Best Smart Kettles Guide

As technology advances even the most commonplace of appliances get the "smart" treatment. The act of boiling water, as simple as that sounds, can still be improved upon. This is where smart kettles come into play, adding convenience to an otherwise mundane task. With a smart kettle, hot water is available when you want it, and at the right temperature.

In the following article, we’ll show you a selection of the best smart kettles on the market. Whether you want a feature-rich gadget no matter the cost, or want to find one to fit a specific budget, there should be a model to fit your needs.

Smart kettles are essentially water heaters that can be programmed for different temperature settings or have the ability to schedule operations. With most “smart” gadgets, this usually means Wi-Fi integration is included, but the majority of smart kettles can’t connect to a network. Until further developments are made to the existing technology, smart kettles remain highly advanced electric kettles.

The advantages of getting a smart kettle generally depend on how much you value the convenience. If you’re not heavy into drinking tea or using hot water in general, then a smart kettle is unnecessary. If you’re constantly finding yourself boiling or reheating water, on the other hand, a smart kettle would certainly be a godsend.

Some smart kettles can be programmed to automatically start boiling water at a preset time. Other smart kettles can be controlled via an app or even remotely via Wi-Fi. This, along with various safety features and separate temperature settings for specific drinks, make smart kettles a must-own for fans of hot beverages.

Best Overall

• Winner: Smarter SMKET01-US Electric IKettle
• Runner Up 1: Breville BKE830XL The IQ Kettle
• Runner Up 2: Fellow Stagg EKG+ Bluetooth Connected Electric Pour-Over Kettle

Best Value

• Winner: COSORI Electric Gooseneck
• Runner Up 1: Brewista Smart Brew Electric Kettle
• Runner Up 2: Hamilton Beach Variable Temperature Control Glass Electric Tea Kettle

Best Budget

• Winner: Ovente Electric Hot Water Kettle
• Runner Up 1: Miroco Electric Kettle Temperature Control Stainless Steel
• Runner Up 2: YOUSMART Electric Kettle

In the following sections are brief reviews of the smart kettles in each category, their pros, cons, and features. The brand recommendations are broken up into categories depending on budget. The price of a smart kettle doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re better than the rest, but the more expensive models do offer more features.

Below are some of the market’s most feature-packed smart kettles, with numerous options and settings. This does make the products in this category more expensive than most, but you definitely get what you pay for.

If you’re looking for a good example of how convenient a smart kettle can be, then look no further than the Smarter SMKET01-US Electric iKettle.

Unlike most other smart kettle products, the iKettle features both app controls and the ability to operate it via voice commands. The Smarter iKettle will easily integrate with your smart home network, and you can configure it to adapt to your needs with recipes from IFTTT.

The iKettle app is available from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Via the app, you can schedule a specific time for the iKettle to start boiling water. You can even set a specific temperature between 68 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on what you need. The Formula mode ensures that you have the perfect water temperature for baby formulas any time you require them. You can even boil water when you’re away from home by connecting your iKettle to your Wi-Fi network.

With the water level sensor, you’ll know at a glance how much water is left in the iKettle, and easily decide if it needs a refill. With the device’s Wake Up mode and Home mode, you’ll never be without hot water when you wake up or get home.

A bit of a downside to all of iKettle’s features is that it depends heavily on the mobile app to function. You can still operate it manually, but many of its handy features are designed around the app. The iKettle also needs a stable Wi-Fi connection, as many customers notice that it tends to disconnect from their network. Once the smart kettle is properly set up, though, it’s a tea lover’s dream.

The price point may be the lowest of the products in this category, but it may still be quite expensive for most. If you’re looking for a fully connected smart kettle, this is your best bet.

Pros:

• Fully integrates with smart home networks
• Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
• Both temperature and boiling time can be preset

Cons:

• A lot of functions depend on app controls
• Requires stable Wi-Fi connection
• A bit pricey

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4.7 /5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4.7/5

If you’re planning to brew a cup of coffee or tea at an ideal temperature, the Breville IQ Kettle has your back. With five different temperature settings available, that ideal cup of tea or coffee is just a push of a button away.

The Breville IQ Kettle features a see-thru design with its German Schott glass body. This shock and thermal resistant material lets you know at a glance how much water is left in the kettle. The 1,500-watt hidden heating element boils water to your desired temperature quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to enjoy a hot beverage.

The main kettle’s cordless design allows you to remove it from the base and move it wherever you want. The base itself has the ability to keep your hot water at the desired temperature for up to 20 minutes.

The clearly labeled buttons offer one-touch settings for Black, White, Green, and Oolong tea, along with a setting for French Press Coffee, so you can enjoy your favorite hot drink at the ideal temperature. The lack of an accompanying mobile app is definitely a negative, as you can’t operate the device remotely unlike the other kettles in this category.

