Best
Electric Tea Kettle
TechnoBuffalo
2019
Resident tea snob here! Unlike some, I no longer microwave water to make tea or French Press coffee. I insist on an electric tea kettle after making the switch years ago. The model that sits on my counter is the Cuisinart PerfecTemp. I love it for its heating presets and ability to keep water warm. This isn’t the only kettle I recommend though. Whether you’re heating water for hot chocolate, making pour-over coffee, or brewing tea leaves, these kettles are worth your consideration.
Best Overall: Cuisinart PerfecTemp
Teas and some coffees taste better when brewed at a specific temperature. The temperature settings on the Cuisinart PerfecTemp are one of the many standout features for me. There are six presets on the Cuisinart, so you never run the risk of burning or scalding delicate tea leaves. There’s also a “keep warm” button that holds the kettle’s water to the same temperature for 30-minutes.
This is a stainless steel pitcher-style pot that sits atop a warming plate. The pot is cord-free, so you can take it to the table for pouring without having to fuss with cords. This model isn’t double-walled, and because of that, the outside of the tea kettle gets very hot. The handle stays cool but the lid and pitcher are far too warm to touch.
I love the wide mouth on the top of this kettle. You can open it and fill it fast, as opposed to going through the tiny spout. That feature also makes this model easier to clean. The internal, removable mesh filter keeps hard water deposits out of your beverage, and it pops out and back in for easy cleaning. The water level indicator is genius! It’s backlit and works well in dark or brightly lit rooms, and it accurately displays the internal water levels. If you’re a French Press user or tea lover, the Cuisinart PerfecTemp is a beautiful, functional electric tea kettle that deserves a spot on your kitchen counter.
Pros:
- Six preset heat settings
- Mesh screen filters out hard water deposits
- Keeps water warm for 30-minutes
- Boil-dry protection
- Auto shutoff
Best Overall
Cuisinart PerfecTemp
The right temperature makes all the difference
If you’re a French Press coffee drinker or tea lover, this is the tea kettle you want. Six temperature presets and a warming plate equal perfection.
Best Value: AmazonBasics Kettle
If boiling water is your only requirement for an electric tea kettle, this reasonably-priced kitchen tech from AmazonBasics should slide up to the top of your wish list. The pot is all stainless steel but for the BPA-free plastic water gauge and handle. It’s single-walled, so it does get hot to the touch. The plastic handle never gets warm, though, which is what matters.
This is a simple appliance. You fill the kettle with water to the one-liter fill line, flip the switch to on, and in less than one minute, your water is ready to pour. Yes, you read that right! It takes almost no time to bring the water temperature up to boiling. Nice!
This teapot automatically shuts itself off, so it will never boil over or continue to heat when empty. The power base of this model plugs into the wall, but the kettle itself is cord-free. There’s also a mesh screen filter inside the spout to prevent hard water deposits from spilling over into your teacup. For coffee, hot chocolate, instant soups, or black teas, this is a fast, basic tea kettle that works great.
Pros:
- Fast
- Water level window
- Boil-dry protection
- Removable filter
- Inexpensive
Best Value
AmazonBasics Kettle
A simple kettle that gets the job done
A no-frills electric kettle with automatic shutoff and boil-dry protection. If you only need your new pot to boil water, this is it.
Best Gooseneck: Willow & Everett
Pour-over coffee begs for the slow flow rate of a gooseneck kettle, and this one from Willow & Everett looks as good as it works. The unrivaled gooseneck spout allows for slow, spill-free pouring. This handsome gooseneck is crafted from food-grade brushed stainless steel and has zero Teflon or chemical linings. As such, the heated water that comes out of the spout on this pot tastes like water, not metal or plastic.
There are five temperature presets, a feature not usually found in gooseneck designs. That makes this the best possible electric tea kettle for coffee and tea lovers. Temperature controls are located on the heating base. That’s a nice touch that slims the overall feel of this kettle. Temperatures are accurate, and the auto-shutoff kicks in, powering down the heating element to prevent boil overs, as soon as the water reaches your desired temp. Alternatively, you can use the “keep warm” function to hold water to a consistent temperature, so it’s ready when you’re up for a second cup.
Though it isn’t hard to figure out how to operate this model, those who are directions-obsessed will be disappointed with the included manual. It’s terrible! The instructions are unclear and far from thorough. If you can see beyond that, this is the best kettle on the market for those who imbibe in pour-over coffee or use tea leaves to get their caffeine fix.
Pros:
- Five temperature presets
- Keep warm function
- Auto-shutoff
- Remembers previous temp
- Gorgeous
Best Gooseneck
Willow & Everett
For pour-over coffee and tea drinkers
It heats quickly, has temperature presets, and pours smooth and slow. Perfect for tea and pour-over coffee fans.
Best Touch Panel Control: Miroco Stainless Kettle
It’s a little thing, but the Miroco has a touch control panel rather than buttons to press when selecting the water temperature. A light touch is all you need, and I love it! There are six preset temperatures, including one for Fresh Press coffee.
