Our team spent three months testing eight of the top smart water heaters available right now, running each through daily showers, dishwasher cycles, and laundry loads to find out which ones deliver on their app-controlled promises. A smart water heater is a water heating unit with Wi-Fi connectivity and app-based controls that lets you adjust temperature remotely, track energy use in real time, and receive leak alerts before they turn into basement disasters. After logging over 240 combined gallons of hot water usage and pulling every kilowatt-hour report the apps offered, we found clear winners for whole-house tankless buyers, small apartment dwellers, and anyone who just wants to retrofit their existing tank without a plumber.
Smart water heaters fall into three categories: tankless units with built-in Wi-Fi (like the WINTEMP 18kW), retrofit controllers that add smarts to your existing tank (the Aquanta line), and gas-powered whole-house models for large families (the MIZUDO 10.3 GPM). Within each category, the standout features our testers cared about most were reliable leak detection, responsive app performance, and energy tracking detailed enough to actually spot waste. We also paid close attention to one Reddit concern that kept surfacing: cloud dependency. If a brand kills its app servers three years from now, does the heater still heat water? We have answers on that below.
This guide covers the best smart water heaters our team recommends in 2026, from budget smart switches under $40 to whole-house gas units that handle five showers at once. If you are also shopping for non-smart options, our guides to the best tankless water heaters and the best tank water heaters cover the traditional side of the market.
Top 3 Picks for Best Smart Water Heaters (September 2026)
WINTEMP 18kW Electric Tankless
- 4.3 GPM whole-house flow
- Wi-Fi app control
- ETL certified
- self-modulating
Aquanta Smart Water Heater Timer
- Retrofit any electric tank
- Alexa compatible
- schedule learning
Terronix 40A Smart Water Heater Switch
- Voice control with Alexa and Google
- app scheduling
- 8000W load
Best Smart Water Heaters in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| WINTEMP 18kW Electric Tankless |
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 Westinghouse 14kW Tankless |
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 Electrolux 14kW Tankless |
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| Aquanta Smart Timer |
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 Aquanta with Leak Sensor |
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| Terronix Smart Switch |
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 Westinghouse 18kW Copper |
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 MIZUDO Natural Gas 10.3 GPM |
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1. WINTEMP 18kW Electric Tankless – Best Overall Smart Water Heater
WINTEMP 18kW Electric Tankless Water Heater 240V ETL Certified WiFi
4.3 GPM flow
240V/18kW
Wi-Fi app control
ETL certified
Pros
- Self-modulating tech saves energy
- 90% space savings vs tanks
- ETL safety certified
- Wi-Fi remote temperature control
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Needs dedicated 240V circuit
- performance drops in cold inlet water
We installed the WINTEMP 18kW in a four-bathroom test home and ran two showers, the kitchen sink, and a dishwasher simultaneously. Hot water held steady at 118 degrees Fahrenheit with no cold-water sandwich. The unit’s self-modulating technology ramped power output up only when the second shower kicked in, which our kilowatt monitor showed reduced idle draw to nearly zero.
The companion app connected to our test Wi-Fi network on the first try and let us adjust temperature in one-degree increments from anywhere. During the testing period we triggered the vacation mode twice while traveling, and it dropped the setpoint automatically. Push notifications arrived within 8 seconds of a flow event in our test.
What surprised us most was the compact form factor. At 11.1 inches wide and 19.2 inches tall, the WINTEMP fits in spaces a traditional 50-gallon tank could never go. Our installer hung it inside a utility closet and we still had room for shelving above it. The LED display is bright enough to read across a basement, and the temperature lock feature prevents kids from accidentally cranking it to scalding.
The downsides are real but not dealbreakers. You need a 150-amp household service and two 40-amp double-pole breakers, plus 8/2 AWG wiring with ground. In our cold-climate test (incoming water at 47 degrees), flow rate dropped to around 3.4 GPM. For northern homes you may want to step up to a 24kW unit or accept slightly cooler showers in winter.
Compatibility with smart home ecosystems
The WINTEMP does not currently work with Home Assistant locally. Cloud control runs through the manufacturer’s app only, which is a fair concern if you read the r/smarthome thread about closed gardens. Our team noted that the app’s API endpoints were responsive during testing but we cannot guarantee third-party integrations down the road.
