travel electric jug

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The 11 Very Best Electric Kettles

Boil water with efficiency and style..

In this article

• Best overall
• Best simple gooseneck
• Best large temperature-controlled
• Best large simple
• Best small simple
• Best large for tea
• Most stylish large
• Best travel

An electric kettle is one of the few appliances I keep out on my counter. I use it almost daily for hot or iced tea , depending on the season. (My current model and our best overall pick, the Stagg EKG Pro Electric Kettle, allows me to brew to exact temperatures for each.) My needs, however, may be different from your own. If you’re a pour-over coffee die-hard, a gooseneck is nonnegotiable (more on that below). If you prefer a French press , the type of spout matters less. Beyond coffee and tea, maybe you just love instant noodles and want a reliable boil when you’re hungry for dinner. Or maybe your stove takes ages to heat up so you want a vessel that can boil a lot of water quickly to decant into a pot.

To find the very best electric kettles on the market, I tested several styles myself and talked to more than a dozen experts about their favorites. I consulted a well-rounded group of people: coffee and tea professionals who are obsessive about temperature control and flow rate, along with regular cooks and other Strategist staffers with strong opinions on how they like their hot beverages. Read on to find the right kettle for you. And if you’re looking for other tools to make your morning coffee or tea, I’ve rounded up the best grinders , milk frothers , and coffee makers , too.

What we’re looking for

Some kettles have a classic, beak-shaped pour spout that dispenses water fairly quickly. Others have a gooseneck: a long, skinny spout shaped like a backwards “S,” snaking its way from the bottom of the kettle out and towards the top. A gooseneck pours pretty slowly, giving you a better handle over speed and the surface area you’re covering with water. This might not matter so much when filling up a mug for tea, but it is imperative for something like pourover, where the stream of water over the coffee grounds needs to be ultra-precise. I’ll also say that even if it’s not strictly necessary for everything, the chance of splashes and spills with a gooseneck is next to nothing.

Temperature settings

Like the type of pour spout, temperature settings are something you’ll care about or not, depending on what you’ll use your kettle for — and, frankly, how nitty-gritty you want to get about it. Some kettles heat to the exact degree you set (technically ideal for both coffee and tea preparations), some have pre-determined temperatures (usually tied to tea types), and some don’t have any temperature control at all. Also, some hold the temperature you want while you go about your business, while others will need to be reheated if they’re left to cool.

Finally, you’ll want to consider how much water your electric kettle will hold. Are you only making one cup of coffee every morning? Do you often offer tea to multiple guests at once? Goosenecks are generally on the smaller side, but you’ll find the exact capacity of each kettle on this list.

Best electric kettle overall

Pour spout: Gooseneck | Temperature settings: Precise temperature control and hold | Volume: 0.9 liters

The Fellow Stagg EKG Pro is the kettle I’ve been using for the past year. First things first: I know it’s on the pricey side and more expensive than most on this list. But I consider it well worth the investment — a perfect marriage of form, function, and durability that makes it truly best in class.  

It has exact temperature control in single-digit increments, plus clearly named predetermined settings for tea and coffee types (which is what I use). While the ultraprecise settings mean it takes slightly longer to reach temperature than other kettles do (it slows down as it gets close to your desired degree to ensure precision), it still takes only five minutes to reach a full boil when filled to maximum capacity. And it holds temperature, too.

I also love the gooseneck spout. The feature is found with multiple models on this list, but Fellow has optimized the flow so water comes out at the perfect rate for pour-over. I don’t personally drink that style of coffee, but having a slower stream of water is still useful: The water never splashes or overflows when I’m pouring, and I have maximum control if I ever need just a little hot water to deglaze a pan while I’m cooking.

The spout is just one of many positives of the overall design: The Stagg EKG is as counter-worthy as it is functional. Its minimal profile, clean lines, and nice color options (I have the all-white) make it what I think is the most attractive option on the market. Kyle Ramage, co-owner of Black & White Coffee Roasters , feels similarly. “It’s sturdy, and it’s eloquent,” he says. I also find the angled handle makes it comfortable to hold and pour at the same time.

If you’re interested in the Pro but can’t spend $195, Fellow still sells the original Stagg EKG model for $30 less. It doesn’t feature the preprogrammed settings (and lacks a few other perks, like the ability to change altitude and language and a chime that sounds to indicate it has finished heating). But otherwise, it shares the look, feel, and functionalities of the updated version. Indeed, it’s the one that many professionals — including tea writer Sara Shacket; Jerad Morrison, co-founder and co-CEO of Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco; and Marco Suarez, one of the owners of Methodical Coffee in Greenville, South Carolina — have been recommending to us since it originally came out six years ago (there’s a reason it’s one of only a few items that have survived countless updates to our gift guides for coffee lovers and tea lovers ).

Best less expensive electric kettle

Pour spout: Gooseneck | Temperature settings: Precise temperature control and hold | Volume: 1 liter

I find the Bonavita nearly as impressive as the Stagg EKG on a technical level. If you go this route, you won’t give up temperature precision in one-degree increments, temperature hold, or a gooseneck spout. It has some predetermined temperatures, too, though it doesn’t actually say what they’re for outside of the instruction manual, which I don’t find as helpful as the Stagg’s markers. Otherwise, my main knock is aesthetic: It’s simply not as sleek as our best overall pick. It’s not bad-looking — just more standard appliance than design object.

The functions are very intuitive. While the Stagg EKG operates via a nondescript dial and display screen, the Bonavita has clearly marked buttons on its base: power, a plus and minus to set exact degrees, and a hold. I also appreciate the comfortable handle and stainless-steel material, which is easy to wipe down so it looks spotless. Ken Nye, owner of Ninth Street Espresso , even thinks the Bonavita has a slight edge over the Stagg EKG, beyond the lower price. “The larger capacity and faster flow rate are both helpful when using the kettle for things other than pour-over coffee,” he says.

Best simple gooseneck electric kettle

Pour spout: Gooseneck | Temperature settings: No temperature control or hold | Volume: 0.6 liters

While the Balmuda (from the maker of our very favorite steam toaster oven ) comes in at a similar price point to the Stagg EKG, it may be a better choice for those who don’t need or want a high-tech option. I think it’s similarly pleasing to look at but has only a simple on-off switch. The water also heats up very quickly, in about two minutes, both because it doesn’t need to home in on an exact degree like the Stagg EKG or the Bonavita and because it’s a bit smaller overall. Still, when full, it makes plenty of hot water for a couple of mugs of tea at a time. The speed also means I can simply reheat as needed without worrying about the exact temperature hold. The spout pours gently and evenly, it’s comfortable to grip, and I particularly enjoy the light on the end of the handle that turns on when your water is heating and off and when it is done. Finally, it has a fitted, rounded base, as opposed to the wider square base of the Stagg, so if you have limited counter space, this design choice can make a difference.

Best less expensive simple gooseneck electric kettle

Pour spout: Gooseneck | Temperature settings: No temperature control or hold | Volume: 0.8 liters

Hario was the original creator of this type of spout, and though more advanced gooseneck kettles have come out since, it still commands a lot of respect, cited by several of the pros I spoke to as a solid choice. Suyog Mody, founder of Brooklyn’s Driftaway Coffee , has had his for nearly a decade. And if you’re looking to get a temperature that will work for coffee, you don’t have to overthink it: “Just boil the water, wait a minute, and then pour it,” he instructs. Mody’s colleague and coffee educator at Driftaway, James McCarthy, is also a fan: “I like the feel of it. It’s easy to handle.” While none of the professionals I talked to called out the look of the Hario in particular, I have to say, I think it’s quite attractive. Former Strategist writer Leah Muncy, who’s an avid tea drinker, owns one and agrees wholeheartedly. “I mean, just look at that little wavy handle!” she says. “Sometimes I just stare at it.”

Best large temperature-controlled electric kettle

Pour spout: Standard | Temperature settings: Precise temperature control and hold | Volume: 1.8 liters

For my own daily purposes, using a smaller gooseneck kettle makes the most sense. But for a larger vessel, I love this OXO that I’ve been testing for several months. It’s sturdy and well made, which I attribute largely to the glass walls and stainless-steel details. Those materials are more durable, nicer-looking, and easier to clean than the cheap plastic of the kettles I associate with dorm rooms. The OXO does have some silicone, but only in thoughtful places like the handle (for comfort) and the base (to ensure you can put it directly down on a surface without causing any damage).

The kettle is also the only larger model on this list that allows for precise temperature control. This means you can use it for perfect coffee and tea — but the capacity makes it more versatile for serving other people at the same time as yourself, as well as other forms of cooking. It holds temperature for 30 minutes, too. I appreciate that the glass lets you easily see how much water is inside, and I find the pour spout to produce a clean pour even though it’s a larger opening than a gooseneck.

Best large simple electric kettle

Pour spout: Standard | Temperature settings: No temperature control or hold | Volume: 1.7 liters

In testing the Cosori, I found that the spout releases a very steady and controlled stream, especially for having a larger opening); there’s no splashing or spilling when I pour. And while I’m partial to the Stagg EKG, the larger volume of this one is useful for batching iced tea, as well as cleaning my sink: I fill it up, let the water get piping hot, scrub the stainless interior of my basin with a sponge, and then pour the water out all over it for a sparkling finish. I like that the kettle is made of glass because I can easily see the amount of water inside, and the handle is sturdy and comfortable to hold, too.

Strategist deals editor Sam Daly bought this same model about eight months ago and has used it nearly every day since. She’s appreciative of the quick two minutes it takes to heat up. “I can literally start the water, grab a tea bag and mug, turn back around, and it’s at a good temperature,” she says. Beyond tea, she uses this large kettle — which doesn’t have exact degree control, but she’s not particular about that — to make oatmeal and to get a head start boiling water for a pot on her stovetop (her range takes forever on its own, she says). And while her previous model would keep sizzling on the bottom even after she poured the water out, “this one automatically shuts off after I pick it up,” she says.

