We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Kitchen Products Cooking Tools The 8 Best Electric Kettles You Can Buy Online Heat up your water with the push of a button. By Kalea Martín Kalea Martín Kalea Martín has written over 1,000 articles published across a variety of nationally distributed outlets. Her extensive lifestyle and commerce coverage highlights everything from recipe reviews to product recommendations. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 01, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / David Hattan Water for tea can be heated in a pot on the stove, in a teapot, or even in the microwave, but these methods can often be slow and leave you guessing when the water is at the ideal temperature. An electric kettle offers more convenience and control over the heating process, as many models have a keep warm or temperature hold setting. Unlike a non-electric kettle, you can also choose what temperature or temperature range to heat the water to for specific teas like green, oolong, and more. While electric kettles all produce the same end result of hot water, models vary in their temperature settings, speed, and water capacity. Some of them may have multiple presets, while others only have an off and on switch. If you’re not sure which is right for you, we’ve compared the features, prices, and performances of different electric kettles to give you a better idea. For expert advice on how to shop for and care for any electric kettle, we also talked to Jess Farinha, a home appliance expert and the founder of London House Cleaners, as well as Johny Morrisson, a coffee connoisseur, barista, and creator of Coffee About. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Ninja Electric Kettle at Amazon $90 Jump to Review Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Digital Cool Touch Kettle at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best Glass: OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle at Amazon $105 Jump to Review Best Large: Chefman Precision Temp Control Kettle at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Cosori Glass Electric Kettle at Amazon $28 Jump to Review Best Gooseneck: Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle at Amazon $164 Jump to Review Best for Tea: Breville The Tea Maker at Amazon $300 Jump to Review Fastest: GoveeLife Smart Electric Kettle at Amazon $90 Jump to Review Best Overall Ninja Electric Kettle PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $90 $80 at Amazon $80 at Wayfair $80 at Walmart What Stands Out It heats up quickly and offers full temperature control at a lower price point. What Could Be Improved There is no option to pre-program or save your temperature settings. Any task that requires hot water will certainly be a lot easier with the help of the Ninja KT200 Electric Kettle. You can set it to any temperature you want ranging from 105 to 212°F, choose from six different drink presets, or simply press the boil button. Moreover, its 1500-watt heating element can bring one cup of water to a full boil in only 90 seconds. During this process, the kettle lights up and displays a live temperature reading of the water inside. The inside of the kettle is stainless steel, and it also contains a filter that traps limescale and can be removed and washed when needed. Even with all these special features, the price of this kettle only comes to about $80, which is lower than several other options. Perhaps the only inconvenient aspect about this kettle is that you can't save your temperature settings so you will have to re-enter them every time, however there is a hold button that maintains the selected temperature for 30 minutes. Capacity: 56 ounces (1.67 liters) | Temperature Control: Precise, Preset | Temperature Settings: 105 to 212°F, Hold Temp, Boil | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Interior Material: Stainless Steel Best Budget Hamilton Beach Digital Cool Touch Kettle PHOTO: Amazon $45 at Amazon $45 at Wayfair $50 at Target What Stands Out Despite its lower price, it is still made of stainless steel and features temperature controls. What Could Be Improved The kettle doesn’t have any measurement lines except for a max fill line at 1.7 liters. Many electric kettles can cost upwards of $100, but this Hamilton Beach Digital Temperature Control Kettle is priced at under $50. While it doesn't give you complete control over the temperature, it does give you five different temperatures to choose from, and a digital display shows you the current temperature of the water inside. There’s also a Keep Warm option for added convenience. Ideal for those who prefer to avoid plastic kettles, the inside of this electric kettle is made of BPA-free stainless steel. The outside is coated in a material that stays cool to the touch even when the water inside is piping hot. It’s worth noting that while the kettle can hold 1.7 liters of water, it doesn’t have measurement markings, only a max fill line. Capacity: 1.7 liters | Temperature Control: Preset | Temperature Settings: 175°F, 180°F, 190°F, 