Do you need to purchase a replacement anode rod and want to know the difference between aluminum vs. magnesium anode rods? You’re not alone!
While most people prefer magnesium rods, it is important to understand how it differs from aluminum. This will help you decide what type of anode rod will work best for the water heater in your home.
Both options prevent corrosion in the water heater tank, but they also have distinct advantages and disadvantages that you should know before buying a replacement anode rod.
Difference Between Aluminum vs. Magnesium Anode Rods
Best Anode Rod Material Type
Anode Rod Buying Guide
5 Best Anode Rods
What's In This Guide?
Aluminum Vs. Magnesium Anode Rods: Top 4 Differences
Aluminum and magnesium anode rods both work to prolong the life of your water heater tank. But should you buy an aluminum anode rod or a magnesium anode rod?
Some of the things to consider include:
Initial Cost
Effectiveness
Longevity of Anode Rod
Longevity of Water Heater Tank
Water Quality
1. Initial Cost
Aluminum anode rods cost less than magnesium anode rods. A replacement anode rod generally costs between $20 – $50, with aluminum falling on the lower end of the spectrum and magnesium at the higher end. However, magnesium anode rods provide a better value.
Aluminum anode rods last longer than magnesium anode rods since aluminum corrodes at a slower pace than magnesium. Visually inspect your anode rod once a year as part of your regular water heater maintenance plan and replace it every 3 to 5 years.
How do you know when to change your anode rod?
Most anode rods require replacement after 3 to 5 years. You want to change it before you notice discoloration in your water or a foul odor.
To prolong the life of your anode rod, consider the purchase of a water softener. Why? Hard water will expedite the deterioration of any anode rod.
Water softener too expensive or bulky? We get it. Here is a great alternative to aluminum or magnesium rods many people aren’t aware of. Pro Tip: Hard water can’t erode this powered rod. We LOVE and personally use this one.
3. Longevity of Water Heater Tank
Aluminum anode rods may not have the high-level corrosive properties to keep up with the needs of your water heater, leading to faster corrosion and deterioration of the tank.
Magnesium anode rods protect against corrosion better, extending the life of your hot water tank. This makes magnesium anode rods more effective in the long run.
4. Water Quality and Your Health
You want safe water to come from your water heater, especially if you plan on consuming it. The metal anode rod you put in it can significantly affect the water quality.
Magnesium anode rods can reduce chlorine levels in the water, making it healthier to consume. Some studies even show additional health benefits from magnesium, so most health-conscious homeowners prefer magnesium water heater anode rods.
Magnesium anode rods can sometimes produce a rotten egg smell in the water. However, you can fix this quickly by replacing the anode rod. If this is a concern, we recommend this option that is highly rated and gets rid of these smells in your water heater tank.
Aluminum anode rods leave sediment deposits at the bottom of your water heater tank, and the sediment deposits can affect the quality of the water that comes from it. Excessive sediment can also lead to your hot water becoming cloudy at the tap.
Also, high aluminum levels in the water can lead to health problems. In fact, secondary standards recommend an aluminum concentration of drinking water between .05 – .20 mg/L.
Quick Anode Rod Basics
Both gas and electric water heaters contain an object called an anode rod that you place into the water heater tank to absorb corrosion in order to keep it away from the tank walls.
To make anode rods, manufacturers use stainless steel cable and wrap it with sacrificial metal that attracts corrosion. The most common sacrificial metals used to make anode rods are:
Aluminum
Magnesium
Zinc
However, as zinc anode rods refer to aluminum rods with small levels of zinc in them, we will stick to comparing aluminum and magnesium anode rods.
Best Anode Rod Material (Aluminum vs. Magnesium)
Ultimately, you will see better results when you purchase a magnesium anode rod when compared to aluminum.
Aluminum rods make an appropriate choice when you want to stick to a strict budget and don’t plan to overly consume the water. However, magnesium anode rods will provide better results in almost every other situation, even if you need to replace it more often.
5 Best Aluminum & Magnesium Anode Rods
We found some of the best anode rods available to help you narrow down your search. Check out the five best aluminum and magnesium anode rods.
This magnesium water anode rod is 44” long and ¾” in diameter. It can fit in tight spaces with its flexible design, and it works with most major water heater brands. This product comes with one anode rod and does not include accessories.
