I hope the fact that I am a British-born tea lover with a passion for professional reviews might help you make the best purchase decision for your electric kettle. I have a bachelor degree in product design from Bournemouth University, and I currently live in the U.S. as a product designer for a major home appliance manufacturer based in California.
With that in mind, we have tested numerous products from different price ranges and various brands to compile this guide for you. We understood that the needs for every kitchen will be different, and we put diversity of needs as the base of our research.
How important is having boiled water in your life? We used boiled water from cooking to making coffee and tea many other health specific needs.The answer might vary with each and every one of us, but we can’t deny the importance of boiled water in our everyday’s lives.
Having an electric kettle will certainly make boiling water easier, faster, and safer compared to the stove-top kettles, and you may wonder: is it time for an upgrade? Let us dig deeper into the electric kettle, its benefits, and several of your product options.
Best Electric Kettle Product Reviews and Buying Guideline
Image | Product | Feature | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Best pick | Cuisinart CPK-17 Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle | The PerfecTemp for Every Occasion With 1500 watts of fast heating capability, this electric kettle quickly heats up to 1-2/3 liters of water to a rolling boil. | Check On Amazon |
Best Budget | Cuisinart DK-17P1 Cordless Electric Kettle | The Cuisinart Cordless Electric Kettle has elegant stay-cool style in stainless steel and looks stylish on any kitchen surface. | Check On Amazon |
Runner Up | T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 4-Cup 1750-Watt Electric Kettle | With this T fal Balanced Living cordless electric kettle, you can quickly bring 1 liter of water to a rolling boil. The practical kettle heats water for tea, French press coffee, hot cocoa, instant oatmeal, noodles, and more, making it ideal for the home, office, or on the go. | Check On Amazon |
ALSO GREAT | Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless 1.7-Liter Stainless-Steel Electric Kettle | The outside of the Breville Ikon Tea Kettle is a high-quality brushed stainless steel. Beyond the water window, it has a distinctive blue backlight. 1.8 (1.7 liter) capacity and provides 1500 watts of power. | Check On Amazon |
ALSO GREAT | Molla Púro Cordless Glass Electric Water Kettle | The Pro Water Kettle combines advanced technology and common sense in a delightful way. | Check On Amazon |
Best Electric Kettle : Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp
Best pick
Cuisinart CPK-17 Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle
The Perfect Temperature for Any Situation With 1500 watts of fast heating capability, this electric kettle quickly heats up to 1-2/3 liters of water to a rolling boil. Better yet, it has six preset heat settings, so you can steep tea at the ideal temperature for the variety you’re using.
Buy on AmazonCuisinart is a renowned manufacturer of kitchen appliances and accessories and has been around since 1973 with a lot of innovative products, including being one of the first to introduce food processors to the U.S.
Specializing in high-tech, sophisticated appliances, we can expect the Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp to have a lot of sophisticated features and high-end design approach.
As a result, you might find this product relatively expensive compared to other products on this list, however, it does have some nice features that might justify the cost, making the product a nice addition to your kitchen.
With 1,500 Watt power, the product have nice 7 temperature control presets with indicators:
Delicate (160°F)
Green (175°F)
White (185°F)
Oolong (190°F)
Herbal (200°F)
Black (Boil/ 212°F)
French Press (200°F)
You can maintain the selected temperature for 30 minutes with a simple, ‘keep warm’ button. The cordless design, 360 degrees swivel base, and the memory function added the overall value of the products, allowing you to remove the kettle from its base while keeping the previous heating process intact, allowing it to resume as soon as you put it back.
Here are some other qualities we found interesting in the product, and some of its negative qualities in our opinion.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stainless steel material, very durable
- Sleek, simplistic design
- 7 temperature presets
- Keep warm’ mode with memory function
- Water window for a clear view of water level
- Non-slip handle with heat protection
- Removable filter for cleaner water source
- Boil Dry protection, will turn off when it doesn’t have enough water
- Sleep mode after 5-minutes idle time to save energy
Cons
- Relatively Expensive
- The sides and body can get hot after usage
Technical Specifications and Known Issues
Technical Specs:
Product Dimensions 8.2 x 9.8 x 12 inches
Item Weight 1 pounds
Material Stainless steel
Wattage: 1,500 Watt
Known Issues:
- Moisture leakage
When left unattended, bubble moisture’s can leak out of the spout, and pool around the unit. However, this product boils water in a relatively fast manner, so you might want to keep an eye for a minute or two.
