I’m going to be honest. My brain just doesn’t work the way I need it to unless it gets its caffeine fix. It’s like brain diesel for me and I consume so much of the stuff that I believe my blood type is part Cappuccino, part Americano.
But seriously though, I am pretty sure that a lot of people feel this way about their mornings and coffee. And most of them probably just want to get woken up by a good old cup of Joe and not the shrill sound of a kettle, which, unfortunately, is the situation that I have to deal with every single morning. I plug it in, turn it on and it just makes this horrendous sound while it’s boiling the water.
The reality is although the world has gotten to the point where there are gadgets that can help us for every single task imaginable, we still can’t get them to operate without much noise. And don’t you think we have enough noise to deal with?
The neighbor’s pet, cars and their noisy lifters running up and down the street, noisy would-be musicians practicing their craft, etc. The list goes on and on. The last thing I really need is an electric kettle that adds to my headaches.
So I went out to the local electronics store, the owner of which is a close friend of mine. I asked him what the quietest electric kettle is and to my surprise, he gave me several items that I should really take a look at and consider purchasing.
But before we get to that, let’s discuss why you need a quiet kettle.
Click here if you want to find out what the best quiet kettles are!
Table of Contents
Don’t want to read through our whole guide? You can use our table of content to jump to the part most relevant to you!
- Why Do You Need a Quiet Kettle?
- What Should You Look For in a Good Quiet Kettle?
- The Best Quiet Kettles Today
- The Bottom Line
Why Do You Need a Quiet Kettle?
An electric kettle is just a lot more efficient when it comes to boiling water. It saves you time and more importantly, power, as these are much more energy-efficient compared to that of a stove or microwave.
I use my trusty electric kettle for a variety of reasons that include cooking pasta to making myself tea or coffee. Simply put, an electric kettle boils water for cooking faster than a pot does.
But as mentioned above, these devices make noise, a lot of them. From a whistling sound to this low rumbling noise that makes you wonder whether a train is headed towards your kitchen, electric kettles are anything but quiet. I endeavored to find out why is this so and learned that the more powerful an electric kettle is, the louder it will be. In addition, low-quality kettles and those that feature moving parts are also noisier than usual.
In the next section of this guide, we’ll discuss what other elements you should pay close attention to when buying an electric kettle.
If you want to see what the best quiet kettles are, click here!
What Should You Look For in a Good Quiet Kettle?
It’s fairly difficult to label an electric kettle “quiet” just by looking at one at the store. So I thought I’d save you the trouble as I meticulously combed through one user review after another, comments, and kettle specs to discover what features of quiet kettles you should really hone in on.
1) Quiet Boil and Beeps
Without published decibel ratings from the manufacturers, discovering which electric kettles are “quiet” is a subjective task. We had to investigate and lean on my own experiences and scrutinize through hundreds of user reviews to establish my rankings.
2. Excellent Materials
The best materials that your electric kettle should be made of are stainless steel and glass. Stainless steel keeps water warm and clean while glass makes for easy viewing of the boiling water. If you have any concerns regarding BPA leeching, pick a kettle with nominal or even no plastic at all.
3. Temperature Controls
Tea and coffee lovers are well aware that temperature control is key to obtaining the best steep and flavor. Some of the best electric kettles have great temperature controls that make sure you get optimal water temperature.
4. Quick Boiling
A fast boil is a feature that you should really look for and for very obvious reasons. You want your cup of coffee in the morning and then, get on with the day. Rapid boiling kettles should only take a few minutes to boil 1.5L of water.
5. Boil Indicators
A silent boil indicator like, for example, a light, is best. Some kettles that do beep have the ability to turn it off, but others do not so keep an eye out for that option.
6. Safety Features
An automatic shut off is definitely a must, and most but not all electric kettles actually have this feature. If you are of the opinion that BPA and plastics, in general, are a bad idea then go for all stainless steel and glass kettles. You will definitely have to pony up more but the peace of mind is worth it.
7. Sophisticated Looks
Of all the elements listed here, this one is more of a personal preference. If you care about having the quietest kettle, then how an electric kettle looks may not at all matter to you. However, if you want your kettle to match your other small kitchen appliances, this can be a deciding factor in your purchase.
8. Price
When you’re looking for kettles that have the features I just mentioned, you should be aware that shopping at the dollar store just won’t be worth your while. As a matter of fact, the most basic high-quality plastic kettles, which can also meet our noise requirements, can be had for around $30.
For more design options or extra features, you’ll definitely want to set aside upwards of $50, maybe even as much as $100. Basically, the price of the product will depend on the brand, the quality, and the capacity of the kettle.
