The best electric kettles
The best electric kettle overall
If you're serious about your tea and you like to drink all different kinds of tea, you need an adjustable temperature kettle. The 1.7 Liter Krups Savoy Adjustable Temperature Kettle has five preset temperature settings to ensure that you never burn your green tea leaves with scalding hot water ever again.
It's remarkably easy to select the temperature setting you need and you can actually watch the water temperature rise on the LCD display that sits on the kettle's base. If you want black or herbal tea, just hit boil and watch the water go up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit within five minutes or less. If you're drinking green, white, or oolong tea, you press the "TEMP" button until you see the right number for your tea on the screen.
Believe it or not, using the right temperature is a big deal. Whenever I make green, white, or oolong tea with this kettle, I always set it to the right temperature instead of just hitting that "BOIL" button. The teas' flavors come out in full force when brewed at the right temperature, and it's so easy to select the right temperature on the Krups kettle. The LCD screen is an excellent addition to this fine kettle's design.
The kettle automatically stops boiling when it hits the temperature you selected or if it runs dry. The kettle will even keep your water warm for a time before automatically shutting off to protect the heating element. You can also press the start/cancel button to turn it off immediately.
The kettle is made out of brushed stainless steel, and it looks absolutely gorgeous in my kitchen. The kettle jug is unattached, so you can pick it up and pour the water over your tea, oatmeal, or cooking pot without worrying about the length of the cord. The cord is concealed in the base and you can have it as short as you need it to be.
There's a big button on the top of the kettle, which pops the lid open when pressed. The handle is big and comfortable for easy handling and pouring. There is a water window as well, so you can check how much is in there. Krups put the anti-scale filter in the spout of the kettle, and you can remove it if need be.
Although there aren't many reviews for this kettle, our personal experience and that of Amazon and Krups buyers is mostly very positive, though some wonder about longevity. We've been using it daily for nearly two years without any incident, and we'll keep you updated on how it fares, but we are confident that this is indeed the best kettle you can buy.
Pros: Affordable, adjustable temperature settings, clear LED screen, easy to use, attractive metal design
Cons: Some question durability
The second-best electric kettle
The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp electric kettle was formerly our top pick, and it's still a great choice if you dislike the Krups kettle or it sells out. Not only does it heat water quickly; it also brings the water to the perfect temperature for any kind of tea or coffee.
Cuisinart's kettle packs 1500 watts of power to ensure that the water heats up in about four minutes. The kettle has six different pre-set temperature settings so that the water is the ideal temperature for brewing any kind of tea or coffee.
The controls are on the kettle's handle, and you can choose between 160 degrees Fahrenheit for delicate teas, 175 degrees Fahrenheit for green tea, 185 degrees Fahrenheit for white tea, 190 degrees Fahrenheit for oolong tea, 200 degrees Fahrenheit for coffee, and "boil" for black tea. You can also use the "boil" setting for instant noodles, soup, oatmeal, or anything else that requires boiling water.
It'll automatically keep your water warm for 30 minutes and announce when your water is ready with a single beep. Cuisinart built in boil-dry protection, so it will automatically shut off if there's no water inside to boil. That protects the heating elements and ensures your kettle lasts longer. There's also an auto-sleep function that will turn off your kettle after 5 minutes of inactivity. A blue backlit water window lets you see how much water is inside, too.
The stainless steel kettle is durable and easy to clean. It has a concealed heating element to prevent too much mineral buildup, which is great if you have hard water at home. There's a removable and washable scale filter inside that you can clean.
Reviewers from The Wirecutter, Best Reviews, Heavy, Best Products, and Apartment Therapy all loved the Cuisinart's ability to heat water to different temperatures and praised its sturdy stainless steel design. Positive user reviews highlight how accurate the temperature settings are — within 1-3 degrees of the settings — and many reviewers praise the device's durability. One reviewer said her kettle has lasted five years.
Although some reviewers on Amazon complain about durability and say their kettles rusted or broke quickly, The Wirecutter says that many of its staff members have used the kettle for years without issue.
The kettle does have a three-year limited warranty, which is better than you'll get from most companies, so if yours is defective, you should be able to get a refund or replacement. Amazon's 30-day return policy also applies in case you just don't like the Cuisinart PerfcTemp electric kettle as much as expert reviewers and some users do.