- There’s stuff floating in my water
This often happens when you used tap water, depending on the quality of your tap water. However, you might notice that even when you boil the tap water on a pan, the same issue will also arise. If you have a bad tap water quality, you might want to consider investing in a distilling system or reverse osmosis system. Check out our previous guide about reverse osmosis system here.
- The product is noisy
Yes, the product produces a slight noise very briefly nearing the boiling point. Will disappear the moment you pick it up.
After Sale Service and Warranty
As a leading brand for cookware and home appliances worldwide, T-fal provides a distinguished customer service, technical support, and warranty.
If you have any question regarding this product, you can directly contact T-fal at:
1-800-395-8325 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm EST)
or through their website here.
This product is eligible for a limited 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Cuisinart DK-17 Cordless Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
Best Budget
Cuisinart DK-17P1 Cordless Electric Kettle
The Cuisinart BPA-free Cordless Electric Kettle is made of traditional stainless steel and has a lovely stay-cool handle. It also includes a conveniently placed extra big window with water level marks that indicates whether the water is boiling or the kettle needs to be refilled. The cordless kettle offers fast hot drinks with a fresh taste wherever you are, with a concealed heating element and simple one-touch operation.
Buy on AmazonAnother one by Cuisinart, which we have covered in the previous section. The DK-17 is a simpler, and more affordable alternative to the CPK-17.
However, it’s not to say that the quality of this product is compromised, as it still retains many of the nice and sophisticated features offered by Cuisinart.
The DK-17 is manufactured with a full stainless steel material, excepting the water viewing window and the heat-protected handle, and is sporting a classic kettle look you will all be familiar with.
The product also retains the 1.7-liter capacity, 360 degrees base swivel with the cordless connection, and the removable spout filter found on the more expensive CPK-17.
The major difference between the two model you might notice is the lack of temperature presets found on the CPK-17. However, that the DK-17 might cater those with a more simplistic preference with its easy, one-touch operation.
Here are other features and qualities we liked and disliked from the product:
Pros and cons
Pros
- 1.7-liter capacity
- Totally BPA-free. safe for your health
- Extremely easy to use and maintain
- Stainless steel, durable material
- Very fast boiling of approximately 90 seconds
- 1,500 Watt
- Automatic shut-off
Cons
- Relatively heavy (3.5 pounds)
- The price difference to the CPK-17 is relatively little, so you might consider the upgrade
- A few technical issues (see below)
Technical Specifications and Known Issues
Technical Specs:
Product Dimensions 8.2 x 8.2 x 11.8 inches
Item Weight 3.5 pounds
Wattage 1,500 Watt
Known Issues:
- The product will boil water without the lid on
Definitely a big safety concern, as you may forget to put on the lid from time to time. Make sure to be extra careful to put the lid on.
- It’s safer to wait until the automatic shut-off triggers
Some users reported that if they try to manually flip the on/off switch, sometimes their hand might catch a steam burn. Be extra careful and protect your hand if you are
- There are floating materials in the water
Although this product does come with a removable plastic filter, the cleanness of the water will depend on your source. If you are using a tap water, and the tap water in your area is not very clean, consider using a distiller or reverse osmosis system.
After Sale Service and Warranty
Cuisinart has one of the best customer services and technical supports in the industry, and you can directly contact them at:
1-800-726-0190
Cuisinart® Customer Service
150 Milford Road
East Windsor NJ 08520
The product is eligible for a return policy, and you can confirm to the said address and phone number above or check their website here.
This product is eligible for a three-year limited warranty, which is a unique added value by Cuisinart.
T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 4-Cup 1750-Watt Electric Kettle
Runner Up
T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 4-Cup 1750-Watt Electric Kettle
With this T fal Balanced Life cordless electric kettle, 1 liter of water will boil over in a flash. The portable kettle warms water for tea, French press coffee, hot cocoa, instant porridge, noodles, and more and is ideal for use at home, at the office, or while traveling. Simply change the temperature control lever from low to high to successfully steep a wide range of teas, from green to black, in the kettle.