Strix temperature control is an internal device that’s beloved worldwide and touted as the most advanced way to regulate water temperature. It brings the water temp up quickly and maintains it with a “keep warm” setting for up to half an hour. The only shortcoming with this pot is that it automatically shuts off when water reaches your set temperature. If you want to use the “keep warm” function, you need to turn it on manually.
The Miroco is insulated well, and it often holds its temp for nearly an hour after it’s turned off. There is a filter inside the pour spout to strain out calcium and other hard water deposits. The filter is made of BPA-free plastic and can be popped in and out in seconds for cleaning. With advanced features like auto shutoff and boil dry protection baked in, this is an excellent value pot with high-end features.
Pros:
- 6 preset temperatures
- Beautiful design
- Internal filter
- Electronic control panel
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Keep warm function must be turned on manually
Best Touch Panel Control
Miroco Stainless Kettle
A light touch will do it
The electronic control panel means you don’t have to fiddle with buttons. A light touch is all you need to switch between six temperature presets.
Best Glass Kettle: Mueller Premium
A product of Mueller Austria, this sleek electric tea kettle is constructed of heavy-duty yet lightweight Borosilicate glass and BPA-free plastic. The curved, smooth handle is comfortable to hold, and it has just one button, which is used to open and close the fill lid. The handle is heat resistant and has an anti-slip grip that prevents even wet hands from sliding around.
The automatic shut-off mechanism on this tea kettle activates after the water has come to a boil, helping you to avoid boil overs. This is a minimalistic pot, and it lacks some of the advanced features of other models. There is no “keep warm” function, and temperature presets are nowhere to be found. In other words, this model only boils water to be used for coffee, tea, soups, oatmeal, pasta, etc.
I am in love with the internal LED lighting that casts a blue hue on the water as it heats. It lights up dark rooms and, let’s face it; sometimes, it is fun to watch water boil. There is a filter under the pour spout to keep hard water deposits and other items out of your food and beverages. Since it’s glass, this unit is a bit easier to clean than other models. If you need a cool-looking tea kettle for your office, dorm room, or home, this wallet-friendly offering from Mueller Austria is a worthy contender.
Pros:
- Auto shutoff
- Sophisticated design
- Made of Borosilicate glass
- Superfast
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- No preset temperature settings
Best Glass Kettle
Mueller Premium
It’s fun to watch water boil
Gorgeously designed of Borosilicate glass, this tea kettle boils water quickly and has an internal blue LED that shines a light on the water.
Best Digital Display Posame Variable Temperature
You’ll see your water temperature settings on a bright digital display with the Posame kettle. You choose from five presets by clicking on a temperature button, and this electric teapot begins heating. This is a large capacity kettle, holding 1.8-liters of water. The pitcher is built from food-safe stainless steel and the filter and handle of BPA-free plastic.
Cleaning must be routine when you own an electric kettle. Whether you vinegar, a pre-mixed solution, or wash out your pot, the Posame is a tad more challenging to deal with than other options. The opening at the top is tiny, so it’s a tight squeeze to get a cleaning rag or brush inside. If you use vinegar or another cleaning solution, this won’t be as much of an issue.
I love the “keep warm” settings on the Posame. Most other models keep the water at a consistent temperature for 30-minutes after heating, but this unit gives you options. You can set the kettle to maintain water temperature for 30, 60, 90, or even 120 minutes. Excellent for those of us who like to savor our tea! This is a beautiful tea kettle with an easy-to-read display that’s great for families or those who need lots of hot water.
Pros:
- Bright digital display
- Can keep water warm for up to two hours
- Five heat presets
- Automatic shutoff
- Large capacity
Cons:
- A small opening at the top
Best Digital Display
Posame Variable Temperature
Large display and large capacity
A large capacity tea kettle with a bright digital display and options to keep water warm for up to two hours.
Bottom line
I don’t keep much on my countertop, but the Cuisinart PerfecTemp has earned space there for the last three years. This is a stainless steel kettle that rests on a warming base. Only the heating plate is attached to a power source, so the pot is cord-free. The cordless design makes for easier pouring and refilling of water. The teapot can swivel 360-degrees when on the base, so the handle can easily be moved out of your way.
There are six presets on this kettle ranging from a 160-degree delicate tea setting to boiling. The temperature holds steady for half an hour after your first pour. Depressing the “keep warm” button will add another 30-minutes of warmth to your water. A built-in filter keeps hard water deposits from making it to your mug. The filter is located under the spout on the inside of the kettle. It snaps in and out for cleaning.
There’s just one thing I wish Cuisinart designers would change, and that’s the single wall design. This kettle gets scorchingly hot! Even brushing your arm against the exterior can make you jump. Aside from that, the Cuisinart PerfecTemp is a tea and French Press lover’s dream. The temperature settings are accurate, the kettle is reliable and easy to clean, and the cord-free design is a joy to use.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
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