200°F, 212°F, Keep Warm | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Interior Material: Stainless steel Best Glass OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle PHOTO: Amazon $105 at Amazon $105 at Kohls.com $105 at Crate & Barrel What Stands Out The glass is durable and can withstand thermal shock. What Could Be Improved It can be difficult to clean because the opening is fairly narrow. Glass electric kettles certainly have visual appeal, but they’re also practical because they allow you to see exactly when the water boils, and don't impart a metallic or plastic taste to your water. This Oxo Adjustable Temperature Kettle is made from durable borosilicate glass, and is BPA-free, shatterproof, and resistant to thermal shock. In addition to being able to go quickly from one temperature extreme to another without cracking, the detachable kettle has a silicone-protected bottom, helping to further prevent breakage when placed on a counter or tabletop. The temperature dial, located on the base of the kettle, can be adjusted to heat up water to anywhere between 170 and 212°F. Once the water reaches the set temperature, the heating element will maintain that temperature for 30 minutes, or until you remove the kettle from the base. The only notable downside of this kettle is its smaller opening, which may make it hard to hand wash, though does not affect the boiling process. Capacity: 1.75 liters | Temperature Control: Precise | Temperature Settings: 170 to 212°F | Weight: 4 pounds | Interior Material: Glass and stainless steel Best Large Chefman Precision Temp Control Kettle PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $50 $45 at Amazon View on Chefman.com Orig. $80 $60 at Kohls.com What Stands Out It’s designed to boil 1.8 liters of water at a time. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t do the best job at keeping water hot. Large capacity electric kettles are useful when you need a lot of boiling water at once. While most large kettles only have a stop and start button, the Chefman Electric Tea Kettle lets you choose from five different temperatures ranging from 160 to 212°F. It can also boil 1.8 liters of water at a time in as little as three minutes. It’s easy to monitor the boiling process due to the device’s transparent view window, and indicator lights—blue when in standby, red when boiling, and green when ready to serve. Unfortunately there is no keep warm button on this kettle so it isn’t the best at retaining heat. However, it automatically enters a keep warm mode when the water is finished boiling, which will stay on for 20 minutes before shutting off. Capacity: 1.8 liters | Temperature Control: Preset | Temperature Settings: 160 to 212°F (increments of 5°F) | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Interior Material: Stainless steel Cosori Glass Electric Kettle PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $28 $25 at Amazon $60 at Walmart View on Cosori.com What Stands Out Operating this kettle is straightforward, and a blue light lets you know when it’s boiling. What Could Be Improved The heating element produces a lot of noise as it heats up the water. If you want a kettle that can give you boiling water with the press of a button, but you don't have any specific temperature requirements, you can’t go wrong with this basic Cosori Electric Glass Kettle. After filling the kettle with water, all you have to do is plug it in, flip the switch on the handle, and the water will begin to heat up. When ready, the water comes out of a drip-free spout, and the lid is scald-proof for good measure. There are no complicated features to figure out with this electric kettle, just a blue LED light to let you know that it’s turned on and actively heating up the water. Equipped with a powerful British Strix thermostat and a high wattage, it quickly heats water, though it can become noisy during the boiling process. Capacity: 1.7 liters | Temperature Control: None | Temperature Settings: None | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Interior Material: Glass and stainless steel Best Gooseneck Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle PHOTO: Amazon $164 at Amazon $165 at Sur La Table $195 at Bloomingdales What Stands Out It allows you to customize the exact temperature of the water. What Could Be Improved It can only hold 0.9 liters of water. Heating up water may be the main function of an electric kettle, but the design of the spout can also make a big difference. The spout shape of the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck allows water to come out slower and steadier, making it ideal for pour-over coffee or steeping delicate teas. Additionally, you can adjust its temperature all the way from 104 to 212°F, set a brew timer, and hold the temperature for one hour. With a capacity of 0.9 liters of water, this kettle is on the smaller side, so you’ll have to frequently refill it if you need a lot of hot water. On the plus side, it heats up fairly quickly — about four minutes for all 0.9 liters — thanks to its 1200 watt heating