Ceramic is as timeless as tea. Derived from the Greek word meaning “pottery,” few materials have its diversity, intrigue, and charm.
Central to tea culture around the world, ceramic teapots vary from humble earthenware vessels to modern fine china — each with unique functional and aesthetic properties.
In this buying guide, we’ll explore the many features of ceramic teapots and review top styles from traditional to sophisticated.
Whether you’re searching for a new brewing experience or exploring ceramic teapots for the first time, we’ve found the best ones for you.
Our recommendations for Best Ceramic Teapot:
- Large and Functional: Tealyra Daze Ceramic Teapot
- Modern and Stylish: Art of Tea Kinto Porcelain Teapot
- Authentic Chinese Collection: Teavivre Handmade Teapots
- Beautiful Porcelain Teapot: Brew to a Tea Floral Teapot
- Classic and Elegant: Jomop European-Style Ceramic Teapot
- Stylish Japanese Set: Dujust Japanese Porcelain Tea Set
- Simple and Modern Japanese Set: ZENS Ceramic Teapot Set
- Decorative Hand-Painted Teapot: D’oramie Elephant Tea Pot
- Best Electric Ceramic Teapot: Bella Electric Ceramic Tea Kettle
Buying Guide for Best Ceramic Teapot
Before you rush into buying a ceramic teapot, there are a few important things to consider. After all, you are going to use it for many years to come!
Design
Teapots are a reflection of you, so consider the color, shape, and lines. Have fun with it but choose a model that’s as functional as is it attractive.
Ceramic is usually lightweight making pouring easier. But the shape of the spout and the handle affect the pour.
Look for a well-balanced pot with a spout level to the lid with a slight lip that eases tea into your cup without spilling.
Above are examples of three different types of ceramic teapots:
- Simple (left): Functional and simple teapot that fits a modern and minimalistic decor.
- Floral Porcelain (center): Decorative porcelain teapot for elegant taste.
- Yixing (right): Traditional Chinese handmade clay teapot.
Also, consider if you want to buy just the teapot or a set that comes with matching tea cups.
Size
The size of teapot you need depends on how many people you typically serve and the volume of your favorite cups. It’s worth measuring them so that you’re not disappointed when a 4 cup teapot fills only two large mugs.
Select one large enough to serve yourself and your family plus frequent guests. If you rarely entertain, consider buying a small teapot for daily use and a larger version for those rare get-togethers.
Material and Durability
Described as an inorganic, non-metallic oxide, nitride, or carbide material, the term “ceramics” is difficult to define.
The raw material is typically clay, but added ingredients, glazes, and differences in firing techniques result in a range of distinct products with similar core features. They’re not, however, created equal.
The density of the clay, the type of glaze, and the intensity of the firing process all play a role in quality, but so do craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Among similar teapots, for example, thicker material is generally more durable. Yet it’s more prone to cracking than thin porcelain because porcelain is fired at higher temperatures — resist comparing apples to oranges.
Unglazed pots are porous and absorb flavors, so they’re better suited for a single type of tea. If you drink a variety of strong herbal or fruit-flavored teas, glazed teapots don’t absorb tastes or odors.
Infusers
The large ceramic teapots popular in the West are made for bagged tea or floating infusers. Some have strainers built into the spout but don’t depend on the large holes to keep tea leaves confined.
Eastern-style ceramic teapots brew smaller quantities of tea using large amounts of loose-leaf, so many come with fine mesh, stainless steel infusers. The best quality models are made of premium-grade 304 stainless for rust- and corrosion -resistance.
Maintenance
Glazed ceramic teapots are easy to clean — a quick wash with warm soapy water is all it takes to keep them in top condition. Some are even dishwasher-safe.
But unglazed pots are more porous. Like cast iron, they develop a seasoning over time — washing them with harsh detergent ruins the patina and flavor. They should be rinsed and air-dried daily.
Best Ceramic Teapots Reviewed
Whether you are looking for the ultimate functionality or a traditional handmade teapot, we have picked nine great options to be reviewed below.
Large and Functional: Tealyra Daze Ceramic Teapot with Infuser
Brew for a crew with Tealyra’s jumbo ceramic teapot. It features generous capacity and diner-like functionality you need to keep a busy kitchen humming.
