For an avid coffee drinker, traveling can be daunting. You spend long days on the road, with just the occasional stop at a gas station where the coffee is never quite to your taste. Hotels can’t seem to get it right either. In the end, you have to settle — it’s either drinking subpar coffee or no coffee at all.
That wouldn’t be the case if you had a small electric kettle, though. You could simply make coffee for yourself, or use it for other kinds of cooking and boiling. In fact, after you start using one, you’ll wonder how you could ever live without it!
But there are so many kettles available, and you can’t know which ones are worth your time and which aren’t. Luckily, I’ve done the research for you and compiled this list of the best small electric kettles!
1. Gourmia GK320 Travel Electric Kettle
- DUAL VOLTAGE: Take along for readily accessible hot...
- COLLAPSIBLE DESIGN: Cleverly designed to expand so you...
- LIGHT & DURABLE: Lightweight yet strong food-grade...
- SAFETY FEATURES: Equipped with boil dry protection, and...
A perfect travel kettle needs to be two things — small and light. Gourmia clearly knows this because its kettle is lightweight and collapsible, made just for traveling. All you have to do is fold it and put it in your bag, and you’re ready to go!
Though light, the Gourmia kettle is durable enough to survive all the inevitable bumps and jolts of the road. Made from stainless steel and silicone, it boils water in a matter of minutes, yet maintains structure stability even at high temperatures. What’s more, it looks rather sleek!
The kettle is easy to use — it has a single on/off button and comes with an instruction manual. Gourmia believes that safety comes first, so the kettle features a lid lock that ensures no scalding water spills out, as well as boil-dry protection. This means that the kettle detects when the water level is too low and turns off automatically.
The Gourmia kettle doesn’t only boil water — it filters it too. An integrated spout filter ensures you get up to two cups of clean water after each use. And if that seems too little, don’t worry — it takes only five minutes to heat up water. Then you can use it again right away!
2. Bonavita Mini Kettle
- Durable stainless steel design
- 900 Watt heater for fast boiling
- Auto shut-off
- Boil-dry protection
Though it’s not collapsible like Gourmia, Bonavita’s 0.5 L kettle is just the right fit for your travel bags. Not only is it small and compact, but it can also be used for storage — simply stuff a shirt or two in it to get more space in your bag!
The Bonavita kettle is made from stainless steel but features a plastic handle and lid that you can comfortably touch even when the water inside is scalding hot. The kettle has an automatic shut-off feature, so once the water reaches its boiling point, it will turn off by itself. That way, it doesn’t waste power and you don’t have to keep checking if the water has boiled or not.
What’s more, the kettle won’t turn on if there is no water in it thanks to its boil-dry protection feature. This feature ensures that the kettle suffers no damage from overheating and that you can use it as long as possible.
The Bonavita kettle uses a 900-Watt heater for quick boiling. It’s perfect for making tea, coffee, or noodle soups, but you can even boil eggs. Just remove the lid, fill the kettle a little over the max fill line, and keep it at a rolling boil. However, make sure not to go too much over the fill line — the water can easily spill over the sides and scorch you.
3. Spardar Portable Electric Kettle for Cars
- QUICK HEATING IN 16-20 MINUTES - 120W heating power...
The two kettles I’ve mentioned so far are great for traveling, but unfortunately, you can’t use them to make yourself some coffee in the car. That’s where Spardar comes in. Its portable electric kettle has a cigarette lighter adapter which you can plug in while driving and have your coffee made on the go. So if you’re going on a camping trip or spending some time in nature with no power outlets, this kettle is perfect for all your water-boiling needs!
The Spardar kettle is made of stainless steel both on the inside and the outside, while its grip and base are made of food-grade silicone rubber. Thus, you don’t need to worry about any sort of plastic contamination. The water boiled in this kettle is pure and tastes great.
The detachable base and convenient handle make the Spardar kettle easy to store and carry. And unlike most kettles, this one gives you the option to choose the boiling temperature yourself — all you have to do is press the buttons next to the LCD display. All your drinks will be just the way you like them!
However, since the Spardar kettle uses much lower voltage than standard kettles, it’s slower than the others on this list. When its reservoir is full, it can take up to 15 minutes for the water to boil. This can be a serious drawback if you’re used to faster and more efficient kettles. But considering that you can use it anywhere as long as your car is there, I’d say it’s a good compromise.
4. Bodum Bistro Electric Water Kettle
- Water kettle: Bistro water kettles are an effective and...
- Heating element: unexposed heating element is tucked...
- Electric kettle: features a manual on/off switch and...
- Water scale: ensure you are boiling the perfect amount...
Due to health concerns, plastic kettles have a bad reputation, so stainless steel ones have largely replaced them. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for plastic on this list or in your travel bag — as long as it is BPA free. And this Bodum kettle claims to be precisely that.
This kettle features both a manual on/off switch and an automatic sensor that prevents overheating. That means you can turn it off whenever you feel like it, but if you forget to do so, no worries — once the water boils, the kettle will shut down on its own.
