Best Tea Kettles
There’s something special about a cup of tea. It’s so versatile and flavorful – drink it hot on a cold day for a comforting and calming feeling or have it cold with ice and a sprig of mint on a hot day for a refreshing treat.
Some people prefer consuming this ancient beverage by pouring hot water over a teabag while others enjoy steeping loose leaves in water heated to the right temperature.
Regardless of what kind of tea or hot beverage you prefer, you’ll want a good kettle that boils water quickly, safely and easily.
Although tea kettles come in two styles – stovetop and electric – there are a wide variety of materials, styles and colors to choose from. Some kettles have cool extra features that will make boiling water foolproof, safe and fun.
We narrow down the four best tea kettles you can buy online. Read on to find the one that best suits your hot beverage needs.
Top Pick Best Versatile: Aicook 2020 Electric Kettle
Over the years you’ve become a serious tea drinker. Green, black, white, oolong – you love them all and search diligently for quality leaves. In fact, you have a different teapot for each kind of tea, taking pride in the process of steeping the leaves to extract the best the tea has to offer. But now you are moving to a smaller place and don’t have space for your teapots and want a more versatile tea kettle. If you are looking for a kettle that is versatile enough to heat water to specific temperatures for a variety of teas, then this is the model for you.
For fail-safe tea every time regardless of the blend, we recommend the Aicook 2020 Electric Kettle. This electric tea kettle made from ultra clear borosilicate glass and food grade 304 stainless steel will have you rethinking the way you used to make tea.
Imagine, all it takes is one touch to heat water to the correct temperature for white, green, black or oolong tea. This electric tea kettle has five precise temperature pre-sets and is equipped with an accurate temperature sensor that assures your tea leaves will never be burned by water that is too hot.
It has a 1.7 liter capacity, and with its keep warm function that holds your desired water temperature for up to two hours, you can brew a large batch of tea and know it will stay hot all morning. The memory feature allows the kettle to be lifted off its base for 10 minutes without shutting off or losing its place in the brewing process. Pretty foolproof, right?
And that’s not all. This awesome product is packed with other amazing features. It will automatically shut off when the water reaches the set temperature, and the boil dry protection feature shuts the kettle off if the water runs out. An optional ‘ready’ tone lets you know when the water is ready, so you can leave the room and not worry.
Measuring 16.5 inches x 7.5 inches x 11 inches and weighing 3.53 lbs., this model will look great on your kitchen counter. With a wide mouth opening and removable lid, it’s easy to fill and easy to clean. The tea infuser has its own separate lid so you can easily fill it with leaves, and a simple twist removes it so you can clean it after every use.
Oh, and did we mention it comes with a two-year warranty? Sweet deal, right?
Pros:
- Versatile
- One-touch temperature system
- Automatic shut off and boil protection feature
- Water stays hot for two hours
- Two-year warranty
- Modern glass design
- All materials are 100 percent BPA free
Cons:
- More expensive than other models
- Not a traditional-looking teapot
Top Pick Best Cast Iron: TOPTIER Japanese Cast Iron Tea Kettle with Infuser
You love the Japanese tea tradition and would like a traditional Japanese teapot that is also a kettle to brew your favorite tea. You’re not interested in making large quantities at a time – it’s the quality that counts. If you’re looking for a beautifully crafted cast iron Japanese tea kettle to bring out the true flavors of your tea leaves that is safe to use on the stovetop, then this is the model for you.
We recommend the TOPTIER Japanese Cast Iron Tea Kettle with Infuser to help you make your perfect cup of tea.
This lovely cast iron tea kettle allows for gradual and even heating, helping to infuse the greatest amount of flavor from the tea leaves into the water, and holds onto the heat for a long time.
Cast iron is sturdy and protects the teapot from damage, meaning you will be able to use it for many years. The fully enameled interior helps to preserve the purity of the tea for superior taste. The tea kettle comes with a stainless steel infuser that keeps the loose leaves from floating in the water, and can be removed for easy cleaning.
An ergonomic fold-down handle makes for a comfortable grip and the shortly curved spout means easy, drip-free pouring. You can put this tea kettle on the stovetop to heat water, using the small element for slow heating, keeping your tea warm when it’s done.
This turquoise blue cast iron tea kettle is crafted with a modern wave pattern on its surface, which is a symbol of natural simplicity and purity. Weighing 3.34 lbs. with a capacity to serve two to three people, it comes in four colors to complement most kitchen color palettes. Easy to clean, just rinse with water; dishwashing detergent is not recommended.
