The Best Tea Kettles in 2021 (Reviewed & Compared)

A serviceable kettle—one that just boils water—is easy to find. But how does one find the best tea kettle for their kitchen? One that’s not only functional but also durable, smartly designed, not too expensive, large enough, not too big, not too heavy?

We at ComfyLiving know that a tea kettle is something tea-lovers use every day, and that’s why we’ve fine-combed the current offer for the absolute best deals on the market that are really worth spending money on. We present you with our findings.

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The Breville Smart Kettle Luxe has earned the title of the best overall kettle on this list thanks to its five pre-programmed settings for brewing black (212℉), white (185℉), green (175℉), Oolong tea (195℉), and French press coffee (200℉). On top of that, it’s got a Keep Warm feature that allows you to keep the water at a particular temperature for 20 minutes. 

The lid of this electric tea kettle, according to reviews, allows for such a smooth opening that it almost feels like it’s done in slow-motion. On the side of the kettle, you can see the water level. The numbers represent cups, seven being the maximum number of cups you can fill. Even though both the lid and the water scale on the kettle’s side are made of plastic, this is BPA-free plastic, so there’s nothing to worry about.

This kettle easily rotates around on its base. In addition to that, its elegant design that fits any kitchen interior and ease of use make it the absolute number one among our top-rated tea kettles!

Pros:

• Boils water super fast
• Five temperature settings
• Made of stainless steel
• BPA-free plastic

Cons:

• Not ideal for pour-overs 

The All-Clad tea kettle is the simplest yet the best tool your kitchen is missing.

It’s made of stainless steel and features a sloped handle that is comfortable when held in hand. In addition, it has a hinged cap that makes pouring very easy.

And believe it or not, this kettle is compatible with all cooktops. So whether you’re cooking on gas, induction, or electricity, it’s all good!

This whistling tea kettle’s classic design will fit in with any kitchen style nicely.

You can put it in your dishwasher when you need to clean it. For removing stains, we suggest using baking soda and lemon juice.

We should, however, mention that some reviewers have complained that the whistling stopped after they’ve used this kettle for some time. Several customers also noted that, despite its stainless steel construction, the kettle and its lid rusted after several months of use. However, this is not the rule, rather the exception. 

Pros:

• Classic design
• Easy pouring
• Fast heating
• Works with all cooktops

Cons:

• Handle gets hot

We love electric kettles that just perfectly fit in style-wise, and the KitchenAid 1.25-liter electric kettle is one of those! It comes in six shades, and it has a convenient On/Off switch under the handle with an LED indicator. The aluminum lid is removable, and the pouring spout features a limescale filter.

On the inside, you can see an indicator for the maximum quantity of water you should pour. The kettle features automatic shutoff, so once your water boils, the switch will go back to the Off position with a click, and you’ll know your water is ready. 

This is unquestionably one of the best electric tea kettles you can find, and it’s praised left and right for its durability, heatproof handle, and convenient shape. Note, however, that the kettle’s inside is not entirely plastic-free, which may be a deal-breaker for some tea-lovers.

Pros:

• Sleek design
• The water boils quickly
• Heatproof handle

Cons:

• Rusting after extensive use

Some people don’t like the sight of cords around their kitchen, and if you’re one of them, we suggest you check out the Cuisinart Perfectemp Cordless electric kettle.

It is a powerful 1500-watt best-rated tea kettle that can keep the water hot for 30 minutes with the Keep Warm option.

This one landed fourth on our list because you can make virtually any type of hot beverage with it using its six available presets: 160℉—delicate, 175℉—green tea, 185℉—white tea, 190℉—Oolong tea, 200℉—French press coffee, and boil—black tea.

If you take the kettle off the base for up to two minutes, it remembers the previously chosen setting and continues from there.

With the button at the top of the handle, the lid opens almost instantly and very seamlessly. It also features a filter inside to prevent limestone from ending in your cup.

It’s made out of the second-best tea kettle material—stainless steel—which will be protected by the “boil-dry protection” feature. This means that if there’s not enough water in it, it’ll stop working.

The most remarkable feature of this kettle is that the bottom is cool even immediately after you take it off the base. You can place it on any surface without the fear of damage.

Pros:

• Six preset settings
• Keep Warm option
• Made of stainless steel

Cons:

• Measurements behind the handle aren’t practical

The Krups Cool Touch kettle has got six preset options and On and Off buttons. All the controls are on the top of the handle, meaning that you can click any of them while you’re holding the kettle. Another great thing is that the handle always stays cool to the touch.

