Whirlpool and State are both AO Smith-manufactured tank water heaters sold at Lowe\'s. Same factory, similar product, slightly different positioning.
Standard product comparison
| Whirlpool NU50T122 (50-gal Gas) | State GS6-50-YBRT (50-gal Gas) | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AO Smith | AO Smith |
| Tank warranty | 6 years | 6 years |
| UEF | 0.62 | 0.62 |
| Typical price | $649-849 | $749-949 |
| Brand cachet | Recognized appliance brand | Water-heater-specialty brand |
Whirlpool is typically $50-100 less than equivalent State at the same Lowe\'s.
Energy Smart vs ProLine XE
This is where the brands diverge slightly:
- Whirlpool Energy Smart (NU161/EU161): 9-year warranty
- State ProLine XE (GS6-XEVIT): 8-year warranty
Whirlpool Energy Smart edges out State ProLine XE by 1 year of warranty at similar price. For warranty-priority buyers at Lowe\'s, Whirlpool Energy Smart is the better pick.
Premier Hybrid vs Whirlpool Hybrid
| Whirlpool UE6T-H | State Premier Hybrid HPX-66 | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform age | 2014-2022 (older) | 2020-present (current) |
| UEF | 2.8-3.0 | 3.45 |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Availability | Limited / clearance | Current stock |
State Premier Hybrid is the current platform. Whirlpool UE6T-H is only worth choosing if Lowe\'s has it significantly discounted.
When Whirlpool wins
- Brand recognition matters to you (Whirlpool from washers/dryers/fridges)
- Standard NU122 is $50-100 cheaper than State ProLine
- Energy Smart 9-year warranty beats State ProLine XE 8-year
- You find a discounted UE6T-H Hybrid at Lowe\'s
When State wins
- You prefer water-heater-specialty branding
- State Premier Hybrid current-platform heat pump (UEF 3.45 vs Whirlpool UE6T-H 2.8-3.0)
- Power Vent or other variant where State has the model and Whirlpool doesn\'t
Bottom line
Mostly the same product. For warranty-priority: Whirlpool Energy Smart. For current-platform heat pump: State Premier Hybrid. For standard tanks: whichever is cheaper at your Lowe\'s.