Top 10 Best Stovetop Kettles for 2023

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One of the most essential and widely-used appliances in your kitchen is undoubtedly your electric kettle: it’s simple, you fill it up, plug it in and it boils water for you for a nice cup of tea. However, did you know that an electric kettle is among one of the most inefficient items, when it comes to energy use, in the home? This is because it has to use a very powerful element to get the water boiled and, as it is often not full, it uses the same power for one cup as it does for a full kettle.

This is why we are going to talk about traditional stovetop/hob kettles; but, we hear you ask, isn’t that a step backward? Well, no, you’ll be surprised to hear, as modern hobs are very efficient and will boil your water quickly. We all remember it: the whistling tin kettle from your grandma’s house that was used routinely for tea and hot water – what a sound that was! The fact is that stovetop kettles are back in fashion; the modern equivalent uses highly efficient materials and designs and is a very attractive item for your kitchen.

Let’s face it, your electric kettle is probably a white plastic one that just doesn’t look like anything other than, well, a plastic electric kettle! But, you want your kitchen appliances to be stylish and attractive, as you do other items in and around the house. You can find stovetop kettles in highly traditional designs and a range of excellent colors, and you will be impressed that they are not as expensive as you might believe. So, before we go on to tell you about these truly lovely appliances, a bit more about them, and what they do.

Best Stovetop Kettles Comparison Table

PRODUCT	FEATURES	LATEST PRICE
1. VonShef Whistling Stove Top Kettle	2.7-liter capacity Silicone handles Whistling spout Two-year manufacturer warranty	Check Price
2. SUSTEAS Tea Kettle	Looks good Made using durable materials Comfortable pouring Large water capacity	Check Price
3. Prima 3.5l Stainless Steel	Stainless steel Safety handle Great looks Fantastic colour choice Price	Check Price
4. SULIVES Stainless Steel Whistling Kettle	Simple design Soft whistle Made using food-grade materials Lovely gift	Check Price
5. Prestige Enamel Stovetop Kettle	Attractive design Whistling safety spout well made Lovely colours and finish	Check Price
6. Pykal Whistling Tea Kettle with iCool	Water boils quickly Two infusers inside 2.8-liter capacity	Check Price
7. Le Creuset Kone Kettle	Le Creuset Great design Stunning quality Fold-down handle Enamel exterior	Check Price
8. Wesco Classic Line	Quality item Stunning design Great colours Impressive style	Check Price
9. Imperial Easy Cook 2-Litre	Retro design Cheap Stainless steel	Check Price
10. Russell Hobbs 26051	Comfortable handle Auto switch-off when boils dry No excessive steam	Check Price

So, less of the talk now, let’s get on with the job and give you the top 10 best stovetop kettles in the UK on the market right now. Some of these are induction hob kettles but they are all non-electric kettles.

The Top 10 Stove Top Kettles

1. VonShef Whistling Stove Top Kettle

The VonShef kettle is induction safe and suitable for all stove types. It has an impressive 2.7-liter capacity, which is ideal for when guests come over. 

It displays a modern design and is made out of stainless steel that has been finished in soft silver. The kettle is full of character and fits into any modern home. 

The silicone handle and lid ensures that the handles are cool to touch for safe and comfortable pouring and opening. You won’t forget about your boiling kettle with the loud whistling spout that will alert the whole house when the water has boiled. 

2. SUSTEAS Tea Kettle 

Here is a funky looking kettle for you! This colorful kettle is relatively new on the market. It is branded with stainless steel and looks retro and cool in any kitchen. 

The Susteas kettle is large with a 2.6-liter capacity, perfect for large families or for coffee with friends. It whistles clearly and loudly when the water is ready to pour as long as the lid and spout are closed firmly. Aluminum, stainless steel, and iron make up the base of the kettle. 

These materials are extremely durable and heat resistant, helping the kettle last longer. Finally, the thumb press spout and ‘C’ shaped handle make for comfortable and precise pouring. 

3. Prima 3.5l Stainless Steel

Combining a touch of the retro traditional look with some decidedly modern features, this kettle from Prima – a maker of fine kitchen items – is a nice one for if you want something that is a little bit different. It’s made from stainless steel so is durable and usable, and comes in a range of bright, modern and rather wacky colours with stainless steel trimming. The plastic handle is designed for safety, and it is very easy to use.

You also get the desired whistling spout feature, this one with a trigger action for ease of use, and it is suitable for all hobs. It’s 3.5litre in capacity so will handle any task, and is a very neat design all-round. If you have a kitchen that is not predominantly white or stainless steel this could be the choice for you, but we have seven more to look at so don’t make your mind up yet!

However, we admit it is very tempting at less than £15, which is nothing for an item such as this.

