Whether you have a family or are living on your own, the convenience of having an electric kettle is hard to deny. No need for a clunky stove – just a small area is enough, and now you are able to boil water swiftly. Nowadays, many electric kettles america’s test kitchen even come with additional features – such as the ability to set temperature, so that your cup of tea/ coffee is at its finest.
When it comes to choosing the america’s test kitchen electric kettles, there are quite a few factors to consider – including speed, control, accuracy, etc. To make things easier for you, we have compiled the list below – where 7 of the top picks are analyzed in detail. On top of that, a small buying guide and FAQ section are also available to shed some “lights” into your decision-making process.
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Top 7 America’s Test Kitchen Electric Kettles Reviews in 2022
Here are top rated america’s test kitchen tea kettle reviews to buy
#1. Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
For those who value speed and value over ordinary stuffs like bells and whistles, Amazon Basics Electric Kettle is meant for you. Although it’s a little bit smaller than similar options – with only a 4-cup capacity, the kettle is capable of boiling water very quickly – within less than 4 minutes. This alone should be enough to make up for the minor drawback mentioned before.
Some people reported that the Amazon Basics is the best electric kettle america’s test kitchen.
Once the boiling process has completed, the kettle will immediately shut it off – thereby avoiding the risk of dry boiling, as well as saving users a lot of time and allowing them to focus on other important stuffs.
Pros:
- 1500W power output.
- Cordless design for simple filling.
- Cord wrap available for space saving.
- Food-grade, long-lasting stainless steel material.
- Removable filter for simple cleanup.
- Automatic off for complete protection from boil-dry.
- Transparent window to prevent over/underfilling.
Cons:
- A little bit small – with only a 4-cup capacity.
- The body gets pretty hot during/ after boiling.
#2. Mueller Electric Kettle, Cordless with LED Light
Like the Amazon Basics electric kettle discussed above, this one also comes with an automatic shutoff function – which makes it a premium choice for busier people who are always on the run. No longer do you have to pause everything just to anticipate that little whistle sound – just go on doing your work. What’s more, it boils very quickly, so you can enjoy your favorite cup of coffee/tea without too much waiting.
Reliability and durability are other notable selling points of this Muller SpeedBoil electric kettle. In fact, hundreds of customers have reported that it is capable lasting for years – without any signs of degradation in terms of beauty and functionality. Considering that it is also a budget-friendly pick, it’s definitely not a boast to say that this is one of the america’s test kitchen tea kettle.
Pros:
- 1.8L capacity.
- Budget-friendly.
- Auto shutoff function for more convenience.
- Boiling quickly.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Transparent glass window for easy filling and tracking.
- Eye-catching blue color that adds a nice touch to any kitchen’s look.
Cons:
- A little bit heavy.
- The base is a little flimsy.
#3. Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
Won’t you agree with us that this kettle’s beauty is truly magnificent? When we first unpacked it, we were extremely amazed by its sleek, polished matte gooseneck design. Although the price is pretty high (about 50% higher than other options), the trade-off is definitely worth it – especially if you would really love adding some aesthetics to your kitchen.
Stagg EKG pour-over kettle is not just among the best gooseneck kettles – but also among the america’s test kitchen best tea kettle too. With a wide heating range from 135-212 degrees, it is capable of making various types of tea – including those that require hotter water (black, herbal teas) as well as those that need cooler water (green, white tea). In addition, there’s also a function that allows you to keep water warm for 1 hour.
Pros:
- Great durability.
- Stylish design that is sure to liven up any kitchen.
- Unique functions for maximum versatility.
- Precise pouring.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- On the smaller side.
- A little bit pricy.
- Sometimes there may be a few leakages from the lid.
#4. COSORI 1.7L Glass Electric Kettle
COSORI electric kettle is constructed from high-quality borosilicate glass, which boasts superior resistance against external damage. On top of that, the borosilicate glass material also grants the product a highly aesthetic appearance, which massively complements any kitchen. These reasons should be enough to justify the initial investment.
Another feature that we are also fascinated with is the LED indicator light, which will turn on as the kettle heats up. For tea/coffee lovers, there’s no need to wait for long – because it should boil quickly enough for you to enjoy your favorite cup in time. If you find yourself fond of this electric kettle from COSORI, don’t be afraid to buy a few more as gifts for your loved ones!
Pros
- 1.7L capacity.
- Affordable pricing.
- Automatic shutoff function to prevent dry boiling.
- Sleek design that will blend in well with other kitchen accessories.
- Boil quickly.
- Glowing blue light while in use.
- Clearly labeled for more ease in terms of measuring.
Cons
- The lid is a little bit weak and does not fully open.
- Sometimes, there may be leakages from the base.
- It is a little bit noisy while boiling.