Pros: Six temperature settings, stainless steel, keeps water warm for 30 minutes, blue backlit water level window, 3-year limited warranty, 1.7-Liter capacity, sleep mode turns off after 5 minutes, boil-dry protection, and it's detachable from the heating base
Cons: Pricey and some users worry about durability
The best high-end electric kettle
Who says that kettles have to be boring and ugly? Smeg's '50s Retro-Style Electric Kettle adds much-needed flair to the boring old kettle with its '50s color palette and fun design aesthetic. You can get it in multiple color options, including cream, blue, green, red, black, chrome, and pink.
The kettle is made of stainless steel that's powder-coated for added durability and protection from mineral buildup. Inside, there's a removable, stainless steel limescale filter that you'll need to clean every now and then to prevent too much of a deposit from building up. If you have hard water, you'll have to clean the filter more often. It also has a water level window so you can check how much water is inside.
Anyone who loves fashionable, well-designed appliances or has a retro-inspired kitchen filled with Smeg appliances will love this kettle. It's also recommended by reviewers on Apartment Therapy, The Independent, and Hughes, though they all point out you're paying a premium for the slick design.
A trusted British friend of mine heartily recommends this kettle, and given how much tea he drinks on a daily basis, his recommendation carries a lot of weight.
Positive user reviews on Amazon mostly harp on about the gorgeous design, but many also mention that it's very easy to use and works well. Negative reviews mention poor quality control and some worried that they received a counterfeit kettle, so buyer beware. Smeg offers a one-year warranty, and you can also buy 4-year protection for your kettle on Amazon.
Pros: Fun '50s design, stainless steel, option to buy variable temperature model, automatic shut off, removable stainless steel filter, water level indicator, and lots of lovely color options
Cons: Expensive
The best cheap electric kettle
Sometimes you just want a no-frills appliance that works and comes at an affordable price point. The Original Secura Stainless Steel Double Wall Electric Water Kettle fits the bill as an affordable stainless steel electric kettle that boils water quickly and costs less than $40.
It may not have fancy features like variable temperature settings or a water gauge, but it does offer a full stainless steel unibody design and fast water heat up with its 1500 watts of heating power. Plus, it's easy to clean. The kettle turns off automatically so you don't boil a dry pot and damage the heating element.
Secura's kettle is about the same price as cheap plastic ones, but it is completely BPA free and no plastic touches your water. The stainless steel inside wall is easy to clean after each use, so you can avoid mineral buildup over time. It has a double-wall construction, so the outer layer of plastic stays cool to the touch even as the water boils inside.
Reviewers on Heavy, Best Kitchen Kit, and Best Electric Kettle recommend the Secura kettle, and it is one of the top-rated kettles on Amazon. Users love that it's all stainless steel and doesn't have any plastic on the inside. Many reviewers say that they've tried lots of kettles and Secura's is the best one they've used.
A handful of reviews complain of rusting, but others point out that it's easily avoided by rinsing it before use and wiping the inside dry every now and then. However, we were impressed by the sheer number of positive reviews for this kettle.
Amazon buyers are very pleased with it, and so long as you don't need variable temperatures for tea or want to see the water level inside, the Secura kettle seems like a real winner — especially at this price point.
Pros: 100 percent stainless steel design, highly rated, fun colors, low price, keeps water warm, shuts off automatically, two-year warranty, and easy to clean
Cons: No water gauge to see how much is inside and no variable temperature settings
The best ceramic electric kettle
Tea time should be fun and kettles should be cute — those are the unwritten rules of tea drinking. The BELLA Electric Ceramic Tea Kettle has the look of a classic teapot with its sweet ceramic design, long gooseneck spout, and cute colorful patterns.
A 1200 watt heating element brings your water to a boil reasonably quickly even though it's not as high-powered as the other kettles on this list. The kettle also offers boil-dry protection and automatic shut-off for safety and durability. The ceramic pot detaches from the heating base so you can carry it over to your dinner table or countertop just like you would a normal teapot.
It's a simple kettle with an on/off switch and a single blue LED light that indicates when it's boiling your water and when it's off. The heating element is concealed, so all you have to do is clean out the pot every now and then to avoid buildup. Since the pot is entirely ceramic, you don't have to worry about a plasticky or metallic taste ruining your tea, either.
Amazon shoppers love the classic ceramic design and say it works perfectly. Some reviewers note a strange smell when they first open the kettle, but rinsing it with vinegar or water seems to fix the problem.
Negative reviews typically complain that it broke, chipped, or cracked after a short amount of use. Others say the colorful designs fade, peel or crack due to poor quality control. However, these complaints appear to be rare, and you can return it with Amazon's 30-day policy. It also has a limited one-year warranty in case things go wrong.
Overall, BELLA's kettle is one of the best-selling kettles on Amazon, and its cute ceramic design brings a classic look to a modern appliance.
Pros: Adorable ceramic design, automatic shutoff, no plastic or metal, detaches from the heating base, and gooseneck spout makes for easy pouring
Cons: Heavy, less powerful heating element, and some concerns over durability
The best giant electric kettle
If you work in an office or own a small restaurant, you may need an electric kettle that doubles as a water boiler and warmer. The 4-Liter Zojirushi Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer Electric Tea Kettle is a giant tea kettle for anyone who needs tons of hot water on demand. It comes in 4 and 5-Liter capacities, and it'll keep your water hot all day without damaging the heating element.
The Zojirushi has four keep warm temperature settings so you can choose which one is right for your needs: 208 degrees Fahrenheit, 195 degrees Fahrenheit, 175 degrees Fahrenheit, and 160 - 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It also offers quick temp mode to bring the water to the perfect temperature without boiling it fully.
Inside, it's all stainless steel, so it's easy to clean and it keeps your water warm without too much effort. It uses a Vacuum-Electric hybrid system to keep the water hot. Zojirushi's water boiler boasts a stainless steel double insulation wall with a layer of vacuum insulation. It's supposed to keep energy use down.
The Wirecutter says it's the best big electric kettle you can buy, and it's just perfect for offices, small restaurants, and big households that use lots of boiling water. User reviews on Amazon are very positive, and the only negative ones mention rust as an issue. Zojirushi offers a one-year warranty in case something goes wrong.
Pros: Large capacity is great for offices or restaurants, keep large amounts of water warm, boils quickly,
Cons: Expensive and not necessary unless you need an endless hot water supply
How to choose the right temperature for tea
High-end kettles tend to offer customizable temperature selections and some specify which settings are best for certain kinds of tea. As any tea aficionado knows, different types of tea leaves require different water temperatures to bring out all the flavors.
Most experts agree that white and green teas should be brewed at temperatures between 160 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit, with white teas on the lower end of that range. Oolong teas should be brewed between 180 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit, while black and herbal teas need 212 degrees Fahrenheit to reach their peak.
In case there are coffee lovers reading along, coffee brews best between 200 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to take care of your kettle
Proper care and cleaning are the key to your kettle's longevity, and the experts at The Wirecutter point out that any appliance that heats water to a boil is bound to degrade over time.
In our research, we've noticed that even top-rated kettles have many negative reviews that mention rust or broken parts. User experiences tend to vary based on how well the kettle is cared for and whether the user follows the kettle's instructions.
We've used our Krups Savoy kettle for a year now and it shows no signs of rusting. To keep it in tip-top shape, we don't let water sit inside after we're done using it, and we let it dry out between uses.
Long story short, be good to your kettle, and your kettle will be good to you.
Check out our other guides for tea lovers
Tea leaves are far superior to tea bags, but things get messy without a proper tea infuser. The Finum Brewing Basket is the best tea infuser for most mugs and teapots with its roomy fine mesh basket design. Here are our top picks for the best tea infusers:
- Best tea infuser overall: Finum Brewing Basket
- Best tea infuser with a long handle: OXO Good Grips Twisting Tea Ball
- Best quirky tea infuser: Fred & Friends Manatea Tea Infuser
- Best teapot with an infuser: 700ml Hario Chacha Kyusu Maru Tea Pot
The best traditional stovetop tea kettles are easy to fill and pour, quickly bring water to a boil, and can be washed without much effort. Here are the best ones you can buy:
- Best tea kettle overall: OXO Good Grips Classic Tea Kettle
- Best tea kettle on a budget: Cuisinart Aura Steel Stovetop Teakettle
- Best high-end tea kettle: Le Creuset Enamel-on-Steel Zen Teakettle
- Best small-capacity tea kettle: Hario V60 Buono Pouring Kettle
- Best unique tea kettle: Supreme Housewares Giraffe Whistling Tea Kettle
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