Want to enjoy the luxury of instant and endless hot water anywhere?
Then, it’s time to invest in the best portable tankless water heater.
This appliance provides you with hot water whenever and wherever you are! It is a smart idea for hot showers on-the-go.
But with many different brands and models available, it can be challenging to decide which model you should get. That’s why we are here to help you.
In this portable tankless water heater review, we’re going to talk about every aspect of these 7 most popular models available today.
We hope this article can help you choose the right for you.
Our Top Picks: Portable Tankless Water Heaters
The following quick summery includes all the essential specs of our recommended 7 models.
- Best Overall: CAMPLUX BD264N Tankless Propane Water Heater: A Portable gas water heater with a 10-litre capacity, an impressive flow rate and multi-level safety functions to enable you to enjoy outdoor time safely.
- Best Lightweight: Eccotemp L5 1.5 GPM: With a weight of 11.2 pounds, this unit is lightweight, activates at as low as 20 PSI, reaches temperatures between 50-140 degrees F and boasts an automatic 20 minute shut off timer to save energy.
- Best Performance: GASLAND BS158N Tankless Outdoor Water Heater: With a flow rate of 1.58 gallons per minute, a power output of 41,000BTU/Hr, advanced combustion technology and multiple safety features, this unit brings a fantastic shower experience outdoors.
- Best Value: Best HoTaitai 4L Portable Propane Water Heater: This unit is well-built, its temperature rises between 48.2 to 125 degrees F, has a low water pressure start and features adjustable heat and water flow.
- Best for Back-up: Marey GA5PORT Portable Propane Gas: This unit features a compact and energy-saving design, serves as a backup at home in case of a power outage and can deliver hot water on demand with a maximum power of up to 3500,000 BTUs.
Here are the Best Portable Tankless Water Heaters
We’ve spent a significant amount of time comparing different models and consulting numerous sources to create this article.
Below you’ll find detailed reviews of all our shortlisted models that will give you an idea of what each model is capable of.
With the below 7 popular portable no-tank water heaters, you can indeed effortlessly meet all your outdoor hot water needs. And why not!
Let’s jump right into our reviews to check out these awesome models that are every bit a good bang for your buck.
1. Camplux BD264N Tankless Propane Water Heater
Camplux BD264N is one of the best solutions for outdoor hot water where you need it. It serves various applications, including outdoor showers during a camping trip, bating horses, washing pet dogs, and more.
With an impressive flow rate along with the included shower head, this unit allows you to enjoy the shower whenever you’re in the outdoors. Thanks to its 10-liter capacity and maximum 2.64 GPM hot water flow rate.
Compact and portable design makes it perfect for road trips. The wall-mounted installation frees up floor space for more storage.
It works at water pressure between 3.0-110 PSI. This low water pressure start-up is perfect for a campsite and remote cabins.
To power the unit, you’ll only need two “D” cells that make it great for off-grid or other remote areas where electricity is unavailable. What’s more, it takes only a few minutes to delivers 2.64 gallons per minute of instant hot water.
The main burner and water heater exchanger are designed with advanced energy-saving combustion technology that reduces gas consumption and burning noise.
Camplux BD264N lets you enjoy your outdoor time worry-free. Thanks to its multi-level safety functions. The over-heat-protection, flame failure protection, and anti-freezing protection ensure your family’s safety.
Notably, the gas supply will automatically turn off when the temperature reaches over 167-degree F. Besides, the anti-freeze drain plug discharges the remaining water to prevent freezing in a cold climate.
Pros
- Powerful and efficient
- Great performance
- Energy-saving technology
- High thermal efficiency at 88.5%
- Multi-level safety functions to ensure the safety
- Comes with required installation hardware packs
- Aesthetically Pleasing & Sleek Design
Cons
- Not the most lightweight
2. Eccotemp L5 1.5 GPM Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
Eccotemp L5 is the perfect heater to meet all your outdoor hot water needs. It provides you instant and endless hot water whenever and wherever you are! Weighing 11.2 pounds, this model is incredibly lightweight, which makes it easy to carry.