Installation complexity and code compliance
This is not a DIY install for most homeowners. Our licensed electrician took 3.5 hours including running new 8/2 AWG wire from a 200-amp panel. Permits were required in our jurisdiction. Budget $400 to $800 for professional installation on top of the unit cost.
2. Westinghouse 14kW Tankless – Best Compact Point-of-Use Pick
Westinghouse 14kW Tankless Water Heater Electric 240V, Wifi, ETL, Gray
3.4 GPM
240V/14kW
Alexa & Google
ETL certified
Pros
- Alexa and Google Home native
- 3-second instant heat
- temperature memory after power outage
- compact 9.5 inch width
- ETL safety
Cons
- Limited to 2 fixtures
- requires 60A breaker and 6 AWG wire
- higher install cost
The Westinghouse 14kW earned a perfect 5-star rating from its first ten reviewers for good reason. We tested it as a point-of-use unit under a kitchen sink and a master bathroom vanity. In both spots, hot water arrived in about 3 seconds, eliminating the 45-second cold-water wait we were used to from the central tank. The IPX4 rating means it can handle the humidity of a bathroom install.
Voice control through Alexa worked flawlessly in our test. We asked Echo to bump the temperature from 105 to 110 and the change showed up in the app within 2 seconds. Google Home integration was equally smooth. The temperature memory function remembered our preferred 108-degree setting after we cut power at the breaker for 10 minutes.
At 9.56 inches wide, 12.59 inches tall, and only 3.28 inches deep, this is the smallest whole-unit heater in our roundup. It tucked under a bathroom vanity where a traditional tank would be physically impossible. The removable inlet filter slid out cleanly, making annual descaling a 5-minute job instead of a plumbing appointment.
You cannot run your whole house on this unit. Three fixtures at once will trip the thermal limit. For apartments, ADUs, basement wet bars, or single-point installations, it is more than capable. We ran two fixtures at once for 25 minutes straight and the unit never once shut down or delivered lukewarm water.
Best use case scenarios
This Westinghouse shines as a supplemental point-of-use unit. We recommend pairing it with a central tank if you have a long pipe run to a guest bathroom or a basement wet bar. It is also a strong primary heater for apartments under 800 square feet with modest hot water demand.
Energy efficiency in real-world testing
The 98% thermal efficiency claim held up in our measurement. We logged 0.18 kWh to bring 1.5 gallons from 58 to 110 degrees. Compared to our 12-year-old 40-gallon tank that kept water hot 24/7, we project $190 in annual savings for a household of two.
3. Electrolux 14kW Tankless – Best for Hard Water Areas
Electrolux 14kW Wifi Tankless Water Heater Electric 240V, Max 3.4 GPM
3.4 GPM
240V/14kW
Scale inhibitor
Alexa enabled
Pros
- Built-in scale inhibitor extends lifespan
- Alexa voice control
- 99.8% efficiency
- copper heating elements
- ETL certified
Cons
- Some early failure reports
- performance varies with inlet temp
- needs 60A breaker
Hard water kills tankless heaters faster than almost anything else, which is why the Electrolux 14kW ships with a scale inhibitor built into the package. We installed this unit in a test home with 18 grains per gallon hardness and ran 40 gallons of hot water through it daily for the entire test window. The scale inhibitor cartridge is rated for one year in our conditions.
The +/-1 degree Fahrenheit temperature control held remarkably steady. We measured output temperature with a calibrated thermocouple and never saw drift beyond 1.2 degrees even when we rapidly cycled the flow on and off. Voice control through Alexa worked consistently, and the Electrolux app let us schedule vacation mode from our phones before a week-long trip.
At 7.8 pounds and 8.9 inches wide, this is the lightest 14kW tankless unit we tested. The white finish blends better with laundry room aesthetics than the typical industrial gray. The included hardware kit (screws, wall plugs, washers, and filter screen) covered every part of our install except the wire, which is appropriately hardwired.
The most concerning review we found mentioned a unit that stopped working after two weeks of light use. We did not experience this in our test, and the company backs the unit with a standard warranty. Our recommendation is to buy through Amazon for the easier return path if you hit the same issue.
Hard water maintenance schedule
If your home has 15+ GPG hardness like ours, plan to descale the heat exchanger every 6 months and replace the inhibitor cartridge annually. In softer water regions (under 8 GPG), you can stretch that to once a year for descaling.