Yes, the adjustable temperature may be the best thing about this one, but there are so many other things to love about it. The Keep Warm function can keep your beverage warm for up to 30 minutes, and electric tea kettle reviews praise this kettle because you can spin it on the base. This makes it great for right-handed and left-handed use, especially since most kettles are made for right-handed use.

The kettle has a large window with a water scale in liters on its side, so the water level is always clearly visible. There is also an easily removable limescale filter you can rinse from time to time without much hassle.

Pros:

• Six preset settings
• Buttons on the handle
• Great for left-handed use

Cons:

• Sensitive lid

OXO Brew is a classic tea kettle you can just throw on your stovetop. It features an easy-open, one-touch spout cap and a handle that you can remove or rotate for both storing and pouring.

Of course, as with most stovetop tea kettles, it makes a loud whistle when your water is ready. The large opening on the top makes it very easy to fill it and clean it.

What puts OXO among the best tea kettle brands is the materials used in the production of its kettles. The stainless steel with which this kettle is made is high-grade and rust-resistant, while the heat-resistant silicone on the handle makes sure you never burn yourself when pouring water.

Bear in mind that you shouldn’t fill it beyond the bottom of the spout line to avoid water coming out of the spout as soon as it boils. However, this means you can only fill about a half of the kettle, which may annoy some users.

So, if you’re looking for the best tea kettle for a gas stove or any stovetop really, check this one out—it’s a durable and well-designed kettle that’ll last you for years.

Pros:

• Quality material
• Removable and rotating handle
• Precise spout

Cons:

• The whistle isn’t loud enough

You’ve probably already seen this stylish kettle while scrolling on Instagram or Pinterest in search of kitchen decoration ideas. And no wonder, since the ‘50s-inspired design really is to die for. The 3D logo adds to its charm, but it’s not all about how it looks; this kettle boasts some excellent functionalities, too!

If you’ve been searching for the best copper tea kettle because of its nostalgic look, allow us to persuade you to change your mind with this retro stainless steel one. The steel is powder-coated, so you know it’ll last you for ages. 

Your water will boil pretty quickly. The soft-opening lid fits perfectly with the design, and it’s mesmerizing just how smoothly it opens and closes. On top of that, this kettle is designed with ease of use in mind. You won’t have to struggle to open it, pour water, or check how much water there’s inside.

We may have put it among the best tea kettles for its design, but its functionality is quite impressive, too!

Pros:

• Gorgeous design
• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Fast boiling

Cons:

• Expensive

The next item on our list is truly unique and boasts numerous fantastic features. It’s made of high-quality borosilicate glass from Germany and assembled in the USA. It’s BPA-free, can be used on stovetops, and even though it’s made of glass, this is a whistling kettle, which is quite unusual. The design is not its strong suit as it looks a tad like a piece of laboratory equipment, but its functionality is undisputable. 

It’s the best tea kettle for an electric stove, a gas stove, or even a glass stovetop. However, bear in mind that this one isn’t compatible with induction stovetops.

Glass kettles have an upside other kettles don’t have: You can see your water boiling inside! Plus, you can easily spot when it’s dirty and wash it in your dishwasher. Finally, this kettle is also the cheapest on our list, so if you just want an affordable and durable stovetop kettle you can be sure won’t rust, the Medelco whistling kettle might just be what you’ve been looking for!

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Functional
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Must remove the lid to pour

This Bonsenkitchen’s fast-heating electric kettle is one of the two kettles on this list that come with an infuser. Using its five preset temperatures (120℉, 160℉, 175℉, 195℉, and 212℉), you can make anything from oatmeal to coffee and hot chocolate. 

It’ll take just three minutes to boil half a liter, while a full kettle will be ready in about seven minutes. Tea kettle reviews praise the fast-boiling feature, as well as the fact that it’s cordless. Plus, it’s not hot to hold even immediately after it’s done boiling. The Keep Warm option holds the heat for a long time, up to half an hour.

What we liked the most about it is that the infuser’s height can be adjusted. Say goodbye to bitter tea!

Pros:

• Five presets
• Quick boiling
• Great design

Cons:

• No sound when water is boiling

If you often get impatient waiting for your water to boil, you should definitely consider the Chefman electric kettle. Thanks to its Rapid Boiling feature, you and your friend can enjoy a cup of tea in under three minutes. Yes, that’s how fast this kettle, which doubles as a teapot, boils two cups of water. A full pot (60 ounces) will boil in about seven minutes.

The base is made of high-quality stainless steel, and so are the upper and lower part of the kettle itself, while the middle is made of borosilicate glass, and we all know that’s the best material for a tea kettle. 

