Nostalgia Retro Stainless Steel Electric Kettle (Aqua)

Not at all! While the vintage aqua design is genuinely charming (reviewers mention it constantly), this kettle backs up its looks with solid performance. It heats water fast—many users are impressed by how quickly it boils. Plus, it features a built-in temperature gauge on the front, which is both functional and adds to that nostalgic thermometer aesthetic. It's the rare appliance that's both pretty and practical.

Absolutely, and that's where the temperature gauge really shines. Serious tea drinkers love being able to monitor the exact temperature, since green tea needs cooler water (around 175°F) while black tea wants a full boil (212°F). One reviewer mentioned their senior parent, a dedicated tea drinker, called it their 'favorite kettle ever' specifically because of this feature. Just heat to your desired temp and you're good to go.

It's worth being aware of. Some users have reported the lid's plastic screw inserts can fail over time, causing the lid to fall apart. There are also occasional mentions of handle durability concerns. The good news? Many reviewers have had zero issues and love their kettle for years. Just know that if you do encounter problems, they tend to center around these plastic components rather than the heating element or stainless steel body.

The interior chamber is stainless steel, which reviewers appreciate. However, there are some plastic parts in the construction (like the lid components), and a couple of users noted this. If you're very particular about zero plastic contact with hot water, you'll want to inspect it closely. That said, most users don't find this to be an issue in practice.

Super beginner-friendly. It's literally one switch: flip it on, water heats, and it shuts off automatically when boiling. The auto shut-off also prevents it from burning dry if you forget about it. The visual temperature gauge means you don't need to guess when your water is ready. Fast heating means you're not waiting around forever. It's honestly hard to mess up.

At 1.7 liters, it holds enough for about 7 cups of tea, so it's great for multiple servings or having friends over. You won't need to refill constantly unless you're serving a crowd. It strikes a nice balance between being large enough to be useful but not so huge that it takes forever to boil a small amount for just yourself.