element. Capacity: 0.9 liters | Temperature Control: Precise | Temperature Settings: 104 to 212°F, Hold | Weight: 2.75 pounds | Interior Material: Stainless steel Best for Tea Breville The Tea Maker PHOTO: Williams Sonoma $300 at Amazon $300 at Williams-Sonoma View on Breville.com What Stands Out There are presets for multiple tea varieties, and settings that allow you to adjust the strength of your tea. What Could Be Improved The glass of the detachable kettle isn’t very strong and can’t be purchased separately if it breaks. If you plan to use your electric kettle primarily to brew tea, the Breville Tea Maker will streamline the whole process. It works a lot like a basic coffee maker: simply fill the steeper basket with any loose leaf tea of your choice using the pre-measured scoop, and fill the machine with water. From there you can select from five different tea types, pick your tea’s strength level, and it will brew and steep it according to these settings. When brewing teas other than green, black, oolong, white, or herbal tea, you can also program your own preset with a custom brew temperature and steep time. If you’re not ready to drink your tea right away, there’s also a keep warm button, which can keep your tea warm for as long as one hour. Or, you can also select auto-start and program the kettle to begin brewing at a set time every day. The base of the appliance is stainless steel, but the pitcher itself is made out of glass. Bear in mind that customers have noted that the glass isn’t the most durable, so it’s important to handle it with care. Capacity: 51 ounces | Temperature Control: Precise, Preset | Temperature Settings: 160 to 212°F (increments of 5°F), Keep Warm | Weight: 5.22 pounds | Interior Material: Stainless steel and glass Fastest GoveeLife Smart Electric Kettle PHOTO: Amazon $90 at Amazon $129 at Bed Bath & Beyond What Stands Out It can bring 1.7 liters of water to a boil in as little as five minutes. What Could Be Improved You have to download an app if you want full control over the settings. Having an electric kettle that heats up water extra fast can save you time in the kitchen, especially if you have a busy morning or need quick access to hot water. At 1500 watts, the Govee Life Smart Electric Kettle can boil 1.7 liters of water in just five to seven minutes. If there’s a specific temperature you prefer your water to be, you can customize it down to the degree, or program four different presets to suit your preferences. This kettle can also keep water hot for as long as two hours, reducing the need for frequent reheating. For added convenience, you can also control these settings through a mobile app, which means as long as it’s already filled with water, you can even start the boiling process while you're still in bed or on your way home. The kettle is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing voice control as well. However, some features like scheduling a start time are exclusively available through the app. Capacity: 1.7 liters | Temperature Control: Precise | Temperature Settings: 104 to 212°F, Keep Warm | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Interior Material: Stainless steel Final Verdict Due to its price, efficiency, and many features, we recommend the Ninja KT200 Electric Kettle as our overall pick. It boils water fast, gives users the option to select a preset temperature or pick their own, and even protects the interior against limescale buildup. For those who are looking for a high quality electric kettle but don’t find the need for precise temperatures, the Cosori Electric Glass Kettle is also worth considering. How to Shop for Electric Kettles Like a Pro Temperature Settings and Accuracy For temperature sensitive cooking applications — like tempering chocolate, steeping tea, or sous vide style cooking — Morrisson recommends looking for an electric kettle that allows you to adjust the exact temperature of the water or adjust it in five degree increments. “For most coffee brewing, you want water between 195 and 205°F, while green and white teas often require cooler temperatures around 160 to 180°F,” he adds. If you plan to boil water primarily for something like instant noodles or oatmeal, having a few preset temperature options and a boil button will likely suffice. Ultimately an electric kettle and the level of temperature customization it allows should align with the food and beverage tasks you plan to use it for. Ease of Use When shopping for an electric kettle, seek out user-friendly features, such as handles, spouts, or touchpoints that stay cool, making it easier to handle when hot. The Oxo Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle, for example, has a silicone bottom so you won’t need to set it on a pot holder. Farinha also suggests looking for electric kettles with automatic shut off, which she notes is "a safety must-have to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards." This feature is particularly helpful for those who are concerned about forgetting to manually turn off their kettle after each use. If you