I've illegally copied the rankings here. You have to have a subscription to read them on the CI site...but this forum is secret, so I shouldn't have Chris Kimball beating down my door any time soon.
Recommended
Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler & Warmer
Though this “water boiler” took the longest to boil water (even longer than a pot on the stove), it had the highest capacity and held water at a designated temperature for up to 10 hours. Thanks to its cylindrical shape and removable lid, it was a breeze to fill and clean. The dispense button made it easy to get hot water without having to lift a full kettle. This model was the only one with an insulated body that remained only warm to the touch. The easy-to-read digital temperature display, auto shut-off safety, and clear level meter on this model were all pluses, but the high price, counter-hogging size, and clunky appearance gave us pause.
$114.95
Recommended
Chef's Choice 688 Electric Smart Kettle
User-friendly, this model boiled water faster than our winning standard electric kettle, the Capresso Silver H20 Electric Kettle ($60). The display is clear and the temperature easy to set. It will hold the water at a set temperature for only 40 minutes before shutting off, but restarting is easy. One drawback: The kettle reached an external temperature of 185 degrees, a burn hazard.
$99.99
Recommended with Reservations
Pino Digital Kettle Pro
This kettle is easy to set and boils water quickly. It holds water at the set temperature accurately. However, the level meter is inside the unit, forcing you to look inside, over the steamy hot water, to check the water level. Because this level meter runs right into the center of the kettle, leaving little space to maneuver, it made the model difficult to clean.
$79.95
Recommended with Reservations
T-Fal Vitesse Kettle
The modest price tag and speedy heating time make this a good option if you don’t mind a few distinct disadvantages. The temperature dial has no numbers, instead offering drawings of squiggly lines over a cup, a design that makes judging temperatures a guessing game. (We finally determined that one squiggly line meant the perfect temperature for delicate teas, while three was a full boil.) This kettle does not hold water at temperature; you must restart the kettle to bring the temperature back up, though this doesn’t take long.
$39.99
Not Recommended
Adagio Utilitea Adjustable Hot Water Kettle
This kettle boiled water quickly. However, trying to set the right temperature was a challenge, because there are no numbers on the display; you must choose from different-colored bars on a dial. The small opening made cleaning difficult, and the spring-loaded lid sprayed droplets of boiling water on our hands.
$49.95
