We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Kitchen Products Cooking Tools What Is the Best Tea Kettle? Take your tea brewing to the next level with one of these quality kettles. By Kalea Martín Kalea Martín Kalea Martín has written over 1,000 articles published across a variety of nationally distributed outlets. Her extensive lifestyle and commerce coverage highlights everything from recipe reviews to product recommendations. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 24, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr In This Article View All In This Article Reviews How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word For It Photo: Real Simple / David Hattan If you’re a serious tea-drinker (or aspiring to be one), microwaving a mug of water isn’t going to cut it. Since different types of tea have the best flavor when brewed at specific temperature ranges, a tea kettle is key. Some tea kettles have whistling spouts to let you know when the water reaches boiling point, others allow you to control the temperature down to the degree. Moreover, many kettles are made from a variety of different materials such as cast iron, glass, and more, which all affect its durability. While browsing for a tea kettle, you’ll likely spot variations in spout designs, special features like temperature presets, and options for both electric and stove top models. If you’re not sure which tea kettle style would be best suited to your tea drinking habits, we’ve researched several different kinds of kettles on the market, evaluating their capabilities, prices, and performance. We also asked tea and coffee expert Kayla Stavridis, a former barista and current head of marketing at Barista HQ, for tips on seeking a high quality tea kettle, and how to best maintain and use it to brew tea. Best Cast Iron Tea Kettles Cast iron is a popular material to cook with because it does a good job at getting hot and staying hot, plus, its durability allows it to last for years to come. If you’re a fan of these qualities in your other cookware, you’ll be happy to know they translate just as well for brewing tea. When shopping for a cast iron tea kettle, just be sure to find one with an enameled interior so you don’t have to worry about rust, introducing a metallic flavor to your tea, or having to re-season it. Among the different cast iron tea kettles out there, we specifically loved the Staub Round Teapot for its enamel finish that allows it to be dishwasher-safe and resistant to damage. While other cast iron teapots may not be as low-maintenance, there are options that make up for this with their own special features, like the Suyika Japanese Tetsubin which has a stainless steel filter that allows you to brew tea directly in the kettle, or the Milvbusiss Cast Iron Teapot that has a patented silicone handle for safe gripping. Staub Enameled Cast Iron Tea Kettle $185 at Amazon $230 at Wayfair $220 at Sur La Table Suyika Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot $80 at Amazon Milvbusiss Cast Iron Teapot $30 at Amazon Toptier Cast Iron Teapot $34 at Amazon Best Gooseneck Tea Kettles With their long, thin spouts, gooseneck style tea kettles give you better control over the amount of water and pour speed. This precision is especially beneficial for steeping delicate types of tea, because it gradually saturates the leaves with the hot water instead of blasting them with heat. This maximizes flavors and aromas, and also helps avoid scalding the leaves. In particular, we really liked the Chefbar Gooseneck Tea Kettle, which is made with very durable stainless steel, giving you plenty of pours for years to come. However, a major standout is the Cosori Smart Electric Gooseneck Kettle, which features bluetooth capabilities and can be controlled via an app that lets you schedule start times, set the temperature, and send you a notification when your tea is ready. You don't have to be a tea purist to appreciate a gooseneck tea kettle, as their unique and stylish design makes them a standout addition to any kitchen. Hario Enamel Pour-Over Gooseneck Kettle $50 at Amazon $66 at Food52 Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle $85 at Amazon $85 at Fellowproducts.com $85 at Sur La Table Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle $70 at Amazon $78 at Wayfair $78 at Target Chefbar Tea Kettle $21 at Amazon $25 at Walmart Best Electric Tea Kettles If you don’t want to heat up the stove just for one cup of tea, or if you’re planning to use it in an office or dorm room, an electric tea kettle is definitely a convenient choice. Electric tea kettles have features like full water temperature control, automatic shutoff, and presets for different types of teas. Because the lid typically screws shut and the body of the kettle stays cool to the touch, overboiling or accidentally scalding your fingers isn’t as much of an issue. For multiple temperature options, the Zwilling Enfinigy Glass Kettle has six different presets, while the Breville Smart Kettle Luxe features settings for different teas like green, white, oolong, and French press coffee. If you don't want to deal with the hassle of wires, the Cuisinart Perfectemp Cordless Electric Kettle and the Jettle Electric Kettle are both solid options as well. Zwilling Enfinigy Glass