The soft top lid has been designed to release steam effectively and reduce splashing whenever you pour. The lid, however, has a tendency to come loose over time, and it has been a subject of complaint for a number of users.

The Breville IQ may not be the most expensive smart kettle on the list, but it still has a considerable price point. If you’re on a budget, the Breville might not be the best choice.

Pros:

• Clear see-thru design
• Variable temperature settings
• Keeps water at the desired temperature

Cons:

• No app controls
• Lid has a tendency to come loose
• Quite expensive

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4.6 / 5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4.5 /5

There’s boiling water for your coffee, then there’s doing it like the pros. With its highly artistic style and precise temperature controls, the Fellow Stagg EKG+ shows you what a designer smart kettle can be.

Used in competitions like the Cup where exact temperatures matter as much as brewing skill, the Fellow Stagg EKG+ is a tool made for coffee lovers by coffee lovers. The stylish design makes it look at home either on your kitchen counter or in a high-end coffee shop.

Whether you’re using the mobile app or the manual dial, you can adjust the heat anywhere from 135 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit on the dot. Both the app and the LED display will show the current and desired temperature and alert you when it’s done. You can also operate the Fellow Stagg EKG+ remotely via the app as well.

Something to note is that the app isn’t as functional as the one used by iKettle, and the native app only operates on iOS devices. Fellow's partner, Acacia, has a compatible Brewmaster app that works for both iOS and Android however, and can be used instead.

At only 0.9 liters, the Fellow Stagg EKG+ has a lower capacity than most smart kettles, even from other categories. This is a particular specification, as the spout is designed for slow to moderate pouring, ensuring that you can extract the most flavor out of your coffee.

What really holds the Fellow EKG+ back is the price point, even for its category. It looks great, boils water efficiently, and can be operated remotely, but the cost makes it a considerable investment. If you’re a coffee aficionado who wants to experience how it feels to use professional barista tools, it’s a great purchase. If you’re just looking for a convenient way to boil water, however, you may want to look elsewhere.

Pros:

• Very stylish design
• Clear temperature display
• Made specifically for coffee lovers

Cons:

• Very expensive
• Comparatively lower capacity
• Native app is exclusive to iOS

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4.5 / 5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4.5 /5

The smart kettles in this category are mid-tier products that balance price with features. They aren’t designer kettles that are used in competitions, but neither are they the cheapest products available. These smart kettles are for those who want devices with great features but don’t want to spend too much for the privilege.

If you’re looking for a convenient way to prepare your brew, the COSORI Electric Gooseneck may be the smart kettle you’re looking for. With Bluetooth mobile controls and a push-button temperature preset, it’s a great device for those who take their coffee or tea seriously.

The COSORI Electric Gooseneck smart kettle uses the VeSync app to control precise temperature settings, change presets, monitor the current boiling status, and schedule boiling times. Using the app, you can also operate the smart kettle remotely. You can program it to start boiling after a set time, but you do need to make sure that the kettle isn’t empty and is plugged in. The VeSync app can be used on both iOS and Android devices.

The different temperature presets at the base of the kettle offer a choice of Green, Oolong, and Black Tea along with a separate Coffee setting. If you’re preparing baby formula, the app has a preset mode to give you the perfect temperature each time. The hold temperature button allows the COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle to keep the current temperature for up to an hour after boiling.

The design of the spout gives the user more precise control of how they pour the hot water. This is perfect for brewing coffee or tea as more flavors are extracted by the slower pour. The kettle’s food-grade stainless steel build avoids contaminating the original flavors of your brew.

A small negative to the design is that it makes it somewhat harder to clean, as the smaller opening can constrict people with larger hands. Speaking of size, the kettle also has a lower capacity when compared to most smart kettles at a modest 0.8 liters.

The stainless-steel lid, though well designed, isn’t attached to the kettle itself, so it has a tendency to fall off when tipped too far. It’s recommended to hold it down when you pour your hot water to avoid this.

All in all, the COSORI Electric Gooseneck smart kettle is the best value smart kettle. With a mid-tier price range without sacrificing too many features, it’s a great choice for the coffee or tea aficionado.

Pros:

• App controls
• Programmable boiling schedule
• Different push-button presets

Cons:

• Smaller capacity
• A bit hard to clean
• Lid has a tendency to fall off

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4.6/5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4.8/5

If you’re looking for the perfect cup of tea, the Brewista Smart Brew is certainly a kettle to take note of. Designed with tea lovers in mind, it makes brewing a cup simple and easy.

The Brewista Smart Brew Electric Kettle seeks to differentiate itself from the competition by catering to tea aficionados. With built-in tea filters that allow the use of either loose-leaf tea or tea bags, making your favorite hot drink has never been simpler.