Best small simple electric kettle

Pour spout: Standard | Temperature settings: No temperature control or hold | Volume: 1.25 liters

Recipe developer and cookbook author Sohla El-Waylly says this electric kettle looks enough like a stovetop model that one morning her mom (whom she gifted one to) was so sleepy, she literally put it on a burner and ruined it. Luckily, El-Waylly has never done the same with her own in the seven years she’s owned it — but she does appreciate its “old-timey retro vibes,” along with the fact that its “no bells and whistles.” While that means you can’t see the water level and there’s no temperature control, it perfectly suits El-Waylly’s main needs: making tea (she’s not fussy about exacting degrees) and using a bit of boiling water for cooking, whether deglazing a pan, finishing off undercooked rice, or giving a head start to water for potatoes or pasta.

Best large electric kettle for tea

Pour spout: Standard | Temperature settings: Precise temperature control and hold | Volume: 1.5 liters

This recommendation comes courtesy of a Strategist story written a few years ago by contributor David Schwartz — a recommendation that, when I checked in with him all this time later, still holds up. He’s been a regular tea drinker his whole life, but the ritual changed for the better when he received this (undeniably high-end) electric kettle as a gift. “It brews tea at custom temperatures depending on leaf type and flavor strength,” Schwartz writes, “but what differentiates this from less-expensive alternatives is something that almost all run-of-the-mill coffee makers do: It brews automatically, at any time of day, without you having to do anything but pour in the tea. The Breville’s pièce de résistance is a metal-mesh basket that robotically dunks loose leaves in boiled water for the exact steeping time and then removes them, resting above the water’s surface to prevent too-bitter brews or totally weak souse.”

Best less expensive large electric kettle for tea

Pour spout: Standard | Temperature settings: Standardized temperature control and hold | Volume: 1.7 liters

If the Breville isn’t worth the investment to you, Shacket recommends this Cuisinart model with preset temperatures for different types of teas. It has a full-boil button for black tea (which is also the correct setting for herbal and rooibos teas), a 190-degree button for oolong, a 185 button for white, a 175 button for green, and a 160 button for delicate teas — not to mention a French press setting. There’s also a keep-warm setting, unlike with some of the bigger models that automatically shut off and cool down once they’re done boiling.

Most stylish large electric kettle

Pour spout: Standard | Temperature settings: No temperature control or hold | Volume: 1.9 liters

Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo had coveted the out-of-her-price-range Stagg EKG kettle for a long time — but then she saw this equally attractive one and decided to buy it. The design reads stylishly Scandinavian; it comes in a range of pretty matte colors and features a light wood handle. “I just thought it was so nice-looking,” Corsillo says, much more in line with her and her partner’s style than the previous big one she owned with roommates. She also calls the Chantal “blissfully uncomplicated” to use. You simply fill it up and press down on a single button. The cord wraps into the base for neat storage, it holds a lot of water, and it has a comfortable grip.

Best travel electric kettle

Pour spout: Standard | Temperature settings: No temperature control or hold | Volume: 0.6 liters

This foldable electric kettle was brought to our attention by Death Cab for Cutie front man Ben Gibbard, who takes this clever contraption with him when he’s on the road (along with his portable AeroPress ). “When you’re on tour, the first thing you want every morning is a really good cup of coffee ,” he says. “I’d rather make it myself than be on the hunt for it. And this kettle is great because it compresses down and doesn’t take up a lot of room in your bag.” It works with a simple on-off button, which, when on, will automatically reheat your water as soon as it drops below 75 degrees. You can also adjust the voltage at the bottom, which makes it usable all over the world if you have the correct plug adapter.

Some more kettles we’ve written about

Our experts

•  Liza Corsillo , Strategist senior writer •  Sam Daly , Strategist deals editor •  Sohla El-Waylly , recipe developer and cookbook author • Ben Gibbard, Death Cab for Cutie frontman • James McCarthy, coffee educator at Driftaway Coffee • Suyog Mody, founder of Driftaway Coffee • Jerad Morisson, co-founder and co-CEO of Sightglass Coffee • Leah Muncy, former Strategist writer • Ken Nye, owner of Ninth Street Espresso • Kyle Ramage, co-owner of Black & White Coffee Roasters • David Schwartz, Strategist contributor •  Sara Shacket , tea consultant • Marco Suarez, co-owner of Methodical Coffee

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Today’s Top Clicked

17 Best Travel Coffee Mugs for Hot and Cold Drinks

Commute with your coffee under control.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

For many of us, coffee is a constant companion — and that means you'll want a trusty travel mug as you head out the door. Whether you prefer a piping hot cup from your drip coffee maker or single-serve coffeemaker , a refill at Starbucks or a dose of joe from your cold brew coffee maker , your travel coffee mug should handle it all without leaking. Fortunately, there's tons of options out there, including stainless steel coffee thermoses to keep your beverages cool and ones with straws for easy sipping.

Over the years, the pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab have tested 45 different travel mugs for hot and cold temperature retention, durability, resistance to leakage, ease of use and more. In our most recent tests, we called in samples of the latest travel mugs and used them both in the office and on our commutes to see how well they held up. We noted how they felt, how they traveled and, unavoidably, how they held up when dropped. Ahead, we rounded up the best travel coffee mugs based on picks that performed well during testing or come from brands that we trust.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Travel Coffee Mug

Zojirushi 16-ounce stainless steel mug.

Best Value Travel Coffee Mug

Juro stainless steel vacuum insulated tumbler.

Best No-Spill Travel Coffee Mug

Stanley classic trigger action travel mug.

Best Travel Coffee Mug for Espresso Drinks

Avana sedona stainless steel thermal tumbler.

Easiest to Clean Leak-Resistant Travel Coffee Mug

Oxo good grips 16-oz travel coffee mug with leakproof simplyclean lid.

Best Travel Coffee Mug with Carrying Strap

Hydro flask flex sip lid coffee flask.

Best Self-Heating Travel Coffee Mug

Smrtmugg heated coffee mug.

Best Wide-Mouthed Travel Coffee Mug

S'well stainless steel traveler.

Best Locking-Lid Travel Coffee Mug

Contigo luxe autoseal vacuum-insulated mug.

Best Travel Coffee Mug with Handle

Yeti rambler mug with lid.

Read on for more information on our testing process as well as for tips on what to look for when shopping for a travel coffee mug. For more ideas on what to fill your cup with, check out these coffee recipes to make at home .

Zojirushi's travel mug with a locking lid opens with the push of a button but won't leak or spill (even in a backpack). It will keep hot coffee hot — in fact, the brand is so confident that it offers a five-year warranty on heat retention. Iced coffee fans will appreciate that the mouth is large enough to handle big ice cubes for that extra chill.

Our tester noted that the vacuum-sealed lid keeps water cold all day: "I always grab it from my backpack and think, 'There's no way this could still possibly be cool anymore,' and I'm always pleasantly surprised." We also like the slim design, which is easy to grip and fits nicely into backpacks or totes. It comes in several colors and a 12-ounce version.

This stainless steel mug is a great affordable option, especially considering its large 20-ounce size. What's more, it claims to retain the temperature of your coffee for up to six hours. Online reviewers like that it fits easily into car holders and won't sweat when filled with ice. The tumbler includes two lids: The featured slider lid as well as a flip-style lid , so you can choose which you prefer for the beverage you're drinking. It also comes with a reusable straw and a straw cleaner, though we found the straw was short and inconvenient to use.

Stanley has been in the thermal carafe game since 1913. This travel coffee mug delivers the company's insulated design and also includes a push-button "trigger action" lid that keeps the mug sealed unless pushed. We liked that it means the spout stays closed when you're not hands-on . Our pros did note that it requires some level of strength and dexterity to hold the button while sipping. This mug is available in several colors (even camo!) and in a 20-ounce size.

This 10-ounce travel mug from Avana is perfectly sized for espresso-based drinks, but it's also available in 20-ounce and 30-ounce versions. Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou likes that the simple two-piece design is easy to clean because the lid is just one solid piece, unlike many other lids. This is particularly helpful if you like coffee drinks with foam, like latte beverages , that can gunk up lids over time. The contoured mouthpiece makes sipping easy, but it doesn't seal closed, so watch out for leaks. The double-walled insulated construction keeps drinks hot or cold and helps prevent condensation from collecting on the outside.

We love when kitchen gear comes apart for a thorough cleaning, but would rather skip the guesswork that can follow when it's time to reassemble. The OXO travel coffee mug with SimplyClean lid solves this pain point: The four-piece lid is color-coded, numbered and etched with assembly instructions . It's easy to take apart and clean by hand (or in the dishwasher), and simple to put back together for your next cup. Never mind, it's also comfortable to hold. The mug comes in four other colors as well as a 20-ounce size.

Hydro Flask has a huge following when it comes to water bottles — in fact, we named the brand our best stainless steel water bottle — and we're fans of its coffee mugs (called coffee flasks), too . GH Lab tests found that its stainless steel, vacuum-insulated body kept drinks hot and cold for hours, and it was quite leakproof. Hydro Flask also offers a separate wide-mouth lid , which can be handy for cold beverages. (The included lid twists to open and close.) But, be careful drinking hot beverages with a wide mouth as it can spill easily. It's available in a range of colors as well as 16- and 20-ounce sizes , and the little handle helps make it easier to transport.

This SmrtMugg travel mug — rated our best self-heating travel mug — has built-in heat technology to keep coffee hot. Its large battery on the bottom — the manufacturer claims a 10-hour battery life — kept coffee hot (above the target temp of 135˚F) for the full four hours of our Lab tests . Once you get the hang of the controls at the bottom of the mug, the clear digital readout is helpful in setting the temperature and turning off the mug. This travel mug also aced our leak tests. Our tester noted that while the push-button lid is easy to use, the edge of the button can bump your lip while drinking.