Available in six designer colors, it looks more like a carafe than a teapot and is designed for ultimate functionality.
Specifications:
- Volume: 47 oz / 1400 ml (also availabe in smaller size)
- Material: Ceramic
- Infuser / Filter Type: Stainless steel mesh infuser
The body is ceramic with a stay-cool D-shaped handle and a hinged, stainless steel lid rimmed with a fitted silicone gasket. Thick-walled, the heat retention is unparalleled.
The Daze is equipped with a fine mesh infuser basket for your favorite loose leaf. Long, it reaches to the bottom of the pot, so a single cup is as flavorful as a full batch. The entire ensemble is dishwasher safe for quick cleaning.
Study but not heavy, the 47-ounce size is ideal for families and offers the extra capacity needed to serve guests. For a single person or office use, consider Tealyra’s similar 18.2-ounce version.
Pros
- Convenient and functional design
- Very large capacity
- Well-designed infuser
- Sturdy handle that stays cool to touch
- Excellent heat retention
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- None
Modern and Stylish: Art of Tea Kinto Porcelain Leaves-to-Tea Teapot with Infuser
Form meets function in this sophisticated porcelain teapot. Well-appointed with an industrial edge, its sleek lines are a perfect fit for the modern kitchen.
Specifications:
- Volume: 20.4 oz / 600 ml
- Material: Porcelain
- Infuser / Filter Type: Stainless steel mesh infuser
Available in black and white with a steel handle for contrast, the glossy finish is tempered by a subtle texture that gives the pot depth without color. Dishwasher- but not microwave-safe, it holds 20-ounces.
Equipped with a drop-in mesh infuser, the wide basket allows leaves to expand for full flavor. Made of 18/8 stainless steel, it’s the same grade used in better kitchen utensils. A recessed porcelain topper serves as the lid and fits like a glove for heat retention as good as a thermal carafe.
Grab this best-seller as soon as it’s in stock. A customer favorite, they don’t collect dust on the shelves!
Pros
- Beautiful modern design
- Excellent overall quality
- Has a convenient stainless steel strainer
- Good heat retention
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- None
Authentic Chinese Collection: Teavivre Handmade Teapots
Make Teavivre your source for authentic clay, ceramic, and porcelain teapots. The type and features vary, but the quality is consistently superior.
Handcrafted in China by the country’s best makers, each is a one-of-a-kind piece made with traditional clays and age-old firing techniques.
Below are examples of their beautiful handmade Qinzhou Nixing pottery teapot and Ru Yao Porcelain Teapot.
Tevivre also has complete ceramic tea sets with matching pots and cups.
Options begin with Jianshui teapots. Known for their high iron content, they’re resonant like wind chimes. For the ceremonial tea lover, Ru Yao porcelain contains a touch of agate in the glaze that gives it a dusky jade color.
Or choose a fine Nixingor or Yixing clay teapot. Mineral-rich, the unglazed finish becomes smoother and deepens in color as it ages, developing a lustrous patina and nuanced flavor that enhances your daily brew.
Prices are modest given the quality of these pots — you could pay hundreds for similar vintage models. A departure from the usual offerings, any one of these authentic Chinese teapots makes a precious gift for the tea lover who has everything.
In addition to teapots, you can find a large selection of Chinese teas, tea cups, filters, trays, and other accessories from the Teavivre online store.
Beautiful Porcelain Teapot: Brew to a Tea 38-ounce Porcelain Teapot
Brew to a Tea’s 38-ounce porcelain teapot is fit for royalty. Decorated with exquisite pink roses and trimmed in 10-carat gold, it adds a touch of romance to any room.
Specifications:
- Volume: 38 oz / 1120 ml
- Material: Porcelain
- Infuser / Filter Type: None
Made from the finest lead-free porcelain, the pot looks delicate, but it’s remarkably durable and thermal-shock resistant — you can add boiling water without risking cracks. Fully glazed, it’s dishwasher safe.
Typical of the style, it lacks an infuser or strainer, but the pot and lid opening are large enough for an infuser basket, floating ball infuser, or half a few tea bags. Well-balanced, the pour is silky smooth.
