Buying guide · 10 min read · Updated October 2, 2026

6 Best Gas Electric RV Water Heater in 2026: A Practical RV Guide

Six gas and electric RV tank water heaters compared by gallon size, propane burner BTU, control method and cutout fit for owners who camp on and off hookups.

By Bowen HigginsRV Editor at RV Gear Lab6 products comparedSpec-sheet researched

A gas and electric RV water heater lets you heat with propane when boondocking and with shore power when plugged in, and some can use both to recover faster. The tank size, burner rating and cutout fit decide the choice.

The six picks run from 6 to 12 gallons. Nothing here is claimed as gas or electric certified beyond what a listing says, and every gas appliance needs proper venting and install per the maker's manual.

RV Gear Lab field notes

The Rig Fit Check

Start with the job: Suburban SW12DE 12-Gallon RV Water Heater leads this shortlist for Large tank rigs. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
Specs that separate the picks: The first details to compare are 12 gallon Suburban DSI, 10 gallon hybrid, 12,000 BTU, 6 gallon hybrid, 12,000 BTU. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
Trade-off to plan for: Electric element is described as optional

Before you buy

What Matters Before You Choose a Gas Electric RV Water Heater

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

01
Tank size
A 6 gallon tank suits one or two people, and 10 to 12 gallons suits families. Size to showers and dishes per day. Check the gallon size.
02
Burner BTU
A 12,000 BTU burner recovers faster than a 10,000 BTU one per the listings. Faster recovery needs more propane draw. Check the BTU rating.
03
Hybrid mode
Hybrid mode uses propane and electric together for faster recovery on hookups. It costs amps and propane. Check the mode list.
04
Cutout fit
Drop-ins fit 6, 10 or 12 gallon openings and need correct clearance. KINGRVER lists added clearance. Measure before buying.
05
Anode rod
An anode rod slows tank corrosion, and a powered rod is a different design. Suburban lists a replaceable rod and FOGATTI a powered one. Check the rod type.
06
Venting and codes
Gas heaters need venting, gas lines and clearances per the manual. Follow it and local codes. Check what certifications a listing names.

Our standards

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

At RV Gear Lab, we compare products based on rig fit and power or hookup compatibility, verified specifications, usability, setup requirements, weight, durability, and real-world trade-offs. We do not rank products purely on marketing claims or commission rates.

We have not personally tested every product listed. Where hands-on testing is not available, recommendations are based on verified manufacturer specifications, product documentation, use-case fit, and comparative research.

How we review RV gear →

Detailed reviews

The 6 best gas electric rv water heater, explained

Best Overall · 1 of 6

Suburban SW12DE 12-Gallon RV Water Heater

12 gallon Suburban DSI
Electric element
Porcelain-lined tank, anode rod

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Large tank rigs

Our take

It is the best match for owners who want a large Suburban tank with gas and electric.

Why it made the shortlist

Suburban SW12DE is a 12 gallon RV water heater with direct spark ignition and an electric element, built with a porcelain-lined steel tank and a replaceable anode rod. The listing says the optional electric element lets you use campsite or generator power.

Against FOGATTI HybridShower 10 Ultra, it is a 12 gallon Suburban tank. Against KINGRVER 10, it has a replaceable anode rod and a known RV brand.

Think of it as the pick for large tank rigs.

What works

Largest tank here at 12 gallons
Replaceable anode rod
Porcelain-lined steel tank
Direct spark ignition

Watch out for

Electric element is described as optional

Check price on Amazon

Best 10 Gallon Hybrid · 2 of 6

FOGATTI HybridShower 10 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater

10 gallon hybrid, 12,000 BTU
Propane, electric or hybrid
Fits many 10 gallon cutouts

Check price on Amazon

Best for: 10 gallon replacements

Our take

It suits owners replacing a 10 gallon tank who want a hybrid mode.

Why it made the shortlist

FOGATTI HybridShower 10 Ultra is a 10 gallon gas and electric hybrid with a 12,000 BTU propane burner and three power choices of propane, electric or hybrid. The listing says it replaces many Suburban and Dometic 10 gallon heaters and has dry-fire, over-temperature and over-pressure protection.

Buyers focused on 10 gallon replacements will find it a sensible match.

What works

12,000 BTU propane burner
Hybrid mode for faster recovery
Dry-fire and over-pressure protection
Fits many Suburban and Dometic 10 gallon cutouts

Watch out for

Check venting and cutout fit

The catch: Against Suburban SW12DE, it is smaller with a hybrid mode.

