Electric kettles have become an indispensable gadget in every tea or coffee lover’s kitchen. But, why using an electric kettle instead of the stovetop kettle?
Boiling water is one of the most elemental household tasks. There are many ways to boil water. You can put it in a microwave. If you don’t have one, you can rely on any cooking pot of appropriate size and heat it using your stove. You may also have a proper, old-fashioned stove kettle.
However, all of these options force you to stay in the kitchen, and in some cases, do some imprecise math to determine how long it would take for the water to boil. There is a solution to all of these issues: buying an electric hot water kettle.
One of the most relevant advantages of using an instant kettle is that you get what you need quicker and quieter, as well as some other important features like keeping water warm for much longer and having in some cases an automatic shut-off system for avoiding accidents while getting ready for work in the morning, also you can regulate and keep control of the exact temperature of the water which is a key factor for getting the best coffee or tea.
If you don’t have one yet, we can help you choose the one that better fits your needs taking in consideration aspects like capacity, adjustable temperature, keep warm, etc.
Not all electric hot water kettles come with the same features. Yes, they all boil water, obviously, but aside from the portability, there are other things you’d want to consider before choosing the right kettle to purchase. Keep reading to find out more about kettles, as well as our picks for the best electric hot water kettles you can buy!
The best electric hot water kettles Overview
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Name | Hamilton Beach Electric Tea Kettle | Cuisinart CPK-17 | Electric Kettle, Miroco | COSORI Electric Kettle | KitchenAid KEK1222PT |
Capacity | 1.7 liters | 1.7 liters | 1.5 liters | 1.7 liters | 1.25 liters |
Adjustable temperature | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Auto shut-off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The first product on our list of best electric hot water kettles is the Hamilton Beach Electric Tea Kettle. Hamilton Beach is one of the most popular yet affordable brands of high quality electric kettles. This particular model sells for $30 and comes with all the basics you need to keep your water always boiling, including an all-new rapid-boil system which bests any standard microwave.
Whether you’re in the mood for hot tea, coffee or soup, the Hamilton Beach electric kettle will do it for you in minutes and with plenty of power, much faster and safer than a microwave.
With an attractive and easy to use design, it allows you to forget about the problem of wires for a much easier serving. It has a handle that stays cool and a drip-free spout to avoid any accidents.
This kettle has an automatic shut-off system that starts up when the water finishes boiling, which prevents the kettle from boiling dry, prolonging the life of the appliance. This is one of the features most appreciated by its buyers.
A perfect option when it comes to having an easy to use and low budget electric hot water kettle.
Advantages
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Auto shutoff with boil-dry protection.
- Powerful rapid-boil system
- Cord free for easy serving
- Affordable price
Disadvantages
- It doesn’t have a keep warm function
- No adjustable temperature
- A bit noisy
- Bulky design
- Lack of advanced options
- High temperature boiling can lead to friend components
Which is better, electric kettle or stove kettle?
The choice between stove kettle and electric kettle is a hard one to make. Although they perform the same basic function, stove and electric kettles not only achieve their goals differently, but also offer different benefits.
For example, stove kettles can achieve higher temperatures than electric ones, can often carry more water, and maintain high temperature for longer periods of time. By comparison, electric kettles achieve lower temperatures, but are able to reach them much faster than stove kettles. This is because their electric system can heat up much faster. Famous brands like Hamilton and Breville have proprietary systems that can heat the water even faster than standard electric kettles.
Choosing will depend mostly on what it is that you need. If what you need is consistent high temperature water, then a stove kettle will most likely be your best choice. However, if what you need is speed and mobility, then an electric kettle will be best for you.
Breville hot water kettles are among the best you can purchase right now. Not only will you get a kettle that will last for many years, it will also look nice wherever you decide to place it. Breville products often have the perfect mix of high quality and modern looks, and that includes our second pick: the Breville Crystal Clear Electric Kettle.
This electric hot water kettle has a very attractive glass and stainless steel design that makes no sacrifices when it comes to power: it comes with a 1,800 watt German Schott heating system that will boil water in less than 30 seconds. However, such power comes at a hefty price. This particular model can cost up to $100.
