I was introduced to the magic of an electric water kettle 10 years ago when I started drinking nightly cups of green tea. Though my tea kettle was entry-level, the speed at which the water boiled was very gratifying, and I was happy to save my Alabama home from the stove’s heat. Over the years, I’ve learned even more ways to use my tea kettle to hack everyday kitchen tasks and save myself some time. When I want to jump-start boiling water for pasta, egg poaching, or water-bath canning, my kettle halves the time. As a ramen lover and oatmeal fan, I also appreciate skipping the stove and using my kettle instead.
Beyond just boiling water quickly, coffee or tea connoisseurs know the real value an electric kettle brings to the table. After all, making the perfect cup of coffee or tea has as much to do with the temperature of the water as it does with the quality of the actual product. Coffee grounds bloom best in water between 195°F and 205°F, and each variety of tea, from green to black, has an optimal temperature for proper steeping. Today’s electric kettles can bring water to precise temperatures, which is ideal for elevating your tea and coffee experience while saving you time and the headache of using a thermometer.
I tested six top models to find the best electric kettles on the market. I pored over their design and features, assessing each kettle for ease of use and temperature accuracy. I timed how quickly they boiled water, tested the thermal integrity of each carafe, and noted how hot the handles, lids and sides became when actively heating the water. I tasted the water before and after it boiled to see if any kettle imparted a flavor and tested how easy each model was to clean. Four models excelled in functionality and style. Here are my picks.
Our Electric Kettle Recommendations
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Amazon
What we like: The Fellow Corvo EKG has a simple, sleek design that is easy to use and looks great on your countertop.
What to know: The warm-hold and Celsius/Fahrenheit buttons are on the back of the kettle’s base, making them somewhat difficult to see.
I loved the modern design of the Fellow Corvo EKG with its sleek black body and branch-like handle, a signature of the Corvo line. The interior is stainless steel, with a fingerprint-resistant, matte black exterior that allowed stray drips of water to roll off without marking the surface, which was a real plus. The minimal black plastic base features a simple dial and digital display that is very intuitive to use. The Fellow has a push-operated dial for on/off and set functions, which you then turn to choose the water temperature. A corresponding digital window displays the set temperature and the operating temperature. Overall, the look and feel of the Corvo is clean, simple and modern.
The Corvo is the smallest of the models I tested, with a maximum capacity of four cups. While it may not be ideal for filling a pot of water for pasta or making large quantities of tea, it’s perfect for a quick cup, as it reaches a boil in just five minutes. During my tests, the temperature reading matched my thermometer precisely, and the warm-hold feature barely deviated from its set temperature. I also liked the spout’s precise pour, letting me hold a steady stream at any angle. Though the interior of the carafe was tight for hand-drying, the removable lid makes it easy to dry the carafe upside down on a drying rack or towel. The Fellow wins the top spot on my list for its looks and precision.
Material: Stainless steel, silicone, plastic | Temperature Control: Yes | Capacity: 0.9 liters
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Beautiful by Drew Barrymore
What we like: The Beautiful’s carafe stayed cool to the touch when boiling water.
What to know: The kettle’s exterior shows smudges and fingerprints.
The Beautiful by Drew Electric Kettle has all the style Barrymore’s line is known for, with a sleek exterior and gold accents. It also combines form and function with a bold digital readout that illuminates when the unit is in use. The carafe has a generous opening for filling with water and a lid that flips open a full 90 degrees, which makes it easier to clean the stainless steel interior. During my tests, the temperature gauge on the unit mirrored my thermometer reading, and the carafe retained heat very well, even when turned off.
I liked having the option to set my desired temperature manually or to use the one-touch controls for white tea (165°F), green tea (175°F), oolong tea or coffee (195°F) and black tea or boiling (212°F). I also appreciated the 60-minute warm-hold feature and discrete two-beep tone that indicates when the water is ready. The spout offers a nice, precise stream that doesn’t drip or splash, and the modest base has a cord wrap for easy storage. Though it was the least expensive kettle I tested, the Beautiful by Drew didn’t lack features, making it an exceptional value and a close runner-up to the pricier Fellow kettle.
