To get you started, here’s a list of the eight models we tested in this latest round to find the best electric kettle:
Chefman Easy Fill Electric Kettle: This is a fantastic value at less than $30. The pouring cap makes filling quick and easy. It has no temperature control nor does it keep the water hot after boiling. It was one of the slowest kettles, taking 6 minutes to reach a boil. If you just want to boil water and don’t need bells and whistles, this is the one for you.
Hamilton Beach Cool Touch Kettle: With five preset temperature settings, a cool-to-the-touch exterior, quick brew time, and a reasonable price, this is a good option for tea drinkers. It can hold your set temperature for up to 30 minutes.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore with a touch kettle: Our overall winner is a great value with a range of features and brought water to a boil as quickly as any electric kettle we’ve tested. There are four preset temperatures, but you can dial them up or down in five-degree increments. This attractive kettle will keep your water at your chosen temperature for up to 60 minutes, and the cool-to-the-touch exterior makes it a safer option.
KitchenAid Electric Kettle 1.25 Liter: This has an unusual look for an electric kettle in that it looks like a traditional kettle. It’s compact and cute and comes in a variety of color options, making it one of our top picks. You can also fit it with your other KitchenAid appliances, such as a stand mixer. It includes a mesh filter to block scale for cleaner water, but otherwise doesn’t offer any fancy features.
Bodum Melior Gooseneck Electric Kettle: At around $40, this is the cheapest gooseneck kettle option I’ve tested. If that’s the only feature you need, the price point makes the Bodum an attractive choice, but it lacks distinctive features and is relatively slow to cook compared to other higher-powered options.
Cosori electric kettle with gooseneck: If you want a reasonably priced gooseneck kettle with five temperature presets for tea and coffee, plus a 60 minute temperature hold, this is your kettle for around $60-$70. Clearly marked buttons on the base make it simple to use.
Stagg EKG electric kettle: Looking to impress your guests with the best coffee? With a retail price ranging between $165 and $195 depending on the finish, this is a splurge, but it has the best features for coffee lovers. The Stagg has the gooseneck spout you want for a controlled pour, and you’ll be able to dial in the exact temperature you want and then hold it there for 60 minutes. Plus, it’s a great addition to any kitchen, something you’ll be proud to display.
Aromaster Electric Gooseneck Kettle (Update: Out of Stock): The gooseneck spout and built-in analog thermometer are the star features of this kettle. A spout is a must for pouring coffee and knowing the correct temperature is important as you don’t want the water to boil completely to make coffee. You can’t set or maintain a certain temperature, but at least you can see it in this kettle.
For comparison, here’s a more detailed breakdown of each model’s key specs:
Characteristics of the electric kettle
| Chefman Easy Fill Electric Kettle | Hamilton Beach Cool Touch Kettle | Beautiful by Drew Barrymore with a touch kettle | KitchenAid KEK1222 Electric Kettle | Aromaster Gooseneck Electric Kettle | Bodum Melior Gooseneck Electric Kettle | Cosori electric kettle with gooseneck | Stagg EKG electric kettle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model number | RJ11-17-GM-EF | 41033 | 19135 | KEK1222 | YK-139T | 11883-259 USA | CO108-NK | EEO1AA1A |
| Color | Matte black, clear | Black | Black, Cornflower Blue, Merlot, Pearl Grey, Sage Green, Cream White | Matte Black, Onyx Black, Brushed Stainless Steel, Empire Red, Pistachio | Black | Matte black | Stainless steel | Matte Black, Matte White, Polished Steel, Polished Copper, Stone Blue, Hot Pink (multiple wood accents available) |
| CAPACITy | 57.48 oz. (1.7L) | 57.48 oz. (1.7L) | 57.48 oz. (1.7L) | 42.27 oz. (1.25 L) | 27 oz. (0.8 L) | 27 oz. (0.8 L) | 27 oz. (0.8L) | 30.43 oz. (0.9L) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD, in inches) | 9.5 x 6.1 x 8.3 | 9.5 x 6.0 x 8.4 | 10.5 x 6.4 x 9.2 | 10.3 x 7.0 x 8.9 | 7.1 x 6.5 x 11.6 | 6.3 x 8.3 x 11.8 | 9.0 x 7.7 x 11.6 | 8.0 x 6.8 x 11.5 |
