After Testing 24 Electric Tea Kettles, I Got the Tea on the Best Ones

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When I studied abroad in London as a college student, it opened my eyes to the wonder that is the electric tea kettle: Just fill it with water, press the tab, and a few minutes later, you can pop a tea bag in a mug and off you go. And you can do it again, and again, and again—all without having to turn on the hob, a.k.a stovetop.

When I came back stateside, my stovetop kettle reminded me of everything I missed about London—the accent, the pubs, the walkability, and the electric tea kettles. 

Luckily, electric kettles have made their way across the pond. Options abound, with simple press-the-tab-and-boil, non-variable types and the fancy choose-your-temperature, variable kinds, and both have their merits. In search of the best ones, I tested 17 electric kettles and found seven options for tea time and any time in between.

The Tests

• Speed Tests: I filled each kettle with three-and-a-half cups of 57°F water and then timed how long it took for them to bring the water to a boil. I then repeated this test with each kettle filled to its maximum capacity. 
• Accuracy Test (Variable Kettles): To test the variable kettles’ accuracy, I heated three-and-a-half cups of water to 175°F, 185°F, 190°F, and 200°F and took the temperature using an instant-read thermometer. If kettles had preset temperatures (like the Breville Luxe and Bodum) I used those preset temperatures instead. 
• Keep Warm Test: To test kettles with the ability to hold water at a specific temperature, I filled the kettles to their max capacity and set the temperature to 200°F (or close to it, depending on their presets). If they had a keep warm button/setting, I used it, and then I took the water's temperature at 15 and 30 minutes, as well as at each kettle’s max time. 
• Taste Test: After boiling a few rounds of water, I tasted the water to see if there were any off flavors. 
• Ease of Use Tests: Throughout testing, I noted if the kettles were easy to set up, use, and pour from.

What We Learned

Variable Temperature Electric Kettles vs. Non-Variable Electric Kettles

Electric kettles heat water—it’s not rocket science. Within the category of electric kettles are variable and non-variable options: Variable kettles let you choose a precise temperature, while non-variable ones simply bring water to a boil. Neither is better than the other. Instead, choosing between them depends on what you want in a kettle.

Kettle Style Pros and Cons
Kettle	Pros	Cons
Variable	•Can get precise temperatures for pour-overs and tea	• Often more expensive
Non-Variable	•Easy to use •Often affordable	• Can't home in on a specific temperature

If you want precise water temperatures for various teas or pour-over coffee, a variable kettle is the way to go. But if you just want to pop the kettle on for a cup of something hot and don’t need to go granular, a non-variable kettle is often cheaper and will do the job just fine.

Most of the Variable Temperature Electric Kettles I Tested Were Accurate

Accuracy was similarly consistent across the board. If any kettles were off, it was usually only by a degree. The Bodum was the only kettle that performed poorly in the heat accuracy test: It was off by around 10 degrees.

What's the Fastest Electric Kettle?

All the kettles I tested heated up water fairly fast: Every kettle (save for the Fellow Corvo and Fellow Stagg gooseneck kettle, which was my control) boiled three-and-a-half cups of water in under five minutes. Among my winners, the fastest were the Breville Variable, the Fellow Clyde, and the Capresso.

How Quickly the Electric Kettles Boiled Water
Kettle	Time to Boil 3.5 Cups of Water	Max Fill Amount	Time to Boil Max Water Capacity
Breville Variable Temp Luxe Kettle	4:34	57 ounces	7:39
Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle	5:26	30 ounces	5:26
OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle	4:50	60 ounces	8:33
Fellow Clyde Electric Kettle	4:34	50.7 ounces	6:27
Capresso ® H20 Tea Kettle	4:34	48 ounces	7:19
OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle	4:54	60 ounces	8:51
ZWILLING Enfinigy Cool Touch 1.5-Liter Electric Kettle Pro	4:50	48 ounces	6:48
Breville Smart Tea Infuser Compact Tea Maker	5:12	34 ounces	5:12
Balmuda Moon Kettle	5:20	30.4 ounces	5:20

Simple, Intuitive Control Panels Were Best 

Choosing winners came down more to ease of use and versatility. Most of the non-variable kettles functioned similarly: push down a tab and, when it pops up, the water is ready. But a few tried to shake up that simple design with no apparent benefit. The Breville Crystal Clear Electric Kettle had a switch instead of a tab, which was difficult to press, while the Hamilton Beach Electric Tea Kettle required pushing the tab upwards to start it, which was the opposite of every other non-variable kettle. 

