In a Mexican kitchen, hot water does a lot of quiet work. It steeps a mug of manzanilla after dinner, pulls the flavor out of cinnamon sticks for té de canela, softens dried guajillos and anchos before they go into the blender for salsa, and gets a pot of coffee going on a slow Sunday morning. A good electric kettle does all of that faster than a saucepan and switches itself off when it is done.
Most kettles boil water well enough. The differences that matter are capacity, whether the water touches glass or steel, whether you can choose a temperature below boiling, how long it keeps water warm, and the safety features: automatic shut-off and boil-dry protection. This guide compares eight electric kettles on exactly those points, from a basic glass jug to a 4-liter water boiler that keeps water hot all day.
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Quick verdict: which electric kettle to buy
For most kitchens, the best electric kettle is the Cuisinart PerfecTemp: 1.7 liters, six preset temperatures, a 30-minute keep-warm setting, boil-dry protection and a 3-year limited warranty, per the listing. If you want a quieter pour and a lid that releases steam slowly, the Breville IQ Kettle is the step up. On a tight budget, the Mueller 1.8L glass kettle boils and shuts off with nothing extra, and for hot water on tap all day, the Zojirushi 4-liter water boiler is a different and better tool.
If you only drink one cup at a time and brew pour-over coffee, a gooseneck kettle with a narrow spout may suit you better; we cover those in a separate guide. The kettles on this page are the everyday, wide-spout kind.
Five electric kettles side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of buyer, with the capacity and temperature settings each maker or listing states. All eight kettles are reviewed in full below.
| Kettle | Best for | Capacity | Temperature settings | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric KettleBest overall
|
Tea, coffee and everyday hot water | 1.7 L | 6 presets | View on Amazon |
Breville IQ KettleBest premium
|
A gentle, splash-free lid and steel body | 1.7 L (57 oz) | 5 presets | View on Amazon |
| Seeing the water level at a glance | 1.7 L | 6 presets | View on Amazon | |
Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler, 4 LBest for all-day hot water
|
A big household or a long gathering | 4.0 L | 4 keep-warm settings | View on Amazon |
Mueller 1.8L Glass Electric KettleBudget pick
|
Plain boiling water, nothing extra | 1.8 L | Boil only | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and settings are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best electric kettle
Eight kettles from established appliance makers: three with stainless steel bodies, four glass, and one countertop water boiler. All were in stock on Amazon when we checked, and we looked up each brand in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database before including it.
1. Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle – Six Temperatures, Three-Year Warranty
The PerfecTemp (model CPK-17P1) is the kettle we would point most kitchens to first, because it covers every hot-water job without asking you to fuss with it. It holds 1.7 liters, runs on 1,500 watts, and has six one-touch presets; the listing gives a range of 160°F to 200°F for the tea and coffee settings, aimed at delicate, green, white, oolong, French press and black and herbal teas, and the kettle also brings water to a full boil.
The details are what make it practical. A 30-minute keep-warm option means the second cup of manzanilla is ready without reheating. A memory feature lets you lift the kettle off its base for up to 2 minutes without losing the setting, so you can pour into a French press, put it back and have it carry on. Boil-dry protection and automatic shut-off are both stated in the listing, and the handle is described as stay-cool and nonslip.
For softening dried chiles or filling a teapot for the table, simply use the boil setting. For green tea or a gentler cup, the lower presets save you from waiting for boiled water to cool. Cuisinart backs it with a limited 3-year warranty, per the listing, longer than most kettles here.
Why we like it
- Six one-touch presets plus boil
- 30-minute keep-warm setting
- Remembers its setting for 2 minutes off the base
- Boil-dry protection and automatic shut-off
- Limited 3-year warranty
Key specifications
| Kettle | Cuisinart PerfecTemp (CPK-17P1) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 L |
| Body material | Stainless steel |
| Temperature settings | 6 presets; 160°F to 200°F tea and coffee range stated |
| Keep-warm | 30 minutes |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Yes / yes |
| Power | 1,500 W |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want one kettle that boils fast for chiles and cocoa, holds lower temperatures for tea, and is backed by a longer warranty than most.
Skip it if you want to see the water as it heats; the steel body hides it, so you rely on the water window.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Useful range of presets
- Keep-warm and memory features
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Presets only, no single-degree control
- Stainless body can’t show the boil
2. Breville IQ Kettle – Soft-Opening Lid, Quiet Confidence
Breville’s IQ Kettle (BKE820XL) is the more polished version of the same idea. It holds 57 ounces, about 1.7 liters or seven cups, in a brushed stainless steel body, and offers five pre-programmed settings for green, white, oolong and black tea and French press coffee, according to the listing.
