You’ll often hear people say whether or not they’re a “tea person,” and those that are, will tell you there’s a lot more to a good cup of tea than just hot water and a teabag.
Regardless of your familiarity with tea and whether you prefer it as your morning drink of choice or as a cure to a winter cold, having a great tea kettle makes it much easier and quicker to make. And while many people opt for the ease of a microwave to heat their water, a tea kettle — whether electric or stovetop — is a must for extracting optimal flavor from your tea leaves.
To learn more about how to shop for the best kettles I spoke with tea experts for their guidance and recommendations, including Maria Geyman, the founder of tea brand Masha Tea, and Emeric Harney, marketing director at Harney & Sons Tea.*
*Harney works at Harney & Sons Tea, a company that manufactures tea and tea-making products, though none appear in this story.
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The best tea kettles in 2026
All of the products below are either direct recommendations from our experts or NBC Selected editors, or have at least a four-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon and other retailers.
The best electric tea kettles
Best overall electric tea kettle
The Smeg Electric Tea Kettle comes recommended by Geyman, who says she owns two of them, one that she keeps at home and another she uses at her tea shop. Similar to Smeg’s kitchen appliances, this tea kettle has a fun retro style, even though it is an electric kettle. It has a temperature selector lever on the bottom, measurements on the back and a flat chrome handle for maneuvering it. It also has a lid that opens automatically and an auto shut-off function, in case you ever forget to turn it off manually.
Best gooseneck tea kettle
The Bodum Bistro electric kettle comes recommended by NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin, who loves its price and how quickly it heats water. “I bought it in 2021 and it still works as it did when I unboxed it,” she says. “It boils water quickly and automatically shuts off after I use it, and the gooseneck spout helps me precisely soak coffee grounds when I make pour-over coffee.”
The kettle is also cordless, so you only have to plug in the heating base that the kettle sits on top of to heat water. This makes it easy to constantly refill it, according to Malin. It comes in either a matte or stainless steel finish.
Best programmable tea kettle
The Cuisinart PerfecTemp electric tea kettle comes recommended by Harney, who enjoys all of the different temperature settings it has. You can choose to heat water up to six different temperatures, depending on what type of tea you’re drinking or what type of coffee you’re preparing. It also has a function that keeps your water warm for up to 30 minutes and a blue LED light that lets you know when the water has hit your desired temperature.
Best budget-friendly tea kettle
The Amazon Basics tea kettle comes with an entirely stainless steel body. It has a heatproof handle, a removable filter inside the spout, a clear window on the side with measurements and an auto shut-off function. Thanks to the thermostat in the middle of the heating base, the kettle can boil water in as little as five minutes, according to the brand.
Most unique tea kettle
The Fellow Corvo tea kettle has an interesting handle and shape. It sits on top of a modern-looking, square-shaped heating base with an LCD display on the top that allows you to select the temperature of the water. It also has a removable lid, an electric base that’s compatible with other Fellow kettles and a maple wood handle. The base also has a built-in stopwatch that allows you to time your brewing. The water stays hot for up to an hour.
Most stylish tea kettle
This gooseneck-style tea kettle is part of a collaboration between cookware retailer Great Jones and tea kettle brand Fellow. It has a similar design to other Fellow kettles (like the above), but it also has a vibrant color palette, which Great Jones is known for. It has a precision pour spout which you can use to make pour-over coffee or simply add water to a cup without it splashing everywhere. It has a built-in temperature guide and scheduling capabilities, according to the brand.
The heating base, similar to Fellow’s other kettles, has an LCD display that lets you know the exact temperature of the water, so you can customize it based on the type of tea you’re drinking.
Best glass tea kettle
This tea kettle is made from heatproof borosilicate glass. It also has a stainless steel filter behind the spout, so that the heated water doesn’t come in contact with plastic, according to the brand. Since it’s glass, you can see when the water starts to boil but it also has a blue LED light that lets you know when the water is ready. It’s ideal for heating water for tea, a bowl of instant pasta or to brew coffee.
The best stovetop tea kettles
Best overall stovetop tea kettle
The Caraway whistling kettle comes recommended by Harney and Malin, who received it courtesy of the brand when it first launched. “It’s not lightweight or flimsy at all — it has some weight to it, making it sturdy, and the steel walls are thick, which helps it retain heat long after I shut off my stove,” says Malin. “I also love hearing the kettle whistle when my water is boiling. It’s loud enough that it’s noticeable, but not obnoxious.”
The kettle has a moderate whistle volume, a ceramic coating and comes with a complimentary pot holder to make the kettle easier to carry. It’s also compatible with all stovetop types, including gas and induction stoves, according to the brand.
Best retro tea kettle
This more traditional-looking whistling tea kettle from Mackenzie Childs is ideal for anyone who loves both tea and retro-style cookware. It’s made from enameled stainless steel and has a fun checkered pattern on the outside; you can even get it with matching tea cup sets and small plates, making it great for tea parties. While it’s not compatible with induction stovetops, according to the brand, you can use it on all other types of stoves. Choose between a 2 or 3-quart capacity.
Best basic tea kettle
The Primula Stewart whistling tea kettle is perfect for someone who wants a budget-friendly option with all of the basics of a whistling option. It has a round, fully stainless steel body with a max fill line on the outside, and has a handle on top that’s safe to use without an oven mitt or cloth, according to the brand. It also has a flip-up spout that opens easily for you to pour the water out. Plus, the handle on top folds on its side, making the kettle easier to store in a cabinet or shelf.
