Via Amazon.com
Are you nothing without that first cup of coffee in the morning? Then you’ll want a speedy electric kettle for your daily French press. Enter, the KitchenAid Electric Kettle.
This stunning countertop kettle heats 42 ounces of water to boiling in four minutes—that’s almost a minute faster than our next-best competitor.
Beyond the speed, this kettle just feels sturdy and made to last. According to Mark, “This kettle has quality, solid construction—you honestly cannot go wrong with KitchenAid.”
Another reason you can’t go wrong: This kettle is stunning to look at. The vintage style of this small appliance is just right for so many kitchens. And if the pale pistachio color isn’t for you, KitchenAid offers this kettle in several other colors (of course, it’s KitchenAid!); pick it up in a bright cherry red, burgundy, black or stainless steel.
Pros
What our Test Kitchen liked about this KitchenAid electric kettle:
- Comes in a handful of gorgeous colors to match other KitchenAid appliances
- Comfortable handle
- Boils water quickly
- Easy to clean
Cons
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Only basic features (auto-off)
Specs
- Capacity: 42 ounces
- Features: Auto shut-off once kettle boils, water filter
- Price: $89
Via Williams-Sonoma.com
While many electric kettles look stunning sitting on the countertop, their metal exteriors can be dangerous for little fingers. If you have kids at home (or are just accident-prone yourself), our Test Kitchen recommends the Breville Soft Top Tea Kettle.
Breville’s countertop kettle is made of BPA-free plastic, unlike many other kettles our pros tried. This means that the exterior of this small appliance doesn’t get scorching hot while boiling water. Sure, it gets warm, but nothing that will hurt any curious kitchen helpers. Another bonus: the lid clicks securely shut.
This high-capacity kettle also works fast. When tested, our pros found that this pot boiled seven cups of water in less than five minutes—that’s pretty speedy!
Our testers also liked how you could easily see into the kettle thanks to the clear lid and the transparent panels on the side. This made filling to an exact measurement simple and also helped our cooks catch a glimpse at how close the water was to boiling.
Pros
What our Test Kitchen liked about the Breville Soft Top Tea Kettle:
- High capacity—56 ounces
- Exterior doesn’t get hot
- Boils quickly
- Transparent top and sides make checking the water level and boil easy
Cons
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Not as pretty as other models
Specs
- Capacity: 56 ounces
- Features: Auto shut-off, window to easily see water level, plastic exterior that doesn’t overheat during use
- Price: $60
Via Amazon.com
Got a compact kitchen? You don’t need to sacrifice style or performance with the Bodum Gooseneck Electric Water Kettle.
This elegantly designed and lightweight kettle holds just over three cups of water—just enough to make your morning tea or pour-over coffee.
What our Test Kitchen really loved about this petite kettle was how well it poured. Gooseneck kettles like this are just such a pleasure to use; the water streams out so elegantly without any drips.
Pros
What our Test Kitchen liked about this Bodum kettle:
- Small footprint
- Easy gooseneck pour
- Heat-resistant cork grips
- Affordable
Cons
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Interior of the kettle can be hard to clean without a dish brush
- Small capacity
Specs
- Capacity: 27 ounces
- Features: Automatic shut-off, cork grips
- Price: $40
How We Tested Electric Kettles
Our Test Kitchen team not only tests hundreds of reader-submitted recipes every year but also focuses on testing kitchen gadgets and other products.
To test electric kettles, our team sourced 10 of the most popular brands from department stores, big-box chains and across the internet. Each kettle was brought into the kitchens at our headquarters and given a thorough examination by our team of pros, including coffee fanatic and culinary assistant, Mark Neufang. For this test, we looked at the following:
- Speed: We timed how long it took each kettle to boil a full pot of water. Who doesn’t want their hot water ready faster for a cup of tea?
- Style: Electric kettles come in all sorts of styles. Traditional shapes and gooseneck kettles both work, but some prefer one to the other. Our pros evaluated various shapes in this test.
- Comfort: Kettles should be comfortable to lift and pour with one hand. The handles also shouldn’t get too hot to hold.
- Features: We made note of any special features the kettles may have—everything from auto-off functions to pretty finishes. If there were any standout features, our pros tested how well they worked.
- Price: The performance must be reflected in the product’s cost. We don’t mind a spendy appliance if it knocks our socks off, but we don’t want to spend big bucks for little payoff.
Check Out More Test Kitchen-Preferred Products
Kettles are just the tip of the testing iceberg! Our Test Kitchen is constantly testing kitchen gadgets, cleaning gear and delicious food, looking for brands that deserve the right to be called Test-Kitchen Preferred.
If you’re looking to outfit your kitchen with a few new appliances, be sure to check out these tests: