The Best Electric Kettles, Tested by a Chef

The Bottom Line: The Best Electric Kettles

The Fellow Corvo EKG (view at Amazon) checks all the boxes for an everyday water kettle with precision features. Its minimal footprint and modern design are attractive, and its intuitive functionality makes it easy to operate right out of the box. However, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Electric Kettle (view at Amazon) is an incredible value, especially for the larger size of the carafe and the intuitive one-touch presets. This tea kettle covers all the bases while being attractive and easy to store.

Choosing an Electric Kettle

Capacity Counts

The capacity of a kettle correlates directly to its overall size, which impacts how much real estate it requires for use and storage. Larger kettles can be cumbersome to store in small spaces or keep on busy countertops, while more petite kettles may not hold enough water for your needs. Knowing how often you want to use your kettle will be a significant factor in which you choose; however, if you are still deciding, you may want to start with a size you can store easily to gauge how much it will get used and upgrade when needed. 

Special Features and Functions

Though boiling water is the key function, electric kettles offer many helpful features to enhance their usability. The most beneficial features were the automatic shutoff and an audible or visual signal indicating the water was ready. A clear indicator allows you to move on to other tasks while the kettle works, and the shutoff ensures that the kettle doesn’t keep boiling away if you forget about it. We also love the ability to set a specific temperature for the water, eliminating the need for guessing and adjusting when a precise temperature is required. 

A hold mode is also convenient, keeping the water hot for at least 20 minutes, which is great for entertaining. Extra touches such as cord wraps and scale filters streamline storage and cleaning, while a safety feature that automatically switches off an empty kettle can prevent damage to the unit or, even worse, a fire. Luckily, all the kettles we tested have this function.

Cost Per Use

As we have learned, electric kettles can range from basic to very precise, with as few or as many features as you would like. If you don’t drink tea or coffee, the precision settings may not be a big selling point, but you may need a larger kettle for entertaining. Size, features and design will all play a significant role in the cost of the kettle, but the true value is determined when you find that you love to use your kettle and employ it frequently for various tasks.

Our Electric Kettle Tests

To test the boiling speed of the electric water kettles, I first filled them to maximum capacity and, after ensuring the water was 72° to 73°F, set a timer to see how long they took to reach a boil. I then timed them again, using only three cups of water to reach a boil in order to directly compare all of the carafes’ performance. After the water cooled, I tasted it to see if any metallic or plastic flavor had leached from the carafe. 

To measure the precision features, I set each carafe to 175°F (or the green tea setting, if the kettle had one). When the kettle indicated the water was at the correct temperature, I used my own calibrated thermometer to gauge the machine's accuracy. During each test, I evaluated the kettles' operation and other features, including fill lines, lighting, sounds and how much heat the carafe conducted.

To test the carafes' heat retention, I boiled water and set it aside for 20 minutes, then measured the amount of heat lost in that time. If the kettle had a warm-hold mode, I boiled water and engaged the hold to determine how well the machine maintained the water’s temperature. Finally, I cleaned each kettle inside and out to assess how easy or challenging the process was.

We Also Considered

Fellow Clyde Electric Kettle ($125 at Fellow): While I liked the look and size, the lack of functionality of the Clyde didn’t stand up to the other kettles. It lacked temperature control, signal sound and hold functions, and it got incredibly hot when boiling the water. Additionally, the placement of the handle made filling it a challenge.

Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle ($220 at Williams Sonoma): The Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle's retro 1950s design was lovely, with a colorful enameled exterior and shiny metal accents. However, the sliding piece for setting the temperature and toggle switch on the side were challenging to operate, especially for the steep price.

Common Questions

Are electric kettles safe?

Electric kettles may be safer than boiling water on the stove. With a simple push of a button, the kettle can bring water to a boil in an enclosed space without an exposed heat source, which can be a win if you have small children with curious hands or counter-surfing pets. We will assert that the outside of most of the kettles we tested did get hot to the touch, but the handles all remained cool, even when the carafes were full of boiling water.

How do I clean an electric kettle?

Electric kettles are exceptionally easy to clean because they are intended for water only. If you use your kettle infrequently, emptying it and letting it fully dry will suffice. Some kettles are large enough to allow you to reach in and dry the interior with a towel. If not, you can turn it over to fully dry.

If you use your kettle daily, add fresh water each time. Many kettles come with a removable scale filter that fits at the spout. If you spot buildup on the filter, remove it and rinse it with warm water. Then you can dry and replace it. Depending on how hard or soft your water is, you may occasionally need to descale your kettle to remove mineral deposits. Though it sounds daunting, this process is straightforward and involves using either a commercial descaler solution for kettles or a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution to remove any deposits.

Can I use an electric kettle to heat other liquids besides water?

Although you will find many sites that tell you otherwise, our answer is no. It may seem harmless to reheat your cold coffee or warm some broth, but those liquids have residue that can damage your kettle and leach unpleasant flavors or particles into your water. Additionally, viscous liquids or those with sugars may adhere to the carafe, rendering it useless.

Our Trusted Expertise

Tiffany Vickers Davis tested each of the kettles featured in this article. She is a chef, writer and food entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. Having started out in high-profile restaurant kitchens, Tiffany now owns and operates a fresh-prepared meal company that ships nationally. Before starting her company, she was the test kitchen director at Cooking Light magazine, testing hundreds of products during her 14-year tenure with the brand. At home, she uses a very basic electric kettle to shortcut kitchen tasks and brew nightly chamomile tea, although after these tests, she is keen to level up.

This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats. She has been testing food and kitchen products for the past two years.