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The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below
Kettles are usually a tea drinker’s game, but gooseneck spouts are uniquely suited for a number of coffee makers, like French presses and pour overs. The spindly stemmed devices frequently appear on the shelves of artisan coffee shops and at barista competitions because they offer precise and measured pouring. While the difference may seem slight, a slower, more thorough pour maximizes the flavor in a cup of coffee or tea.
Today’s gooseneck kettles offer more than a stylish spout, though. Many stovetop models are equipped with thermometers so users know when it’s time to brew (typically between 195 and 205 degrees). Others are electric and can be programmed to specific temperatures. Such variety leads to a range in prices, but our round-up covers everything from budget options to high-end, breaking down what we like (and dislike) about each one.
For the at-home barista, here are the best gooseneck kettles.
Best Overall
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
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Amazon
Program temperature by single degrees
Temperature hold function
Precision pour
Stylish
Expensive
Small capacity
Short cord
The Fellow Stagg EKG blends technology and style for one unparalleled product. This kettle boasts features you can't find anywhere else, like an option to maintain water temperature up to one hour and a built-in stopwatch for timing pour-over coffee or tea. You can even purchase it with Bluetooth connectivity for seamless operation right from your phone.
The modern design also sets the item apart from its competition. Gooseneck kettles largely look alike—swooping spouts, stainless steel exteriors—but the Stagg kettle is available in an array of matte colorways, as well as a polished copper option, and the elegant silhouette is one of a kind.
Luxury comes at a price, however, as the Stagg EKG is one of the most expensive gooseneck kettles on the market. As a cheaper alternative, the company produces a stovetop model at almost half the cost.
Price at time of publish: starting at $165
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The Spruce / Cheyenne Elwell
Capacity: 0.6 and 0.9 liters | Dimensions: 6.75 x 11.5 x 8 inches (0.9-liter model) | Wattage: 1,200 | Voltage: 120 | Warranty: 1-year limited
"The Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle is worth the investment if you’re an avid pour-over coffee fan. The precise pour spout, exact temperature selection capabilities, and unequaled design make it worth it for specialty coffee lovers." — Cheyenne Elwell, Product Tester
Best Value
Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle with 5 Variable Presets
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Amazon
Five temperature presets
Sleek design
Reasonably priced
Easy to use
Exterior gets very hot
Smaller capacity
Difficult to control speed of water flow
Another one of our favorite options is the Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle. After testing the item firsthand, our reviewer called it a great budget option, especially for those who love to make tea.
It's similar to the Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle, which we also love, except this one is more like the budget alternative. It comes with a few bells and whistles—namely, five preset temperature settings and a temperature hold function—plus a stylish matte black design. Best of all, it's reasonably priced for what it offers, according to our product tester.
This kettle is on the smaller side with a 26-ounce capacity, and several customers mention that the noise to let you know when the water is ready is either too quiet or stopped working at some point. Nonetheless, this is one of the highest-reviewed gooseneck kettles out there, electric or otherwise, and it's a worthwhile pick for both tea and coffee lovers. Green tea drinkers, for example, can select the 180-degree option and know they're getting the most flavor out of their cup; even coffee drinkers can hit 205 degrees then sit back and relax.
Price at time of publish: $65
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The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Capacity: 0.8 liters | Dimensions: 11.6 x 9 x 7.7 inches | Wattage: 1,200 | Voltage: 120 | Warranty: 1-year limited
"Besides its elegant design, the Cosori Original Electric Gooseneck Kettle offers a number of convenient features that make it easy to use and excellent for making tea." — Cheyenne Elwell, Product Tester
Best Electric
Bonavita Variable Temperature Electric Gooseneck Kettle
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Amazon
One-hour temperature hold
Easy-to-use interface
Sturdy handle
Prone to rust
Short cord
No more temperature guessing. No more waiting around for a sudden shrill whistle. The Bonavita Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle lets users program water to their exact desired temperature between 140 and 212 degrees; you can even watch it heat degree by degree thanks to the real-time temperature display. Once hot, the kettle can maintain water temperature for up to one hour (great for when you get a hankering for that second cup of coffee or tea).
