Quick Answer
America's Test Kitchen (americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/1708-electric-kettles) names the OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle (about $99.95) its top overall electric kettle, boiling a full kettle in roughly 5 minutes with a slow-open lid and auto shut-off. Their Best Buy pick, the Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle (about $35.38), boiled nearly as fast — about 5 minutes 24 seconds — for a third of the price. Both matter more this year than usual: in May 2026 the CPSC recalled 113,440 ZWILLING Enfinigy kettles over separating handles, and in June 2026 it warned consumers to stop using Sekaer portable kettles after 89 burn injuries from unexpected pressurized steam release. Neither recalled brand is recommended here.
This is the twenty-eighth stop in our countertop-appliance series, after the countertop convection oven, the countertop microwave, the deep fryer, the bread maker, the waffle maker, the electric griddle, the electric skillet, the espresso machine, the pressure cooker, the coffee maker, the rice cooker, the toaster, the stand mixer, the panini press, the sandwich maker, the food processor, the blender, the juicer, the hand mixer, the popcorn maker, the milk frother, the egg cooker, the yogurt maker, the vacuum sealer, the knife sharpener, the immersion blender, and the meat thermometer. This time the claim under the microscope isn't a speed or accuracy number — it's whether the kettle shuts itself off before something goes wrong.
Quick Comparison: Best Electric Kettles of 2026
| Model | Best For | Boil Time | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle | Best overall (ATK winner) | ~5 min | 17-60 oz (1.75L) | $99.95 |
| Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle | Best Buy / best value | ~5 min 24 sec | 16-56 oz | $35.38 |
| Cuisinart Cordless Tea Kettle (JK-17) | Best stainless steel | Tested, ATK-rated | 1.7L | $69.95 |
| Hamilton Beach Glass Kettle (40865) | Best budget | Tested, ATK-rated | 1.7L | $32.89 |
The 4 Best Electric Kettles
1. OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle — Best Overall / ATK Winner
America's Test Kitchen (americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/1708-electric-kettles) picked this as its top electric kettle, citing a comfortable handle and a slow-open lid that keeps steam and splashing water away from your hand. It's a 1.75-liter (about 59 oz) glass-and-stainless kettle rated at 1500 watts, with a cordless 360° swivel base, an insulated exterior, and the ability to hold water at a chosen temperature between 170-212°F for up to 30 minutes — useful for pour-over coffee or specific tea steeping temperatures. At $99.95, it's the priciest pick here, but the auto shut-off and stay-cool handle are exactly the safety features the recalled and warned-against kettles below were missing.
Boil Time: ~5 min for a full kettle · Capacity: 17-60 oz
Best For: Anyone who wants ATK's top-tested pick and doesn't mind paying for it
Check OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle Price on Amazon →
Getting your kitchen delivered fast? try Amazon Prime free for 30 days and get your new kettle delivered in two days.
2. Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle — Best Buy / Best Value
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy pick weighs less than the OXO winner and boiled nearly as fast in their testing — about 5 minutes 24 seconds for a full kettle. It's a glass carafe with a button-activated lid (rather than a manual flip-top) and a light-up power indicator, at a fraction of the OXO's price. At $35.38, it's the strongest value pick here: a genuinely ATK-tested performer, not a corner-cut budget option.
Boil Time: ~5 min 24 sec · Capacity: 16-56 oz
Best For: Shoppers who want ATK-tested performance without the $99.95 price tag
Check Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle Price →
3. Cuisinart Cordless Tea Kettle (JK-17) — Best Stainless Steel
Every pick above is glass; this one is stainless steel, which resists cracking if dropped and doesn't show mineral scale buildup the way clear glass does. America's Test Kitchen tested this 1.7-liter cordless model alongside the glass kettles in the same review, and it held up as a solid, functional performer for shoppers who prefer a metal body or a kitchen that's already stainless-steel-coordinated. At $69.95, it sits between the Cosori and OXO on price.
Boil Time: ATK-tested · Capacity: 1.7L
Best For: Shoppers who want stainless steel instead of glass
Check Cuisinart Cordless Tea Kettle Price →
4. Hamilton Beach Glass Kettle (40865) — Best Budget
At $32.89, this is the cheapest pick in America's Test Kitchen's tested lineup — and unlike the recalled and warned-against kettles below, it's a nationally distributed model from an established appliance brand that was included in ATK's side-by-side lab testing rather than sold solely through third-party online marketplace listings. It's a straightforward 1.7-liter glass kettle without the OXO's variable-temperature hold feature, built for shoppers who just want water boiled quickly and safely.
Boil Time: ATK-tested · Capacity: 1.7L
Best For: Budget shoppers who still want an independently tested, mainstream-brand kettle
Check Hamilton Beach Glass Kettle Price →
Have Any Electric Kettles Been Recalled?