Brew to a Tea offers matching 8-ounce cups, sold separately. Add a complementary sugar bowl and creamer to create an affordable, palace-worthy set.
Pros
- Elegant floral patter with gold trim
- Nice and smooth pour
- Made with high quality lead-free porcelain
- Dishwasher safe
- Comes in a beautiful gift box
Cons
- No built-in infuser or filter
Classic and Elegant: Jomop European-Style Ceramic Flower Teapot
If you like vintage teaware but not the price tag, you’ll love this hand-painted porcelain teapot. Designed in the Sadler tradition, the blue floral pattern pops against a bright white body with gold-colored trim.
Specifications:
- Volume: 41 oz / 1210 ml
- Material: Ceramic
- Infuser / Filter Type: Filter holes
Solid but not heavy, the 41-ounce capacity fills seven standard cups or five generous mugs. The handle is ornate but feels good in your hand.
The pour is superb, but you’ll have to hold the lid for the last cup — it’s not a tight fit. Glazed, this pot is dishwasher-safe but the maker recommends hand-washing to preserve the finish.
Overall, the combination of style, durability, and price make this pot an excellent value.
Pros
- Stylish and functional
- Large capacity
- Nice pour with no spills
- Solid and durable built
Cons
- The lid might fall when pouring the last cup
Practical Everyday Teapot: Sweese Porcelain Teapot
Simplicity doesn’t have to be boring. Enter Sweese, a premium manufacturer of fine ceramic products, including this colorful 40-ounce teapot.
Sturdier than stoneware, it’s crack- and chip-resistant. Mid-weight and mid-sized, its five-cup capacity is a good fit for most families.
Specifications:
- Volume: 40 oz / 1180 ml
- Material: Ceramic
- Infuser / Filter Type: None
There’s a lot to like about this pot from its simple curves and stay-cool handle to the lip catch that keeps the lid in place. Yet despite the otherwise functional design, the teapot doesn’t have any kind of built-in infuser.
Still, for the rock-bottom price, we say give it a try — dishwasher- and microwave-safe, it’s a handy everyday pot.
Pros
- Nice pour and ergonomic handle
- Available in 3 beautiful colors
- Affordable
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons
- No built-in infuser or filter
Stylish Japanese Set: Dujust Japanese Porcelain Tea Set with Cups and Tray
Dujust has a flair for traditional Japanese countryside design, and this set does not disappoint. Made of smooth-glazed porcelain, the gold pattern against your choice of black or white is understated yet polished.
Specifications:
- Volume: 27.7 oz / 820 ml
- Material: Porcelain
- Infuser / Filter Type: Stainless steel mesh infuser
You’ll receive a nice 27.7-ounce teapot equipped with a large, stainless steel infuser and folding handle with hemp rope wrapping for heat insulation. The knobbed lid is recessed and stays put when you pour. The six matching cups each hold 6.1-ounces — more than most similar models.
This complete set designed by the Japanese Artist Suzuki makes an excellent gift and the value is tough to beat. For the price of similar teapots alone, you get an entire service for six, including a tray.
Pros
- Stylish straditional Japanese design
- Comfortable hemp rope handle
- Includes 6 cups and a tray
- Great gift for any tea lover
Cons
- Some sets might have small imperfections
Simple and Modern Japanese Set: ZENS Modern Ceramic Teapot Set
ZENS’ ceramic teapot set makes a statement without saying a word. The simple colors, ultra-smooth lines, and satiny matte finish blend in seamlessly with contemporary decors.
Specifications:
- Volume: 27 oz / 800 ml
- Material: Ceramic
- Infuser / Filter Type: Stainless steel mesh infuser
Engineered for durability, both the pot and cups are molded of thick, lead, and cadmium-free porcelain. A wide stainless steel infuser makes the most of your treasured loose leaf. Perfect for small spaces, the asymmetric bamboo handle folds down for storage.
The entire set is dishwasher safe with the handle removed. Elegant for the minimalist, it lets the tea shine.
Purchase the 800 ml pot alone in white, gray, or blue, or make it a set with four matching 130 ml cups and complimentary rattan coasters.
