If you are ready to search for a model on your own, then go to the general catalog, where you can use a convenient selection by parameters. Let us remind you that owners of gas stoves may be interested in classic metal kettles, which are independent of electrics.

Types of modern electric kettles

Today, users can use quite a variety of electrical appliances to obtain boiling water. The most common ones include the following:

  • ordinary electric kettles. Classic devices with a rotating base and a container with a heating element inside. A characteristic feature of most of these models is their solid power (closer to 2000 W) and the presence of a traditional spout;
  • thermopots. Thermopots, unlike regular electric kettles, are designed not just to heat liquid but to keep it at a high temperature. They employ alternative water supply methods such as pumps, separate buttons, or cup-pressed levers. Thermopots are typically larger for office or family use, but they have a more moderate power, resulting in slower heating;
Thermopots are like a two-in-one kettle and thermos.
  • electric teapots. Such devices cater to tea enthusiasts and typically come with a brewing accessory like a strainer. Many offer various features, such as temperature settings tailored to specific tea types. Most brewing models have transparent walls for visual monitoring during the tea-making process.
Teapots

  • hot water dispensers. These are devices with a flow-through thermal block, thanks to which not all the liquid in the container is heated, but only that which is supplied. Often dispensers can set both the volume and temperature of water at the outlet, but their cost is higher than their analogues;
  • coffee kettles. These are specialized models for coffee lovers. As a rule, these devices are distinguished by an S-shaped spout and often allow flexible adjustment of the water heating temperature;
  • smart electric kettles. The main difference from conventional ones is the built-in wireless communication module for control from a smartphone. Here you can boil water without getting out of bed (sometimes even using voice commands), but you still have to pour the liquid and pour boiling water into cups yourself.

Also, as a rule, brewing sets are classified into a separate group. Usually we are talking about a set of electrical appliances and teapots, which adds flexibility and ease of use.

Which type should you choose? It all depends on your goals and preferences. For example, big tea fans should consider brewing models, and coffee drinkers — analogues for coffee preparation. If you often need hot water, and you do not want to constantly repeat brewing cycles, it is advisable to look at thermopots or dispensers. But in any case, the most universal choice is an ordinary electric kettle, which, if desired, can be supplemented with various utensils (teapots for the same tea/coffee) or thermoses.

Body materials of modern kettles

Not only its appearance, but also many operational properties, as well as the price tag, depend on what the electric kettle is made of. Therefore, the material of the flask is one of the determining criteria for selection. What is used for modern models:

The most popular kettle flask materials include plastic, metal and glass.

  • plastic. This material is generally cheaper than its analogues. Plastic provides a high variability in terms of colors, design and even shapes. When working, the external surfaces do not heat up as much as, for example, metal or glass. At the same time, the disadvantages of plastic models include a characteristic odor, and in the most budget models — even the taste felt in the water and does not disappear over time. In addition, plastic has a higher tendency to lose its good appearance;
Plastic kettles

  • metal. These electric kettles are the most durable and wear-resistant. They look stylish and retain their original appearance well. The ambiguous points include inertness. For example, stainless steel is not usually used for brewing models. The main disadvantage of metal bodies is high thermal conductivity: the body gets very hot (there is a risk of burns), and the liquid inside cools down quickly;
Electric metal kettles

  • glass. It is a transparent material, so the boiling (and/or brewing) process is easy to control, as is the amount of contents. Another benefit is 100% neutrality to odors and tastes, so glass models are the best choice for teapots. But such models cannot be made entirely of glass, so the simplest and very affordable versions have plastic components on top and bottom (with their typical nuances), and more advanced ones have metal components. The main disadvantage of all glass devices is fragility and less strength than their analogues;
Glass electric kettles

  • ceramics. This material is environmentally friendly and does not affect the contents; it looks stylish, especially if the case is also complemented with patterns or designs. Another plus is long-term heat retention. Ceramic kettles are quite heavy and sensitive to shock, and do not have water level indicator scales, which is not entirely practical. The assortment is not very large, and many models do not look very modern.
Ceramic electric kettles

