We live in a world in which we’re pretty much bombarded by annoying sounds coming from all directions. There are always beat-up buses rambling through the streets, some people still insist on having their smartphones produce clicking sounds on contact, and even our electric water kettles whistle. You’d think we’d have at least figured out a way around that last one.
I started thinking about this subject because I own two electric kettles already. Both of them produce the most torturous noise as they get water to boil. That cannot be safe – what on Earth could be going on inside these machines to make that kind of noise?
Suffice it to say, this only adds to the overall noise pollution we’ve managed to create. However, I can offer some relief by pointing out six examples of quiet kettles.
6 Best Quiet Kettles in 2020
One note before you look at the reviews: these products aren’t presented in a certain order, according to quality or price. With that in mind, let’s see the first quiet kettle I’ve got for you.
1. Secura the Original 1.8Qt Double Wall Tea Kettle
The first product I have for you is just about the most basic one on this list, and its price of $30 reflects that. Its lid opens with a simple 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 on.
This Secura kettle can hold 1.7L, or 1.8Qz – having two kettles of this capacity, I can confirm that this is enough even for cooking. This kettle is also very safe to handle.
It has 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.
However, the one small downside I see in this product is that it doesn’t have a window. But, obviously, you could watch water levels through the lid.
Features:
- 1.8Qt capacity
- Stainless steel interior
- Cool-touch exterior
- 120V + 1500W heating power
- 60Hz noise level
2. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cordless Programmable Kettle
This Cuisinart kettle is entirely made of stainless steel, so you’ll be able to easily clean the whole thing. It’s got the same capacity as the previous kettle – 1.7L or 1.8Qz. However, this kettle is a bit pricier than the previous one, as it’s available for almost $80.
Unlike the previous kettle, it has additional temperature settings, which are 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.
Features:
- 1.8Qz capacity
- Cool-touch non-slip handle
- Stainless steel design with a backlit window
- 6 temperature settings, keep warm and memory features
- 110V + 1500W
3. Molla Púro Electric Water Kettle with Premium Glass
This Molla Púro product takes us back to the simple controls of the first kettle. It has a button at the top of the handle that 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 $60, and even without temperature settings, the bump in the price is justified.
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 for 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.
Features:
- 1.58Qz capacity
- Metal and BPA-free plastic top, bottom and handle
- The water container is made of high-quality glass
- 120V power
- Quick and quiet
4. Secura Cool Touch Electric Water Kettle
My next recommendation is the second Secura kettle in these reviews. However, this one is in a higher price range, going for $50.
Like the first Secura kettle I reviewed, this one has a completely stainless steel interior and a BPA-free plastic exterior that’s cool to the touch. Also like the first kettle, this one has a 1.5L, or 1.8Qz capacity, with a cordless boiler. That’s where the similarities end.
Unlike the first kettle, which is fairly standard in its design and features, this one mixes it up a bit. This kettle improves the lid by not having an automatic open button.
Let’s face it: automatic mechanisms are prone to breaking 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 final 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.
Features:
- 1.8Qz capacity
- Stainless steel interior, cool-touch plastic exterior, no window
- Geometric exterior design
- 8 temperature settings, with a 4-hour keep warm feature
- 120V + 1500W heat + 60Hz noise level
5. Russell Hobbs Retro Style 1.7L Electric Kettle
The last two products I chose are certainly the most interesting-looking ones on the list.
Because of its retro design and various features, the price of this Russell Hobbs kettle comes out to $80. Like most kettles on this list, this one can hold 1.7L or 1.8Qz of water. The whole thing is made of stainless steel, and it has a pretty standard power switch under the cool-to-the-touch handle.
Another retro detail of this gorgeous design is the completely removable lid. Additionally, the kettle also has an old-fashioned temperature indicator on the outside of the cordless boiler. After all, who needs temperature settings for different 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.
Features:
- 1.8Qz capacity
- Black/red and stainless steel constructions
- Easy to use power switch
- Temperature indicator and window
- 120V + 1500W
6. BLACK+DECKER 1.7L Stainless Steel Electric Cordless Kettle
Like the previous kettle, this BLACK+DECKER kettle has a retro look to it, although it’s available for only $40.
Like the last product we reviewed, this one is cordless, and it comes with a completely removable lid. It’s also very easy to use, as it has a power switch near 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 material of this kettle is stainless steel, and you can get it in white, red, and black.
Unlike the other kettles on this list, which were predominantly cylinder-shaped, this 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 different look than any of the others I reviewed. And, the inside of the boiler has the same cup indicator that the previous kettle had, and it even has a removable filter. You can easily remove 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.
Features:
- 1.8Qz capacity
- Stainless steel with a window
- The exterior is available in black, white and red
- Single power switch with no other features
- 1500W
Reasons to Get a Quiet Electric Kettle
So, I mentioned that I already have two electric kettles. They may not be particularly quiet, but they’re still some of the best purchases I ever made. Let me tell you why.
An electric kettle boils water for cooking faster than a pot does. When I’m in the mood for pasta, I max out the kettle and put it on, then pour it into a pot and add pasta. I’d say that doing it like this usually spares me a few minutes.
I also use kettles for my tea and instant coffee. Before I had a kettle, I used to microwave a mug with water in it when I was feeling too lazy to boil the water on a stove. Unfortunately, the microwave never seemed to bring the water to boil.
Or, if I left it in long enough for it to boil, the microwave would also make my porcelain mugs too hot to handle. All of this is preventable with an electric kettle – since the mug handle will remain cool.
Aside from saving you time, having an electric kettle could also save electricity. After all, most kettles are much more energy-efficient than a stove or microwave. Most of them will make whistling noises, but some kettles are still quieter than others.
You may also like: How to Boil Eggs in an Electric Kettle
Are Quiet Kettles Really Worth It?
At this point, even I have to admit that I’m torn – but not about whether the quiet kettles are worth it. If I have to choose between products at similar price points, and one is going to whistle as it works – I’m going to go for the soundless one every time.
Choosing a kettle may be a matter of personal preference, but I’d rather not have a screeching appliance. The thing I’m really conflicted about is which kettle to get. And, I’m particularly torn between the modern styles, with all of their features, and the simple retro kettles!
At least no one can say that there are no choices in the quiet kettle category. I just hope that more manufacturers will start indicating the Hz frequency their kettles produce in their product descriptions. Until then, you’ll be able to recognize quiet kettles by their 1500W heating power. And, you can always keep an eye out for my reviews.
