Through multiple rounds of testing since 2025, the Cuisinart CPK-17 has remained our favorite electric kettle. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use—all at a great price.
Why You Should Trust Us
We spoke with tea and coffee experts, including Tony Gebely of Tea Epicure; Michelle Rabin, founder of T Ching; Peter F. Goggi, president of the Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.; and famed tea expert Bruce Richardson. We used an AI-based analysis tool to scan over 5,000 Amazon reviews, paying attention to patterns regarding ease of use, speed, longevity, and more. Like all Wirecutter journalists, we review and test products with complete editorial independence. We’re never made aware of any business implications of our editorial recommendations.
Who This Is For
Getting a variable-temperature electric kettle is the key to immediately improving your hot-drink game, whether you’re a tea connoisseur or a coffee nerd. Different varieties of tea are intended to be brewed at specific temperatures—more-delicate leaves require cooler water. If you’ve never experienced the acrid, bitter taste of burned tea leaves, count yourself lucky. If you have, you understand why an electric kettle—capable of heating water quickly, and to precise temperatures—produces more-flavorful tea than a standard stovetop kettle. For the same reasons, an electric kettle can also brew better French-press and pour-over coffee.
How We Picked and Tested
To find the very best electric kettles on the market, I tested several styles out myself and talked to more than a dozen experts about their own favorites. I consulted a well-rounded group of people: coffee and tea professionals who are obsessive about temperature control and flow rate, along with regular cooks and other Strategist staffers with strong opinions on how they like their hot beverages. We boiled gallons and gallons of water to find tea kettles that were fast, accurate, and easy to use. Our top picks include variable and gooseneck models.
Speed Tests: I filled each kettle with three-and-a-half cups of 57°F water and then timed how long it took for them to bring the water to a boil. I then repeated this test with each kettle filled to its maximum capacity. Accuracy Test (Variable Kettles): To test the variable kettles’ accuracy, I heated three-and-a-half cups of water to 175°F, 185°F, 190°F, and 200°F and took the temperature using an instant-read thermometer.
Our Top Pick: Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle
The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle has the best combination of features and performance of the kettles we tested. This 1.7-liter kettle heated faster than others of similar capacity (and as quickly as many smaller kettles). The only fault we could find is that the Cuisinart isn’t suitable for people hoping to prepare well-extracted pour-over coffees or tea services that require precision pouring, as the spout is wide and stout. We appreciated this model’s simple, functional design which is far above what others offer. When powered on, the control panel (with six temperature settings, a start button and a keep-warm function) illuminates. The capacity measure, gracefully hidden behind its handle, is also illuminated in blue light, so you can easily see how much water has been added. At the beginning and end of each cycle, the Cuisinart kettle beeps, conveniently indicating that warming has begun and finished. The keep-warm setting stays active for 30 minutes.
It comes with a generous three-year warranty. This limited warranty is the best of any kettle we’ve tested in this price range. Considering that constantly boiling water can be rough on a gadget, having triple the warranty coverage of the rest of the pack is impressive. Our top-pick kettle in the home of a Wirecutter staffer. Wirecutter staff who use the predecessor to the CPK-17P1 say it has held up for years without issue. One person shared that the kettle has been in daily use for six years and counting, and that the scale filter works wonders for the hard water in their home.
Pros: Best features for the price, heats quickly, six temperature settings, illuminated control panel, three-year warranty, keeps water warm for 30 minutes.
Cons: Wide spout not ideal for precision pouring, some reports of button labels wearing off, occasional lid sticking issues.
Shop Cuisinart CPK-17 on Amazon
Best Gooseneck: Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle
A sleek and elegant electric kettle, the Fellow Stagg EKG wowed us with its tasteful silhouette and many convenient features. The shape is visually arresting, with smooth slopes, sharp edges, and a gorgeous gooseneck spout. The whole thing screams sophistication—even before you notice the manual temperature input with LCD display, which allows the user to select any water temperature between 135 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Just plug in your desired temperature and the Stagg is off and running. Gooseneck kettles dispense their water through a long and graceful spout, which makes them ideal choices for making pour-over coffee or brewing with another manual method like French press. The option to select specific temperatures will please serious coffee fans who strongly believe that precise control of temperature is indispensable to brewing a perfect cup, but the easy-to-use kettle will also be appreciated by even more casual fans of coffee and tea.
“I’ve owned this kettle for years,” says associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm. “I love the digital control screen, the easy-to-adjust temperature dial, and the direct, beautifully angled gooseneck spout.” The gooseneck spout is a must for pour-over coffee. It makes for a slow, consistent pour, which is essential for wetting all of the coffee grounds evenly. More distinguishing is the Stagg’s precision temperature controls. The exact, ideal temperature for brewing coffee is up for debate, generally between 195 and 205 degrees F. With the Stagg, you’ll be able to experiment and then dial into your own perfect temperature every time, down to the degree.
Pros: Sleek design, precise temperature control (135–212°F), gooseneck spout for controlled pouring, smooth operation, built-in brew timer.
Cons: Pricey, smaller 0.9-liter capacity, slower to boil, requires occasional cleaning for calcium buildup in spout.
Shop Fellow Stagg EKG on Amazon
Best Glass Kettle: OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle
For a glass kettle that performs consistently well, look no further than the OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle. Made of heavy-duty borosilicate glass with a 1.75-liter capacity, it allows you to see how much water you have and when it comes to a boil. When it came to variable kettles, I liked the simple dial interfaces on the OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle, which made choosing a temperature and starting the heating process easy. Just turn the dial and press it, and the water begins to heat. The lower temperatures ran a few degrees high when set between 104ºF and about 125ºF according to our instant-read thermometer, though higher temperatures all read within one degree.