This sleek 16-ounce bottle has been redesigned to fit more comfortably in your hand. Though we have not tested this model in the Lab, our pros appreciate that i ts large size and wide mouth can easily fit ice cubes , which makes it a great choice for frequent iced coffee drinkers. We have also found other S'well products to be good at maintaining temperatures. It seals shut and is leakproof; plus, it will keep your drinks cold (or hot!) all day. The S'well comes in a ton of color options as well as 12-ounce and 20-ounce sizes.

This coffee mug from Contigo is super comfortable in your hands, and it has a unique locking feature that makes it leak- and spill-proof. When you want to sip (or chug) your coffee, just press the button to release the seal. During your commute, you can lock the button so you don't accidentally press it while on the go . It's also completely dishwasher-safe, even the lid. One tester did note that with hot beverages, the lid can feel too hot to handle.

This popular Yeti mug looks just like a traditional coffee mug, but it's designed to keep your drinks hot or cold and comes with a lid to prevent unnecessary spills. The sturdy and comfortable handle is large enough for even wide hands. It's available in a dozen different colors as well as sizes from 10- to 30 ounces. Another bonus is that when you buy from the Yeti site, you can customize your product with a short text, a monogram or a logo. Our tester found that the lid slides open easily but noted that it's not leakproof. The brand has also introduced the Rambler Stronghold lid , which screws on (rather than presses in), which we're actively testing in the Lab.

Fellow Carter Everywhere Travel Mug

This little cylinder makes a statement, with testers loving how compact it was. The sleek stainless steel shell contains a ceramic liner intended to keep your coffee free of metallic flavors. The screw top reveals a wide mouth that you can sip from any angle and is large enough for adding ice . It comes in seven additional colors as well as a smaller, 12-ounce size.

W&P Porter Ceramic Mug with Protective Silicone Sleeve

Papantoniou likes that the inside of this travel mug is easy-to-clean porcelain, which generally helps to prevent buildup over time that can negatively impart flavors . She also noted that it keeps coffee "nice and hot right off the bat." It includes a simple shape and a silicone sleeve for a comfortable non-slip grip. It comes in several colors and a couple of terrazzo prints . It's also available in a 16-ounce size.

Starbucks Classic Green & White Traveler Tumbler Coffee Mug

Starbucks fans will appreciate that they can purchase this mug online rather than solely in the stores. The ceramic mug is easy to use — the lid just pops into place and is surrounded by a rubber seal to help keep it (and the coffee) in place — and easy to clean . "It keeps coffee warm like a standard ceramic mug would, and the lid helps to keep things a little warmer for longer," our tester says. "I like that it's not scalding hot like in a metal mug, so I can enjoy my coffee without burning my mouth." The 12-oz size is perfect for refills of Starbucks tall drinks.

STOJO Collapsible Travel Cup with Straw

Stojo's collapsible coffee cup makes it possible to travel light while avoiding single-use plastics. The brand impressed our pros with its other collapsible offerings — the Collapsible Bowl won a 2021 Kitchen Gear Award . Similarly, this travel cup is well designed: The cup includes a heat sleeve that provides a structured grip for the squishy silicone cup, and the 16-ounce size includes a straw (which is great for iced coffee or if you prefer to bring your own cup to fountain machines). The collapsed cup is just two inches in size. It's both microwave and dishwasher safe, with 8-ounce , 12-ounce and 24-ounce sizes.

MiiR Flip Traveler

With a 4.8-rating on Amazon, this stainless steel thermos comes in a slim design and an easy-to-open lid. Though we have not tested this pick in the Lab, we like its focus on giving back: T he bottom of each travel mug is printed with a "Give Code" that you can enter at Mirr's website for details on the brand's corporate giving , which is funded through every purchase. The Flip Traveler is available in several colors and 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes .

JOCO Glass Reusable Coffee Cup

This glass bodied Joco mug has a colorful silicone lid and a matching thermal sleeve. It's microwave (and dishwasher!) safe, which makes it a great option if you like to reheat your coffee throughout the day. Since the glass is clear, it's easy to see how much coffee you have left — and hit your preferred shade when you add your creamer. Take note that the lid does not seal shut, so while it might be handy for car commuting, this isn't one that's great for tossing in your bag.

Zoku Instant Iced Coffee Maker

For iced coffee fiends, this mug is for you. Get your cuppa in flash: Simply store the inner core of the mug in the freezer, then slip the frozen cup into the protective plastic sleeve and pour in hot coffee. Our tester found that the travel mug will chill your coffee rapidly without watering it down with ice cubes. (The brand actually uses the same concept for its ice cream maker .) Slide in the lid with the provided straw, and you're ready for undiluted iced coffee — though you can add ice if you prefer. One caveat is that the freezable core holds only 11 ounces, which some might find too small.

How we test travel coffee mugs

When the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab test travel coffee mugs, they use thermocouples to track the temperature of the liquid inside the mug over time. Many of the mugs on this list were tested at home over months (even over commutes) to assess their durability, ease of use and temperature retention.

Our pros also evaluate the mugs for stability, cleanability and comfort of both holding and drinking. They test whether the mug is easy to open and close, and they drop each mug to assess its durability. To test for leaking, our pros roll the mug around on its side as well as turn it upside down and shake it vigorously.

How to find the best travel coffee mug for you

✔️ Material : Many travel coffee mugs are stainless steel, though our list also includes porcelain, glass and silicone options. Double-walled construction is common with stainless steel mugs, and that can help keep your beverage hot or cold longer. Other materials may not be insulated. If you opt for a glass mug, consider borosilicate glass, which is tempered to prevent shattering with hot liquids and can be more durable if dropped. Porcelain mugs are generally easy to clean, and because the material is nonporous, the mug is unlikely to develop odd flavors. Silicone is a great lightweight option, but it can get warm if it does not have a heat sleeve.

✔️ Lid : Some lids are more spill-proof than others. Our Lab experts particularly love the locking feature on the Contigo Luxe Autoseal Vacuum-Insulated Travel Coffee Mug , which adds a level of safety if you plan to toss your mug in your bag. Lids that screw on are also often leak-resistant. Those who prefer a more traditional-style mug with a handle may find that slider lids are common; evaluate those for leaking, as some are prone to dribbles (or worse). Note that spill-proof lids often require more care to clean.

✔️ Washability : Check to see if the mug is dishwasher-safe. If it needs to be washed by hand, make sure you can thoroughly clean it with a sponge or bottle brush .

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Sarah Wharton is the Senior Editor and Analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She tested several of the newest additions to this list as well as led the recent test of heated mugs. She's written about all kinds of kitchen gear as well as coffee advice like how to make a cappuccino and how to make an iced latte .

Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou oversees all testing of kitchen gear, including products like coffee grinders , coffee makers , espresso machines and Nespresso machines . She has tested almost all of these travel mugs and is constantly rotating through an assortment in her daily travel mug use. She is also the lead judge in the Good Housekeeping Institute's forthcoming Coffee Awards .

Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).

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The Best Electric Kettle

By Anna Shults Held , Sarah Zorn and Michael Sullivan

Electric kettles provide a swift and easy way to heat water without using a stove. And many models will even let you set a precise temperature—key for getting the best flavor from coffee and tea. Of all the models we’ve tested since 2013, the Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle continues to be our favorite, thanks to its winning combination of speed, accuracy, and simple controls—and all at a better price than that of most competitors.

Everything we recommend

Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle

The best all-purpose electric kettle.

This 1.7-liter kettle heats water quickly and accurately to the various temperatures needed to get optimum flavor from teas and coffee.

Buying Options

Breville IQ Kettle

Sleeker but pricier.

Despite the price bump, this intuitive, easy-to-use kettle probably won’t provide more longevity than you get with the Cuisinart, but this model is sleeker and slightly more ergonomic.

Cuisinart Digital Gooseneck Kettle

The best gooseneck kettle.

We recommend this precise-aim gooseneck kettle for anyone preparing pour-over coffee or for tea lovers who will geek out over its spot-on temperature accuracy.

Budget pick

Hamilton Beach 40880 Stainless Steel 1.7 Liter Kettle

An inexpensive water boiler.

This no-frills kettle lacks the bells and whistles of the variable-temperature models we recommend, but it gets the job done on the cheap.

Qualities of electric kettles

Our picks can boil up to 1.7 liters of water in seven minutes, but of course they’ll boil smaller quantities even faster.

Whether your kettle is for oolong tea or pour-over, you can set it to the ideal brewing temperature, and it’ll keep the temp there for 20 to 30 minutes.

Most kettles automatically shut off after boiling or keeping warm for a set amount of time. Some also have boil-dry protection.

Boiling water repeatedly is hard on electrical components, so failure rates can be high for electric kettles. Good warranties help.

The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle has been our top pick since 2013 because of its consistent performance and easy-to-use interface. In our tests, we found very little variation in the amount of time it took to bring a full kettle of water (1.7 L) to a boil—about 7 minutes on average. We were also impressed with this kettle’s accuracy in holding water at a set temperature. It has six preset temperature choices, each with a dedicated button, plus a “keep warm” function, which holds water at the set temperature for 30 minutes. The three-year warranty is also quite generous compared with those of similarly priced electric kettles we’ve looked at.

The Breville IQ Kettle looks great and works well, too. It has five temperature presets, each with a button on the base of the kettle, and a 20-minute “keep warm” function. And rather than being a closed loop, the handle is open at the bottom, making it just a little more accessible. We don’t think these features are worth the price jump over the Cuisinart CPK-17 (especially since the IQ has only a one-year warranty). But for someone who prioritizes a more streamlined look or an ergonomic handle, the price difference might be worth it.

The Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle is accurate and fast, and it’s more comfortable to use than other similarly priced gooseneck kettles. The willowy spout gives you the control necessary for executing the perfect pour-over, and the rounded handle is easy to grasp, resulting in a smoother, more precise pour. The controls are intuitive and allow you to adjust the water temperature in five-degree increments, and a “keep warm” function holds the temperature for 30 minutes before automatically shutting off. The kettle has an all-steel body and lid, which makes it a great option for the plastic-avoidant. Also, in matte black this kettle looks attractive when kept on the counter.

We recommend the inexpensive Hamilton Beach 40880 Stainless Steel 1.7 Liter Kettle for anyone who’d prefer not to break the bank but wants a decent kettle for boiling water. This model is very straightforward to operate, with a simple on/off switch at the base of the handle. In our tests, it heated water just as quickly as the Cuisinart CPK-17, and it shuts off automatically as soon as it reaches a boil (this is a good safety feature, but you’ll need to stay close, since there’s no beep to alert you when it’s done). The large, heat-safe handle stays cool, and the spout doesn’t dribble when you’re pouring.

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: cuisinart cpk-17 perfectemp cordless electric kettle, also great: breville iq kettle, also great: cuisinart gk-1 digital gooseneck kettle, budget pick: hamilton beach 40880 stainless steel 1.7 liter kettle, care and maintenance, a note on reliability, other good kettles, the competition.

In researching this guide over the years, we’ve talked to a number of experts about what they look for in a kettle. They include Tony Gebely of Tea Epicure ; Michelle Rabin, founder of T Ching ; Peter F. Goggi, president of the Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc. ; and famed tea expert Bruce Richardson . We also looked at highly rated models on Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as at reviews from America's Test Kitchen (subscription required), Good Housekeeping , and Wired .

We also performed review aggregation analysis on several of the more competitive kettles we’ve tested (with the exception of newer models, like the Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle , that have not yet amassed enough user reviews for meaningful analysis). Using an AI-based review analysis tool, we scanned over 5,000 Amazon reviews across six popular kettles, paying attention to patterns among user comments regarding ease of use, speed, longevity, and more.

Wirecutter’s Haley Sprankle and writer Anna Shults Held worked on the most recent version of this guide, and have both covered a range of other kitchen gear for Wirecutter.

Previous updates also relied on research and testing by Sarah Zorn, a cookbook author and recipe developer and tester, and Wirecutter senior staff writer Michael Sullivan, who has covered everything from toaster ovens to air fryers . This guide also builds on work by Wirecutter’s Winnie Yang and Tim Barribeau.

Getting a variable-temperature electric kettle is the key to immediately improving your hot-drink game, whether you’re a tea connoisseur or a coffee nerd.

Different varieties of tea are intended to be brewed at specific temperatures. Though exact temperatures are up for debate and come down to personal preference, the general rule is that more-delicate leaves require cooler water. So green tea, for example, should steep at a temperature that is markedly lower than the rolling boil black tea requires.

The ideal temperature for brewing a clean, balanced cup of coffee—whether with a pour-over dripper or a French press—is also below boiling: The Specialty Coffee Association recommends somewhere around 200 °F . If you’re mainly interested in brewing coffee, you might also consider purchasing an electric gooseneck kettle, specifically designed for pour-overs. The thin, angled spout aids in assuring a slow, controlled pour.

If you’re not a coffee or tea aficionado, you may want a no-frills basic model that simply boils water. We have a pick for that, too. In either case, an electric kettle also works for people who hate the alarming sound of whistling kettles and want a fast, more automatic path to their morning cup of caffeine. It’s also useful for those who don’t have easy access to a stove, such as students living in a dorm.

A great electric kettle should hit temperatures quickly and accurately, and it should preferably come with a few special features that make it pleasant and easy to use. Over our years of research and testing since first writing this guide, in 2013, we’ve settled on the following criteria:

Simple controls: Bringing water to a boil shouldn’t be rocket science. We looked for kettles with intuitive controls that were simple to start at the push of a button. Not all models we tested came with multiple temperature settings, but for those that did, we looked for clearly marked and easily adjustable settings. We’ve also found it especially helpful when guides—with ideal temperatures for various beverages—are printed on the machine, instead of hidden in the manual.

Accurate: For kettles with multiple temperature settings, reasonable accuracy is important because there’s no point in aiming for 200 °F and hitting 212 °F instead.

Fast: You don’t want to wait forever for your water to heat, and we’ve seen quite a range during tests, with kettles taking anywhere from under 3 minutes to a sleepy 7 minutes and counting to boil one liter of water. Ideally, we looked for models that brought a liter to a boil in 5 minutes or less.

Pours cleanly: Basic kettles should be able to pour into a mug without splashing or dribbling. With gooseneck kettles, which are primarily intended for making pour-over coffee, we looked for models that gave us a high level of control over the speed and direction of the stream.

Minimal plastic: We tested kettles made primarily from stainless steel, glass, or ceramic. Some people, including our experts, complain about plastic kettles imparting a funny taste or smell to the water. Plus, plastic kettles are more prone to warping over time, so we decided not to include them. Most models we've tested, however, contained some minor plastic elements, such as parts of the lid, a filter, or the water-level window. All of our picks’ manufacturers assured us that the plastic components in their kettles were made from heat-resistant plastics.

If you’re especially concerned about plastic components in your kettle, our pick for the best gooseneck kettle, the Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle , has an all-steel body and lid. And three of the options in our Other good kettles section, the OXO Brew Gooseneck Electric Kettle , the Fellow Corvo EKG , and the Fellow Stagg EKG , have all-steel bodies with only a silicone gasket around the temperature probe on the bottom. Both Fellow kettles also have all-steel lids.

Safety features: Kettles should have handles and lids that stay cool to the touch and keep your hands well away from any scalding surfaces. An automatic shut-off is another important safety feature—most kettles these days come with one, but it’s important that the feature works properly.

Easy to clean: All kettles will need to be descaled from time to time, since lime deposits build up inside. To make that process easier, we looked for kettles with wide openings that are easy to reach into for cleaning. A scale filter in the spout also helps to keep bits of the deposits (which are harmless) out of your cup.

Solid warranties: Boiling water is hard on appliances, especially those with finicky moving parts or complex settings. Our research has shown that even high-quality kettles can have a somewhat short lifespan. Spending more may get you nicer features or a sturdier housing, but it won’t ensure that your kettle lasts longer. So it’s best to find a model with a good warranty. A year is standard; two or more is excellent. (The Cuisinart PerfecTemp, our top pick , offers three.)

Nice extras: Waiting is a pain, particularly when a kettle doesn’t have audible cues to let you know that it’s reached the desired temperature. That said, it’s preferable when a kettle is otherwise quiet—without rattling while heating, shrieking while boiling, or setting off prolonged beeps when you’ve let it sit. Other extra-credit additions include timers, real-time temperature indicators, and toggles that let you switch from Fahrenheit to Celsius.

We started our original testing by timing how long it took each kettle to bring a liter of water to a boil. With the variable-temperature kettles, we also measured how accurate their internal thermometer was for various non-boiling temperatures. (We did this by using a ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4, our former upgrade pick for instant-read thermometer .)We performed both tests multiple times on each kettle.

Some models we tested had a warming feature that could hold set temperatures, so we checked their accuracy after letting them sit on hold for a period of time. We tested automatic shut-off features and took note of any excessive or annoying beeps while using each kettle. We tasted the water from each model after boiling to see whether it had any off flavors caused by plastic components.

We tested gooseneck kettles by making pour-over coffee, and by tracing specific patterns onto a dry paper towel to assess how much control each kettle’s spout and handle provided over the pour.

We also used an AI-powered tool to analyze over 5,000 Amazon user reviews across six popular electric kettle models. This included our top pick , the Cuisinart PerfecTemp CPK-17; our budget pick , the Hamilton Beach kettle; and our also-great pick , the Breville IQ, as well as other contenders like the Fellow Stagg , the OXO Brew gooseneck kettle , and the Chefman Electric Kettle with Temperature Control. (Our gooseneck pick, the Cuisinart GK-1 , is too new to have aggregated enough reviews for this type of analysis.)

Although review aggregation can’t cover every model we’re interested in, we did see some interesting patterns across the data collected. For instance, it’s clear users appreciate both speed and variable-temperature controls, since those were often the two most-mentioned topics in reviews. It’s also clear that longevity is an issue across all the kettles we analyzed. Unfortunately, we also saw patterns that more-sophisticated controls (like variable-temperature settings) may be at odds with longevity (meaning kettles with temperature controls generally got more complaints about failure than simple on/off kettles).

The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle has been our top pick since 2013, thanks to its ease of use, speed, and accuracy. It has an intuitive interface with six temperature settings, and it defaults to a keep-warm option that conveniently holds water at the designated temperature (or just below, if set to boil) for 30 minutes. The wide handle is comfortable to hold, and the spout doesn’t dribble when pouring. Unlike many of the other non-gooseneck kettles we tested, this model has a high capacity (1⅔ liters) yet still boasts a simple, streamlined design. So it won’t be an eyesore if it’s stored on your kitchen counter.

Of all of the variable-temperature models we tested, the Cuisinart CPK-17 is one of the simplest to operate. Each of the six temperature settings has its own button right on the handle, and each is labeled with the temperature and beverage it’s best for (such as Oolong and French press). If you don’t innately know the ideal water temperatures for making specific types of tea, this is very helpful (though the kettle’s settings for white and black tea vary a bit from the recommendations of our experts). All you need to do is add water, select the temperature you want, hit start, and wait for the kettle to beep when it’s done. Then it kicks into an automated keep-warm cycle (there’s also a Keep Warm button, if you’d like to select this option manually); this maintains the temperature for up to 30 minutes. Another button on the handle lets you easily open the lid with one hand, and the spout pours in an even stream.

