If you’re craving a good cup of tea but also love living the luxe life, these electric and stovetop kettles can help you create a brew that will have you relaxing in seconds.
Tea lovers know that there’s nothing quite so handy as a good quality kettle. Whether you prefer stovetop or electric, these appliances are your ticket to a relaxing afternoon – and in winter they can even have you getting toasty with a hot water bottle. So if you’re all about luxury, you want a kettle to match. Read on for our top picks on the best designer kettles.
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Where to buy the best designer kettles in Australia
Top 15 best designer kettles
1. SMEG 50's Retro Style Aesthetic Kettle
SMEG is easily one of the most popular brands at the moment due to its prominent featuring on renovation shows, and this kettle does not disappoint.
SMEG's Retro Style Aesthetic Kettle comes with a removable limescale filter, soft opening lid and a 360-degree base. This kettle's classic style will fit with any 50’s aesthetic and it comes in a wide range of colours. The pastel pink is a favourite – we can just imagine it fitting right into the set of the movie Grease!
Cost: $266.81
Type: Electric kettle
Brand: Smeg
2. Stelton Emma Electric Kettle
Stelton appliances are the epitome of Swedish chic, and we absolutely love the simple, sophisticated designs that Stelton is known for.
The Emma Electric Kettle is a modern, cordless electric kettle which comes inclusive with a removable limescale filter, dry-boil safety switch and it even switches off automatically once the water has reached boiling point. The Emma’s clean lines and smooth materials make it a must-have for all lovers of Scandi style.
Cost: $428.50
Type: Electric kettle
Brand: Stelton
3. DeLonghi Distinta Digital Kettle
DeLonghi is a household name for most appliances, but one thing they do really well is kettle design. Not only are they all artistically rendered, they’re also highly functional.
The Distinta Digital kettle has a button to suit every type of tea you can think of, and thanks to its digital base you can customise the temperature to boot. It has three levels of protection including an auto switch-off, thermal cut-off and automatic cut-off when removed from the base.
Cost: $169.00
Type: Electric kettle
Brand: DeLonghi
4. Kate Spade New York All in Good Taste 2.4l. Tea Kettle
As with all things Kate Spade, the tea kettles are incredibly fun and aim for a cute aesthetic – which we know will give your kitchen an air of excitement.
The New York "All in Good Taste" kettle is a whimsical design that combines functionality with kitsch. This stovetop kettle is stainless steel with an on-trend polka dot design.
Cost: $292.00
Type: Stovetop kettle
Brand: Kate Spade
5. Hario Buono Kettle
Hario Buono is one of the leading brands in tea and coffee merchandise, so you know you’re in the right hands when you buy one of their sleek, goose-necked kettles.
The Hario Buono kettle is incredibly functional and striking in its design. The handle and spout are ergonomically designed to make it easy to pour, and though designed for coffee it can be used for coffee and tea.
Cost: $195.00
Type: Stovetop kettle
Brand: Hario Buono
6. Le Creuset Traditional Kettle
Le Creuset is a relatively well-known name, and their ranges of cookware, stoneware and bakeware definitely deserve the reputation.
The Traditional Kettle is just that: classic and timeless. The enamel steel stovetop kettle comes in a variety of colours and will fit right in with your kitchen.
Cost: $245.50
Type: Stovetop kettle
Brand: Le Creuset
7. MacKenzie-Childs 3 Quart Tea Kettle
MacKenzie-Childs is all about vintage chic – from colourful furnishings to exquisitely painted ceramics, the brand is all about embracing English charm.
MacKenzie-Childs’ 3 Quart Tea Kettle really is an elegant, traditional design that still puts modern customers in awe. The golden edging and hand-painted features of this design is even a favourite of Kris Jenner and the Kardashians.
Cost: $155.00
Type: Stovetop kettle
Brand: MacKenzie
8. Breville Smart Kettle
You may be more familiar with Breville as a toaster or sandwich maker company, but don’t let that fool you. Breville kettles are incredibly reliable and they’re stylish to boot.
The Smart Kettle uses specially-designed temperature settings to match your brew to the ideal heating point – and it can even keep it steady for up to 20 minutes. Its soft-open lid staggers the release of hot steam, giving you a bit of extra protection.
Cost: $169.00
Type: Electric kettle
Brand: Breville
9. Simplex No. 2 Solid Chromed Gas/Electric Kettle
Metallic detailing is huge right now, and Simplex’s range of kettles definitely capitalise on that. From copper to bronze to silver, you’ll be more than satisfied with your new addition.
The No. 2 Solid Chromed Gas/Electric Kettle is adaptable and user-friendly, designed to be used both on gas stoves and electrical hotplates. If you love a whistling tea kettle, this melodious appliance is the one for you.
Cost: $389.00
Type: Electric & Stovetop kettle
Brand: Simplex
10. Morphy Richards Accents Traditional Pyramid Kettle
If you’re a sucker for traditional styling and contrasting colours, Morphy Richards creates classic shapes and styles that will suit any kitchen.