Elevate your tea drinking experience, or give this tea kettle as a gift to the tea lover in your family. Perfect for housewarmings, birthdays, anniversaries or a bridal shower.
Pros:
- Made from sturdy cast iron
- Beautiful Japanese design
- Available in four colors
- Retains heat well
- Can be used on the stovetop
Cons:
- Small capacity
- Do not wash with dishwashing detergent, brushes or cleaning tools
Top Pick Best Budget: Mr. Coffee Carterton Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle
You’ve just moved into your first apartment. Not only are you a tea drinker, but you love instant soup and Raman noodles. Boiling water is your food and drink-prep friend but you’re on a pretty strict budget. You need a kettle, but being a bit absentminded, you want one that will whistle when the water boils so you don’t accidentally leave it on the stove for the water to boil out. If you’re looking for an affordable whistling tea kettle to get you through your early years on your own, then this kettle is for you.
We recommend the Mr. Coffee Carterton Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle, 1.5-Quart, Mirror Polish to safely boil water. The timeless look of this tea kettle will go well with any kitchen layout. With its distinctive shape, shiny silver-colored exterior and classy black bakelite handle and stopper, it will add a touch of panache to your décor as it boils up water for cocoa, tea, coffee or instant soup.
Never worry about forgetting that you have water boiling on the stove. The shrill whistle will loudly remind you when the water is done. The flip-up spout cover makes for safe and easy pouring, and the stay cool trigger keeps fingers safe.
Measuring 7.75 inches x 7.5 inches x 6.5 inches and weighing only 1.5 pounds, this lightweight, affordable 1.5-quart kettle will provide plenty of hot water for all of your needs.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Whistles when water is boiling
- Made of stainless steel
Cons
- Hand wash recommended
Top Pick High Quality: Pykal Whistling Tea Kettle with iCool
You want everything in your kitchen to look cool and modern, with the latest in technology for all of your small and large appliances and gadgets. You love tea and making hot beverages quickly and easily and want a large capacity tea kettle that is modern, sleek-looking and will work on your new stovetop.
For a tea kettle that works on all stovetops, we recommend the Pykal Whistling Tea Kettle with iCool for all of your tea-making and hot beverage needs.
This whistling tea kettle comes with many cool features like the latest thermal protection technology so the handle cools down in a few seconds after turning off the stove. Thanks to the ergonomic push-button pouring mechanism, you don’t need to touch any hot metal parts.
Made with a five-ply encapsulated base – an iron layer between two aluminum layers wrapped inside surgical stainless steel – this kettle is built for quick heating for enhanced performance. Safe to use on any stove top: induction, gas, electric, ceramic and halogen. And the loud whistle guarantees that you can hear it from another room when the water is boiled.
Perfect for making any hot beverage, this kettle measures 8.7 inches x 8.7 inches x 9 inches and weighs three pounds and also comes with two premium tea infusers so you can brew your favorite leaf tea for family and friends.
Pros:
- Whistles loudly when water is boiled
- Safe for all stovetops
- Comes with a one-year warranty
Cons:
- More expensive than other models
Things to look out for:
Consider these things when looking for a tea kettle so you will choose one that best suits your needs:
Types of kettles
Kettles come in two major styles: stovetop and electric. While stovetop kettles tend to be more basic, many people still love the traditional method of boiling water on the stove. Many stovetop models have modern features like handles that don’t get hot and come in interesting designs and colors. Also, some stovetop models whistle when the water boils, a good safety feature so you won’t forget that you have water boiling on the stove. Stovetop kettles are portable and can go with you on camping trips, since they only require a heat source like a campfire or a camping stove, and not an electrical outlet.
An electric kettle heats water when it’s plugged in and switched on. Electric kettles typically boil water more quickly than the stovetop method. Many come with a switch that automatically turns the kettle off when the water is boiled to the desired temperature. Some models have extra features like temperature pre-sets for heating water for specific blends of tea.
Size
Whether stovetop or electric, kettles come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from tall and narrow to short and round. Choose a size that reflects how much – or how little – water you will need to boil at a time. Consider if you entertain large crowds; in this case, you may need a large capacity kettle.
The spout
The spout helps direct the flow of water as it’s poured out of the kettle. Stovetop kettles tend to have covered spouts, while many electric kettles have splash guard spouts.
Price
It’s never a good idea to purchase something that costs more than you can afford. Luckily, tea kettles come in a full range of prices that make them available to everyone. Plastic electric kettles tend to be more affordable, however metal kettles keep water hotter for longer. The material inside is important too. Metal interiors may change the taste of the water, unless the inside is coated with enamel, but a glass kettle interior won’t interfere with taste.