When it came to variable kettles, I liked the simple dial interfaces on the Fellow Corvo and OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle, which made choosing a temperature and starting the heating process easy. Just turn the dial and press it, and the water begins to heat. (In the case of the Corvo, you press the dial to turn it on, then turn it to choose the temperature.)

Buttons were often more finicky and confusing, and were often oddly placed—both the Cuisinart and the Haden sported theirs on the upper part of the handle. The Haden was particularly perplexing to program. It has plus and minus buttons, a start/on button, and a wavy button. When pressed, none of them seemed to do what I thought they would—instead, I’d find myself somehow toggling between 200°F and 212°F without being able to start the dang thing. 

While I did prefer dials, the Breville Variable Temp Luxe Kettle had a button control panel with temperature presets on the base that was easy and intuitive to use. The only qualm I had with it was that to keep water warm, you have to press the Keep Warm button before you select your water temperature—but once you know, it’s not a big deal.

The Criteria: What to Look for in an Electric Kettle

A good electric kettle should be accurate, heat water quickly, and have a simple-to-use interface. It should also be easy to fill and pour smoothly. A sturdy, grippy handle (that's not too thick) is also a must. The good news? Most kettles I tested had all these traits. With variable kettles specifically, look for ones with dials for easy programming (though a clearly labeled button control panel, like on the Breville Variable Temp Luxe Kettle, was also fine).

Our Favorite Electric Kettles

What we liked: The gorgeous kettle features five temperature buttons on the base: 175°F, 195°F, 200°F, 205°F, and 112°F, each labeled according to what they’re good for (e.g. 175°F is best for green tea, while 200°F is preferred for a French press). This was really helpful, and I think the preset temperature options are likely sufficient for most folks’ needs. The kettle was also quick to heat up (boiling 28 ounces of water in four minutes and 34 seconds) and poured smoothly. It was accurate, too, and held water at 200°F for 20 minutes. 

What we didn’t like: It’s expensive—no buts about it. The button interface, while easy to use and nicely labeled, is limiting in terms of temperatures. This kettle kept water warm for 20 minutes, which was shorter than most other kettles with this feature. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 57 ounces
• Style: Variable
• Temperature settings: 175°F, 195°F, 200°F, 205°F, 212°F
• Keep warm: Yes, 20 minutes

What we liked: This petite, attractive kettle is super easy to use: push the dial in to start it, then turn it to select the temperature. The kettle automatically holds water at the set temperature for 60 minutes, which was the longest of the lineup. And talk about temperature options—you can toggle between 104°F to boiling. It was the only kettle I tested that offered such a wide range. 

What we didn’t like: It has a smaller capacity and when filled to the max line, it dribbled when pouring. The all-metal lid scraped against the opening and the handle on it felt jiggly. It was slower bringing water to a boil, taking five minutes and 26 seconds to heat 28 ounces of water.

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 30 ounces
• Style: Variable
• Temperature settings: 104°F to 212°F
• Keep warm: Yes, 60 minutes

What we liked: This kettle sports a simple dial control panel, allowing you to get particular about your temperature choice. It’s got a large capacity, pours smoothly, and is a fairly affordable variable kettle. I liked that it was made of glass, which made it easy to see the water level (though glass isn’t as good at retaining heat as insulated stainless steel). 

What we didn’t like: The measurement lines are white, making them difficult to see when filling the kettle with water. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 59 ounces
• Style: Variable
• Temperature settings: 170°F to 212°F
• Keep warm: Yes, 30 minutes

What we liked: When it comes to a non-variable kettle, simplicity is key—after all, this style of kettle is solely meant to boil water. The Fellow Clyde kept the design simple and chic, with a tab to start heating, a comfy silicone-lined handle that stayed cool, and a smooth pouring spout. The base was also sturdy, which wasn’t the case with most of the electric kettles I tested.  I've been using this kettle ever since, and it's still a fantastic, no-frills option.

What we didn’t like: It’s a bit big, and the exterior of the kettle gets quite hot. It’s also pricey for a non-variable kettle. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 51 ounces
• Style: Non-variable
• Temperature settings: Boil
• Keep warm: No

What we liked: With a wide opening that made filling easy, a simple start tab (with a green dot on one side and a red dot on the other), and a bicycle-bell-esque ding to alert you when your water is ready, this kettle did its job and did it well. The handle was also slim and easy to grip, making pouring easy. 