While there's a lot to like regarding convenience and versatility, there are a couple areas of concern as well. Many users cite rust issues inside the kettle after prolonged use. Some also mention that the 20-inch cord is frustratingly short. Overall, however, the majority of online reviewers give the product five stars.
Price at time of publish: $105
Capacity: 1 liter | Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 7.5 inches | Wattage: 1,000 | Voltage: 120 | Warranty: 1-year limited
Best for Coffee
Coffee Gator Gooseneck Kettle with Thermometer
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Amazon
Affordable
Built-in temperature gauge
Removable silicone jacket
Occasional leaking
Difficult to clean
From French press users to Chemex lovers, two subtle factors make a drastic difference in the quality of your coffee: water temperature and the evenness of the pour. The Coffee Gator Coffee Brewing Kettle covers both these areas thanks to a built-in temperature gauge and a precision-flow spout.
The thermometer is fastened to the lid and has a shaded area over the optimal brewing temperature of 195 to 205 degrees. Customers add that the spout has a consistent flow rate and is easy to maneuver. There's also a great deal of praise for the handle, which is sturdy, ergonomic, and always stays cool to the touch.
Some users warn that the base can occasionally leak and that the item is prone to rust, but overall reviews are highly positive. The Coffee Brewing Kettle comes at a reasonable price, making it the little tweak needed to transform your entire coffee routine.
Price at time of publish: $54
Capacity: 1.6 liters | Dimensions: 12.2 x 7.2 x 6.4 inches | Wattage: N/A | Voltage: N/A | Warranty: 1 year
Best Fast Heating
Bodum Melior Electric Gooseneck Kettle
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Amazon
Stylish
Affordable
Easy to use
No temperature gauge
Smaller capacity
Bodum has a long history of manufacturing affordable non-electric coffee makers, particularly French presses, and the company applied its signature touch in crafting this simple, lightning-fast kettle. Just press the power switch and you'll have hot water in around three minutes.
Electric kettles are usually the more expensive variety, but this costs less than many stovetop ones. Between its budget price and ease of use, the Bodum Melior is a great beginner option for those new to gooseneck kettles.
Part of the reason it heats up so quickly is because it is on the smaller side, however, holding only 27 ounces of water. While not a dramatic difference from most kettles, the capacity is something to consider depending on the size of your home coffee maker; an 8-cup Chemex, for example, holds 40 ounces of water. This item also does not come with a thermometer—a feature that's easy to find in higher price tiers.
Price at time of publish: $50
Capacity: 0.8 liters | Dimensions: 13.2 x 23.2 x 8.6 inches | Wattage: 1,000 | Voltage: 120 | Warranty: 2-year limited
Best Compact
Lardera Smart Electric Kettle
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Amazon
Compact and lightweight
Precise, no-drip pouring
Durable materials
Expensive
Temperature adjustment hard to use
The Lardera Smart Electric Kettle is a high-end option that fits any coffee lover's setup. And we mean "fit" literally because the kettle is compact and saves valuable counterspace. It measures 10 inches from spout to handle, and the base is about 6 inches on each side.
One of our food writers received the kettle for testing purposes and noted that its slim design naturally leads to a smaller capacity of 0.8 liters or 27 ounces. That's certainly large enough for tea drinkers or customers with single-cup pour overs, however. Our tester added that the kettle heats so quickly that its capacity shouldn't be an issue even if you have a larger coffee maker. The water reaches 212 degrees in three and half minutes when the kettle is full.
Another detail to consider before buying is that the kettle has touch-sensitive temperature adjustment, which we found tricky to use at times. It can take a few attempts of sliding your finger to get the exact temperature you want down to the degree, as opposed to the dial temperature adjustment that other models have.