Pros
- Minimalistic and modern style
- Functional design
- Nice wooden handle
- Comes in a nice gift box
Cons
- Some buyers have reported issues with durability
Colorful Tunisian-Style Teapot: Certified International Tunisian Sunset Ceramic Teapot
Bring home the colors of an African sunset with this vibrant teapot. Beautiful and functional, it’s hand-painted in shades of turquoise with multi-colored accents.
Specifications:
- Volume: 40 oz / 1180 ml
- Material: Glazed clay
- Infuser / Filter Type: None
Made of non-toxic glazed clay, it’s lightweight but sturdy and well-balanced for a smooth pour. The 40-ounce size holds up to five cups of tea. Available in one-, two- and four-packs, it’s an all-purpose pot with thick walls that retain both heat and cold. Use it for hot or iced tea, juices, and more.
Handwashing is recommended to maintain the quality of the finish. And don’t put it in the microwave — the clay is porous and may crack.
Versatile, you can mix and match this pot with solid cups or add matching accessories from bowls to a stunning canister set. It’s the best in international décor.
Pros
- Colorful handpainted design
- Good heat retention
- Smooth pour
Cons
- No infuser included
Decorative Hand-Painted Teapot: D’oramie Elephant Tea Pot
Celebrate every day with D’oramie’s enchanting elephant teapot. An original design, it’s practical enough for everyday use but distinctive enough for special occasions.
Specifications:
- Volume: 27 oz / 800 ml
- Material: Porcelain
- Infuser / Filter Type: None
The pot is made of premium lead-free porcelain and serves any hot or cold beverage without drips. Available in three colorful patterns or simple black and white, it livens up any table or countertop. The artistry is superb.
This teapot makes a great gift and it’s purchased as often for its style as its function. A harbinger of luck, elephant-themed gifts are fun for birthdays and make an irresistible addition to any porcelain collection.
Pros
- Unique handpainted design
- Available in 4 vibrant color schemes
- Great gift – brew tea or just put it for display
Cons
- No infuser included
Best Electric Ceramic Teapot: Bella Electric Ceramic Tea Kettle
Brew and serve in the same pot with this charming electric kettle by Bella. Detachable, it goes from its base to the table for serving.
The powerful 1350 watt heating element boils water faster than a stovetop kettle or microwave — select versions include temperature presets for making your favorite beverages.
Specifications:
- Volume: 50 oz / 1500 ml
- Material: Porcelain
- Infuser / Filter Type: None
Made of non-toxic glazed ceramic, it lacks an infuser but has a BPA-free silicone gasket to keep your tea hot. The large D-handle and drip-free gooseneck spout prevent spills — a plus if you have children in the house. Additional safety features include automatic shut-off.
A timeless design, it comes in four patterns and sizes from 1.2-1.8 liters — few manufacturers make it this easy to find the perfect-sized kettle. Handy for boiling water for tea, coffee, oatmeal, and more, it’s an indispensable addition to any kitchen.
Pros
- Boils water fast
- One of the best looking electric kettles
- Smooth pour
- Ergonomic handle
- Automatic shut off & boil dry protection
Cons
- The kettle is quite heavy
Ceramic Teapot FAQ
Can you boil water in a ceramic teapot?
Ceramic teapots are not meant for heating water. They should be only used for brewing or serving the tea.
However, if you buy an electric ceramic tea kettle, you can use it for both heating water and brewing tea.
Why ceramic teapots are great for brewing tea?
There are many reasons to buy a ceramic teapot. First, the best ceramic teapots are well-designed so brewing tea is very convenient. They pour nicely without spilling tea and keep the tea warm for a long time. In addition, if you take good care of them, they can last for a lifetime.
Another reason to buy a ceramic teapot is that they come in many attractive designs ranging from traditional handmade clay pots to decorative porcelain and simplistic modern teapots.
How should I clean my ceramic teapot?
If your teapot is dishwasher safe, then that’s the easiest way to clean it. However, handwashing is always a safer and more gentle option.
A glazed ceramic teapot can be simply washed with a sponge and warm soapy water.
If you have a porous unglazed pot, rinse it with warm water after each use and let it dry thoroughly.
