Home & Garden Home The 7 Best Tea Kettles of 2023 Save time and money with a tea kettle. By Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle is a freelance writer and editor covering sustainability, health, travel, food, and lifestyle topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated April 20, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home Sustainable Eating Pest Control Natural Cleaning DIY Family Green Living Thrift & Minimalism We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Whether you need to heat water for a small batch of noodles, a healthy herbal tea, iced tea, soup, or cider, tea kettles are a hard-working staple in many kitchens. There are two main designs when it comes to kettles: electric or stovetop. Electric kettles get plugged into the wall, while stovetop kettles need a spot on one of your stove's burners (more on the pros and cons of both below). We've sort-listed the best of both types, with a focus on durability and a minimum of plastic components. Convenient, time-saving, and energy efficient, here are the best tea kettles: The Rundown Best Overall: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle at Walmart Jump to Review Best Stovetop: Susteas Stove Top Whistling Tea Kettle at Susteas.com Jump to Review Best Stainless Steel: Secura Stainless Steel Electric Kettle at Amazon Jump to Review Best Glass: Ovente Portable Electric Glass Kettle 1.5 Liter at Walmart Jump to Review Best with Infuser: Chefman Electric Kettle with Infuser at Walmart Jump to Review Best Cast Iron: Toptier Japanese Cast Iron Teapot with Infuser at Amazon Jump to Review Best Enamel: Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle 4.8 Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Bloomingdales Dimensions: 8.25 x 9.75 x 12.00 inches | Weight: 4.05 pounds | Capacity: 1.7 liters With six preset heat settings, you can be sure that everything from your delicate teas to black coffee will have the perfect water temperature to steep or cook. Boil water to make green tea, oolong tea, French press coffee, black tea, hot cocoa, noodles, or oatmeal. The stainless steel combines with 1500 watts of power for quick heating that will bring water to a rolling boil within just a few minutes. A “Keep Warm” button maintains a set temperature for 30 minutes, and a 2-minute memory function allows you to remove the kettle from the base for two minutes and upon returning to the base, the kettle will remember the setting you selected and return to that. This kettle is also cordless, comes with a backlit water window, a removable and washable scale filter, and is BPA free. Price at time of publish: $94 “I drink many cups of tea per day. Much to my chagrin, I burned out three electric kettles before I bought this one from Cuisinart. I’ve had it for nearly four years and it still works perfectly. There are cheaper electric kettles on the market, but if you want a sustainable choice, choose a durable one.” ~ Treehugger Senior Editor Margaret Badore Best Stovetop Susteas Stove Top Whistling Tea Kettle 4.2 Susteas View On Susteas.com Dimensions: 7.16 x 7.16 x 9.25 inches | Weight: 2.72 pounds | Capacity: 2.5 liters Available in black, red, and white, this teapot from Susteas has a classic tea kettle look that will look great on any stove. Free from Teflon and BPAs, the kettle comes with a one-year warranty and a complimentary pot holder. The handle stays cool while holding, and a push-button mechanism makes pouring easy. Susteas kettles are made with three base layers (iron, stainless steel, and aluminum) to help water boil evenly and quicker, and the loud whistle is easy to hear even if you’re in another room. Price at time of publish: $43 Best Stainless Steel Secura Stainless Steel Double Wall Electric Kettle Amazon View On Amazon Dimensions: 9.331 x 8.425 x 7.835 inches | Weight: 2.95 pounds | Capacity: 1 liter Great for heat retention and conduction, stainless steel kettles will keep your tea hot for much longer than other types of kettles, have a sleek look. This one from Secura comes in multiple colors that all have 100 percent stainless steel interiors and a 1 liter capacity. The double-walled construction boils liquid faster and keeps it warm for longer. The cool-touch exterior is BPA free, and a cordless design means it’s great for traveling. No plastic or glue is used in the interior of the kettle. It also has an auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. Price at time of publish: $29 Best Glass Ovente Portable Electric Glass Kettle 1.5 Liter Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon Dimensions: 8.00 x 6.00 x 9.30 | Inches Weight: 2.5 pounds | Capacity: 1.5 liters Since glass is transparent, you’re able to see the brewing or boiling process happen with this kettle. This one from Ovente has a halo of blue LED lights that light up when the pot’s in use and can boil 1.5 liters of water in 7 minutes or less. The glass is Borosilicate, which is stronger than conventional glass, and comes in a range of colors. Rest assured that this kettle is BPA free and equipped with boil-dry protection, meaning the kettle turns off when it’s reached boiling and turns off the heating element when there is no water in the kettle. Price at time of publish: $30 The 7 Best Travel Mugs of 2023 Best with Infuser Chefman Electric Kettle with Infuser 4.2 Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Best Buy Dimensions: 5.5 x 10 x 4 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Capacity: 1.8 liters Five different colored LED lights show you which temperatures work best, depending on what you’re making. The green light is best for green tea, while blue means white tea, yellow means oolong tea, purple means French press, and red is a boil for black tea. You can also keep water at a desired temperature for up to 60 minutes. The infuser can be used with loose leaf teas or for herbal infusions, although some users find the infuser tricky to insert. The 360-degree swivel base allows you to easily fill at the sink or serve without having to worry about a power cord. Safety features include a stay-cool handle and boil-dry protection. Price at time of publish: $45 Best Cast Iron Toptier Japanese Cast Iron Teapot with Infuser Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Dimensions: 9 x 8.27 x 4.69 inches | Weight: 3.72 pounds | Capacity: 0.88 liters Cast iron is a great heat conductor, and this cast iron teapot from Toptier creates even and gradual heating, which helps infuse the greatest amount of flavor from your tea leaves. Numerous colors and designs mean this pot goes beautifully with any kitchen decor, and the fold-down handle and curved spout mean easy storage and pouring. Cast iron tea pots can also absorb the flavors of tea over time, adding more depth to the tea-drinking experience with use. The included stainless steel infuser is an added bonus for those who prefer to use loose tea leaves. Simply clean the pot with water, and throw the infuser in the dishwasher. When full, this kettle can serve two to three people, or make three to four cups of tea. Price at time of publish: $30 The 8 Best Cast Iron Pans of 2023 Best Enamel Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle 4.4 Amazon View On Amazon View On Abt.com View On Bloomingdales Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 6 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Capacity: 1.3 liters Quick-heating carbon steel gets you your water hot quickly, and a whistle alerts you when the water is boiling. The porcelain enamel on the exterior is non-reactive, non-porous, and resists stains, scratches, and rust, and markings on the interior of the kettle note fill levels. This chip-resistant kettle is compatible with all cooktops and comes in many beautiful color options. Use it to prepare tea, heat water for French press coffee, oatmeal, and more. The black handles with stainless steel brackets help keep the handle cooler, but we still recommend using a cloth or potholder to pick it up. For cleaning, hand wash the kettle with warm, soapy water. Price at time of publish: $115 Final Verdict If you’re looking for a durable electric kettle that has a range of temperature settings and features, we love the Cuisinart PerfecTemp. If you’re in the market for a stovetop kettle, consider the SUSTEAS Stove Top Whistling Tea Kettle. What to Consider When Shopping for a Tea Kettle If you only make the occasional cup of tea for a guest or when you get a cold, then you might not need a kettle at all. If you’re not going to use your kettle on a weekly or daily basis, you might consider just boiling water in a saucepan or pot that you already own. Getting a pre-owned kettle is often the most sustainable way to go. You may be able to find a nice second-hand kettle at a garage sale, thrift store, or through a local Buy Nothing group. Electric Kettle: Pros and Cons Electric kettles are energy-efficient, as the water is in direct contact with the heating element, which means less of a wait for your water to boil, and less electricity used. If you're using clean, renewable energy, they allow to you boil water with virtually zero emissions. The downside is that with more parts, there are more things that could potentially break. Electric kettles may not last as long as a sturdy metal stovetop kettle. If you decide to get an electric kettle, we recommend spending a little more to get a more durable one. Another potential con is that electric kettles do need to be plugged in to operate, so if you're short on outlets in your kitchen already, you might not want to add another into the mix. Stovetop Kettle: Pros and Cons Stovetop kettles are durable, and are likely to last longer than an electric kettle. It’s also often easier to find replacement parts. They’re often versatile, and can be used on many different types of stoves. If you're trying to keep all plastic out of your kitchen, a stovetop kettle is the way to go. However, with stovetop heating, you’re often waiting longer (and using more energy) for heat to transfer from the element to the pot, and then losing heat (more energy) if your pot is not lidded. Frequently Asked Questions What type of kettle is safest around kids? It’s always best to keep young ones away from hot tea kettles, but some kettles have added features that might help in case a child reaches for one. Generally speaking, electric kettles that operates without a hot stove tend to stay cooler to the touch. Look for a unit that has some type of covering around the handle that keeps heat away from hands. Automatic shut-off is another great feature, as it starts bringing down the temperature of the kettle right when the water boils. How do I recycle an old kettle? The simplest way to get rid of an old kettle is to rehome it to someone in need of a tea kettle (assuming it still works) or taking it to a resale center so it can have a second home. However, if your kettle is broken or beyond repair, you can attempt to recycle it. Call your local recycling center and see if they will accept it, or find an appliance disposal service that takes electric units. It’s best not to just toss it in the trash. You can also consider upcycling the tea kettle as well. What types of kettles are the quietest? Look for a tea kettle with insulated walls, as the insulation decreases noise as water boils inside. If you’re using an electric kettle, you can place it on a rubber mat to decrease noise as well. Most quiet kettles will state in the product description some information about its quietness as well, so look for buzzwords like “low noise,” “double walls,” or a statement about decibel levels.Obviously, you’ll want to look for a no-whistle kettle, too. A kettle with low wattage can also produce less noise, and clean kettles–no limescale buildup–are also quieter. You can clean your kettle with a vinegar rinse to remove limescale and reduce noise. Why Trust Treehugger? This article was written and updated by Amanda Ogle, who is a sustainability reporter for Treehugger. She is a veteran journalist who researches sustainable materials, practices, companies, and technology in order to write honest reviews for Treehugger. To choose the best options for this article, she consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews, considering each tea kettle’s functionality, sustainability, and design. The 8 Best Eco-Friendly Coffee Makers of 2023