On the kettle’s surface, you’ll find a small see-through water level indicator. Next to it, you can see how much water you poured in both liters and ounces, as well as the cup serving size. As indicated on the kettle itself, it can hold up to 0.5 L, or four full cups of water.
What’s more, you don’t have to settle for a plain white kettle. There are two more colors to choose from — striking red and polished black. Your kettle doesn’t only have to be functional; it can be stylish as well.
5. Willow & Everett Gooseneck Electric Kettle
- CUSTOMIZE W/ PRESET TEMPERATURES: Tired of that burned...
- QUICK & ATTENTION-FREE BOILING: 1000 watt, 120-volt...
- HIGH-QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN: Beautiful, 100%...
- NEW “KEEP WARM” FUNCTION - This tea kettle has a...
I can’t fail to mention a kettle that kept some of the classic teapot look, complete with a spout for even pouring with no spillages. Willow & Everett’s electric kettle is made of food-grade stainless steel that keeps the flavor pure and pristine. It’s fitted with an ergonomic plastic handle so you can carry it even when it’s hot without burning your fingers.
The kettle is easy to use — all you need to do is turn it on and set the temperature. Then you can leave it and take care of other things while it does its job. Once the water boils or reaches the desired temperature, the kettle will automatically turn off. Boiling usually doesn’t take too long — in only a few minutes, you’ll be able to sip your tea or eat your soup.
This kettle is bigger than the ones you’ve seen on my list so far. It can hold up to one liter of liquid. But even though it’s larger, it’s still small enough to fit in a bag. On top of that, the stainless steel makes it rather durable and sturdy.
And Willow & Everett offers a fantastic return policy. If you find any faults with your kettle, or if you simply don’t like it, you can get a 100% refund. All you need to do is contact customer support. After all, you, the customer, are their top priority, so they won’t question your decision to ask for a refund.
6. OXO BREW Cordless Glass Electric Kettle
- Durable borosilicate glass provides thermal shock...
- Illuminated LED power switch lights up when Kettle is...
- Kettle is cord-free when removed from the 360 Degree...
- Perforated stainless steel filter strains water while...
If you’re a firm believer that the best-tasting water comes from glass containers, then none of my picks so far would quite satisfy you. That’s why I think it’s important to include at least one glass option. And there is no better choice than the OXO glass kettle.
Though made of glass, this kettle isn’t fragile — the borosilicate is durable and provides thermal shock protection. The bottom and the lid are made of stainless steel, and the large handle allows you to safely transport the kettle even when it’s boiling hot. The spout features a stainless steel filter that keeps the water pure and clean. What’s more, the filter is removable, so it’s rather easy to clean.
Unlike other kettles, this one actually allows you to see the water as it boils. But though this may be cool to watch, you don’t actually need to keep an eye on it — the kettle has an automatic switch that turns it off once it reaches the boiling point. And don’t worry about possible steam burns or hot water splatters — the lid opens slowly in order to prevent both.
The only downside to this glass kettle is that it’s bigger than the rest and thus less convenient for traveling. It boils up to 1.75 liters of water and weighs 2.85 pounds. However, it is one of the smallest glass kettles on the market, so it’s still worth giving a shot.
7. Keenso Car Kettle
- 1200Ml Capacity & 24V Car Universal: 1200ml capacity...
- Indicator Light & Wide Application: Stainless steel...
- Vacuum Insulated Double Layer - Safe & Warm: Cup inner...
- Safety Nontoxic Material & Clean Portable Design: The...
With Keenso’s kettle, you get a two-in-one experience — a kettle and a thermos. It’s the same size and shape as a thermos, but with a few additions. Those come in the formof a spout and a cigarette lighter plug that you can use in your car. It’s simple; plug it in, boil some water, make yourself coffee or tea, and then keep it warm in your Keenso kettle.
This kettle is made of stainless steel and uses vacuum insulation technology to keep your beverages warm. The seal on the top is made of non-toxic silicone gel that prevents water from spilling over. For safe carrying and pouring, use the silicone handle on the top. And when you want to store it away, simply slip it into your car’s cup holder — it fits in there perfectly.
In addition, this kettle keeps you updated on what it’s doing at all times via a small indicator. When the indicator is red, the water in the kettle is boiling. Once it turns green, though, the boiling is done and the kettle switches to its thermos function.
Keenso claims that it tests all its kettles before shipping, so as to ensure that you get the best possible product. If you find any faults with it, all you have to do is request a replacement or a refund. However, as far as I can see, none of the reviewers had issues with the kettle itself. The only thing a few found inconvenient was that it took 15 minutes for the water to boil — but since the kettle uses only 12 V to operate, that is not so strange.
8. IronRen Portable Electric Kettle
- Portable Travel Kettle: The capacity: 0.5L, dimensions:...
- Anti-dry Protection: Our electric kettle is made of...
- Multi-function Travel Kettle: This small kettle can be...
- WARM TIPS - During use it many times, there maybe...
Sometimes, simple can go a long way, as the IronRen kettle shows. It has a plain white design with no additional windows, long spouts, or LCD screens, yet it takes care of your boiling needs all the same. You can cook noodles or eggs, heat milk or boil water. And all this while sitting in a hotel room with a beach view.