Advantages
- Powerful 1,800 watt heating system
- Durable, stainless steel base
- Ergonomic design with soft opening lid
- Safety auto shut off
Disadvantages
- It’s not cordless
- Lack of advanced options
- A bit expensive for budget households
Does electric kettle kill bacteria?
Bacteria (and most other microorganisms, for that matter) cannot survive high temperatures such as those produced by boiling water. In this sense, both stove and electric kettles, as well as microwaves, will kill any bacteria present in the water while boiling it.
However, make sure not to reboil water in your kettle. Many health experts have said that re-boiling water can expose us to serious health risks. The reason why is that tap water usually contains chemical compounds that change when boiled. However, when re-boiled, the dissolved gases and minerals in the water amass and become more toxic.
If you are a household, chances are you know Mueller. For decades, this brand has been synonymous with reliability and durability. Today, we add to our list their new Mueller Premium Electric Kettle. This little machine packs a 1,500 watt electric heating system with Speedboil tech, which can heat water in less than a minute.
This particular model is being sold at around $25, which makes it quite affordable, especially when taking its features into consideration: the Mueller Premium Electric Kettle is made of high quality Borosilicate Glass, is equipped with a bright line of LED lights that indicate the kettle is heating, and is completely cordless!
Advantages
- Powerful 1,500 watt heating with Speedboil
- Borosilicate Glass
- STRIX thermostat controller with auto shut off
- Completely cordless when off the base
- Affordable price
Disadvantages
- Lack of advanced options
- Some users have reported condensation after heating
If technology and precision is what drives you crazy, we have the perfect electric kettle for you. The Cuisinart CPK-17 is a blessing for those who understand the importance of serving tea or coffee at the right temperature.
It has an easy to use interface that offers six preset temperature options, each with a dedicated button, plus a “keep warm” function that maintains the selected temperature for 30 minutes.
It also features an easy-to-read window to see how much water is in the kettle without opening the lid and best of all, it comes with a generous three-year warranty.
In short, the electric kettle indicated for temperature control, safety and durability.
Advantages
- Temperature Control (six preset temperatures)
- Safety Features
- Versatility
Disadvantages
- None
If you are interested in reducing your plastic usage, while maintaining a modern and minimalist design, this electric teapot is for you.
Available in orange, white and black, it has an exterior made of 100% BPA-free plastic, which stays fresh to the touch, and an interior made of food-safe stainless steel. An easy to use kettle, with a single button that boils water in six minutes and has an automatic shut-off mechanism.
It promises extraordinary Safety with its British Strix thermostat technology, auto shut-off, to ensure user safety, energy saving, and durability, as well as a fast boiling mechanism, to boil a full 1.5L / 8 cups in only 6-7 minutes.
Amazon users love it, being one of the best reviewed inside the holder, commenting that “This water heater is the perfect choice if your priority is to minimize plastic use”, also that it is “a Good, quiet, quick electric kettle”, even others a little more eloquent dare to call it “Electric Hot Water Boiling Goodness”
Advantages
- Beautiful design
- 100% BPA-free
- Auto shut-off
Disadvantages
- It doesn’t have a keep warm function
- No adjustable temperature
Next on our list is the COSORI Electric Kettle, an excellent choice for households who want the perfect balance between price and quality. For $40, you get a nice-looking modern electric hot water kettle with LED indicators, quick boil system that can heat water in 3 minutes or less, as well as safe tech and auto shut off technology.
COSORI is not as popular a brand as Breville or Mueller, but its products are still of a very good quality. This model in particular comes with high quality stainless steel as well as a powerful 1,500 watt heating system, comparable to that of the Mueller Premium Electric Kettle.
Cosori has always sought to enhance the consumer experience in the kitchen and their electric hot water kettle is one of the best examples of how they do it.
With one of the cleanest and most avant-garde designs in the category, this kettle is created to please both the eye and the palate. It offers us a purer taste, as it is made with the best quality glass, while ensuring that no plastic touches the boiling water inside, including the lid, unlike other boilers that use plastic for the inner lid. It has a filter made of stainless steel and 100% BPA-free plastic.
