Best electric kettle

For most people, I'd recommend the Cuisinart PerfecTemp CPK-17. It hits the sweet spot of fast boiling, useful temperature settings, generous capacity, and reasonable price. But the best choice depends on whether you mainly make tea, coffee, or simply want hot water quickly. Consumer Reports Food Network

The best electric kettles to buy in 2026

(Best overall)

1. Cuisinart PerfecTemp CPK-17

$85–$100 approx.

Six preset temperatures, a 1.7-liter capacity, and a 30-minute keep-warm feature. Great for households that make different kinds of tea and coffee. It also has a three-year warranty. Consumer Reports Food Network

Best for: everyday use and tea drinkers.

Check prices and availability

2. Fellow Stagg EKG

$150–$200 approx.

Precise temperature control and a narrow gooseneck spout for controlled, consistent pours. Excellent for pour-over coffee, although its 0.9-liter capacity is smaller and the price is high. Bon Appétit Counter Tested

Best for: serious coffee enthusiasts and design lovers.

View at Fellow

3. Mueller Ultra Kettle

$25–$40 approx.

A simple, fast-boiling glass kettle with a large 1.8-liter capacity and automatic shutoff. No adjustable temperature settings, but you don't need them if you mostly boil water. Food Network Food Network

Best for: value and everyday boiling.

Check on Amazon

4. Breville IQ Kettle

$130–$180 approx.

A premium everyday kettle with five temperature presets, a keep-warm function, and a removable scale filter. A good option if you want more control without a gooseneck spout. Tom's Guide abt.com

Best for: premium everyday tea and coffee.

Check prices on Abt

Which one should you actually buy?

My buying advice: Get a stainless-steel kettle with automatic shutoff and boil-dry protection. Temperature control is worth paying extra for if you drink green or white tea, or make pour-over coffee. If you just want boiling water, a basic model is plenty.

One question to help me narrow it down: What's your budget?

Budget

Under $40

$50–$100

$100–$150

Over $150

Main use

Tea and everyday use

Pour-over coffee

Boiling water as fast as possible

Preferred material

Stainless steel

Glass

Either is fine

[Find my best kettle]

The top-rated electric kettles are categorized by their best use case, based on expert testing from The New York Times Wirecutter and Serious Eats: The New York Times Serious Eats

Overall & Variable Temperature

Features 6 temperature presets, a 1.7-liter capacity, a 30-minute keep-warm function, and a 3-year warranty. The New York Times

Offers single-degree temperature control from 104°F to 212°F, a 1.75-liter capacity, and a 30-minute keep-warm mode. (Bon Appétit: Recipes, Cooking, Entertaining, Restaurants | Bon Appétit)

Best for Pour-Over Coffee (Gooseneck)

Equipped with a precision gooseneck spout, a 0.9-liter capacity, high-accuracy temperature control down to 104°F (40°C), an altitude adjustment setting, and Wi-Fi updates. Reddit

Best for Tea

Includes 5 varietal-specific one-touch presets, a 1.8-liter capacity, and a 20-minute keep-warm feature. The New York Times YouTube

Best Budget Pick

商品图片 Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle $34.03

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A straightforward, reliable 1.7-liter option with rapid boiling and auto-shutoff safety protection. Consumer Reports

If you'd like to narrow down the choices, tell me:

What type of drink you make most often (pour-over coffee, delicate green tea, black tea, or instant noodles)

Your preferred capacity (compact vs. large families)

Your budget

Choosing the "best" electric kettle depends on what matters most to you—whether that is precise temperature control for pour-over coffee, lightning-fast boiling speed, or a sleek design that looks great on your countertop.

Here are the top-rated electric kettles across a few different categories, based on performance, durability, and user consensus:

1. The Best Overall: Fellow Stagg EKG

If you are into pour-over coffee, loose-leaf tea, or just love minimalist design, this is widely considered the gold standard.

• Key Features: Precise, variable temperature control (ranging from 104°F to 212°F), a gooseneck spout for ultimate pouring control, a hold mode that maintains your target temp for up to 60 minutes, and a built-in "Brew Stopwatch."
• Best For: Coffee enthusiasts and design lovers.

2. The Best Everyday Value: Cuisinart PerfecTemp (CPK-17)

For a traditional spout kettle that offers high-end features without a luxury price tag, this is a long-standing favorite.

• Key Features: Six preset temperature buttons optimized for different types of tea and coffee, a 1.7-liter capacity, a 30-minute keep-warm option, and a blue backlit water window.
• Best For: Families, tea drinkers, and everyday kitchen multi-tasking.

3. The Best for Speed & Simplicity: OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Kettle

OXO is famous for ergonomics and user-friendly design, and this kettle is no exception.

