10 Best Tea Kettles of 2021

We listed the best tea kettles to invest in this 2021. Whether you’re looking for glass or stainless steel kettles, electric or stovetop, a no-frills boiler or a quirky pot, you’ll find a product that fulfills your needs and style.

Best Tea Kettles to Buy

Best Overall Pick: OXO Brew Classic Whistling Tea Kettle – 1.7 Quart Brushed Stainless Steel  The classic stovetop kettle with heat-resistant handles, unique style, and distinctive whistle

Best Electric Kettle: KitchenAid 1.25 Liter Electric Kettle A fast-boiling electric kettle that comes in several different colors and has a limescale filter on the spout

Best Value for Money: Cuisinart Aura 2-Quart Stainless Steel Stovetop Tea Kettle A no-frills lightweight stovetop kettle that comes with a lifetime warranty

Best Top-Range: All-Clad Stainless Steel Kettle  A durable and robust, high-end kettle that works on all stovetops, including induction stoves

Best Enamel-Coated Kettle: Le Creuset 1.7 Quart Enamel-on-Steel Whistling Tea Kettle Beautiful design with strong attention to detail, made from high-quality materials

Best Extra Features: Willow & Everett 2.75 Quart Stovetop Whistling Tea Kettle Wide-based stovetop tea kettle with a tea strainer and composite material construction

Best Budget: Mr. Coffee Claredale 2.2 Quart Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle Full-featured tea kettle at an unbeatable price

Best Wide-Base Kettle: Chef’s Secret 2.75 Quart T-304 Stainless Steel Kettle Fast-boiling, ergonomically designed, large-capacity kettle

Best Glass: Medelco 48 oz Glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle Quirky kettle made from borosilicate glass, suitable for gas and electric stovetops

Best Compact: Circulon Morning Bird Tea Kettle The king of cute tea kettles with a variety of colors and distinctive rounded shape

While many of us love our early morning coffee, tea is becoming increasingly popular as well. From a wake-up caffeine boost to a calming white tea infusion at night, this beverage offers endless options for a wide variety of tastes.

Tea kettles come in as many varieties as the tea itself, ranging from the traditional stovetop kettle to modern electric kettles. Newer kettles do more than just boiling water—some come with temperature controls for the perfect cup of tea, while others have trigger-action lids and keep-warm features that make the tea-brewing experience more convenient.

If you love tea, you owe it to yourself to buy the best tea kettle possible. Making the right choice may feel overwhelming, which is why we’ve compiled a list of kettles we think make excellent buys. No matter what your needs, this list will have the best tea kettle for you.

Best Overall Pick: OXO Brew Classic Whistling Tea Kettle – 1.7 Quart Brushed Stainless Steel

Read the product review: OXO Brew Good Grips Classic Tea Kettle Review

The OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle is the quintessential stovetop kettle, with an attractive design and several conveniences that put it at the top of our list. Made from high-grade stainless steel, this is a kettle that’s easy to clean, stain-resistant and durable. The food-grade steel ensures that you don’t have to worry about metals leaching into your water, and best of all, it’s also dishwasher-safe.

What makes the OXO Tea Kettle so unique is the attention to detail. While it may not have many fancy features, every aspect of it exhibits a well-thought-out design. The handle is comfortable and stable for pouring while also being easy to get out of the way when necessary. The spout cover has a distinct whistle that will let you know when your water’s ready, and the simple lever is intuitive and straightforward to use.

The kettle has heat-resistant materials on the spout lever, on the lid knob, and on the handle, which means that you don’t have to worry about burning yourself. We found that the material does still get relatively hot, so it may be a good idea to give the kettle a couple of seconds to cool down before pouring.

We also really like the OXO Tea Kettle’s eye-catching design. While tea kettles tend to look similar, the brushed steel finish and unique curved shape ensure that the OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle will be an attractive addition to any kitchen.

Best Electric Kettle: KitchenAid 1.25 Liter Electric Kettle

Read the product review: KitchenAid 1.25 L Electric Kettle Review 

If you’re determined to get an electric kettle, this KitchenAid kettle is an excellent option. It has a stylish, eye-catching shape with its double handle and a wide variety of colors, including pistachio green, silver, red, and black. Since an electric kettle will sit on your countertop, it’s worthwhile buying something that looks good while doing its job. 