The feature people notice most is the soft-top lid. Breville says it releases steam gently and eliminates splashing when you open it, which matters when you are refilling in a hurry and your hand is right over the spout. A keep-warm button holds the water for 20 minutes, and the cordless jug sits on a 360-degree base with a cord wrap underneath. Auto shut-off and boil-dry protection are both listed, and the kettle draws 1,500 watts.
It is the kettle to buy if you use one several times a day and want it to feel well made. The trade-offs are a shorter keep-warm time than the Cuisinart, only five settings, and a 1-year replacement warranty, per the listing.
Why we like it
- Soft-top lid releases steam gently
- Five tea and coffee settings
- Brushed stainless steel body
- Auto shut-off and boil-dry protection
Key specifications
| Kettle | Breville IQ Kettle (BKE820XL) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 57 oz (about 1.7 L) |
| Body material | Brushed stainless steel |
| Temperature settings | 5 presets (green, white, oolong, French press, black) |
| Keep-warm | 20 minutes |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Yes / yes |
| Power | 1,500 W |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you boil water many times a day and value a calm, splash-free lid and a sturdy steel jug.
Skip it if long keep-warm matters to you; 20 minutes is the shortest among the temperature-control kettles here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Splash-free soft-top lid
- Cord storage in the base
- Well-known maker
Cons
- 20-minute keep-warm
- 1-year warranty
- Exact preset temperatures not given in the listing
3. Hamilton Beach Variable Temp Glass Kettle – Clear Glass, Six Settings
America’s Test Kitchen’s electric kettle review found glass jugs easier to read at a glance than stainless steel ones, and that is the case for this Hamilton Beach (model 40941R). It is a 1.7-liter glass kettle with six temperature presets, which the listing says cover delicate, green, white, oolong and black teas as well as French press coffee and hot cocoa.
A keep-warm setting holds the water at your chosen temperature for 30 minutes, so you can pour several cups without reheating. Automatic shut-off and boil-dry protection are both listed, and the cordless jug lifts off its base so you can take it to the table. Power is 1,500 watts, and the warranty is one year, per the listing.
One note on the brand: ATK did not recommend an older Hamilton Beach glass kettle (model 40865, now listed as discontinued) because its lid had to be pressed firmly or it could stay ajar and keep boiling. That is a different model from this one, but it is worth checking that the lid clicks shut each time.
Why we like it
- Glass jug shows the water level and the boil
- Six temperature presets
- 30-minute keep-warm
- Auto shut-off and boil-dry protection
Key specifications
| Kettle | Hamilton Beach 1.7 L Variable Temp (40941R) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 L |
| Body material | Glass |
| Temperature settings | 6 presets |
| Keep-warm | 30 minutes |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Yes / yes |
| Power | 1,500 W |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you like to watch the water and want temperature presets and keep-warm without paying for a steel premium model.
Skip it if your kitchen is busy and crowded; glass needs a little more care than steel when the kettle is knocked about.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to see the water level
- Presets plus keep-warm
- Cordless serving
Cons
- 1-year warranty
- Preset temperatures not listed in degrees
4. Elite Gourmet Digital Touchscreen Kettle – Two-Hour Keep-Warm
Elite Gourmet’s 1.7-liter touchscreen kettle (model EKT8717) has the longest keep-warm of the jug kettles here: the listing says it holds your chosen temperature for up to two hours, four times as long as the Cuisinart or Hamilton Beach. It has four presets, for white tea, green tea, oolong tea or coffee, and boiling, and you can step the temperature up or down in 5°F increments while a display shows the water temperature in real time. It beeps twice when the water is ready.
That long hold is useful when hot water is needed over a stretch of time rather than all at once, such as a pot of té de canela that gets topped up through the afternoon, or a slow breakfast where coffee and tea are made at different times. The body is double-walled, with a 304 stainless steel interior, a cool-touch outer wall and a borosilicate glass panel, and the hinged lid is stainless with a mesh filter built in. Automatic shut-off and boil-dry protection are both listed.
The trade-off is speed. At 1,100 watts it has less power than the 1,500-watt kettles here, and Elite Gourmet says a full 1.7 liters heats in less than 10 minutes, so it suits slow mornings more than a quick cup.
