Our Verdict
A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater — 8.4/10. A dependable, practical electric tank water heater for small to medium households that want steady hot water, familiar maintenance, and solid long-term value without smart features or gas installation complexity.
A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) review: 8.4/10
The A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is a dependable, practical electric tank water heater for small to medium households that want steady hot water, familiar maintenance, and solid long-term value without smart features or gas installation complexity.
Overview
The A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is a traditional electric storage-tank water heater designed for everyday residential use in small to medium households. With a 40-gallon capacity, dual electric heating elements, and a glass-lined tank, it targets homeowners who need reliable hot water for showers, dishwashing, laundry, and general household demand.
This model is best suited to small and medium households, especially homes with one to three occupants or moderate hot-water usage. Its tall profile makes it a natural fit for garages, basements, utility rooms, or dedicated water heater closets where vertical clearance is available. Because it is electric, it avoids the venting requirements of gas water heaters, though it still requires the correct electrical connection and professional installation in most homes.
The main appeal of the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is straightforward dependability. It does not try to be a high-end hybrid heat pump water heater or a connected smart appliance. Instead, it focuses on the essentials: a durable tank, consistent heating, adjustable temperature controls, and corrosion protection for long-term service.
Key features
Provides a practical hot-water supply for small to medium households with moderate daily demand.
Helps maintain consistent water temperature and supports recovery after showers, laundry, or dishwashing.
Designed to improve durability by helping protect the steel tank from the effects of hot water exposure.
Adds another layer of tank protection and supports longer service life with proper maintenance.
Works well in utility rooms, basements, and garages where vertical space is easier to accommodate than floor width.
Allows homeowners or installers to set the water temperature to suit comfort, safety, and energy-use preferences.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Product name | A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) |
| Model number | EES-40 |
| Category | Residential electric tank water heater |
| Tank capacity | 40 gallons |
| Installation profile | Tall |
| Power type | Electric |
| Heating system | Dual electric heating elements |
| Tank lining | Glass-lined tank |
| Corrosion protection | Corrosion-resistant anode rod |
| Temperature control | Easy-to-adjust temperature controls |
| Best fit | Small to medium households with standard hot-water needs |
| Typical locations | Utility rooms, basements, garages, and water heater closets with sufficient vertical clearance |
Pros & cons
Pros
- Good 40-gallon capacity for many small to medium households
- Electric design avoids gas venting requirements
- Dual heating elements support more consistent hot-water delivery
- Glass-lined tank and anode rod add durability-focused protection
- Simple temperature controls make operation straightforward
- Tall footprint can be convenient where vertical space is available
Cons
- Not ideal for large households with heavy simultaneous hot-water demand
- Tall design may not fit low-clearance spaces
- Lacks smart monitoring or app-based controls
- Electric tank water heaters are generally less efficient than hybrid heat pump models
- Recovery time may be slower than some higher-output gas water heaters
Performance
In everyday use, the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) should feel familiar and dependable. A 40-gallon electric tank is typically enough for routine morning and evening use in a smaller household, especially when showers, laundry, and dishwashing are spaced out rather than stacked back-to-back.
The dual heating elements are important because they help the tank maintain usable hot water more consistently than a basic single-element setup. For typical residential routines, that means the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is well matched to normal showering, handwashing, and kitchen use. It is not the best choice for a home where multiple long showers, laundry, and dishwasher cycles happen at the same time, but that is true of most standard 40-gallon electric tank models.
The glass-lined tank and corrosion-resistant anode rod are also meaningful performance features over the long term. Water heaters work in a demanding environment, and corrosion resistance matters. With proper installation, periodic inspection, and routine maintenance, the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is built around a proven design that prioritizes serviceability and durability.
For best results, pair the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) with realistic usage habits. Spacing out showers, laundry, and dishwasher cycles can noticeably improve the perceived hot-water supply from a 40-gallon tank.
Value for money
The A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) offers strong value for homeowners who want a conventional electric water heater from a well-known brand and do not need premium features. Its value comes from practical fundamentals: a useful 40-gallon size, dual heating elements, a protective tank lining, adjustable controls, and a corrosion-resistant anode rod.
Compared with a hybrid heat pump water heater, the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is less advanced and may not match the long-term energy savings of a high-efficiency heat pump model. However, it is simpler, more familiar, and often easier to integrate into homes already set up for a standard electric tank water heater. For many homeowners, that simplicity is part of the appeal.
This is a particularly sensible buy if you are replacing an older 40-gallon electric unit and want a straightforward like-for-like solution. It is less compelling for large families, homes with frequent back-to-back showers, or buyers who specifically want smart diagnostics, leak alerts, or maximum efficiency. For the right household, though, the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) hits a strong balance of capacity, durability, and cost-conscious practicality.
Final verdict
The A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) earns an 8.4 out of 10. It is a reliable, no-nonsense electric tank water heater with the right features for small to medium households: a 40-gallon capacity, dual heating elements, a glass-lined tank, corrosion protection, and simple temperature adjustment.
It is not the most efficient or feature-rich option available, and it is not designed for heavy hot-water demand in large households. But if you want a dependable electric water heater that focuses on the essentials and fits a tall installation space, the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is a worthwhile option.
Is the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) good for a family?
It can be a good fit for a small to medium family with moderate hot-water use. If several people take long showers back-to-back or hot water is used heavily throughout the day, a larger tank or higher-recovery model may be a better choice.
Does the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) require gas venting?
No. Because the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is electric, it does not require gas combustion venting. It does still require the correct electrical connection and safe installation.
Where should the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) be installed?
Its tall profile makes it best for utility rooms, basements, garages, or water heater closets with enough vertical clearance. Always confirm space, access, plumbing, and electrical requirements before installation.
What are the main advantages of the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40)?
The main advantages are its practical 40-gallon capacity, dual heating elements, glass-lined tank, corrosion-resistant anode rod, and straightforward adjustable temperature controls.
Is the A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) worth it?
Yes, for the right home. The A.O. Smith 40-Gallon Tall Electric Water Heater (EES-40) is worth considering if you need a simple, dependable electric tank water heater for a small to medium household and have space for a tall 40-gallon unit.