The Best Quiet Kettles Today
1) Secura The Original 1.8qt Double Wall Tea Kettle
This is the most fundamentally sound one on this list, and its price of $30 reflects just that. Its lid opens with a mere press of a button at the top of the handle, and it has a power switch under the handle that glows when the kettle is functioning.
This Secura kettle can hold 1.7L, or 1.8Qz. This kettle is also very safe to handle.
It features a stainless steel interior and a cool touch BPA-free plastic exterior. That means that you’ll be able to touch the kettle even with boiling water inside. It also means that the water won’t touch the plastic while it’s boiling and that you’ll be able to clean the kettle much more easily. Not to mention that the double-wall design makes the kettle’s contents warm for longer periods of time.
This product uses 120V and has 1500 watts of heating power. These features are sure to get your water boiling faster than a pot would. And, the manufacturer even says that the kettle produces a 60Hz frequency of noise, which is only a low humming sound.
So, it’s pretty much a basic plastic kettle, and it should be pretty quiet as it reaches boiling temperatures. You can even get it in black, white, orange and red, and the boiler itself is cordless.
2) Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cordless Programmable Kettle
This Cuisinart kettle is made of stainless steel, so cleaning this should not be a problem. It has the same capacity as the previous kettle – 1.7L or 1.8Qz. However, this kettle is a bit more expensive than the previous one, as it’s available for almost $80.
Unlike the kettle above, it has extra temperature settings, which can be located at the top of the handle. First, there’s the button that opens the lid, and then there are 6 temperature setting buttons under it. Not only do these state the temperature in Fahrenheit, but they also tell you what kinds of beverages you should prepare at each temperature.
The start button is right under the temperature settings, and the keep warm button is directly below it. The keep warm feature will maintain the temperature of the contents for up to 30 minutes. Of course, the non-slip handle will stay cool to the touch. The kettle also has a memory feature, which allows it to keep working for up to 2 minutes after you lift it from the base.
The design itself is very sleek and futuristic, which can even be seen in the blue backlighting of the window. The window is marked for ease of measuring, too. In addition, this kettle also has a removable filter that provides you with clean water.
Like all kettles on this list, this one is cordless – it connects to a base that is plugged into an outlet. Like the previous kettle, this one runs on 110V and 1500W pf heating power.
3. Molla Púro Electric Water Kettle With Premium Glass
This Molla Púro product has a button at the top of the handle that just flips open the lid, and a switch under the handle to turn it on. It’s also cordless – however, that’s where the similarities to the first product end. This kettle goes for around $60, and even without temperature settings, the bump in the price is well worth it.
Unlike the first product, which was completely opaque, or even the second product that only had a window – this one is completely see-through. Aside from the metal top and bottom, and a few BPA-free black plastic pieces, this kettle is entirely made of Schott Duran glass. The kettle itself can hold 1.5L of water, which is about 1.58Qz.
The glass should be pretty easy to clean, and you’ll be able to see the water inside the kettle, which looks great on any counter. The manufacturer didn’t state the heating power in watts on this product, but since a lot of these are 1500 W, I should think this one is too.
Molla Púro did, however, specifically state that this kettle is exceptionally quiet and fast, and customers enthusiastically agree. It’s just about the simplest and the cleanest design you could have – and the kettle even has an anti-calcium filter.
4. Secura Cool Touch Electric Water Kettle
The next worthy suggestion is the second Secura kettle on this list. However, this one is more expensive, going for $50.
Like the first Secura kettle above, this one has a completely stainless steel interior and a BPA-free plastic exterior that’s cool to the touch. Also, like the first Secura, this one has a 1.5L, or 1.8Qz capacity, with a cordless boiler. That’s where the similarities end. But unlike the first kettle, which is fairly standard in its look and features, this one dares to mix it up a little bit. This kettle improves the lid by not having an automatic open button.
Let’s face it: automatic mechanisms easily get damaged and break down. This kettle’s lid has two grips you manually push to get it to open. And, the lid even has a steam release valve on the inside, and a safety lock for the spout on top.
This Secura kettle has a temperature display at the very top of the handle and two buttons under it. The top button controls the temperature and can adjust it to 8 different settings. In addition, the kettle can even maintain the temperature of the contents for 4 hours. Meanwhile, the lower button gives you the option to boil quickly or to cancel boiling.
The last difference between the two Secura kettles is that the exterior plastic on this one has an interesting geometric texture. The voltage, heating power, and noise claims are the same as they were on the first Secura kettle.
