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See why.The Best Electric Kettles
Electric kettles are handy for making tea or coffee and for any cooking task that requires a few cups of boiling water. We tested 8 models and rated them on their speed, ease of use, and safety.
Last Updated Nov. 18, 2021. Appears in Cook's Illustrated March/April 2008, America's Test Kitchen TV Season 18: Pad Thai and Panang Curry
After some of our readers raised concerns over off-flavors in the water boiled by our Best Buy, the Capresso H2O Plus, we decided to retest it. We also surveyed the market to see if better options had emerged. We didn’t experience problems with the Capresso and still recommend it. But the Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle impressed us with its user-friendly features and large capacity. We like it better than the Capresso, and it is our new Best Buy.
We also tested the AmazonBasics Electric Kettle against our favorite electric kettles.
Top Picks
What You Need To Know
Electric kettles are handy for making tea or coffee and for any cooking task that requires a few cups of boiling water, from rehydrating dried mushrooms and tomatoes to softening lasagna noodles or reconstituting concentrated stocks. The Capresso H2O Plus won our last testing in 2008; we wondered if it was still the best kettle on the market. We gathered several kettles made from stainless steel and glass (we’ve found that plastic kettles can create funky flavors) to test against our old favorite. We started by timing how long each took to boil water. We then evaluated the precision of their spouts and comfort of their handles and boiled the maximum allowed volume in each one to see if they splashed or spilled. We even held a blind tasting of the boiled water to see if any imparted off-flavors. Finally, we subjected each kettle to a durability test of 25 additional boiling cycles, putting the top-ranked models through a full 365 rounds to simulate daily use for a year.
Electric kettles have improved since our last testing, as our new lineup boasted key features that weren’t standard in previous years. The kettles themselves are cordless, so you can lift them away from the heating element to pour, and 360-degree compatibility with their bases means that they don’t need to be oriented in a certain direction. Each kettle also automatically shuts off when the water boils and has a safeguard that prevents it from turning on when the kettle is empty.
That said, there were certainly differences among them. To begin with, materials mattered. We wanted to see the water level as we filled them. With glass kettles, a glance was enough. But when we filled the stainless-steel models, we relied on windows or external water-level gauges—the majority of which were hard to read at a glance. With both metal and glass kettles, we preferred those that had large light-up power indicators to signal that kettles were on or had finished their boiling cycle.
Boiling speed and capacity were critical factors. When we timed how long each kettle took to boil 1 quart of room-temperature water, averages ranged from about 4 1/2 to about 5 1/2 minutes. (This takes roughly 9 minutes in a covered saucepan at high heat.) We were pleased to discover that the fastest kettle was also one of the largest. It holds 60 ounces—more than double the capacity of the smallest kettle in our lineup. Although you won’t need that much for a cup of tea, it’s ideal for reconstituting a large amount of stock base or preparing a water bath for delicate cheesecakes or custards.
Finally, since boiling water can cause serious burns, a good kettle should feel comfortable and secure. ...
Everything We Tested
Highly Recommended
- Power Indicator: 3 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 3 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 3 stars out of 3.
This large, sleek glass kettle was one of the quickest in our lineup. The power switch lights up in an icy blue when it’s activated, the handle is wide and comfortable, and the kettle sits securely on its base. We also liked its slow-open lid, which prevents accidental burns from steam and splashing water. It has a removable filter in its spout which, while not strictly necessary, is a handy feature in areas where the water has sediment.
- Power Indicator: 3 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 2.5 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 3 stars out of 3.
At a glance, the Cosori shares similar characteristics with the top-rated OXO kettle: a large glass carafe that can hold as much as 60 ounces of water; a light-up power indicator that’s hard to ignore; and a gentle, slow-open lid. Once it starts to heat up, the entire carafe lights up in a purplish-blue color; it shuts off when the water reaches a boil, making it easy to notice when the water is ready. The lid opens when you press a button on the back of the handle, a much more convenient way to open the lid than manually prying it open. Our only quibble is with the handle, which is bulky and a little uncomfortable to hold, especially for people with small hands.
- Power Indicator: 3 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 2.5 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 3 stars out of 3.
Another tall glass kettle, this model was quick in our timed boiling tests. We also liked that its power switch is illuminated when it’s turned on. Our only criticism is that its handle is bulky and the top of it is positioned far from the kettle body, so it felt uncomfortable to testers with smaller hands.
- Power Indicator: 2.5 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 2.5 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 3 stars out of 3.
Our old favorite continued to impress us throughout testing with its speed and deep, stable base. The power button is conveniently located on its handle. Our only quibble: Sometimes the light-up indicator was a bit dull in bright daylight. The kettle is much shorter and has a smaller capacity than our winner, which makes it a good option for people who prefer a smaller kettle. However, it has limitations. Sometimes the light-up indicator was a bit dull in bright daylight. And we had to manually open and close the lid, putting our hands too close to the hot spout.
Recommended
- Power Indicator: 3 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 2 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 2.5 stars out of 3.
Petite and compact, this kettle was lightweight, and all testers felt comfortable lifting and pouring from it. It was also sturdy on its base. Its water-level markings are clear, but they’re marked on a piece of plastic that’s attached to the kettle and would have been easier to read if they were on the glass itself. When this kettle was filled to its maximum level, some small drops of hot water splattered from its spout as it boiled.
- Power Indicator: 3 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 1.5 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 3 stars out of 3.
This inexpensive glass kettle has an impressive if somewhat flashy light-up indicator: The entire perimeter of the kettle’s floor lights up in a bright blue. The kettle was fairly lightweight and its handle was comfortable, which made it easier to lift when full. However, the pinch-grip mechanism on the lid put our hands a bit too close to hot steam. One word of caution: We had to press firmly on each side of the lid to close it; otherwise, one edge stayed slightly ajar and the kettle boiled continuously without shutting off.
Recommended with reservations
- Power Indicator: 3 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 2 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 2 stars out of 3.
This stainless-steel model has a narrow vertical window set into each side of the kettle, so the visible water level was accurate and relatively easy to see. The lid sprang back quickly when we pressed its button, but it was easy to operate one-handed while holding the kettle. An odd design quirk made it feel a bit less secure: The kettle’s bottom is gently curved, so it rocks slightly on its base.
- Power Indicator: 3 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 2 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 1.5 stars out of 3.
This stainless-steel kettle was large and relatively quick to boil water. The water-level gauge is sizable and lights up in bright blue when the power button is activated, but we wish it weren’t tucked underneath the handle where it’s hard to read. The lid opens with a push-button mechanism set into the handle, which we liked, but the lid sprang back very quickly.
Not Recommended
- Power Indicator: 1 stars out of 3.
- Filling and Pouring: 2.5 stars out of 3.
- Water-Level Visibility: 0.5 stars out of 3.
This roomy kettle was fast, and many testers liked its vintage aesthetic. It also had a wide, comfortable handle. Unfortunately, its light-up indicator was minuscule. The water gauge was also small and lagged behind the level in the actual kettle, meaning we often overfilled it. The lift-off lid fit tightly, but removing it required us to get uncomfortably close to the hot water and steam.
Reviews you can trust
Reviews you can trust
The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them.
Kate Shannon
Kate is a deputy editor for ATK Reviews. She's a culinary school graduate and former line cook and cheesemonger.
Valerie Sizhe Li
Valerie is an assistant editor for ATK Reviews. In addition to cooking, she loves skiing, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
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