What are the consumer reports on A.O. Smith water heaters?

Consumer Reports and other consumer review aggregators generally rate A. O. Smith water heaters positively, placing them among the top brands for reliability and performance alongside Rheem. In Consumer Reports testing, A. O. Smith tank and tankless models often score well for energy efficiency, recovery rate, and first-hour hot water delivery. Their high-efficiency gas and electric models frequently earn recommended status for meeting or exceeding Energy Star standards. Consumer feedback compiled from retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, and plumbing supply houses shows high satisfaction for the ProLine, Signature, and Voltex hybrid heat pump lines, particularly for long warranty models. Common positive themes include long lifespan when maintained, good availability of parts, and effective warranty support. Negative feedback tends to focus on occasional early failures of lower-end 6-year models if not maintained, sediment noise in hard water areas, and higher upfront cost for premium models. Professional plumber surveys also rate A. O. Smith highly for commercial durability. Overall, consumer reports position A. O. Smith as a premium, reliable brand that is worth the price if you choose at least a 9-year warranty model and perform annual flushing and anode rod checks.