The KitchenAid 1.25 liter kettle holds a decent amount of water and will boil a full-capacity container in under five minutes, which is faster than any stovetop kettle we’ve reviewed. The cordless design makes it easy to carry the kettle around the kitchen if you need to boil water for cooking pasta or eggs.

We found the KitchenAid kettle extremely easy to use, with a large opening that makes filling the kettle incredibly easy. The handle and spout work together to give you precise control while pouring, and you can empty the kettle with no issues. The large opening is big enough that you can reach inside to clean. People living in hard-water areas will appreciate the limescale filter at the bottom of the spout. 

The only real drawback of this kettle is its small capacity. While KitchenAid claims that it can boil 1.25 liters, the spout’s low position means that filling the kettle to capacity will result in boiling water splashing out. 

At best, you can boil around 800 ml safely, which makes this kettle slightly too small for regular kitchen use. However, if all you want to do is boil water for your next pot of tea without a wait, this is an excellent buy. 

Best Value for Money: Cuisinart Aura 2-Quart Stainless Steel Stovetop Tea Kettle

Read the product review: Cuisinart Aura (CTK SS17) 2 QT Stovetop Tea Kettle Review

The Cuisinart kettle is a no-frills option for someone that only wants a kettle to put on a stove to boil water. It’s one of the lowest-priced kettles on our list, thanks to its simple design and lightweight construction. 

The Cuisinart has the basic features you would want from a kettle: a whistling spout, convenient handle, and relatively large opening. It also comes with a lifetime warranty covering any defects or damage during the kettle’s lifespan.

The stainless steel construction feels relatively flimsy, and we expect that the kettle will quickly accumulate lots of dents and scratches due to regular use. The handles and spout lever aren’t heat resistant, leading to potential accidents if you aren’t careful—which may be a massive drawback to inattentive users or those with children.

Overall, the Cuisinart kettle is a good buy for the price. It does exactly what it says on the tin and absolutely nothing more. The construction and materials are adequate but nothing special. If you just want a kettle for occasional use, this may be a good option, but several other kettles exist in the same price range that may be better for a serious tea drinker.

Best Top-Range: All-Clad Stainless Steel Kettle

If you’re willing to pay a premium price for a premium kettle, the All-Clad Stainless Steel Kettle is well worth a look. Most people notice this kettle for its good looks, ensuring that it will be attractive in any high-end kitchen. The stainless-steel core has a chrome-plated finish, which gives the kettle its shiny appearance. However, this also means that the kettle isn’t dishwasher safe.

All-Clad has put a lot of thought into this kettle’s design, from the broad base to the curved handle. The base’s width ensures that the kettle will fit any burner size and provides more heating surface so water can heat faster. The curved handle fits comfortably in any size hand and makes pouring easy even when the kettle is full.

The All-Clad kettle’s main drawback is the lack of a heat-resistant cover on any of the fixtures. The stainless steel handle heats up quickly and can take longer to cool down, which may pose a risk in households with children. The same problem applies to the spout lever and lid handle, which makes working with this kettle slightly dangerous.

Despite the lack of heat-resistant fittings, the All-Clad is still one of the best high-end kettles on the market. It nails the look and feel of a premium product, with a thick stainless steel core and beautiful chrome plating. The two-quart capacity is more than enough for even the most social tea-drinker, and the weight of the kettle is comfortable to handle even when full.

With its stunning good looks and excellent craftsmanship, the All-Clad Stainless Steel Tea Kettle is an investment that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Best Enamel-Coated Kettle: Le Creuset 1.7 Quart Enamel-on-Steel Whistling Tea Kettle

Le Creuset is famous for its cast-iron Dutch ovens, but it also makes a comprehensive set of high-quality kitchen goods, including tea kettles. If you want the durability of a metal kettle but also want a splash of color, this enamel-coated stainless steel kettle is an excellent first choice. You can choose from nine different vibrant colors that will ensure that the kettle becomes the centerpiece of your stovetop. 

The Le Creuset whistling tea kettle isn’t just a pretty face; many small design features make it a pleasure to use. The handle locks into an upright position that ensures stability while you pour, but it’s easy enough to push it in to a horizontal position when cleaning or filling the kettle. 