#5. BELLA 1.2L Ceramic Electric Tea Kettle
It’s time for one of the best electric tea kettle america’s test kitchen! Durability is the first selling point when it comes to this model from BELLA – and for good reason. Its whole body is solidly constructed from ceramic, as well as patterned décor. This construction grants the whole thing much superior resistance – compared to glass kettles. In fact, we have been using one for up to 5 months – and it still functions as expected without displaying any major issues.
BELLA ceramic tea kettle boils water very fast – just within about a minute. Hence, you can easily prepare up to 4-5 cups when some guests come to your house. The blue color patterns are another feature worth mentioning – and it is sure to attract the attention of quite a few people out there. Who knows – you might want to purchase one as a décor for your office?
Pros:
- 1.5-L capacity.
- Stylish and sturdy.
- Heat water quickly.
- Auto-shutoff to avoid dry boiling.
- Gooseneck spout that grants much more control while pouring water.
Cons:
- A little bit difficult to clean – especially around the spout and drain holes.
#6. Miroco 1.5L Electric Kettle
Miroco 1.5L electric kettle’s exterior is made from BPA-free plastic, which is completely food-safe. In addition, the material will stay cool during/after boiling – therefore, you may touch the kettle without worrying about getting burned. The lid is made from stainless steel, which boasts amazing durability, and can be opened easily with just a single button touch.
With such a large capacity, Miroco electric kettle is the perfect choice for you to prepare water for a large group of people. Not to mention, it boils very quickly – just wait for about 6 minutes, and you are ready to go. Once boiling is finished, the whole thing will automatically turn itself off.
Pros:
- 1.5L capacity.
- Luxurious stainless steel finish.
- Easy on/off lever.
- Easy-to-open lid.
- Food-grade materials.
- Safe to touch.
- Boil water quickly.
- Automatic shutoff function to prevent dry boiling.
Cons:
- No adjustable temperature and keep-warm setting.
- A little bit bottom heavy.
- The spout is too broad.
#7. Electric Gooseneck Kettle by COSORI
Let’s move on to the last – but not least – pick in our america’s test kitchen electric kettles review. As one of the best Gooseneck Kettle, this one boasts various selling points for you to consider – which are offered for a pretty affordable price. Many customers have reported that the product is the perfect choice to prepare pour-over coffee/tea. Thanks to the well-designed spout, pouring water without spilling would be a piece of cake.
Aside from the controlled pour ability, the kettle also comes with the temperature control function – you can easily preset the temperature to match the type of cup you are preparing. Once you have determined the perfect heat, it will do the job pretty quickly – so that you may enjoy your cup of coffee/tea without too much waiting.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Great functionality.
- 5 heat preset settings.
- 1200W power output for quick boiling.
- Beeping feature.
- Keep-warm function that works for up to 1 hour.
- Leak-proof design for precise pouring.
- Sleek design.
Cons:
- The beeping is a little bit flimsy and easy to get broken.
- The metal band tends to get hot.
The America’s Test Kitchen Electric Kettles: Buying Guide
Now that we’ve been through the best electric kettle part, let’s discuss some important criteria that need to be taken into account before making a purchase:
- Size
Obviously, you should prioritize buying a smaller kettle if you are only making one cup of coffee/tea at a time – so as to save space and costs. On the other hand, those who drink regularly or need to prepare coffee/tea for many people should look for bigger (and perhaps heavier) kettles.
- Material
When it comes to electric kettles, there are three major materials: steel, glass, and plastic. Each option comes with a different weight and adds a different look to your kitchen. Overall, plastic is the most lightweight pick – although you should make sure that the material is completely food-grade. That being said, there are many worthy glass and steel models out here that are still very lightweight.
- Features
A normal electric kettle will work like this: you press the switch, and then wait until boiling is finished. However, many models are designed with special features – such as keep-warm function, preset heat settings, automatic shutoff, etc. It’s up to you to decide what features best work for you.
Types of Tea Kettles America’s Test Kitchen
Tea kettles are commonly used to heat up water which can then be poured over tea leaves to make the drink of choice. They come in three types: stovetop, electric and gooseneck.
Stovetop Kettles
Stovetop kettles are the simplest design; they consist of a metal or ceramic base that holds the water, an attached metal or glass tube for placing over a fire or hot plate, and handles for easy handling. The non-electric stove is most commonly used in countries where electricity is not readily available. These kettles will work with any heat source that is capable of boiling water.
Electric Tea Kettles
Electric tea kettles are heated by internal heating elements which means no more need foroves! Just plug them into an outlet and wait for the water to heat up. These kettles are very efficient at heating up your water, but can take longer depending on how much water you intend to boil.
Gooseneck Tea Kettles
Gooseneck tea kettles come with a spout for controlling the direction of pour and work well with loose-leaf teas such as Rooibos Tea . The small narrow spout serves to regulate the flow of liquid which facilitates precision pouring and allows one to use these kettles with various different pots. Other types of tea that require steeping (such as Oolong and Pu-erh ) also benefit from gooseneck kettles since it helps keep them in isolation during brewing processes.
