Best Electric Kettle (2026): 4 Low-Plastic Picks
Last updated: November 9, 2026
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An electric kettle boils water faster than a stovetop pot and turns itself off when done. For tea, coffee, oatmeal and instant meals, it is one of the most-used appliances in many kitchens. Since you are heating water to boiling every day, many people want a kettle where the water touches stainless steel or glass rather than plastic. The best electric kettle is fast, safe, easy to pour, and keeps plastic contact with hot water to a minimum.
We compared the most popular electric kettles on interior materials, temperature control, boil speed, safety features, pour control and price. Here are our picks for 2026.
Our top picks
| Electric kettle | Interior | Score | Buy link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fellow Stagg EKGBest overall | Stainless steel | 9 | Check price |
| Cuisinart PerfecTemp CPK-17P1Best all-around | Stainless steel | 8.7 | Check price |
| Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel 1.7L Kettle (40880G)Best budget stainless | Stainless steel | 8.4 | Check price |
| COSORI Original Digital Glass Kettle (CO117)Best glass kettle | Glass with stainless base | 8.2 | Check price |
The best electric kettles, reviewed
Fellow Stagg EKG
- Capacity0.9 liters (30 oz)
- InteriorStainless steel
- TemperatureVariable temperature with adjustable hold (up to 60 minutes)
- SpoutGooseneck for controlled pouring
- Warranty2 years
The Fellow Stagg EKG is the kettle we would buy for coffee and tea lovers. You set the exact temperature, and the hold mode keeps it there for up to an hour.
The gooseneck spout pours slowly and accurately, which is what pour-over coffee needs. Fellow backs it with a two-year warranty.
It is expensive and holds only 0.9 liters, so it is not ideal for filling big pots.
What we like
- Stainless steel interior
- Precise temperature control and hold
- Excellent pour control
- Beautiful design
Watch out for
- Expensive
- Smaller capacity
- Slower pour for large amounts
Best for: Pour-over coffee and specialty tea.
Skip it if: You need to boil large amounts quickly.
Check price on Amazon Price range: $179.95 (sale; list $229.95)
Cuisinart PerfecTemp CPK-17P1
- Capacity1.7 liters
- Power1,500 watts
- TemperatureSix presets, including French press; keeps warm for 30 minutes
- SpoutStandard spout
- Warranty3-year limited
The Cuisinart PerfecTemp gives you a full 1.7-liter capacity and six preset temperatures for different teas, plus a French press setting for coffee.
Its 1,500-watt element heats quickly, and it keeps water at temperature for 30 minutes. Cuisinart covers it with a three-year limited warranty.
The water window and lid have some plastic, and it is not a gooseneck, so it is less precise for pour-over.
What we like
- Large 1.7 L capacity
- Six temperature presets
- Keeps warm for 30 minutes
- 3-year limited warranty
Watch out for
- Some plastic in the window and lid
- Not a gooseneck
- Bulky
Best for: Families and everyday tea drinkers.
Skip it if: You want precise gooseneck pouring.
Check price on Amazon Price range: See retailers
Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel 1.7L Kettle (40880G)
- Capacity1.7 liters
- Power1,500 watts
- TemperatureBoil only
- Heating elementConcealed
- SafetyAuto shutoff with boil-dry protection
Hamilton Beach's basic stainless kettle is an inexpensive way to boil water fast. It holds 1.7 liters and uses a concealed 1,500-watt element.
It shuts off automatically and has boil-dry protection. There are no temperature settings, and the water window is plastic.
The outside gets hot, so always lift it by the handle.
What we like
- Low price
- Stainless interior
- Fast boiling
- Simple to use
Watch out for
- No temperature control
- Outside gets hot
- Plastic water window
Best for: Everyday boiling on a budget.
Skip it if: You brew delicate teas.