5. Russell Hobbs Retro Style 1.7l Electric Kettle
Because of its retro look and number of features, the price of this Russell Hobbs kettle is pegged at $80. Like most kettles on this list, this one can hold 1.7L or 1.8Qz of water. The entire thing is composed of stainless steel, and it has a fairly standard power switch under the cool-to-the-touch handle.
Another retro detail of this kettle’s design is the completely removable lid. In addition, the kettle also has an old-fashioned temperature indicator on the outside of the cordless boiler. After all, who needs temperature settings for various types of teas when you can just turn off your boiler when the water reaches a certain temperature?
The capacity marking inside of the boiler is similarly charming, as it’s a removable 3D level indicator for 1, 2 or 3 cups. And, the kettle does have a window with measurement markings, too. However, since the elements inside of the boiler are bulky, cleaning this product won’t be as easy as wiping it with a sponge.
I think the design is worth it, though, since you can clean it with boiling water and vinegar, baking soda or kettle-cleaning powder. You just have to let the mixture sit in the kettle for a while and then rinse it off. This should pick up all mineral build-up. In between washes, your water should be protected by the removable and washable mineral filter.
If you like the look of this product but don’t think it’ll work with your other appliances, you’re in luck. Russell Hobbs also makes coffee makers and toasters for the same vintage-inspired line of products.
6. Black+Decker 1.7l Stainless Steel Electric Cordless Kettle
Like the last product I took a close look at, this one is cordless, and it comes with a removable lid. It’s also fairly easy to use, as it has a power switch that can be found at the bottom of its measuring window. And, it can take 1.7L, or 1.8Qz of water, like most other kettles on this list. The kettle is stainless steel, and you can get it in white, red, and black.
Unlike the other kettles on this list, which were cylinder-shaped, the manufacturer chose to use even the shape of the kettle to enhance its vintage style. The BLACK+DECKER kettle has a pleasantly rounded conical shape, with a handle that goes over the lid, and not on the side of the boiler. I imagine you shouldn’t open the lid when you’ve got boiling water inside, though, as the steam might warm the handle.
Even the spout of the kettle has a unique look than any of the others I evaluated. And, the inside of the boiler has the same cup indicator that the previous kettle, and it even has a removable filter. You can easily take away this indicator on both of these retro kettles if you don’t like having plastic touch the water.
The manufacturer didn’t mark the voltage this product uses, but they did mark the 1500W heating power. That is pretty ordinary for electric kettles, as you’ve seen, but it’s still better than a stove or a microwave. The outside of this kettle should also be cool to the touch.
7) Capresso H2O Glass 6-Cup Rapid Boil Water Kettle 240 03
From one of the most popular manufacturers of coffeemaker appliances, the Capresso H2o Rapid Boil Kettle is an appointed electric kettle that can quickly bring up 48 fluid ounces to a rapid boil. The simplistic design is aesthetically sound and very easy to operate.
8) Molla Púro Electric Water Kettle, Ultra-Premium SCHOTT Glass
Wondering where this stunner came from? German engineering is the reason behind the awesome Molla Púro Cordless Glass Electric Water Kettle, a gorgeously-designed cordless kettle that safely boils water in a carafe made from shock-resistant Duran Glass. With a bevy of safety features, that includes a slow-opening lid, the Molla Púro Cordless Glass Electric Water Kettle can be utilized just about wherever that you need piping hot water. The included anti-calcium filter keeps hard minerals from messing with your tea and other hot drinks of choice.
9) Kenwood SJM610 Persona Collection Electric Kettle with Variable Temperature
Certified by Quiet Mark for a very soothing tea-making process, the Kenwood SJM610 Persona Collection Electric Kettle is a polished kitchen appliance. With an intuitive LED button control panel at its base, the Kenwood SJM610 Persona Collection Electric Kettle can be set to keep water at the desired temperature for up to 30 minutes. With an optional sound alert upon completion of boiling, the Kenwood SJM610 Persona Collection Electric Kettle is a sophisticated addition to any kitchen.
10) Dualit 72955 Design Series Kettle, Black and Steel
The Dualit 72955 Design Series Kettle is a stunningly-designed electric kettle without a lot of bells and whistles but plenty of power with its 1200-Watt heating element. Able to boil up to 1.5 liters, the Dualit 72955 Design Series Kettle has a cool blue illuminated water level window that adds a layer of whimsy while in operation. The one-touch lid makes opening the top safer when dealing with boiling water.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it. The selections that were discussed in detail above are worth every penny so, it really just all boils down to personal preference. And if you ask me, given the choice between products at identical or similar price points, and one that is going to whistle as it works – I’m going to go for the soundless one every single day and twice on a Sunday.