The best kettles out there make for a handy kitchen accessory. Those who know the value of a cup of fine tea will read countless of kettle reviews. If you’re like them, you know too well that searching for a modern kettle that allows you to enjoy an authentic drink is not an easy task.
But you don’t have to be a tea lover to analyze your options of bringing water to a boil almost in an instant. Maybe you want to prepare other hot drinks. Or you’re simply looking to cut down the cooking time by always having boiled water at hand.
Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best kettles, outlining their strengths and detailing the way they work. Make sure you read it all the way to the buyer’s guide, from the end of the kettle reviews section, and you’ll find some super useful information!
Best Kettles
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Best For Higher Budgets
1Appkettle Smart Voice Controlled Kettle
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Best For Low Budgets
2Breville Flow Electric Kettle
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Best Overall
3Russell Hobbs Kettle 20412
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Buy On AO1. Appkettle Smart Voice Controlled Kettle
- Domestic 57 oz kettle with high-tech functionality.
- Android and iOS compatible, with voice-enabled features.
- Keep-warm selector that works for up to 30 minutes.
- Energy saving mode with built-in safety controls.
A kettle like this one from Appkettle isn’t something you get to see every day. With all the high-tech from under its belt, and the years of development and research put into it, chances are you’ll want to take a good look at it. In case you were wondering how technology works with boiling water, this kettle can be enabled via Wi-Fi and commanded with voice controls.
The control app is available on both iOS and Android devices. Not to mention that it works with Amazon Alexa. As a smart kettle with voice-enabled operation, it can also communicate with your smart watch and send you notifications about the status of the voice commands you have previously used.
The kettle sits on a 360o base suitable for both left- and right-handed users. The front panel features a LED display where temperature is shown in real time. And if you don’t feel like relying too much on technology, you have physical buttons for On/Off, +/- temperature controls, and Keep Warm, a feature you can use for up to 30 minutes at once.
Specifications
Pros
- Smart functionality and design.
- Allows easy temperature settings.
- Shows temperature in real time.
- Designed for both left- and right-handed use.
Cons
- Doesn’t work with all router models.
- Somewhat heavy.
2. Breville Flow Electric Kettle
- Elegant, textured design with chrome accents & gloss finish.
- Powerful 3 KW motor for rapid boiling and good 57 oz boiling capacity.
- Rear water window that illuminates white when hitting the boiling temperature.
- Features an easy-grip lid with lift-off functionality.
For those looking to strike a balance between elegance and utility, this fast boil Breville kettle may easily hit the sweet spot. Designed as a set of electric kettle and toaster, you can choose to have them both on your countertop, for easy-going mornings, or settle for the kettle version alone.
Either way, the design is truly outstanding, not just in terms of looks, but also in terms of functionality.
The kettle boasts an elegant flowing textured with a gloss finish, available in four different shades of grey. It is powered by a 3 KW concealed element that allows you to boil water faster than you thought it’s possible. And it has a generous boiling capacity of up to 8 cups.
The list of welcomed features is nicely dotted with non-slip feet, lift-off lid, 360-degree rotational base, and cord storage. But the cherry on top is definitely the limescale filter, which can be easily removed, washed, and reused for a long time. And to think it doesn’t even cost an arm and a leg!
Specifications
Pros
- Great heating power and boiling capacity.
- Built to last, with a washable limescale filter.
- Designed with lots of practical details.
- Facilitates easy operation and quick boiling time.
Cons
- Only 1-year warranty.
- Made of plastic.
3. Russell Hobbs Kettle 20412
- Bright color that easily livens up any space.
- Rapid boiling at 3000 Watts.
- Large boiling capacity of up to 57 oz.
- Pour spout with a removable filter.
If you’d like the thought of boiling a cup of water in just as little as 45 seconds, you’ll want to learn more about Russell Hobbs’ 3000 W stainless steel kettle.
Maybe you’ll want to try the Flame Red version, or the Storm Grey, Classic Cream, Jet Black, or Heavenly Blue – each one has a good chance to look outstanding on your kitchen countertop and work just as great.
This particular kettle doesn’t just bring water to a boil super-fast, but it also has a high boiling capacity. Its 3600 base with cord storage underneath adds up to its practicality. Just like the side water gauge and perfect pour spout with a removable filter make it a joy to use.
In case you were hoping for it, the kettle does come with a removable filter that you can wash and reuse as you see fit. And if you’re an energy-conscious person, knowing that this product saves up to 70% energy will make you even more interested in it.
Specifications
Pros
- Attractive design available in 5 different colors.
- Easy to hold and to maneuver.
- Boils water very fast, with energy efficiency.
- Easy to clean and durable.
Cons
- No auto shutoff.
- Lid won’t open all the way.
4. Morphy Richards Evoke Kettle
- Works with a 3000 W kettle element.
