I drink a lot of tea. Most days it’s green, herbal, or black, but sometimes I switch it up with white tea or oolong just to keep things interesting. The only downside? I have zero patience when it comes to waiting for water to boil—especially when I’m still half-asleep in the morning.
On top of that, different teas need different water temperatures to taste their best. So whether I’m making a calming cup of Japanese matcha or a cozy mug of Earl Grey with honey and lemon, the process of brewing tea has turned into a daily ritual for me—almost meditative.
For years, I boiled water on the stove, eyeballing the bubbles or occasionally pulling out a kitchen thermometer (yes, really). But once I got an electric kettle with temperature control, everything changed. It made tea time faster, easier, and more enjoyable.
I recently tested a bunch of popular electric kettles—different styles, different prices—to see if any could beat my go-to model. Spoiler: my favorite still came out on top.
🏆 Top Pick: Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Why I Love It: Easy to use, looks great, and has preset temperatures.
Downside: Smaller capacity (but that’s rarely a deal-breaker for me).
This was the first electric kettle I ever bought, and years later, it’s still one of my favorite kitchen tools. After three years of daily use, it still works perfectly and looks almost brand new.
The gooseneck spout is great for both delicate teas and pour-over coffee. It gives you control, so you’re not splashing hot water everywhere. Plus, there are five temperature presets:
- 170°F – white tea
- 180°F – green tea
- 195°F – oolong
- 205°F – coffee
- 212°F – boiling/black tea
It’s super user-friendly—just press the power button, choose a preset, and wait for the beep. There’s even a “hold” function that keeps the water warm for up to an hour, perfect if you get distracted. And yes, it automatically shuts off for safety.
Aesthetically, it’s sleek and modern. The matte black stainless steel looks good on any countertop and doesn’t take up much space.
Details:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 0.8 liters
- Size: 11.6 x 9 x 7.7 inches
- Time to boil 3 cups: 4 minutes, 31 seconds
COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Also Read: How Long Should You Steep Oolong Tea?
🥈 Runner-Up: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle
Why It’s Great: Solid build, stylish look, accurate presets
Downside: A little heavy
This one is a close second. Like the Cosori, it comes with preset temperatures and a “keep warm” function. It offers six settings:
- 160°F – delicate teas
- 175°F – green tea
- 185°F – white tea
- 190°F – oolong
- 200°F – French press
- Boil – black tea
It’s made of sturdy stainless steel and looks sleek on the counter. The spout isn’t a gooseneck, but it pours smoothly without spills. It even has handy measurement markings and a button to pop open the lid.
During testing, it boiled 3 cups of water in just 3 minutes and 37 seconds—the second-fastest time of all the kettles I tried. It also hit exactly 212°F, which impressed me. If you want something reliable, attractive, and a bit roomier, this is a great pick.
Details:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 1.7 liters
- Size: 11.6 x 9 x 7.7 inches
- Time to boil 3 cups: 3 minutes, 37 seconds
Cuisinart 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle
Also Read: This Japanese Kyusu Pot Is Surprisingly Affordable
💰 Best Budget Option: Hamilton Beach Electric Tea Kettle
Why It’s Great: Affordable, fast, and simple to use
Downside: Fill lines are hard to read
If you’re just looking for a basic kettle that boils water quickly without extra features, this one is a winner. It’s simple—no presets, no frills—but it does the job well. It’s lightweight, has a sleek stainless steel look, and features a blue LED light around the base that glows when it’s heating.
This kettle was the fastest in my tests—3 cups of water reached boiling in just 3 minutes and 35 seconds. The automatic shut-off kicks in once it hits 212°F, and it was accurate within 1°F when I checked with a thermometer.
The only downside? The water level markings are hard to see since they blend in with the plastic. Still, for the price, it’s a solid choice.
Details:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 1.7 liters
- Size: 9.24 x 6.24 x 8.78 inches
- Time to boil 3 cups: 3 minutes, 35 seconds
Hamilton Beach Electric Tea Kettle
Also Read: How to Get Tea Stains Out of Porcelain Cups?
🔍 How I Tested the Kettles
I used each kettle in my daily routine for a few weeks, sometimes multiple times a day. I checked how fast they could boil 3 cups of tap water (starting at 62°F) to 212°F. For models with temperature presets, I tested accuracy with an instant-read thermometer.
I also hand-washed each one to see if there were any tricky parts to clean. Here’s what I paid close attention to:
- Performance: How fast does it heat? Are preset temps accurate? Does it leak or pour smoothly?
- Design: Is it durable? Does it look good? Are there fingerprints or scratches easily?
- Ease of Use: Is the lid easy to open? Can you see the water level clearly? Are the controls intuitive?
- Safety: Does it shut off automatically? Any other safety features?
