Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Tankless Water Heaters

EcoSmart ECO 27 vs Rheem RTEX-24

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Rheem RTEX-24 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about northern US homes with cold groundwater inlet — read the strengths below before deciding.

EcoSmart ECO 27
Ranked #3 in Best Tankless Water Heaters
EcoSmart ECO 27
$540

The ECO 27 is the high-flow pick — EcoSmart's best GPM-to-price ratio for households with multiple simultaneous hot-water demands.

Strengths
  • 6.6 GPM max — highest in this lineup
  • Compact unit saves install space
  • 0.3 GPM minimum activation
Watch-outs
  • Requires 240V triple-pole breaker
  • Some undersizing complaints below 40°F inlet
  • Customer support response variable
Rheem RTEX-24
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Tankless Water Heaters
Rheem RTEX-24
$485

The RTEX-24 is the cold-climate pick — Rheem's flagship that handles northern winter inlet temps better than competitors.

Strengths
  • 3,900+ reviews proving reliability
  • Excels in cold-inlet conditions (northern climates)
  • Self-modulating heating elements
Watch-outs
  • Slightly louder than Tempra under load
  • No advanced flow control
  • Smaller display

How they stack up

EcoSmart ECO 27

Highest GPM. Lifetime element warranty. Undersizes in deep cold.

Rheem RTEX-24

Best for cold climates. Most user reviews. Cheaper than Tempra.

Specs side-by-side

SpecEcoSmart ECO 27Rheem RTEX-24
TypeElectric whole-homeElectric whole-home
Power27 kW24 kW
Max GPM6.6
WarrantyLifetime elements
Self-ModulatingYes
Reviews3,900+
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