No matter you’re spending a day at the lake, camping with the family, or lounging around the pool, this appliance delivers hot water to meet your needs. It also helps you make your daily tasks- washing your car or boat, taking a hot shower, or even washing your horse or dog- much more effortless.
Eccotemp L5 is ideal for the on-the-go. Thanks to its electronic ignition that is powered by two “D” cell batteries making it great for any location where electricity is not readily available.
This propane-powered water heater activates at as low as 20 PSI. And it is capable of reaching temperatures between 50 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The system easy to connect to any standard garden hose. Plus, it is compatible with 12-volt pumps. It comes equipped with all the necessary add-ons- showerhead (1), gas regulator (1), hose adapter (1), and hose (1).
You’ll appreciate its easy-to-use option. You can control the temperature manually. Its lightweight and compact design make it easy to carry for outdoor uses.
One of the nice aspects of this unit is its automatic 20-minute safety shut off timer. The unit turns off automatically after 20 minutes to make the system energy-saving. Plus, it also automatically shut off if it is tilted more than 45 degrees in either direction.
Notably, Eccotemp L5 is designed and developed in the USA. It is the only legal CSA Certified and best-selling portable water heater on the market today.
Pros
- Works well in cold or warm climates
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to connect to any standard garden hose
- Convenient and easy to use
- Heats water in just seconds
Cons
- Outdoor use only
- Included hose is not sturdy.
3. GASLAND BS158N Tankless Outdoor Water Heater
With a maximum power output of 41,000BTU/Hr, GASLAND BS158N delivers instant, hot water effortlessly wherever you are.
This unit only takes you a few minutes to install. And it starts up as low as 2.5 PSI of water pressure. Impressively, you can adjust both the water temperature and water flow.
BS158N offers a flow rate of 1.58 gallons per minute. It can bring a fantastic hot shower experience for you when you are camping, hunting, or to the beach.
Its state-of-the-art combustion technology helps decrease gas consumption and burning noises. It saves you a lot of money. Thanks to its uniquely designed water heater exchanger and the main burner that inaugurate 11.5% energy-saving technology.
Safety-wise, GASLAND BS158N is built with several safety features. It is CSA approved that means the system is safe to use as per Canadian and US Standard. Its safety functions include:
Flame failure protection- automatically cut off gas supply under unexpected flameout.
Anti-freezing protection- discharge the residual water to prevent freezing in cold areas.
Overheating protection- The unit automatically shut-off as soon as the temperature rises above 167-degree F. So no need to worrying about the water becoming too hot!
It comes with many accessories, including an ON/OFF chrome shower head, a shower hose, garden hose fitting, gas inlet connector and more.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design for easily carry
- Water heats up fast and stays hot
- Fully adjustable water flow and heat
- Easy to figure out temperature adjustment
- Easy to mount and use
- Energy-efficient; advanced combustion technology
- Several built-in safety options
Cons
- Not suitable for strong wind conditions and high altitude areas over 3300 feet
- Several users complained that the water comes out too HOT, even on the lowest setting.
4. HOTaitai 4L Portable Propane Water Heater
The HOTaitai 4L water heater is a solid choice if you are looking for a compact and portable unit to take along on your camping trips.
This propane heater is the ideal partner for your outdoor life. It brings a nice hot shower for you when you’re camping, hunting, RV’s, Poolside, or simply around the house. It is also perfect for washing your pet outdoor.
The included gas regulator features a quick connector that helps you connect the unit with a gas hose in one step. No tools required!
The compact, lightweight size, along with the folding U shape stainless steel handle, make the unit convenient to carry.
The temperature rise for this model is 48.2-degree F to 125-degree F. And it has a low water pressure start-up that requires only 25 PSI of water pressure. It comes with a pump pack that eliminates your worry about water pressure problems on the road.
The heat and water flow are fully adjustable. That means you can set the water temperature HIGH in winter and LOW in summer. Importantly, it can save up to 15% of energy.
The pure copper heat exchanger and certified control chip make the unit more stable and reliable. All of its construction materials meet environmental protection standards.
Its multiple safety functions ensure your safety. Firstly, it comes with an anti-tilt function that helps the unit avoid burn damage. If the unit is hung at an angle of more than 45-degrees, it’ll turn off automatically.
