While a new tea kettle may not be the most significant or exciting purchase for the average person, it's certainly an important decision for tea lovers. Choosing the right kettle ensures your tea brewing or french press coffee session goes safely and smoothly. Plus, a great tea kettle can serve as both a practical cooking tool to boil water and a piece of stylish kitchen decor.
That's why we've rounded up the best tea kettles available in 2021, along with some helpful information on how to pick the perfect kettle for your water heating needs. There's something for every kitchen with everything from electric kettles to stainless steel kettles to traditional whistling tea kettles.
How to Pick the Perfect Electric and Stovetop Tea Kettle:
Not all tea kettles are created equal. While it's easy to assume that a cheap kettle can do the trick, it's worth splurging on a nice kettle if you plan to use it frequently. More expensive kettles typically offer additional features that streamline the brewing process.
These days, there is a wide range of styles, materials, power sources, and features to choose from, so here are a few tips on how to select the right tea kettle:
Electric vs. Stovetop
The first thing you'll need to do is determine if you want a classic stovetop tea kettle or a modern electric tea kettle. Electric kettles can boil water faster and may come with preset temperatures. Stovetop kettles are more budget-friendly, easier to find, and have more designs to choose from. While an electric kettle can offer convenience, a classic tea kettle creates a more traditional tea-making experience.
Budget vs. Quality
Today, there are tea kettles out there ranging from budget-friendly to mind-bogglingly expensive, so you'll need to determine how much you're looking to spend on a product. If you opt for an electric kettle, you'll likely want to splurge a bit to ensure the materials and heating element operate safely and are designed to last.
Material
While the most commonly used material is stainless steel, cast iron and glass are also used to create more stylish kettles. Avoid anything with cheap, plastic parts that can warp and melt in high heat conditions.
While glass kettles are more appealing in design, they don't last as long as other materials like stainless steel or cast iron. On the other hand, cast iron stovetop tea kettles are heavier to lift than glass or lightweight stainless steel.
Design and Color
If you expect your tea kettle to spend a good deal of time on your stovetop or countertop, it's worth getting a kettle that's more than just functional. Consider what shape and style you like best and what color would best compliment your kitchen decor scheme.
Safety Features
If you opt for an electric kettle, look for safety features like auto shut-off and dry-boil prevention that help reduce the risk of burns, fires, and other safety hazards. Models without these added features aren't worth wasting your time or money on.
If you are looking for a stovetop, look for safety features like a whistling kettle that lets you know when water is boiling.
Stay-Cool Handle with Grips
To prevent slips and burns, look for kettles with handle grips that keep the handle cool to the touch and enhance your grip while you pour. Most high-quality kettles on the market are designed with a silicone handle cover.
LCD Display and Adjustable Settings
While electric kettles used to only offer one temperature, many now come with an LCD display that gives you an accurate read-out of the water temperature and allows you to select from preset heat settings to optimize your brew.
Water Capacity
Tea kettles come in a wide range of sizes, so you'll need to decide if you're looking for something compact or something that can heat enough water for the whole family. Most kettles range from quick heating .75 Qt. models to larger 3 Qt. styles for making multiple cups.
Keep Warm Setting
Many electric tea kettles come with a keep warm setting that holds the water at the designated temperature for around 30 minutes to an hour, making it easy to refill your mug when it's time for another cup.
Easy To Clean
Even though you boil and heat water in the kettle, you will still need to occasionally clean it to remove any built-up scale residue or mineral buildup. Kettle with a large lid opening is easier to clean, as you can fit your hand into the pot, while a smaller opening will require a brush. Most tea kettles are hand wash only, but some are dishwasher safe. If you are seeking a dishwasher safe option, be sure to check before purchasing.
Below, we've rounded up the best tea kettles and electric kettles available in 2021
ASCOT Electric Tea Kettle & Hot Water Boiler
Best Overall
Searching for something that's reliable and user-friendly? You can't go wrong with this Electric Tea Kettle and Hot Water Boiler from ASCOT. It boils a full 1.7 liters/ 10 cups in just three to four minutes and offers auto-shutoff and dry broil protection to assure safe operation every time. The minimalist design features a large handle, rounded spout, and a fully removable lid— all made from food-grade stainless steel to ensure this kettle is 100% BPA-free. The handle also comes with an anti-scald silicone grip that keeps it cool to the touch and assists with pouring. While it's compact enough to tuck into a cabinet or pantry, it's certainly stylish enough to leave out at all times.
