Best 10 Teapots

Who doesn’t love a warm cup of tea in the morning? It doesn’t get any more British than sipping on a cuppa in your daily life. There are many occasions where herbal or blooming tea with a biscuit can make your day that much better, from morning to afternoon tea parties. Many go for the traditional stovetop tea kettle or the boiling kettle, but there are other choices out there for you to bring the brewing straight to the table.

The top teapots can be inexpensive additions to any kitchen. You don’t need fine china and porcelain necessarily to make a statement. Sure, they are excellent and top-quality materials, but the options in the market are vast. Anyone who enjoys hot tea can find Japanese style teapots with great durability and other choices too to match any home decor and personal preference.

What is a teapot? 

Tea time is more than just sipping on your favourite drink. It’s an opportunity for the whole family to sit down together and enjoy a warm and snug beverage. A teapot is a large capacity pot where you can store larger tea batches to maintain their warmth. It’s a convenient way to control how you pour your tea by its mouth. It’s also less risky of burning you than a stovetop kettle with its handle and lid. 

There are different teapots, with some being a simple vessel, while others work as a tea infuser like French press machines. Teapot kettles have excellent heat reservations reaching up to 650°C. Some even include a transposable filter that holds any tea leaves out of your cup conveniently. Manufacturers use many different materials and colours to blend well with the rest of your tableware, and others release teapots along with cup sets for a money-saving purchase.

Why should you buy a teapot? 

While you might like the good old method of stovetop tea brewing, a teapot can be a handy alternative to sip on your favourite herbal or tea. There are a couple of benefits that we think are worthy of your pounds. 

1. They keep your tea hot for longer.

Teapots have superior heat reservation to maintain your cup warm for a more extended period. Depending on the material, you will find that some even can withstand temperatures up to 650°C. For example, cast iron teapots have excellent heat reservation. Stainless steel teapots are also very durable against high heat. The higher the heat, the more flavourful tea brewing you will accomplish. That way, you can enjoy a warm drink on your patio in even the coldest winters.

2. They brew tea in larger batches.

Instead of sipping on a cup of tea on your own, why not host some friends over and brew larger tea batches. Teapots give you more opportunity to show off your mad tea brewing skills as they have a greater water capacity than smaller kettles. In just a few minutes, you can steep some tea for you and a few friends without too much of a hassle. Just let the teapot do its thing.

3. They are aesthetically pleasing.

Apart from the functional benefit, teapots are also very aesthetically pleasing. They have multiple shapes, designs and colours, from minimalist and modern to rustic and more traditional Japanese style teapots. Teapots don’t have to be high society tea makers. Anyone can find affordable choices that are very pretty and eye-catching. 

What to look for in a teapot? 

Do you want to learn a bit more about the most important considerations before buying a teapot? There are some key features to look for that will guarantee you end up with a worthy investment. 

1. Teapot Type

Are you going for a teapot with an infuser or for a plain one? There are two different types of teapots, the infuser teapots and the regulars. With an infuser one, you can buy bulk loose leaf teas instead of herb bags for a money-saving brewing.

If you are not too much of a tea connoisseur, you can easily go for a regular teapot as that will work well with herb bags. They are also more likely to have a larger capacity than infuser teapots because they don’t have the infuser or strain in the middle.

2. Style

Whatever kooky personality you may have, there are various teapot style choices. There is a match for any home decor and personal preference, from neutral tones to vibrant and colourful designs. Do you like rustic or prefer modern? Do you want something with a glossy polished look or a matte finish? There will be multiple selections in the market that blend with all kitchens and tableware. 

3. Material

The material construction is essential because it’s not only a matter of durability but also safety. Higher quality materials are more likely to have superior heat retention. So, don’t necessarily opt for the most affordable material as this could be a long-lasting purchase. Some common materials are borosilicate glass, stoneware teapots, ceramic, cast iron, copper and steel. 

4. Water Capacity

Are you planning on using your teapot solo? Do you want to host your friends or family for tea parties? Well, water capacity might matter for you then. The teapot’s capacity can be an important factor depending on how many cups you want from one sitting. Most average teapots have a capacity between 500mL to 1.5L. But, some larger ones have a bigger capacity of up to 3L. 

5. Ease of Use & Cleaning

Cleaning is a must for any product after you use it. To make it as effortless as possible, find a teapot that has removable parts. For example, a removable infuser is convenient. Also, dishwasher-safe teapots eliminate the need for handwashing, giving you back your precious time.

For straightforward use in any way possible, you can opt for a stovetop safe teapot that makes boiling water fast and direct. The most versatile teapots are the ones that are microwave safe and BPA-free too. That way, you can have total peace of mind when using them.  