Why we like it
- Keeps water warm for up to 2 hours
- Four presets plus 5°F adjustment
- Real-time temperature display
- Double wall with a stainless interior
Key specifications
| Kettle | Elite Gourmet 1.7L Digital Touchscreen Kettle (EKT8717) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 L |
| Body material | Double wall: 304 stainless interior, cool-touch body, borosilicate glass |
| Temperature settings | 4 presets plus 5°F adjustment |
| Keep-warm | Up to 2 hours |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Yes / yes |
| Power | 1,100 W |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you drink tea or coffee over a long morning and want water kept hot without pressing anything again.
Skip it if speed matters most; the 1,500-watt kettles here have more power behind them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest keep-warm of the jug kettles here
- Shows the water temperature
- Cool-touch double wall
Cons
- Lower power than most here
- Only four presets
5. Chefman Glass Kettle with Tea Infuser – Steep a Whole Pot
Chefman’s temperature-control kettle (model RJ11-17-CTI) is a 1.8-liter glass kettle that comes with a removable tea infuser, so you can steep loose tea directly in the kettle and serve a whole pot. That makes it handy for loose manzanilla, hierbabuena or hibiscus for a table of people.
The listing’s figures need a careful read: the title says five presets, while the feature list describes seven presets ranging from 160°F to 212°F. Either way, you get a choice of temperatures below a boil. Three-color lights show standby (white), heating (red) and keep-warm or steep mode (green); the listing does not say how long keep-warm lasts. The kettle shuts off automatically when the water boils or when it runs dry, the lid lifts out completely for filling and cleaning, and it carries a 1-year warranty from Chefman.
We checked the CPSC recall database for Chefman and found no kettle recalls. One consideration: if you steep tea in the kettle, rinse the infuser and jug well before boiling plain water for coffee or chiles, or flavors carry over.
Why we like it
- Removable infuser for steeping in the kettle
- Range up to 212°F stated in the listing
- Shuts off at boil or when empty
- Lift-out lid for easy cleaning
Key specifications
| Kettle | Chefman Electric Kettle with Temperature Control (RJ11-17-CTI) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.8 L |
| Body material | Glass with stainless steel |
| Temperature settings | Presets, 160°F to 212°F (listing says 5 in the title, 7 in the features) |
| Keep-warm | Yes; duration not stated |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Yes / yes |
| Power | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you brew loose tea for several people and want to steep it right in the kettle.
Skip it if you want clear, consistent specifications; the listing contradicts itself on the number of presets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tea infuser included
- Color-coded status lights
- Largest jug kettle here at 1.8 L
Cons
- Conflicting preset count in listing
- Keep-warm time not given
- 1-year warranty
6. KitchenAid 1.7L Electric Kettle with Temp Control – A Red Kettle That Works
If you searched for a red electric kettle, this is the one we would look at. KitchenAid’s KEK1701 comes in Empire Red as well as other colors, holds 1.7 liters, and has variable temperature control and a removable, washable limescale filter, according to the listing. It switches off automatically after boiling and sits on a detachable swivel base.
The listing is thin on numbers. It does not give a temperature range, a keep-warm time, a wattage or the body material, and it does not mention boil-dry protection, so we have marked those “Not stated” below rather than guess. If any of them matters to you, check the manual before buying.
On safety history: the CPSC announced a recall of older KitchenAid 1.7-liter electric kettles, model family KEK1722, because of a burn hazard. The KEK1701 on this page is a different, newer model and is not covered by that recall.
Why we like it
- Variable temperature control
- Removable, washable limescale filter
- Comes in Empire Red and other colors
- Automatic shut-off after boiling
Key specifications
| Kettle | KitchenAid 1.7L Electric Kettle (KEK1701ER) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 L |
| Body material | Not stated in the listing |
| Temperature settings | Variable; range not stated |
| Keep-warm | Not stated |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Yes / not stated |
| Power | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if the kettle lives on the counter and you want it to match a red or colored stand mixer while still offering temperature control.
Skip it if you want every specification spelled out before you buy; this listing leaves out several.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Attractive color choices
- Limescale filter
- Variable temperature
Cons
- Few specifications in the listing
- Boil-dry protection not mentioned
7. Mueller 1.8L Glass Electric Kettle – Simple and Affordable
Not every kitchen needs temperature presets. If you boil water for coffee, cocoa, instant soup and soaking chiles, a plain kettle that boils fast and turns itself off is enough, and the Mueller is a good example. It is a 1.8-liter borosilicate glass jug, about seven cups, with a 1,500-watt element and a blue LED that turns off when the water is ready, per the listing.