4. SULIVES Stainless Steel Whistling Kettle

The Sulives kettle is made out of premium food-grade stainless steel as well as being BPA free. It sounds like a gentle whistle when the water has boiled, and there are no harsh and annoying sounds that may wake your children when the kettle boils.

Silicone is used to make the heat resistant handle that is shaped for easy pouring and comfort. This certainly is a great gift for someone you love! 

5. Prestige Enamel Stovetop Kettle

The pattern continues with this admittedly very attractive design, one that is finished beautifully with an enamel coating on the outside of quality stainless-steel construction. It takes its cue from the designs of old – such as that at number 2 on this list – and is a nice item all-round. This one is suitable for all hobs, including induction hobs, and is simple to use, and it comes with the required whistling spout.

Indeed, the spout locks and the lid fits tightly to keep in the pressure and make sure it cooks very quickly, while its safety features extend to a soft-touch and stay-cool handle so it is easy to use.

With this model – you can also have it in a rather stunning red if black is not your thing – you also get an impressive 10-year guarantee, which is added assurance of the quality of the item. And, we have to say, it is a quality kettle, but at over £35, in this company it will have to be.

6. Pykal Whistling Tea Kettle with iCool

This Pykal whistling tea kettle is a new and improved model with additional features and developed specifications. You now get quick water heating from the five-layer encapsulated base that boils the water fast. 

It is compatible with induction, electric, gas, ceramic, and halogen stove types, making it super versatile and suitable for most kitchens. The easy push-button pouring mechanism makes for easy pouring and comfortable dispensing, and the silicone handle adds to its ease of use. 

7. Le Creuset Kone Kettle

Mention Le Creuset to any self-respecting housewife, and they will instantly know what you are on about! This manufacturer of ultra-high-quality kitchen equipment is known mainly for its gorgeously designed and superbly made cookware, so it’s great to see a stovetop kettle from such an esteemed brand. It’s a very attractive design, too, with its own distinct look that distinguishes it from the rest of theses, and it will look the part in any kitchen, modern or contemporary.

It comes with a fixed whistle spout, and the body is made from enamelled stainless-steel for the very best in durability. It features a handle made from heat-resistant material that also folds down for convenience, and it is suitable for use on all heat sources. The enamelled exterior is also easy to clean, so it will look good in any of the available colours.

There are two concerns, however: it has a small capacity at 1.6litres, and it will cost you around £65 – but that’s what you pay for the name but it really is a great stovetop kettle.

8. Wesco Classic Line

I have reviewed some surprisingly beautiful stovetop kettles – not a sentence I ever thought I would write – here, and this one is among the prettiest. It is distinctly retro, in a good sort of way, but with its own style. The design is very attractive overall, and it comes in a choice of black or red, each with a stainless-steel lover half. It’s made from very high-quality materials and finished to a high standard, and comes with all the usual attributes such as a safety handle, a closing spout with quick release for easy pouring, and the much-vaunted whistle for when the water has boiled.

The best way to describe this one is decidedly elegant; a lot of effort and thought has gone into this one, and it really does work as an overall design. It’s a 2-litre capacity kettle, so not the biggest one here (although not the smallest either) and it would look the part in any kitchen.

There is one drawback, however, and that’s the price: at almost £70 this one is among the most expensive, by a long way, but if you’re willing to pay that for a what is a very high-quality item that really does look superb and does a fine job, we suggest you don’t write it off.

9. Imperial Easy Cook 2-Litre

The simplicity of this design, like number two on the list, lies in the fact it takes an older, traditional design – the aforementioned dome style – and doesn’t change it at all. It’s made from lovely, shiny stainless steel and has a Bakelite handle for cool handling and safety, and looks as good as it can with no adornments at all. It would actually fit in nicely in a modern or older-style kitchen as it is pretty timeless, and we like it as it seems to be well-made.

The only thing with the cheaper-end kettles such as this – you’ll actually get change from a tenner for this one – is that they don’t come with the more modern bases that give you the spread heating for quick boiling, but at that price and with these looks, are you really bothered?

This one is 2-litre capacity so not the biggest, and isn’t the prettiest of the lot, but if it’s a simple, retro-look kettle you’re after, there’s little wrong with it.

10. Russell Hobbs 26051

A hot beverage is a great way to both start and end a day, but getting the hot water is often more trouble than it’s worth.  Not so with this kettle – Despite its nearly two-liter capacity, this appliance can heat up a full cup of water in less than a minute, easily providing warm drinks for the entire family or hot water for cooking in only a short amount of time.

This appliance is as simple as they come, with a simple on and off switch and a convenient thumb lever to allow for easy pouring or quick refilling. A honeycomb panel design on the exterior finish gives it a modern look that is a perfect fit for a modern kitchen. 

