They say a watched pot never boils. So maybe it’s time to stop watching (and waiting), and get an electric kettle that can boil water faster and more conveniently than your standard stovetop setup.

If you’re a coffee drinker or a tea lover, an electric kettle is a great addition to your kitchen counter. Electric kettles bring water to a rolling boil faster than a microwave or conventional tea kettle. And they offer other perks, too: they have automatic shut-off safety controls, which means no more pots or cups boiling over (great for those bleary-eyed, distracted early mornings), and variable temperature controls so you can choose the perfect brewing temperature for your beverage (150-180 degrees F is best for green tea, but 180-212 degrees F works for black tea, for example).

But if you think electric kettles are useful only for coffee, tea, or beverages, think again. Quickly boiling water in an electric kettle can also help with making rice, cooking soups, or even with blanching vegetables. In other words: It’s a handy tool that can quickly become your most valued kitchen companion.

Many electric kettles boil in plastic, which you could probably guess is unsafe. (When plastic is boiled, the chemicals held within it can seep into whatever you're preparing, whether it's a beverage or food.)

Plastic kettles are cheaper, and the options are bountiful (Amazon has a ton of them), but in all honesty, it isn't worth it unless you can find one that's totally BPA-free or made from silicone. We generally recommend going for either a glass or stainless steel electric kettle.

Other factors and buzzwords you'll want to focus in on are built-in indicator lights, removable filters, temperature setting variety, water capacity, and the included interface. It's also good to think about how tall each kettle stands, mostly for storage purposes. Of course, it's also good to know how fast it can bring water to a boil, and how much heat it can withstand.

Time to step up your water-boiling game. Check out some of the best electric kettles you can buy.

If you don’t think you’d ever need—or want—an electric kettle, the Cuisinart PerfectTemp Cordless Electric Kettle(opens in a new tab) might just change your mind with its functionality, accuracy, and ease of use. 

With six preset temperature controls optimized for a variety of teas or beverages, you get a perfectly brewed cup every time, with just a touch of a button. Coffee lover? Check this: the kettle also features a French Press preset to bring out the full flavors of your coffee grinds every time. The kettle, which features a 360-degree swivel power base for cord-free use, quickly brings water to the exact heat (goodbye, over-brewed tea!) in a matter of minutes and even has an option to keep it at temperature for 30 minutes. Hooray, no more waiting for that second cup.

We also love that this electric kettle is so simple to use and packed with useful features you never knew you needed. It’s equipped with a memory feature that allows the kettle to be lifted off base for two minutes without shutting off or losing its place in the brewing process; a backlit water level window to make it easy to see how much water you have; and a stay-cool, non-slip handle for burn-free handling. And of course, for added safety, it has automatic shutoff and boil dry protection.

Cuisinart.com reviewer MeredithonMic writes:

Serious about coffee? Then you probably know a gooseneck, pour-over kettle is the way to go to achieve perfect, manually-brewed, handcrafted coffee. A gooseneck kettle lets you control the pour—exactly how much water comes out of the spout and hits your coffee grounds, where, and for how long. Ever had that jarring, deluge rush from a kettle spout? You won’t have that with a gooseneck kettle like the Fellow Stagg EKG Pour-Over Kettle(opens in a new tab) .

With its modern, matte black design, this kettle will be your standout piece of kitchenware. But it’s more than just eye candy. The Fellow Stagg EKG’s barista-level functionality matches its gorgeous form. 1200 watts provide fast heat-up and variable temperature controls let you set your desired temperature to the degree. A “hold” option maintains that temperature for 60 minutes. And speaking of temperatures, you can set it in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. No need for that calculator.

And let’s talk about its spout, which is designed for the optimal pour-over flow rate. The fluted tip gives the Stagg EKG a to-the-drop precision, with no drip back. The counterbalanced handle also makes for a more comfortable, slower pour. 

Amazon reviewers are enjoying brewing like a pro with the Fellow Stagg EKG. Customer Betty C.(opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) writes:

Looking to upgrade to an electric kettle, but don’t want all the bells and whistles that come with a high-end product (not to mention the hefty price tag)? The Black+Decker Rapid Boil Electric Kettle(opens in a new tab) is the machine for you.

This electric kettle features everything you need for quickly, conveniently, and safely boiling your water. There are no fancy features like preset temperature controls or a “Keep Warm” option. But it’s OK, because this kettle still boasts useful features such as small-batch boiling (for 1-3 cups), a clear-view, water-level window, and boil dry protection, which turns off the kettle when water comes to a boil or when there's no water remaining in the kettle.