The listing states automatic shut-off when the water boils, a removable washable filter, and a cordless jug with a heat-resistant, anti-slip handle. It does not mention boil-dry protection, so fill it before you switch it on and don’t leave it running empty.
It is the kettle for a second household, a dorm, or anyone who wants hot water and nothing else. ATK found that kettles in its review took about 4½ to 5½ minutes to boil a quart, roughly half the time of a saucepan, and that is the main reason to own any electric kettle.
Why we like it
- 1.8 L capacity, about 7 cups
- Borosilicate glass shows the water level
- Automatic shut-off at the boil
- Removable, washable filter
Key specifications
| Kettle | Mueller Living 1.8L Electric Kettle (MLR0020) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.8 L |
| Body material | Borosilicate glass |
| Temperature settings | Boil only |
| Keep-warm | No |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Yes / not stated |
| Power | 1,500 W |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you only ever need boiling water and want a large, clear kettle that costs little.
Skip it if you brew green tea or pour-over coffee; with no lower settings you will be waiting for boiled water to cool.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity
- Simple one-switch use
- Glass jug
Cons
- No temperature control or keep-warm
- Boil-dry protection not stated
- Warranty terms not given in the listing
8. Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler, 4 L – Hot Water on Tap All Day
A water boiler is not a kettle in the usual sense: you fill it once and it keeps water hot for hours, dispensing it at the push of a button. For a big family, a home office, or a long gathering where people make their own coffee, tea and cocoa, it can be more useful than any kettle. The Zojirushi CD-LFC40 holds 4 liters, about 135 ounces.
It has four keep-warm settings, 160°F, 175°F, 195°F and 208°F, according to the listing, and a microcomputer controls the temperature. A Quick Temp mode warms water without first bringing it to a boil, and a timer is listed. The interior is nonstick for easy cleaning, and the Panorama Window gauge shows the water level from across the room.
America’s Test Kitchen’s review of hot water dispensers rated the 3-liter version of this machine, the CD-LFC30, Highly Recommended, saying it boiled quickly and was easy to use, and held temperature relatively well over eight hours. ATK’s benchmark for top performance was a hold temperature of at least 208 degrees, which this model’s highest setting matches. The listing we checked does not mention boil-dry protection or a warranty, so we have marked those as not stated.
Why we like it
- 4 L capacity for a crowd
- Four keep-warm settings up to 208°F
- 3 L sibling Highly Recommended by ATK
- Nonstick interior and easy-read water gauge
Key specifications
| Kettle | Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler and Warmer (CD-LFC40) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4.0 L |
| Body material | Not stated; nonstick interior |
| Temperature settings | 160°F, 175°F, 195°F, 208°F keep-warm; Quick Temp mode |
| Keep-warm | Continuous |
| Auto shut-off/boil-dry | Not stated in the listing |
| Power | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if hot water is wanted all day, by several people, and you would rather fill one machine in the morning than boil a kettle again and again.
Skip it if counter space is tight or you only boil water once or twice a day; a kettle uses less room and less power on standby.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity
- Holds set temperatures for hours
- Reviewed well by ATK in its 3 L size
Cons
- Takes counter space and stays plugged in
- Not portable like a cordless kettle
- Safety features not listed
How to choose an electric kettle for a busy kitchen
Start with what you use hot water for, then think about who else is drinking it. These are the factors we would weigh.
1. Boil only or temperature control
If your hot water goes into coffee from a French press, instant soup, hot cocoa or a bowl of dried chiles, a boil-only kettle is all you need. If you brew green or white tea, or pour-over coffee, presets below a boil save you from guessing how long to let boiled water sit. Makers set those presets themselves; the Cuisinart’s tea and coffee settings run from 160°F to 200°F, per its listing.
2. Capacity
Most jug kettles hold 1.7 to 1.8 liters, enough for six or seven mugs. ATK says the models it reviewed held 48 to 60 ounces, the most common size. For a household that drinks hot drinks all day, a 4-liter water boiler like the Zojirushi avoids constant refilling.
3. Glass or stainless steel
ATK found glass kettles made it easy to check the water level at a glance, while stainless models were harder to read. Steel is tougher if the kettle gets knocked around. ATK also notes that every kettle it tested had a glass or stainless steel jug, and it avoided plastic jugs, saying plastic can add off-flavors to water. Several makers on this page also state that no plastic touches the water; treat that as the maker’s claim and read the listing for which parts are steel or glass.
