The 6-gallon water heater is the smallest residential point-of-use mini-tank — designed for under-sink, RV, garage utility sink, basement wet bar, and other single-fixture applications. 120V plug-in is the killer feature: no electrical work required.
Top 6-gallon picks
6G applications
- Under-sink remote bathroom or kitchen — eliminates hot-water wait time
- RV / fifth-wheel / boat — occasional-use installations
- Garage utility sink / workshop hand-wash
- Basement wet bar with hot-water faucet
- Detached outbuildings 30+ ft from main heater
6G install
Plugs into standard 120V grounded outlet. 1/2" NPT inlet/outlet. Wall-mount bracket included. Drain pan recommended for under-sink installs. Plumber install: $150–$350 for inlet/outlet plumbing.
6G vs alternatives
- vs running hot-water line from main heater: 6G eliminates $300–$800 plumbing labor for remote fixtures
- vs 10G mini-tank: 6G is smaller and cheaper for single-fixture use; 10G supports a brief shower
- vs electric tankless point-of-use: 6G plugs into 120V; tankless needs 240V dedicated circuit
Bottom line on 6-gallon water heaters
The 6-gallon point-of-use mini-tank is the volume under-sink electric — 120V plug-in, $200–$300, eliminates hot-water wait time at remote fixtures. The Rheem Performance 6G is the volume pick. For shower-supporting applications, step up to 10G or 20G. For whole-house 1-occupant installs, see 30-gallon.