Buy on AmazonT-FAL is a French-based company specializing in cookware and kitchen appliances and has been around since 1956. Known for its health and safety approach to cooking, we can expect the BF6138, their electric kettle product, to share the same values.
The first thing you will notice from this product is its sleek, black matte design. Modern touches of lime green further strengthen its bold design statement, but is this product just looks alone without substances? We will dig further into the subject below.
Here are some unique qualities and values we liked and disliked from the product.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sleek, modern design with black matte finish
- Cordless
- 360 degree swivel base
- Fast heating system
- Concealed heating elements, safe to touch at any given time
- Locking lid and automatic shut-off for safety
- Very affordable
- Boils water in 90 seconds
Cons
- Plastic material, not as durable as stainless steel
- Power-hungry with 1,750 Watt requirement
Technical Specifications and Known Issues
Technical Specs
Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.7 x 7.7 inches
Item Weight: 1 Pounds
Power Wattage: 1,750 W
Size: 1 liter
Known Issues:
- Moisture leakage
When left unattended, bubble moisture’s can leak out of the spout, and pool around the unit. However, this product boils water in a relatively fast manner, so you might want to keep an eye for a minute or two.
- There’s stuff floating in my water
This often happens when you used tap water, depending on the quality of your tap water. However, you might notice that even when you boil the tap water on a pan, the same issue will also arise. If you have a bad tap water quality, you might want to consider investing in a distilling system or reverse osmosis system. Check out our previous guide about reverse osmosis system here.
- The product is noisy
Yes, the product produces a slight noise very briefly nearing the boiling point. Will disappear the moment you pick it up.
After Sale Service and Warranty
As a leading brand for cookware and home appliances worldwide, T-fal provides a distinguished customer service, technical support, and warranty.
If you have any question regarding this product, you can directly contact T-fal at:
1-800-395-8325 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm EST)
or through their website here.
This product is eligible for a limited 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless 1.7-Liter Stainless-Steel Electric Kettle
ALSO GREAT
Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless
The outside of the Breville Ikon Tea Kettle is brushed stainless steel of the highest quality. Behind the water window, it has an unusual blue backlight. 1500 watts of power and 1.8 (1.7 liter) capacity.
Buy on AmazonBreville is an Australian-based kitchen appliance and accessories manufacturer that has been around since 1932. As a trivial fact, this company is responsible for the invention of the sandwich toaster we all loved.
Famous for its sophisticated yet affordable products ranging from juicer to waffle maker to electric oven, we may wonder whether their Breville SK500XL Ikon will live up to the company’s great reputation.
We have to say we really loved the design of the Breville SK500XL Ikon with its minimalist and semi-futuristic approach. However, this product has proven itself to be not just all about looks, but also of excellent features.
Here are some of the notable qualities of the product:
Pros and cons
Pros
- 1,500 Watt
- Cushion-controlled lid for ease of use and safety
- On/off switch
- Automatic shut-off and boil-dry protection
- Brushed stainless steel housings
- Soft, heat protected handle
- Very fast boiling
- Well-designed water level window
- Totally BPA free
- 360 degree swivel base with cordless design
Cons
- Lack of temperature presets
- Have issues with long-term durability
- Relatively expensive
Technical Specifications and Known Issues
Technical Specs:
Product Dimensions 8 x 11 x 10 inches
Item Weight 2.6 pounds
Wattage 1,500 W
Known Issues:
- There are floating materials and taste of metals from the water
This could be caused by your water source. If you are using tap water, there is a possibility of contaminants. If you have bad tap water source, consider using a distiller or reverse osmosis system
- Corrosion Issues
The insides of this product are not 100% stainless steel, and users have reported minor rusts damage. However, very small percentage of users reported the issue, and this is most probably a faulty production. Refer to the return policy and warranty section below.
- Short circuit on the base
After prolonged use, the base unit is exposed to a potential short circuit, especially if it’s not cleaned thoroughly. Makes sure the base is always dry before each use.
After Sale Service and Warranty
Breville as a renowned company for more than six decades has an excellent customer service and technical support division.
You can contact them at 1.866.273.8455 Monday to Friday Pacific Time, or refer to their support section on their website here.
This product is eligible for a one-year limited warranty
Molla Púro Cordless Glass Electric Water Kettle
ALSO GREAT
Molla Púro Cordless Glass Electric Water Kettle
The Pro Water Kettle combines high tech and common sense in a delightful way. To prevent risks and damage to the kettle, the built-in Boil-Dry Protection turns off automatically when the water level drops to.25 L. The lid has slow-open technology, which slowly opens the lid in order to prevent splashing and steam. The Pro has proven to be remarkably durable after being put through numerous drop tests while being filled with water.
Buy on AmazonMolla is a U.S.-based company specializing in sophisticated, high-end kitchen appliances, ranging from a smart fryer to their famous Waffle Master, to the subject of our discussion, the Púro electric kettle.
Unique compared to other products on this list is that the Púro is mostly made from shock-resistant Duran glass, with very few stainless steel material. Thus, this product is unique in terms of visibility, where you can always monitor the water level from every angle. As a result, the Púro is also very beautifully designed and is made of premium materials for added durability and functionality.
Also unique to the product is the anti-calcium filter, preventing calcium buildup common to other kettles with prolonged use, which may cause leaking from the sides of the kettle.
The Púro can boil its full capacity of 1.5-litre of water in just 5 minutes, among the fastest in the business.
Here are other unique features we liked and disliked from the product.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 1,500 Watt
- Very fast boiling time
- 360 degrees base swivel with cordless design
- Duran glass material, easy viewing of water level
- Sleek, beautiful design with premium materials
- Soft opening lid for added safety and ease of use
Cons
- Being of glass material, relatively heavy at 3 pounds
- The bottom part of the inside is not of stainless steel material
- The power cord is relatively short
Technical Specifications and Known Issues
Technical Specs:
Product Dimensions 9 x 9 x 12.2 inches
Item Weight 3 pounds
Wattage 1,500 Watt
Known Issues:
- Floating materials in the boiled water
Although the product came with a (removable) plastic filter, the product is not designed to filter contaminants. Depending on the quality of your water source, you might want to invest on a distiller or a reverse osmosis system. Check out our previous guide for reverse osmosis system here.
- There are plastic materials on the product
Yes, the filter and some parts of the inside of the product are made of plastic. However, all plastic materials used are lab tested and certified to be BPA free.
- How to clean the inside of the kettle
The top of the kettle could be opened wide enough to clean the inside with relative ease.
After Sale Service and Warranty
You can reach Molla’s excellent customer service and technical support here:
1-888.50MOLLA (1.888.506.6552)
support@mollahome.com
1788 W 2nd Street
Pomona, CA 91766
This product is eligible to a one-year lim
Why we choose this product?
There is a lot of electric kettle products available on the market today, with various brands, price range, features, and quality levels. Thus, choosing the one that might cater your exact needs might be a daunting task for anyone.
Before we begin with the guide, let us first discuss the benefits of using an electric kettle over the stove-top counterpart.
Benefits of Using Electric Kettle
As I mentioned, this is not a question you will commonly find in the UK, as the electric kettle is definitely the norm and almost a necessity for our tea addiction survival.
However, for the sake of the article, here are some of the facts you might want to know:
1. It’s Faster
This has been a subject of a numerous debate over the years: which boils water faster, stove-top or the electric kettle? We can tell you with confidence that with similar investments made, the electric kettle will always win in this category.
2. Automatic Shut-off
The stove-top kettle has been the subject of numerous accidents over the years, simply because sometimes we forgot to turn the stove off after the water has boiled. This won’t be an issue with electric kettles, especially on newer models.Almost all of electric kettle products today fashioned automatic shut-off features. It’s safer, and it won’t waste our precious energy.
3. Efficiency
Although most electric kettles use a considerable amount of power, by approximately 1,500 W on average, electric kettles are some of the most efficient appliances available.On the long run, you are guaranteed to save more money by using an electric kettle over a stove-top variant.
4. Convenient Features
Depending on the product of your choice, there are a lot of convenient features you can find in a lot of electric kettle products. One of the most convenient features you might want is a variable temperature preset. Different types of tea and different methods of tea-making will need a different temperature to taste properly, and this feature surely is a convenience.
5. Durability
Electric kettles are, in general, more durable than the stove-top counterparts. Higher-end electric kettles are made with premium grade materials, and they are not only durable.
Many electric kettle products are made with heat-resistant materials, so it’s safe to touch them even when the water inside is boiling. Easier, safer, and better long-term investment.
Brands Available on The Market
Although it will be hard to list all the available electric kettle manufacturers, here are ten of the most notable ones, not in particular order:
1. Breville
2. Frigidaire
3. Cuisinart
5. Nesco
6. T-Fal
8. Brentwood
9. Bodum
10. Adagio Teas
Product Recommendations
1. T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 4-Cup 1750-Watt Electric Kettle
2. Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp
3. Cuisinart DK-17 Cordless Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
4. Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless 1.7-Liter Stainless-Steel Electric Kettle
5. Molla Púro Cordless Glass Electric Water Kettle
ited manufacturer’s warranty from Molla.
Ultimate Buying Guideline for Best Electric Kettle
After we have discussed several of our top picks, let us discuss the deciding factors that will help you make a better purchase.
Here are some top considerations you should have when buying an electric kettle:
1. BPA-free
You are dealing with a product related to your drinking water, and health safety should be your first and foremost concern.Bisphenol A or BPA is an organic synthetic material commonly used to make polycarbonate plastics and is known to cause increased blood pressure on adults, and may cause brain, behavior, and prostate gland damage on children and infants.If your product has some plastic materials, make sure they are BPA-free.
2. Safety
One of the main concerns of electric kettle, as it deals with heat, is safety. Make sure at least the handle is made with heat-resistant material to prevent hand injuries.Electric kettles can also overheat when turned on without any water in it, so having one with dry-boil safety feature will increase its safety.
3. Efficiency
Although electric kettles are, as we mentioned, some of the most efficient home appliances, some products are not as efficient as intended and can hurt your electricity bills in the long run.Make sure to re-check the wattage requirement and if possible, energy-star label.
Editors Choice
Although it’s hard for us to pick just one over so many products available on the market, and even harder to choose one from our top picks, here it is, our editor’s choice product goes to:
1.7-litre of capacity, sleek, modern design, 7 different variable temperature preset, and other nice features.
For a small amount of an investment, this product definitely worth every penny.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Question)
1. Why do I get dirty water from my electric kettle?
Ans. Keep in mind that electric kettles are not designed to filter your water, although some do come with some forms of filters. Make sure your water source is clean, or you might want to invest in a reverse osmosis system or distillery system for your tap water. Check our previous guide for reverse osmosis system products here.
2. What’s so much better about using electric kettles over stove-top kettles?
Ans. We have covered that thoroughly in our electric kettle benefits above. To summarize: electric kettles are faster, safer, and overall, just better.
3. When is it time to buy a new electric kettle?
Ans. Besides of not turning on or functioning properly, you can generally judge from its speed. A good electric kettle usually only take less than 7 minutes to boil 1.5 liters of water.
4. Should the kettle turn off automatically?
Ans. It’s definitely a huge plus point to get a kettle with automatic turn-off function, as it will increase the safety from combustion and other accidents.
5. Does it matter if I buy a steel or plastic kettle?
Ans. With the recent findings of how plastic materials might be hazardous to your health, it’s safer to choose a stainless-steel product.
6. Which price range should I look for?
Ans. Many budget electric kettles are more than reliable. Generally, more expensive kettles came with better designs, bigger capacity, and unique extra features for convenience and safety. One thing to consider, cheaper products tend to have lower voltage, which translates to slower boiling time.
7. What size should I choose?
Ans. The answer is, depending on your needs. For example, how many people will use the kettle? Keep in mind that the bigger the kettle’s capacity, generally the heavier it will be.
8. Should I choose a kettle with a cordless base?
Ans. It is definitely a convenience since you can take the kettle around with ease. It is also an added safety feature since you can avoid spilling water over the cords.
9. How can I avoid choosing a noisy kettle?
Ans. Generally, a kettle will become noisier with its age. However, more expensive options might be totally noise-free.
10. Should I buy a kettle with extra features?
Ans. Again, depending on your needs, and of course, your budget.