The lid fits snugly on the kettle, which ensures an airtight seal that speeds up the boiling process, while the broad base ensures that water heats up evenly. 

The spout lever has a heat-resistant coating, and its shape ensures that your fingers stay far away from the steam-filled spout when opening the cover. The handle sits high above the kettle, which protects it from getting too hot to handle. It also has a heat-protective layer to ensure that you can pour boiling water without the risk of getting burned. 

One significant advantage of having an enamel kettle is that cleaning is a breeze. While the kettle isn’t dishwasher safe, the non-stick enamel means that removing any limescale buildup takes seconds with a damp cloth or sponge. 

The Le Creuset Enamel-on-Steel is a premium kettle for serious tea drinkers. Whether you love the aesthetic or the convenience of this kettle, it’s an excellent investment that will brighten up your kitchen. 

Best Extra Features: Willow & Everett 2.75 Quart Stovetop Whistling Tea Kettle

The Willow & Everett stovetop whistling kettle shows how technological advancements can produce a kettle that’s completely customer-centric. Every design element keeps the regular tea-drinker in mind, from the high-quality construction to the stainless steel tea strainer. If you want a kettle with plenty of extra features to make your life easy, this is the kettle for you.

The kettle uses five different metals in its construction: stainless steel, iron, copper, steel, and aluminum. This mix of metals ensures that you can use the kettle on any type of stove while providing excellent thermal transfer. The wide base heats up quickly and evenly, which allows for faster boiling, while the stainless steel finish protects the kettle from dents, rust, and stains.

The ergonomic handle fits any hand size, and the lever is comfortable to press while pouring. All of the handles have a heat-resistant finish that stays cool even directly after boiling. The matte-black finish complements the stainless steel coating and highlights the high-tech design.

The stainless steel tea strainer adds another dimension to the Willow & Everett tea kettle. Instead of relying on a separate kettle and teapot, the strainer allows for all-in-one brewing. The kettle is pretty enough to make an attractive centerpiece and leaves less to clean up afterward.

Unfortunately, brewing tea in your kettle means additional cleaning that you can only do by hand. The narrow top opening can make getting to the sides and bottom awkward, and you may need to invest in a dedicated cleaning brush to keep your kettle clean. 

Best Budget: Mr. Coffee Claredale 2.2 Quart Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle

Mr. Coffee is a brand known for making good products at rock-bottom prices, and the Claredale 2.2-quart kettle is no different. It’s the most affordable kettle in our line-up, but that doesn’t stop it from competing with some of the higher-end products we’ve reviewed.

The kettle has a distinctive Bakelite handle that gives it an attractive profile. The handle sits high up, so there’s enough space to fit the tap while filling the kettle, and the wide opening ensures no-mess filling. 

To open, the spout cover uses a button mechanism that sits on the front of the handle. This setup feels relatively natural, and thanks to the kettle’s light weight, you’ll never feel uncomfortable or out-of-control while pouring. However, the spout is short and stout, resulting in spills if you’re not careful. 

There’s very little wrong with the Mr. Coffee Claredale Stainless Steel kettle, and a lot to recommend it. If you’re unwilling to commit to a high-end kettle, then this Mr. Coffee is an excellent and affordable choice. 

Best Wide-Base Kettle: Chef’s Secret 2.75 Quart T-304 Stainless Steel Kettle

Wide bases allow for better heat transfer, which is essential if you’re boiling large amounts of water. The Chef’s Secret uses a wide-base design along with a gradual taper to speed up boiling while still giving you enough volume to heat water for cooking as well as tea brewing. Despite its large volume, the Chef’s Secret T-304 could boil water at full capacity in just under five minutes on a gas stove, making it one of the fastest-boiling stovetop kettles we tested. 

While the kettle consists of stainless steel, it feels very lightweight and easy to use. Unlike other lightweight kettles, it feels robust and durable and won’t dent or scratch easily. 

The circular handle sits very far from the kettle’s body, making for easy filling and keeping the handle away from heat. The heat-resistant coating only covers half of the stainless steel handle, making pouring awkward and uncomfortable.

