GE 10 Gallon Point of Use
A 10 gallon plug-in tank for a laundry, workshop or in-law kitchen, with an eight-year warranty. It sits on the floor rather than under a sink.
Amazon $279.65$279.65
10 gal1,500 WPlug-in
A mini tank water heater stores a few gallons of hot water right where you use it, under a sink, in a closet or beside a washer, so hot water arrives in seconds instead of after a long wait for the main heater’s water to travel through the pipes. Most run on an ordinary 120 V circuit, and many simply plug into an outlet. These rankings cover point-of-use electric tanks from 2.5 to 20 gallons: Stiebel Eltron, Ariston, Rheem, EcoSmart, Eemax, GE, ThermoMate, Camplux and VEVOR. Tankless heaters, heat pump water heaters and RV water heaters have their own rankings.
Size is the first choice. A 2.5 to 4 gallon tank covers hand washing and rinsing dishes at one sink. Six to 10 gallons suits a kitchen sink that fills a basin, a utility sink, or a booster on a long pipe run. Twelve to 20 gallons is enough for a short shower or a washer load, or a small cabin or apartment.
Power is the second. A plug-in tank needs only a grounded outlet within reach of its cord. Some mid-size and large tanks must be wired into a circuit instead. All of them use a 1,300 to 1,600 W element, so a bigger tank holds more hot water but takes longer to reheat once it runs out.
Warranty separates them most. The tank and the element are the same few designs across brands, but the published tank warranty runs from 3 years to 8.
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Top Picks
EcoSmart ECO MINI 4
An inexpensive 4 gallon plug-in tank for a kitchen or utility sink. Its warranty is a year shorter than the best small tanks.
Amazon $165.92$165.92
4 gal1,440 WPlug-in
Shop by Size
2.5 to 4 Gallon
10 rankedUnder-sink tanks for a single sink: instant hot water for hand washing and dishes.
Top rated: Ariston Andris RS 4 Gallon $169.99
6 to 10 Gallon
9 rankedLarger under-counter tanks for a kitchen sink, a utility sink or a booster for a long pipe run.
Top rated: GE 10 Gallon Point of Use $279.65
12 to 20 Gallon
5 rankedCompact 120 V tanks with enough stored water for a short shower, a washer or a small apartment.
Top rated: GE 18 Gallon Point of Use $296.65
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Best 2.5 to 4 Gallon Mini Tank Water Heaters
- Ariston Andris RS 4 Gallon#1 of 10Full review
A 4 gallon plug-in tank at a 2.5 gallon price, with a six-year tank warranty. A strong pick for a kitchen sink.
Amazon $169.99$169.994 gal1,440 WPlug-in - EcoSmart ECO MINI 4#2 of 10Full review
An inexpensive 4 gallon plug-in tank for a kitchen or utility sink. Its warranty is a year shorter than the best small tanks.
Amazon $165.92$165.924 gal1,440 WPlug-in - Camplux ME40 4 Gallon#3 of 10Full review
A narrow 4 gallon plug-in tank that fits where wider tanks don’t. Its tank warranty is shorter than the major brands.
Amazon $209.99$209.994 gal1,440 WPlug-in - Stiebel Eltron SHC 4#4 of 10Full review
A 4 gallon plug-in tank for a kitchen sink or as a booster on a long pipe run, with a six-year tank warranty. Cheaper 4 gallon tanks match its warranty and heat faster.
Amazon $239$2394 gal1,300 WPlug-in - ThermoMate ES400 4 Gallon#5 of 10Full review
A 4 gallon plug-in tank for a kitchen sink. Ariston and EcoSmart sell 4 gallon tanks for less with longer warranties.
Amazon $220.99$220.994 gal1,440 WPlug-in
Best 6 to 10 Gallon Mini Tank Water Heaters
- GE 10 Gallon Point of Use#1 of 9Full review
A 10 gallon plug-in tank for a laundry, workshop or in-law kitchen, with an eight-year warranty. It sits on the floor rather than under a sink.
Amazon $279.65$279.6510 gal1,500 WPlug-in - Ariston Andris RS 8 Gallon#2 of 9Full review
An 8 gallon tank for a kitchen or utility sink at a low price, with a six-year tank warranty. Plan on hardwiring it.
Amazon $209.99$209.998 gal1,440 WHardwired - GE 6 Gallon Point of Use#3 of 9Full review
A 6 gallon plug-in tank with an eight-year tank and parts warranty. The best all-round mid-size pick.
Amazon $240.86$240.866 gal1,500 WPlug-in - VEVOR 8 Gallon Mini-Tank#4 of 9Full review
The cheapest way to 8 gallons of stored hot water. VEVOR publishes no warranty, so it suits a shop or utility sink more than a kitchen.
Amazon $135.90$135.908 gal1,440 W- - ThermoMate ES800 8 Gallon#5 of 9Full review
An 8 gallon plug-in tank short enough for an under-counter space. The warranty is short, and the Ariston 8 gallon costs less if you can hardwire.
Amazon $269.99$269.998 gal1,440 WPlug-in
Best 12 to 20 Gallon Point-of-Use Water Heaters
- GE 18 Gallon Point of Use#1 of 5Full review
An 18 gallon plug-in tank with an eight-year warranty, for a small apartment, cabin or a washer far from the main heater. The best large pick.
Amazon $296.65$296.6518 gal1,500 WPlug-in - Ariston POU 20 Gallon#2 of 5Full review
A 20 gallon, 120 V tank that fits under a counter, for a small apartment, cabin or in-law suite, with six years on parts and tank.
Amazon $351.50$351.5020 gal1,500 W- - VEVOR 18 Gallon Tank Water Heater#3 of 5Full review
A cheap 18 gallon tank for a shop, barn or utility room. With no published warranty, the GE 18 gallon is the safer buy for a home.
Amazon $219.90$219.9018 gal1,600 W- - Ariston POU 12 Gallon#4 of 5Full review
A 12 gallon tank for a bathroom or kitchenette, with six years on parts and tank. Larger tanks cost little more.
Amazon $313$31312 gal1,500 W- - ThermoMate ES2000 18 Gallon#5 of 5Full review
An 18 gallon hardwired tank for a shower or washer. The GE 18 gallon costs less, plugs in and carries an eight-year warranty.
Amazon $399.70$399.7018 gal1,500 WHardwired
How We Rank
Each heater is ranked against others of the same size group, and scored on its price per gallon, its warranty, its heating power, its features and its tank size.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per gallon of tank, scaled by size group | 30% |
| Warranty | tank (leak) warranty 60%, parts warranty 40% | 30% |
| Heating power | element wattage, which sets how fast the tank reheats | 15% |
| Features | plug-in cord, relief valve and wall bracket included | 15% |
| Tank size | gallons, within its size group | 10% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.