The kettle has a capacity of 0.5 liters, and it takes only about five minutes to boil water. Like most good kettles out there, it features boil-dry protection and turns off automatically when it’s finished working. It’s made entirely of stainless steel, with no plastic whatsoever. Thus, you don’t have to worry about whether there is BPA or not.
To ensure that your kettle lasts as long as possible, clean the inside and dry it after each use. Luckily, this is rather easy to do — you simply need to open the lid and wipe the inside with a towel. However, the manufacturer warns that after continuous use, you may spot some rust. Don’t worry, though — just clean the kettle with vinegar once in a while.
And if you purchase this product, you will get an instruction manual with answers to all your questions and a small carrying bag. Your new kettle will be perfectly safe and ready to follow you on your trips!
9. Proctor Silex Electric Hot Pot
- FAST BOILING: The electric hot pot kettle boils up to...
- COOKS & REHEATS NOODLES, SOUPS & MORE: From ramen and...
- EASY TO CLEAN: The inside of the Proctor Silex hot pot...
- ADJUSTABLE HEAT: Whether you need to boil water quickly...
Much like others, this kettle is great for boiling water for all purposes. However, it’s particularly suitable for making instant noodles or various soups. It has a non-stick surface which is easy to clean with no scrubbing or scouring — all you need is a dish detergent or a soap.
The Proctor Silex kettle has a dial for temperature adjustment. This dial gives you quite a bit of control; for instance, if you choose the lowest setting, the liquid inside will only warm up. At the highest setting, you can expect water to boil in a few minutes. These two are the basic ones, but there are four more settings in between.
Along with this product, you get a one-year warranty and access to excellent customer support. If you have issues with the product before the warranty expires, simply give them a call or send a message. They will tell you what your options are.
The user reviews are mainly positive, claiming that this kettle is easy to use, portable and efficient. However, some customers had issues with removing the lid. Namely, in order to take it off, you need to pull the handle on top, and it’s hard to do so without burning yourself. So it’s best to give the kettle a few minutes to cool off or just use the spout to pour the liquid.
10. LOUTYTUO Ultra Thin Foldable Electric Kettle
- Safe Food Grade Protective: Made of safe food grade...
- Ultrathin Design: Folded size: 170*139*132 MM; Unfolded...
- One Button Design: Super easy to operate, just press...
- Detachable Power Cord and Handle: You can separate...
There are many collapsible kettles on the market, and then there is LOUTYTUO, which takes foldability a step further. It can become much smaller even than the foldable kettles I mentioned on this list. On top of that, both its handle and the power cord are completely removable. Thus, it’s easy to fit them in the small portable box that comes with the kettle.
Just like the Gohyo one, this kettle comes with two voltage options so you can use it everywhere. Naturally, you have to change the voltage manually depending on which country you’re in. But this is quite easy to do, as you’ll see in the instruction manual that you’ll receive in the package.
This kettle is extremely simple to use. Just switch it on, and in 3-5 minutes, you’ll be ready to make tea, coffee, or instant noodles. What’s more, the kettle has a self-heating feature. If you turn the knob to boiling, it won’t allow the water temperature to fall under 75°C.
The heating plate and the lid are made of stainless steel, but other than that, most of the kettle is made of blue silicone. Although it is BPA-free and safe to use, manufacturers warn that there can be a bit of a strange smell. This is no cause for alarm, but if it bothers you, keep the lid open after use and allow it to air-dry. You can also boil some tea or lemon water in the kettle to eliminate the smell.
11. Heatiac Black Travel Kit For Heating
- HIGH QUALITY--- Made of high quality stainless stain....
- SPECIFICATIONS --- Heating element is at 6.3 inches and...
- PORTABLE --- Lightweight, portable and ergonomic ideal...
- EASE OF USE --- For best results used with glass,...
Finally, if you travel extremely light, you might not have room for a whole kettle. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your delicious morning coffee or afternoon tea. You simply need a heating device that is lighter and smaller than a kettle. And what could be better than an immersion heater?
Heatiac is one of the best immersion heaters on the market — it’s easy to use, lightweight, and ergonomic. It has two voltage options, so use it wherever you are to warm up tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. If you’re not sure how to do so, here’s a video that will teach you.
Heatiac immersion heater is made from stainless steel and needs only around two minutes to heat water. Keep in mind that you should use it only with glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers, though. Those materials are heat-proof and won’t be damaged when they come in contact with the immersion heater.
Although Heatiac isn’t a kettle, I felt I had to include it because of the amazing reviews it got. Customers swear by it, saying that it’s incredibly convenient for travel and works supremely fast. So if you want to check for yourself whether that’s true, get a Heatiac immersion heater. It might quickly become your favorite too!
Conclusion
A perfect cup of coffee or tea can make a bad day bearable and an average one pleasant. So why would you give up on it while traveling abroad? Now that you know about some of the best electric kettles out there, all you need to do is pick the one that suits you. Whichever you choose, I’m sure you won’t regret it!