Kettle $140 at Amazon $140 at Target View on Zwilling.com Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle $81 at Amazon $100 at Target $81 at Walmart Breville Smart Kettle Luxe $200 at Amazon $200 at Sur La Table $200 at Williams-Sonoma Jettle Electric Kettle $40 at Amazon View on Jettlecompany.com Best Glass Tea Kettles Glass tea kettles can be particularly useful when it comes to making tea because you can see exactly when the water starts to boil, or when the tea has finished steeping. They’re also non-reactive, meaning the material won’t affect the taste of your tea, unlike aluminum or non-enameled cast iron. It’s worth noting that not all glass is safe to use on the stove or at a high temperature—many glass teapots are intended only for serving—so you’ll want to look for ones made of stovetop safe or borosilicate glass, sometimes referred to as Pyrex or Schott glass. All of our glass tea kettle picks are made with this material, allowing you to safely handle tea. We really love the Wells Glass Teapot Set and the Teabloom 2-in-1 Tea Kettle and Tea Steeper for their unique shape and style that can add flair to any kitchen. If you want a convenient pick, the Capresso H20 Glass Kettle is also worth considering, as this kettle can brew tea with a push of a button. Medelco Café Brew Glass Whistling Kettle $20 at Amazon $20 at Walmart View on Shop.com Teabloom 2-in-1 Tea Kettle and Tea Steeper $40 at Amazon View on Teabloom.com Capresso H2O Glass Kettle $60 at Amazon $60 at Wayfair $60 at Crate & Barrel Wells Glass Teapot Set $31 at Amazon Best Stainless Steel Tea Kettles If you make tea all the time, a stainless steel tea kettle is a practical choice due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Much like a glass tea kettle, stainless steel is a non-reactive material that won’t interfere with the taste of your tea. It’s generally more low maintenance than other types of tea kettles since it can withstand dishwashers without risk of damage. Moreover, stainless steel doesn’t rust or stain, so you won’t have to worry about leaving water in for too long. While our stainless steel tea kettle picks tick off that durability box, the Susteas Surgical Stainless Steel Whistle Tea Kettle is in a league of its own thank to its composite layer of iron, aluminum, and stainless steel at the bottom (which also makes it quick to heat up tea). If you'd like a little more flair, the Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle is available in 9 different colors to accompany any other cookware you may have from the popular brand. All-Clad Stainless Steel Tea Kettle $100 at Amazon $100 at Nordstrom $100 at Wayfair Susteas Modern Stainless Steel Whistle Kettle $38 at Amazon $38 at Walmart View on Susteas.com Mr. Coffee Carterton Stainless Steel Tea Kettle $22 at Amazon $18 at Wayfair $35 at Target Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle $195 at Amazon $195 at Nordstrom $195 at Target How to Shop for Tea Kettles Like a Pro Electric vs. Stovetop Both stovetop and electric tea kettles are effective at their job, so choosing the ideal one ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. “Electric kettles are generally faster and often have temperature settings, which can be advantageous for brewing different tea types that require precise temperatures,” Stavridis explains. However if you’re someone who appreciates taking their time during every step of the brewing process, going the old fashioned route and using a stovetop kettle may be the better option. Keep in mind that a stovetop kettle isn’t necessarily less accurate than an electric one, as certain models — such as the Teabloom 2-in-1 Tea Kettle and Tea Steeper or the Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle — have built-in thermometers. Moreover, many stovetop tea kettles can be dishwasher safe, allowing you to save time on cleaning when you’re done brewing tea. Material When shopping for a tea kettle, you’ll notice that most of the options — regardless of whether they are stovetop or electric powered — are made of stainless steel or glass. “Stainless steel kettles are durable and efficient at conducting heat, while glass and ceramic offer aesthetic appeal and maintain flavor purity,” Stavridis explains. Cast iron is also a common option because of how durable it is and how well it retains heat. You may also come across aluminum tea kettles, but while the material is a great conductor of heat, unlike stainless steel, it isn’t corrosion resistant and can warp easier because it’s a more lightweight metal. Taking into account the durability of the material and the maintenance involved will help you decide what type of tea kettle to get. Glass will always require a more delicate touch than any metal tea kettle, but something heavier like cast iron will be prone to rusting if it isn’t cared for properly. Capacity According to Stavridis, the easiest way to determine what capacity tea kettle you should get is simply to think about how much tea you typically consume in one sitting or throughout the day. “Smaller kettles are great for personal use, while larger ones are better suited for households with multiple tea drinkers,” she says. The only time where you may want to think twice about getting a larger capacity kettle is when it comes to cast