The Best Kettles of 2026

When it comes to homey kitchen images, they invariably involve a stout and colorful tea kettle, whistling happily atop a flickering stove. So, while more contemporary electric and gooseneck kettles may have elbowed their way into the spotlight—preferred by many for their rust-proof durability, ability to heat quickly, and helpful upgrades such as temperature regulation—they’ve never quite taken over the classic teapot's place.

Perhaps it’s a renewed appreciation for simple, old-fashioned comforts—just like sipping a hot cup of tea—that speaks to the stovetop tea kettle’s unflagging appeal.

After testing 11 of the most popular teapots, we found the Susteas Stovetop Whistling Tea Kettle (available at Amazon) to be the best kettle we tried. We adore its appealing design, easy to push spigot, controlled pour, and of course, its cheerfully steamy song.

But it’s not the only kettle worth its pride of place astride your stove.

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Other Tea Kettles and Teapots We Tested

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How We Tested

The Tester

My name is Sarah Zorn, and I’m a professional food writer, cookbook author, and recipe tester, which means function and aesthetics go hand in hand in my kitchen. I need tools that work as efficiently and effectively as they can and look attractive while doing it.

The Tests

We began by filling a bin with cold tap water and measured the temperature of the water in the bin. We transferred 5 cups of the water to each kettle and took turns setting each kettle over the same burner on the highest setting. We timed how long it took each kettle to come up to a full boil or whistle, then poured the water into a teacup, coffee cup, travel mug, and Chemex-style filter.

We also used each kettle casually over the course of a few days, taking note of how easy they were to fill with water straight from the sink or using a measuring cup, how stable they were on the burner, how quickly they came to boil, how loud the whistle was, how comfortable they were to maneuver, how controlled the pour was, if we had any safety concerns using them, if they had any special features, and how attractive they were (or weren’t).

What's the difference between a kettle and an electric kettle?

Traditional kettles—also known as stovetop kettles—require a separate heat source (like a cooktop or fire) in order to boil water in the vessel. Electric kettles, on the other hand, use innate electricity to boil water. Typically, this requires an electrical outlet close by and a bit more counter space.

If you're someone who boils water for tea or pour-over coffee often, an electric kettle may be more convenient. They offer features like automatic shut-off and built-in thermometers to make the boiling process more hands-off. But if you prefer the old-fashioned route of stovetop kettles that can be left on your cooktop or more easily stashed away, there are plenty of options.

What to Consider When Buying Stovetop Tea Kettles

The thing about stovetop kettles is they generally live on top of your stove (and can even be used as serving vessels on your table), so you’ll probably want to choose one that complements your kitchen décor. And much of that will come down to materials, which is the primary factor that sets kettles apart—especially since it affects their functionality, as much as it does their good looks.

Stainless Steel

The primary material used in electric kettles, steel is durable, affordable, low maintenance, and comes to a boil reasonably quickly. It can also hold heat for quite a while. You’ll just want to make sure the vessel contains heat-resistent elements, like cool-touch handles, made of different materials. And keep in mind that steel models are definitely on the less attractive side, so don’t look to them to make a fashion statement in your kitchen.

Enamel

The go-to material for tea kettles, with a shiny finish that can come in many vibrant designs and colors, enamel models are generally equipped with that signature whistle. Which, besides being pleasant (well, at least one would hope—occasionally they’re annoyingly screechy) is a helpful way of knowing when your tea has come to a boil. These kettles can run the gamut in terms of price and durability though, so do your homework. There are many reports of enamel coatings fading, rusting, peeling, or burning.

Cast Iron

Your patience for waiting out a long boil time (without the aid of a whistle) will be rewarded, as nothing retains heat quite like cast iron. And kettles made from this ultra-sturdy material are invariably striking. They tend to be smaller capacity, however (since iron is incredibly heavy), are definitely on the more expensive side, and if not cared for carefully, just like a pan, there’s a long-term danger of rust.

Glass

Super lightweight and budget-friendly, glass tea kettles are easy to maneuver and simple to care for. They can be quite good looking too, especially if they’re equipped with an infuser that allows you to see your tea. That said, since we’re talking glass, they’re considerably less durable than, say, cast iron (which can crack or break over prolonged high heat). And while glass teapots come to a boil quickly (keep an eye on them, since they don’t have whistles), they lose heat just as quickly.

Other Factors To Consider

No matter what primary material they’re made of, make sure your tea kettle includes heat-safe elements like handles, spigots, and knobs. Think about whether you want a whistle, and if so, what type of sound (some come with a modulated whistle, that gets louder as the temperature rises, while others are one-tone).

And pay attention to the spout, which will control the pour. Narrow, gooseneck-type spouts will provide a controlled flow if you plan to use these for pour-over coffee too, while a larger, clumsier spout will invariably lead to splashing.

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