• Key Features: A clear digital display, a simple dial to adjust the temperature, a 30-minute keep-warm function, and a non-drip spout. It boils water quickly and safely with an automatic shut-off.
• Best For: Anyone who wants a straightforward, reliable kettle with temperature controls.

4. The Best Budget Pick: Hamilton Beach Classic Glass Kettle

If you want something functional, fast, and budget-friendly without sacrificing looks, glass kettles are a great route.

• Key Features: Cordless design, automatic shut-off with boil-dry protection, soft blue illumination while boiling, and a wide opening for easy cleaning.
• Best For: Budget-conscious buyers who want to watch the water boil.

Quick Buying Checklist

Before making a choice, consider these three questions:

1. Capacity: Do you usually just make one mug at a time (a 0.6L to 1L kettle is fine), or do you need to boil water for a French press, pasta, or multiple people (1.5L to 1.7L)?
2. Spout Type: Do you pour slowly and deliberately (choose a gooseneck spout for coffee) or do you want a fast, heavy pour for tea and cooking (choose a standard spout)?
3. Temperature Control: Do you only ever need boiling water, or do you drink delicate green and white teas that burn if the water is too hot? (If the latter, look for a variable temperature model).

What kind of drinks do you make most often, and do you have a specific budget in mind?

The Cuisinart PerfecTemp CPK-17P1 is a strong all-around pick: it boils quickly, offers accurate temperature settings, and has simple controls. If you prefer a glass kettle, America’s Test Kitchen recommends the OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle.nytimes.comfoodnetwork.comamericastestkitchen.com

The best electric kettle for most people is the Cuisinart CPK-17P1 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle (or its updated model like the CPK-17). www.nytimes.com X

Wirecutter (NYT) has called this their top pick since 2013, and it still holds up after multiple rounds of testing in 2026. It consistently earns praise for boiling a full 1.7-liter kettle in about 7 minutes, hitting target temperatures accurately (with 6 presets plus keep-warm), and keeping water hot for 20–30 minutes without over-boiling. The controls are simple (dedicated buttons per temp), the handle is easy to grip, and it includes a generous 3-year warranty. www.nytimes.com

It’s a cordless kettle with a stainless-steel build that avoids plastic taste issues, pours cleanly without splashing, and shuts off automatically for safety. It works great for tea (green, oolong, black), pour-over coffee, or everyday boiling. Current street price is typically $100–$140 depending on retailer and color options. www.nytimes.com

Why this one stands out over alternatives

• Speed & accuracy: Faster and more precise than many competitors; it maintains the exact temp you set (ideal temps are printed on the kettle for common drinks). www.nytimes.com
• Value: Solid build, easy-to-use interface, and reliable performance at a mid-range price—far better than cheap no-frills models that lack temp control. www.nytimes.com
• Safety & longevity: Auto shut-off, boil-dry protection, and a strong warranty beat many cheaper options that fail faster.

Other strong options by use case

• Best sleek/premium look and ergonomics: Breville IQ Kettle (around $170). It has a more modern, open-handle design and intuitive base controls, plus 5 temp presets and 20-minute keep-warm. Wirecutter calls it sleeker than the Cuisinart but notes the shorter 1-year warranty and higher price. Great if you want it to look and feel premium on the counter. www.nytimes.com
• Best for pour-over coffee: Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle (around $120). All-stainless gooseneck spout for precise, slow pours; 5-degree temp increments; 30-minute keep-warm. Excellent if you make coffee this way (Wirecutter’s dedicated pick for this). www.nytimes.com
• Best budget/no-frills: Hamilton Beach 40880 Stainless Steel 1.7L (around $25–$35). Blazing fast boil, simple on/off, auto shut-off, and a cool handle. Fine for basic boiling or large families, but skip the temp presets and keep-warm. www.nytimes.com
• Best variable-temp/value in other regions: Ninja Perfect Temperature Kettle (popular in UK/Canada/elsewhere, ~$70). Rapid single-cup boil, 6 temps, audible alerts, and low minimum level (250ml). Excellent for households with mixed hot drinks or hard water. www.bbcgoodfood.com

Quick buying advice

• Get variable-temperature control if you brew tea or pour-over coffee—it prevents bitter or weak drinks and saves energy.
• Prioritize stainless steel or glass over plastic to avoid off-tastes.
• Hard water? Look for removable limescale filters (most do).
• Capacity: 1.7L covers most households; 1.5L if you’re small.
• Power: 2400–3000W for fastest boils (UK/US limits vary).
• Always descale regularly and avoid leaving water in it long-term for longevity.

The Cuisinart CPK-17P1 is the sweet spot for reliability, performance, and price across most tests and reviews. If your needs differ (e.g., smart app control, retro style, or ultra-cheap), let me know your budget, household size, or main use (tea/coffee/etc.), and I can refine the recommendation! Check current prices and availability on Amazon, Walmart, or the manufacturer’s site, as deals change.