As you travel, you’ll find plenty of tea vendors eager to cater to your cravings. However, nothing compares to the familiar taste of the tea you’re used to.
So, what can be done to satisfy that sudden craving during your journey? Of course, your very own electric travel kettle.
I understand that numerous options are available, and I am here to assist you in selecting the best one. I will also discuss their pros and cons and the factors to consider before making a purchase.
Let’s go.
Quick Takeaways
This list includes the Breville BKE820XL IQ, known for its fast water heating and convenient temperature presets. If you prefer a straightforward option that boils water efficiently, the COSORI Electric Glass Kettle is a great choice at a reasonable price.
Top Electric Kettles for Travel: My Favorite Picks
If you prefer tea, pour-over coffee, or other hot drinks daily, these products offer ease of use and accuracy that stovetop kettles can’t match.
1. CHACEEF Travel Electric Kettle
I wasn’t sure this item belonged on my list at first, but after putting it through its paces on several occasions and my travels, I was surprised by its construction and functionality.
You will notice its small size immediately, meaning it’ll take up less room in your bag. Then there’s the lid, which has a seamless interior and a sealing ring, so the water you’re boiling stays inside the kettle and won’t leak out, even after a long ride.
The double-wall design also makes the water safer to touch and less noisy when it boils.
Though it may certainly be used at home if you like, it was primarily intended for personal use on trips. I mostly used it to brew coffee and tea and occasionally to boil water for other purposes, like making instant noodles.
You won’t believe how convenient and lightweight this electric kettle is for traveling. It is also made of food-grade materials and is completely BPA-free, with a 12-ounce water capacity.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Detachable power cord | If not properly used, it might not last |
| Anti-limescale coating | |
| Single button design | |
| LED light heat indicator | |
| Lightweight |
2. Breville BKE820XL IQ Kettle
The IQ Kettle from Breville is a perfect example of how an electric kettle can look good and work even better, giving you all the features you could ever want.
No matter where my travels took me, this stylish and user-friendly stainless-steel kettle with its seven-cup capacity and five temperature settings never let me down. Regardless of the setting I chose, the hot water remained within 1 or 2 degrees of the preset, and the “keep warm” function allowed the kettle to maintain its temperature for up to 20 minutes.
There are five different temperature settings, ranging from 175 to 212 degrees, and each one is labeled with a different type of beverage, like Black or green tea.
Not only is it one of the most durable travel items I’ve ever used, but it’s also relatively accurate. Once filled to the brim, it boiled my water in under eight minutes, and for three cups or less, it took a mere two minutes and thirty seconds.
The features are similar to those of other electric kettles I’ve used, but the customization options make this product stand out. Unlike the annoying whistle of a stovetop kettle, this one lets you know when the water is ready with a soft beep.
It also has a curved handle covered in hard plastic, making it easy to hold, and the same material runs down the kettle’s body, protecting your hand from all sides. Another great feature is that the buttons on the base of the kettle light up when pressed, so you can easily see which setting it is on.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Soft top lid | A little bit heavy |
| Made of durable material | Expensive |
| Auto shutoff feature | |
| Accurate temperature control | |
| Appealing design | |
| Very easy to clean |
3. COSORI Electric Glass Kettle
Simply put, this is undoubtedly one of the finest electrical items I have ever bought.
This COSORI Electric Glass Kettle has just one function: to boil water. After you push the lever at the bottom of the handle to turn it on, the water will boil in a matter of minutes; a blue light will illuminate the inside of the kettle to indicate this transition.
I was impressed by how well the kettle worked, particularly compared to similar products. It took more than three minutes to heat three cups of water to 212 degrees, and it boiled water in less than eight minutes when tested at full capacity.
Also, thanks to its wide opening and see-through sides, you can clean the kettle with a sponge and your whole hand.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Lightweight | Easy to break since it is made of glass |
| Stylish design | |
| Budget-friendly | |
| Versatile | |
| Easy to use | |
| Automatic shut off |
4. Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle
There’s no doubt that the Stagg EKG isn’t cheap, but it clearly showed its worth. The square base of the kettle has a dial and a small digital screen to control it, which lets you change the water temperature by one degree at a time, from 135 degrees to 212 degrees.
To top it all off, I was able to evenly moisten the coffee grounds with the ideal amount of water using this kettle because the spout was so easy to place and adjust.
In addition, a screen timer can be activated by briefly holding down the control dial; this feature facilitates the timing of the blooming and subsequent pouring periods.
Even though the kettle’s opening is tiny, cleaning it requires a brush or sponge mounted on a stick.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Silent heating | Very expensive |
| Double-layer insulation | |
| Leakproof | |
| Heat preservation | |
| Very durable |
5. Cuisinart Cordless Electric Kettle
Compared to most of the kettles I tested, the Cuisinart reached a full boil in under two minutes and thirty seconds when I added three cups of water.
The straightforward design of this kettle appealed to me, and I particularly liked the placement and labeling of the control buttons on the handle. There are six different temperature settings and a “keep warm” option.
At lower temperatures, though, it lacked precision, which was its biggest flaw. For example, the water temperature registered around 190 degrees even though I set it to 185 degrees; however, the product has more than enough performance for regular use.