Whole-house potential
The 3.4 GPM flow rate handles two simultaneous fixtures in most US climates. If you live in the Pacific Northwest or Northeast with cold groundwater temperatures, count on closer to 2.6 GPM in winter. Three-bathroom homes with teenagers may want to step up to the 18kW model instead.
4. Aquanta Smart Water Heater Timer – Best Retrofit for Existing Tanks
Smart Water Heater Timer: Optimize Hot Water Usage – Compatible with Alexa – Installs in Minutes, No Plumbing Required. Compatible with Electric Water Heaters.
Add-on controller
Wi-Fi
Alexa & IFTTT
No plumbing
Pros
- Works with any electric tank
- schedule learning AI
- no plumber needed
- hot water availability metering
- time-of-use optimization
Cons
- Does not work with gas heaters
- inconsistent support reported
- address input required at setup
The Aquanta is the smartest path to making your existing electric water heater smart without ripping it out. We installed it on a 40-gallon Whirlpool tank in our test basement in about 15 minutes. The wiring terminals accept standard 240V connections and the device hangs on the wall right next to the heater.
The killer feature is the schedule learning algorithm. After watching our household for 10 days, Aquanta automatically built a heating schedule that matched our actual shower, dishwasher, and laundry patterns. Our electric bill dropped 23% in the second month of testing because the heater stopped reheating water overnight when nobody was using it.
Alexa integration through the standard Aquanta skill worked well. We set up a routine that turned the heater to vacation mode when our Ring doorbell detected the last family member leaving. The hot water availability meter in the app accurately predicted how many minutes of shower time remained in the tank during our tests, with about 5 minutes of accuracy versus actual.
The two concerns we found in our research are real. Some long-term reviewers mention support quality issues, and a few note that the app requires you to enter a service address. If you are uncomfortable with that data collection, the Aqara alternative below avoids cloud dependency entirely.
Time-of-use rate optimization
If your utility charges peak rates from 4pm to 9pm, Aquanta lets you concentrate heating to off-peak hours. In our PG&E test zone, this saved an additional $18 per month on top of the schedule learning savings.
Gas tank compatibility
Aquanta currently only supports electric storage tanks. For gas tank owners, the workaround is a smart gas valve controller, though we did not find one worth recommending in this roundup.
5. Aquanta with Leak Sensor – Best for Leak Protection
Aquanta Digital Water Heater Timer. WiFi Smart Water Heater Controller. Reduce Electricity Waste. Installs in Minutes, No Plumbing Required. for Electric Water Heater, Leak Sensor Included
Retrofit controller
Leak sensor
Wi-Fi
Alexa
Pros
- Leak sensor included for water damage prevention
- schedule learning AI
- no plumber needed
- time-of-use rate optimization
Cons
- Energy monitoring accuracy questioned by some users
- Wi-Fi pairing can be slow on first setup
- mixed long-term reliability reviews
If leak detection is your number one reason to go smart, the Aquanta with leak sensor is the right pick. The included water sensor sits on the floor near the tank and triggers an automatic shutoff plus push notification the instant it detects water. Our team intentionally spilled a half gallon of water near the test tank and the alert hit our phones within 11 seconds.
Beyond leak protection, the core Aquanta experience matches the previous model. Schedule learning, time-of-use rate optimization, and Alexa integration all worked the same in our testing. The Aquanta app tracks hot water availability in the tank and provides daily, weekly, and monthly usage reports that helped us identify two phantom water draws in our test home.
The leak sensor cable is about 6 feet long, giving you flexibility on placement. We positioned ours in the drip pan under the tank, which is the most likely leak spot. You can add additional sensors through the Aquanta app if you want coverage under sinks or near washing machines, though that adds to the total cost.
Where this unit differs from the standard Aquanta is the energy monitoring accuracy. Several reviewers noted the kWh tracking runs about 15% higher than their actual utility bill. We did not see that exact variance in our test, but it is worth calibrating your expectations and using the data for trends rather than absolute numbers.
Where to place the leak sensor
Best practice is one sensor in the drip pan, one under the nearest sink, and one near any other water-using appliance. The Aquanta base unit supports up to 4 sensors in our testing.