The spring-loaded lever spout cover works reasonably well but tends to heat up very quickly and retains that heat well after the water has finished boiling. If you don’t have a towel on hand to lift it, you may have to wait for up to a minute before you can start pouring, which is a small inconvenience at best. 

The second drawback we found applies to all wide-base kettles that we tested. Squat kettles tend to need a much higher pouring angle to empty the entire pot. If you’re okay with leaving some water in the bottom, this may not be an issue, but it does mean that keeping the spout open becomes uncomfortable before you empty the kettle.

Best Glass: Medelco 48 oz Glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle

Glass kettles make a strong statement and can be a great addition to a retro-styled or modern kitchen. The Medelco Glass stovetop whistling kettle can hold up to 48 oz., and it’s easy to see when you’re over- or underfilling. Watching water boil is also a fun and novel experience, at least the first couple of times you do it. 

Because it’s glass, the Medelco kettle isn’t suitable for induction stoves, and we found that the handle gets very hot on gas stoves as well. Also, while the kettle uses borosilicate glass, which can handle high temperatures, you still need to be careful to avoid thermal shock, which can crack the glass.

We appreciate that this glass kettle still has a whistle, which will let you know when your water is ready. The overall design is fine, but you will need to remove the lid to pour, resulting in steam burns if you’re not careful.

The Medelco Glass stovetop whistling kettle is affordable and unique enough in style to fit into any quirky or retro kitchen. If you’re worried about toxins leaching into your water, glass is a great option to consider. While it may not be the right kettle for everyone, those who love quirky (or very affordable) kettles will instantly adore the Medelco. 

Best Compact: Circulon Morning Bird Tea Kettle

Not everyone needs a giant kettle; some people just want enough water to brew a small pot of tea. The Circulon Morning Bird Tea Kettle is a small-capacity kettle that will cheer you up with its unique style and bold colors. This enamel-coated stainless steel kettle comes in four colors—including turquoise, green, chocolate, and silver—and has a distinct profile thanks to the rounded body and ergonomic handle. 

Thanks to its small size, the Circulon isn’t too heavy even when filled to the brim, which makes it relatively easy to pour without putting too much strain on your wrist. However, we did find the handle to be very awkward and not long enough for people with larger hands. 

The metal ring at the end of the handle sits directly over the lid, which means that it absorbs a lot of heat during the boiling process. It poses a severe burning hazard for anyone who isn’t careful enough to keep their hand directly on the textured plastic handle. Beware if you have children.

Despite this issue, the Circulon Morning Bird tea kettle is a great little kettle for the occasional tea drinker. If you’ve learned to pick up a kettle with a tea towel, you’ll appreciate the good aspects of the Circulon without worrying too much about the hot handle. 

What to Look For When Buying a Tea Kettle

Tea kettles come in such a wide array of shapes and sizes that it’s tempting just to buy the first one you see. However, if you’re an avid tea drinker, you’ll be using your kettle a lot, so it’s worthwhile to take the time and do a bit of research first. 

While all kettles will boil water, their design influences how convenient they are to use, and small annoyances can quickly become deal-breakers when you’re making several cups of tea per day. Here are some of the factors you should keep in mind when you stop shopping around.

Size

The size of your kettle should match the amount of tea you typically drink. If you drink one or two cups per day, a small kettle will be ideal since it won’t take up too much space on your stove or countertop. If, on the other hand, you love making giant pots of tea to share among friends, a larger kettle will be a better option.

Size also influences the weight of the kettle. Smaller kettles are lighter and easier to control and maneuver, while larger kettles may require two hands to hold while pouring. Larger kettles also take slightly longer to boil the same amount of water as a smaller one.

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Ease of Filling and Pouring

The most important factor of any good kettle is how easy it is to use. Filling the kettle should be comfortable and natural without the handle getting in the way. Look for a kettle with a handle that folds away or moves away from the opening for spill-proof filling.

Kettles pour differently depending on the position of the spout and handle. Ideally, you want a kettle that is easy to control and keeps your hand well away from the kettle’s body. Avoid kettles that force you into an unnatural position or put your hand in the way of either the boiling water or the kettle’s body.

