An electric kettle with only one temperature setting is like a car with one gear — it goes nowhere fast. Hot beverages from tea to espresso require different temperatures to maximize their flavors.
If you want to improve the quality of your brews, you need options. Let one of our best variable temperature electric kettles heat things up in your kitchen.
Our recommendations for Best Temperature Control Kettle:
- Best Overall: Buydeem Electric Kettle One Touch Tea Maker
- Runner Up: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle
- Premium Option: Breville Smart Compact Tea Maker
- Budget Pick: Brightown Temperature Control Electric Kettle
- Most Stylish: Viante Thermal-Insulated Electric Kettle
- Best Gooseneck Kettle: Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Why Variable Temperature Control Matters
Bells and whistles can drive up the price of electric kettles with few practical benefits. But variable temperature control is a must-have feature, and here’s why:
Brings Out the Most in Tea: Each variety of tea requires a different steeping temperature. If you brew green tea with boiling water, it will be bitter. Underheat oolong and the flavor is bland. Quality loose leaf is expensive. Make the most of it with a variable temperature kettle.
It’s Convenient: Why waste time waiting for water to boil if you don’t have to? When you make tea every morning, a minute per day adds up to six hours annually. A variable temperature kettle heats within a degree or two of the ideal temperature with the push of a button with no waiting or guesswork. Time is precious — save yours.
It Saves Energy: An average 1200 watt electric kettle boils 1.5 liters of water in six minutes. Saving two minutes per day by heating water for green tea to the recommended 175 °F conserves an hour of electricity every month plus wear and tear on your kettle.
Better Water Quality: Boiling water changes its composition. Dissolved gasses, including oxygen, dissipate, and chemicals become more concentrated. The scientific consensus is that the amounts are too small to be toxic but enough to impact flavor. A temperature control kettle allows you to heat the water to exactly the right temperature without boiling it first and then waiting for it to cool down.
6 Best Variable Temperature Electric Kettles Reviewed
After thorough research, we chose the best electric kettles made with high-quality materials to be reviewed in this guide. All models included here have the necessary safety features, like boil-dry protection, and most of them come with a tea infuser.
Next, let’s take a closer look at our top 6 electric kettles with temperature control.
Best Overall: Buydeem Electric Kettle One Touch Tea Maker
Buydeem’s electric tea kettle is as sophisticated as it is practical. A traditional design with a modern edge, its gentle curves and brushed steel finish complement any kitchen.
Cordless, it moves effortlessly from counter to table. Twelve hundred watts of power heat water in a flash.
Specifications:
- Power: 1,200 watts
- Volume: 1.2 L / 40 oz
- Materials: German Schott Duran Glass and Food Grade 316 Stainless Steel (BPA-free)
- Dimensions: 8.23″ x 8.5″ x 10.15″ (L x W x H)
Engineered for performance, the Buydeem features a durable Schott glass carafe with an 18/8 stainless steel base for superior heating. Lined with metal and glass, there’s no plastic in the pot.
The generous anti-slip handle stays cool and protects your bare knuckles from hot glass. It’s a pleasure to pour.
Thoughtfully designed for the tea enthusiast, the kettle features five temperature presets for anything from green to black tea and a one-touch boil option. It keeps water warm for 60 minutes at your request and shuts off automatically for safety.
Well-balanced with a smooth pour, it comes with a food-grade fine mesh infuser. Tipped with a handle, it’s a breeze to remove and clean — it’s even dishwasher-safe. The wide-mouth lid simplifies hand-washing the carafe. It couldn’t be easier to care for.
Made from premium materials, including a top-quality British Strix thermostat — a feature found in high-end models — it’s the same league with kettles costing 50-percent more. It’s our top pick and a tough-to-beat value.
Pros
- Excellent overall quality
- 5 one-touch temperature presets
- Boils water fast
- Removable tea infuser
- Keep warm and automatic shut-off functions
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- No built-in timer
The Runner Up: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
Take your brew to the next level with Cuisinart’s 1500 watt variable temperature kettle. A space-saving design, the temperature control is built into the handle.
Truly cordless, the high-powered 1500-watt heating element is concealed in the base. Start, stop, set, and open the kettle with your thumb. Packed with five-star features, it’s the ultimate in one-handed convenience.
Specifications:
- Power: 1,500 watts
- Volume: 1.7 L / 57 oz
- Materials: Stainless Steel and Plastic (BPS-Free)
- Dimensions: 8.8″ x 6.1″ x 9.7″ (L x W x H)
Choose from six preset temperatures from 160 degrees for delicate beverages to a full boil plus a 30-minute keep warm option.