Aside from that, the Lardera Smart Electric Kettle offers its weight (light as that is) in style, performance, and quality of materials. Our tester said it's possibly the smoothest-pouring kettle he has ever used.
Price at time of publish: $150
Capacity: 0.8 liters | Dimensions: 6.5 x 10 x 4.5 inches | Wattage: 1,350 | Voltage: N/A | Warranty: One year
"This kettle has become a go-to companion when I brew with my Chemex in the morning, and it suits all manner of other non-electric coffee makers too. The spout pours so smoothly it feels like I could write my name in cursive with it." — Derek Rose, Coffee and Tea Expert for The Spruce Eats
Best Stovetop
Coffee Gator Gooseneck Kettle
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Amazon
Affordable and durable
Works on all stovetops
Precise, reliable spout
Built-in thermometer
Prone to rust
A little loud
Stovetop kettles can take a beating, particularly for those who have open-flame gas burners. But this simple stainless steel kettle from Coffee Gator is up to any task, and it comes at an affordable price. In addition to being durable and affordable, the stand-out features include a temperature gauge, finger-groove handle, and a precise, reliable spout that you can depend on to up your coffee or tea game for years to come.
Editorial Director Taysha Murtaugh received a sample to test and found the kettle easy to control, with a steady flow rate. "This kettle is comparable to my old Hario model, with one significant advantage: I love that I'm able to control the temperature of each drink, which is critical to my morning French press or pour-over," she says. "When heating up, it does create a louder 'whirring' sound than others I've tried, but if you can even call that a con, it's a small one for great coffee."
The only other significant area of criticism from long-term owners is one that many steel kettles face: rust. But some added TLC, like routine cleaning and towel drying, should stymie rust issues.
Price at time of publish: $22
Capacity: 1 and 1.2 liters | Dimensions: 10.15 x 5.6 x 5.2 inches | Wattage: N/A | Voltage: N/A | Warranty: 1 year
Best Large Capacity
BonJour Stainless Steel Gooseneck Kettle
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Amazon
Sturdy handle
Holds enough water for most coffee makers
Untraditional design
Not the most precise spout
Durability concerns
The majority of gooseneck kettles hold around 1 liter of water, but this BonJour kettle doubles that capacity, clocking in at a whopping 2 quarts. It's an excellent option for those who have large pour-over coffee makers, or for those who are never satisfied with a single cup of tea.
The BonJour kettle can be used on all stovetops, though some users experienced wear underneath the base after long-term use. While the spout is certainly an upgrade over standard kettles, this one isn't quite as precise as other, thinner gooseneck models. The design stands out when compared to competitors, thanks to the thicker spout and elegant, over-the-top handle.
Price at time of publish: $80
Capacity: 2 quarts | Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.75 x 8.75 inches | Wattage: N/A | Voltage: N/A | Warranty: Lifetime limited
The Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle and the Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle both received high scores in our testing process. Fellow equipped its kettle with several high-end features like temperature control, Bluetooth connectivity, and more, making it our favorite overall option. As an alternative, the Cosori model offers an equally sleek design and some nice features of its own at a lower price.
What to Look for in a Gooseneck Kettle
Stovetop or Electric
Gooseneck kettles come in two options, stovetop or electric, so this is a great place to start narrowing down your options. Electric kettles are more convenient and typically have a wider array of features, but they're also larger (a consideration for those with limited counter space) and more expensive. Stovetop kettles, then, are usually simpler in design, cheaper, and easier to store.
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The Spruce / Cheyenne Elwell
Capacity
If your primary use for a gooseneck kettle is making a single cup of tea or filling a small French press, you might not want a large kettle taking up space in your cabinets. But if you’re entertaining a crowd (or have a large pour-over coffee maker), it’s nice to serve everyone without waiting for a second batch of water to boil. The gooseneck kettles on our list come in a range of sizes—all you need to do is pick the one that's right for you.
