The Very Best Tea Kettles, According to Our Very Particular Testing

If your daily routine includes tea or pour-over coffee, you need a solid kettle that will withstand daily use and perform well. But the options for kettles abound in terms of different types, designs, and abilities (we should know—we’ve tested more than 30 across all of our reviews).

To that end, we’ve created a guide to finding the right kettle for you. Below you’ll find winners from our reviews of stovetop, electric, and gooseneck kettles, information to illuminate your search for the best tea kettle for you, and answers to kettle questions you didn’t even know you had.

Things to Consider

What Kind of Kettle Should I Buy?

Admittedly, there is a lot of tea gear for those who love the drink, but first things first. There are three main kettle categories: stovetop, electric, and gooseneck. Traditional stovetop kettles have the benefits of simplicity and familiarity on their side. You pour water into the kettle, place it on a stovetop burner, and heat until the kettle whistles its signal that your water is boiling. But if you’re looking for more features, your best bet is on an electric or gooseneck kettle. 

Electric kettles sit on your counter (freeing up your stovetop), automatically—and quietly—shut off once they heat water to boiling, and generally heat water a smidge faster than stovetop kettles. Plus, electric kettles can come with additional useful functions. Some allow you to select a specific temperature for your water (more on that below) or offer a “keep warm” button.

Gooseneck kettles are a necessity if you’re making pour-over coffee. This type of kettle is characterized by its thin, narrow, angled spout that allows you to pour from the kettle with control—essential for that concentric circle, pour-over motion that leads to more consistent coffee extraction. You can find both stovetop and electric gooseneck kettles, though our preference runs towards electric for speed and temperature accuracy.

Variable Vs. Non-Variable Kettles

When it comes to electric kettles, the options break down further into two categories: variable and non-variable. A variable-temperature electric kettle (like our favorite electric and gooseneck models from Fellow) can be dialed to a specific degree, or in some models, to a preset temperature range. A non-variable temperature kettle won’t offer that control, and instead have a simple on/off switch. Plus, these kettles will automatically turn off once they reach boiling. 

You will invest more in a variable temperature kettle than a non-variable kettle, but depending on your favorite teas and your coffee habits, it’s worth it. Robust black tea can withstand truly boiling water, but other varieties of tea benefit from steeping with a lower water temperature. Most green and white teas are best steeped in lower temperature water around 160–170℉, and water for steeping oolong tea is generally heated to 185–205℉. The ideal coffee brewing temperature is around 200℉. For manual coffee brewing methods such as French press and pour-over, you may want the control a variable temperature kettle gives you so you can reach 200℉ and stay there, avoiding the bitterness that can come with over-extraction using hotter water. (Though, if you have a non-variable temperature kettle that comes to a boil and begins to pour after the bubbles settle—about 30 seconds—you should be in the right ballpark for coffee brewing.)

Stovetop Kettles

When shopping for stovetop kettles, rest assured that boil speed is relatively consistent. In our stovetop kettle testing, there was a less than 2-minute difference between the fastest-heating kettle and slowest-heating kettles. We also discovered that a silicone covering on a handle goes a long way toward keeping it from being too hot to the touch.

The Best Overall Stovetop Kettle

Fellow Clyde Stovetop Tea Kettle

$99 $87 at Amazon

What we liked: This kettle did not win our speed test (it came eighth in a field of 10), but it only took a minute longer to bring water to a boil than the fastest kettle. The design is not only attractive and unique, it’s also comfortable to use and easy to tilt and pour at any angle and it sports a silicone-coated handle. And setting it apart further is the lack of a spout cover, meaning you don’t need to worry about flipping something hot or a blast of steam shooting at you. We particularly liked the reeds in its spout, which whistled pleasantly when the kettle came to a boil. 

What we didn’t like: This kettle is not induction cooktop compatible. If you have an induction cooktop, we recommend the Le Creuset model below.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel; silicone
• Stated capacity: 1.8 quarts
• Weight (when empty): 1 lbs 13.4 ounces
• Good to know: Not induction compatible

The Fastest-Boiling Stovetop Kettle

Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle

$129 at Amazon

What we liked: This kettle is the fastest stovetop model of the bunch, if speed is a concern for you. Its traditional handle attaches at both ends but folds to one side for easy cleaning. It’s slightly less comfortable to use than the Fellow Clyde model, requiring you to angle your wrist and arm to pour, but unlike a few other models in the lineup, it isn’t loose enough to swing away from you as you pour. Bonus: If you have an induction cooktop, this is the stovetop kettle for you. 

What we didn’t like: The handle became hot after a prolonged time on the stovetop. The lid could also be hard to remove at times.

Key Specs

• Materials: Lightweight carbon steel, porcelain enamel
• Stated capacity: 1.7 quarts
• Weight (when empty): 3 pounds
• Good to know: Induction compatible; comes in a variety of colors

The Best Budget Stovetop Kettle

OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle

$55 at Amazon

What we liked: Our budget option won’t break the bank, and it has the benefit of placing second in our 1.5-quart speed boil test. The silicone grip on the handle keeps things cool.

What we didn’t like: Just beware of a slight sway while tilting the kettle to pour. When tilted too far, water tended to rush out.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Stated capacity: 1.7 quarts
• Weight (when empty): 1 lb 15 ounces
• Good to know: Not induction compatible

Electric Kettles

A good electric kettle should heat quickly, stay cool to the touch, be easy to pour from and pour water at a steady, smooth rate instead of glugging out. We tested both variable and non-variable kettles. Know that you’ll pay more for a good variable kettle than a solid non-variable kettle.