There’s more than just looks that makes this appliance belong in a high-tech home; there are multiple features that take the time-tested concept of the electric kettle to a new and modern level. Along with the rapid boiling feature, this kettle includes a boil-dry protection system that keeps the kettle from either wasting water and electricity or endangering the house by boiling on indefinitely. 

Another convenience included in this item is the detachable base, which allows you to put the kettle down on the base to boil and remove it completely to carry it around the kitchen. Homeowners will also be pleased with the high efficiency energy rating, which means they use less electricity for the same great cup of coffee. 

That’s our top 10 of the best stovetop kettles on the market today, and we hope we have helped you find one that suits your needs. Before we go on to sum up, let’s have a look at the important features to consider.

Important Features to Consider

So, you want a stovetop kettle? It’s a great idea as they look good, and they will use less energy when boiling water on the hob than your electric kettle. How do you choose the best one? Here are a few pointers to the important factors to consider.

Capacity – our choices cover everything from 1.5ltr to more than 3ltr, so you have a great deal of choice among them. It depends what you need – for a large family, the bigger the capacity the better, but if it’s just you, why do need such a big kettle?

Colour – stainless steel or coloured? There are some excellent options among the ten we have listed, so if you want bright and vibrant colours, you will have no problem finding something. If you want the retro stainless-steel look, you will also find something that will easily fit your requirements.

Whistle – they all do, so don’t worry!

Safety Features – you need to make sure it has a stay-cool handle that is easy to use, and that any other safety issues are attended to.

Price – there is a wide price disparity between these kettles, with everything from as little as £10 to as much as £70 quoted, so decide what you want to pay, and stick to your budget.

That’s our top tips for buying a stovetop kettle, and we think they are great items, so all that remains now is to wrap things up!

How Hob Kettles Work

How does a kettle work? It’s a daft question, right? You simply put the water in and place it on the hob, and pretty soon, it boils! It’s fascinating to think, however, about how man first discovered this thing of wonder. Why did kettles first come about? In Mesopotamia, many thousands of years ago, traditional kettles were used to boil water, but to make it safe for drinking. This still happens in many of the undeveloped countries today, where pots or kettles are boiled over open fires.

The transition to the kitchen came with the development of stoves, and the old iron kettle became a kitchen implement of the most important order. It still is, but not in the old form that we know it for. So, why has the stovetop kettle made a comeback? Modern stoves – especially induction ceramic hobs – are surprisingly energy efficient whereas, as we have already said, the electric kettle is not. Also, they look good, and can be quite ornamental, which harks back to the kettles of ancient days that would typically be highly decorated.

The stovetop kettle tends to be a well-made item, too, with the emphasis on quality materials rather than formed plastic, so will look good among your other appliances in the kitchen. If you want a touch of colour there are plenty to choose from, and you will find it a simple way of boiling water.

Let’s Wrap It Up!

These stovetop kettles may seem like a step backward, but in fact, they are highly impressive energy-saving appliances that also look great. We have covered two distinct styles here – the traditional dome-shaped stainless-steel retro kettle, and those that mix the traditional with more modern touches, so the choice really is up to you.

If you want something truly stylish, you have to pay for it, and that means the Wesco Classic, at number 8: it really is extremely attractive, and of amazing quality. For something in the lower price range, the Bergner Milano, our number 4, is also worth a look for its classic good looks.

The VonShef kettle really caught my eye. It ticks all of the boxes! However, the choice is yours, so read through again and get yourself a stylish, energy-efficient stovetop kettle that will look simply great in your kitchen.

If you want to see whether an electric or a stovetop kettle is more efficient then check out this article.

FAQ

Q: Are whistling kettles easy to use?

A: Yes, all you need to do is to place the kettle on the stove and wait for the water to boil!

Q: Why does my kettle whistle?

A: Stovetop kettles are designed to whistle when the water has reached boiling point. This feature lets you know when the water is ready to use. 

Q: Can a tea kettle explode?

A: Yes, it can. If you leave your kettle on the stove for too long, the water will overheat, and the kettle could potentially explode. 

Q: Why isn’t my kettle whistling?

A: Your kettle won’t whistle for a number of different reasons. The first thing to check is that the water has been filled to the whistle line. Next, make sure that the lid is firmly closed; these are the main reasons why kettles do not whistle. 

Q: How long does a whistling kettle take to boil?

A: A whistling kettle could take anywhere between five to 10 minutes to boil. 

Q: Are stovetop kettles more energy efficient?

A: Yes, stovetop kettles are more energy-efficient than electric kettles. 

Source: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/kitchen-safety/