Cleaning
Even though you’re only boiling water in your kettle, you’ll occasionally want to make sure you’re removing any built-up scale residue. Kettles with a large opening may let you fit your whole hand into the pot for cleaning, while a smaller opening might require a brush. Some stainless steel kettles are also prone to rust if not properly maintained.
FAQs
Why would you need a gooseneck kettle for coffee?
The long, tapered spout of a gooseneck kettle offers better precision and smoother pouring than the stubby spouts of many standard kettles. As a result, gooseneck kettles can lead to a better cup of coffee or tea (although, you can certainly make a good cup with a standard kettle too). Anyone who owns a non-electric coffee maker, like a French press, pour over, or drip cone, can particularly benefit from a gooseneck kettle. In fact, gooseneck kettles are often referred to as pour-over kettles because of their usefulness brewing coffee and their popularity among baristas and coffee experts. There are a couple reasons why. First, gooseneck kettles help you pour the exact amount of water you need, so you can easily hit your ideal coffee-to-water ratio. Second, being able to control the flow of water and evenly saturate coffee grounds is better for extraction than random and uneven pouring. These differences may seem small, but they can make a big improvement in the flavor of your coffee.
"If you’re using a super light-roasted coffee, you may need to go a little hotter with the water and a little longer steeping. With darker-roasted coffees, you maybe want to go a little cooler with your water and a little shorter steeping. Think of it as: the lighter your coffee, the more flavor components that are still in there. So you’re going to need to basically “cook it” for a little longer and a little hotter." — Timothy Johnson, Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group
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The Spruce / Cheyenne Elwell
What is coffee blooming?
Blooming is an important step in the brewing process where coffee grounds are lightly saturated with water before the rest of the water is poured. It makes the coffee release CO2, also known as "degassing," which leads to a purer taste.
Nigel Price, the founder and owner of Drip Coffee Makers, told us: "The bloom process is imperative, and there is some science to it. Gasses come out of coffee when it's freshly ground. If the coffee isn’t allowed to breathe and let those gasses out, you don’t allow the coffee beans to get to their fullest potential of saturation during the steeping process."
Do gooseneck kettles whistle?
The vast majority of gooseneck kettles do not whistle. When a kettle does whistle, it’s caused by steam passing through a small hole in the spout cap. The spouts on gooseneck kettles don’t have a cap, so the steam simply passes through the spout without whistling. Instead, many gooseneck kettles have a thermometer on the lid so users can see when the water has reached the preferred temperature.
What water temperature is best for brewing tea?
The ideal water temperature varies widely depending on the type of tea you are making. Gentler teas taste best when brewed at lower temperatures, while bolder teas require hotter temperatures. White tea, for example, is best brewed with water that is 160 degrees. Green tea ranges from 150 to 180 degrees. Oolong tea is best around 190 degrees. Moving into the stronger teas, black tea ranges from 180 to 212 degrees. Finally, herbal teas sit around the 212-degree mark. Many electric kettles can be pre-programmed to reach a specific temperature, and some even come with designated buttons for different tea varieties.
"You want to use hotter temperatures to bring out the flavors in better-quality tea, and lower temperatures to dilute the flaws in lower-quality tea. With bad tea, the bitterness and astringency come out with higher temperatures." — Shunan Teng, Founder and CEO of Tea Drunk
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The Spruce Eats / Cheyenne Elwell
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He's a fan of non-electric coffee makers, typically using the Bodum Brazil French Press at home.
Sources
Timothy Johnson is the Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group. Timothy has worked in the coffee industry for 16 years. Vibe Coffee Group is the parent company of three Washington-based coffee brands: Victrola Coffee Roasters, Whidbey Coffee, and Seattle Coffee Works.
Nigel Price is the founder and owner of Drip Coffee Makers in New York City. Nigel has worked in the coffee industry for more than a decade. Established in 2015, Drip now has multiple locations.
Shunan Teng is the founder and CEO of Tea Drunk and an avid tea educator. Tea Drunk was founded in 2013 and has a brick-and-mortar tea house in New York City. Its teaware and Chinese teas can be purchased online.