After testing the Camco 02342/02343 heating element in my Adirondack mountain cabin (where our iron-heavy well water is notorious for destroying water heaters), I can confidently say this is a game-changer for hard water households.

The installation was surprisingly straightforward - even my DIY-challenged husband managed to replace our old element after watching a single YouTube tutorial. Unlike some premium brands we've tried, this $20 element has lasted just as long against our corrosive water.

What really impressed me was the performance during real-world use. Despite one reviewer's wattage concerns, in our 40-gallon tank, it heats water just as fast as our previous Rheem element did. We've had consistent hot water for morning showers even when running the dishwasher simultaneously.

A few things to note: The high-watt density means it works best in tanks 15" or larger. We learned the hard way that you should always check your breaker switch if installation doesn't immediately work (saved us an unnecessary second replacement!).

For the price, you can't beat the value - we now keep two spares after one failed during a lightning storm (though resetting the breaker fixed it). While it may not last decades, at this price point, replacing it every few years is still cheaper than buying 'premium' elements.