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Nearly every day for the past several months, I’ve been boiling water on the stove using a poor excuse for a tea kettle. Its steam whistle gave out earlier this year (2020, right?), which means it gets dangerously hot without even a weak little sigh, then exhales its steam all up in the cabinetry’s business, creating an annoying drippy humidity zone. My old kettle’s underside is scalded with grease spots and its cheap handle gets incredibly hot, requiring a pot holder for pouring. (I’m really selling this thing, aren’t I?) The worst part is that it’s not even cute anymore. It’s white, and it’s old…which means it’s no longer “white.” It’s been degraded to this…thing in the kitchen that works well enough to avoid the bin, albeit a thing I still resent on a daily basis.
When I mentioned to my husband that I was going to start shopping for a new kettle, his only requirement was that it whistle. He didn’t even care whether we stuck with a stovetop version or went with an electric. This is how bad our present situation is: Anything would be an improvement. And I doubt my husband and I are alone here. We’re all using our kettles more than ever right now, so I’ll go ahead and say it: We deserve more than a piece of tin that boils water without notice. We deserve something that looks good while doing its job. Below, you’ll find all the kettles we’re coveting right now.
Electric Kettles
Legendary Danish design, powder-coated steel, and a wooden handle—electric kettles don’t get much more beautiful than this. (It comes in a handful of other colors, too, though they’re harder to come by.) Heat-insulated in a double-walled jug, it’s safe for setting on countertops post-boil.
Haden’s been making kettles for a quarter-century, yet designs like this one—from London-based Poodle & Blonde—feel as fresh as ever. We like the signature retro-looking temperature gauge and the cheeriness that its design brings to the boiled-water ritual.
This is the only kettle on our list that’s designed by an architect, and it shows in the best way. Designed by Michele De Lucchi for Alessi, the Plissé is made of thermoplastic resin, and the base is thermally insulated, making it safe for setting directly on surfaces even when it’s boiling hot.
Smeg’s throwback electric kettle design is incredibly popular. Unlike sleek, minimalist modern electric kettles, this one sits squat and friendly. If the chrome and retro colors seem too predictable, check out the Dolce & Gabbana edition.
This German-designed beauty is the definition of minimalist cool. You’d never guess it has so many features (all discreetly tucked into the base via LED-lit controls), including six temperature settings and a “keep warm” function.
Stovetop Kettles
This classic silhouette caters to pour-over coffee enthusiasts, but it would be just as welcome for a cup of tea or a hot toddy. Made of lightweight carbon steel finished in Le Creuset’s signature porcelain enamel, it’s a good looking classic.
Tealyra
There’s something elegant yet still cozy about a transparent tea kettle, and Tealyra’s take is deceptively sturdy. Made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass, it’s safe to sit directly on your stovetop for boiling, then do double duty for steeping.
This isn’t the first time we’ve fallen for one of Fellow’s elegantly simple tea kettles—the silhouette is just so good. A steep-range thermometer is thoughtfully built into the lid, and the handle is weighted for comfortable pouring. It comes in three finishes, including a super sexy matte black.
The only problem we have with Noda Horo’s Pottle is deciding on a color. The Japanese designer has been making quality enamelware since the 1930s, marrying durability and beauty to create timeless staples like this one. It also makes a simply beautiful enamel kettle with a half-liter more volume.
