We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food Kitchen Tools & Products The Best Tea Kettles for Hot Water Fast Get hot water in a flash for tea, French press, and more. By Lesley Chen Lesley Chen Lesley Chen is a San Francisco-based freelance writer who covers shopping, home, tech, health, and general lifestyle topics for various websites.Highlights *Her work has appeared on SFGate, Well + Good, BuzzFeed, Byrdie, and PureWow. *She has a BA in economics and psychology from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 15, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Amazon There’s something comforting about a tea kettle on the stove, whether you’re boiling water to make a cup of tea or brew French press coffee. It’s a kitchen essential to reach for daily—for hot cocoa, oatmeal, cup noodles, and more—which is why it's important to have one that stands up to everyday use. To find the best tea kettles, we researched a variety of stovetop and electric options, factoring in considerations like material, capacity, and features. We also spoke to Rishi Deb, master blender at Twinings, and Piotr Miga, director of quality and tea sommelier at Tea Forté. If you're stuck on whether to get a stovetop or electric kettle, one is not necessarily better than the other. It all comes down to preference, Deb says, “as the whole process of making a cup of tea is a personal experience to be enjoyed.” To get you started, we spent hours researching the best tea kettles on the market, plus what to consider when shopping for one, and how to prevent and clean limescale. Our Top Picks Best Overall: OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle at Amazon ($50) Jump to Review Best Electric: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle at Amazon ($99) Jump to Review Best Budget: Cuisinart Aura 2-Quart Tea Kettle at Amazon ($22) Jump to Review Best Budget Electric: Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Hot Water Kettle at Amazon ($26) Jump to Review Best Splurge : Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle at Amazon ($195) Jump to Review Best Gooseneck: Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle at Amazon ($85) Jump to Review Best Electric Gooseneck: Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle at Amazon ($70) Jump to Review Best Modern: Fellow Clyde Stovetop Tea Kettle at Amazon ($105) Jump to Review Best Vintage: Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle at Amazon ($102) Jump to Review Best Glass: Medelco Café Brew Glass Whistling Kettle at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Overall OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $50 View On Webstaurantstore.com View On Oxo $50 What Stands Out It’s a reliable, no-frills, easy-to-use tea kettle with a modern touch. What Could Be Improved The lid can be difficult to open. Sometimes simplicity is best. The Oxo Brew Classic Tea Kettle has a brushed stainless steel design that looks sleek and sophisticated, as well as silicone touchpoints on the handle and spout to keep your fingers safe from hot surfaces. It has a large opening, so you can fill it without adjusting it at odd angles, although the lid can be a bit tricky to open. One of the best parts of this kettle is the handle, which flips down and out of the way when you need to fill or stow away the kettle. It’s also very easy to hold, which is good news since the 1.7-quart capacity means that it can get heavy if filled all the way. It heats quickly compared to other stovetop kettles, and the loud whistle will let you know when your water is ready. Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 1.7 quarts | Weight: 2.65 pounds Best Electric Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $99 View On Wayfair $78 View On Walmart $74 What Stands Out It’s a fast-brewing tea kettle with temperature control. What Could Be Improved It requires a power outlet and counter space. Although classic stovetop tea kettles are great for traditionalists, electric tea kettles boil water faster and often come with extra features to get the most out of your brew. The Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle boils water faster than a stovetop kettle and has a ton of features built in, such as six preset heat settings for different types of teas and coffee (delicate, green, white, oolong, French press, and boil), a 30-minute keep-warm option, and auto shut-off in case you forget to turn it off. There’s also a backlit water window that lets you see how much water is in the pot. Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 1.7 liters | Weight: 2 pounds Best Budget Cuisinart Aura 2-Quart Tea Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $22 View On Kohls.com $35 View On Cuisinart.com What Stands Out It’s an affordable, simple, lightweight tea kettle. What Could Be Improved The style is basic and it doesn't have a ton of extra features. With a generous 2-quart capacity, the Cuisinart Aura Tea Kettle ensures you have enough hot water for a second cup of your hot beverage—and then some. The handle has a rubber coating, so you won’t have to worry about burning your fingers, and a lever on the handle lets you conveniently open and close the spout. The kettle whistles when it’s ready and is available in silver, copper, and bright red colorways. Available at a modest price, this kettle is a great deal and is durable enough to last for many years. Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 2 quarts | Weight: 1.9 pounds Best Budget Electric Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Hot Water Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $26 What Stands Out The straightforward design is great for beginners and doesn't take up much counter space. What Could Be Improved The exterior is hot to the touch when in use. This budget-friendly electric kettle from the Amazon Basics line brings water to a rolling boil in minutes and shuts off on its own immediately after, so you can walk away without worrying about monitoring it. Just use the water-level window to pour 0.5, 0.75, or 1 liter of water (about 4 cups max), place the carafe on the base, plug it into a wall outlet, and press the on/off switch. The red light indicates that it's warming, and when the light goes off, it's ready to be poured for tea, hot chocolate, soup, and more. Just be careful not to touch the exterior when the kettle is in use—the handle stays cool, but the stainless steel housing does not. Cleaning is simple with this model, too. After unplugging the base and allowing the carafe to cool completely, fill it up to the 1-liter mark with a mixture of half water, half white vinegar, and let sit for an hour. Pour the solution out, fill it up again to the 1-liter mark with water, boil, and discard. Wipe the outside surface with a damp cloth, and you're ready to go. Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 1 liter | Weight: 1.7 pounds Best Splurge Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $195 View On Nordstrom $195 View On Carawayhome.com What Stands Out It’s an aesthetically pleasing kettle with a ceramic coating, and it comes with a pot holder. What Could Be Improved It’s on the pricier side for a stovetop kettle. You may have spotted Caraway’s cookware in your Instagram feed—or as the No. 1 pick on our list of tested ceramic cookware sets— but what you may not know is that the DTC brand also makes a tea kettle in the same colorful, ceramic-coated stainless steel. The Whistling Tea Kettle has a modern design, is compatible with all stove types, and is finished with a PTFE-free ceramic coating for a unique (and colorful) look. It also comes with a pot holder you can use to grab the handle or place it on the table for all to admire. Material: Stainless steel body with ceramic coating | Capacity: 2 quarts | Weight: 3.1 pounds Best Gooseneck Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $85 View On Nordstrom $75 View On Fellowproducts.com $75 What Stands Out The gooseneck spout and weighted handle allow for precision pouring and there’s a built-in thermometer. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t whistle, and it’s harder to clean. If you’re a fan of pour overs or slow brewing, it’s hard to beat a gooseneck spout, which releases water in a slow, controlled, and precise way. The Fellow Stagg pour-over kettle’s spout is specifically designed for the optimal pour-over rate, and it has a counterbalanced handle to help you pour more easily. A built-in thermometer on the top lets you make sure every cup is made at just the right temperature. It comes in a matte black, matte white, polished steel, or polished copper, and it can be used on electric and gas stoves. Material: 18/8 stainless steel | Capacity: 1 liter | Weight: 1.1 pounds Best Electric Gooseneck Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $70 View On Walmart $97 View On Kohls.com $64 What Stands Out It has five presets for specific beverages and a precise 90-degree pour. What Could Be Improved There is an alert for when your water is done boiling, but it's very quiet. When you need slow, steady, and precise water flow for making tea or pour-over coffee at home, turn to the Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle, which has a specially designed spout that evenly pours at a 90-degree angle. Choose from five presets to get the perfect temperature for your hot beverage, including white (170°F), green (180°F), oolong (195°F), coffee (205°F), and boil black (212°F). The 0.8-liter capacity should give you about 3 cups hot water in just three to five minutes, and the carafe's Hold Temp feature will keep it warm for up to 60 minutes. This kettle beeps three times when your water is up to temp, but you can shut that off by holding down the Hold Temp button for eight seconds if you don't want to hear the alert. That said, the beep is very quiet, and some actually wish it were a bit louder. For safety features, this product has boil-dry protection and automatic shut-off after boiling or when the kettle is lifted. While both colorways have a food-grade stainless steel inner, you can choose from a matte black or stainless steel outer. Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 0.8 liters | Weight: 2.5 pounds Best Modern Fellow Clyde Stovetop Tea Kettle Crate & Barrel View On Amazon $105 View On Williams-Sonoma $105 View On Fellowproducts.com $105 What Stands Out It’s a design-forward tea kettle with a modern silhouette. What Could Be Improved It’s not compatible with induction stovetops. This modern take on a stovetop tea kettle has a 1.8-quart capacity and stainless steel body, as well as other modern touches you never knew you needed. It has a sleek, matte black finish and a silicone-wrapped handle that stays cool even when the kettle is hot. It has no spout cover, but the wide-mouthed spout will stay sealed until you tilt and pour. It also has a two-tone harmonic whistle that is more pleasant to listen to than most whistling tea kettles. Just note that it’s not compatible with induction stovetops. Material: Stainless steel body with silicone handle | Capacity: 1.8 quarts | Weight: 1.43 pounds Best Vintage Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $102 View On Nordstrom $115 View On Sur La Table $92 What Stands Out The kettle has a classic, vintage design but is made with lightweight materials. What Could Be Improved The whistle is very loud. If you’re already a fan of Le Creuset, the brand’s Classic Tea Kettle will be a great addition to your collection. This steel kettle has a classic design but is made with lightweight carbon steel and glazed with rich colors like cerise, flame, and Caribbean, making it something you won't mind leaving on the stove to show off. There are markings inside the kettle to let you know the minimum and maximum water levels, so it’s super easy to use, and it’s compatible with all cooktops. The handle folds down and the whistle flips up when you’re ready to pour. When your water has reached a boil, the kettle will emit a single-tone whistle—just beware that it’s quite loud! Material: Steel with an enamel coating | Capacity: 1.7 quarts | Weight: 3 pounds Best Glass Medelco Café Brew Glass Whistling Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $20 View On Shop.com What Stands Out The glass material allows you to easily see water levels and when water is boiling. What Could Be Improved Glass kettles require more careful handling and are more susceptible to breaking. Glass kettles are not only an attractive addition to your stovetop, but they’re functional, too. You can see exactly how much water is in the pot and when your water is boiling, and you won’t get any aftertaste as you might with other materials (or an old kettle). This Medelco Café Brew glass kettle will hold up to 12 cups of water, and it’s a cinch to clean—you can easily wipe it down or just put it on the top rack of the dishwasher. In terms of safety, you’ll have to take extra care when handling this kettle. The plastic handle will get hot to the touch and potentially melt if the flame is too high, so be sure to use oven mitts when handling it and place it on a smaller burner to boil. Material: Borosilicate glass | Capacity: 1.4 liters | Weight: 1.37 pounds Best Glass Electric OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $84 View On Kohls.com $84 View On Oxo What Stands Out You can watch your water boil through the borosilicate glass carafe. What Could Be Improved The opening is quite narrow, so it may be difficult to get your hand inside to clean. You can watch your water boil in this Oxo kettle made from stainless steel and borosilicate glass. The easy-to-read measurements on the carafe include markings from 0.5 to 1.7 liters, allowing you to get up to 7 cups of water per kettle. The LED switch turns on when it's in use and off when the water has come to a boil (there are no auditory alerts). The kettle will automatically power down at this point, too. When you remove the kettle from the 360-degree swivel base, it becomes completely cordless, and when you pour, the soft-open lid prevents splatter and steam from rushing out. One common complaint seems to be that it's difficult to get your hand inside for cleaning. If you have small hands, you should be alright, but it may be best to get a dish brush just in case. Material: Glass, stainless steel | Capacity: 1.75 liters | Weight: 4.3 pounds Best Cast Iron Sukiya Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $40 What Stands Out A cast iron tea kettle is durable and great for retaining heat. What Could Be Improved It’s a heavier tea kettle. Cast iron enthusiasts know the benefits of the material: It’s durable, heats evenly, and retains heat. The same goes for this Sukiya Japanese-inspired kettle, which has a cast iron exterior and enamel interior, as well as a hemp-wrapped handle that’s safe to hold after boiling water. It even comes with a stainless steel infuser, so you can brew your tea directly in the pot and enjoy it warm long after. As with all cast iron tools, you have to be careful about cleaning and drying to prevent damage. Material: Cast iron with enamel interior | Capacity: 0.9 liters | Weight: 3.64 pounds Best Colorful Chantal Classic Tea Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $122 View On Williams-Sonoma $175 View On Crate & Barrel $160 What Stands Out This classic tea kettle has a harmonica whistle and comes in a variety of colors. What Could Be Improved The handle isn’t heat-resistant. Chantal has been making tea kettles for 40 years, with little change to their classic design. The Chantal classic tea kettle has a flat, wide base for quick heating and an attractive wire loop handle. It also has a two-tone harmonica whistle to let you know when your water is ready and a hinged flip for pouring. This tea kettle has a shiny enamel coating and comes in several different hues to add a pop of color to your kitchen. Even though the handle is stainless steel, the kettle comes with a stay-cool handle sleeve for safe handling. Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 1.8 quarts | Weight: 3 pounds Best Small Hario V60 "Buono" Drip Kettle Walmart View On Amazon $49 View On Bluebottlecoffee.com $60 View On Prima-coffee.com What Stands Out It has a beehive-like design and gooseneck spout, and it’s compact in size. What Could Be Improved The lid doesn’t fit tightly. If you’re looking for a small tea kettle, we recommend the Hario V60 Buono Drip Kettle. Available in three small sizes (ranging from 0.7 to 1.26 quarts), this stovetop kettle has a thin gooseneck spout for a more controlled pour. For this reason, pour-over aficionados will also appreciate this kettle because they can focus on the quality vs. quantity of their coffee or tea. This small tea kettle has a classic stainless steel body and an ergonomic handle, and select sizes are available in black, too. Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 0.7, 1, and 1.26 quarts | Weight: 0.73 pounds Best Large Demeyere Resto Stainless Steel Tea Kettle Williams Sonoma View On Amazon $90 View On Wayfair $60 View On Food52 $40 What Stands Out It’s a large kettle that allows you to boil a lot of water at once, and it works on all types of stoves. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t whistle to let you know when water is boiling. For anyone who needs to boil a lot of water, this large-capacity kettle will provide ample hot water for you and your whole family. It comes in two sizes, either 4.2 or 6.2 quarts (aka 17 or 25 cups), and has an extra-wide lid to make filling and cleaning easy. It’s made of polished 18/10 stainless steel with a three-layer aluminum core, so not only is it high quality, but it’s nice to look at, too. Take note that the kettle doesn’t have a whistle, so you’ll have to keep an eye or ear on it to know when your water boils. Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Capacity: 4.2 quarts or 6.3 quarts | Weight: 3.86 pounds Best Decorative Alessi Kettle Amazon View On Amazon $157 View On Wayfair $179 What Stands Out This kettle has a unique design with a bird on the spout, making it look like a piece of art. What Could Be Improved The whistle is quiet and you have to remove it before pouring. This Alessi kettle looks more like a decorative art piece than a tea kettle as it was designed by architect Michael Graves. It’s made with a shiny stainless steel, has a wide bottom to heat water more quickly, and has a blue handle that stays cool. The piece de resistance though, is the bird-shaped red whistle on top of the spout that will brighten up your stove. The lid and the whistle can both be replaced. Material: 18/10 stainless steel and thermoplastic resin handles | Capacity: 1 liter | Weight: 9.5 ounces Best Copper Simplex Kensington No.1 by Newey & Bloomer Copper Traditional Tea Kettle Williams Sonoma View On Amazon $330 View On Williams-Sonoma $350 View On Food52 $330 What Stands Out It's a gorgeous, handmade copper kettle that heats water quickly and pours evenly. What Could Be Improved It’s an investment and requires specific care for the copper. Not only is a copper kettle eye-catching, but it’ll also last you for years to come. Copper doesn’t rust and is a great conductor of heat, meaning water will boil evenly and quickly. The Simplex Kensington No 1 has a hefty price tag, but each one is handmade in England with a solid copper body and tin lining. They have a bird's mouth spout designed for even pouring, and the handles stay cool because they’re made from beechwood. Copper requires some particular care with cleaning (e.g., no abrasive cleaners or brushes/cloths) and can develop a natural patina with time. This kettle can also only be used on electric and gas stoves. Material: Copper with beechwood handles | Capacity: 1.7 liters | Weight: 1.88 pounds Final Verdict Our top pick is the Oxo Brew Classic Tea Kettle, which has all the essential features you want in a kettle at a reasonable price: a generous 1.7-quart capacity, an easy-to-open spout, and a large lid opening. It also has a convenient foldable handle to make it easy to fill with water and store away. If you’re looking for an even more basic and inexpensive tea kettle, we recommend the Cuisinart Aura 2-Quart Tea Kettle. How to Shop for Tea Kettles Like a Pro Material Tea kettles are typically made of stainless steel, but you can also find kettles made of glass, cast iron, and copper. Your material choice is a matter of personal style and preference. Deb says his favorites are glass and stainless steel, as they are easy to clean and less likely to pick up other flavors from the kettle. Stainless steel is durable and retains heat well, too. Miga adds that stainless steel is his go-to choice as it’s food-safe, protects against corrosion, lightweight, and affordable. While glass is lightweight