And of course, it also heats water really, really fast. It’s really all you need for great oatmeal, tea, hot cocoa, French press coffee, and other drinks.

Amazon reviewer Kathy Parsons(opens in a new tab) writes:

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Whicheverr you choose, we know you’ll see what’s going on with your water with the super-sleek, see-through OXO On Cordless Glass Electric Kettle(opens in a new tab) . It’s made with durable, borosilicate glass that provides thermal shock protection and a pure, clean taste. But we’ll admit it: we also love this kettle because it just looks so pretty on the kitchen counter.

Aside from the design, we love this electric kettle for its reliable, fast boiling capabilities, and convenient features. It boasts an illuminated LED power switch automatically turns off when water reaches a rolling boil, and a perforated stainless steel filter that strains water while you pour. 

And because it’s cordless, it’s super easy to take it from table top to out on the patio. The bottom is insulated for easy and safe transport. 

Amazon reviewer Sarah Kioko(opens in a new tab) writes:

When you can’t start (or end) the day without a piping hot cup of coffee, tea, or instant ramen noodles, even when you’re away from home, a travel electric kettle is the answer. 

The Gourmia Travel Foldable Electric Kettle(opens in a new tab) boasts a lightweight, collapsible design, made of food-grade silicone. It’s completely foldable so you can fit it into your suitcase or backpack (or store it away in your office desk). It also features dual voltage so you can heat water wherever your travels take you.

But it’s packed with other convenient and safety features. It has boil dry and overheat protection, 

automatically shutting your electric tea kettle off if it senses that there is no more water left, an an automatic open lid, and an integrated spout filter to ensure you only pour pure water.

Amazon reviewer Andrew J. Rozsa(opens in a new tab) writes:

Admit it: there’s just something about a retro-style tea kettle. And the SMEG Electric Kettle(opens in a new tab) does scream “retro,” while packing in a lot of the modern features you want in one little kitchen appliance. 

This stylish wonder features a stainless steel spout, soft-opening lid, ergonomic chrome handle, and a stainless steel ball lever. The stainless steel, powder-coated body hides a removable limescale filter that keeps your water pure and clean, so your coffee or tea tastes like it should every time you pour a cup.

Safety features? You got ‘em. This electric kettle has an automatic shutoff at 212 degrees F, and an automatic shutoff when water is not detected. Anti-slip feet keep it in place, while the built-in cord wrap makes it easy to store away or keep on your kitchen counter. 

An Amazon customer(opens in a new tab) writes:

If you have a big family, have guests coming over, or just drink lots and lots of coffee, you might find yourself spending a considerable amount of time heating water. Don’t fret, the giant Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler and Warmer(opens in a new tab) is here to help.

With a capacity of four liters, you can heat up to 16 cups of water and keep the coffee or tea flowing for a long, long time with one touch of a button. This powerhouse of an electric kettle has heating water down to a science with a micro computerized temperature control system. It features four preset “keep warm” temperature settings: 160 degrees F (for delicate teas), 175 degrees F (for green teas, white tea and matcha), 195 degrees F (for oolong tea), and 208 degrees F (for black tea, herbal tea, coffee or instant noodles). How convenient is that?

Its automatic shutoff safety function also goes above and beyond. This kettle’s heater automatically shuts off when the boiler is plugged in without filling the inner container with water; when the water level is lower than the refill line and when boiling has been attempted; when the unit is empty or the upper lid is left open; and when hot water is poured in immediately after unit was plugged in.

And the features don’t stop there. The kettle has asy-to-clean nonstick interior, a wide-window water level gauge, and a café drip dispensing mode for slower dispensing.

Amazon reviewer tribalogical(opens in a new tab) writes:

If the opportunity for choice is at the top of your list for what you want in your kitchen appliances, Breville's(opens in a new tab) electric kettle brings plenty of that to the table.

The kettle's interface is the strongest selling point here — it has six separate buttons (plus on/off button), each one dedicated to a unique temperature setting. It even lists specific drinks on each button choice, including green and white tea, oolong tea, french press coffee, plus black and herbal tea. In addition to that, there's even a "keep warm" option for when you're not using all of your water at once. These temperature levels are said to provide each beverage with its optimal taste and quality every time.

Other highlights include its extremely fast boiling time, a soft opening lid that protects against splashing, and an auto-shutoff function (like most electric kettles do — and should). 

One Amazon reviewer only had a few small gripes with the Breville kettle, but ultimately like it: