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Best Overall Electric Kettle

Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Tea Kettle
Best Glass Electric Kettle

Hamilton Beach Illuminated Glass Cordless Kettle
Top-Rated Electric Kettle on Amazon

Miroco 1.5L Electric Kettle
Best Temperature Control Electric Kettle

Breville Variable Temperature Electric Kettle
Best Retro Style Kettle

Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle
Best Stainless Steel Electric Kettle

Hamilton Beach 7.2-Cup Electric Kettle
Best Cordless Electric Kettle

OXO 7.4-Cup Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle
Best Value

Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
Best Electric Kettle for Travel

Loutytuo Silicone Travel Foldable Electric Kettle
Best Pour-Over Electric Kettle

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
Best Ceramic Electric Kettle

BELLA 1.5L Ceramic Kettle

If you're still making tea in the microwave, it's time to level up to an electric tea kettle. When brewing tea in the microwave, you lose control of water temperature and tea strength — two very important factors in making a solid cup of tea. An electric kettle gets it right every time, and, unlike a classic tea kettle, you don't need a stove top. You just need an outlet, which means you can brew just about anywhere.

Die-hard tea fans will still say that electric isn't the real deal, and that only a true cup of tea comes from slowly warming water the old-fashioned way in a whistling kettle. But if you don't have time (or patience) for that, an electric tea kettle is a great compromise. Some are even designed for optimal tea-making, with temperature-control settings that help you know when you've reached the best heat for tea brewing.

An electric kettle really is the best of both worlds as you don't have to wait as long, and you still get perfectly boiled tea. And we can all agree that it's a significant upgrade from sad, scorched microwave tea.

Best Electric Kettles at a Glance

What to Consider When Buying an Electric Kettle

Shopping for a small appliance like an electric tea kettle isn't as overwhelming as shopping for large kitchen appliances, but there are a couple of terms to know and features to look for when choosing the right electric tea kettle for your home.

Size

First thing to note is the size of the kettle. Some brands will list the size as the amount of cups of water a tea kettle can hold, and other brands will list the liters. A small one liter-sized electric tea kettle will heat water for about four cups of tea, whereas a larger 1.7 liter-sized kettle will heat enough water for about seven cups of tea.

Material

Different materials are something to consider, too. A stainless steel electric tea kettle will heat water faster than a glass or ceramic kettle. But a glass kettle will likely be easier to hand wash — and it's beautiful to watch the bubbles roll.

Brewing Features

And then there are all the bells and whistles to consider, such as rapid heating, a retractable cord, and temperate settings. Different types of tea leaves brew best at different temperatures and times. For example, a light, white peach herbal tea doesn't need the same brew time as a heavy, robust rooibos. So, if you don't want to keep up with differing times and temps, some of the more expensive tea kettles with these settings will do the work for you.

Safety Mechanisms

For kitchen safety, one of the features that parents should look for when shopping for an electric kettle is auto shut off or a timer. Like coffee pots with the same feature, these electric tea kettles will shut off after a certain period and cool down to ensure a safe kitchen counter should any little hands accidentally find it.

We've considered all of these features and more to create a shopping shortlist for the best electric tea kettles. Take a look at our top 11 best electric kettle picks and see which kettle is right for you, from stylish options that won't be an eyesore on the counter to a teeny, tiny electric kettle that you can pack in a suitcase.

Best Overall Electric Kettle: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Tea Kettle

an Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Tea Kettle on a white background

If there's an MVP of electric tea kettles, it's the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Tea Kettle, as it has all of the best features that you want for less than $100. It's stainless steel, so it's fast to heat. Plus, it's praised as being easy to clean.

And for the price, it comes with a surprising amount of features like more expensive models, such as LED buttons and six different temperature settings, from delicate tea to a French press setting for coffee.

Best Glass Electric Kettle: Hamilton Beach 1.7L Illuminated Glass Cordless Kettle

Hamilton Beach Illuminated Glass Cordless Kettle

At just less than $35, this glass electric kettle from Hamilton Beach isn't fancy or the most attractive option, but it gets the job done. And it actually boils water faster than the microwave.

This is a solid buy for college students and post-grads moving into their first apartment as there is so much more than tea that you can make with an electric kettle, from ramen noodles to oatmeal.

Buy it: Hamilton Beach Illuminated Glass Cordless Kettle, $30; Amazon or Target

Top-Rated Electric Kettle on Amazon: Miroco 1.5-Liter Electric Kettle

Electric Kettle, Miroco 1.5L

With 10,500 ratings — of which nearly 9,000 are five star — the Miroco 1.5-liter electric kettle is tops on the list of best electric kettles at Amazon. That's because this inexpensive model manages to meet nearly all of the pressing needs when you're looking to buy an electric kettle.

First, it's double-wall stainless steel, which helps water boil faster and stay hot longer, but the cool-touch exterior makes it safe to handle even when the water is rolling to a boil. Second, it's a good size (it holds enough water for about eight cups of tea) without being cumbersome or hogging your counter space. Lastly, it's built with safety in mind, as it features an auto shut-off so you don't have to fear accidental burns later.

At under $40, it's a budget-friendly electric kettle, too.

Buy it: Miroco 1.5-Liter Electric Kettle, $38; Amazon

Best Temperature Control Electric Kettle: Breville Variable Temperature Electric Kettle

a Breville Variable Temperature Electric Kettle on a white background

If you love the ritual and methodology of steeping tea, you need an electric tea kettle with temperature control capabilities. This allows you to brew different tea leaves with water at the precise temperature they were intended to be steeped in. Translation: Type As, Virgos and Perfectionists: this is the tea kettle for you.

Breville's kettle is designed with labeled settings and temperatures for each type of tea, from green to oolong to black, so you know you're getting a correctly-steeped cup of tea. This is especially handy if you've been using those tea charts or color-coded egg timers for each type of tea leaf.

Best Retro Style: Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle

a light blue Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle on a white background

Retro appliances are all the rage right now, from '50s style ice boxes to Vespa teal toasters. And if you love this look, too, there are a couple of brands giving their electric tea kettles the mid-mod treatment, such as this Smeg kettle. But don't let that throwback powder blue fool you. This kettle is packed with modern features, such as an LED temperature display and a keep-warm function that maintains a set water temperature for up to 20 minutes.

Best Stainless Steel Electric Kettle: Hamilton Beach 7.2-Cup Electric Kettle

a Hamilton Beach 7.2-Cup Electric Kettle on a white background

If you already have stainless steel appliances in your kitchen and want your countertop appliances to match, there are plenty of electric kettles to choose from. And stainless steel is considered the best route for those who want boiled water fast.

This Hamilton Beach unit edges out against other brands because you get a lot of cups for a low price (eight cups to be exact). It's a great buy for larger families, especially in the morning when you need more than one cup of caffeine pronto.

Buy it: Hamilton Beach 7.2-Cup Electric Kettle, $35; Amazon

Best Cordless Electric Kettle: OXO 7.4-Cup Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle

OXO-Cordless-Electric-Kettle-Stainless

A drawback to electric tea kettles is the cord, especially if you're traveling from the kitchen to the dining room or living room to serve. But some new models, such as this OXO kettle, feature a 360-degree swivel base which allows the kettle to pop off the platform for pouring. The cord also retracts and curls up into the unit for easy storage.

For parents shopping for a kettle with a timer, the OXO has an automatic shut-off, which is handy if you have little ones who could wander into the kitchen and reach the countertops.

Best Value: Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle

Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Fast, Portable Electric Hot Water Kettle

If you need a quality, dependable electric kettle but don't want to sink money into one of the more expensive brands, you don't have to settle. This 1.7-liter unit from Amazon Basics — yes Amazon makes appliances — checks all the boxes for a top-quality electric kettle, and it won't rob your bank account at the same time.

At just shy of $30, it's perfect if you're not a daily tea or coffee drinker and don't intend to keep it out on the counter on a regular basis. The kettle also detaches from the base for cordless pouring anywhere you need it (even in the bathroom if you're using hot water to scrub clothes or clean messes).

Buy it: Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle, $29; Amazon

Best Electric Kettle for Travel: Loutytuo Silicone Travel Foldable Electric Kettle

Ultrathin Upgraded Food Grade Silicone Travel Foldable Electric Kettle

Not all electric tea kettles are big, bulky appliances that take over a shelf of cabinet space. This super small electric kettle is collapsible and perfect for the smallest of places such as a dorm room or even the office. It's also great for travel. Throw it in your carry-on on your next trip, and enjoy a cup of your favorite tea blend in a hotel room. You could even use it for brewing instant coffee or espresso as an alternative to that watery cruise ship swill.

Buy it: Loutytuo Silicone Travel Foldable Electric Kettle, $50; Amazon

Best Pour-Over Electric Kettle: Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle

a matte black Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle in a white kitchen

A kettle isn't just for tea. If you're an avid coffee drinker, an electric kettle is a great way to achieve the perfect cup of a coffee — provided you have the right pour-over coffee maker, of course. Whether you're using a French press or a pour-over vessel to brew, the Fellow Stagg Electric Pour-Over Kettle has the ability to get super specific with water temperatures — even within one degree!

This electric kettle is one of the most expensive machines in our roundup, but if you want consistent steeping and love getting in the weeds with the rituals of making coffee, this is the kettle for you. It's also basically its own piece of art if displayed on a counter or cabinet.

Best Ceramic Electric Kettle: BELLA 1.5L Ceramic Kettle

BELLA (14746) 1.5 Liter Electric Tea Kettle Black Floral on a white background

If you want the classic teapot aesthetic but with the modern functionality of an electric kettle, Bella has a line of ceramic kettles that are as cute as they are convenient. And if you're maxed out on cabinet space, this medium-sized, cordless kettle won't look out of place staged on the counter. You could even create a mini tea and coffee bar with a wooden tea box or vintage tea tins.

Buy it: Bella 1.5L Ceramic Kettle, $40; Amazon or Walmart

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