Types of Materials Do Tea Kettles Come In:
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a common material in stovetop kettles since it tends to hold up better when exposed to high temperatures. These types of tea kettles are easy to clean having no remnants from previous boiling times and can be used with any type of heat source, electric or gas burner.
Although stainless steel is a very durable metal , care must be taken to avoid dents caused by moving the kettle when full of water. Also, due to the hardness of stainless steel, often times the bottoms will have ridges which may cause wares on your counter top if not properly protected.
Ceramic tea kettles
Ceramic tea kettles come in a variety of styles that suit almost every taste imaginable. Some ceramic kettles come with a built-in electric heating element while others can be used directly on top of a stove. These kettles are more sensitive to hot surfaces and should be handled carefully as the handle may become quite hot after boiling water. In addition, some ceramic tea kettles can crack if exposed to rapid changes in temperatures, so care must also be taken when freezing or thawing them.
Glass tea kettles
Glass tea kettles are typically made from Pyrex glass which is able to withstand high temperatures since it’s not very dense material; it is much lighter than stainless steel or ceramic . Glass tea kettles are usually easy to clean (it won’t retain flavors like other materials) and they work great for gas stoves because of the light weight. Glass tea kettles are able to withstand sudden changes in temperature (just like Pyrex glass) and therefore can also be used to make cold beverages.
Copper
Copper has been used for centuries as a material for making household wares since it is very durable, easy to clean and doesn’t tarnish easily. These characteristics make copper ideal for boiling water although care should be taken not to bang the kettle against other metal objects or surfaces because this could dent or scratch the surface of your kettle.
Aluminum
Aluminum offers superior heat conductivity thus allowing the water to boil quickly, but these types of kettles are not recommended by doctors due to suspicions that aluminum may cause Alzheimer’s Disease. Aluminum is typically coated with an anodized type of material that prevents aluminum from reacting with your water.
Styles offered by different brands include: whistling, gooseneck spouts, temperature gauges, see-through glass, different handle types/styles/materials, rubberized non-slip bottoms for use on stovetops, stainless steel or plastic body materials.
An electric tea kettle america’s test kitchen can be set to boil water at a certain temperature whereas stovetop kettles are limited to just one temperature setting if any at all. Electric models also come in varying capacities which is helpful when you have company over and need to serve entire pots of hot water at once. Some electric models can hold up to 7L whereas others might not be able to accommodate more than 1L of boiling water.
Notable brands:
- Sakura (traditional Japanese style tea kettles)
- Crate and Barrel
- BELLA
- Amazon Basics
- Norpro (more affordable than the above mentioned brands)
FAQs about Electric Kettles America’s Test Kitchen
Are glass kettles better than stainless steel?
Glass kettles are meant for old-fashioned people who value simplicity above all. No need to plug it in – just put in on top of a stove, and you are ready to make your favorite cup of tea/coffee. If you decide to go for glass, make sure that the material is capable of withstanding high heat.
One benefit of stainless steel kettles, though, is the fact that they do not discolor over time – nor do they retain odor. For this reason, not only will they last for long, but you can also prepare several cups spontaneously without fearing odor overlapping.
1. Are electric tea kettles safe?
–Yes, most major brands offer models that are approved by North American safety standards which means these appliances won’t burn you or start fires if they get wet. This also applies to the base of the kettle where the heating element is contained within a plastic housing so it can never come in direct contact with water.
2. How long will it take for my electric tea kettle to boil water?
-Electric kettles typically do not have temperature settings, but rather on/off switches (similarly to coffee makers). As such, they tend to boil water faster than stovetop models since there is no wait time required between on and off cycles; some may take less than 30 seconds to boil 1L.
3. Can I make tea with my electric tea kettle?
–Yes, most electric kettles will be able to accommodate loose leaf teas and herbal infusions since the heating element is contained within a plastic housing (it doesn’t come in direct contact with water); wait until all of the bubbles stop appearing on top before opening your lid so you don’t accidentally burn yourself since hot steam escapes when opening an electric kettle.
4. How can I know if my electric tea kettle is working properly?
-When boiling water, look for signs of steam coming out from around the spout or base after it’s finished turning off; some models have built-in indicator lights that will turn on when the water is hot.
5. Will my electric kettle explode if I leave it plugged in?
–No, even if you leave your corded electric kettle plugged in overnight, there is no change to its internal temperature so it won’t suddenly heat up and explode like a hairdryer left on for hours would.
Conclusion
As little as it may seem, an electric kettle is an invaluable asset for any kitchen – without one, you will have a much harder time preparing your favorite cup of coffee/ tea. And not only that – the appliance can be used for a multitude of other purposes. For this reason, it is never a bad idea to be selective when choosing one for your kitchen.
To help you figure out the america’s test kitchen electric kettles, we have compiled this list based on our extensive buying and testing experience.
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