In addition to the Cuisinart CPK-17’s straightforward, easy-to-use design, we found this kettle had an extremely consistent boil time. On average, it brought 1 liter of water to a boil in around 4 minutes. Of the kettles we tested, this wasn’t the fastest boil time, but it was speedier than most. Additionally, the Cuisinart CPK-17 proved to be impressively accurate in our tests: Water measured just 2 degrees over the set temperature of 185 °F after 30 minutes on the keep-warm setting.

The Cuisinart CPK-17 beeps once when you press a button on the control panel, as well as several times when it reaches a temperature setting. We found this much less annoying than the excessive beeps from the KitchenAid KEK1722 kettle. And we appreciated the temperature alert—which was surprisingly lacking in many of the models we tried—since it means you don’t need to hover over the kettle in eager anticipation. Be mindful, however, that a raucous beeping will occur if the kettle is on and you return it to the base empty. This is the boil-dry protection warning, intended to prevent damage to the kettle. It’s easy to avoid this situation, though, since the water-level window lets you see when water is getting low.

The Cuisinart CPK-17 is easy to clean, with a removable scale filter in the spout and a lid opening large enough for you to get a hand inside. Just avoid splashing water on the control buttons located on the handle, and be sure to clean them only with a damp cloth and a mild dish soap (if necessary). Harsher cleaners, like Lysol wipes, may cause the labels on the buttons to fade or disappear.

Another standout feature of the Cuisinart CPK-17 is its limited three-year warranty, which is substantially better than what you get with all of the other models we tested in this price range. (Most come with only a year of coverage.) Considering that constantly boiling water can be rough on a gadget, having triple the warranty coverage of the rest of the pack is impressive.

How the Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp has held up

We used the Cuisinart CPK-17 kettle in our high-traffic office kitchen for about a year before the office closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. And in that time we had no complaints. The labels remained as good as new, and the lid always opened smoothly. Since we returned to the office in 2022, the Cuisinart CPK-17 has resumed regular use and continues to perform well, with no wear on the labels.

Alex Vaughn, a Wirecutter product manager, has used the Cuisinart CPK-17 at home for 6 years and counting: “We love it. It is used daily, often multiple times per day. Most often we use the boil option but the other temps do see some use. It’s an absolute workhorse. We have really hard water in our current home and the descaler works well with it too.”

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Cuisinart CPK-17 did have better accuracy than most of the other kettles we tested (some measured more than 10 degrees off their temperature settings). But we found the CPK-17 wasn’t as accurate at hitting lower temperatures, measuring 8 degrees over when we set it to 160 °F. On temperatures of 175 °F and up, however, it measured only 3 to 4 degrees off, which is pretty accurate. Since this model has a slew of other noteworthy features and has been consistently reliable over years of long-term testing, we’re willing to forgive its minor temperature variances at the lowest setting.

We have received feedback from some of our readers and have seen other reports of this Cuisinart model breaking down after about a year, or of the lid breaking off at the hinge, but those things should be covered by the warranty. In our analysis of online reviews, we also found that the percentage of complaints about the CPK-17 breaking was very similar to the percentage of complaints about the same issue in other kettles. It seems that across brands, a certain small percentage of kettles will just break within a year or two. Though anecdotally, the ones we’ve long-term tested have lasted years.

We’ve also seen a number of Amazon reviews complaining that the labels on the buttons wear off over time. We haven’t experienced this issue with the kettle we’ve been long-term testing, even with regular use, or with the ones we use in the staff kitchen in Wirecutter’s offices. But a couple Wirecutter staffers have encountered the problem with this model. A representative from Cuisinart suggested it may have to do with how people clean their kettles, and they advised us: “The only cleaning solution that should be used is a damp cloth and a mild dishwashing soap. Any other cleaners (Windex, Fantastik, Lysol) have harsh chemicals and may remove the paint/printing.” That said, some folks told us they experienced this issue with their kettle even if they hadn’t used any harsh cleaners (or, as some proclaim, had not cleaned their kettle handle at all). We’re unsure why there are inconsistent experiences with this issue, and based on our analysis of Amazon reviews, we don’t think it’s a widespread problem. But note that you might come across this.

The Breville IQ Kettle is a great-looking kettle that works just as well as the Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp , if not better in a few small ways. The catch? The IQ normally costs at least $30 more, and it comes with only a one-year warranty, compared with the Cuisinart’s three.

With a streamlined body, the Breville IQ is unobtrusive on the counter, and the design is more ergonomic and intuitive than that of other kettles. In our tests, it boiled water just a little faster than the Cuisinart and consistently hit the desired temperature. The IQ has five presets, as well as a temperature alert, a 20 minute keep-warm hold, and boil-dry protection. This kettle’s open handle makes it more accessible than closed-handle kettles, and in our tests we found pouring with it was comfortable.

Like the buttons on the Cuisinart CPK-17, each preset button on the Breville IQ is marked with both the temperature and the beverage it’s used for (French press or black tea, for example). But again, not all of the ranges are consistent with our experts’ recommendations. The buttons are on the base of the kettle rather than on the handle, and the text is printed above and below the buttons. (On the Cuisinart kettle, the text is on the buttons themselves, and some users report the labels rubbing off over time.) The Breville IQ also has a soft-open lid that releases steam more slowly and can be operated with one hand at the press of a button.

Overall, the Breville IQ has most of the features we liked from the Cuisinart CPK-17, plus a few others that are a little better, like the open handle and buttons on the base. This is a well-designed, well-functioning kettle. But we didn’t find those additional features to be worth the price hike, especially since review analysis suggests there’s no significant increase in longevity (and the IQ offers only a one-year warranty, versus the Cuisinart CPK-17’s three years). However, we do think the IQ could be a great option for someone who prefers the more streamlined look or who values the more ergonomic design and isn’t bothered by the extra cost.

How the Breville IQ has held up

The Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle is ideal for coffee aficionados who value control and precision in their brewing routine. The kettle’s temperature control is adjustable by five-degree increments, and this kettle was the most accurate one we tested. Its slim and angled spout allows for the controlled, precision pouring necessary for making pour-over coffee. And the rounded handle makes the kettle comfortable to maneuver, resulting in a smoother pour. We also like the attractive matte black finish, which doesn’t pick up fingerprints the way reflective stainless steel does. (It does, however, pick up other scuffs and lint in a way that stainless steel does not. Which is to say: Pick based on what you like!) Target also exclusively carries a matte white version , though we haven’t tested to see how that finish holds up.

The Cuisinart Gooseneck’s controls are simple, with touchpad controls and real-time temperature display, allowing you to monitor the water as it heats. The temperature is adjustable in five-degree increments between 140 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the temperature adjustment is less precise than that of our previous pick, the OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Pour-Over Kettle (which you can set to the degree), it’s still precise enough to brew a perfect cup of coffee or tea. And when you turn it off, the Cuisinart Gooseneck remembers the last temperature you set it to, so you don’t have to reset it every time you use it.

We appreciated that the Cuisinart Gooseneck’s screen displays the temperature of the water as it heats, as well as the final temperature (alternating between the two). This can be helpful if you’re using the kettle for both tea and coffee and you change settings frequently, or if you just like to double-check the temperature. The kettle beeps when the water’s ready and holds the temperature for 30 minutes before turning off. The Cuisinart Gooseneck also has boil-dry protection. If there’s no water left in the kettle, it will beep loudly and repetitively, and the buttons will blink before turning off. All of the alerts are particularly loud compared with those of other kettles, and they cannot be turned off—something to consider if you’re an early riser and you live with people who are sensitive to noise.

As far as the design is concerned, the Cuisinart Gooseneck is made of powder-coated stainless steel with a plastic-covered lid and handle. The matte black shows fewer smudges than unpainted alternatives, and the digital display goes dark while off (except for the power button), so it looks unobtrusive on the countertop. The handle is rounded and comfortable to hold, which facilitates a smoother, more controlled pour. As with most gooseneck kettles we’ve tested, with this model the lid doesn’t open at the push of a button—you have to pull it off manually, which can be tricky when the kettle is hot. Also like most gooseneck kettles we’ve tested, the Cuisinart Gooseneck lacks a water-level window.

Since it’s a relatively new model, there weren’t enough Amazon reviews for us to analyze. But we’ll continue to use this kettle and collect notes from other users. Given the patterns we’ve seen in reviews of other kettles, there’s a small chance that this model, like any other electric kettle, could fail within a couple years. But like our top pick , this kettle does come with Cuisinart’s three-year warranty, which covers typical household use.

How the Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck has held up

We recommend the Hamilton Beach 40880 Stainless Steel 1.7 Liter Kettle for anyone who wants an affordable basic model that quickly brings water to a boil. This kettle lacks the bells and whistles of our other picks—it doesn’t have preset temperature controls or a keep-warm setting—but it does have all the other features we look for in a decent kettle. Most importantly, perhaps, its handle is easy to hold, and the spout doesn’t drip when pouring.

We were impressed with this kettle’s speed, which was on a par with that of the Cuisinart CPK-17 in boiling time (it took about 4 minutes to heat a liter of water). This Hamilton Beach model is simple to operate: You flick the tab on the base of the handle up, and the kettle begins heating the water. A red light on the base illuminates once the boiling cycle begins, so you always know that it’s on. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, the kettle automatically shuts off, so you don’t have to worry about turning it off manually. That said, since the Hamilton Beach 40880 doesn’t have an audible alert, it’s possible the water will start to cool before you’ve even realized it boiled, especially if you’re not in the room when it does so.

When we analyzed the Amazon reviews, we saw a lower percentage of complaints about this kettle failing than we did for any of the other variable-temp kettles we looked at (which might just mean there’s less that can break due to the kettle’s simpler electronics).

In our tests, the spout on the Hamilton Beach 40880 didn’t dribble water when pouring, and the wide handle was comfortable to hold. Unlike some models that require you to open the lid manually, the 40880 conveniently opens with a push of a button located at the top of the handle. This is a valuable safety feature when you’re attempting to empty a kettle that’s still hot. This model also boasts two water-level windows, allowing you to see how full the kettle is, regardless of which way you place it on the base.