Yes — two separate 2026 actions, and neither involves the four picks above. In May 2026, the CPSC recalled about 113,440 units of the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Enfinigy Kettle and Enfinigy Kettle Pro (1.5L, sold in black, silver, rose, gold, and pure-white) because the handle can loosen and separate from the kettle body, spilling hot contents and posing a burn hazard. In June 2026, the CPSC issued a stop-use warning — not yet a formal recall, because the China-based seller had not cooperated — for Sekaer-brand portable electric kettles (models SY-618, SKE-833, SKE-840, SKE-850, sold in 330-500mL travel sizes) after 116 reports of the kettles pressurizing and releasing hot steam or liquid unexpectedly, resulting in 89 injuries, including second- and third-degree burns.
What Separates a Safe Kettle From a Dangerous One
The ZWILLING and Sekaer incidents point to the exact features worth checking before you buy any electric kettle: a handle that's mechanically fastened to the kettle body rather than glued, welded thin, or friction-fit (ZWILLING's failure mode); a lid and seal designed to release building steam pressure gradually instead of trapping it (Sekaer's failure mode); and an automatic shut-off that cuts power the instant the water reaches a boil or the kettle is lifted off its cordless base. All four kettles recommended above come from major, established kitchen-appliance brands that were included in America's Test Kitchen's own side-by-side lab testing — a very different sourcing path than the third-party marketplace listings involved in both 2026 incidents.
How to Choose (4 Steps)
1. Decide if variable-temperature hold is worth $99.95 to you. The OXO's ability to hold water at a chosen temperature for 30 minutes is genuinely useful for pour-over coffee or delicate teas; if you only ever need a rolling boil, the $35.38 Cosori gets you there almost as fast.
2. Pick glass or steel based on how you'll use it. Glass lets you see the water level and any mineral buildup at a glance; stainless steel resists cracking and hides scale — neither material is inherently safer, since both the OXO/Cosori (glass) and Cuisinart (steel) passed the same ATK safety and performance testing.
3. Check for a mechanically fastened handle and a proper auto shut-off. These are the two features that failed in the 2026 ZWILLING recall and Sekaer warning respectively — confirm any kettle you're considering (especially unfamiliar marketplace-only brands) has both.
4. Favor kettles sold by established, accountable brands. ZWILLING at least responded and recalled its product through the CPSC; Sekaer's seller went unresponsive, leaving a stop-use warning as the only consumer protection. Buying from a recognized brand gives you recourse if something does go wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best electric kettle in 2026?
America's Test Kitchen names the OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle (about $99.95) its top overall pick, with a roughly 5-minute boil time for a full kettle, a slow-open lid, and a comfortable handle. Their Best Buy pick, the Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle (about $35.38), boiled nearly as fast at about 5 minutes 24 seconds for a fraction of the price.
Have any electric kettles been recalled?
Yes. In May 2026 the CPSC recalled about 113,440 ZWILLING Enfinigy and Enfinigy Pro electric kettles because the handle can loosen and separate, spilling hot contents. In June 2026 the CPSC issued a do-not-use warning for Sekaer-brand portable electric kettles after 116 reports of the kettles pressurizing and releasing hot steam or liquid unexpectedly, causing 89 injuries including second- and third-degree burns. Neither the ZWILLING nor Sekaer kettles are among the picks recommended in this guide.
What safety features should I look for in an electric kettle?
An automatic shut-off that cuts power the instant the water boils or the kettle is lifted off its base, a secure lid that locks or seals rather than just resting in place, a handle mechanically fastened (not just glued or friction-fit) to the body, and a cordless swivel base so the kettle itself has no dangling power cord. The recalled and warned-against kettles in 2026 failed on the handle-fastening and pressure-release fronts specifically.
Is a glass or stainless steel electric kettle better?
Both are safe when built well. Glass kettles, like America's Test Kitchen's OXO and Cosori picks, let you see the water level and any mineral buildup, while stainless steel kettles like the Cuisinart JK-17 tend to retain heat a bit longer and resist cracking if dropped. Neither material determines safety on its own — the shut-off mechanism and handle construction matter more than what the body is made of.
How long does it take to boil water in an electric kettle?
America's Test Kitchen's tested models boiled a full kettle in about 5 to 5.5 minutes on average, roughly 2 to 3 times faster than a stovetop kettle or microwave for the same volume of water, according to their side-by-side testing.
The Bottom Line
Buy the OXO Brew Cordless Glass Electric Kettle ($99.95) for America's Test Kitchen's top-tested combination of speed, safety, and a variable-temperature hold. Buy the Cosori Original Electric Glass Kettle ($35.38) if you want nearly the same tested performance for a third of the price. Buy the Cuisinart Cordless Tea Kettle ($69.95) if you prefer stainless steel over glass. Buy the Hamilton Beach Glass Kettle ($32.89) if budget is the priority — it's still an ATK-tested, mainstream-brand kettle. Whichever you choose, steer clear of ZWILLING Enfinigy kettles (recalled May 2026 for separating handles) and Sekaer portable kettles (warned against in June 2026 for pressurized steam release) — neither is worth the risk a properly tested kettle avoids entirely.