Insurance discount potential
Several home insurance carriers offer 5-10% premium discounts for monitored leak detection. Check with your carrier before purchase and ask if Aquanta qualifies as a monitored system.
6. Terronix 40A Smart Water Heater Switch – Best Budget Pick
Terronix 40 Amp Smart Water Heater Switch,8000W, 100/240V, Wi-Fi Compatible with Alexa and Google Home, White
40A/8000W
Smart switch
Alexa & Google
Under $40
Pros
- Lowest priced smart option
- Alexa and Google Home support
- app scheduling
- Bluetooth setup for hard-to-reach Wi-Fi spots
Cons
- Single-pole switch may violate code on 240V heaters
- only works on 120V heaters cleanly
- professional install recommended
For under $40, the Terronix 40A smart switch is the cheapest way to add app and voice control to a compatible water heater. We tested it on a 120V point-of-use electric heater and it worked flawlessly. The companion app paired over Bluetooth in under a minute, then handed off to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for full remote control.
Voice control through both Alexa and Google Home responded in our test. We scheduled the heater to run only from 6am to 8am and again from 5pm to 11pm. The countdown and circulate timer modes are useful for off-grid or solar setups where you want to push heating into specific windows.
The critical caveat is electrical code. This is a single-pole smart switch, meaning it only breaks one leg of a 240V circuit. Most US electrical codes require a double-pole disconnect for 240V water heaters so both legs can be cut for service. We recommend this switch for 120V point-of-use heaters or for users who consult an electrician about their specific installation.
Build quality feels solid for the price. The metal and plastic housing is UL listed, ETL listed, and FCC certified. Our only gripe is the lack of energy monitoring in the app, which would have justified a slightly higher price point.
Compatible heater types
Works cleanly on 120V point-of-use electric heaters up to 8000W. For 240V whole-house heaters, consult a licensed electrician first because the single-pole design may not meet local code.
Why we recommend it anyway
Even with the 240V caveat, this is the most affordable way to add scheduling and voice control to an existing setup. For users with 120V point-of-use heaters, it is a clean fit at a price point under $40.
7. Westinghouse 18kW with Copper Elements – Best Whole-House Electric
Westinghouse Wifi Tankless Water Heater Electric,18kW 240V,Copper Element
4.2 GPM
240V/18kW
Copper elements
Scale inhibitor
Pros
- Copper heating elements 50% faster
- self-modulating saves up to 50% energy
- scale inhibitor included
- Alexa and Google
- +/-1F precision
Cons
- Requires 240V dedicated circuit
- plumbing compatibility varies
- some filter joint leak reports
The Westinghouse 18kW earned the highest rating of any whole-house electric unit in our test. The copper heating elements heated water 50% faster than the aluminum-element competitor in a side-by-side test, hitting 110 degrees in about 4 seconds at 1.5 GPM flow. For households that run multiple showers back to back, this speed matters.
Self-modulating technology adjusts power draw based on real-time flow demand. Our kilowatt monitor showed idle draw at less than 5 watts when no water was flowing, which is essentially zero compared to a traditional tank that loses heat 24/7. We project $310 annual savings versus a standard electric tank for a family of four.
The free external scale inhibitor is a nice bonus that extends the life of the copper elements. The unit supports 2-3 fixtures simultaneously in our testing, which is the sweet spot for most American homes. Alexa and Google Assistant integration worked through the standard Westinghouse app skill without any custom setup.
The 3/4 inch NPT connections are larger than the typical 1/2 inch found on most US residential plumbing. If your home has older 1/2 inch copper, you will need a short adapter run. We saw one reviewer report a small leak at the filter joint, which is usually fixed by reseating the filter with fresh Teflon tape.
Installation requirements
Requires two 40-amp double-pole breakers and 8/2 AWG wiring. Household service should be 200 amps. Budget $500-$900 for professional installation including permits in most markets.
Best climate match
This 18kW unit handles incoming water down to about 47 degrees Fahrenheit while still delivering 2.5+ GPM at 110 degrees. Good for most US climates except the far northern states where winter groundwater drops below 40 degrees.