For a more convenient comparison of materials, we have summarized their key features in a table:

Comparison options Plastic Metal Glass Ceramics
Range wide wide average relatively small
Main advantages accessibility, design variability durability, solid appearance transparent body, inertia inertia, keeps warm better
Main disadvantages Characteristic smell in the cheapest models Doesn't keep heat well Fragility Fragility, lack of filling indicators
Example of a popular model Braun MultiQuick 3 WK 300 Bosch TWK 3P420 Philips Series 5000 HD9339 Maestro MR-071

Manufacturers often address material drawbacks by employing double walls, like metal inside and plastic outside, minimizing the risk of burns and enhancing thermal insulation. Double-walled models, irrespective of materials, generally exhibit reduced heat loss.

Double walls increase thermal insulation and mechanical strength.

Volume and power of kettles

One of the determining factors in choosing an electric kettle is its volume. The needs for boiling water (hot water) may be different, but most often there is a direct correlation with the number of family members:

  • For one person, the minimum volume may be enough — up to a liter or even 500 ml;
  • 1.5 L kettles are most often recommended for couples;
  • families with children — from 1.7 to 2+ L;
  • When you go to the office, you should take either a regular large-volume kettle (2.5 L) or a thermopot/dispenser.

When selecting the volume, consider individual preferences. A bachelor who enjoys large quantities of tea may prefer a more spacious kettle, while a couple who frequents a nearby coffee shop may opt for a smaller one. For those not needing much boiling water, it's advisable to check the device's minimum heating capacity in advance, either through the indicated scale or instructions. Choosing a larger model and not filling it entirely is always an option.

Consider the kettle's power indicators alongside its volume, as boiling speed is directly influenced by this factor. For those seeking faster boiling, a higher capacity calls for more Watts in the heater. However, electrical wiring condition matters; if not optimal, stick to 1500 W or 2000 W. In ideal electrical conditions, a power range of 2 to 2.5 kW is suitable for various volumes, boiling in approximately 7 minutes or less.

Some manufacturers, like Braun, specify boiling time, for instance, heating 200 ml to 100 degrees, while Xiaomi focuses on the entire container. Although power is not as crucial in such cases, it's important to note that test conditions, including initial liquid temperature and ambient air, may introduce some variability in actual usage. However, the consistent fact is the direct correlation between power and heating speed.

Double-walled electric kettles

Kettle ergonomics or what influences ease of use

An electric kettle should ideally not only boil water quickly, but also be easy to use. For this purpose, almost all current models are equipped with a hidden (closed) heating element, which does not come into contact with the liquid and lasts longer. Also today should not be considered for the advantage of a swivel base with non-slip legs and the ability to remove the power cord, because it will be more difficult to find a model without these bonuses. More on the ergonomics of kettles directly affect the following points:

  • presence of a convenient water level indicator. It is not needed only in transparent kettles, where you can see the contents. But even there there is a scale that helps to fill the required volume — in milliliters or cups (although it will be necessary to figure out how much this conditional cup can contain). As noted above, indication is absent in ceramic models, that is, there you have to open the lid to understand how much liquid is inside. Sometimes there are no special windows even in metal kettles or devices with double walls. But, for example, in Tefal Delfini KO150F30 there are hints are available even inside the flask. In addition, it should be taken into account that the usual scale is often made under the handle, is semi-transparent, because of which it may not be very clear;
Fill indicators come in different forms, such as steps inside the flask.
  • practical lid. Most often this part is made folding. From the point of view of safety (protection from burns) and convenience, it is better when it opens with a separate button, which in turn is located at the top of the handle. To make the kettle easy to clean from the inside, you should also consider the width of the neck and/or consider purchasing a model with a removable lid. True, it is important not to damage it (for example, falls can break the tightness of the closure) and not to lose it (for example, when moving);
  • scale filter. It is also a very useful addition which is fixed in the spout. It does not protect from scale inside the flask, but hardness salts will not get into the cup. Filters are removable or built-in, can be made of nylon or metal. If the accessory is removable, it is easier to clean and easy to replace with a new one. At the same time, say, a metal filter is usually more durable and does not require replacement, but may be more difficult to maintain;
  • type of handle. In modern electric kettles it can be solid (closed) or with a free lower edge (open). These design features directly influence the design. In theory, a closed handle is more reliable, because it has two attachment points to the body, but in practice there are no problems with them. In terms of convenience, there is almost no difference — it all depends on habit. The risk of getting burned by accidentally touching the body with your fingers will be lower where the handle is further away from the flask, and technically this is easier to implement specifically for open options ;
  • backlight. It can be internal (for transparent models) or external (for all others). First of all, it influences the design, but at the same time it also has a practical role — it acts as an indicator of work or allows you to get to the kitchen table in the evening without turning on the main lighting.
Most of all, lighting _suits_ glass kettles.