Material: Stainless steel, plastic | Temperature Control: Yes | Capacity: 1.7 liters
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Amazon
What we like: The large glass carafe puts on a great show when the water boils.
What to know: The OXO was less intuitive to operate than the other kettles I tested.
Unlike the opaque stainless steel and plastic models I tested, the glass carafe on the OXO Adjustable Temperature Kettle makes boiling water a spectator sport. The brushed stainless accents at the top and bottom of the carafe keep this kettle’s look modern and clean, and the black plastic on the lid and handle kept those areas cool when the machine was in use. Filling the carafe to any level was easy thanks to clear markings on the outside of the glass, and the carafe itself was comfortable to handle. The OXO has a soft yet audible beep that signals when the water is ready, and a 20-minute warm-hold automatically starts when the water reaches its goal temperature.
Setting the temperature on the OXO involves a simple dial and digital display, but I found the dial, which doubles as the on/off button, is not particularly sensitive, so it took me a while to get the hang of it. The slow-open lid opens easily using a button on the handle, making it simple to maneuver with one hand, and the angled spout pours precisely without spillage or leaks. The exterior metal is fingerprint-resistant, and the glass is easy to clean with a simple wipe. However, the carafe’s narrow opening makes cleaning challenging; the opening was not big enough for my hand. I also wasn’t fond of the automatic activation of the carafe when it was placed on the plugged-in base and felt that could be an issue for someone who keeps their kettle plugged in for frequent use. However, with its large capacity and quick boil, I think this kettle would be excellent for both entertaining and for multiple kitchen tasks, like boiling water for pasta.
Material: Glass, stainless steel | Temperature Control: Yes | Capacity: 1.75 liters
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Amazon
What we like: The Cuisinart’s one-touch operation and wealth of presets makes it a tea-lover’s dream.
What to know: The fill lines are under the handle, making them challenging to read.
My favorite feature of the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Kettle is the one-hand, one-touch control center on the handle of the kettle, which features six backlit buttons for specific teas and coffees, and buttons to activate the keep-warm function and to open the lid. The fingerprint-resistant stainless body has high-end commercial quality, with clean lines and black plastic accents. The backlighting on the buttons provides excellent information on what functions are in use, using blue light for active functions and white for the others—a useful feature for nighttime tea drinkers such as myself.
The Cuisinart was the fastest of the 1.7-liter kettles I tested, boiling water in less than seven minutes. The carafe has a removable scale filter for easy cleaning and a cord wrap under the base for compact storage. The placement of the fill lines opposite the handle made it difficult to read while filling; however, the handle itself is generous and comfortable to hold with any level or temperature of water in the carafe. The body and lid of the Cuisinart do get hot when the kettle is active, but the handle stays cool. Reasonably priced for the number of features, its capacity and range of temperature presets make the Cuisinart an especially smart choice for tea drinkers.
Material: Stainless, plastic | Temperature Control: Yes | Capacity: 1.7 liters
The Bottom Line: The Best Electric Kettles
The Fellow Corvo EKG (view at Amazon) checks all the boxes for an everyday water kettle with precision features. Its minimal footprint and modern design are attractive, and its intuitive functionality makes it easy to operate right out of the box. However, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Electric Kettle (view at Amazon) is an incredible value, especially for the larger size of the carafe and the intuitive one-touch presets. This tea kettle covers all the bases while being attractive and easy to store.
Choosing an Electric Kettle
Capacity Counts
The capacity of a kettle correlates directly to its overall size, which impacts how much real estate it requires for use and storage. Larger kettles can be cumbersome to store in small spaces or keep on busy countertops, while more petite kettles may not hold enough water for your needs. Knowing how often you want to use your kettle will be a significant factor in which you choose; however, if you are still deciding, you may want to start with a size you can store easily to gauge how much it will get used and upgrade when needed.
Special Features and Functions
Though boiling water is the key function, electric kettles offer many helpful features to enhance their usability. The most beneficial features were the automatic shutoff and an audible or visual signal indicating the water was ready. A clear indicator allows you to move on to other tasks while the kettle works, and the shutoff ensures that the kettle doesn’t keep boiling away if you forget about it. We also love the ability to set a specific temperature for the water, eliminating the need for guessing and adjusting when a precise temperature is required.
