The Best Teakettles for Gas Stoves Can Handle the Heat and Still Age Gracefully

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.“ That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

Yes, you can have boiling water with the flick of a switch via an electric teakettle. But when countertop space is in short supply, a kettle on the stove saves space and adds character to the kitchen, too. “I think that the nostalgia that can come from preparing something as you grew up preparing it—and the comfort of routine acts like lighting your stove—can be reason enough for some people to stick to the low-tech way,” says Kiyomi Higuchi, product manager of home at the Museum of Modern Art. 
With that in mind, we got to boiling and testing to find the best teakettles for gas stoves in a variety of styles (hello, grand-millennials!), price points, and materials. The right one may not make waking up any easier, but when you “tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen” à la Dolly Parton, at least the perfect kettle will be waiting for you.

Our Favorites

• Best unique material: MoMA Design Store Glass Water Kettle 
• Best pour-over: Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle
• Best stainless steel: Demeyere Resto Stainless Steel Tea Kettle 
• Best small size: Schoolhouse Enamel + Wood Kettle
• Best colors: Chantal Enamel-on-Steel Sven Tea Kettle
• Best whistle: Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle
• Best for loose-leaf: Serax Black Utilise.Objects Edition Collage Tea Pot

Best Unique Material: MoMA Design Store Glass Water Kettle 

Material: Borosilicate glass | Capacity: 1.8 quarts | Whistle: No

Why we chose it: A labware-chic option that gets an A+ for boiling.

The Hungarian brand Trendglas JENA has focused on borosilicate glass cookware for 100 years. It clearly knows what it’s doing, but it’s still pretty shocking to see a glass object handle heat with such ease. It’s fun (and rather useful) to be able to see the water bubble, especially because this kettle doesn’t whistle. (Turns out, a watched pot does boil.) Etched in white on the side are the safety instructions, which is ideal for an apartment with roommates or those who frequently play host to guests.

Best Pour-Over: Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle

Material: Stainless steel body | Capacity: 1 quart  | Whistle: No

Why we chose it: The best way to start the day? With an impeccably designed pour-over.

This thoughtfully designed kettle will make coffee making almost as pleasurable as coffee drinking. Our tester found the ergonomic weighted handle comfortable and easy to hold, and Fellow explains that it shifts the center of mass closer to your hand for an easier pour. The top features a thermometer with the optimal brew range, and the long, narrow spout is ideal for precise pour-overs. Our tester also loved that this kettle brought the water up to her selected temperature (176 degrees Fahrenheit when she was making matcha). One small snafu: We found that a bit of water can sometimes gurgle out of the spout if it is filled above the max fill line, visible on the inside of the kettle, so be sure not to overfill. With its sleek and carefully considered design, this kitchen workhorse looks great and functions even better. 

Best Stainless Steel: Demeyere Resto Stainless Steel Tea Kettle 

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 4.2 quarts or 6.3 quarts | Whistle: No

Why we chose it: A sturdy, well-made kettle that’s not too heavy and comes from a brand that’s been making them this way for a century. 

Good stainless steel is durable, forgiving, and versatile. Made of 18/10 stainless steel, a high-quality variety that’s particularly well suited for cookware, this kettle is meant to last. With a classic shape from a Belgian brand that’s been in the business of cookware for more than a century, it will work in a more traditional kitchen, but it’ll match stainless steel appliances in a modern or industrial-looking kitchen, too. Especially with a larger kettle that’s handling a lot of liquid, it’s nice to have a design that doesn’t add too much excess weight, as is the case here. This versatile kettle (available in two sizes) has an especially wide lid, so it’s ideal for making things like spiced cider, mulled wine, and various teas. Adding cinnamon sticks or fruit is easy with the large opening, as is cleaning it post-use. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, big brunches, and bulk steeping. 

Best Small Size: Schoolhouse Enamel + Wood Kettle

Material: Enamel-coated steel and wood | Capacity: 1.5 quarts, “do not fill more than 70%.” | Whistle: No

Why we chose it: Quality materials, a simple shape, and a minimal profile make for a perfect little teakettle. 

A circular motif plays out in this charming kettle, made from highly conductive enamel-coated steel and light-colored maple- and beechwood—perfect for making a quick cup or two of tea and looks great sitting out on the stove. It’s a cute option for a small apartment or solo living and, in our testing, it boiled water especially quickly. 

Best Colors: Chantal Enamel-on-Steel Sven Tea Kettle

Material: Enamel-coated steel, rubberwood | Capacity: 1.4 quarts | Whistle: Yes

Why we chose it: Available in eight colors, this kettle is a great way to add a pop of color to the kitchen. 

With its range of richly saturated hues (think: canary yellow and deep blue), this kettle is a high-impact, low-commitment way to bring color into the kitchen. Chantal’s enamel-on-steel kettle comes in a variety of shapes and colors, including a limited-edition blue and white splatter; it’s also available in neutrals, like a sleek white or light gray. This model’s 100 percent rubberwood handle gets less hot than handles made of other woods and way less hot than metal, making it easier to pour. The only problem is picking a color.  

Best Whistle: Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle

Material: Ceramic-coated stainless steel body | Capacity: 2 quarts | Whistle: Yes

Why we chose it: An eye-catching, ceramic-coated kettle that won’t let you forget it…thanks to bright hues and a solid whistle. 

Nobody puts Caraway in the corner. It makes ceramic-coated kitchenware in fun colors and sleek designs that are worthy of leaving out on the stovetop, and this kettle—its latest addition—is no exception. And while it has that old-school whistle so you don’t forget a pot of water, the glossy exterior is attention grabbing in its own way. Our tester had a lot of good things to say about this one, including praise for the ergonomic handle and how lightweight it is for a 2-liter capacity. Then there’s the larger opening on top, which makes it easy to clean (her hand could comfortably reach inside with a sponge).