What we didn’t like: I sometimes struggled to slot the kettle onto the base, and it took a little longer (around eight minutes and 30 seconds) for it to boil its maximum capacity of water. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 57 ounces
• Style: Non-variable
• Temperature settings: Boil
• Keep warm: No

What we liked: A petite kettle that’s sub-$100, looks cute, and performs well? Count me in. This no-frills option from Capresso was fast to heat water (it boiled six cups of water in a little over seven minutes) and poured smoothly. Its small size makes it easy to tuck away if you have limited countertop space.

What we didn’t like: There's no button to spring the latch for the lid (you have to tug it open), and the opening was small, making it a little messy to fill. The “start” tab is a button on the handle, which wasn’t as audible when the water reached a boil. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 48 ounces
• Style: Non-variable
• Temperature settings: Boil
• Keep warm: No

What we liked: If you enjoy a big mug full of tea, the Zwilling can accommodate. It has a 1.5-liter capacity, one of the biggest I tested. The kettle’s touchscreen display was easy to program and understand—it was one of the few kettles whose “Keep Warm” function was as simple as pressing a symbol (in this case, three little vertical waves). It heated and held water with spot-on accuracy. The preset temperatures are varied enough to please most tea drinkers, and it even has a setting for pour-overs and one for warming baby food. The kettle has a matte metal finish that, as its name suggests, stays cool to touch—a trait most kettles can’t boast. 

What we didn’t like: When I first tried to turn it on, I tapped the power button on the touchscreen, and nothing happened. I thought it was a defective unit. I eventually figured out you have to press and hold the symbol to power it up. The kettle is quite large and bulky. The lid is hinged, so it doesn’t open fully, which makes it difficult to fill. While the kettle body looks sleek, the plastic handle and lid bring it down a notch. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 1.5 liters (about 6 cups)
• Style: Variable
• Temperature settings: 140°F, 160°F, 175°F, 212°F, pour-over, baby food 
• Keep warm: Yes, 30 minutes
  

What we liked: This cute, compact kettle has a built-in tea strainer so you can brew a whole pot of your favorite looseleaf tea. It has water temperature and steep time settings, and both have assertive beeps you can’t miss. Another nice touch: The lid attaches magnetically to the tea steeper, so it’s easy to pull the steeper out, then replace the lid to keep the tea warm. The carafe’s V-shaped lip pours smoothly, too. 

What we didn’t like: Like some of the other Breville kettles, it was unclear how to engage the “Keep Warm” feature. It took a little over five minutes to boil 3.5 cups of water, which was on the slower side compared to other kettles. I struggled to remove the lid from the steeper. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 1 liter (about 4.25 cups)
• Style: Variable
• Temperature settings: 175°F, 185°F, 195°F, 200°F, 212°F 
• Keep warm: Yes, 30 minutes

What we liked: Do you need a $260 electric kettle? Probably not. But if you live for beautiful aesthetic details, then this kettle from Balmuda is for you. It looks more like a teapot than a kettle, with a pretty curved spout and tall, arching handle. And, instead of a stodgy beep, this kettle serenades you with a little piano ditty and a tick-tock sound when it starts to heat. When the water is ready, more piano tunes play, and a circular light gently pulses underneath the kettle. I liked the simple control panel, which features a dial on the side to adjust the temperature and a simple two-button system: one to start it and one to keep warm. 

What we didn’t like: The body is made of plastic. For such an expensive kettle, I expected higher-quality materials. It was off by a few degrees in my temperature tests. The lid took some effort to pop off. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 0.9 liters (a little under 4 cups)
• Style: Variable
• Temperature settings: 122°F to 212°F
• Keep warm: Yes, 30 minutes
  

What we liked: With a wide range of temperatures (104°F to 212°F) and a curved, gooseneck spout, this kettle is designed with pour-overs in mind. The Stagg makes it easy to control the flow and direction of water, ensuring evenly saturated coffee grounds and a smooth final cup. 

