Electric kettles can make our favorite drinks in a matter of seconds, but there’s something to be said about how the best stovetop tea kettles can bring us back to center. The act of turning on the stove and anxiously waiting for the whistling sound once the hot water boils are just a couple tactile experiences worth savoring. It also doesn’t hurt when you actually just want to see them sitting pretty on your countertop.
Our Top Picks for the Best Stovetop Tea Kettles
Stovetop kettles are just as much a part of your kitchen’s design as the cookware or coffee pots you keep out. The good thing is that these are like the perfect middle ground between electric models and teapots since you get a heating element on cooktops and versatile styles to match your aesthetic. Take your pick from cast-iron kettles in splashy colors, brushed stainless steel options with gooseneck spouts, and more that speak to modernism, maximalism, and every style in between.
The Ultra-Modern Pick
Alessi Stainless Steel Kettle by Michael Graves
This stainless steel kettle is iconic in the world of design: The modern piece—adorned with the famous bird whistle—made its mark immediately when architect Michael Graves dropped it on the market in 1985. It’s just as sought-after today for its style and practical sensibilities. It leans into Art Deco aesthetics thanks to its geometric design and subtle jewel tones, and the wide base is designed to heat water fast.
For a Streamlined Aesthetic
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More on the contemporary side of things, this whistling tea kettle gives you a lot to play with for the perfect cup of tea. It has a built-in water temperature gauge to help you keep an eye out for how hot it gets, and it’s compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops for ease of use. The soothing willow green shade is great for a subtle touch of color in the kitchen, but if you want something super streamlined and polished, the stainless steel finish does the trick.
If you were the kid who kept getting yelled at for touching hot things on the stove, you won’t have déjà vu with this tea kettle; it has a heat-resistant, ergonomic handle. But in case your nerves are bad, it comes with a protective sleeve for safe measure too.
Cottagecore Kitchenware
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MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Tea Kettle
New York–based Mackenzie-Childs’ kettle collection is what cottagecore dreams are made of. This kettle’s signature checkered pattern, wooden handle, and bronzed knob take any kitchen from ordinary to enchanted with its presence alone. The whimsical design doesn’t mean it’s not durable, though—its enameled, heavy-duty steel is made to handle countless bouts with boiling water. Available in a two- and three-quart capacity, you can heat plenty of water for a tea party too (up to 12 cups’ worth, to be exact).
The Clean and Cool Design
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Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle
Described by the brand as a “stovetop centerpiece,” this futuristic-like style is a welcome choice for shoppers who want their kitchen to look like something out of Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. There are pretty pastels Caraway is known for in the mix, like Peracotta, should you want a soft color in your space. Bonus: You can use the included pot holder to protect your hands and dining table if you use it like a trivet.
For Old-Fashioned Pours
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Staub Enameled Cast Iron Round Kettle
Even though this cast-iron beauty is made for slow-heating water for tea, it’s also a great choice for making stews and soups that have a long cooking time (you can even use it in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s unlike anything we’ve seen on the tea kettle scene—it almost looks like the elevated version of a pot you’d use over a campfire. The handle keeps the kettle steady for pouring; just be sure to use a pot holder, since it gets hot.
Traditional Favorite
Le Creuset Enamel On Steel Demi Kettle
Le Creuset is a classic when it comes to porcelain enamel kitchenware, so it had to make an appearance in our list. There are over a dozen different enamel colors to choose from, all resistant to fading and chipping. The Demi kettle works just as well for prepping French press coffee as it does for a piping-hot cup of tea. Why, you ask? Its carbon steel body heats quickly and the flip-open spout easily allows a flow of hot water to steep tea sachets or coffee grounds.
Scandi-Inspired
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Chantal Sven Kettle with Wood Handle
The natural wooden handle and neutral color palettes from this structured tea kettle scream Scandi design. Other perks? A handle and lid that stay cool no matter how hot you like your tea water.
An Elegant Gooseneck
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Blue Bottle Coffee Wood-Handled Pouring Kettle
This gooseneck kettle from Aoyoshi is as charming as it gets in this category. The deep curvature along the spout likens it to the elegant swan trend our editors love, and it gets added farmhouse style from the high-quality, natural wood finish on the handle and the knob.
For Precise Pour-Overs
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Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle
We are fans of the modern, fast-heating Fellow Stagg EKG, so much so that it made our guide on the best coffee makers after months of happy testing (one of our writers even keeps one on her desk for making a quick sip in between meetings). Like the brand’s electric tea kettles, this one caught our eye for its aesthetics and ability to make everything from hot chocolate to green tea with a precise pour. It has a built-in thermometer for temperature control too. Beware: This only works on gas stoves (not induction).