Check price on Amazon

Best 6 Gallon with Powered Anode · 3 of 6

FOGATTI HybridShower 6 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater

6 gallon hybrid, 12,000 BTU
Powered anode rod
Drop-in for Suburban and Dometic

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Best for: Tank life

Our take

It suits owners who want long tank life in a 6 gallon cutout.

Why it made the shortlist

FOGATTI HybridShower 6 Ultra is a 6 gallon gas and electric hybrid, a drop-in for Suburban and Dometic cutouts with a 12,000 BTU burner. The listing says it includes a powered anode rod for corrosion defense and temperature control that prevents scalding.

Against CAMPLUX Black, it adds a powered anode rod. Against KINGRVER 6, it lists a 12,000 BTU burner and anode defense.

What works

Powered anode rod for corrosion defense
12,000 BTU propane burner
Gas and electric modes
Temperature control against scalding

Watch out for

Check venting and cutout fit

Check price on Amazon

Best Value 10 Gallon · 4 of 6

KINGRVER 10 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater

10 gallon hybrid, 12,000 BTU
Interior temperature control
Porcelain-lined tank

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Budget 10 gallon

Our take

It suits owners who want a 10 gallon hybrid at a lower price.

Why it made the shortlist

KINGRVER 10 Gallon is a propane and electric hybrid with a 12,000 BTU burner for many 10 gallon RV openings. The listing says you can adjust temperature and switch modes from inside the RV and describes a porcelain-lined tank.

Against FOGATTI HybridShower 10, it costs much less. Against Suburban SW12DE, it adds interior control.

It is a natural fit for budget 10 gallon.

What works

12,000 BTU burner stated
Control from inside the RV
Propane, electric or combined use

Watch out for

Check venting and cutout fit

Check price on Amazon

Best Interior Control 6 Gallon · 5 of 6

CAMPLUX 6 Gallon RV Water Heater

6 gallon hybrid, black
Three modes
Interior control panel

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Best for: Interior mode switching

Our take

It suits owners who want interior mode switching.

Why it made the shortlist

CAMPLUX 6 Gallon Black is a propane and electric hybrid and a direct replacement for most Suburban and Dometic 4 to 6 gallon models. The listing says three heating modes and one-click temperature are set from an interior panel.

Against KINGRVER 6, it has an interior panel instead of a remote. Against FOGATTI HybridShower 6, it is cheaper.

Think of it as the pick for interior mode switching.

What works

Interior panel for modes and temperature
Porcelain-lined tank with anode
Drop-in for 4 to 6 gallon units
Black finish

Watch out for

Check venting and cutout fit
Smaller tank

Check price on Amazon

Best 6 Gallon with Remote · 6 of 6

KINGRVER 6 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater

6 gallon hybrid
Remote 104 to 140°F
12V DC gas ignition

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Best for: Remote control

Our take

It suits owners who want a remote at a modest price.

Why it made the shortlist

KINGRVER 6 Gallon is a gas, electric or hybrid heater with a remote controller for 104 to 140 degrees F. The listing says gas mode uses 12 volt DC ignition powered by the RV system.

Against CAMPLUX Black, it uses a remote. Against FOGATTI HybridShower 6, it is lower in price.

Buyers focused on remote control will find it a sensible match.

What works

Remote controller included
Three heating modes
Fits common 4 to 6 gallon setups

Watch out for

Needs 3 inches of added clearance
Check venting and cutout fit

Check price on Amazon

Methodology

How We Built This Shortlist

Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Tank size

We compared 6, 10 and 12 gallon capacities.

Burner output

Stated propane BTU ratings were compared.

Power modes

Propane, electric and hybrid modes were compared.

Controls

Interior panels, remotes and relays were compared.

Certifications

We only repeated certifications that a listing names.

Decision guide

Match a Gas Electric RV Water Heater to Your RV

By Tank Size

Your situation	Recommended pick	Why
12 gallon family tank	Suburban SW12DE	12 gallon Suburban.
10 gallon hybrid, premium	FOGATTI HybridShower 10	12,000 BTU hybrid.
10 gallon, low cost	KINGRVER 10	Interior control.
6 gallon, long tank life	FOGATTI HybridShower 6	Powered anode rod.
6 gallon, interior panel	CAMPLUX Black	Interior panel.