Capacity— 1.7 Liters
Material— Stainless steel
Type— Electric
Deeoutlife Modern Whistling Tea Kettle
Best Whistling Tea Kettle
This Modern Whistling Tea Kettle from Deeoutlife offers an elegant take on your classic stainless steel tea kettle. It's made from five layers of food-grade 430 surgical stainless steel, iron, and aluminum for fast heating and has a mirror-polished body that brings an elevated feel to the kettle. The European style design adds a touch of luxury to your stove top— especially when it lets out its signature whistle when boiling. For safe and easy pouring, it has a grip-open design and heat-resistant silicone handle to help avoid spills and steam burns. It's suitable for use on almost all cooktops, including electric stoves, gas stoves, induction stoves.
Capacity— 3 Liters
Material— Stainless steel
Type— Stovetop kettle
Breville One-Touch Tea Maker
Worth The Splurge
If you're a true tea lover, this Breville One-Touch Tea Maker is well worth the splurge. The compact tea kettle makes brewing tea easier than ever, thanks to a host of user-friendly features. Its LCD display shows both actual temperature and 'time since brew' and offers fully customizable brew temperature and time settings, along with a preset menu that automatically adjusts the water temperature to optimize steeping for that particular tea. Additionally, it offers useful settings like delayed start, keep warm, and agitate, which loosens tea leaves to improve infusion.
Plus, the glass tea kettle comes complete with a dishwasher-safe tea infuser for loose leaf teas. Amazingly, it automatically lowers itself into the water and lifts out when done to prevent over-steeping.
Capacity— 1.5 Liters
Material— Glass
Type— Electric
Pukomc Electric Kettle with Thermometer
Most Stylish
Looking for a stylish electric tea kettle that's a bit more straightforward? This Pukomc Electric Kettle with Thermometer offers easy one-touch switch operation and a convenient thermometer dial for monitoring water temperature during heating. A window into the kettle allows you to monitor water levels and keep an eye on boiling water. It's made from high-grade stainless steel with a uniquely angled spout for easy filling. Handy features like automatic shut-off and dry-burn prevention not only increase safety but save energy too. Not to mention, the sleek design looks far more stylish than other kettles when left out on your countertop or table.
Capacity— 1.8 Liters
Material— Stainless steel
Kettle Type— Electric
Brim Gooseneck Stainless Steel Kettle with Wood Handle
Best Stainless Steel Tea Kettle
Want something that'll help you create the perfect pour-over coffee or cup of tea? Brim's Gooseneck Stainless Steel Kettle with Wood Handle is designed to optimize your brewing experience. Its LCD panel displays an accurate real-time water temperature to ensure you reach the correct water temperature for the beverage you're brewing. While its temperature settings are fully customizable, it also offers six preset temperature options ranging from 140 degrees to boiling. Plus, the keep-warm setting keeps the water inside at your desired temperature for up to one hour. And on top of that, the unique gooseneck design makes the kettle a piece of stylish kitchen decor too.
Capacity— 0.8 Liters
Material— Stainless steel
Type— Electric
Staub Enameled Cast Iron Round Tea Kettle
Best Enameled
Staub's Enameled Cast Iron Round Tea Kettle offers superior performance, style, and durability thanks to its innovative enamel coating. The cast-iron kettle also has a matte black enamel interior that won't absorb flavors or odors during brewing. The durable finish is rust-resistant and won't chip or crack— even after countless years of use. Unlike most kettles made of cast iron, this stovetop kettle is entirely dishwasher-safe instead of hand wash-only.
The minimalist design is made in France and is available in five sleek color options inspired by fine ceramics: sapphire blue, graphite silver, matte black, grenadine, and cherry red. It's designed to go right from the stovetop to the tabletop and keeps its contents warm long after you take it off the heat.
Capacity— 1 Quart
Material— Cast iron
Type— Stovetop kettle
When it comes to electric stainless steel kettles, it doesn't get much better than this Perfectemp Programmable Electric Stainless Steel Tea Kettle from Cuisinart. The 1500-watt cordless electric tea kettle offers six preset temperature options, including a French Press preset for your morning cup of joe. It also has a keep warm setting that keeps your water at the precise temperature of your choice. Safety features like auto shut-off and dry boil protection and a stay-cool nonslip handle make this electric kettle one of the safest on the market. While it isn't the most stylish kettle out there, it's certainly one of the most practical for everyday use in a home or office kitchen.
Capacity— 1.7 Liters
Material— Stainless steel
Type— Electric
TOWA Workshop Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot
Best Cast Iron
If you are looking to make tea for two, then look no further than this TOWA Workshop Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot. With this traditional Japanese tetsubin design, you can make your tea in style. Not to mention, this tea kettle can add style to any kitchen. The cast iron material can improve the quality of the water by releasing iron ions and absorbing chloride ions in water. This results in sweeter and softer water that is perfect for making tea.
Capacity— 0.65 Liters
Material— Cast iron
Type— Stovetop