Secondly, it automatically shuts off if the flame goes out accidentally, keeping the unit safe.
What’s more, an anti-freezing drain discharges the residual water, thus it prevents freezing in cold areas. It also has high water temperature protection over 167-degree F.
But this is not the end….
The ultra-spacious carrying bag of this model is another nice to have. It’ll help you to keep tidy your limited spaces on the vehicle and make your journey much easier.
Pros
- Compact size and space saver
- Easy for carrying
- Toolless, one-step installation
- Water warms up quickly
- UMC certified control system
- Stable and reliable
- Well-built and long-lasting
- 6-in-1 protection functions for utmost safety
Cons
- No issues found
5. Marey GA5PORT Portable Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater
Marey GA5PORT is the best outdoor hot water solution. This on-demand water heater provides endless hot water in campsite, cabins, RVs, around the house, or anywhere you need.
It is perfect for serving various applications, including washing your car, windows cleaning, washing your pet, or taking a hot outdoor shower. You can use it at home as back-up during power outages.
It comes with a hand shower and a kit to connect to your standard garden hose. What’s more, the lightweight and compact design is space-saving and easy to carry anywhere.
Marey GA5PORT features an energy-saving design that uses half of the gas of any standard water heater. It heats up in seconds and uses gas only while water is flowing. So you can save up to 87% on energy.
It doesn’t need electricity for ignition – two D cell batteries instead of power it. The unit is naturally vented outdoor.
Moving on, the GA5PORT is capable of delivering hot water on demand with up to 3500,000 BTUs. You may adjust the water activation flow and the amount of heat for maximum comfort.
Pros
- Highly efficient
- Excellent for backup use
- Energy-saving design
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to mount and install
- Designed in the USA
- Leading 5 years warranty
Cons
- Poor battery placement design
6. Foruee FOR5L Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater
Foruee FOR5L makes showering outside a snap! It delivers hot water in about 3 seconds. If you have a big family, this on-demand water heater will be the right choice for you.
The included high-pressure handheld shower head features three modes. Each mode will offer you an exceptional shower experience. Of course, you can use the detachable shower head to wash your pets with warm water easily.
The battery-powered ignition of this unit makes it perfect to use in a variety of situations. The low-pressure start-up is another convenient feature of this model. It requires only 2.5 psi of water pressure to start the system.
Moreover, due to its mini and compact size, you can install it in any tiny space and save space for your other necessities.
Conveniently, you can adjust the flame and water flow to the unit. So, you can turn the flame to HIGH and the flow to LOW to heat freezing water.
Importantly, this unit offers you 6-in-1 multi-level safety protection. Over-heating protection, Flameout protection, Oxygen depletion safety shut-off protection, Thermal protection, and Anti-freezing protection functions ensure home safety. Plus, the open design prevents excessive surface temperature.
Notably, the copper heat exchanger provides improved thermal efficiency. Furthermore, its tin-plated outer surface is anti-corrosive and resistant to a high temperature that provides long service life.
Foruee FOR5L comes fully equipped with everything to install and use. So you don’t need to look around for accessories. It includes a shower head, CSA approval gas regulator, shower holder, and extended long stainless steel hose.
What’s more, fitting kits, teflon tape, garden hose connectors, universal gas connector, wrenches, and dust cover also come included with the unit.
Overall, it is an absolutely incredible and an amazing deal for the money.
Pros
- Perfect for outdoor shower and pet shower
- Super easy to install
- Safest appliance to use
- Lightweight and compact design
- No electricity needed for ignition
- Simple to set up with included accessories
- Works flawlessly and functional
Cons
- Needs better quality control
7. Happybuy 16L Tankless Propane Water Heater
Happybuy 16L is a high-quality water heater that supplies endless hot water anywhere. It is designed for home use and outdoor camping, RV traveling etc.
The unit uses LPG as the energy source. It comes with a gas regulator with a hose for easier connection to the gas tank.
The summer and winter mode lets you change the fire row to save gas. Importantly, its enclosed combustion structure provides uniform fire and higher burning efficiency.
The gas and water output adjustment knobs let you control the gas supply and hot water temperature easily. The LED screen displays real-time water temperature. Notably, water temperature ranges from 50 °F to 140 °F.
