KRUPS Smart Temp Electric Kettle Review: Is It Good Enough For Serious Tea Drinkers?

If you care even a little about tea, you already know that water temperature matters for brewing a good cup. Most electric kettles blast water to boiling and call it a day, but anyone who enjoys green tea, white tea, or anything more delicate quickly realizes that approach falls short.

This is where the KRUPS Smart Temp 1.7L Electric Kettle comes in. It is a large, family-friendly kettle built around simple temperature presets and a stainless steel interior for clean-tasting water. Not a fancy gooseneck with endless fine-tuning, but a clear step up from the standard boil-only kettle.

After weeks of daily use with everything from gyokuro to black tea and French press coffee, I wanted to see where the KRUPS Smart Temp truly fits: is it a real upgrade for people who take brewing seriously, or just another kettle with a few extra buttons?

I have tested and reviewed several temperature-controlled kettles for ZenTeaTools, including the Fellow Stagg EKG, the Brewista Artisan, and the Bonavita Digital Variable Temperature. That hands-on experience with both preset and precision kettles gives me a solid baseline for evaluating where the KRUPS fits in the lineup.

Quick Verdict: Is the KRUPS Smart Temp Worth It?

If you want a no-fuss electric kettle that covers the basics of temperature control for tea and coffee, the KRUPS Smart Temp is a solid option. It heats up quickly, the presets fit most popular tea styles, and the generous 1.7-liter capacity suits families or anyone who likes to brew large batches. The stainless steel interior means your water stays clean-tasting.

If you are into gongfu-style Chinese teas, or you want precise single-degree adjustments for specialty Japanese greens or high-mountain oolong, this is not the tool for you. It is also not designed for precision pour-over coffee pours. But for everyday brewing, and especially if you make tea for a few people at once, it is a smart buy at its price point.

Great for: People who drink green, black, white, or herbal tea. Casual loose-leaf drinkers. Families. Those who want quick, easy kettle controls without much fuss.

Skip if you: Brew lots of high-quality Chinese or Japanese gongfu teas. Do small, frequent batches in gongfu style. Want a gooseneck for specialty coffee. Need super-detailed temperature customization.

Key Specifications

Here is what you get with the KRUPS Smart Temp Electric Kettle (model BW802852):

• Capacity: 1.7 liters (marketed as “12 cups” by KRUPS, based on approximately 5 oz per cup, which is a standard U.S. industry measure for electric kettles)
• Five preset temperature options: 105°F (40°C) Warm, 155°F (68°C) White Tea, 175°F (80°C) Green Tea, 195°F (91°C) Oolong/Coffee, 212°F (100°C) Boil/Black/Herbal
• Keep-warm function that holds the selected temperature for 30 minutes
• Stainless steel interior with double-wall construction
• Cool-touch exterior so you will not burn yourself if you brush against it
• LED digital display showing real-time water temperature
• Cordless kettle with 360-degree swivel base
• Automatic lid opening at the press of a button for easy filling and cleaning
• Power rating: 1,500W for fast heating
• Auto shut-off for safety

No app, no Wi-Fi, nothing extra to set up. It is a practical, modern take on the classic kettle. The digital interface is straightforward: press a button, choose your temperature, and you are set.

Specifications verified against the official KRUPS product page for model BW802852, the Amazon product listing, and multiple U.S. retailers including Walmart and Wayfair. Note that KRUPS sells several kettle models. The presets listed here (105°F / 155°F / 175°F / 195°F / 212°F) apply specifically to the U.S. Smart’N Light model BW802852. Regional variants or older KRUPS models may use different temperature values.

Temperature Settings: Are Five Presets Enough for Real Tea?

The KRUPS offers five temperature presets, each labeled for a specific beverage type. The real question is whether these actually match real tea needs. Here is my breakdown of each setting and where it shines:

105°F (40°C) – Warm: This is not a brewing temperature for most teas. It is useful for warm drinking water, baby formula prep, or dissolving honey before adding it to a cooler brew. Think of it as a utility setting rather than a tea-specific one.

155°F (68°C) – White Tea: A reasonable starting point for delicate white teas like Silver Needle or Bai Mudan. It also works for Japanese gyokuro, though many gyokuro enthusiasts prefer water closer to 140-150°F (60-65°C), which is slightly below what this preset offers.

175°F (80°C) – Green Tea: The classic range for Chinese green teas like Dragonwell (Longjing), most sencha, and other greens that go bitter with hotter water. This is also a safe choice for lighter white teas and some delicate oolongs.

195°F (91°C) – Oolong & Coffee: A versatile middle ground. Works well for everyday oolong, some heartier white teas, lighter black teas, and getting water ready for French press or standard pour-over. If you are the kind of person who rotates between oolongs and coffees throughout the day, you will use this preset a lot.

212°F (100°C) – Boil / Black & Herbal: Full boiling. Perfect for robust black teas, herbal infusions, pu-erh, and anything where the leaves can handle maximum heat.

