Electric kettles have become indispensable kitchen appliances for tea enthusiasts, coffee aficionados, and anyone who needs hot water quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re brewing delicate green tea, crafting pour-over coffee, or preparing instant noodles, the right electric kettle can elevate your experience with speed, precision, and style.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Cuisinart CPK-17P1 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle
Through multiple rounds of testing since 2013, the Cuisinart CPK-17 has remained our favorite electric kettle. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use—all at a great price. This 1.7-liter kettle heats water quickly and accurately to the various temperatures needed to get optimum flavor from teas and coffee. It has a helpful, simple interface. Each of the six temperature settings has its own button on the handle, labeled with the temperature and beverage it’s best for. If you don’t know the ideal water temperatures for making specific types of tea, this is very helpful (though the kettle’s settings for white and black tea vary a bit from the recommendations of our experts). The CPK-17P1 is one of the easiest kettles to operate.
Pros: Best features for the price, heats quickly and automatically holds the target temp for 30 minutes, instructions and suggested temps printed on the base, trusted brand, good warranty.
Cons: The steel pot has subpar insulation, as it dropped in temperature more than other models after sitting for 30 minutes with the heat shut off.
Best Gooseneck: Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle
For pour-over coffee, this Fellow kettle is the best. With its thin, long spout, you can control the pour speed and accuracy with ease. Plus, you can be exact in terms of temperature, with settings visible via an LCD screen, ranging from 135 – 212°F in one degree increments. It helps that it’s beautiful, too, because it’s always on my counter,” says Food & Wine editor Mary Claire Lagroue. “I’ve had it for 2 years, and I can’t imagine making tea and pour-over coffee without it. It’s so much faster than the stove. I even use it to get a head start on boiling water for steel-cut oats or making stock. The gooseneck design is great for a controlled pour, but it’s not slow to pour, either.” A negative of this distinctive kettle is its comparatively small size, at a bit under a liter. We’ve also found that minerals can build up inside the neck over time, which slows pouring.
Pros: Sleek design, precise and consistent pour, altitude adjustment, built-in brew timer and clock, available firmware.
Cons: Pricey, though the features justify the price, smaller capacity, mineral buildup in the neck over time.
Best Value: Zwilling Enfinigy Electric Kettle Pro
We love the Zwilling Enfinigy Electric Kettle Pro for its programmed temperature settings, large capacity, and sleek design. It stays cool to the touch and looks sleek on the counter. For design lovers or coffee drinkers who want a super simple kettle, the Fellow Clyde Electric Kettle is as functional as it is stunning. Similar to the brand’s travel coffee mugs and coffee grinders we’ve tested and loved, this electric tea kettle has a sleek modern design that mimics a classic stovetop kettle. It has a simple on-off mechanism that boils water in about eight minutes.
Pros: Precise temperature control, generous size, stays cool to the touch, sleek modern design.
Cons: In comparison with other kettles we tested, this one takes a little longer to boil.
Best Glass: OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle
Pour-over lovers and tea brewers alike will appreciate the OXO Brew Gooseneck for its variable temperature control and delightful feel. This sleek, well-designed gooseneck offers a controlled and balanced pour thanks to its ergonomic soft rubber handle that lets you easily manipulate your pour speed. When passed around the office, remarks like “Oh, this feels good” and “I like the grip” were often heard about this kettle’s exceptional handle. Beyond the pour, the OXO base has a screen displaying the current temperature and can hold your water at the set temperature, so even if you forget about the kettle, it’ll be ready when you are.
Pros: Excellent temperature accuracy, ergonomic handle, controlled pour, holds temperature well.
Cons: Lack of temperature accuracy at lower temperatures, relatively high price point, loose-feeling dial.