| Weight (in pounds, including base) | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 2.8 |
| Cool touch exterior | No. | yes | yes | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. |
| Setting the temperature function | No. | Yes (5 options) | Yes (4 options) | No. | No. | No. | Yes (5 options) | Yes (to the right extent) |
| Temperature holding function | No. | Yes (holds automatically for 30 minutes) | Yes (automatically held for 60 minutes) | No. | No. | No. | Yes (for 60 minutes) | Yes (for 60 minutes) |
| Thermometer | No. | Yes (digital) | Yes (digital) | No. | Yes (analog) | No. | No. | Yes (digital) |
| FORCE | 1,100W | 1500 W | 1500 W | 1500 W | 1200 W | 1000W | 1200 W | 1200 W |
| Boiling time | 6:00 | 4:12 | 4:10 | 4:13 | 4:59 | 6:42 | 4:34 | 4:34 |
| Retail price | 19 dollars | 45 dollars | 40 dollars | 100 dollars | 60 dollars | 40 dollars | 60 dollars | 165 dollars |
Finally, here are the test notes from previous years’ tests.
The Zwilling Enfinigy performed well and we liked the minimalist design.
of Zwilling Enfinigy it was a favorite right out of the box purely from an aesthetic point of view, and this kettle performed at a high level during our tests as well. The build is solid and I dig the minimalist one-button design. At just over 2 pounds, it’s not overly bulky and has a tactile exterior for finger safety. There is one more similar-looking, same-size Pro model now.
Another top pick from previous years is Oxo Brew Adjustable Gooseneck Kettle. With its gooseneck spout, it’s a particularly attractive kettle for pour-over or other manual coffee brewers that require a steady, controlled pour. It’s still a great choice, but the Cosori kettle offers comparable features and performance while costing a few dollars less.
In the meantime, Oxo Brew Glass Cordless Kettle it was actually the fastest and most durable kettle from our 2021 boil tests. It features a sleek and sturdy build and will fit nicely with any kitchen theme, especially if you prefer an electric kettle with a glass carafe.
of Smarter iKettle: Currently unavailable in the US, this performed well in our tests and I liked the sturdy, stainless steel construction. It’s the only app-controlled kettle we’ve tested, which proved both a blessing and a curse. Specifically, it boiled water quickly and fully when controlled via the app, but turned off before it reached a full boil when I tried to boil water the old-fashioned way, using the button on the side of the kettle. If you’re addicted to apps, it’s convenient to be able to see how much water is in the kettle and start boiling remotely from your device. Whether or not it’s worth paying a little more than for a standard electric kettle is up to you.
The Smeg gets style points and boils water quickly, but it’s a bit pricey for what it does.
Expensive Smeg Electric Kettle it was another high-octane kettle with a solid build and a ton of retro charm to boot. My main beef with it is that it got extremely hot to the touch. It’s also extremely expensive, especially considering it has no special features other than just boiling water. If you like the look, you won’t be disappointed, but it doesn’t offer much value.
of PerfectTemp Kitchen Art it also did well in testing, but its performance isn’t commensurate with its $100 list price (though it can be found on sale for $68). If you’re looking to grab one from that brand and the PerfectTemp isn’t on sale, I’d highly recommend this one the base model for $70which has fewer presets but a more reasonable price. As my (now former) colleague Megan Wollerton reported in her initial round of testing for CNET, PerfectTemp has received customer feedback and Amazon reviews stating that its automatic shut-off function is defective and presents a potential fire hazard. Cuisinart did not respond to a request for comment.
Both Ovente electric kettles I tested — $27 Oven Lighting (Update: Out of Stock) and $50 (now less than $40) Ovente Victoria series — are affordable options that boil water quickly and are easy to use. Neither stood out in testing and they felt a little cheaply made. Also, both had lids that were unnecessarily detached from the kettle, meaning you could misplace them. Knowing me, I probably would.
The sensors attached to this four-channel K-thermometer SD recorder help track water temperature.