The Accents Traditional Pyramid Kettle is a safe, classic model that you can adapt to your needs with ease. Don’t like the whistle? Simply switch it off. It also has a removable limescale filter for easy maintenance.
Cost: $130.00
Type: Stovetop kettle
Brand: Morphy Richards
11. KitchenAid Artisan 1.25 litre Kettle
KitchenAid’s sleek kettles are known for their quality and compact nature. Its range comes equipped with features that emphasise their functionality without sacrificing aesthetics, not to mention its sophisticated shape.
The Artisan 1.24L Kettle is a stylish addition to any kitchen, and the bright red of this model will pep you up almost as much as your cup of tea will. With an LED indicator light and removable lid for easy fill, having a cuppa has never been easier.
Cost: $179.00
Type: Electric kettle
Brand: KitchenAid
12. Sage Tea Maker
If you want tea fit for a five-star chef, Heston Blumenthal’s design for Sage has you covered. With incredible technology and extra features, it’s beyond what you could want in a kettle.
This electric kettle has variable temperature settings and brews your tea carefully according to your selections. You can choose from a range of preset temperatures or go out on your own – and there’s a feature to keep it warm afterwards too.
Cost: $300.00
Type: Electric kettle
Brand: Sage
13.Mauviel Traditional Stainless Steel Kettle
It’s hard to go past a classic, and the smooth, clean shapes of French designer Mauviel are truly timeless. Sip your tea while dreaming of a cafe in Paris.
The Traditional Stainless Steel Kettle is a masterclass in simple, sleek French design. The curvature of the handle makes it easier to pour, and it’s suitable for all heat surfaces. This stovetop kettle blends style and structure.
Cost: $290.00
Type: Stovetop kettle
Brand: Mauviel
14. Casa Bugatti Vera Kettle
A Bugatti car might not be something for your everyday person, but despite being different you can definitely get all of the style with a Casa Bugatti kettle – for a fraction of the cost.
The Vera Kettle is an intelligently-designed and structurally exciting kettle, with the capacity to reach varying temperatures, set a timer for your ideal boiling time, electronic controls, and it even tells you the time.
Cost: $363.00
Type: Electric kettle
Brand: Casa Bugatti
15. Dualit Stoneware 1.5L Jug Kettle
Sometimes you need a kettle that just knows exactly what you’re after. Dualit’s range definitely has the goods, and will have you sipping tea in no time.
The Stoneware 1.5L Jug Kettle blends the easy-to-use interface of intelligent kettles with the style of a traditional model to create a sophisticated, upright kettle. The matte finish is the icing on the cake of stylish design.
Cost: $144.00
Type: Electric kettle
What is the difference between electric and stovetop kettles?
The difference between electric and stovetop kettles is simple. Electric kettles function by connecting to a power point and heating up via the electrical current. They’re best suited to people who like specificity with their boiling (like boiling to certain temperatures or being able to use a timer).
Stovetop kettles are an older method of boiling water, where the kettle itself is placed on top of an induction cooktop or gas stove (depending on the model) and is boiled by the outside heat. If you think back to old movies, whenever a character put on a cup of tea, the whistle that signalled that the water was ready was made by a stovetop kettle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a kettle?
If you're spending the money for a really great kettle, you're going to want it to last for a long time. Regular maintenance and cleaning are the best ways to guarantee a long-life for your kettle. The most important thing is to regularly check your kettle for limescale (the residue left behind from the boiled water that stains your surfaces).
A lot of higher-end kettles come with a removable limescale filter, but if your model doesn't have one there's a very easy way to clean it yourself. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and boil it in your kettle, then leave it to sit until cool. Rinse it out, then using a gentle cloth you can carefully wipe away any remaining residue. If any stubborn residue remains just repeat the process until you're satisfied.
Note: if using any corrosive cleaning agents on your kettle, be sure to check the user manual first.
Are kettles dangerous?
Kettles can be perfectly safe, provided they are used correctly and without unnecessary risks. As with all appliances, it’s safest and best practice to make sure only adults use the kettle. Due to the fact that the function of a kettle is to heat water to boiling point, they can be extremely hot to touch and reasonably heavy when full. This is especially the case with stovetop kettles, which produce hot steam once the water has boiled and can cause steam burns if you’re not careful.
Electric kettles are also hot to the touch, and it’s important to ensure they’re securely plugged into a safe socket. Most will come in-built with an auto-turn-off feature that will switch off the electricity once the water reaches boiling point.
Are kettles noisy?
Kettles have a reputation for being noisy, largely due to the loud whistle that is produced by escaping steam in older stovetop models. However, nowadays kettle noise (for the most part) is significantly reduced. When water boils, the bubbles that form will inevitably create some noise as they hit each other, collapse in on themselves and pop in a confined space as they rise.
Make sure you descale your kettle regularly to minimise build up, which can lead to louder noise. Some models are designed to minimise the noise from this, however if you actually prefer the classic whistling kettle, you can definitely get hold of a stovetop kettle that will do the job.