One of my favorite features of this kettle was how easy it was to clean, thanks to its cool-touch exterior and smooth-walled interior. Despite having a smaller capacity than most items I listed, this kettle is a bit heavier and bulkier.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| One-touch control | Heavier |
| Auto shutoff | |
| Sleek |
6. UpdateClassic Foldable Kettle
Anyone seeking a space-saving kettle that will only take up a little room in their vehicle will find this to be an excellent choice. Thanks to its clever design, it can be folded in half when not in use. Despite the lack of variable heat settings, it achieves boiling point much faster than others.
I appreciate that you can see the water level inside without lifting the lid; this way, you won’t have to guess how much water to add or waste time boiling water you won’t need.
But the shape of the spout is the only detail to consider. Getting a precise pour might be more of a challenge because it is shorter. However, I have no problems using it to pour my coffee.
Its 20-ounce capacity and low 300-watt power consumption make it perfect for usage while traveling in an RV or on vacation.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Easy fold design | Small water capacity |
| Fast boil function | |
| Affordable | |
| Lightweight |
7. ECTY Portable Electric Kettle
If you like the traditional design of a tea kettle, this small electric kettle is a wonderful choice. Its compact size (approximately 6″ x 6″) and small water capacity (0.5 liters) make it ideal for travel, whether for business or pleasure. Because of its sleek design, it is also easy to store when not in use.
With its stainless-steel material, automatic shutoff feature, and 5-minute boiling time, the ECTY travel kettle is the perfect companion for any trip.
Additionally, this product is very easy to clean, and the fact that it has a separate base allows you to pour water without being constrained by the cord is another perk.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | Became rusty after several uses |
| Anti-dry protection | |
| Cord-free serving | |
| Super-fast boiling | |
| Easy to clean |
8. Bodum Bistro Electric Kettle
When it comes to stylish, modern options, I have to say the Bodum Bistro Electric Kettle is right up there.
Heating water is a pleasure because of its many simple controls. For example, it’s easy to operate because the power button is located on top of the handle.
When filled with water, it boils in about five to eight minutes, which is significantly faster than most other options. Likewise, there is an additional button on top that opens the lid gently, protecting you from the possibility of hot water splashing out.
A large water-level window is on the side for easy measurement and overflow prevention and one of my favorite features is the built-in mesh filter, which can catch small debris floating in the water as you fill it up.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Great design | A little bit heavier |
| Available in larger capacities | |
| Comes in a few different colors | |
| It features a mesh filter | |
| Auto-shutoff |
9. Ultrathin Foldable Electric Kettle
Let me remind you about the UpdateClassic, which is a foldable kettle. Now, an Ultrathin Collapsible Electric Kettle takes this feature to the next level.
It folds flat into a disk with a low profile and comes with a little zipper pouch for storage, so carrying it around will only take up a little space in your bag, pocket, drawer, or purse.
For convenience and simplicity, it features a single boil mode that can be activated with the push of a button. In just three to five minutes, you can go from the beginning of the boil process to fully prepared water. However, it may be on the smaller side compared to others, but it still managed to heat water quickly and efficiently.
While filling, I couldn’t find a simple way to see how much water was in the tank, so the entire preparation process can be slowed down because of this, but when it comes to portability, its ability to fold into such a small size is unmatched.
| What I Liked | What I Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Folds small for easy storage | The exterior is a bit flimsy |
| Comes with a zippered carrying case | Small capacity |
| Fast boil times | |
| Variety of colors |
What Should You Consider Before Buying an Electric Kettle?
Here are some things to consider while shopping to ensure you get the best option for your water heating needs.
Kettle Capacity
There are many different-sized electric kettles on the market, but the most common ones range from 0.9 to 1.8 liters, or about four to eight cups. Choose a kettle with a suitable capacity for holding water based on your needs.
Material Choices
Nearly all of the electric kettles I listed here are constructed from either glass or stainless steel, and both materials have advantages.
Of all metals, stainless steel is the most robust and long-lasting. Because of its superior insulating properties, it can help maintain the ideal temperature of your water for an extended period. I understand that some of you have metal sensitivity; in that case, a glass kettle could be more suitable.
Glass kettles are more prone to breaking, but they provide the advantage of seeing the water heating up, so you know when it’s ready.
Temperature Control
While the COSORI Electric Glass Kettle is affordable, its functionality is limited to boiling water. It may not offer any additional features or capabilities. Consider a variable-temperature kettle for more precise control if you often make tea or coffee.
Ergonomic Design
How well an electric kettle works depends highly on its ergonomics and design.
Having silicone or some other heat-resistant material on the handle ensures that your hands remain safe while pouring from a top-notch kettle, which is also easily balanced and pourable even when full.
Price Range
A simple electric kettle can cost as little as $20, but more advanced ones can cost up to $200. Since you only use your kettle occasionally, a cheap one should work fine.
On the other hand, tea or coffee drinkers who want more precise control over their drinks will have to spend at least $100.
Final Thoughts
All things considered, these electric kettles are a convenient alternative to stovetop methods of heating water. Some even allow you to set a precise temperature, which is essential for brewing tea and coffee to perfection.
The COSORI Electric Glass Kettle remains my top pick among all the models I have used because it offers the best value for the money while still being fast, accurate, and easy to use.