By Budget

Budget	Recommended pick
$390 to $400	CAMPLUX Black or KINGRVER 6
$500 to $560	KINGRVER 10 or FOGATTI HybridShower 6
$730 to $750	Suburban SW12DE or FOGATTI HybridShower 10

Suburban Tank vs Hybrid Replacement

Suburban tank

Suburban SW12DE is a known RV brand with a replaceable anode rod.

Hybrid replacement

FOGATTI HybridShower 10, FOGATTI HybridShower 6, KINGRVER 10, CAMPLUX Black and KINGRVER 6 add propane, electric or hybrid modes.

Most owners should choose KINGRVER 10 or CAMPLUX Black unless they want the Suburban name.

By Control Style

Control	Recommended pick
Remote	KINGRVER 6
Interior panel	CAMPLUX Black
Interior control, 10 gallon	KINGRVER 10
Standard Suburban	Suburban SW12DE

For Boondocking and Hookups Specifically

Look for

Propane for dry camping and electric on hookups, as on FOGATTI HybridShower 10.

In this comparison

FOGATTI HybridShower 10 lists propane, electric and hybrid modes. Check amp load on hookups.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

Spend more on FOGATTI HybridShower 10 or Suburban SW12DE for large tanks or known brands.

Save if

Save with KINGRVER 6 or KINGRVER 10 for hybrid use.

FAQ

Before You Bring One Home

Can I use both gas and electric at once?

Hybrid models like FOGATTI HybridShower 10 offer a hybrid mode. It recovers faster but draws more.

What is the common mistake?

Ordering the wrong size. Measure your cutout.

Is Suburban worth more than KINGRVER?

For brand and a known anode rod, yes. KINGRVER 10 adds interior control for less.

How do I switch modes?

Use the interior panel or remote where listed, or the switch on the heater. Check the manual for the right order.

How often should I flush the tank?

Flush it each season, and check the anode rod. Follow the manual.

Bottom line

The short version

Best Overall
Suburban SW12DE 12-Gallon RV Water Heater
Check price for Suburban SW12DE 12-Gallon RV Water Heater (opens in a new tab)
Best 10 Gallon Hybrid
FOGATTI HybridShower 10 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater
Check price for FOGATTI HybridShower 10 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater (opens in a new tab)
Best 6 Gallon with Powered Anode
FOGATTI HybridShower 6 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater
Check price for FOGATTI HybridShower 6 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater (opens in a new tab)
Best Value 10 Gallon
KINGRVER 10 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater
Check price for KINGRVER 10 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater (opens in a new tab)
Best Interior Control 6 Gallon
CAMPLUX 6 Gallon RV Water Heater
Check price for CAMPLUX 6 Gallon RV Water Heater (opens in a new tab)
Best 6 Gallon with Remote
KINGRVER 6 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater
Check price for KINGRVER 6 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater (opens in a new tab)

Browse more gas electric rv water heater on Amazon →

About the author

Bowen Higgins

RV Editor at RV Gear Lab

Bowen covers RV power, water systems, towing and leveling, upkeep and interior comfort, with a focus on matching gear to the rig, the hookups and the way you actually travel.

6 Best Gas Electric RV Water Heater in 2026: A Practical RV Guide

Our top picks

The Rig Fit Check

What Matters Before You Choose a Gas Electric RV Water Heater

Tank size

Burner BTU

Hybrid mode

Cutout fit

Anode rod

Venting and codes

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

The 6 best gas electric rv water heater, explained

Suburban SW12DE 12-Gallon RV Water Heater

FOGATTI HybridShower 10 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater

FOGATTI HybridShower 6 Ultra RV Tank Water Heater

KINGRVER 10 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater

CAMPLUX 6 Gallon RV Water Heater

KINGRVER 6 Gallon RV Tank Water Heater

How We Built This Shortlist

Tank size

Burner output

Power modes

Controls

Certifications

Match a Gas Electric RV Water Heater to Your RV

By Tank Size

By Budget

Suburban Tank vs Hybrid Replacement

By Control Style

For Boondocking and Hookups Specifically

When to Spend More

Before You Bring One Home

Can I use both gas and electric at once?

What is the common mistake?

Is Suburban worth more than KINGRVER?

How do I switch modes?

How often should I flush the tank?

The short version

Bowen Higgins

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