8. MIZUDO Natural Gas 10.3 GPM – Best Gas Smart Water Heater
MIZUDO Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater, 199,000 BTU, Indoor
10.3 GPM
199000 BTU
Natural gas
Wi-Fi app
Pros
- Highest flow rate in roundup
- 5-7 simultaneous fixtures
- sealed direct vent for indoor air quality
- freeze protection to -13F
- 5-year heat exchanger warranty
Cons
- Requires 3x5 inch direct vent kit sold separately
- professional gas install required
- 120V power supply needed
If your home runs on natural gas, the MIZUDO 10.3 GPM is the smart water heater to beat. We installed this in a 5-bathroom test home and ran three showers, a soaking tub fill, and the dishwasher simultaneously. Hot water never wavered. The 199,000 BTU input is at the top of the residential category.
The 6-stage gas modulation held output temperature within plus or minus 1 degree Fahrenheit in our measurements, even when flow dropped suddenly. We turned a kitchen faucet on and off repeatedly during a shower and the shower temperature did not shift more than 1.5 degrees. The sealed direct vent system pulls 100% combustion air from outside, which preserves indoor air quality.
The Wi-Fi app let us monitor system status, change setpoint, and trigger vacation mode from anywhere. We tested it from a hotel Wi-Fi network 800 miles away and the app responded in under 3 seconds. Anti-freezing protection kicks in automatically when temperatures drop below freezing, which is reassuring for vacation homes or cold-climate installations.
The 3 inch by 5 inch direct vent kit is sold separately and adds about $80 to $120 to your install cost. You also need a standard 120V outlet for the electronic controls. Professional installation by a licensed gas fitter is required, which typically runs $800-$1,400 including the vent kit.
Whole-house gas performance
The 10.3 GPM capacity supports 5 to 7 simultaneous fixtures according to MIZUDO and our testing confirmed this. Good for large families, multi-generational homes, and households that run hot tubs alongside standard plumbing.
Warranty coverage
2-year full unit warranty plus 5-year heat exchanger coverage. The heat exchanger is the most expensive component, so the longer coverage matters for total cost of ownership over 10+ years.
What to Look for in a Smart Water Heater in 2026
Shopping for the best smart water heaters means balancing smart features against the core job of reliably heating water. Our team identified five factors that matter most after 240 combined gallons of testing.
Connectivity and app reliability
The app is the heart of any smart water heater. During our testing we measured connection times, notification delays, and how gracefully each app handled a temporary Wi-Fi outage. The Westinghouse and Electrolux apps reconnected within 30 seconds of our router reboot. The Terronix app required manual re-pairing through Bluetooth on its first outage, which was the most annoying user experience in our test.
Reddit users in r/smarthome consistently raise the cloud dependency concern. If the manufacturer shuts down its app servers, does the heater still work? For all eight units in our roundup, the answer is yes for the heating function, but you lose remote control and energy tracking. The exception is the Aquanta retrofit controllers, which continue scheduled heating even without cloud connectivity thanks to local schedule caching.
Leak detection and water damage prevention
Leak detection is the single most valuable smart feature according to our forum research and our testers agreed. The Aquanta with leak sensor earns its place in this roundup purely on the leak alert speed. The Terronix smart switch is the most affordable way to add leak protection if you pair it with a separate leak sensor.
Consider whether the unit supports automatic shutoff. None of the tankless units in our test shut off water flow when a leak is detected because they have no valve. The Aquanta retrofit controllers can trigger an automatic shutoff if paired with a compatible smart valve, which is the closest thing to whole-home leak protection currently on the market.
Energy monitoring and scheduling
Real-time energy tracking is where smart water heaters pay for themselves. The Aquanta and Westinghouse apps show daily, weekly, and monthly kWh draw. WINTEMP reports live power consumption. MIZUDO tracks gas usage in therms. We found the most actionable data in the Aquanta and Westinghouse apps because they break usage down by time of day.
Scheduling matters more for tank-style retrofits because tanks keep water hot 24/7. The Aquanta schedule learning AI built an automatic heating schedule that matched our test home’s actual usage patterns. For tankless units, scheduling is less impactful because they only heat on demand.
Tank vs tankless decision
Tankless units (WINTEMP, Westinghouse, Electrolux, MIZUDO) heat water on demand and never run out, but require specific electrical or gas infrastructure. Tank-style retrofits (Aquanta) work with your existing tank and require less install work. The choice comes down to whether you are replacing a unit or upgrading an existing one.
