GOVEE SMART KETTLE: TWO-MINUTE REVIEW
If your standard kettle isn't cutting it, you may want to invest in a smart kettle for a more intelligent option that can better accommodate your hectic lifestyle. Enter the Govee Smart Kettle, a gooseneck kettle with support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and in-app controls that can precisely heat water to the desired temperature.
A gooseneck kettle gives you greater control when preparing loose-leaf teas and pour-over coffee, allowing you to realize your maximum potential as a home barista. Add intelligent temperature settings, and you have a must-have countertop accessory that will never scorch your tea leaves or fail to maximize the flavor of your hot beverages.
The affordable $79.99 Govee Smart Kettle is clad in elegant black stainless steel and is available from Amazon and Govee directly. It is one of only a few gooseneck kettles with smart home compatibility, providing an excellent way to automate your morning routine—or to get your dose as soon as you arrive home.
It's fairly petite at 11.14 x 8.31 x 8.74 inches, with a capacity of 0.8 liters. When the water reaches a boil, the lid can snap off, or water can spray out of the spout if it is filled to more than 0.65 liters. This means that the already limited capacity can accommodate one larger drink or two smaller beverages.
The external maximum water line, which is not highlighted, is located beneath the handle, which makes replenishing the kettle a bit of a hassle. In addition, there is no window to view the water level in the teapot. The internal max line is positioned against the sloping side of the pot, making filling a type of squat-and-peek exercise.
The external maximum water line, which is not highlighted, is located beneath the handle, which makes replenishing the kettle a bit of a hassle. In addition, there is no window to view the water level in the teapot. The internal limit line is positioned against the sloping side of the container, making filling a type of squat-and-peek exercise.
If you're a stickler for precision, you'll be pleased to know that the Govee Smart Kettle is extremely accurate, with my thermometer showing a difference of approximately 32.36°F/0.2oC between the in-app temperature and the actual temperature, likely due to the fact that the thermometer is located in the base of the kettle, the hottest part.
The Govee app is simple to use, allowing you to rapidly and remotely adjust the parameters of your kettle. It's a little cluttered and cumbersome, hiding a few useful features such as scheduling behind a plethora of menus and pages, but it provides a fantastic smart home experience for those who don't own one of the best smart speakers. Unfortunately, weekly and recurring schedules are not supported, but I anticipate this will change as Govee continues to invest in the development of its smart home devices.
If you choose to use Alexa or Google Home with your kettle, setup is quite simple, and in my testing with Alexa, it worked with relative ease.
GOVEE SMART KETTLE: PRICE & AVAILABILITY
- How much is it? $79.99 (about £65, AU$125)
- When is it available? Available in the US and the EU now
- Where is it available? Currently US and the EU only
The Govee Smart Kettle is affordably priced at $79.99 on Amazon and directly from Govee. At the moment of writing, it is only available in the United States and the European Union. Customers in the United Kingdom must acquire it from Govee EU, while those in Australia must wait until it becomes available in their region.
HOW I TESTED THE GOVEE SMART KETTLE
- I used the Govee Smart Kettle for a month
- I used it to make all of my hot beverages
- I tested the temperature accuracy, boil performance, timing, app functionality
The Govee Smart Kettle was my go-to water heater for teas and coffees for a month. I measured the accuracy of the app's real-time temperature monitoring against my thermometer, utilizing all of its temperature settings as well as some DIY modes I constructed for teas with extremely specific brewing instructions.
I timed how long it took for the water to reach a complete boil and how much water could fit in the kettle without the lid falling unfastened or water escaping the vent. I also tested the app's settings and integration with Alexa by utilizing it. I compared its performance to that of the Swann Alexa Kettle.
I was provided with an EU model, which I tested in my UK kitchen using an adapter; however, my results were consistent with those of EU consumers.