Conveniently, the included water filter delivers you clean & soft water for a better showering experience.
It’s built to last. Anti-rust stainless steel and tin-plated, high-temperature resistant copper water tank will last for a long time.
The best aspect of Happybuy 16L is its multi-level protection design to ensure the safety of your family. It features six functions for protection. These include over-heat protection, low water flow protection, overpressure protection, anti-frozen protection, no flame protection, and 20- minute timer.
All these functions make this a pretty safe bet. So, you’ll worry less about accidents and enjoy the outdoors stress-free.
You don’t need to have any particular skill to install and run the system properly. It comes included with a user manual that simplifies everything. It is portable, and its wall-mount design allows you to install it on the wall for space-saving.
Package Includes: Shower Head Kit (1), Hose (1), Gas Regulator (1), Water Filter (1).
Pros
- Made of high-quality materials
- Energy-saving design
- Offers maximum comfort and safety
- Wall-mounted and space-saving
- Quick and easy to set up
- Easy to control & fast to heat
- Start at a low water pressure
- Summer/winter mode to select for energy saving
Cons
- Water flow is not great enough.
How to Choose the Right Portable Tankless Water Heater
Buying the right portable no-tank water heater requires some considerations.
With that in mind, we’ve made this buying guide to help you.
Take into consideration the following features to make the right buying decision for this portable unit.
Input type
Before buying this appliance, you need to think about where and how often you will use it. A portable water heater runs on either propane or electricity.
An electric model requires a power outlet to operate it. It is an excellent option to use in an RV or cabin. However, they are usually not recommended to be used outdoors to avoid short circuits. This type might be troublesome during a power outage.
So, if you plan to use the appliance outdoors mainly, propane gas-operated models can be the ideal solution. They are easy to use and truly portable. Notably, most of these units require a couple of batteries for ignition. On the negative, using gas may not be as convenient as electricity.
Size and Weight
The unit’s size and weight affect its portability. You don’t like to move a heavy unit around the campsite. Right?
Again, a huge unit will take up too much room in your RV to accommodate other necessities.
Choose a lightweight and compact unit if you’re an avid outdoorsman. If the unit features a handle, it’ll help you move the heater from place to place with minimal hassle.
Although most portable units aim at users with limited space, it’s logical to consider these specs before buying.
Temperature Range
This factor determines the water heater’s performance. You are not certain where the outdoors may take you- it could be a beach or snow-covered mountains. It is wise to go for a model with a higher temperature range so that you can use it easily in any situation.
We recommend buying a model with a higher temperature range.
Operating Pressure and Heating Efficiency
It determines how fast your water heater will produce hot water. If you’re always on the move and do not have much time to waste, consider the operating pressure before buying this appliance.
A unit with a high BTU (British Thermal Unit) means it heats water faster and more efficiently. Notably, BTU refers to the energy required to raise one pound of water temperature by one – degree F.
Flow Rate (gallon per minute/ GPM)
It describes the amount of water that flows through the heater per minute. The standard GPM for a portable unit is 1 to 3.5 GPM.
A model with a higher flow rate means it’ll produce more water faster, meaning you can take warm shower in a shorter amount of time. However, make sure that you don’t end up losing hot water by using a model with a higher GPM rate. Consider your requirements and chose the unit with the right flow rate.
Safety Features
Consider how the unit is safe to use, especially if you decide to bring your children along to the campsite.
Some of the safety features you should check are- auto turn-off functions if the hot water temperature rises over 167- degree Fahrenheit or if the device is angled too much.
The flame-failure protects the unit if it doesn’t build up too much gas if the igniter flame extinguishes.
The anti-freeze protection acts against colder temperatures.
Ease-of-use
Some models feature digital mechanisms, and some are manual with knobs to change the pressure and temperature. Which one you should opt it entirely depends on you.
Another factor to consider is whether your selected model comes with all the add-ons or accessories you need to install and use it.
Conclusion
We’ve already reached at the end of our article.
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed reading our article and find the best portable tankless water heaters to meet your outdoor hot water needs.
Your life in the outdoors will become more comfortable with any of these portable heating system.
Enjoy your next outdoor adventure!