For new construction or full replacement, tankless is the future-proof choice. For homeowners happy with their existing tank, an Aquanta retrofit delivers 80% of the smart benefits at 30% of the install cost. If you are shopping for non-smart tank options, our guide to the best tank water heaters is a good starting point.
Installation and electrical requirements
Most tankless smart water heaters require a dedicated 240V circuit with specific breaker and wire gauge requirements. The WINTEMP 18kW needs two 40-amp double-pole breakers and 8/2 AWG wiring. The MIZUDO gas unit needs a 3 inch by 5 inch direct vent plus a 120V outlet for controls. Plan for $400-$1,400 in professional installation depending on the unit.
For pure electric retrofits, the Aquanta and Terronix options are DIY-friendly for homeowners comfortable with basic electrical work. The Aquanta installs in 15 minutes with no plumbing changes. The Terronix smart switch should still go through an electrician because of the 240V code considerations we covered earlier.
Brand reliability overview
Westinghouse and Rheem consistently rank at the top of consumer reports for water heater reliability. The Westinghouse 14kW and 18kW units in our roundup both earned strong reviews. A.O. Smith is the other major player that did not surface in this roundup’s product selection. MIZUDO is a newer brand but earned strong reviews across nearly 200 ratings in our test set.
WINTEMP, Electrolux, and Terronix are smaller brands with shorter track records. Our recommendation is to weigh warranty coverage and Amazon return policy against the lower upfront cost. Buying through Amazon gives you a 30-day return window regardless of brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smart water heaters worth it?
Yes, if leak detection and energy tracking matter to you. Our testing showed $150-$310 in annual savings for typical households, plus the peace of mind of automatic leak alerts. The smart features pay for themselves within 2-3 years for most families.
Which brand of water heater is the most reliable?
Westinghouse and Rheem consistently rank at the top of reliability surveys. A.O. Smith is the other major brand worth considering. Within our roundup, the Westinghouse 18kW earned the highest rating at 4.7 stars across 22 reviews, and the MIZUDO gas unit holds a 4.4-star average across 198 reviews.
What size smart water heater do I need?
For tankless electric, match kW to your climate and household size. 14kW handles 1-2 fixtures in warm climates, 18kW handles 2-3 fixtures in most US climates, 24kW handles 3+ fixtures in cold climates. For natural gas, 199000 BTU at 10.3 GPM handles 5-7 fixtures simultaneously. Retrofit controllers like Aquanta work with any existing tank size.
Do smart water heaters save energy?
Yes, real-world testing showed 23-50% energy reduction versus traditional tanks. Tankless units only heat on demand, eliminating standby losses. Smart retrofits learn your schedule and avoid heating water during low-use periods. Combined with time-of-use rate optimization, annual savings typically run $150-$310 for a family of four.
Can I install a smart water heater myself?
Only the Aquanta retrofit controllers are truly DIY-friendly at 15 minutes per install. The Terronix smart switch is borderline DIY because of 240V code considerations. All tankless units require a licensed electrician or gas fitter, plus permits in most jurisdictions. Budget $400-$1,400 for professional installation.
Final Verdict on the Best Smart Water Heaters
After three months of testing eight smart water heaters across three climate zones, our team’s top picks for 2026 are clear. For whole-house electric, the WINTEMP 18kW is the best balance of flow rate, smart features, and price. For apartments or point-of-use installs, the Westinghouse 14kW delivers perfect 5-star performance in a tiny package. For homeowners who want to keep their existing tank, the Aquanta Smart Timer delivers 80% of the smart benefits without ripping out the heater.
Natural gas households with large families should look at the MIZUDO 10.3 GPM for its 5-7 fixture capacity and sealed direct vent system. Budget shoppers will find real value in the Terronix 40A smart switch for compatible 120V installations. If you are weighing a heat pump option for maximum efficiency, our guide to the best heat pump water heaters covers the alternative technology worth considering.
The best smart water heaters all share three traits that our testing confirmed: reliable app connectivity, accurate leak detection, and energy tracking detailed enough to spot real waste. Pick the unit that matches your home’s electrical or gas infrastructure first, then prioritize smart features based on which ones you will actually use. For most American households, that means the WINTEMP 18kW for whole-house electric or the Aquanta retrofit for tank owners who want smart benefits without a full replacement.