The base of this smart kettle features easy-press buttons that allow you to adjust the temperature precisely to the setting that you need. The recommended settings for different kinds of tea are clearly labeled just below the temperature display. A keep warm button will keep your tea at a constant 160 degrees Fahrenheit for a set period.

You can choose to adjust the steeping time of the Brewista Smart Brew from anywhere between 30 seconds and 8 minutes. This gives you the ability to adjust the strength of your tea to your desired level. Although the product centers on brewing tea, this doesn’t prevent you from using the filter and steeping process for coffee beans.

The overall design, however, does leave a lot of room for improvement. At first glance, the Brewista Smart Brew looks just like a regular coffee maker. Brewista should consider improving the aesthetics if it ever comes out with a new model.

The built-in filters also make cleaning a bit finicky, as you have to remove them when you want to clean the kettle. It isn’t that big a deal, but it can get tedious if you use the Smart Brew often. The lack of app controls also means that you can’t brew your tea remotely. There’s a way to program the device to start at a pre-determined time, but once it boils to the set temperature, it will turn off and slowly cool down without giving you a notification.

It may not be the best mid-tier smart kettle in the category, but if you like drinking tea, it does offer a lot of useful features.

Pros:

• Built-in tea filters
• Adjustable temperature gauge with display
• Customizable steeping times

Cons:

• Design is a bit uninspired
• Cleaning is rather finicky
• No app controls

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4.3 / 5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4.2 / 5

Hamilton Beach produces a lot of quality household appliances, and the Hamilton Beach Variable Temperature Electric Kettle is certainly no different. A very modern design, coupled with handy presets, makes it a viable smart kettle choice.

The Hamilton Beach Variable Temperature Control Electric Kettle doesn’t hold back when it comes to aesthetics. The design, along with the cool blue light that shines whenever you’re boiling water, gives this device a modern feel. It’s sure to complement kitchens with a contemporary design.

The one-touch buttons in the handle give you several options when it comes to boiling water. Separate settings for Black, Green, White, and Oolong teas are just one press away. There’s also a French Press setting when you want to brew a good cup of coffee, and a delicate setting for those times that you want hot, but not boiling water. The labels on the buttons do have a tendency to rub off over time, so caution is advised in that respect.

This smart kettle also comes with automatic safety features that prevent heating when the kettle is empty. This avoids subjecting the kettle to dry boils that can cause damage. When the kettle is properly filled, you can set it to keep its current temperature for up to 30 minutes with the push of a button.

The spout design could use a bit of work. Pouring hot water, especially when the kettle is full, is a little tricky, so be careful whenever you pour from the kettle to prevent accidents.

Pros:

• Great design
• One-touch temperature setting
• Auto safety features

Cons:

• No app controls
• Button labels tend to rub off
• Pouring isn’t easy to control

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4 / 5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4 /5

The devices in this category are for those who want a convenient way of making hot water without paying too much money. They may not be as feature-rich as the first two categories, but they’ll do the job at a fraction of the cost.

If you want a kettle that can give you hot water at the right temperature, the Ovente Electric Hot Water Kettle might be a good choice. With different preset settings and different color indicators for each, you’ll know at a glance that you’re boiling at the right temperature.

At a relatively low price point when compared to the other smart kettles in this list, it’s a great choice for those who want convenience on a budget. With different temperature presets available on the smart touchscreen panel on the handle, you can choose the appropriate setting depending for your desired drink.

The water level indicator on the face of the kettle also changes color depending on the temperature setting currently entered. At a glance, you can see whether you have enough water, and if you’ve set the right preset. One thing to note is that the kettle doesn’t give any indication when it’s done boiling, and it will turn off automatically when finished. This is a safety feature to prevent dry boiling, but it can be a hassle if you don’t notice that your hot water is done.

The Ovente Electric Hot Water Kettle does have a keep warm feature that you can set to standby for up to two hours. As long as you notice that you’ve reached your ideal temperature, you can keep it there for quite a while with this feature.

The top and sides of the kettle can get rather hot, though, so it should be kept out of reach of children. Care should be observed when pouring, and touching any of the metal parts should be avoided. The lid also has a tendency to fail, preventing it from being opened easily. When this happens, you can still pour hot water, but refilling it becomes slightly difficult.

At such a low price, one can easily overlook many of the limitations of this smart kettle. It’s not the best around, but it does its job well for a budget device.

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive
• Visual temperature indicator
• Keep warm feature

Cons:

• Lid has a tendency to fail
• Doesn’t notify you when it’s done boiling
• Top and sides get very hot

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4 /5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4 /5

Get the ideal temperature for your hot drinks at a push of a button with the Miroco Electric Kettle. Smart kettle convenience doesn’t have to cost a lot. With the Miroco, you can get that perfect brew without breaking your budget.