plan to use your kettle to not only heat up the water, but also to serve hot beverages, look for a cordless model, or one that can detach from its heated base. Ones that can swivel 360 degrees can be particularly useful because you can place the kettle back without having to reorient it a particular way. Capacity While browsing electric kettles, you’ll likely find that the majority of options have a capacity between 1 to 1.7 liters. This number refers to the maximum amount of liquid that the kettle can handle without it overflowing out of the spout while the water is boiling. Some kettles don’t have measuring lines, but you should at least look for one with a max fill line to avoid any overboiling. The ideal capacity depends on how much water you typically need at a time. "A 0.5 liter capacity is usually sufficient for most home brewers,” Morrisson suggests. “It gives you enough for 2-3 cups without being overly bulky." An electric kettle with a larger capacity can be particularly useful if you need to prepare several drinks at once, or require a large amount of hot water. While you don’t necessarily have to fill the kettle to its max capacity every time you use it, just keep in mind that doing so may not be as energy efficient. Interior Material Electric kettles are typically made with glass, stainless steel, and heatproof plastic, but it’s the material that comes in contact with the hot water that matters the most. The electric kettles included in this list have either glass or stainless steel interiors or a combination of the two. Stainless steel, according to Farinha, “is a fantastic all-rounder and a great option for those individuals who focus on durability and heat reduction.” She also points out that it’s “durable, easy to clean, retains heat well, and gives a classic look.” Glass kettles, while not quite as durable, are also a solid option because it’s easy to monitor the water level and the boiling process. Electric kettles with plastic interiors are common and offer a lightweight and budget-friendly option. However, both Farinha and Morrisson raise safety concerns about using a kettle with a plastic interior. “It can leach chemicals into water at high temperatures, and it’s not as durable as other materials,” Farinha says. If you decide to opt for plastic over glass or stainless steel, at least look for one that’s BPA-free. Questions You Might Ask How long do electric kettles last? Electric kettles generally last for several years, Morrisson says, however the exact lifespan depends on the quality of the material, and how well it's maintained. Electric kettles made out of stainless steel or borosilicate glass tend to have the most longevity, but damage to the heating element can shorten the lifespan of an electric kettle no matter how durable the material. This damage can occur due to dry boiling (when the kettle continues to heat up after the water has already evaporated) or even when there’s too much limescale build up, which can cause the kettle to work harder in order to heat up. How fast do electric kettles boil water? Electric kettles can boil water faster than a microwave or a stovetop kettle, reaching high temperatures in anywhere from two to four minutes per cup. “In an electric kettle, the heating element is in direct contact with the water, increasing heat transfer and accelerating the boiling process,” Farinha explains. “In contrast, stovetop kettles heat the water indirectly through the pot material which is usually aluminum and stainless steel Boiling speed is also dependent on the wattage of the kettle, she adds—the higher the wattage, the faster the water will heat up. That being said, Farinha suggests considering electric kettles that are 1200 watts or higher for optimal boiling speed. How do you clean an electric kettle? You might assume that you never have to clean an electric kettle if you’re only using it to boil hot water, however electric kettles can develop limescale. In order to keep this mineral buildup to a minimum, Farinha recommends filling your kettle with water and adding two to three tablespoons of baking soda. “Boil this solution and allow it to sit for at least 45-50 minutes. The baking soda will loosen up the mineral deposits and grime,” she states. Afterwards you can rinse it out with water. If you’ve let a lot of limescale build up over time, you may have to steam the inside before doing this. Ideally, you should aim to clean your electric kettle every one to three months, leaning on the more frequent side if you use it very often. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Kalea Martin, a kitchen commerce writer for Real Simple. To find the best electric kettles, she analyzed the design and function of different electric kettle models, taking into account factors like capacity, temperature settings, material, and more. For advice on what to consider when shopping for an electric kettle, Kalea consulted Johny Morrisson, a coffee connoisseur, barista, and creator of Coffee About, and Jess Farinha, a home appliance expert and the founder of London House Cleaners.