What teapot materials are available? 

The teapot materials give you more options to pick from and differences in terms of their sturdiness, price point and heat retention. The most popular choices are glass, ceramic and stainless steel. Let’s look at their pros and cons. 

1. Glass

Glass teapots are the most popular infuser type because they are clear and see-through. They have good heat resistance due to the borosilicate glass, a top-quality material. One of its pros is that you can follow along and experience the brewing process from start to finish, which can be entertainment for your guests. 

Also, that way, you can get the perfect brew fit to your personal preferences by looking through the glass. The one thing to be wary of is that even the best glass material could run the risk of shattering with improper use. So, just be careful when carrying it around, and you should be good to go.

2. Ceramic

Ceramic teapots are one of the most traditional types that many prefer. They usually come with teacup sets and have a very personalised design, almost handmade-like. Ceramic has one of the highest quality heat retentions from the rest of the materials. Their handles are cool, even if the tea was brewed seconds ago. Another pro is that they are very lightweight teapots in comparison to others. 

One of its drawbacks is that ceramic tends to maintain odours in its interior. So, if you have a flavourful tea type, there might be some leftover smell in the teapot. Also, being cautious when using is a must because ceramic can chip or crack very easily.

3. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the latest trend in teapots, offering a very sleek and modern look. Their eye-catching design is not the only reason that they are popular choices, though. Stainless steel is the most corrosion-resistant material and has the best heat resistance; many come with a stainless steel infuser, stainless steel filter and stainless steel lid. 

Their one con is that these will most likely be pricier teapots in comparison to the other materials. Also, if you prefer something not as edgy and minimal as this design, you probably will be better off with traditional-looking teapots. One more thing to remember is that the outside part of the teapot might be warm to the touch, so handle them with care.

How can you brew the most flavourful tea batch with your teapot?

Are you a newbie when it comes to tea brewing? We want to share some tips and tricks that will help you to brew the perfect tea batch time and time again. 

1. Choose your tea type and measure it

First, pick the variety that you prefer for its taste and flavour. There are many tea varieties out there from green to black tea. If you like darker teas with a stronger taste, go for black tea. These are excellent alternatives to coffee as they contain caffeine. If you want something more light, go for herbal teas or green teas. Green teas are optimal for the night to relax before you go to bed. 

Depending on how clear you want the colour to be, you should measure the quantity too. A good portion for a single cup is about 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon. Pay attention to the water to tea leaves ratio as it can make a real difference taste-wise too.

2. Add boiling water to the teapot and let it soak for 3-5 minutes

The amount of time you let your tea soak in the water will give you a unique beverage intensity. For a more intense and dark tea, let it in the water longer. If you want a tea that’s not too intense or dark in colour you should let it steep in the teapot for less time. In general, herbal tea needs more time to brew (up to 10 minutes) and white tea requires the least amount of time. Black tea takes about 5 minutes on average. It can also be a method of trial and error until you finally find your personal preference. 

3. Let it rest for a couple of minutes

Now, your tea is ready and waiting for you to enjoy it. But, hold on just a little bit longer! Let it cool off a bit before you take a sip. That way, it can reach a more comfortable room temperature but also release more of its flavour into your cup. For example, green tea has the best taste if the water's temperature is between 71.1°C to 76.7°C. Black tea should be between 93.3°C and 100°C.

Don’t let it cool off too long, though, as it will end up losing its taste if it’s completely cold. We recommend 1-2 minutes to prevent burning your tongue, and also getting the most flavour.

How much do teapots cost?

The water capacity, material and attachments (e.g. infuser, colander) will add up the price of your teapot. But, fear not, there is an option for any budget with many low-cost teapots starting as low as £9.99. We’ve broken them down to affordable options no more than £30 and higher-end ones reaching up to £70.

Affordable 

The most affordable option material-wise is glass. Glass teapots are very inexpensive and readily available in the market. Also, a smaller water capacity of up to 1L will be less costly than larger ones. You can expect anywhere from £9.99 to £30.61 for these options. They can either be regular teapots or infuser teapots. 

Higher-End

For a slightly upped price, you can find higher-end stainless steel, ceramic or stone teapots from £34.50 to £64.99. Those will have a larger water capacity of up to 3L and also might include a teacup set. You can also find these in more colourful options, giving you a unique & stylish touch.

Closure

Brew any flavour tea to your liking with the top teapots. Teapots are a common British household item that many people enjoy in their daily lives. Whether you want a loose-leaf cuppa or an English herb bag, there’s a teapot match for you.

Our buying guide gave you all the information you may need to understand the material differences, the price ranges to expect, and some of the top features to consider. Find the best one for you and start brewing! Who’s going to steep the first cup?