature control from 25ºC to 75ºC along with all the safety features like auto shut off and thermal cutoff.
Talking about the response of the customers on Amazon and Flipkart, people were satisfied for the performance that you got especially when you considered the price, people loved its quick heating, the sturdy build quality and its durability. What people did not like was the slow service response of AO Smith in certain parts of India.
With a mouth-watering price of Rs.7250 for the 25-litre variant and Rs.6250 for the 15-litre variant, this is another great option if you are looking for the best AO Amith geyser. Its large capacities, efficient working and great features make it another great budget contender for the best geyser in India.
Pros
- Sufficient capacity for 3-5 people
- Excellent price
- 5-star BEE rating
- Extremely pleasing design
- Thermal and pressure safety cutoff
- Glass lined tank
- Great warranty
Cons
- Slow service needs to improve
- Service centres are located in major cities only
- Average design
4. Bajaj Flora 3-Litre Instant Water Heater
Moving on from storage water heaters to instant water heaters and what we have here is the Bajaj Flora 3-litre instant water heater. This tiny little geyser may look all cutesy but it does pack in quite a punch for the price.
Made up of a thermoplastic exterior, the Bajaj geyser water heater is fully corrosion and rust proof. The aesthetics are very beautiful and it almost resembles a flower that’s about to bloom. Adorning the body are the two visual indicators and the inlet and outlet pipes at the bottom.
Being an instant water geyser, this device has 3000 watts of power to help you get hot water quickly, but it’s not directly sent to you. There is a tiny 3-litre stainless steel tank that acts as a buffer to help improve the experience.
For safety, you have the fire retardant cable, thermal cutoff and a pressure release valve. One thing we noticed was the lack of a BEE rating but customers did confirm that it doesn’t consume too much power. Other praises of the product were for the compact size, its quick heating capability and the low price.
The drawbacks according to customers? Well, the service of course. Many complaints about slow installation service as well as the average service post installation.
With its instant heating technology and tiny capacity, this is the best water heater for 1-2 members.
The Bajaj water heater price starts at Rs. 2800, this is an excellent water heater that excels in its performance and design. If you are in the market for the best water heater that gives instant hot water on a budget, look no further.
Pros
- Good price
- Compact size
- Thermal and pressure safety cut off
- Great warranty
Cons
- Slow service needs to improve
- Service centres are located in major cities only
- No BEE rating
- Normal steel tank used
Buying Guide to the Best Geyser Water Heater
If you are in the market for the best water heater but confused with all the acronyms and technology jargons and numbers are thrown at you? Well, our buying guide to the best water heater should help simplify things for you.
Now when you are out shopping for water heaters the first thing to look for is the type of water heater:
Storage Heaters have a storage container inside them which stores the water once it’s heated by the coil. They are more expensive and take more space but are useful as you can store water and use it later. A storage heater usually starts with a 6-litre capacity and goes to 25 litres or more. While the heaters we have featured have a vertical shape, you also get horizontal heaters which take less vertical space.
Instant Heaters are much smaller than storage heaters and are usually limited to 1-6 litre capacities, they release water instantly and take up very little space but are usually sufficient for very small families.
Once you have understood which type you are going to choose here are the things you must look for next:
1) Capacity
Once you are done with the type, you have to see what capacity suits your usage. Usually, a shower needs more water than a regular bucket bath. A 6-litre water heater is enough for an entry-level offering for 1-2 people (when using a shower). While a 15-litre one will suit most households with up to 3-4 people.
The chart above shows the capacity to person correlation in a much simpler way. Use it to choose the capacity that’s comfortable for your family.
2) BEE Rating
Now that you know a geyser heats electricity to heat water, you have to make sure the one you buy doesn’t consume too much power or else your current bills will burn a big hole in your pocket. So the thing you have to look for is a BEE star rating, specifically one with a BEE 5 star rating as our best pick. This will ensure low power consumption.
3) Safety
For safety, you need to make sure you have auto power cutoff and pressure safety valves that will cut off power and water if the temperature and pressure inside the heater go beyond set value.
4) Tank Material
Next, you have the tank itself. While older geysers used a steel tank which was prone to corrosion and scaling. But modern geysers come with glass lining which prevents scaling and corrosion. Our AO Smith best pick actually uses a glass lined tank.
Now that you have got a brand new water heater, here are some tips and precautions for a smooth and safe experience.
The power consumption of the heater will also depend on the area where you are using it. A colder climate will require more heating thus inflating your bill
Also keeping hot water in the geyser without turning it off can also waste electricity as it will keep heating it to maintain the set temperature
Next thing to remember is once the water is heated do not directly have a shower/ bath with it. As the water is hot enough to give your severe burns, always mix it with normal cold water to bring it down to a more acceptable temperature.
Still, have a few questions about the water heaters? Check out our FAQ’s below.
FAQs
1. Product warranty?
Ans: All of our four best picks have a 2-year warranty
2. Does it have thermostat knob for adjusting temperature?
Ans: Yes, you can control the temperature on water heaters
3. Does it contain automatic power cut off?
Ans: Yes, it has auto power cut off
4. Mounting of the heater is horizontal or vertical?
Ans: The models we have picked are vertical mounting ones
5. What about installation? Is it free?
Ans: Once you purchase the company can send over a person to install the water heater. Usually, Rs.250-500 will be charged for installation depending on the brand.
6. In what material inner tank is coated and made?
Ans: The AO Smith water heater uses a steel tank with glass coating which prevents corrosion and scaling
7. What is the BEE ratings of this product?
Ans: The AO Smith and American Micronic water heaters have a 5-star BEE rating. The Bajaj instant water heater had no star rating.
In the product description, it is mentioned that it is “suitable for high-rise Buildings”. What does that mean, it doesn’t work in built-up houses?As you know water has a certain pressure when it comes through a tap. Now when a water heater is advertised as “suitable for High-rise Buildings” it means the water heater works with a pressure higher than 6 bar which is usually found in high rise buildings. All the four products we have recommended have a rated pressure of 8 bars which makes them great for use in high rise buildings as well.
Final Thoughts
A water heater is extremely useful not just on a cold day, but also to have a nice soothing can be extremely helpful for today’s ever-busy millennials and families. But from the dishwashers in the market which one should you buy? To answer just that we did all the hard work and have found two really good products for your needs.
At first place we have the AO Smith HSE-SDS which is modern in design and technology while still managing to be value for money. If you are in the market for the best geyser in India, this is the one to pick.
American Micronic offers a more budget friendly offering which boasts of roughly the same set of feastures as the AO Smith geyser, but for amuch better price. New brand aside, this also can be cosndiered as the best water heater in India.
In the budget segment we again have the AO Smith water heater which comes in two sizes but offers a traditional design to hit the sweet spot in terms of price. Want the best water heater on a budget? Why not try this one.
The water heaters we talked about above were storage water heaters, but there are also instant water heaters available and the Bajaj Flora is one of the best geyser water heater in India that can deliver want almsot instantly. Its low price, quick heating and durable design makes it a great budget pick.
Have any of the picks we suggested? Comment down below about your experience with the product or the brand service. Still, have a doubt regarding geyser water heaters? or about any feature related to them? Write down your question below so we can help you with the same.
Finally, do not forget to check out our other articles and share them with your families and friends.
