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The two kinds of electric geyser sold in India work differently, and buying the wrong one is the most common geyser mistake: an instant geyser in a family bathroom runs out of hot water, and a large storage geyser at a kitchen sink wastes power keeping water hot that nobody uses. Here is how to choose, using the specs of the 28 geysers we list.
How each one works
An instant geyser has a small tank of 3–5 litres and a powerful 3,000 W element. It heats that small amount quickly, so you switch it on shortly before you need warm water. Once the tank is used, the water coming out is only as warm as the element can manage while cold water flows in.
A storage geyser has a 10–25 litre insulated tank and usually a 2,000 W element. You switch it on, wait for the whole tank to heat, and then have that much hot water to mix with cold. A thermostat switches the element off when the water reaches temperature.
Side by side
| Instant | Storage | |
|---|---|---|
| Tank | 3–5 litres | 10–25 litres |
| Element | 3,000 W | Mostly 2,000 W |
| Waiting time | Short | Longer (see below) |
| Hot water available | A few litres at a time | The whole tank |
| Best for | Kitchen sink, hand-washing, a second bathroom | Family bathrooms, showers |
| Pressure rating in our list | Mostly 6.5 bar | Mostly 8 bar |
| Price in our list | About ₹1,800–₹4,100 | About ₹2,900–₹11,600 |
| BEE star rating | Not rated | Rated (most we list are 5-star) |
Which one for which room
| Where | What to buy |
|---|---|
| Kitchen sink | Instant, 3 litres |
| Second bathroom, one person, bucket bath | Instant, 5 litres, or storage, 10 litres |
| Main bathroom, 2–4 people, bucket baths | Storage, 15 litres |
| Showers, a bathtub, or 4+ people bathing back to back | Storage, 25 litres |
In winter, when the cold water is colder, you mix less cold water into the hot, so the same tank gives fewer buckets. If you are between two sizes, take the bigger one for a family bathroom.
How long a storage geyser takes, and what it costs
Heating water takes a fixed amount of energy: about 4.2 kJ per litre for every degree. Raising a 15 litre tank from 15°C to 45°C takes about 0.52 units (kWh) in theory. A 2,000 W element supplies 2 units an hour, so that is roughly 15–20 minutes and about ₹4 at ₹7–8 a unit, a little more in practice because some heat escapes.
A 25 litre tank takes about two-thirds longer for the same temperature rise. While the geyser stays on, a 5-star tank loses less heat between uses, which is what its star rating measures; switching the geyser off when you don't need hot water saves more.
An instant geyser uses 3 units an hour while its element is on, about ₹21–24 an hour, but it runs for minutes at a time.
Wiring and installation
- Both types should be on a 15/16A socket or a dedicated point, not a 5A socket or an extension cord: 3,000 W and 2,000 W are well above what a 5A point is meant for.
- Make sure the point is earthed, and ideally protected by an RCCB (residual-current circuit breaker) at the board.
- Check what the listing includes. Some storage geysers include installation (the AO Smith 25 L and Haier Precis say so); many leave the pipes, connectors and mounting to you.
- In a high-rise, or with a booster pump, choose a geyser rated for 8 bar. 17 of the 28 we list are.
Picks for each
Instant, for a kitchen or a quick wash:
Score 84/100 · ★ 4.2 (14,210)
The most-reviewed geyser we list, for kitchens and quick hand-washing
₹3,412₹5,29036% off
Budget Pick
Score 84/100 · ★ 4.2 (4,350)
Kitchens and small bathrooms: hot water in minutes for about ₹3,600
₹3,599₹6,30043% off
Storage, for a family bathroom:
Best Overall
Score 88/100 · ★ 4.3 (5,489)
Most families: the best-selling storage geyser, rated for high-rise pressure
₹6,899₹13,10047% off
Best Value
Score 88/100 · ★ 4.4 (12,945)
A digital display, 3-year element warranty and the most ratings of any storage geyser
₹6,999₹12,50044% off
Premium Pick
Score 88/100 · ★ 4.4 (5,257)
Large families: 25 L, 5 star, 7 years on the tank and 4 on the element
₹11,598₹21,79047% off
For every model, with filters for type and size, see all 28 geysers, or read our best geyser in India guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an instant geyser cheaper to run than a storage geyser?
Per use, often yes: it heats only a few litres and doesn't keep a tank hot. But it can't supply enough hot water for a family bath, so for a main bathroom a storage geyser switched off when not needed is the practical choice.
What size geyser do I need for a bathroom?
For 2–4 people taking bucket baths, 15 litres. For showers, a bathtub, or several people bathing one after another, 25 litres. For one person, 10 litres, or a 5 litre instant geyser for quick baths.
Can I use a 3 litre instant geyser for bathing?
Only for a very short wash. Three litres of water at about 55°C mixed with cold water makes only around 5 litres at bath temperature, well short of a bucket, so it suits a kitchen sink or hand-washing better than a bath.
Why does my geyser need an 8 bar pressure rating?
The rating is the highest water pressure the tank can take. Most homes are well below 6.5 bar, but lower floors of tall buildings and homes with pressure pumps can exceed it. Choose 8 bar if either applies.
Should I switch off the geyser after use?
Yes. A storage geyser keeps reheating its tank while it is on, and switching it off when you don't need hot water saves more than the difference between star ratings.