Cleaning

You may think that because you’re only boiling water that you don’t need to consider cleaning your tea kettle. Unfortunately, kettles tend to accumulate deposits, especially if you’re in an area with hard water, and so they will require the occasional clean. 

Factors that influence cleaning include the kettle’s size, the opening’s size, and the kettle’s material. Larger kettles require more cleaning since they’ll accumulate more considerable amounts of scale, and they may be too deep to reach to the bottom if they have a small opening. 

Glass kettles are usually easy to clean but will show dirt and grime on the outside much faster than metal kettles. However, metal kettles may start to stain and discolor over time, which will never be a problem with glass.

Material

The most common kettle materials are metal and coated metal, though some manufacturers have started making stovetop kettles of borosilicate glass, which are just as effective as metal kettles. 

Kettle materials won’t have much of an impact on your kettle’s performance and are mainly an aesthetic choice. The only time that material really matters is if you have an induction stove, as many metal kettles may not work—and glass kettles certainly won’t. 

Design

Almost all stovetop kettles come with a spout cover that speeds up boiling and gives the unmistakable whistling sound when the water’s ready. We’ve found that one of the biggest deal-breakers for kettle users is how you take the spout cover off to pour the water out. 

Spout covers come in three main designs: manual, spring-loaded, and buttons. Each person has their preference, and having a kettle with a different design can feel wrong and uncomfortable. 

The manual lever cover uses a simple lever to open and close the spout. The most significant disadvantage is that the lever is very close to the steam-filled spout, which raises the risk of burning your fingers while opening it. 

Spring-loaded levers add a trigger on the handle, which you hold to keep the spout open. It solves the issue of burning your fingers, but keeping the button pushed while pouring boiling water can feel uncomfortable, and you can still burn your fingers if you pour the wrong way.

Button-style kettles have a button on the handle that you can push to open or close the spout cover. This design tends to be the easiest to use, especially if the switch is in a convenient place.

Warranty

Even the best-made kettle may have flaws, so be sure to get one with a good warranty. Most reputable kettle-makers will offer at least a one-year warranty covering all the kettle parts, including the body, handle, and spout cover.

Boil Time

Most tea drinkers have learned patience when it comes to waiting for a kettle to boil, but that doesn’t mean you need to. Most stovetop kettles will take around six minutes to boil a liter of water, but various factors can influence boil time, including the kettle’s size and the base’s width. Larger bases transmit more heat and boil faster, so look for squat kettles if you want a faster boil time. 

Best Tea Kettle FAQ

What is the healthiest tea kettle?

If you’re worried about toxins leaching from your kettle into your tea water, stick to glass. Stainless steel and aluminum kettles may leach nickel and chromium into acidic water, and glazed ceramics may contain lead, but the chances of these compounds causing harm are negligible. 

What is the safest tea kettle material?

Stainless steel is the safest material. Glass may not leach potentially harmful compounds, but it can break much more easily and crack when exposed to large temperature differences. Stainless steel is robust, durable, and unlikely to cause any health issues. 

What is the best tea kettle for a gas stove?

The Le Creuset classic whistling kettle is best for a gas stove. The main problem with using a kettle on a gas stove is that the gas heats up the handle and the kettle. In the Le Creuset, the handle sits well above the rest of the kettle, making it the most comfortable option for gas stoves. 

Which is better: glass or stainless steel?

It depends on your personal preference, but we prefer stainless steel. Food-grade stainless steel is durable, robust, and will never rust or discolor. While it takes longer to heat up than glass, it makes up for it with sheer durability. While borosilicate glass is tough, it can still crack when exposed to large temperature differences, and you have to be much more careful with it than with a steel kettle. 

Conclusion

Even though most stovetop kettles look the same, you will find enough differences to ensure that you will either fall in love or grow to hate your kettle with time. The kettle you choose will have a considerable impact on your tea drinking experience and will be by your side for decades to come. Instead of opting for the cheapest or prettiest option, take the time to find the perfect kettle for your needs. 

Our list has something for everyone, and we’ve tested all of them for quality and reliability. Whether you’ve just started on your tea journey or can distinguish between tea types on sight, our list should give you a great idea of where to begin on your kettle-buying expedition. 

Once you’ve decided on your kettle, check out our store for excellent prices and customer service.