Pros: Large 1.75-liter capacity, simple dial interface, clear glass for visibility, heats quickly.
Cons: Less durable glass body, no preset temperature options, lower temperatures slightly inaccurate.
Shop OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle on Amazon
Best Retro-Style: Smeg Electric Kettle
Offering a generous capacity paired with a sleek, retro-inspired design, the Smeg Electric Kettle was one of the largest electric models we tested, and also one of the most attractive. The Smeg brand is known for its high-end kitchen equipment—stovetops, refrigerators, coffee makers, and more—that pairs contemporary technology with a vintage aesthetic. The Smeg Electric Kettle continues this tradition, offering efficient heating in a visual package that looks like it fell right out of a mid-century design magazine. Don’t let its nearly 2-quart capacity fool you—the Smeg kettle was one of our fastest test subjects to bring water to boil, even when filled completely. That said, while stovetop kettles will often whistle, and some electric kettles play a tone or display a light, the Smeg simply clicks itself off once boiling is achieved. We wish it had options for temperatures other than “boiling,” and we wish it did something attention-grabbing once the water did boil, but we kept coming back to the Smeg Electric Kettle for its great design and quick operation.
Pros: Large 1.7-liter capacity, fast boiling, retro aesthetic, available in six colors.
Cons: No temperature control, no audible boiling alert, doesn’t retain heat well post-boil.
Shop Smeg Electric Kettle on Amazon
Comparison Table
| Model | Capacity | Temperature Control | Boil Time (Full) | Warranty | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart CPK-17 | 1.7L | 6 presets | ~6 min | 3 years | $80–$100 |
| Fellow Stagg EKG | 0.9L | 135–212°F (1° increments) | ~7 min | 2 years | $165–$195 |
| OXO Brew | 1.75L | 104–212°F (dial) | ~5 min | 2 years | $100–$120 |
| Smeg Electric | 1.7L | Boil only | ~4.5 min | 2 years | $190–$200 |
Buying Guide
When you’re buying a kettle, “look at it as art, as well as a functional element,” said Sarah Blank, a kitchen designer in Greenwich, Conn. Here are key factors to consider:
- Spout Type: Gooseneck kettles offer a reduced flow and better control for making pour-over coffee, but an ordinary spout is faster for a quick cup of tea or dried soup.
- Capacity: Consider how many cups of tea or coffee you’ll likely brew at a time, and also the scale of your kitchen. Electric models should fit comfortably under upper cabinets.
- Temperature Control: Some models give you control over the temperature of the water, which is great if you’re a fan of drinking tea that steeps best at specific temperatures.
- Material: Stainless steel electric kettles tend to hide any kind of mucky buildup, but that doesn’t mean they’re a hassle to clean. Glass electric kettles are easier to maintain. You can spot buildup in and around the kettle more clearly, though that might mean you’ll be cleaning it more often.
- Warranty: Look for models with at least a two-year warranty, as boiling water can be tough on appliances.
User Experience and Insights
Wirecutter staff who use the predecessor to the CPK-17P1 say it has held up for years without issue. One person shared that the kettle has been in daily use for six years and counting, and that the scale filter works wonders for the hard water in their home. Another person said that they had issues with the lid sticking and were able to get a replacement within warranty. Suyog Mody, founder of Brooklyn’s Driftaway Coffee, has had his Hario Electric Buono Kettle for nearly a decade, praising its reliability and ease of use. However, we’ve received feedback from readers and have seen reviews about the Cuisinart model breaking down after about a year, or of the lid breaking off at the hinge. Based on our analysis of Amazon reviews, it’s common across brands that a small percentage of kettles break prematurely within a year or two.
The Fellow Stagg EKG’s gooseneck spout requires occasional cleaning due to calcium buildup, but users like Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm praise its precision and design, making it a joy to use daily. The Smeg’s retro aesthetic is a standout, but its lack of temperature control and heat retention disappointed some testers. The OXO’s glass body offers visibility but requires careful handling to avoid breakage.
FAQs
How often do I need to descale my electric kettle?
If you live in an area with hard water (which is water with a high mineral content), you should descale your kettle every three months. If you live in an area with soft water (which has a low mineral content), you can wait a little longer. However, you should also descale it if you notice mineral deposits in the kettle, your tea or coffee tastes somewhat off, or you see grainy sediment at the bottom of your mug.
Why are water temperatures 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. That’s why our favorite electric kettles aren’t generally just boiling machines.
Is an electric or stovetop kettle better?
One isn’t better than the other, Ms. Blank said, but she prefers stovetop models with a whistle and electric models with an automatic shut-off, for safety. Electric units will boil and shut off automatically, so you won’t have to worry about rushing back to the kitchen if your tea time gets interrupted.
Can I use an electric kettle for pour-over coffee?
Yes, especially with gooseneck models like the Fellow Stagg EKG, which offer precise pouring control. Standard kettles like the Cuisinart CPK-17 may pour too quickly for optimal coffee extraction.
What’s the best way to clean an electric kettle?
The best way to clean the PerfecTemp is with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Avoid using harsh cleaning products, like Lysol wipes, since they can degrade the kettle’s components. You can descale your kettle using a water and vinegar solution—the mild acidity helps to break down the buildup of minerals.
Conclusion
The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp remains the best electric kettle for most people due to its speed, accuracy, and value. For pour-over coffee enthusiasts, the Fellow Stagg EKG’s precision and design are unmatched, while the OXO Brew offers a durable glass option. The Smeg Electric Kettle appeals to those prioritizing style and speed. Choose based on your brewing needs, kitchen aesthetic, and budget.