The Popular Water Heater Brand You Should Avoid, According To Reviews

If you are looking to replace your water heater and trying to decide which type of water heater is right for your home, you may want to take some time to consider the brand as well. While most widely recognized brands make both tankless and tank water heaters that are energy-efficient, some popular brands specialize in only one or the other. But just because a brand is popular doesn't mean it's your best option. Once upon a time, Whirlpool was widely recognized as the brand with the absolute worst water heaters on the market. However, the company finally recognized the validity of these complaints and discontinued all models. 

Now, another popular brand has taken over the reputation as the brand to avoid when shopping for water heaters, according to reviews. Bradford White water heaters are now widely recognized by consumers for their poor customer service when water heaters break down. While the company claims to offer quality warranties, customers are saying the brand is almost impossible to deal with when it comes to actually delivering on those warranties when support is needed. Their natural gas water heaters receive most of the negative attention regarding performance. Plumbers tend to recommend the brand, but homeowners sharing their experiences with the brand on social media, review sites, and more say otherwise.

Sometimes there are simple reasons why your water heater isn't heating properly, and simple steps you can take to fix it. But when something really breaks, you wouldn't want it to stay that way for long. Unfortunately, that is exactly what many customers experience with Bradford White water heaters. In 2024 and 2025, Lifestory Research collected over 6,000 customer reviews for popular water heater brands. Each year, Bradford White was rated marginally lower than the top-ranked brand. This ranking is reflected by several other review websites and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

The overall sentiment contributing to the lower rating is that it seems the brand does not honor warranties for homeowners who did not purchase through a plumbing service. Customers report that various parts break, and then they wait several months before receiving a replacement. One customer said "...basically told me that they do not work with home owners and told (not asked) me to contact their regional...which then told me to contact a wholesaler. None of [the] folks in the distribution chain I spoke to would honour the warranty without a plumber. I called BW to explain the predicament I'm in and they told me (with indifference) that I'd just need to hire another plumber..." (via BBB)

In addition, some customers report that the natural gas models have issues with gas leaks and odd smells in the water. Among the numerous reports, one customer said, "Purchased Bradford White May 2025. Gas leaking into hot water...Meanwhile the gas company has shut off the hot water tank, tagged the tank as leaking gas & a hazard needing replaced and removed. I am stuck in this triangle from Lowe's, their lead company and Bradford White. NO hot water 10 days now. Now stuck between these 3 companies." (via Consumer Affairs)