If you’re hunting down the best water heater blankets to get your hands on right now, make sure you stop and consider some important factors first: material, size and thickness, insulating power, and fire-resistance. I make it a point to search far and wide for the best ones in the market right now. I have my current favorites listed and reviewed below. If you’re ready to find out what made it to my list according to these standards, read along with me now!
I absolutely hate it when I turn on the faucet and cold water rushes out. Not only does it freeze my hands but I am also unable to wash my hands as I would want to. Cold water also doesn’t help when it comes to showering during colder months.
If you have a water heater tank, you are a step closer to achieving water in optimal temperature. With the right water heater tank, you can say goodbye to cold showers, even in the early mornings. But let’s face it, water heater tanks can sometimes prove to be ineffective. when heat escapes and you are left with colder water. This is where water heater blankets come in handy in keeping your hot water hot.
What is a Water Heater Blanket?
A water heater blanket is an insulation wrap or blanket used to wrap around and surround your water heater tank. This provides extra insulation to keep the warmth inside. This prevents heat loss and maintains the water’s hot temperature. Every time you turn on a faucet or a shower, you can enjoy endless hot water.
New water heater tanks have enough insulation and wouldn’t need an extra layer of blanket to keep the heat in. But if your unit has been around for quite a few years, you might notice heat coming off of the tank’s surface. This is heat escaping. If you have your own water heater tank unit but still get cold and not-so-hot water coming out of faucets and showers, a water heater blanket might be a good addition to your household’s system.
Why should you get a water heater blanket?
- It helps reduce energy consumption. Having a water heater blanket around your unit prevents heat escape. This means you won’t have to have your heater on and running for too long because the water stays hot and warm.
- It helps save on bills. Less energy consumption also means reduced electric and utility bills. Not only do you lessen your energy footprint, you also get to save some bucks.
- It helps with the upkeep of your water heater tank. Because you won’t have your water heater working as long as you usually would, a water heater blanket will preserve your unit’s life for even longer.
Our Top Picks for the Best Water Heater Blankets
| Product Image | Product Name | Price | |
| Our Pick |  | SmartJacket Water Heater Blanket Insulation | Check Price |
| Second Best |  | SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation | Check Price |
| Best Fiberglass Insulation |  | Frost King SP60 Foil-Faced Fiberglass Water Heater Insulation Blanket | Check Price |
 | Ecoshades Reflecto-Foil Water Heater Jacket | Check Price | |
 | US Energy Products Water Heater Blanket Insulation | Check Price |
The Best Water Heater Blanket
1. SmartJacket Water Heater Blanket Insulation – Our Pick!
Our number one pick for the best water heater blanket is the SmartJacket Water Heater Blanket Insulation! With this, you are sure to improve your unit’s efficiency by up to 40%. With reflective aluminum material, this promises to stop up to 97% of radiant heat from releasing into the air, eventually going to waste.
This fits 20 or 80-gallon tanks and everything in between. The 99% high-reflective aluminum foil effectively helps your heated water maintain its optimal temperature. The material used for this is strong and durable, promising you years of use. The material is very lightweight as well and offers very easy installation and cleaning processes. It has a thickness of 5mm for promising results. With this around your water tank, you can’t feel any heat transferring from the inside to the outside of the tank.
For your and your family’s safety, this is class 1 fire-rated to ensure fire-resistance. It also contains no fiberglass, if that’s something you prefer. This is also made non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
This includes plenty of the insulation material and tape for installation. Many would agree that this is very easy to cut up to your tank’s shape and install. Keep in mind though that quite a few were not happy with the tape this comes with. If the same goes for you, you can go ahead and buy a different one from another brand.
Pros
- Efficiency up by 40%
- Stops up to 97% of radiant heat from escaping
- Fits 20 to 80-gallon tanks
- High-reflective aluminum foil
- Lightweight yet strong and durable
- Class 1 fire-rated, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic
Cons
- Included tape may not be as effective
2. SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation – Second Best!
Coming to a close second of our top water heater blanket picks is the SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation! With this around your unit, you are sure to reflect and prevent up to 97% of radiant energy from escaping. Both sides have an aluminum finish to prevent the cold from penetrating and the heat from escaping.
This promises to resist and prevent conductive and convective heat transfers to maintain your heated water’s optimal temperature. For your and your family’s safety, this has a fire rating of class 1. It’s also both non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
This has been made strong and durable yet lightweight. This promises a long lifespan that will last you for some years. Many would agree that this is very easy to cut, install, and wrap around your water tank. Unlike other choices in the market, this cuts clean and even and has no issues with wrapping around your unit.
This promises to work and provide insulation for all seasons – whether it’s hot or cold out. Not only can you use this to trap heat inside your tank, but you can put this up against your windows to keep the heat out during summer. At 3mm thick, many have lauded this as it really makes a huge difference and improvement in keeping heated water hot. Though it all comes down to personal preference, the thickness this offers was not enough for some so just keep that in mind.
Pros
- Prevents up to 97% of heat from going to waste
- Class 1 fire-rated, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic
- Durable and strong yet lightweight
- Easy to cut, install, and wrap
- Insulation for all seasons
- Prevents heat transfers
Cons
- Not thick enough for some
3. Frost King SP60 Foil-Faced Fiberglass Water Heater Insulation Blanket – Best Fiberglass Insulation!
If what you would prefer is a fiberglass water heater blanket, check out the Frost King SP60 Foil-Faced Fiberglass Water Heater Insulation Blanket! With fiberglass and foil on both sides of the blanket, you can trust this to provide insulation for your water heater tank. This fits tanks with a capacity of up to 60 gallons.