Check price on Amazon Price range: $34.99
COSORI Original Digital Glass Kettle (CO117)
- CapacityAbout 1.7 liters
- InteriorGlass body with stainless steel base
- Temperature6 temperature presets
- SpeedBoils in about 3 to 7 minutes, according to COSORI
- SafetyAuto shut-off
Glass kettles let you see the water and make limescale easy to spot. COSORI's Original Digital Glass Kettle adds six temperature presets, so it works for tea as well as boiling.
It shuts off on its own when the water is ready, and COSORI says it boils in about 3 to 7 minutes.
The lid and parts include some plastic, and glass needs more frequent descaling to look clean.
What we like
- Glass body shows the water
- Easy to spot limescale
- Affordable
- Fast boil
Watch out for
- Some plastic in lid and filter
- Needs frequent descaling to look clean
- Glass can break
Best for: People who like to see the water.
Skip it if: You want the least plastic possible.
Check price on Amazon Price range: $53.99
Side-by-side comparison
| Fellow Stagg EKG | Cuisinart PerfecTemp CPK-17P1 | Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel 1.7L Kettle (40880G) | COSORI Original Digital Glass Kettle (CO117) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best all-around | Best budget stainless | Best glass kettle |
| Capacity | 0.9 L | 1.7 L | 1.7 L | 1.7 L |
| Temperature control | Variable + hold | 6 presets | No | 6 presets |
| Gooseneck | Yes | No | No | No |
| Main interior | Steel | Steel | Steel | Glass |
| Price | $179.95 (sale; list $229.95) | See retailers | $34.99 | $53.99 |
| Our score | 9 | 8.7 | 8.4 | 8.2 |
How to choose an electric kettle
1. Pick a low-plastic interior
Choose stainless steel or glass where the water sits. Check the lid, filter and water window too, since they often contain plastic.
2. Decide if you need temperature control
Green and white teas and pour-over coffee taste better below boiling. Variable temperature kettles let you choose.
3. Choose the right spout
Gooseneck spouts pour slowly and precisely for coffee. Standard spouts pour faster for cooking.
4. Check safety features
Auto shut-off and boil-dry protection are essential. A cool-touch exterior is a plus around kids.
5. Size it for your household
About 1 liter suits one or two people; 1.7 liters suits families and cooking.
Kettle care and descaling
Hard water leaves white mineral scale inside kettles. It is not harmful, but it slows heating and can flake into drinks. To keep your kettle clean:
- Empty the kettle after use instead of leaving water to sit.
- Descale monthly, or more often with hard water, by boiling a mix of water and white vinegar or citric acid, then rinsing well.
- Clean the filter in the spout.
- Use filtered water if you have very hard water.
Frequently asked questions
Are electric kettles safe?
Yes. Modern kettles have auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. Keep the cord out of children’s reach and place the kettle away from the counter edge.
Is it better to use a stainless steel or glass kettle?
Both avoid plastic contact with most of the water. Stainless steel is more durable; glass lets you see the water and scale.
Do electric kettles use a lot of electricity?
They use a lot of power for a short time, but they are often more efficient than heating water on a stove. Only boil the water you need.
Are plastic electric kettles bad?
Many people prefer to avoid heating water in plastic. The AAP suggests limiting heat exposure of plastics to food and drinks. Stainless and glass kettles minimize contact.
How often should I descale my kettle?
About once a month, or more often in hard water areas.
Can I boil milk or soup in an electric kettle?
No. Electric kettles are designed for water only; other liquids can burn, foam over and damage the kettle.
The bottom line
For coffee and tea lovers, the Fellow Stagg EKG is the best electric kettle, with precise temperature control and pouring. Choose the Cuisinart PerfecTemp for a large all-around kettle, the Hamilton Beach Stainless on a budget, or the COSORI Glass if you prefer glass.
More for a healthier kitchen: see the best stainless steel water bottle, the best cast iron skillet, or browse all Healthy Kitchen guides.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics: are food additives safe for kids?
- NIEHS: bisphenol A (BPA)
- Fellow: Stagg EKG
- Hamilton Beach: 40880G kettle
- COSORI: Original Digital Glass Kettle
Featured photo: ‘Steel tea kettle’ by rawpixel, CC0 public domain.