Note that for thermopots and dispensers, other factors also affect ergonomics, including the presence of a drip tray and/or water supply blocker.

Thermoregulation and heat maintenance functions

If the task of a conventional electric kettle is to boil water, then advanced models are able to bring water to a different temperature and/or maintain it for some time. Often both of these functions are implemented together, but the price tag of such a device “grows up”.

Keep-warm models allow you to save energy, because in Keep Warm mode the heater operates at lower power, and the user does not have to re-boil the water.

In order to dispense liquid with a temperature of exactly 90 or, for example, 60 °C, the devices are equipped with a thermostat and special controls (we’ll talk about this below). In this case, the heating and shutdown process will be controlled automatically. In manual mode, models with a thermometer can achieve almost similar results (although they often also have a thermostat).

Kettles with thermostat

In individual kettles there is a stepless adjustment in increments of 5 ° C, and sometimes even one degree. But more often only the most common values are offered besides boiling water, namely:

  • 40 °C — for dry mixtures and various baby foods;
  • 70 °C — the optimal temperature for brewing some types of oolong and yellow tea;
  • 80 °C — for green tea and medium-fermented oolongs;
  • 90 °C — for classic black tea.

Accordingly, kettles with thermoregulation are good helpers for young families and fans of tea ceremonies.

Controller, controls and other criteria for choosing an electric kettle

Kettles, while not overly complex, incorporate electronics for control. The crucial component, the controller, manages tasks like shutting down when boiling, preventing overheating, and safeguarding against operation without liquid. Safety and reliability hinge on this part. Notably, controllers from British brands Strix and Otter are highly regarded in these aspects. However, manufacturers may not always disclose controller details; occasionally, references to the controller can be found on the base or at the flask's base where the contact group connector is located.

Controls can also be a significant factor when choosing a kettle. Although this aspect is a priority only for models with a thermostat. A simpler (and often reliable) solution here is additional buttons with a specific temperature and the Keep Warm function, and the most informative one is also a display for easy settings and tracking values in real time. In this case, controls can be placed on the base, handle or body.

Previously, displays were on a rotating base, but now they are even found on the body.

In matters of design, it makes no sense to advise buyers on anything, because this choice is a matter of personal preferences and the characteristics of the kitchen interior. Although it is still worth mentioning a separate group of retro models, of which there are many on sale today. Typical signs of vintage design include the following:

  • elongated spout;
  • an arched handle on top, like classic kettles for a gas stove;
  • presence of a mechanical thermometer;
  • ceramic body.
Retro electric kettles

In conclusion, it's worth noting that when buying an electric kettle, you should definitely focus on its manufacturer as well. The brand name is an indicator of overall quality and reliability. Some of the most reputable brands today include Tefal, Bosch, Braun and Philips (and among thermopots — Panasonic). Next come the models of Gorenje, Xiaomi, and in the budget category — the brand Maestro. Those who appreciate creative options should also take a closer look at Smeg and Delonghi models, but here you will have to pay extra for an unusual appearance.