and can feel comfortable in your hands, Miga adds that it’s also fragile and prone to breaking during travel or just by mishandling. Cast iron, on the other end of the weight scale, is very heavy and can be hard to clean, but it’s also robust and can be used on all stoves, in the oven, or even over the campfire. Copper, says Miga, is visually appealing and light. However, if you decide to choose copper over stainless steel, Miga recommends making sure the tea kettle has, at minimum, a thin lining of stainless steel, chrome, tin, or nickel, so you can use it safely over time. Capacity Choose a tea kettle with a capacity that aligns with your tea-drinking needs, including how many people will be drinking tea in your household. Most tea kettles are in the 1- to 2-quart range, which makes 4 to 8 cups. Kitchen space is important, too—if you have a small kitchen, you may not want to opt for a large-capacity kettle that will reduce your cabinet or countertop space. The capacity (and material) of a kettle can also impact how much it weighs. Deb says kettles come in a wide range of weights, but for common everyday use, he recommends using a lighter one to ensure it will be easy to handle. Features Tea kettles get hot, so safe handling—whether it’s appropriately angled or positioned handles or stay-cool materials like silicone—are essential for everyday use. There are different types of spouts in terms of width and length, but you want one that flows evenly and won’t spill or leak. Stovetop kettles don’t have many extra features—they heat up and usually whistle to let you know when the water is boiling. Electric kettles can have temperature control and safety features like auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. Smart features such as temperature control or descaling prompts can also help you master your favorite brew, says Deb. “At the very basic level, a smart kettle’s functionality is to control the water temperature to give the optimal flavor experience,” he says. Deb also says it’s also nice to have a water level indicator and variable temperature settings, especially if you’re a tea connoisseur, as different teas have varying temperatures for optimum brewing and flavor delivery. Questions You Might Ask Is a stovetop or an electric kettle better? Deciding between a stovetop or an electric kettle depends on your personal preferences and what you want in your kitchen. Stovetop kettles are generally more affordable, don’t require a power outlet, and have a classic look. Meanwhile, electric kettles heat water more quickly and have a power stand that will live on your counter. Having an electric kettle with temperature dial buttons for various tea types, such as black, herbal, green, or oolong, makes the heating experience quick, safe, and convenient, says Miga. Deb recommends an electric kettle purely based on the degree of control over variables like temperature and safety but says that doesn’t mean one type is necessarily better than the other. Do you need to clean a kettle? Even though kettles are only used for boiling water, it’s important to clean your tea kettle regularly. Depending on the shape, it may be hard to clean the interior surfaces, and you should always double-check if certain cleaners are safe for the finishes on your specific kettle. Depending on the water in your area, your kettle may also develop mineral buildup (limescale) over time. Cleaning the inside of your kettle from time to time with baking soda is very effective, says Deb. How do you prevent limescale in a tea kettle? You can use white vinegar, a well-known agent, to clear limescale buildup on stainless steel and electric kettles. Mix one part white vinegar and three parts fresh water in the kettle. Bring the vinegar and water mixture to a boil, and allow it to stand overnight in the kettle. Then drain the kettle a few times with boiling water to ensure there are no lingering odors. What is the lifespan of a tea kettle? An average lifespan of a kettle is between four or five years, says Miga. However, the actual lifetime will vary based on how frequently it's being used or water quality in your area. Are expensive tea kettles worth it? Tea kettles come in a variety of different prices, sizes, and types. The best tea kettle for you depends on how much you want to spend and what features and aesthetics you are looking for. In terms of expensive tea kettles, they may be worth it to you if you appreciate the visual and artistic qualities, says Miga. But if you're on the lookout for something practical that will do the job conveniently and efficiently, you may want to just go for a more affordable pick. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with experience writing commerce, home, and lifestyle stories; and updated by Taylor Rock, senior shopping editor at Real Simple. To compile this list, we thoroughly researched tea kettles and rounded up the best options based on material, capacity, and features. For expert advice, Lesley spoke to Rishi Deb, master blender at Twinings, which has been making teas for over 300 years, and Piotr Miga, director of quality and tea sommelier at Tea Forté. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit