Electric kettles are a convenient and safe alternative to traditional stove top kettles. They heat water faster than a traditional stovetop kettle or microwave. Perhaps more importantly, they’re also safer than stovetop kettles. Because of their popularity, there is a wide of options and prices to choose from. Our comparison guide can help you find the best electric kettle to suit your needs.
Below the guide, the column titles are explained. You’ll also find more in-depth information about the various features to consider. You can sort the table any way you like by clicking on the column headers. For example you can sort the table by price, watts, or rating:
| Model | Watts | Price | Material, Capacity | Temp. settiings | Cord | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ovente KG83B | 1100 watts | $29.99 | Glass, 1.5 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.1 |
Adagio utiliTEA Variable Temperature | 1500 watts | $51.24 | Stainless steel, 1 liter | Variable control | Cordless | 4.6 |
Proctor Silex K2070YA | 1000 watts | $14.79 | Plastic, 1 liter | Boil only | Detachable cord | 4.2 |
Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp | 1500 watts | $89.00 | Stainless steel, 1.7 liter | 6 preset setings | Cordless | 4.1 |
Hamilton Beach 40870 | 1500 watts | $26.58 | Stainless steel, 2.4 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.2 |
Hamilton Beach K6080 | 1500 watts | $21.45 | Plastic, 1.8 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.1 |
Ovente KP72G | 1100 watts | $13.99 | Plastic, 1.7 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.2 |
Bonavita Variable Temperature | 1000 watts | $82.90 | Stainless steel, 1 liter | Preset temperatures or user set, by 1 degree F | Cordless | 4.0 |
Epica Kettle | 1500 watts | $33.95 | Stainless steel, 1.7 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.2 |
Hamilton Beach 40865 | 1500 watts | $28.99 | Glass, 1.7 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.2 |
Chef's Choice 681 | 1500 watts | $42.869 | Stainless steel, 1.7 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 3.5 |
Sunbeam 6131 Hot Shot | 1450 watts | $13.97 | Plastic, 0.5 liters | Boil only | Corded | 4.1 |
T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living | 1750 watts | $28.34 | Plastic, 1 liter | Variable temperature control | Cordless | 4.6 |
Melitta 40994 | 1500 watts | $38.91 | Stainless steel, 1.7 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.1 |
Bonavita BV3825B | 1000 watts | $58.99 | Stainless steel, 1 liter | Boil only | Cordless | 4.1 |
Brentwood KT-1770 | 1000 watts | $20.71 | Stainless steel, 1.2 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.2 |
Aroma X-Press | 1500 watts | $34.97 | Stainless steel, 1.5 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.2 |
Hamilton Beach 40894 | 1500 watts | $29.92 | Stainless steel, 1.7 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.3 |
Breville Ikon SK500XL  | 1500 watts | $79.95 | Stainless steel, 1.7 liters | Boil only | Cordless | 4.0 |
The 7 columns in the guide are:
- Model – Unit manufacturer and model name (click to view more details or to purchase)
- Watts – The power of the motor in watts. The higher the watts, the faster your water will heat.
- Price – These are current prices on Amazon.com in U.S. dollars. Outside the U.S., click the price in dollars to see the price in your local currency. In some cases prices will be different depending on which vendors have the unit in stock.
- Material, capacity – The material that the container is made of, and the maximum capacity the unit is capable of
- Temp. settings – The number of different temperature settings the unit is capable of
- Cord – Whether the unit is corded or cordless
- Rating – This is the average user rating on Amazon.com. It can be very helpful in deciding whether people were satisfied with their purchase.
Safety first!
One of the best features of electric kettles is that they shut themselves off when they have reached the temperature they’re set for. Traditional kettles can be a real safety hazard, since it’s so easy to leave the kitchen and forget about them on a hot stove. This feature alone is enough to make us choose an electric kettle over a traditional kettle.
Cut out the middle man
With a traditional stovetop kettle, the stove is not heating the water. It’s heating the pan, which in turn heats up the water. This intermediate step makes the process slower and less energy efficient.
Electric kettles have heating coils immersed in the water. This direct contact means no energy is lost. Also since you’re heating the inside not the outside, it’s easier to shield the handle and keep it cool.
Taste control
If you’re making coffee or tea, water temperature can have a huge impact on the taste of your beverage. Boiling water can burn both coffee and tea. For many kettles, “boil” is the only option.
The ideal temperature to brew coffee is around 205 degrees Fahrenheit (96 Celsius). The ideal temperature for tea depends on the type of tea. If taste is important to you, a kettle with an adjustable temperature setting will be the best electric kettle for you.
It’s all about the base
Most of the best electric kettles feature a cordless base. It serves as a stand as well as a power supply.
The base stays on your counter plugged in. Simply lift the kettle off the base to use it. You can’t beat 360 degree access, so convenient!
Keep it clean
As with any kitchen appliance, it’s important to keep it clean. Since it’s just water in your kettle, the hardest part of keeping it clean is the scale that builds up from minerals in the water. Here’s an awesome video on how to descale even the best electric kettle:
The best electric kettle to suit your needs
As you can see we’re big fans of electric kettles. Our electric kettle is one of our favorite and most frequently utilized items in our kitchen. We use it multiple times every day. Identify which features are important to you, and they will lead you to the best electric kettle to suit your lifestyle.