Looking for an electric kettle with minimal or no plastic? You’re in the right place. This guide highlights the best low-plastic electric kettles, including the model we’ve used for years and recommend for everyday use.
Quick Answer: The Top Electric Kettles With Little Or No Plastic
- Breville Smart Kettle: best all-around electric kettle — a reliable daily workhorse.
- Hamilton Beach Cool-Touch Kettle: best affordable and efficient option for a low-plastic build.
- Cuisinart Perfectemp Kettle: best for preset temperatures and a convenient 2-minute memory feature.
- Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle: best for precise pouring, performance and modern design.
Why Use An Electric Kettle?
Electric kettles are compact, powerful appliances that save time and energy when you need hot water. They’re perfect for tea and coffee, and also speed up tasks like bringing water to a boil for pasta or blanching vegetables. Modern electric kettles boil faster than stovetop methods and often include safety and convenience features such as automatic shut-off, boil-dry protection, and temperature controls.
Although electric kettles have been a staple across Europe for decades, they’ve become more popular and easier to find in the United States only recently. After testing many models over the years, I prefer kettles made largely of stainless steel or glass to minimize contact with plastic and maximize longevity.
If you want an appliance that performs reliably every day, won’t impart unwanted tastes, and has minimal plastic in contact with hot water, the options below are worth considering.
Top Pick: Breville Smart Kettle
Our top pick for a low-plastic electric kettle is the Breville Smart Kettle. We use ours several times daily and it has proven durable and dependable. It heats quickly, offers precise temperature control, and is comfortable to fill and pour.
The Breville Smart Kettle uses a stainless steel body with refined finishes and comes in multiple colors. It’s constructed from BPA-free materials and features dual water windows for easy level checks, a full stainless steel handle, an illuminated power switch, and a cordless 360-degree base.
Safety features include a soft-open lid to release steam gradually, auto shut-off, and boil-dry protection. With a 1.7 liter capacity and 2400 watts of power, it brings water to a boil quickly and handles daily use well.
Other Good Electric Kettles
Hamilton Beach Cool-Touch 8-Cup Cordless Electric Kettle is an affordable stainless steel option with BPA-free components. Its cool-touch exterior keeps the outside comfortable to handle, and it includes boil-dry protection, automatic shut-off, and a removable mesh filter to catch scale and ease cleaning. This model is a strong value for households that want a durable, low-plastic kettle without extra features.
Cuisinart Perfectemp stands out for temperature accuracy. It offers six preset temperatures suited for various teas and coffee brewing methods, a two-minute memory feature that preserves your setting if you lift the kettle off the base briefly, plus a 30-minute keep-warm function. The 1.7L stainless steel design is BPA-free and includes one-touch controls and a backlit water window for visibility.
Fellow Stagg EKG
The Fellow Stagg EKG is a stainless steel gooseneck kettle designed for precision pouring. With a 0.9 liter capacity and 1200 watts, it’s ideal for pour-over coffee and controlled tea brewing. Its pointed spout provides an excellent flow rate while the minimalist base and LCD display offer to-the-degree temperature control and real-time temperature readout — an excellent choice for enthusiasts who value both form and function.
What Is An Electric Kettle?
An electric kettle is an appliance designed to boil water quickly using an internal heating element. It’s primarily used for hot beverages but also speeds up kitchen tasks such as pre-boiling water for pasta or blanching vegetables. Typical materials include stainless steel, glass (tempered or borosilicate), and in some budget models, plastic. The heating element, safety sensors, and temperature controls are the most important components to consider when choosing a kettle.
Why Choose An Electric Kettle Over A Stovetop Kettle?
Electric kettles generally boil faster and use less energy than stovetop kettles. Many models offer precise temperature control, automatic shut-off, and boil-dry protection, making them safer and more convenient. Stovetop kettles require monitoring to avoid boiling over and can’t match the temperature precision of modern electric models.
Concerns About Plastic Kettles
Avoid kettles with a plastic interior. Repeated heating can cause plastic components to degrade and leach unwanted compounds into the water, which can affect flavor and potentially pose health concerns. Plastic parts also tend to wear out faster than metal or glass, so choosing stainless steel or glass often yields a longer-lasting appliance.
Glass Kettles: Pros and Cons
Glass kettles, usually made from tempered or borosilicate glass, are heat-resistant and let you see the water as it heats. They resist rust and are easy to clean. However, glass is less durable than metal and can break if dropped. Glass kettles are sometimes pricier and less widely available than stainless steel models.
What To Look For In A Kettle
Minimal plastic contact
Prioritize kettles with little to no plastic in the interior or any part that contacts hot water. Stainless steel and glass interiors are safer and more durable.
Temperature settings
Temperature control is valuable for brewing different teas and coffee. Preset temperatures and to-the-degree controls provide better results for delicate brews.
Safety features
Look for auto shut-off, boil-dry protection, and lids that release steam safely. These features prevent accidents and prolong the kettle’s life.
Ease of use
Consider weight, handle shape and grip, lid accessibility, spout design, and whether the kettle is cordless with a 360-degree base. These factors affect daily comfort when filling, lifting, and pouring.
Capacity
Choose capacity based on household needs. Larger kettles are useful for multiple servings or food preparation; smaller kettles save counter space and are easier to handle for single cups.
Style
If appearance matters, look for a design that complements your kitchen. A stylish kettle can stay on the counter and function as a practical decor element.
Ready to Buy an Electric Kettle?
- Breville Smart Kettle: best all-around electric kettle for daily use.
- Hamilton Beach Cool-Touch Kettle: best affordable, efficient, low-plastic option.
- Cuisinart Perfectemp Kettle: best for preset temperatures and memory features.
- Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle: best for precise pouring, temperature control and modern design.