Where “Good Enough” Meets Its Limits

If you are doing daily brews of English breakfast, basic loose-leaf oolong, herbal blends, or a simple matcha latte, these presets cover your bases. This is a genuine step up from the usual boil-only kettles.

The gap between 175°F (80°C) and 195°F (91°C) is where things get a little thin. That missing middle ground around 185°F (85°C) matters for certain teas. High-mountain Taiwanese oolongs and Dan Cong oolongs are especially sensitive in this range. A few degrees too hot and you lose the fragrance or introduce bitterness. If those specialty oolongs are the core of your tea routine, you will want a kettle with single-degree adjustments instead.

For everyone else, and that is most tea drinkers, these five presets are practical and easy to work with.

Real-World Tea Performance

I tested just about every tea in my cabinet using this kettle: Japanese gyokuro, Chinese Dragonwell, Taiwanese high-mountain oolong, black Ceylon, English breakfast bags, pu-erh cakes, herbal blends, and more. Here is how the KRUPS performed in daily use.

Boil Speed

At 1,500 watts, this kettle is genuinely fast. I consistently got one liter to a rolling boil in just under five minutes. Reaching the lower temperature presets took about three minutes or less. Even at full capacity, it never feels slow. The heating is smooth, so you are not dealing with violent bubbling or splashing on the counter.

Temperature Accuracy

Once the kettle hits your chosen preset, there is a soft beep and it stops automatically. I cross-checked with an instant-read kitchen thermometer and consistently got readings within 2-4°F (1-2°C) of the selected temperature. That is more than accurate enough for everyday tea and coffee making. You would need a lab-grade setup to notice the difference.

Keep-Warm Stability

The 30-minute keep-warm function does its job. It cycles the heater as needed to maintain temperature, and in my testing the water typically dropped no more than about 3-4°F (2°C) from the target over the full 30 minutes. No scorched taste or odd flavors. This is genuinely useful if you brew tea in rounds or make drinks one after the other for family or guests.

Interior Material and Taste

My biggest complaint with budget kettles is the off-taste some of them introduce, even after months of use. The KRUPS has a full stainless steel interior, so your water always tastes clean. There is no metallic note or chemical scent, even after back-to-back boils. If water quality and taste matter to you (and they should), this is a meaningful advantage over plastic-interior models.

Steam and Lid Design

The automatic push-button lid opens smoothly and the steam vent is generous, so there is no back pressure or spitting. The opening is big enough for a quick descaling rinse, though you cannot fit your whole hand inside for a deep scrub (that is typical for most kettles this size). One nice detail: the lid does not drip when you open it mid-boil. Small thing, but it makes the daily routine a little cleaner.

After weeks of regular use, I have not seen significant limescale buildup. If your tap water is very hard, a quick vinegar rinse every few weeks will keep things fresh.

Build Quality and Design

The KRUPS Smart Temp does not pretend to be a boutique kettle, but it feels sturdier than typical discount-store plastic models.

Exterior and safety: The double-wall construction keeps the outside cool to the touch, which is a genuine safety feature if you have kids or pets around. Even after continuous use, I never found the exterior uncomfortably warm. The outer shell is plastic, but it feels solid, not flimsy.

Handle: The ergonomic shape sits comfortably in the hand, even when the kettle is full. Balance is good, so one-handed pouring feels stable and safe.

Lid: Opens and closes easily with one press. It stays secure during heating, which helps keep the process efficient.

Spout: No gooseneck here. You will not get advanced pouring control, but the flow is steady enough for filling teapots, mugs, and a French press. No splashing or gushing.

Footprint: About the same as any standard kettle. The cord tucks neatly under the 360-degree swivel base, which is handy if you like to store it in a cupboard.

The design is subtle and modern. It will not win design awards, but it will never look out of place on any kitchen counter.

KRUPS vs. Top Electric Kettle Competitors

How does this kettle stack up against other popular options? Here is my honest comparison, based on hands-on use.

COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle

The COSORI often comes in at a lower price, but most versions offer only basic boiling or a limited number of presets. Higher-end COSORI models with Bluetooth and single-degree control compete on a different level, but they also cost more and are primarily designed for pour-over coffee. If you want a detailed breakdown of COSORI vs. premium gooseneck kettles, we have covered that separately.

Fellow Stagg EKG

The Fellow Stagg EKG is a favorite among coffee and tea enthusiasts who want maximum control. It offers precise single-degree tuning, a beautiful gooseneck spout, and a design that looks stunning on any counter. But it costs more than double the KRUPS, and the capacity is only about 0.9 liters. For single-cup brewing and total temperature control, it is excellent. For family brews or making pot after pot for guests, the KRUPS makes more practical sense.

Brewista Artisan

The Brewista Artisan also features a gooseneck, full single-degree temperature adjustment from 104°F to 212°F (40°C to 100°C), and a sleek display. Its precision and build quality make it a great choice for serious gongfu tea sessions or pour-over coffee. Like the Fellow, it is a smaller-capacity kettle (1 liter) with a higher price tag, making it less practical for group serving.