Fill the pot without measuring. The see-through reservoir window is graduated and backlit in blue when the kettle is on so you’ll know it’s working.
The pot is made of top-quality stainless steel but contains BPA-free plastic parts. It’s not ideal, but it improves the functionality of the kettle. This is among the few models with an anti-scale filter that keeps the interior cleaner longer by eliminating most mineral residue.
The Cuisinart’s ample size and safety features from boil-dry protection to the automatic shut-off are a big plus. The brushed stainless finish is simple yet elegant.
We’re deducting some points for the plastic, but this kettle is otherwise great. It offers great value for money and is brought to you by a company with decades of kitchen experience.
Pros
- Powerful heating element
- Large capacity
- 6 preset temperatures
- User-friendly design
- Has an anti-scale filter
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
Cons
- There are some plastic parts that touch the water
- No tea infuser included
Premium Option: Breville Smart Compact Tea Maker
Breville’s one-upped the competition with a tea maker so smart it does everything but files the tax report for you. With both variable temperature and steeping options, the results are perfect every time.
Specifications:
- Power: 1,500 watts
- Volume: 1 L / 34 oz
- Materials: Stainless Steel and Borosilicate Glass (BPS-Free)
- Dimensions: 9.33″ x 8.39″ x 8.27″ (L x W x H)
This unit is designed for the ultimate user experience. Just fill the stainless steel infuser basket and select one of five preset temperatures. Choose a steeping interval between one and five minutes, and the Breville does the rest.
The 1200-watt heating element warms quickly and you’ll hear a beep when your tea is ready without timers or guesswork.
For those lazy mornings, you can extend the 30-minute keep-warm function to 60 minutes before it shuts off automatically.
The practical design features a detachable, shock-resistant glass carafe with no plastic inside and a stainless steel power base. Its petite 34-ounce capacity and 9-inch footprint are ideal for gracious, small-space living.
One minor improvement we’d suggest is to replace the metal lid knob — it stays hot long after the kettle cools. But it’s a small flaw in an otherwise brilliant design that makes flavorful, full-bodied brews. It’s a worthy investment.
Pros
- Great for brewing different types of tea
- Built with premium materials
- Well-designed tea infuser basket
- 5 preset temperature settings
Cons
- The infuser metal knob gets hot
Budget Pick: Brightown Temperature Control Electric Kettle
A classic for the value-minded buyer, Brightown’s electric kettle has all the features you need without the bells and whistles that could double its price. It boasts a 1500-watt element that heats water faster than a microwave and more efficiently than a stovetop kettle.
Specifications:
- Power: 1,500 watts
- Volume: 1.7 L / 57 oz
- Materials: Borosilicate Glass and 304 Stainless Steel (BPS-Free)
- Dimensions: 6″ x 8.9″ x 9.8″ (L x W x H)
Choose from four preset temperature settings plus a boil option. Controls are on the handle for one-handed operation. Guaranteed to be electrically safe, it keeps water warm for up to two hours and shuts off automatically. Tuck the cord in the power base for storage.
The detachable glass carafe is shatter- and shock-resistant. There are no plastic parts touching the water while you heat it. Easy to clean, the wide mouth lid flips open for easy access.
As an economy kettle, the finish isn’t quite as refined as our top picks. Yet it’s remarkably sturdy with an expected service life of 3000 cycles. If you’re on a budget and want the most bang for your buck, you won’t be disappointed.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Easy and simple to use
- 4 preset temperatures
- Has a built-in tea filter
Cons
- The plastic control buttons might wear off over time
Most Stylish: Viante Thermal-Insulated Electric Kettle
Viante’s designer kettle is in a league of its own. A one-of-a-kind, it adds panache and practically to any modern kitchen. Sleek, it has minimalist appeal while serving dual functions.
It’s not just a kettle — it’s a double-walled, 304 stainless insulated carafe that keeps water hot for eight hours. Table-safe, the handle, and exterior never get hot. The lid is sealed and leakproof.
Specifications:
- Power: 1,500 watts
- Volume: 1.7 L / 57 oz
- Materials: 304 Stainless Steel and Plastic (BPS-Free)
- Dimensions: 10.63″ x 8.9″ x 8.5″ (L x W x H)
Unlike our other recommended temperature control kettles, there are no presets. Choose any temperature you want in five-degree increments — it reads in both Celsius and Fahrenheit and remembers your most recent setting.