A hold mode is also convenient, keeping the water hot for at least 20 minutes, which is great for entertaining. Extra touches such as cord wraps and scale filters streamline storage and cleaning, while a safety feature that automatically switches off an empty kettle can prevent damage to the unit or, even worse, a fire. Luckily, all the kettles we tested have this function.
Cost Per Use
As we have learned, electric kettles can range from basic to very precise, with as few or as many features as you would like. If you don’t drink tea or coffee, the precision settings may not be a big selling point, but you may need a larger kettle for entertaining. Size, features and design will all play a significant role in the cost of the kettle, but the true value is determined when you find that you love to use your kettle and employ it frequently for various tasks.
Our Electric Kettle Tests
To test the boiling speed of the electric water kettles, I first filled them to maximum capacity and, after ensuring the water was 72° to 73°F, set a timer to see how long they took to reach a boil. I then timed them again, using only three cups of water to reach a boil in order to directly compare all of the carafes’ performance. After the water cooled, I tasted it to see if any metallic or plastic flavor had leached from the carafe.
To measure the precision features, I set each carafe to 175°F (or the green tea setting, if the kettle had one). When the kettle indicated the water was at the correct temperature, I used my own calibrated thermometer to gauge the machine’s accuracy. During each test, I evaluated the kettles’ operation and other features, including fill lines, lighting, sounds and how much heat the carafe conducted.
To test the carafes’ heat retention, I boiled water and set it aside for 20 minutes, then measured the amount of heat lost in that time. If the kettle had a warm-hold mode, I boiled water and engaged the hold to determine how well the machine maintained the water’s temperature. Finally, I cleaned each kettle inside and out to assess how easy or challenging the process was.
We Also Considered
Fellow Clyde Electric Kettle ($125 at Fellow): While I liked the look and size, the lack of functionality of the Clyde didn’t stand up to the other kettles. It lacked temperature control, signal sound and hold functions, and it got incredibly hot when boiling the water. Additionally, the placement of the handle made filling it a challenge.
Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle ($220 at Williams Sonoma): The Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle’s retro 1950s design was lovely, with a colorful enameled exterior and shiny metal accents. However, the sliding piece for setting the temperature and toggle switch on the side were challenging to operate, especially for the steep price.
Common Questions
Are electric kettles safe?
Electric kettles may be safer than boiling water on the stove. With a simple push of a button, the kettle can bring water to a boil in an enclosed space without an exposed heat source, which can be a win if you have small children with curious hands or counter-surfing pets. We will assert that the outside of most of the kettles we tested did get hot to the touch, but the handles all remained cool, even when the carafes were full of boiling water.
How do I clean an electric kettle?
Electric kettles are exceptionally easy to clean because they are intended for water only. If you use your kettle infrequently, emptying it and letting it fully dry will suffice. Some kettles are large enough to allow you to reach in and dry the interior with a towel. If not, you can turn it over to fully dry.
If you use your kettle daily, add fresh water each time. Many kettles come with a removable scale filter that fits at the spout. If you spot buildup on the filter, remove it and rinse it with warm water. Then you can dry and replace it. Depending on how hard or soft your water is, you may occasionally need to descale your kettle to remove mineral deposits. Though it sounds daunting, this process is straightforward and involves using either a commercial descaler solution for kettles or a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution to remove any deposits.
Can I use an electric kettle to heat other liquids besides water?
Although you will find many sites that tell you otherwise, our answer is no. It may seem harmless to reheat your cold coffee or warm some broth, but those liquids have residue that can damage your kettle and leach unpleasant flavors or particles into your water. Additionally, viscous liquids or those with sugars may adhere to the carafe, rendering it useless.
Our Trusted Expertise
Tiffany Vickers Davis tested each of the kettles featured in this article. She is a chef, writer and food entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. Having started out in high-profile restaurant kitchens, Tiffany now owns and operates a fresh-prepared meal company that ships nationally. Before starting her company, she was the test kitchen director at Cooking Light magazine, testing hundreds of products during her 14-year tenure with the brand. At home, she uses a very basic electric kettle to shortcut kitchen tasks and brew nightly chamomile tea, although after these tests, she is keen to level up.
This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats. She has been testing food and kitchen products for the past two years.
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