The Best SUPER Variable Temperature Electric Kettle

Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle

$165 at Amazon

What we liked: Compact and simple, the Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle heats water fast, and the temperature settings are accurate. The single knob is easy to use and allows you to set the temperature at any degree between 135–212℉ and the LED screen shows the set temperature and current temperature. Plus, the kettle can hold its temperature for up to an hour. 

What we didn’t like: This model is best for those who are okay with a smaller capacity kettle, as it holds only .9 liters (just under 4 cups), as opposed to the more commonly found 1.7-liter (about 7 cups) kettles. Of course, it’s pricey.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel; plastic
• Stated capacity: 0.9 liters
• Good to know: Variable temperature range of 135°F-212°F

The Best Variable Temperature Electric Kettle

Breville Smart Kettle Luxe

$200 at Amazon

What we liked: With five labeled temperature settings, a substantial capacity (more than seven cups!), and the ability to heat quickly and pour smoothly, we liked how easy this kettle was to use. Its sleek, stainless steel exterior didn't hurt things either.

What we didn't like: It's quite expensive and its temperature setting hold only lasts for 20 minutes (much shorter than the Fellow Corvo).

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel; glass; plastic
• Stated capacity: 1.7 liters
• Good to know: Has a soft opening, hinged lid

A Budget Electric Option

OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle

$105 $98 at Amazon

What we liked: While this kettle from OXO still costs about $100, it's far, far superior to other budget-friendly models. It has simple controls and a large capacity, and is see-through so always know how much water's in it.

What we didn't like: It's more breakable than stainless steel models and its measurement markers are harder to see.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel; glass; plastic
• Stated capacity: 1.75 liters
• Good to know: Has a 30-minute keep warm setting

Gooseneck Kettles

Pour-over coffee fans, this one’s for you. Gooseneck kettles control the flow rate of water due to their design, with the spout attached at the bottom of the kettle. You can find electric and stovetop gooseneck kettles, though we prefer electric models from a speed perspective.

The Best Gooseneck Kettle

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle

$165 at Amazon

What we liked: As with the Fellow model in our electric kettle lineup, the Fellow Stagg EKG is remarkably accurate at meeting temperature settings. Additionally, this model features a counterweight handle, making it comfortable to pour from regardless of how full the kettle is. And of course, it’s attractive to look at. You can find this model in 13 different colorways, with classic options including matte black or white, stainless steel, and polished copper, as well as a variety of options featuring wooden handles and a colored body. 

What we didn’t like: Ouch, this is one expensive kettle!

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel; plastic
• Stated capacity: 0.9 liters
• Good to know: Holds temperature for 1 hour; variable temperature range of 135-212°F

The Best Non-Variable Gooseneck Kettle

Hario V60 "Buono" Electric Gooseneck Kettle

$94 $85 at Amazon

What we liked: If you don’t need a temperature control function, the Hario kettle will suit your needs. The spout is easy to pour from and control, and this model is particularly easy to clean, thanks to its stainless steel body. And, if you like the simplicity of this design but prefer a stovetop kettle, the non-electric version is a solid choice, albeit one that takes much longer to heat. 

What we didn’t like: This feature-free kettle also has a shorter cord.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel; plastic
• Stated capacity: 0.8 liters
• Good to know: Also available as a stovetop gooseneck kettle

FAQs

How do you clean an electric kettle?

In most cases, you can expect to wipe the kettle clean with a damp cloth and periodically use a descaler to remove mineral deposits. 

How do you descale a tea kettle? 

You can use a coffee descaler, but risk a mess if you boil the descaling liquid and cause it to foam over. A simple less-mess alternative: Dissolve two tablespoons of citric acid in one quart of water, and pour it into your kettle. Heat your stovetop kettle, or turn on your electric kettle. After it heats, pour out the descaling liquid, and be sure to thoroughly rinse with water.

Why do tea kettles whistle? Do all tea kettles whistle?

Stovetop kettles whistle thanks to the design of their spouts. Most stovetop kettles have two plates placed near each other in the spout, with a hole in the center of each plate to allow steam to go through it. As steam pushes in through a kettle’s spout, the steam makes its way through the hole in the first plate and creates a jet. The jet is unstable and creates vibrations as it pushes through the second hole resulting in the whistling sound you hear. Not all stovetop kettles whistle. (Though, we love that our favorite stovetop kettle still whistles despite not having a spout cover. Two reeds hidden inside the spout create a whistle letting you know the water is ready.)

To know when an electric kettle is done, you can listen for a loud “click” to know your water is heated, or see if the model you purchase has a feature such as a bell ding or LED light to alert you.

What’s the best tea kettle?

It depends on your needs. If you prefer the traditional look and feel of a stovetop kettle, our top pick is the Fellow Clyde Stovetop Tea Kettle. If you’re looking for an electric kettle that’s got all the bells (though, as previously clarified, no whistles) we like the Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle, but for a simple and easy-to-use option, we turn to the Breville Soft Top Pure Tea Kettle. If you’re in need of a gooseneck kettle, the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle is a great variable kettle choice.

Why We're the Experts

• Katy O'Hara is a contributor and freelance writer. She previously worked at America's Test Kitchen.
• We've tested oodles of tea kettles, including electric ones, gooseneck kettles, and stovetop models.