Plastic parts are BPA-free, but the reservoir is lined so none touch your water.
Because the pot is tightly sealed, hot water can splash out under pressure if the lid is removed when water is still boiling hot — use only the pour button for dispensing or removing water until it’s cooled down. It’s not a design flaw, but a caution worth mentioning.
Surprisingly, the Viante kettle is modestly priced given its size, features, and innovative style. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or your money back.
Pros
- Stylish and modern design
- The exterior stays cool to touch
- Keeps water hot for up to 8 hours
- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- No built-in tea infuser
- The kettle is quite heavy
Best Gooseneck Kettle: Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle with Bluetooth
Cosori’s electric gooseneck kettle is the perfect example of form meeting function, catering to both tradition and convenience. It’s an eye-catcher on any table.
Specifications:
- Power: 1,200 watts
- Volume: 0.8 L / 27 oz
- Materials: 304 Stainless Steel and Plastic (BPS-Free)
- Dimensions: 11.6″ x 9″ x 7.7″ (L x W x H)
The 304 stainless steel body has a chip-resistant black finish — it’s rugged without looking industrial. It has a silicone ring inside but no plastic parts except the lid knob and handle. Detachable, the pot transitions from brewing to serving without missing a beat.
Choose from four temperature presets, including a boil function for black tea. Customize your own preset with the unique “My Brew” function. Program it from the control base or use the free VeSync app for even greater functionality, including a baby formula mode.
The powerful heating element boils water in just 3-5 minutes and keeps it warm for up to 60 minutes. Strix thermostat technology holds the right temperature within 3 degrees.
Beautiful inside and out, the Cosori electric kettle has an old-world charm with new-world convenience. It’s a top performer and a great spend.
Pros
- Provides a precise and controlled pour
- Stylish and functional design
- Boils water fast
- Can be controlled with a smart phone
- 4 one-touch temp buttons
Cons
- The water capacity is quite small
Buying Guide for Variable Temperature Control Tea Kettles
The right features can make or break your purchase. Consider these as you shop for the perfect kettle.
Capacity
A kettle’s capacity determines how many people it can serve in a single sitting — divide the number of ounces it holds by the size of your favorite cups.
While small electric kettles are great for preparing a few cups of tea, big families should get a kettle that holds at least 40 ounces of water. It will fill 10 four-ounce cups or just four 10-ounce mugs.
Remember that when you boil water, you’ll lose an ounce or two to evaporation.
A full infuser takes space, cutting capacity by two or more ounces. We recommend sizing up on kettles a little without going overboard. Most have a minimum fill requirement and heat more efficiently when they’re half full or more.
Power
Electric kettles range from 900 to 1800 watts. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the wattage, the quicker it boils but at a higher cost.
But wattage isn’t the whole story. The shape of some kettles and the way they distribute heat is more efficient than others — and the quality of the components also counts. In general, users are more satisfied with models 1200 watts and up.
Usability
The fewer buttons you have to push first thing in the morning, the better. The kettles that are easiest to use have one-touch temperature presets that match the beverage of your choice from tea to baby formula.
A memory function that remembers your last setting is a plus. Look for a keep-warm function for those quick second cups.
A new feature among select models is smartphone control. Set a delayed start, adjust the temperature, and start your kettle from any room, any time. It’s the ultimate in convenience and usability.
Materials
The best kettle materials are durable, attractive, and taste-neutral, meaning that they don’t absorb unwanted flavors or odors.
Stainless steel, ceramic, and borosilicate glass are ideal. It’s not unusual to find plastic or silicone handles, lids, and gaskets in electric kettles, but they matter less if they don’t touch your water. Opt for BPA-free kettles that minimize direct contact with plastic.
Tea Infuser
Tea lovers will appreciate kettles with a removable infuser.
Fine, stainless steel mesh keeps loose leaf confined and offers superior filtration. Baskets should hold plenty of tea without over-packing and be easy to remove and clean.
Safety
Better kettle makers go the extra mile to ensure your safety, optimizing designs to avoid contact between you and heating elements, hot metal parts, and scalding water. Choose kettles made of shatter-resistant materials. Shapes with a low center of gravity are less likely to tip over accidentally.
Ergonomic handles that are easy to grip and stay cool improve safety when pouring. Dripless spouts ensure water lands in your cup and not on your hand.
All models in this guide have an automatic shut-off feature — it protects your kettle from damage and your home from fire.