4. Keep-warm time
Keep-warm ranges from none on the Mueller to 20 minutes on the Breville, 30 on the Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach and two hours on the Elite Gourmet. A water boiler keeps water hot all day. If you make a big pot of té de canela and top it up, longer is better.
5. Safety features and recalls
Look for automatic shut-off and boil-dry protection in the listing, and a lid that stays shut while boiling. Before buying any kettle, new or used, search the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list for the brand and model; we did this for every kettle here.
How we chose these eight electric kettles
We started with how a Mexican kitchen uses hot water: tea and herbal infusions, coffee, cocoa and soaking dried chiles. We then looked at electric kettles and one water boiler from established makers sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked. Capacity, materials, temperature settings, keep-warm, safety features and warranty come from each Amazon listing, and we have written “Not stated” where a listing leaves a figure out.
For performance we relied on two America’s Test Kitchen reviews, of electric kettles and of hot water dispensers. ATK’s current winner, the OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle, showed only limited stock on Amazon when we checked, so we did not include it. We also searched the CPSC recall database for every brand here. The only electric kettle recall we found among them was a KitchenAid recall of KEK1722 models, which does not cover the KEK1701 we list. We have not used these kettles ourselves; where we describe performance, we say whose findings those are. We did not read Wirecutter, Serious Eats or Consumer Reports for this guide and do not quote them.
Electric kettle questions, answered
What is the best electric kettle for everyday use?
For most people, the Cuisinart PerfecTemp: 1.7 liters, six presets, 30-minute keep-warm, boil-dry protection and a 3-year limited warranty. If you only need boiling water, the Mueller 1.8L does the job for less.
Which electric kettle brand is best?
Cuisinart, Breville, Hamilton Beach, Elite Gourmet, Chefman and KitchenAid all make well-specified kettles, and Zojirushi is known for water boilers. ATK’s top electric kettle is from OXO and its Best Buy from Cosori. Brand matters less than the features you need and a clean recall record for the model.
What does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
ATK’s electric kettle review names the OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle its winner and the Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle its Best Buy. Its hot water dispenser review highly recommends the Zojirushi CD-LFC30, the 3-liter version of our all-day pick.
Is a red or green electric kettle any different?
Only in looks. The KitchenAid KEK1701 comes in Empire Red and other colors, and other makers sell some kettles in several finishes. Choose by features first, then color.
Can I use an electric kettle for café de olla or soaking chiles?
Yes for soaking chiles: pour boiling water over them and let them soften. Café de olla is traditionally simmered in a clay pot with cinnamon and piloncillo, so a kettle only replaces the water-heating step; see the best piloncillo brand for the sweetener. Never put coffee, sugar or spices inside an electric kettle.
How do I keep a kettle clean?
Empty it after use and descale it when you see white mineral deposits. Cosori, for example, suggests white vinegar, lemon juice or baking soda in its kettle listings; follow your own kettle’s manual, then boil and discard a fresh kettle of water before using it again.
Our final pick for hot water
Buy the Cuisinart PerfecTemp if you want one kettle that does everything, or the Breville IQ Kettle for a quieter, splash-free lid. Choose the Hamilton Beach for a glass kettle with presets, the Elite Gourmet for two hours of keep-warm, and the Mueller for plain boiling water on a budget. For a house where hot water is wanted all day, the Zojirushi water boiler is the better tool.
A kettle is also the fastest way to start a cup of chocolate made with water; see the best Mexican hot chocolate for the tablets worth buying. For timing a steep, a simple kitchen timer helps, and for warm-weather drinks see what aguas frescas are.
More for tea and hot water: gooseneck kettles, stovetop tea kettles, tea infusers, teapots.
Narrower needs: see our guides to the best small electric kettles, the best electric kettles with a tea infuser and the best Japanese electric kettles and water boilers.
Shopping for looks? See our guide to the best retro electric kettles.
Want no plastic in the water path? See our guide to the best electric kettles with no plastic.
On a budget? See our guide to the best value electric kettles.
Like to watch the water boil? See our guide to the best glass electric kettles.
Related guide: Best electric kettle for dorm.
Related guide: Electric vs stovetop kettle.
Related guide: Electric kettle alternative.
And if you would rather someone else made the drinks tonight, see our drinks and the menu, or call to order.