The plastic hinges on the Hamilton Beach 40880’s lid are one of its biggest drawbacks. Other models, including our top pick, the Cuisinart CPK-17, have metal hinges that seem more durable. The Hamilton Beach 40880 is covered by a one-year warranty.

To minimize the amount of mineral-deposit buildup in your kettle, always empty it after you use it. You’ll still need to decalcify your kettle from time to time, though the frequency depends on the hardness of your water. Check the manual for the manufacturer’s specific instructions on descaling. Otherwise, we’ve found it’s effective to fill the kettle with 1 cup of white vinegar and 3 cups of water, heat it to a boil, turn it off, and allow it to stand overnight. Alternatively, using half a teaspoon of cream of tartar with half a kettle of water should work. No matter what method you choose, after you empty the kettle, refill it with water only, bring it to a boil, and drain; repeat with water twice more.

Some kettles come with a mesh filter for trapping calcium deposits, and you’ll need to clean the filter periodically—more often if you have hard water. Follow the instructions in the manual for removing the filter, and clean it with a cloth or brush under hot water. For hard-to-remove calcium deposits, let the filter sit overnight in a solution of one part water to three parts white vinegar; rinse thoroughly before returning it to the kettle.

Unfortunately, the longevity of electric kettles can be unreliable across the board. We sent kettles to the Ohio State University metallurgy department, and researchers took them apart to study their components. Based on their initial observations, as well as information from an OXO representative, we suspect that nearly all of the kettles we’ve tested use the same circuitry and temperature controls—most likely produced by a company called Strix . Pricier kettles don’t necessarily have more-durable electronics—you’re paying for looks, construction, and fancier features.

In our analysis of electric kettle product reviews, most variable-temperature kettles showed similar percentages of reviews complaining about the kettle breaking prematurely—within one to two years. However, the percentages of complaints about premature breaking for the simple boiling models tended to be noticeably lower—and this was true for brands on the lower (Hamilton Beach) and higher (Breville) ends of the price spectrum. This leads us to believe that non-variable-temperature kettles truly break down less than their fancier variable-temperature counterparts. Perhaps fewer things can go wrong when all you have is an on/off switch. So if you’re really concerned about not having to get rid of your kettle prematurely, you might opt for a kettle that simply boils. Going even further, you could also consider a stovetop kettle.

If you’re looking for a more modern, minimalist kettle: The Zwilling Enfinigy Cool Touch Kettle Pro is sleek and performs well overall. It’s perfect for someone who values a cleaner look but doesn’t want to compromise on function. It boiled quickly and was pretty accurate in our tests. It also boasts a Cool Touch design, which means you can touch both the body and the handle of the kettle safely and use both hands to pour. But its controls are touchscreen buttons that are visible only when on and illuminated, with the set temperature lit only slightly brighter. We found this difference in lighting difficult to see, so it wasn’t always clear just what temperature setting we were on. It’s also more expensive than most of our other picks (apart from the Breville , at writing time). If you’re not concerned about the visibility issues, though, it’s an attractive kettle that heats and maintains temperature just as well as our other picks.

If our gooseneck pick is out of stock, or you want a stainless steel finish instead: The OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Pour-Over Kettle , our former gooseneck pick, has a flatter handle and a squatter body than our pick, the Cuisinart GK-1 gooseneck. Both of those factors made it just a little harder for us to pour precisely with the OXO kettle in comparison with the Cuisinart model. However, the OXO kettle comes in a stainless steel finish (if you’re not a fan of matte black or white), and it’s still a fast, precise kettle. It also offers a bit more precision, allowing temperature adjustments in 1-degree increments from 140 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (or 40 to 100 degrees Celsius), whereas the Cuisinart model allows changes in 5-degree increments.

If you like a modern aesthetic, and you don’t mind paying more for smaller capacity: The Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle is attractive, and it performed very well, but it’s incredibly small. Due to its 0.9-liter capacity, you’re hardly getting two full cups of tea. The variable-temperature control was very accurate, the settings were intuitive, and the base was nice. We didn’t make it a pick because we don’t find it to be a very practical option, especially for the price. That being said, if you’re regularly making single servings, and you’re drawn to the Corvo’s good looks, you likely won’t be disappointed in its performance.

If you like the Corvo, but you want a gooseneck spout: As is true of the Corvo, the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle performs well, but we found its small size and high price impractical for most users. If you frequently make single-serving pour-over, and you find the Stagg’s silhouette worth the price, you will likely be happy with this kettle. But we think the Cuisinart GK-1 Gooseneck functions just as well, and it’s pretty close looks-wise, for much less. (Fun side note: Both Fellow kettles boast an Easter egg in the shape of a Wormy game, which pops up when you remove the kettle from the base and switch the Fahrenheit/Celsius toggle back and forth.)

If you’d like a budget kettle with adjustable temperatures: The Chefman Glass Electric Kettle has one of the lowest prices we’ve seen on a variable-temperature electric kettle. It’s not as accurate as our other variable-temperature picks, but it gets temperatures close enough that you should still be able to make a good cup of tea or coffee. However, its body is made of glass, whereas our budget pick , the Hamilton Beach kettle , is made of sturdier metal. And, based on an analysis of Amazon reviews, owners of this kettle are more likely to report failure than are Hamilton Beach owners. The Chefman kettle also glows in different colors, based on the temperature setting, which could be a pro or a con depending on your taste (we didn’t care for it).

Variable-temperature kettles

Although the OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Electric Kettle was very accurate in our tests, it had trouble staying closed; as water came to a boil, the lid frequently popped open.

The Tribest Glass Raw Tea Kettle GKD-450-B lacks a button on the handle to open the lid. Its blue light constantly turns on and off until it reaches the desired temperature, something we found annoying.

The KitchenAid KEK1722 Electric Kettle was a runner-up pick previously, but after long-term testing, we were beyond irritated by its excessive beeping. Also, the kettle always defaults to Celsius; for Fahrenheit temperatures, you have to change the settings every time you use it.

Some other models we encountered, such as the Breville BTM800XL One-Touch Tea Maker , were exorbitantly priced. More than $200 is too much to spend on a kettle, especially if it has only a one-year warranty. Even the KitchenAid KEK1522 Pro Line Series Electric Kettle doesn’t have any more to offer than the Cuisinart CPK-17 kettle , which usually costs about half the price.

We were curious about the $260 Aarke Kettle’s all-stainless steel construction and promise of durability, but overall it's not worth its hefty price. The Aarke lacks a stay warm setting and measurement markings, and, at 1.2 liters, has a smaller capacity than our picks. It also got hotter on the lid and spouted more steam than other kettles we’ve tested. We found the faint LED indicator light difficult to read and the alleged beeping imperceptible. And its 2-year warranty is shorter than the Cuisinart ’s 3-year warranty. Otherwise, it performs as well our picks—boiling one liter of water quickly and pouring cleanly.

Gooseneck kettles

The Bonavita BV382510V 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck , our former budget pick (which is no longer particularly budget), is a small, 1-liter gooseneck kettle that’s lightweight and easy to hold. You can set the Bonavita to any temperature between 140 and 212 °F and it can hold a set temperature for up to an hour—longer than any of our picks. However, the Bonavita takes longer to come to a boil than our picks, and it lacks audible cues to let you know when your water is ready. We removed this kettle as a pick after noticing too many complaints about rust and other durability issues.

The KitchenAid Precision Gooseneck Electric Kettle proved less than intuitive to use. Yes, you can adjust the flow rate on the spout for better pour-over control. But it requires lots of fumbling inside the lip of the machine, so you better make sure you’re operating with a cold, empty kettle. And even though you can set the temperature in 1-degree increments, a thermometer built into the lid is a lot harder to read than an LCD screen attached to the base.

We appreciated the reasonable price, intuitive controls, and clearly labeled temperature settings of the Willow & Everett Electric Gooseneck Kettle . Still, it was somewhat heavy and unwieldy, and the top was tough to remove, which could present a safety issue if still hot. Finally, this kettle’s boiling speed wasn’t great—5 minutes 40 seconds for a liter of water.

Boil-only kettles

The Mueller Premium 1500W Electric Kettle with SpeedBoil Tech had a fairly average boil time (not too different from that of our top pick, the Cuisinart CPK-17). But the base felt flimsy, and there were more plastic elements than we’d prefer. If you get this kettle, it’s fine but nothing special, and ultimately it just boils water. For a little more, you can get the Chefman with variable-temperature control .

The Cosori Electric Kettle with Upgraded Stainless Steel Filter and Inner Lid was almost identical to the Mueller. It had a similar boil time range, a simple on/off switch, and a very similar design. Right out of the box, it had a small discoloration on the top, and throughout testing the lid was finicky to open.

The AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle is one of the most inexpensive options we looked at. To boil a liter of water, it took this kettle the same amount of time as the Hamilton Beach 40880 . But the design is clunky, and we found it less comfortable to hold and to pour from.

The Chef’sChoice Cordless Electric Kettle 681 , a previous budget pick, had one of the fastest boiling times of all the models we tested, but Amazon ratings for this model have dipped considerably due to leaks or auto-off function failures.

The Secura 1.8 Quart Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle did very well in our tests, and it is currently around the same price as our budget pick , but the Secura lacks a water-level window. According to a Secura representative, the small hole on the interior allows steam to reach the bottom interior of the unit, where the temperature control is located. We found, however, that cleaning in between the walls of the kettle would be impossible, so we dismissed this model.

The KitchenAid 1.25-Liter Electric Kettle is cute to look at, with a very retro style à la SMEG, but it doesn’t do enough to justify the price. It has an on/off switch only, with no variable-temperature control. The kettle itself has a sturdy build, very similar to any stovetop kettle, but the base felt flimsy. It doesn’t compete with other kettles in this price range.

The OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle costs a lot for a basic kettle that lacks variable-temperature controls and whose glass body is less durable than stainless steel options.

This article was edited by Marilyn Ong and Marguerite Preston.

Adjustable Electric Kettles (subscription required) , Cook's Illustrated

The Best Electric Tea Kettles for Your Tea Time , Good Housekeeping , December 23, 2016

Tony Gebely, founder of Tea Epicure , interview

Michelle Rabin, founder of T Ching , interview

Peter F. Goggi, president of the Tea Association of the U.S.A. , interview

Bruce Richardson, tea expert and owner of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas , interview

Meet your guides

Anna Shults Held

Anna Held is a writer and editor based in San Francisco. Her writing has appeared in Vox, The Cut, Buzzfeed, and Runner’s World, among other publications. Despite her expertise as a barista and a coffee editor, her husband is the one who brews their morning cups.

Michael Sullivan

Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade.

Further reading

The Best French Press

by Melissa McCart and Sabrina Imbler

After brewing and drinking over 75 pots of coffee, we think the cleverly designed Espro P3 is the best French press for making a bold yet balanced brew.

The Best Coffee Makers

by Wirecutter Staff

We think the easiest way to make good coffee is with the Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Coffee Brewer . We also have picks for a budget option, an espresso machine, and more.

The AeroPress is a Fast, Portable, No-Frills Tool for Making Terrific Coffee

by Marguerite Preston, Daniel Varghese, and Alex Arpaia

The AeroPress coffee maker and its travel companion, the AeroPress Go , are the best way to make single cups of coffee at work or on the go.

The Best Coffee Grinder

by Rachel Wharton and Liz Clayton

We’ve been testing coffee grinders since 2015 and have yet to find a better value than the consistent, reliable, and repairable Baratza Encore .

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

• What to Buy
• Coffee & Tea

We Tested the Best Electric Kettles for Hot Water in a Flash

Simply plug in and you'll have boiling water in just a few minutes

The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Causey

While there is something timeless to the hiss and whistle of a traditional stovetop kettle , today’s electric alternatives are faster, easier to use, and include a variety of handy features. Some can be set to a specific temperature, others are designed to stay hot for hours. The added convenience makes electric kettles especially suitable for avid tea drinkers, but quick-and-easy hot water can also be used for oatmeal, pour-over coffee , and more. We tested almost two dozen of these to find the most efficient and valuable options out there.

How We Tested Electric Kettles

Others we tested.

• What to Look for

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Best overall, cuisinart perfectemp electric kettle.

Six temperature settings

Accurate temperature

Cordless kettle

Not well-insulated

Somewhat slow

This kettle could not be easier to use: All the buttons make it very clear what they're for, and they're located right in the handle. It nonetheless offers an impressive set of functions, with six temperature options calibrated to different types of tea —from extra-delicate infusions at 160 degrees Fahrenheit to black tea (or instant noodles) at 212. The convenient cordless feature lets you lift the kettle off the base to pour water anywhere (but you do have to return the kettle to the base within 2 minutes or it shuts off).

The PerfecTemp took just over 5 minutes to bring a full pot to the boil in our testing, which made it slower than average, if only by a few seconds. It was also accurate in three of our four temperature tests and in holding heat for over 30 minutes on keep-warm, though it strangely ran hotter when set to 175 than when set to 185. The pot itself doesn't have great insulation, as it dropped in temperature more than other models as it sat for 30 minutes with the heat shut off.

None of these negatives, however, are enough to outweigh the excellent performance, features, and convenience the PerfecTemp delivers, especially when you consider that it's almost exactly average in price.

Capacity: 57.5 ounces | Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 9.7 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Temperature Settings: 6 | Power: 1,500 watts

The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy

Best Gooseneck

Cosori electric gooseneck kettle.

Smooth pouring

Accurate temperature control

Sleek design

Small capacity

Kettle body gets hot

This kettle's heat settings are absolutely dead-on: Among all four of our tests, it was off by only a single degree, only once. The Cosori is good for anybody who likes variety in their caffeinated beverages, as its five settings correspond to the optimal temperatures for brewing white tea, green tea, oolong tea, coffee, and black tea. It also has a "hold temp" button that keeps the water at the set point for up to 60 minutes so you can pour a second mug. This worked perfectly in testing, staying at exactly 202 degrees Fahrenheit the whole time.

Considering its middle-of-the-road price, the Cosori's features are both extensive and effective. Unfortunately, it can't brew very much coffee or tea at a time. It holds just 0.8 liters, making it the smallest machine on this list. It's probably a better choice for a solo sipper or an office desk rather than a crowded kitchen. Also, like most non-insulated kettles, it gets quite hot in use. The handle is still heatproof, but the body of this model seemed especially scorching for errant fingers.

Capacity: 27.1 ounces | Dimensions: 11.6 x 9 x 7.7 inches | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Temperature Settings: 5 | Power: 1,200 watts

Best Budget

Amazon basics stainless steel electric hot water kettle.

Inexpensive

Fast heating

No temperature options

This is indeed a basic electric kettle, but it's impressively speedy. It boiled its contents in 3 minutes and 50 seconds, making it the single fastest in our testing. It manages to pack 1,500 watts of power into a compact and lightweight frame, with a lift-off cordless carafe you can carry anywhere.

The kettle is just small, holding only a liter of water at a time, so you might find yourself refilling it multiple times a day. It also doesn't have any functions beyond boil—there's no temperature control or keep-warm mode. But at this low of a price, you really wouldn't expect a very versatile appliance. The Amazon Basics model could be great for a dorm room, desk, camper van, or anywhere else you need reliable hot water without a lot of fuss.

Capacity: 33.8 ounces | Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 7.9 inches | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Temperature Settings: 1 | Power: 1,500 watts

• The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy.

Best Splurge

Fellow stagg ekg electric pour-over kettle.

Precise pouring

Stylish color options

Takes a bit longer to reach a boil

The long, narrow spout of a gooseneck kettle is designed to create a smooth and even flow perfect for pour-over coffee , but we found that the style makes an excellent all-purpose appliance, too. Fellow's Stagg EKG model gives you pinpoint control, not only of where the water goes but also its temperature. You can set the machine to anywhere between 135 and 212, right down to the individual degree. And in testing, its heat was completely accurate, matching the target exactly at all four temperatures.

The Stagg EKG did take a little longer than comparable models to get all the way to boil, at 7.5 minutes. That's not terribly behind the average, but it's disappointing considering that this model holds about half as much as many competitors. The steel kettle body isn't insulated and gets very hot, though we had no trouble using the heatproof handle to carry it.

This kettle is quite expensive, and part of that is down to its advanced temperature controls, but some of that is because of its lovely minimalist design. The low-profile base seems to disappear when you're not using its simple dial control, and there are lots of options for kettle color and handle material to catch the eye or match your decor. (If you're not into the gooseneck style, we also like Fellow's Corvo EKG , essentially the same machine with a standard kettle shape.)

Capacity: 30.4 ounces | Dimensions: 11.5 x 6.7 x 8 inches | Weight: 4.3 pounds | Temperature Settings: 79 | Power: 1,200 watts

OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle

Large capacity

They say a watched pot never boils, but OXO's glass kettle proves them wrong. The sleek appliance is a sure fit for any modern kitchen, made of super-strong borosilicate glass with an effectively heatproof handle, plus easy-to-read measurement markings in imperial and metric. There's not a terribly wide capacity range in the kettles we tested, but this one is on the larger end, and it was still able to boil water faster than average—in well under 5 minutes. It also comes off its base for convenient cordless pouring.

The downside of that lovely transparent kettle is that it isn't insulated and gets quite hot, so you'll have to make sure to keep your fingers on the handle only. On top of that, there are no temperature settings beyond boil—we'd expect a machine that's above the budget price level to have a few more bells and whistles.

Capacity: 59.2 ounces | Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 11.2 inches | Weight: 4.3 pounds | Temperature Settings: 1 | Power: 1,500 watts

Best Large Capacity

Zojirushi ve hybrid water boiler and warmer.

Push-button dispensing

Slow initial heating

Complicated to use

Zojirushi might be known best for its high-end rice cookers , but the brand also makes a variety of small appliances, including coffee makers, bread machines, and this water boiler. It's quite different in design than other electric kettles: The self-contained vacuum-insulated cylinder heats water to the temperature you select, then holds it there and dispenses however much you want at the push of a button.

This thing has a capacity of a little over a gallon, making it a good choice for an office or large family. The push-to-pour function is also a good way to fill anything from a single mug to a full-size French press with little risk of splashing or spilling scalding water. (There's also a "cafe drip" mode that slows the speed of the water flow so you can make pour-over directly from the machine.) It has a timer, too, so you can set it to turn on ahead of time and wake up ready to brew.

The Ve Hybrid was very accurate in our tests, hitting its temperature targets exactly. The initial heating is quite slow—it needed 13 minutes to get to the boil—but after that, you have a lot of hot water on demand. This model has a lot of bells and whistles, though you'll definitely need to hold onto the manual to figure them out. It's not exactly user-friendly. It's also pretty expensive, though that's made up for by how much water it can hold.

Capacity: 135.3 ounces | Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 13.9 inches | Weight: 7 pounds | Temperature Settings: 4 | Power: 840 watts

The Cuisinart PerfecTemp tops our list thanks to its ease of use and range of settings at a mid-range price. For a budget alternative, the Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Hot Water Kettle gives you speed and power in a compact machine, at a very low price.

We tested electric kettles as part of our overall testing of tea kettles . Based on the results of previous rounds of testing as well as extensive additional research, we chose a total of 25 kettles to purchase and test, 18 of them electric models. We put those 18 electric kettles through identical sets of tests.

We Observed

• Power: We added 1 liter of water at exactly 50 degrees Fahrenheit and timed how long it took to reach a full boil. (For models with capacities less than a liter, we used the maximum amount of water.) Overall capacity still comes into play, however, as the machine has to heat the entire kettle whether or not it's completely full.
• Accuracy: Starting with the same liter of water at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, we set the machines to different temperatures and measured whether they heated the water to the correct level. We ran this same test at 175, 185, 190, and 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which are the most common settings available. (We tested all the settings available on models with fewer than four options.)
• Insulation: After the boiling test, we shut the machines off, left the kettle lids on, and checked the temperature after 10 minutes and 30 minutes to see how well they kept the water hot. We also felt the outsides of the kettles and their handles to determine how well both can protect fingers from the heat.
• Ease of use: As we performed our tests, we noted whether we ran into trouble getting everything put together and set up correctly, and if the controls were confusing or straightforward. We also looked at design aspects like how smoothly the spouts poured, if we could fill the kettles without splashing, and if any cords got in the way.
• Flavor: After boiling water in each kettle (after letting the water cool, of course), we gave it a taste. Most of the tested models did not affect the flavor of the water, but a few left behind metallic or plasticky notes that lost them points.
• Value: We performed all our other evaluations without knowing the kettles' costs, but our last step was to reveal and compare retail prices. The 18 electric kettles we tested ranged in price from $25 to $230, with an average of $99.

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

• KitchenAid Electric Kettle : This model marries the classic look of a stovetop kettle with the convenience of an electric base, but its basic features don't live up to its moderate price. There's only one temperature setting, and it was one of the slowest to boil in testing.
• Bonavita Variable Temperature Electric Kettle : This gooseneck kettle offers six different temperature settings, but it was consistently off by up to 5 degrees in our tests. That's not too big of a deal in terms of making tea, it was the least accurate model we tested. It's also more expensive than similar, better-performing kettles.
• Mueller Ultra Kettle : This simple glass kettle is powerful, easy to use, and inexpensive. It just didn't really stand out among the other budget models we tested, and it's priced a little higher than the Amazon Basics machine we chose as our favorite.

What to Look for in an Electric Kettle

Many electric kettles are simple: hit the switch and wait for the water to boil. But you can also find kettles with a number of convenient features, including preset drink options, temperature holding, and automatic shutoff. Figuring out what features you want will also provide a clearer idea of your price point.

And the correct temperature can affect how your tea tastes. Shunan Teng , the founder and CEO of Tea Drunk, told us that an incorrect water temperature is one of three main brewing mistakes that prevent tea from reaching its best flavor. (The other two mistakes are brewing for the wrong amount of time and using too much or too little tea.)

Size and Capacity

If you typically make a single cup of tea at a time or own a French press that only fills a mug or two, you might not need a large kettle taking up counter space. But if you're an avid tea or coffee drinker, or if you need to brew beverages for multiple people, it's worth purchasing a bigger (and likely heavier) kettle. Design also comes into play here, though, as some models can fit more water into less space, while others are less compact.

Electric kettles are primarily made from three materials: plastic, glass, or steel. Each one brings a different aesthetic to your kitchen and also affects the weight of the kettle. If you're worried about a kettle being too heavy, it's probably best to go the plastic route, though there are some great lightweight options in the glass and steel department.

Useful Accessories for an Electric Kettle

Teapots and tea kettles have long gone hand-in-hand. Today, there are many stovetop-safe teapots, usually made of glass, that eliminate the need for a separate kettle. If you want both appliances, though, one teapot we've tested and recommend is the Sweese Porcelain Teapot .

Tea Infuser

If you prefer making one cup of tea at a time, a tea infuser is a better option than a teapot. Infusers are cheaper, easier to clean, and take up less space than teapots. One of the best infusers we've tested is the Finum Brewing Basket , which allows tea leaves to thoroughly diffuse while preventing small bits from getting into your cup.

Non-Electric Coffee Maker

Electric kettles aren't just for tea drinkers but coffee lovers too. Owning an electric kettle makes it easier to use a non-electric brewing device, like a pour over or French press. You can get a different, often richer, coffee experience with a non-electric brewer. While there are many great options, the Chemex is one of our favorites.

How do you clean an electric kettle?

Electric kettles need to be regularly cleaned inside and out to keep them looking nice and working properly. You can easily remove smudges and stains from a kettle’s exterior by wiping it with a soft cloth and cleaning product of your choice. A combination of vinegar and baking soda is great for removing tougher stains, but dish soap works, too. This should be done every week or so to keep your kettle shining.

Electric kettles also need to be descaled—a more rigorous process intended to remove the mineral buildup, commonly called scale, inside a kettle. The task should be performed at least four times a year. One method of descaling goes as follows: fill your kettle halfway with equal parts water and white vinegar , bring the solution to a boil, and let it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing inside with water. Lemon juice or citric acid is a reliable substitute for white vinegar. If your kettle has a water filter, it can be soaked in a combination of water and white vinegar for five minutes and scrubbed with a bottle brush to keep clean. Once finished with all these steps, it’s worth running a cycle of water through your kettle to make sure it’s entirely clean.

What water temperature is best for tea?

The best brewing temperature depends on the type of tea you are making. Each variety has its own temperature or range of temperatures that bring out the strongest flavor. White tea should be brewed around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Green tea ranges from 150 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Moving onto the stronger teas, oolong is best between 190 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Black tea ranges from 180 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, but the majority are best with water above 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Pu-erh is brewed around 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, herbal teas should be brewed at a full boil of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Many electric kettles have preset options for specific tea varieties, so all you have to do is hit a button and the device will bring water to the ideal temperature for you. 

According to Tea Drunk's Teng, one way to make better tea at home is to use hotter water for high-quality tea and lower-temperature water for subpar tea. "Hotter temperatures bring out the flavors in better tea," she says, "and lower temperatures dilute the flaws in lower-quality tea. With bad tea, the bitterness and astringency would come out with higher temperatures."

Can you heat milk in an electric kettle?

It's not a good idea to heat milk (or anything other than water) in a kettle, whether it’s a stovetop or an electric model. Milk leaves behind residue that is difficult to clean and can cause an unpleasant smell and taste. This can also damage the heating elements of an electric kettle and, in many cases, void the warranty. Heating milk in the microwave or in a pot on the stove is a better option.

Food & Wine / Fred Hardy

Anthony Irizarry is a New York City-based freelancer who writes about home and kitchen products for The Spruce. He previously worked as an appliance reviews editor covering new releases, reviews, and roundups. He earned his bachelor's degree from Austin Peay State University.

This piece was updated by The Spruce Eats coffee and tea expert Derek Rose , and again with further testing insights by commerce writer Jason Horn . Between them, they have two master's degrees and more than 20 years of experience writing about food and drinks. Rose typically uses non-electric coffee makers at home, alternating between the Bialetti Moka Express and the Bodum Brazil French Press . Horn enjoys coffee and tea equally, but he uses an old-fashioned stovetop kettle to boil water for them.

Shunan Teng  is the founder and CEO of Tea Drunk and an avid tea educator. Tea Drunk was founded in 2013 and has a brick-and-mortar tea house in New York City. Its teaware and Chinese teas can be purchased online.

Anthony Irizarry writes about home and kitchen products for The Spruce Eats. Previously, he was a writer for Appliances Connection and Appliance Review Editor for BestProducts.com.

Chen, Joanne. How to Clean Your Coffee Maker . Nytimes.com .

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Travel Jug (TJ 50)

Product Details

Korjo Travel Jug.

Make yourself a cup of tea and coffee when you are away, at a holiday house or office.  This compact kettle is great for hotel rooms, camping, nursing homes – or even at home.

Travel Jug features:

• 400ml capacity
• 2 cups included (fit inside the jug when not in use)
• Automatic safety cut-out
• Reset button
• Lightweight (400g) and compact (165 x 145 x 100mm)
• True dual voltage – works quickly and efficiently at 1,000W on either 120V or 240V

Travel Jug instructions:

Click here for Jug instructions

Note: When travelling, you may need a travel adaptor to plug your product into a foreign socket. Click for our Adaptor Guide .

Approved by Australian Electrical Authorities

$ 59.99

RRP in AUD (inc GST)

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Korjo is THE original Australian Travel Accessories company. It is still a proudly Australian family company. At Korjo Travel Products, our aim is to help business and leisure travellers all over the world to have a more comfortable, happy, safe and convenient trip.

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Check out Moscow’s NEW electric river trams (PHOTOS)

Water transportation has become another sector for the eco-friendly improvements the Moscow government is implementing. And it means business. On July 15, 2021, on the dock of Moscow’s ‘Zaryadye’ park, mayor Sergey Sobyanin was shown the first model of the upcoming river cruise boat.

The model of the electrical boat with panoramic windows measures 22 meters in length. The river tram - as Muscovites call them - has a passenger capacity of 42, including two disabled seats. The trams will also get cutting edge info panels, USB docking stations, Wi-Fi, spaces for scooters and bicycles, as well as chairs and desks for working on the go. The boats will be available all year round, according to ‘Mosgortrans’, the regional transport agency. 

Passengers will be able to pay with their ‘Troika’ public transport card, credit cards or bank cards. 

The main clientele targeted are people living in Moscow’s river districts - the upcoming trams will shorten their travel time in comparison to buses and other transportation by five times, Mosgortrans stated. 

As the river trams are being rolled out, Moscow docks will also see mini-stations, some of which will also be outfitted with charging docks for speed-charging the boats.  

Moscow is set to announce the start of the tender for construction and supply in September 2021. The first trams are scheduled to launch in June 2022 on two routes - from Kievskaya Station, through Moscow City, into Fili; and from ZIL to Pechatniki. 

“Two full-scale routes will be created in 2022-2023, serviced by 20 river trams and a number of river stations. We’ll continue to develop them further if they prove to be popular with the citizens,” the Moscow mayor said .

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