- Can boil up to 6 cups of water at once.
- Features an easy view window for water dosing.
- Includes an anti-limescale filter.
If you’re searching for a modern kettle with a classic design, give the Morphy Richards Evoke a chance! Its pyramid-style design and vibrant burgundy shade will warm you up just by looking at it!
Yet the looks aren’t everything there is to admire about it. Even though it has a slightly smaller boiling capacity of 50 oz compared to the 53 oz you see in other models, the 3 KW kettle element is going strong!
The kettle sits on a 3600 base, and features the popular built-in cord storage underneath it. This makes it easy to handle and convenient to use for both left-handed and right-handed persons. And because it boils water fast and it lets you boil just the minimum amount you need, it is straightforward and convenient to use anytime.
For the pickiest tea drinkers, the anti-limescale filter that comes with it will be much appreciated. Thanks to it, you’ll get to enjoy a quality hot drink, and the filter can be washed and used multiple times without any inconveniences. Take a look at it, and you’ll probably hardly resist it!
Specifications
Pros
- Very easy to hold and use.
- Boils water really fast.
- Takes up little space.
- Works for both right- and left-handed.
Cons
- Slightly smaller boiling capacity.
- A tad on the pricey side.
5. KitchenAid Artisan Glass Kettle
- Elegant and durable combination of glass and stainless steel.
- Boils and brews at the same time.
- Comes with 5 tea presets you can easily activate.
- Features the auto keep-warm function.
As a glass tea kettle with stainless steel accents, KitchenAid’s 50 oz kettle can’t go unnoticed. Just like many other models on the market, it relies on a kettle element of 3000 W and has a decent boiling capacity. And even though it is set to work as a tea maker, one can always remove the steeper and use it only for boiling water.
But if tea is your thing, the variable temperature control and the 5 specialty tea presets will certainly make you interested.
Basically, you just pick one of the five temperatures, and once that temperature is reached, you pour the tea leaves in the steeper and let the brewing work its magic. In the end, you can choose to keep it warmer for longer by simply hitting the Keep-Warm button at the right.
The premium Schott Duran glass that the kettle is made of gives it a special look, but also keeps the taste of your drinks clean.
The kettle is built with a handy 3600 base, features cable storage, and has an On/Off power indicator that lights up and lets you know when it hit the right temperature. While on the pricey side, it does come with a 2-year warranty, which is more than encouraging.
Specifications
Pros
- Keeps a clean, unaltered taste of the boiling water.
- Boasts a removable steeper made of stainless steel.
- Built to boil water fast and easy.
- Keeps your drinks warm if needed.
Cons
- Quite heavy, because of the glass construction.
- A bit pricey compared to similar products.
Kettle Buying Guide
Materials
The main role of a kettle is to boil water. And so, its materials can certainly make a difference in terms of product quality. Most modern kettles have a stainless-steel container or a combination of stainless steel and plastic. There are also some glass options. Rarely, you’ll find kettles with plastic parts.
If you’re shopping on a budget and not planning on using it countless times a day, a plastic kettle might be worth being considered. Some people like plastic kettles better because they don’t get as hot while in use. Plus, they are more lightweight, and you can easily travel with it. However, it is worth considering that if the boiling water touches plastic, the taste might be slightly different. Other than kettles, for boiling water you can use a hot water dispenser .
You can also consider buying a kettle and toaster set too.
Glass Kettles
Glass kettles certainly have a special look, and the added advantage of keeping the water’s taste clean and pure. However, they require to be handled with extra care and usually weight significantly more. If aesthetics is very important to you, and you’d prefer being able to watch as the water boils in your kettle, a glass model is the perfect choice.
Stainless Steel Kettle
Stainless steel kettles are the most common and there’s a reason for it. This material makes for a durable product and allows an elegant and versatile design. It is the preferred material even for the top of the range products.
Power
The power of a kettle determines how fast it will bring water to a boil. Given the working principle of the kettle element, the higher the power, the faster it will boil the water. Some of the best kettles, the ones that can boil a full 53 oz of water in around 2 minutes, are normally powered at 3000 W, like a kettle for hard water. Some other models can have their power around 2400 W and require 2-3 minutes to boil the water. And then, there are the low-wattage kettles you might want to consider.
Low Wattage Kettle
If a top of the range kettle can handle the maximum water capacity in approximately 2 minutes at 3 KW, a low wattage kettle can target a power rating of around 0.6 KW. However, power isn’t the only aspect lowered from the factory. Such kettles usually also have a smaller boiling capacity.
A low wattage kettle is ideal for travelers, and its capacity may be reduced to 17 oz or the equivalent of two cups of water. For caravans and motorhomes, there are even 150W kettles, and you might be able to find one with a 33 oz boiling chamber. It will take longer to bring water to a boil, but you supposedly have that extra time when going on camping.