Comparison Table
| Model | Capacity | Temperature Range | Material | Boil Time (1L) | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart CPK-17P1 | 1.7L | 160–212°F | Stainless Steel | ~5 min | $80–$100 |
| Fellow Stagg EKG | 0.9L | 135–212°F | Stainless Steel | ~5 min | $165–$195 |
| Zwilling Enfinigy Pro | 1.5L | 104–212°F | Stainless Steel | ~8 min | $150–$170 |
| OXO Brew Adjustable | 1.75L | 104–212°F | Glass/Stainless Steel | ~5 min | $100–$120 |
Buying Guide
Choosing the right electric kettle depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are key factors to consider:
- Capacity: Goosenecks are generally on the smaller side, but you’ll find the exact capacity of each kettle on this list. Are you only making one cup of coffee every morning? Do you often offer tea to multiple guests at once?
- Temperature Control: Some kettles heat to the exact degree you set (technically ideal for both coffee and tea preparations), some have pre-determined temperatures (usually tied to tea types), and some don’t have any temperature control at all.
- Spout Type: I hate to be the one to break it to you, but unless you are, or aspire to be, a pour-over person you don’t actually need one of those cool-looking gooseneck kettles. The thin, curvy gooseneck spouts are designed to control the flow of hot water when brewing coffee.
- Material: First things first, you’ll have to decide between the three standard types of kettle materials: plastic, glass and stainless steel.
- Ease of Use: Our pros pay attention to how easy it is to pour tea from the kettle into a cup or mug as well as whether or not you can steep tea directly in the kettle with an infuser basket or not.
In-Depth Analysis and User Experience
Electric kettles provide a swift and easy way to heat water without using a stove. Many models let you set a precise temperature—key for getting the best flavor from coffee and tea. Of all the models we’ve tested since 2013, the Cuisinart CPK-17P1 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle continues to be our favorite, thanks to its winning combination of speed, accuracy, and simple controls—and all at a better price than that of most competitors.
For two years, this Breville IQ has been the reliable, personable workhorse of WIRED contributor Chris Haslam’s UK test kitchen, besting all other contenders available globally. When I wrote to ask if this was still the case, he replied that he was boiling that “beautiful kettle” at that very moment. Why does this device best KitchenAid, Hay, Wolf, and other estimable contenders? The capacity is large, the pour is consistently easy and smooth. It feels good, looks good, works well, boils quickly, and has kept working for years and still “purrs.”
I knew I would love using an electric kettle for morning coffee and nightly cups of chamomile, but I didn’t realize it had so many other helpful kitchen uses. Cooking pasta, blanching veggies and diluting concentrated soup stock are kitchen chores made faster and more efficient with an electric kettle. Any time I need boiling water, I reach for the electric kettle. I used to wait 15 minutes to start boiling fettuccine—now I can get to making pasta al dente in about five minutes.
Wirecutter’s Electric Kettle Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Water Temperatures are Best for Different Teas?
While boiling water will certainly always brew coffee and tea, different compounds come out at different times, and different temperatures. Tea or coffee that’s brewed too hot can unleash bitter astringency, detected as sharpness or even a kinda “burnt” note. Lame. That’s why our favorite electric kettles aren’t generally just boiling machines. They’re the ones that allow you to brew to more precise temperatures, offering you the flexibility to discover the best flavors for yourself by varying your water temp with the same tea leaves or coffee beans, for that matter.
How to Descale an Electric Kettle?
The best way to descale a kettle is to boil one part white vinegar with one part water in the kettle, then pour it out. Fill the kettle with water, bring that to a boil and pour it out again. Now you can use your kettle as normal.
What’s the Ideal Temperature to Brew Coffee and Tea?
Most coffee professionals agree the best temperature for coffee is about 200°F, while different teas have different ideal brewing temperatures. For black tea, experts recommend 212°F, while green and white tea are best around 175°F.
Are Electric Kettles Energy Efficient?
Electric kettles are also the most energy efficient way (unless you have an induction stove) to heat water. It takes less energy and is much safer than boiling water in the microwave.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a tea connoisseur, a pour-over coffee enthusiast, or just need hot water fast, the best electric kettles of 2025 offer something for everyone. The Cuisinart CPK-17P1 stands out for its balance of performance and affordability, while the Fellow Stagg EKG is a must-have for precision brewing. Consider your needs—capacity, temperature control, and design—when choosing the perfect kettle for your kitchen.