iron. Since letting hot water or tea sit in cast iron all day can cause the material to rust, it may be a better idea to stick to the smaller capacity ones that allow you to serve most of your tea in one sitting. Design When selecting a tea kettle, several design features can significantly impact its functionality. The main variation you’ll see in tea kettles is the design of the spout. Seek out a longer or gooseneck spout if you want your pours to be more precise, or if you drink a lot of delicate types of tea that scald easily. If you’re concerned about your tea getting too cold or want it to be kept at a consistent temperature, you may want to look for a tea kettle with a covered spout instead, such as the the Susteas Surgical Stainless Steel Whistle Tea Kettle, which traps in the heat and steam. If you like to use loose leaf tea over bagged tea, opt for a tea kettle with a built-in tea steeper. Also consider the size of the tea kettle’s lid and opening, as the larger that opening is, the easier it will be to hand wash and fill up with water. Special Features Some tea kettles are fancier than others, but at minimum, Stavridis says it’s worth investing in one that at least has a built-in thermometer, whistling function, or a keep warm setting, as “these can enhance convenience and precision in tea making,” she explains. Without a whistle to alert you when the water reaches its boiling point, or a thermometer to tell you when your tea is at the ideal temperature, you’d be doing extra guesswork, potentially compromising the flavor. Electric kettles typically won’t have whistles, but they automatically stop heating up when the water hits boiling point, and they usually beep when the water is done. A tea kettle that doesn’t automatically turn off or alert you when it’s done isn’t necessarily bad, it just means you’ll have to watch it more carefully so the water doesn’t evaporate away. Questions You Might Ask How do you clean a tea kettle? Some tea kettles can be put in the dishwasher, but you’ll want to check if it’s dishwasher safe. In most cases cast iron and glass tea kettles are better to hand wash to prevent damage. More importantly, Stavridis says you should also be descaling your tea kettle every few months. “Fill the kettle with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, bring to a boil, and allow it to sit for an hour before rinsing thoroughly,” she explains. Neglecting to descale your tea kettle can affect the flavor and taste, but if you’re looking for a lower maintenance option, Stavridis recommends the Cuisinart Perfectemp Cordless Electric Kettle, which has a removable scale filter. To clean the exterior of the kettle, all you really need to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth. For cast iron, just make sure to dry it off properly. “Stainless steel kettles can be polished with a suitable cleaner for extra shine,” Stavridis adds. What is the lifespan of a tea kettle? “The lifespan of a tea kettle depends on its material and how well it is maintained,” Stavridis explains. “Regular cleaning and proper use are important to making your tea kettle last longer.” Generally speaking, though, cast iron tends to have the longest lifespan, and can be passed down for generations much like any other cast iron cookware. Stainless steel is a close second, lasting over a decade, Stavridis states. A tea kettle made of borosilicate glass can technically last just as long, however since it’s more susceptible to chips, scratches, and breakage, any mishandling could shorten its lifespan. Should you only use a tea kettle to boil water? It may be tempting to use a tea kettle to heat up liquids other than tea and water, but according to Stavridis, it isn’t the best idea. “This can damage the kettle and affect its performance,” she warns. Soup broth or hot cocoa for example have different boiling points that may not be compatible with your tea kettle and they leave behind residue that would be hard to fully clean out of a spout, especially a gooseneck spout. Stavridis points out you can always boil the water separately and use it for recipes or drinks that might require boiling water such as instant ramen or French press coffee, however you shouldn’t be adding ingredients directly in the machine unless they’re tea leaves. Even for electric kettles that have a coffee preset, this is meant for French press or pour-over coffee, not for brewing the coffee inside. What water temperature is best for brewing tea? While it’s possible to end up with a nice tasting cup of tea simply by steeping tea leaves in hot water, the temperature of that hot water actually makes a difference. According to Stavridis, in order to extract the best flavor and get the most out of its health benefits, stick to 175°F to 185°F for green tea, 200°F to 212°F for black tea, and 208°F to 212°F for herbal tea. Outside of these temperature ranges, the tea could end up tasting slightly bitter. Take Our Word For It This article was written by Kalea Martin, a lifestyle and commerce writer for Real Simple. To find the best tea kettles, she examined each device’s materials, design features, and overall functionality. She also consulted Kayla Stavridis, a tea expert and former barista, to get insight on important factors to consider when choosing a tea kettle.