What we didn’t like: It has a small capacity, and the lid leaks when pouring (even when it’s not even close to being full). 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 30 ounces
• Style: Variable
• Temperature settings: 104°F to 212°F
• Keep warm: Yes, 1 hour

The Competition

Also Recommended

• Breville IQ Kettle: While it was off by a few degrees in my temperature accuracy tests, the IQ was otherwise a solid kettle. It pours smoothly, heats up quickly, and the UI is mostly intuitive. My only gripe was the “Keep Warm” function. The manual states that it automatically turns on after the kettle finishes heating, but I couldn’t tell if it was working. Pressing the Keep Warm button didn’t seem to engage it. 
• Dualit Classic Kettle: This push-tab kettle boils quickly and looks nice, but for $200, I’d expect it to be variable. 
• Aarke Electric Kettle: This sleek, elegant kettle boils water quickly and pours smoothly. However, the small base felt light and tippy, and slid around my countertop. For the price, I would have liked a “keep warm” feature. 
• OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle: Nearly identical in looks to the OXO variable kettle, this non-variable option performed well, boiling three-and-a-half cups of water in less than five minutes. 
• Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle: This is another solid, no-frills non-variable kettle that lights up blue when the tab is pushed down, so you know it’s heating up. The base was lightweight and prone to flipping over without the kettle on top weighing it down. 
• Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle: While this kettle performed well (it was fast and poured smoothly), I didn’t love the buttons on the handle. The model was also a wee bit off regarding temperature accuracy, though only by two degrees. But, overall, it’s still a solid kettle. 
• Balmuda Moon Kettle: This is a gorgeous kettle—and it's charming, too. Its base lights up, and it plays a jingle when it begins heating. However, it's very expensive. At 30 ounces, its capacity is on the small side.

Not Recommended

• KitchenAid KEK1222PT 1.25-Liter Electric Kettle: This pretty little kettle was a letdown. First, the cord is only 14 inches long. The arched handle is near the opening, which makes it difficult to fill. It’s uncomfortable to hold while pouring.
• SMEG Electric Kettle: While this non-variable kettle performed just fine and has a cute, vintage aesthetic, it’s nearly the same price as my top variable kettle. It also felt cheap and plasticky. 
• Bodum Bistro Electric Water Kettle: This kettle has some odd temperature presets (140ºF; 158ºF; 176ºF; 194ºF; 212°F) and a stiff dial interface. It also struggled with accuracy, routinely heating water nine to 10 degrees cooler than what I’d set it to.  
• HADEN Dorchester Kettle: This kettle felt cheaply made, and the metal lid was hot to handle and hard to remove. The button control panel on the handle was poorly placed and confusing to program. 
• Hamilton Beach Electric Tea Kettle: This kettle had a small opening, making it difficult to fill. While most non-variable kettles had a tab meant to be pushed down to start it, this kettle’s tab had to be pushed upwards—not a big deal, but why? The handle was slippery and got larger towards the top, which made it more difficult to hold and press the button to open the lid. 
• Breville the Crystal Clear Electric Kettle: Instead of a traditional tab, this non-variable option has a switch that was difficult to press (and felt a little loose). The handle was also a bit wide and uncomfortable to hold. Overall, for the price, you could get something better.
• Krups Cool Touch Plastic and Stainless Steel Electric Kettle: When you push the lid shut it snaps violently down. Plus, it has a very thin, light base that wobbles when you put the kettle on it. There aren’t any measurement markings other than a max-fill line inside.
  

FAQs

How long does an electric kettle last?

Like many an electric appliance, kettles do have finite lifespans, though if you treat ‘em well (occasionally letting them soak with descaler to reduce the risk of mineral buildup), they should last years. 

How fast does an electric kettle heat water?

Most of the electric kettles we tested boiled three-and-a-half cups of water (a standard amount we used to test speed) in less than five minutes, with a few outliers climbing just over that time. Max water capacity (which ranged between 30 and 59 ounces) boiling times differed more, but that’s par for the course when you’re boiling different amounts of water.

How do you clean an electric kettle?

Like a drip coffee maker, electric kettles can be prone to scale buildup from water—the good news is, all you need to clean them is some descaler and hot water. To do so, just fill the kettle with hot water, add the descaler, give it a stir, and let it sit for a bit. Then, empty the kettle, give it a good rinse, and you’re ready to brew more tea.

Why We're the Experts

• Grace Kelly is a senior editor at Serious Eats, where she’s been testing gear for three years. 
• She’s worked in test kitchens, as a prep cook and bartender, and as a magazine and environmental journalist.  
• Grace tested more than 15 electric kettles for this review, examining their speed, heat retention, accuracy, and overall user-friendliness. 
• We first tested electric kettles in 2016 and have updated this review frequently since then.
• We recently tested the new Balmuda Moon Kettle. It's gorgeous, but we found it hard to recommend given its exorbitant price.