On top of all of that, there are seven precise presets for all your favorite teas like white, green, Oolong, and more! This kettle doesn’t whistle, but you’ll know your water is ready thanks to the LED indicator light.

An electric tea kettle review pointed out that the infuser on this one can be difficult to extract once the tea has been brewed, so be careful when handling it.

Pros:

• Digital display
• Seven presets
• Rapid boiling

Cons:

• Loud beeping

For a tea lover, a quality kettle is just like a reliable espresso machine for a coffee-aficionado. Therefore, all the selections on our list above are quality products with excellent price-to-value ratios.

However, they differ in everything else: design, materials, capacity, whether they are stovetop or electric, whether they whistle or not… To pick the one that’ll suit you best, consider the following categories of our buyer’s guide.

Stovetop or Electric

The first thing you must decide is whether you want a stovetop or an electric kettle. 

Stovetop Kettles

Top-rated stovetop tea kettles may be best for people who like to do things the tried-and-true way. If you enjoy the ritual of preparing tea as much as the beverage itself, if you like hearing that whistling sound that tells you the water’s ready, and if the quaint retro design warms your heart, the kettle type you’ll like the best is a stovetop tea kettle. 

As a rule, these kettles are more robust and tend to be more durable. However, a downside may be that you need to monitor your stovetop kettle while boiling water, and precise temperature control is impossible with them. Plus, it takes stovetop kettles a longer time to bring water to boiling.

Electric Kettles

Electric kettles have an automatic shut-off system which means you don’t have to worry about remembering to turn them off, and you can do other things around the house. They boil water more quickly and can be pretty affordable. In short, some of the best-rated tea kettles are electric ones! 

Electric kettles have other advantages, as well. They’re energy-efficient and often have preset temperatures for making various hot beverages like a pro. However, the downside is that they’re not as durable as stovetop kettles, so you may have to replace them more often.

Cost

Of course, you don’t want to end up spending money on a very expensive kettle only to realize that it won’t last you long. Research is what will tell you if a specific kettle is worth the price tag. And we’ve researched for you!​​ After looking into the top-rated tea kettle brands, we picked both budget-friendly and more pricey options. So the kettles from our list range in price from about $20 to $200.

Stovetop Kettles

Being the more basic opton, stovetop kettles don’t vary in features and price as much as electric ones, and they’re generally cheaper. You can find great stovetop kettles between $15-$50. All you need to pay attention to is their material and durability.

Electric Kettles

There are simple electric kettles with essential features that can cost you around $15. For a  top-rated electric tea kettle with comprehensive features, however, you’ll probably have to spend between $50 and $100.

Capacity

This is another significant factor to consider. If in your household, only one person or two use the kettle, you’ll be good with a smaller, say, 32-ounce kettle. Even 16-ounce kettles can be convenient for one person. But, again, it all depends on just how much tea you want to drink!

However, if you regularly have company, you might want to choose a bigger one, with more than 50 ounces of capacity.

Stove Compatibility (Stovetop Kettles Only)

Not all stovetop kettles are compatible with all stovetops. For example, let’s say you use a gas stove. You’ll need to find the best tea kettles for gas stoves. There are also kettles that can be used on both gas and electric stoves, but not induction ones. Make sure to check this before you order your kettle.

Presets (Electric Kettles Only)

Some electric kettles come with preset options for heating the water precisely to a certain temperature required for various types of tea and even coffee. If you want to make your tea strictly following the preparation instructions to get the best taste, you’ll want to invest in a kettle with temperature presets.

Appearance

Kettles are not just practical, they can be beautiful, too. Besides, you want your kettle to match your great French door refrigerator and the rest of your kitchen style, right? Our top-rated electric kettles are not only durable and functional—they look great, too! 

Noise

Stovetop kettles whistle, electric kettles beep. Noise isn’t the most obvious criterion when choosing one of the best tea kettles, but it is important. Let’s say you make your tea early in the morning. You don’t want to wake up your partner. So, consider this too! Some kettles have very loud (or not loud enough) whistles, and some electric ones make too much noise when boiling water. 

Durability

This is a big one! Price is one of the best indicators that a tea kettle will last you. You can’t expect a $15 kettle to last you for five years and be surprised when it doesn’t.

The warranty is another sign. A good warranty is the best way for a company to back up its product’s durability.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading our article, you’ve already picked and ordered the best tea kettle for you. Just wait until you see how delightful your next cup of tea or coffee will be. And if you liked our tea kettle buyer’s guide, go and check the list of the best juicers in 2021 we’ve compiled for you. You’ll find one to go with your kettle in no time!