Best for Loose-Leaf: Serax Black Utilise.Objects Edition Collage Tea Pot 

Material: Cast iron with metal filter and enamel interior | Capacity: 1.2 quarts | Whistle: No

Why we chose it: An option for loose-leaf tea that shouldn’t be tucked away after use.

This teapot is inspired by Japanese design and “based on the idea that tableware can also serve perfectly well as decoration, instead of being stored away after use,” according to designers Giel Dedeurwaerder and Brent Neve of the Utilise.objects collective. It has a really nice pour, and the fine-mesh metal strainer keeps loose-leaf tea contained. With a low profile, it doesn’t hold a ton of water, but it’s perfect for individual use. A beautiful and solid object that will last for years to come, this kettle would make a great gift for a tea aficionado. 

On Our Radar

• With its playful, bulbous shape and construction of stainless steel and thermoplastic resin, the Alessi Bulbul is a kettle that’s just as at home on the stove as it is on the table. 
• A luxe wedding gift for your favorite tea lovers, the Simplex Buckingham No. 1 is a gorgeous copper kettle. Simplex has been making kettles since 1903, so it knows what it’s doing, and while this design looks delightfully old school, it’s incredibly efficient thanks to the design. 

How We Chose These Products

To find the best teakettles, we looked for kettles at the intersection of form and function, plus a variety of styles to suit various kitchen aesthetics and caffeine consumption methods—tea and coffee drinkers alike. We sought out kettles that looked good while performing a crucial morning task—and the kind that’ll look good sitting on the stove after use. Finally, we sourced everywhere from industry stalwarts (including two with a century of experience each) to contemporary design collectives bringing a fresh eye to kettle design. Then we put each kettle to the test, exploring everything from design and weight to whistle sounds and pour experience. 

Our Shopping Checklist

Spout 

“There are several important factors that could make someone more inclined toward one kettle over another, and an important one is spout type,” says Higuchi. “A gooseneck spout allows for a very precise pour and is great for people honing in on the perfect cup of pour-over coffee. Alternatively, if you’re making tea with a bag, you may find the small opening of a gooseneck annoyingly slow and instead opt for a wider spout that allows for more water flow but still gives you a clean pour.” 

Design and Material

“Being a Brit, tea is a very important part of my day, and the process of making tea is partly therapeutic for me,” says Christopher Peacock, founder of a kitchen cabinetry line. “I like the look of the stovetop kettle but also love to throw a switch and have it turn off automatically via an electric teakettle.” He prefers a stainless steel finish: “It matches the other equipment in my kitchen,” he says. “It’s easier to clean and looks the part,” Higuchi adds. “Your personal aesthetic is not to be undervalued when it comes to selecting the perfect kettle. The right kettle can tie a kitchen together.” The finish is mostly aesthetic, though: In our testing, different materials didn’t significantly impact the time it took to bring water to a boil.

Size and Speed

“Size is an important factor,” says Higuchi. “Large kettles take longer to boil but can be the best choice if you’re having a tea party with a larger group.” Consider how many cups you’re boiling the majority of the time—whether it’s tea for two each morning, a solo pour-over, or an occasional pot when friends come over—and go from there. In our testing, despite different sizes and materials, almost all of our selections boiled two cups of water between three and five minutes. The only outlier was the Serax kettle, which took closer to six. Keep in mind that how rapidly the water boils also varies by stove and water amount. 

Whistle

Higuchi suggests asking yourself how easily you lose track of what you’re doing before making a kettle decision. “If your answer, like mine, is ‘very easily,’ you may want a whistle to remind you that it’s time to check the water,” she says. Others find the whistle annoying and would prefer to go without it. Not all teakettles for gas stoves whistle—even some of the more traditional ones don’t—so make sure to check whether it whistles or not before making a purchase. 

Ask Domino

Q: How do I make my kitchen feel warmer and more inviting?

We turned to Peacock, whose eponymous cabinetry is in some of the world’s most beautiful kitchens. He’s also a Brit who drinks about four cups of tea a day. “The kitchen is my happiest place to be in the house, and I like the decor simple but not too stark,” he says. “Avoid too minimal of a countertop—you want it to look like the space is actually used, not just for show.” That could be as simple as adding a canister of cooking spoons by the stove or a bowl of fruit to the counter. One budget-friendly item he always has on hand is the humble tea towel. “A colorful cloth always does the job of softening the look,” he says. But they’re not just for show: “I use loads of soft cloths for wiping things down and drying up.” 

Q: What’s the difference between a teakettle and a teapot?

For the most part, a teakettle is for bringing water to a boil in order to make tea, while a teapot is for steeping the tea and then serving it. Generally speaking, teapots don’t go on the stove, but there are exceptions, including stainless steel designs and our best loose-leaf pick. A kettle or teapot maker will list proper usage in the description (for example, not all teakettles work on induction stoves), so make sure you’re getting one that works for your heat source and plans. Whichever kettle you settle on, never heat it empty and never let it boil dry. 

Q: Who makes cute pot holders for handling a hot teakettle?

Hay makes one in a heat-resistant, nonslip suede, and Hawkins New York makes simple linen ones in a variety of colors. Don’t forget a trivet. 

The Last Word

A teakettle that fits your style and beverage needs makes for a brighter morning and a better routine. With a plethora of great options, the only hard part is choosing just one.