This non-toxic aluminum and zinc anode rod comes with one 44” anode rod as well as tape. It has a connection size of ¾”, which makes it compatible with most water heaters. It also comes hinged in four places to make it easy to work with.
This magnesium anode rod provides protection for slightly taller water heaters at 48” long. It comes in one long rod as opposed to the other segmented options. You can choose between the 3” nipple or hex head design.
Blue Lightning offers this segmented, magnesium anode rod with standard measurements of 44” long and a diameter of ¾” with a hex head. They claim you can expect at least two years of corrosion protection with this product.
Anode Rod Buying Guide
Now you know the difference between aluminum and magnesium anode rods, but you still have a lot of products to choose from. Use this guide to buy the best anode rod for your water heater.
Things you need to consider include:
Water Characteristics
Anode Rod Placement
Size of Tank
Accessories
Water Characteristics
Generally speaking, magnesium anode rods work best in homes with soft water. Hard water may deteriorate the anode rod more quickly. That’s why people with hard water may opt for aluminum anode rods that withstand the hard water better. However, a water softener can give you the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a magnesium anode rod.
Magnesium anode rods make an especially good choice in areas with water with high alkalinity as they lower the levels of chlorine in the water. See this post to locate the best anode rods by water type.
Anode Rod Placement
You will attach most anode rods to the designated location on the top of the water heater tank, but some water tank models require you to replace them at the hot water outlet on the bottom of the tank. You need to buy the appropriate anode rod for your unit.
Height of Tank
You want your anode rod to fit down to the absolute bottom of your water heater for the best effect. Look in your water heater manual to get the proper height of your unit, or measure it yourself.
If you use an anode rod that is too short for your water heater, you will need to replace it more often. You can find anode rods that fit standard tanks, but if you have a short vs tall water heater pay special attention to the specifications required.
Accessories
Some products will include accessories to help you replace the anode rod. The most common accessories are Teflon tape and a hex socket tool. If your product doesn’t come with these accessories, you will need to provide your own.
FAQ’s on Aluminum, Magnesium, and Zinc Anode Rods
Which is better: magnesium or aluminum anode rod?
Magnesium anode rods extend the life of your tank better than aluminum anode rods and offer significant health benefits, making them a much better value despite the higher price tag.
If you have especially hard water or budget concerns, an aluminum anode rod may suit your needs better.
What type of anode rod is best?
Magnesium anode rods offer the best overall effectiveness. However, you may want to consider your other options, particularly a powered anode rod.
You can opt for a sacrificial anode rod or a powered anode from these four anode rod options:
Aluminum (sacrificial)
Magnesium (sacrificial)
Zinc (sacrificial)
Titanium (powered)
A powered anode rod emits an electrical current to eliminate the corrosion inside of your water tank. It requires a bit of electricity, but it will not deteriorate nearly as quickly. It also keeps the water healthy, and it prevents the rotten egg smell. However, it costs substantially more than all of the other options.
What is better: zinc or magnesium anode rod?
Zinc anode rods contain ten parts aluminum to one part zinc, making them extremely similar to aluminum anode rods. Magnesium anode rods will protect your water heater tank better than zinc anode rods, but zinc anode rods work well against rotten egg smell coming from your water heater.
Are aluminum anode rods dangerous?
In most cases, aluminum anode rods will not cause you too much danger as long as you don’t drink the water. However, they come with a higher risk of health concerns than other options.
Not only do aluminum anode rods lead to sediment buildup, lowering the quality of the water, but they also can leak if not changed regularly and possibly lead to aluminum toxicity.
Some studies say an increased exposure to aluminum can lead to serious health concerns, but the risk from the aluminum anode rod in your water heater is low.
To reduce the risk from your aluminum anode rod:
Change the anode rod regularly
Do not drink water from the water heater
If you do drink the water, let it run for 8 seconds before filling your glass
Meet Your Plumbing Navigator
About Plumbing Navigator
We’re passionate about all things plumbing, and love sharing tips, “how-to”, and reviewing the latest products to help make your project a success!
Learn More Plumbing Tips
Want to tackle more plumbing projects? Check out these helpful guides!
Got Plumbing Questions? Search For In-Depth Answers Below!
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