Perfect to include in your kitchen as both a functional and decorative element and even ideal as a gift, as one of their buyers at Amazon says “I drink a lot of tea, and this is way better than heating water up on the stove or waiting for water to boil in the microwave. Not to mention it’s much, much faster. I liked this so much I purchased a couple for gifts and paired it with some nice teas for my friends.”
It has a quick Boil, heating up the water in 3-7mins, serving as a great choice to replace your microwave or stove. Ideal for preparing the perfect coffee, tea, oatmeal or even pasta. The LED indicator shows you when you water is in the process of boiling and gives it a pretty cool look.
Advantages
- Beautiful design
- Quick boil
- Safe tech with auto shut off
- Powerful 1,500 watt heating with quick boil
- Borosilicate Glass
- LED indicator
- Cordless design
- Affordable price
Disadvantages
- It doesn’t have a keep warm function
- No adjustable temperature
- Lack of advanced options
- Some users have reported strong plastic smell
Are electric tea kettles worth it?
An electric tea kettle is worth it if you don’t have the time to spend preparing tea the usual way. Although not many scientific experiments have been performed, Seth Stevenson, a Slate professional writer, has written that electric tea kettles can get the job done in half the time.
There are many other reasons why eclectic tea kettles are better. Some of them are small but important, like for example, with an electric tea kettle, the chances of burning your hand are much lower. Other reasons are mostly based on preference, such as precision or the lack of a whistle. At the end, it all comes down to money and preference.
The next product in our list is the CHULUX Electric Glass Kettle, which comes with a nice tea filter that you can use to not only boil water, but also get your teacup ready at the same time. As we’ve discussed above, a hot water heater for tea can be a good option for people who don’t like stove kettles and want to kill two birds with one stone.
This particular model is not expensive. You can buy it for $43 and it comes with all the basic features of a high quality electric hot water kettle. That includes a rapid boiling system with 1,200 watts of heating power, auto shut off and boil dry protection system, as well as a LED system with 7 lights, each corresponding to a different temperature.
However, this model also comes with some advanced features. The first one is the adjustable height tea infuser, which can also be used to prepare coffee. The second one is adjustable temperature control, which can boil water from 104 °F up to 212 °F. It also has a special function that will keep your water (or beverage) warm for up to two hours.
Advantages
- Borosilicate Glass
- Safe tech with auto shut off
- Advanced temperature control and warming options
- Cordless design
- Affordable price
Disadvantages
- Tea filter cannot be removed once installed
- Heating system less powerful than cheaper alternatives
Attention vintage lovers, the KitchenAid KEK1222PT may be exactly what you need in your kitchen.
Small, powerful and visually beautiful it surprises us with its resemblance to a traditional kettle, but offering many more advantages.
Available in 6 different colors with a wrap-around cord base, to keep your kitchen free of excess cords. Super easy to use, no thousands of different buttons, just what you need to get the job done quickly and accurately.
In short, an electric kettle that you will love with its simplicity and style, receiving reviews such as “I was looking for a completely stainless steel product and had to return one kettle I bought before I found this. I love this kettle because it only has a plastic spout component. The entire inside that touches water directly and even the lid are stainless steel- no silicone bolts, no plastic measuring components! There are measuring marks inside the kettle.”
Advantages
- Vintage design
- Small and powerful
- Auto shut-off & Variety of colors
Disadvantages
- It doesn’t have a keep warm function
- No adjustable temperature
Conclusion: What is the best electric hot water kettle?
Hands down the The Cuisinart CPK-17 has everything what you might want in an electric kettle, designed to please the higher standards and needs. Using the simple one-touch controls on the kettle's handle, select 160 degrees F for delicate teas, 175 degrees F for green tea, 185 degrees F for white tea, 190 degrees F for oolong tea, 200 degrees F for French press coffee, and "Boil" for black tea or to make instant cocoa, oatmeal, noodles, and more.