Best folding-handle tea kettle
The Rockurwok whistling tea kettle is available in a large range of shades and designs, including ones with gradients. It has a folding handle that doesn’t get too hot once the water starts boiling so it’s easy to move around. The spout has a flip-up lid that opens easily when you pour the water into a cup or over coffee. It’s also safe to use on all cooktops, according to the brand, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking or damaging your stovetop.
Best whistling tea kettle
This under-$20 tea kettle is BPA free and made from durable borosilicate glass, which withstands heat well. NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans, a self-proclaimed “tea person,” has had this tea kettle for several years and loves the simple glass appearance of it and that it whistles loudly. “I use it nearly every day, even when I make coffee, I boil the water in the kettle first. I like the look of the glass for aesthetics but also because I can see the water boiling in it,” she says. “And yes, it whistles loudly — a plus if you’re someone who tends to forget that you’ve turned on the stove or simply like the nostalgia of it.”
Evans notes that though it isn’t permanent, the bottom does get browned when the kettle used on a gas stove. But it’s nothing that a little steel wool soap pad can’t clean.
How I picked the best tea kettles
There are a couple of important aspects to consider before shopping for a tea kettle. Here is everything our experts recommend keeping in mind:
Type of kettle: Tea kettles are available in either electric or whistling stovetop versions. An electric tea kettle uses electricity to bring the water in the carafe to a boil. A stovetop tea kettle, often referred to as a “whistling kettle,” is a more traditional type of tea kettle that you simply heat on the stove. An electric tea kettle requires less effort than a stovetop kettle and provides more control over the temperature of the water, according to Harney.
“When looking at electric kettles, finding one that either has a programmable feature to select specific temperatures, or preset ones, is always beneficial,” he says. “Green teas, oolongs, and white teas have varying temperatures that they should be brewed at, which are lower than boiling.”
A stovetop tea kettle is good to have if you don’t have outlets in your kitchen and/or you enjoy the old-fashioned look and essence of a vintage-style kettle. Which one you choose is dependent on your preferences and the details of your cooking space.
Material: Tea kettles, both electric and stovetop, come in materials such as stainless steel, copper, glass and plastic. Both Geyman and Harney recommended looking for a tea kettle that is made of stainless steel, whether an electric or stove top one. Harney also recommends considering a copper tea kettle which is durable and aesthetically pleasing. In addition to copper and stainless steel, I’ve also included tea kettles made from heat-proof glass, plastic and stainless steel.
Type of spout: Tea kettles often come in different shapes with various types of spouts. Some have a short and wide spout at the very top of the carafe, while others have a curved tube-like spout that protrudes from the base of the carafe, called a gooseneck spout. In choosing between the two, much of it comes down to preference. Some people find they have more control pouring the water with one spout over the other.
Style: Aside from the technicalities of a tea kettle, you should also prioritize the overall style of the tea kettle you choose. Tea kettles have largely become popular in the kitchen, not just because of their functionality, but because of their style. Since this appliance will spend some time on your stove or countertop, it’s important to consider what color, shape or design you want.
How to shop for a tea kettle
When you’re ready to start shopping for a tea kettle, there are a few aspects to take into account. Here’s how experts recommend choosing a kettle that’s best for you.
Consider which style works best for you
The best way to choose a tea kettle is based on your lifestyle. This means deciding whether or not you have enough outlets for an electric kettle in addition to your other appliances. While some kettles are cordless, the heating base will still have a cord you need to plug in. If you don’t have outlets on or around the counter, a stovetop tea kettle may be better for you.
Make sure you have space for it
In addition to outlets, you should be sure you have space for a large tea kettle on your countertop, especially if you make tea often. You don’t want to have to always swap or move your appliances around just to be able to use the kettle. Even if you choose a whistling kettle to avoid this, you still have to make sure there’s room for it in a cabinet or shelf (or on your stove if that’s where it will permanently live).
Prioritize both style and function
Lastly, you should also look for a kettle that speaks to your style but also does what it’s supposed to — kettles today are available in many different designs. That said, make sure you don’t sacrifice function for style, says Geyman. “I once bought a stove-top kettle that didn’t make any noise so there was [no] way to know when the water boiled except that it would pour everywhere over the stovetop,” she says. Geyman prefers kettles that are both stylish and practical, including ones that actually whistle (if a stovetop one) or stainless steel if an electric one.
Frequently asked questions
It’s not bad, but you should probably try and use fresh water after the first time. “It’s generally safe to reboil standing water, but it’s best to avoid it after a day or two,” says Harney.
For gas stovetops, it’s important to make sure you use a tea kettle that has at least a somewhat flat surface so it’ll be on the grates, according to Harney. “For gas stoves, use a stovetop-safe kettle with a flat bottom for even heating and make sure the flame doesn’t extend beyond the base to avoid damaging the kettle.”
While some tea kettles are made of heatproof glass that withstands high heat, some are still susceptible to cracking and breaking if used on a gas stovetop, according to Harney. “Avoid using glass or ceramic kettles on gas stoves, as the direct flame can cause them to crack. Stick with stainless steel or cast iron for gas."
Meet our tea experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Maria Geyman is the founder of tea brand Masha Tea and a naturopathic doctor.
- Emeric Harney is the marketing director at Harney & Sons Tea, a specialty tea retailer with locations in New York City and Hudson, NY. *Harney & Sons Tea manufactures tea and tea-making products, though none appear in this story.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Selected, where I write about home and kitchen appliances, such as pasta makers, air fryers and reusable water bottles. For this story, I spoke with two tea experts for their guidance and product recommendations.
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