A purchase of this comes with 2 pieces of effective aluminum tape for securing the pieces together. This offers more than enough insulating material to cover your tank from top to bottom as well. This is very to install as many who have tried this out shared in their own reviews.
By adding this to your water heater tank unit, you are sure to reduce your utility bills while still getting comfortable hot water. This comes with plenty to spare even after covering your entire tank. This also promises durability and will last you and your tank quite some time.
With this option, do keep in mind that you will be working with fiberglass. Generally, not everyone is a huge fan of it but we’ve included this for anyone who much prefers this. With this, make sure you are working with gloves on hands as the insulation fibers can get caught on skin. Another drawback a couple users have shared about this is some shredding on the foil when put on the water tank.
Pros
- Fiberglass and foil on both sides
- Can fit up to 60-gallon tanks
- Plenty of insulating material
- Comes with 2 packs of aluminum tape
- Easy to install
- Durable, will last long
Cons
- Insulation fibers can get caught on skin
- Some foil shredding
4. Ecoshades Reflecto-Foil Water Heater Jacket
Our next favorite water heater blanket is the Ecoshades Reflecto-Foil Water Heater Jacket! This promises to stop 97% of heat loss. And by preventing heat loss, this promises to save up on your household’s energy use by up to 14%. Options are also available for 40 to 60-gallon water tanks.
For your and your family’s safety, this is class 1 fire-rated for excellent fire-resistance. This has also been made without any toxic or carcinogenic materials. This is such a breeze to install and provides adequate and easy-to-understand instructions and manuals. This comes with enough insulating material to cover your entire tank and even comes with foil tape for securing the parts in place.
With this installed along with your water heater tank, you can expect a huge reduction and difference in your utility and electric bills. Because your heated water stays hot for longer than without a blanket, your water tank investment is sure to pay itself after a few months with this. This offers your tank, no matter the capacity, a clean, nice finish. This is also durable, strong, and is sure to hold up well for some years.
Though a favorite among many households, this does come with one common drawback a few have shared. Many have shared in their reviews that the material this provides doesn’t cover and fit all the way through for taller and bigger tanks.
Pros
- Prevents up to 97% of heat loss
- Saves up to 14% on energy consumption
- Available in 40 to60-gallon options
- Class 1 fire-rated, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic
- Comes with foil tape for securing parts
- Huge difference in water temperature
Cons
- Doesn’t fit all the way for taller and bigger tanks
5. US Energy Products Water Heater Blanket Insulation
And the last item to make it into our list of the best water heater blankets is the US Energy Products Water Heater Blanket Insulation! With this, you are sure to reduce heat loss by up to 40%. And by reducing heat loss, you are able to achieve up to 20% reduced heating cost. This can accommodate a whopping 80-gallon water tank!
This is class 1 fire-rated, is non-toxic, and is hypoallergenic. This promises no irritation on skin, eyes, or throat, when you come in contact with the material. The material is overall lightweight yet durable and strong. This promises to last your household for some years. Many would agree that this is very easy to cut to size and install on your water tank.
A purchase of this comes with enough blanket for an 80-gallon tank, aluminum seam foil tape, and self-adhered foam spacers. This water heater blanket boasts of industrial strength and commercial-grade material. This is sure to resist tear and wear and will last you and your tank for quite some time. Many have shared that this is very easy to install according to your tank, even when installing it on your own.
While some have experienced zero issues with the tape this comes in, a few found its adhesiveness inadequate to keep the pieces secured together. No worries though as you can always get your hands a different set of aluminum tape.
Pros
- Prevents 40% of heat loss
- 20% reduced heating cost
- Fits 80-gallon water tanks
- Class 1 fire-rated, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic
- Comes with aluminum foil tape and foam spacers
- Lightweight and durable
Cons
- Tape may not be as effective
How to Choose the Best Water Heater Blanket
Material
When looking for a new water heater blanket, make sure to take a look at the material used for the wrap. Two of the most popular materials used for water heater blankets are foil and fiberglass. Though less common, there are also denim and cotton water heater blankets. Each type of material has its own pros and cons. Each material also differs in how much it preserves heat in your water heater tank.
Size and thickness
You would want to make sure that the heater blanket offers enough and maybe more than enough to cover the entirety of your tank. This will make sure that your tank is covered from top to bottom for effective heat preservation. Aside from the size, you would also want to take a look at the thickness of the material. A thicker material means more insulation. This means a thicker material will preserve hot water better than a thinner material would.
Insulating power
Because what you’re aiming for is maintaining hot water temperature, you should take a look at your choice’s insulating power. The higher the insulating power is, the more the material will resist and prevent heat flow and heat transfer.
Fire-resistance
Because you don’t want to risk your home and family, you should always go for a water heater blanket that is fire-resistant. Make sure to keep an eye out for the product’s fire rating. This should tell you whether your choice is fire-resistant or not.
Conclusion
A water heater blanket is an effective way to improve your tank’s efficiency and performance.
Our number one pick for the best water heater blanket is the SmartJacket Water Heater Blanket Insulation! This helps improve your tank’s efficiency by up to 40% by preventing up to 97% of heat loss. This is able to accommodate tanks with a capacity of 20-80 gallons. Coming to a close second of our top water heater blanket picks is the SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation! This one promises to prevent up to 97% of heat loss so you can enjoy hot water for much longer. You can easily use this one as insulation for all seasons as well. And if what you’re looking for is a fiberglass water heater blanket, you better check out the Frost King SP60 Foil-Faced Fiberglass Water Heater Insulation Blanket! This has both fiberglass and foil on both sides for the best insulating performance. This fits up to 60 gallons of tanks and promises plenty of material to go around.
And those were our top picks for the best water heater blankets to add into your home heater tank system! We wish you a warm and cozy winter season!