Where KRUPS Fits

This is a convenience-first temperature kettle, not a precision instrument. The KRUPS hits a sweet spot for people who want better water for their tea without chasing every single degree or investing in specialty barista gear. It is a clear upgrade from bare-bones boil-only kettles, sits comfortably below the high-end precision models, and covers the vast majority of daily tea and coffee needs. If you are still weighing your options, our smart tea brewer buying guide covers a wider range of choices in detail.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Large 1.7-liter capacity works great for multiple cups and group brewing
• Simple five-preset system with intuitive, no-fuss controls
• Fast 1,500W heating and reliable keep-warm function
• Cordless design with cool-touch double-wall body for added safety
• Stainless steel interior preserves pure water taste
• Real-time LED temperature display visible across the kitchen
• Strong value compared to premium gooseneck kettles

Cons:

• No custom temperatures between the five presets (no single-degree control)
• No gooseneck spout, so less pour control for specialty coffee or delicate teas
• Not ideal for very fast, single-cup gongfu-style brewing sessions
• Lid opening is wide but you cannot fit your full hand in for a deep clean
• The 105°F (40°C) “Warm” preset has limited practical use for tea brewing

Who Is This Kettle Really For?

If your tea routine is fairly straightforward, with green tea in the morning, oolong in the afternoon, the occasional herbal blend, or pots of black tea at dinner, this kettle will make your daily brewing noticeably better. It is also a smart pick for bigger households, student apartments, or anyone who regularly makes tea for friends.

If you are new to loose-leaf tea and experimenting with what different water temperatures do for your favorite blends, the KRUPS is an approachable way to learn fast what works. The labeled presets take the guesswork out of the process. For a broader overview of building a tea setup that works for your daily habits, check out our guide to building your smart tea station.

If you already brew small, single-cup specialty teas or own a kettle with single-degree adjustment, this option will not impress. Likewise, if you love manual pour-over coffee or delicate gooseneck pours, look at a dedicated gooseneck kettle instead. The KRUPS is about serving up reliable, easy tea for people who want better control without needing elite gear or another complicated kitchen gadget.

Final Verdict: Is the KRUPS Smart Temp Electric Kettle Worth Buying?

The KRUPS Smart Temp Electric Kettle does exactly what most tea drinkers need, without unnecessary extras. It heats fast, nails the five most useful temperature presets, and stays in great shape without any odd aftertaste. The five-button system saves time and is simple enough for guests or family members to use without instruction.

If you want to start making better tea without getting into expensive or finicky specialty gear, KRUPS is a practical upgrade that will level up your daily cup.

If you are tired of boiling everything and ruining delicate tea, want a way to streamline your daily tea routine, or just like having easy options when friends come over, the KRUPS Smart Temp Kettle is worth a look. If you are already deep in the world of specialty tea or precision coffee, this probably is not for you. Matching your kettle to your actual habits is what matters most.

If this sounds like the kind of kettle that matches your brewing habits, check the current price and availability below.

KRUPS Smart Temp Electric Kettle

And if you are still comparing options, our full breakdown of Top 10 Smart Tea Brewers for 2025 will help you choose the right one for your setup.

FAQ: KRUPS Smart Temp Electric Kettle

Is the KRUPS Smart Temp good for green tea?

The 175°F (80°C) Green Tea preset lines up well with most green teas, from Chinese Dragonwell to everyday sencha. It will not hit single-degree precision for very rare Japanese teas like competition-grade gyokuro (where some brewers aim closer to 140°F / 60°C), but for the vast majority of green teas, it is right on target.

Can it be used for pour-over coffee?

You can use this kettle to get water to the right temperature. The 195°F (91°C) Oolong/Coffee preset is in the ideal range for most pour-over and French press brewing. However, without a gooseneck spout, you will not get the slow, controlled pour needed for precision pour-over methods. It is perfectly fine for a French press or basic pour-over, but serious pour-over enthusiasts should consider a gooseneck kettle.

Does it keep temperature accurately?

Based on my testing, the KRUPS kettle stays within 2-4°F (1-2°C) of your chosen preset, both at initial heating and during the 30-minute keep-warm cycle. That is accurate enough for real-world tea and coffee making.

Is a stainless steel interior important?

If you care about taste, yes. Stainless steel does not impart flavors to the water and is easy to descale with white vinegar if mineral buildup occurs. Plastic interiors can develop off-tastes over time. The KRUPS keeps water away from plastic inside the kettle, so this is not a concern here. For a deeper dive into how water quality affects your cup, see our guide to the best water for tea.

What is the difference between the KRUPS Smart Temp and the KRUPS Adjustable Temperature Kettle (BW710D51)?

KRUPS sells multiple kettle models. The Smart Temp (BW802852, also called the Smart’N Light) features a sleek LED display on the body and double-wall construction. The older Adjustable Temperature model (BW710D51) has six temperature settings controlled via buttons in the handle, a full stainless steel exterior, and a water level indicator window. The Smart Temp is the newer design with a more modern interface and improved insulation.

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