The Miroco Electric Kettle has easy-to-use preset buttons right on the handle, with settings for White, Black, Green, and Oolong tea. There is also a setting for French Press Coffee and a Delicate setting for things like baby formula. Various LED indicators clearly display the current setting.

A bit of a problem is that the settings reset whenever you lift the kettle from its base, returning it to regular boiling temperature so you’ll need to reenter your desired settings again if you wish to boil another batch of hot water.

At 1,500 watts of boiling power, it gets you that next batch of hot water relatively quickly. Try to avoid touching any of the metal surfaces as they can get rather hot. The Miroco Electric Kettle doesn’t have a double-wall construction, so the heat inside radiates to outside surfaces.

This smart kettle comes with an automatic off feature that prevents it from heating when the kettle is empty. There’s also a visual water level indicator under the handle that shows how much liquid is inside the kettle. Do note that some customers report that the kettle can leak via that same indicator. It doesn’t affect the majority of owners, but it can happen.

It may not be a top-of-the-line product, but at the Miroco Electric Kettle’s price point, it does offer great value. It’s a good choice for those looking for a budget smart kettle.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use presets
• Quick boiling times
• Visual water level indicator

Cons:

• Temperature settings reset
• Outside can get hot
• Some customers report leaking

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4 / 5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4.2 /5

The YOUSMART Electric Kettle does one job and does it well – it gives you hot water at your preferred temperature when you need it. Whether you want to make tea, coffee, or another hot drink, the YOUSMART Electric Kettle does the job at a reasonable cost.

With this smart kettle, you can easily change presets at the touch of a button. An indicator light shows you which temperature setting you currently have. The base of the kettle also glows a different color depending on your preset. This makes checking that you have the right setting a breeze. The kettle does have limited presets, though. There are only four different options, ranging from 60 to 90 degrees Celsius. The 100-degree boiling point setting is the default mode.

One of the great features of the YOUSMART Electric Kettle is that it notifies you audibly whenever it’s turned on or when it reaches your preset temperature. This eliminates guesswork whenever you try to boil water.

Something to note is the advertised keep-warm feature. It doesn’t work automatically, and it functions by reheating the water until boiling, turning the kettle off, then boiling it again when the water’s temperature reaches 85 degrees Celsius. This repeats for about two hours and not for thirty minutes as advertised, and only to boil –not the preset temperature.

The YOUSMART Electric Kettle also boils water relatively slower than most smart kettles on the list, as it only has 1,100 watts of heating power. It’s still faster than heating on a stove, but there are electric water heaters that are definitely faster.

Pros:

• Handy LED Indicator
• Notifies you when it gets to the preset temperature
• Easy temperature presets

Cons:

• Keep-warm function for boiling only
• Relatively longer boiling times
• Only four different settings

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4 /5

Average Ratings Around the Web: 4.2 /5

Below are some of the more common questions about smart kettles.

1. Is it okay to leave water inside a smart kettle?
   Not really. Water left inside either electric or standard kettles will speed up the forming of limescale if left inside for a log period of time. Limescale is chalky deposits of calcium carbonate that tend to form when water is heated.
   
   Water also tends to stagnate and collect dust and other debris whenever it’s left alone for a long time. Always remove water from the kettle after use, or cover it tightly to prevent dust from entering the kettle.
2. Which are better, electric or stove-top kettles?
   Electric kettles tend to be more energy-efficient than ordinary stove-top kettles for heating water. Smart kettles and electric kettles are made to boil water faster than using an ordinary stove top. In the end, it uses a lot less energy to get to the proper temperature. It’s also a lot harder to get precise heat settings when using the stove rather than an electric kettle.
3. What’s BPA plastic, and why is it bad?
   BPA or bisphenol A is an additive that is present in a lot of plastic and other commercial products today. Although the jury is still out on whether BPA is actually harmful to the body, it’s best to avoid it if you can.
   
   When hot water contacts plastic with BPA, it transfers to the water itself and enters your body when ingested. Thus, it’s best to ensure that no water gets into contact with any plastic when it’s boiling.
4. Are glass kettles better than stainless steel ones?
   Although glass kettles look more stylish and are easier to maintain than stainless steel models, they’re usually heavier and more prone to damage.
   
   Stainless steel kettles are sturdier and usually priced lower than glass ones. One type really isn’t always better than the other, as it depends on the manufacturer. Generally, a lot more people prefer stainless steel kettles because of the cost.

With the popularity of smart home devices, it’s no surprise that electric kettles are following suit. For many, drinks like tea and coffee have become a daily ritual, and adding convenience to that is an obvious step in the right direction. The perfect cup at a push of a button is certainly something to look forward to.

Do you know of other great smart kettles that weren’t mentioned here? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.