Temperature
When we talk about kettles we often think about boiling water, which we all know happens when you hit the 2120F or 1000C temperature. From this perspective, some kettles are designed with an On/Off power button, which you can hit whenever you want or wait for it to shut off once it reaches the boiling temperature.
However, some of the more sophisticated, modern kettle models either let you set a particular temperature, or have a couple of preset temperature options, similar to a variable temperature kettle. Those with preset temperature programs are probably more suitable for beginners who would like to be told what temperature is best for green tea, as opposed to black tea, for instance. Simply pushing a specific button depending on the type of drink you want to prepare is certainly a nice feature of top kettles.
Energy Efficient Kettle
If you read enough kettle reviews, you’ll notice some products are highly praised for their energy efficient operation. In case you were wondering what that means, you should know it comes down to a lot more than the amount of energy required to boil a liter of water.
In fact, almost all modern kettles use a similar amount of energy. But some have extra features that make the whole process more effective, and they’re called eco kettles. For instance, the auto shutoff right after heating the boiling temperature, and the low minimum fill level are two important features of an energy-saving kettle.
Type
Apart from power, boiling capacity, and material, kettles can be classified by taking some specific design features into account. Sure, they are all trying to look as elegant as possible, and put great emphasis on the practical features. But two particular models will always stand out among the top kettles available on the market.
Collapsible Kettle
A collapsible kettle is an amazing accessory. It doesn’t just take minimal space where you’re using it, but also it is highly portable. It makes an excellent choice for those who travel or go hiking and camping, and who want to have a reliable source of hot water at hand.
Usually, collapsible kettles feature the pyramid or dome design. They have a stainless-steel base you can confidently place on any source of heat. And the collapsible body that sits on top of the metal base if made of food-grade silicone. Easy to set up, use, and wash, they are a real savior whenever you want a hot drink in the outdoors.
Cordless Kettle
A cordless kettle is one that relies on electricity to heat water, but can be easily disconnected from the power source. The kettle is the container where you add the water and bring it to a boil. It sits on a base that you can plug into a power supply. And it shuts off by default, once the water has come to a boil.
The kettle itself is completely cordless. You can pick it up from its base and carry it around, anywhere you need, whether to refill with water or to pour the water in the cups. The base that heats its element is corded, but usually with a special design that allows you to coil the cord underneath it, for even more compact storage.
For other types of kettles, we have a review for best induction kettles!
Frequently Asked Questions
To descale a kettle, you can find plenty of specifically designed cleaning products on the market. You just buy one, read the user instructions, and put it into practice. The cheaper option is to simply make a mixture of half water and half white vinegar and let it sit in your kettle over the night. In the morning, simply wash the kettle and bring it to a boil with fresh water, to make sure you’re removing all the scale traces.
A kettle must be cleaned both on the outside, and inside. The outside is usually easier to handle because you see it all the time. You can use a cloth, soak it in water with a bit of dish soap, and wipe the kettle with it.
For the inside, use a special descale cleaning solution, or try a homemade solution of white vinegar (or lemon) and water. The secret is to let the cleaning solution in the kettle for at least a couple of hours before moving on to the actual cleaning.
The power ratings vary from 2000 to 3000 W for the top kettles. And it is fair to assume that, for an average model with a 1.5 liters boiling capacity, it takes around 0.1 KWh of electricity for running 3 minutes and bringing the entire water volume to a boil.
There are special products on the market specifically intended to remove limescale. Some kettles come with instructions mentioning only a particular type of descaler. Also, you can use homemade mixtures that involve a mild acid (like vinegar or lemon juice) and water, to let it soak into the limescale and then easily remove it. Make sure that whatever you use, it’s a safe choice for your kettle.
The time a kettle needs to bring water to a boil depends on its power rating and the amount of water you’re boiling. For a powerful modern kettle rated at 3 KW, filled with 53 oz of water, it takes between 2-2.5 minutes to reach the boiling temperature. If it’s a lower power, it can take up to 3 minutes.
A kettle is a container with a heating element at its base. The container is independent from the heating base, and can be easily filled with water. When you plug the cord of the base, the heating element from inside of it will heat up, and so will do the container that sits on top of it.
Our Verdict
A kettle can be useful in many different circumstances. Whether you work a lot at the office, or travel a lot in the outdoors, whenever you feel the need for a mug of something warm, boiling water in an instant is a precious ability. The same goes if you cook a lot and you want to save time by speeding things up rather than waiting for the cooktop to do all the work.
Whatever your needs, a modern kettle can cover them all. Just make sure you take the time to consider the most important features. Read as many kettle reviews as you find necessary, up until you get answers to all your questions. In any case, by making it all the way to our best kettle buying guide, you already have all the information you need to start shopping!
