The Best Teapots for Brewing Tea and More

Best Overall

TMOST Glass Teapot with Infuser

$20 at Amazon

If you are looking for a versatile, everyday teapot that can brew hot and cold tea, looks sleek, and outperforms the competition, the TMOST Glass Teapot Kettle with Infuser is our top pick. This model holds three to four cups of tea in borosilicate glass so durable that you can put it directly on a gas stovetop. When the stainless steel parts are removed it can also go in the microwave to warm up your tea when it cools down a little. An added bonus is that it's dishwasher safe, so you can clean it easily after a long day. 

The teapot also scores points for ease of use. It comes with helpful instructions and a handy chart that indicates the required water temperature and brewing time for different types of tea. We tested the teapot by brewing loose-leaf earl grey tea. The flavor was excellent and the filter completely removed all sediment.

Anyone who has ever poured hot water out of a teapot knows that burns do happen, but this lid is designed to stay cool so your fingers stay safe. And the ergonomic handle allows for a firm grip while holding the pot while the spout is spill-free. If the 32-ounce capacity is too small for avid tea drinkers, it's also available in 43 ounces. Overall, we were impressed with the teapot's high-quality design and user-friendly operation.

Material: Glass | Capacity: 32 or 43 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.7 x 5.9 inches

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Hiware Glass Teapot

Orig. $30 $20 at Amazon $33 at Walmart

The Hiware Glass Teapot is similar to our best overall option but comes in at a lower price. It not only has a stylish silhouette, complete with a large handle and slightly goosenecked spout, but you can also see the beautiful colors emerge in your tea as it steeps. The material is ideal to showcase flowering teas, too, should you choose to steep openly in the pot instead of using the included stainless steel infuser filter.

We tested a slightly larger version of this item, but this model holds roughly 34 ounces, which is more than enough for a few cups of tea. The borosilicate glass can be placed directly on gas or electric stovetops. However, the instructions aren't clear about whether or not water can be boiled directly in the teapot so we decided against it.

Overall, we were pleased with its performance. It brewed flavorful black tea that was free of sediment thanks to the mesh strainer. For a couple of extra bonuses, the teapot can go in the microwave when the stainless steel parts are removed, and it can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning after a long day. The affordable price is in line with ceramic teapots, so you're not paying a premium for the glass design.

Material: Glass | Capacity: 33.8 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.1 x 5.4 inches

Best Color Options

Sweese Porcelain Teapot

$26 at Amazon $27 at Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond

This 27-ounce teapot is both elegant and adorable. The round handle and slightly gooseneck spout give the item a classic silhouette, and it's available in a number of vibrant and glossy colorways, ranging from a timeless white to an eye-catching turquoise. It also comes with a convenient stainless steel infuser that works with both bagged and loose tea.

The teapot is on the smaller side, but its capacity is sufficient for personal use—you can expect to brew about two to three cups at a time. Avid tea drinkers or customers who often host parties will be pleased to know that Sweese makes a nearly identical teapot at 40 ounces—the main difference is that the larger teapot does not include an infuser.

This particular teapot is praised for its value for money, and also makes an excellent gift. One thing to keep in mind is that the porcelain material is durable, but not entirely resistant to chips and scratches.

Material: Porcelain | Capacity: 27 or 40 ounces | Infuser: Yes (27-ounce model only) | Dimensions: 5.2 x 5 x 8.5 inches

Best Budget

Bodum Assam Tea Press with Stainless Steel Filter

Orig. $32 $25 at Amazon $25 at Target $29 at Wayfair

Bodum's Assam Tea Press offers more than a standard teapot and yet it comes at an unbeatably low price. The 34-ounce glass teapot has a large steel infuser, which is nothing out of the ordinary so far, but the unique detail is that the infuser can be plunged to stop the steeping process. This ensures that your tea won't steep for too long and become bitter, which is especially convenient when you make a full pot of tea and want to take your time drinking it. One of the only downsides is that the infuser isn't perforated at the bottom, so tea leaves don't diffuse as well if you only make two or three cups at a time.

When you're done drinking your tea, all parts are dishwasher-safe. Pouring is smooth despite the item's short spout. The plastic handle is surprisingly sturdy as well.

Material: Glass | Capacity: 34 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 5.9 x 6.4 x 7.5 inches

Best Stoneware

RSVP Stoneware Teapot

$28 at Amazon $31 at Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond

Stoneware, like earthenware and porcelain, is a type of ceramic material that's used to make all kinds of pottery, kitchenware, and more. It's especially well-liked because of its durability and the variety of finishes it comes in. As a result, stoneware is a wonderful blend of function and style—two words that can also be applied to RSVP's Stoneware Teapot.

The item is available in a size of 16 or 42 ounces, as well as a number of striking colors. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with an infuser like many other teapots, but it is dishwasher- and microwave-safe for added convenience. It also has a sturdy handle. The stoneware material is thick enough to retain heat well too, so you can sip your tea leisurely and enjoyably, just like you're meant to.

Material: Stoneware | Capacity: 16 or 42 ounces | Infuser: No | Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 6 inches

Best Ceramic

Tealyra Daze Ceramic Teapot

$25 at Amazon

Ceramic teapots are widely lauded for their excellent heat retention, easiness to clean, and timeless aesthetic. Tealyra's Daze Ceramic Teapot has all these wonderful traits, plus it's available in seven colors to match any personality or kitchen décor. It has a 27-ounce capacity and the ceramic body is built to resist high temperatures and stand the test of time, but is slightly small for our liking. The extra-fine stainless-steel strainer prevents the smallest leaves from floating into your tea, resulting in the perfect cup. The pot doesn't drip when the tea is poured and it also makes a great gift for a friend who also cherishes a warm spot of tea on a cold day.

Material: Ceramic | Capacity: 27 or 47 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 6.69 x 6.54 x 6.3 inches

Best Set

Sweejar British Royal Series Tea Set

$71 at Amazon View on Sweejar.com

With 22 gorgeous pieces, this tea set has everything you need to entertain. There are six teacups, six saucers, six teaspoons, a sugar bowl, a cream pitcher, stainless steel filter, and, of course, a gleaming 28-ounce teapot. Every piece in the set is crafted from white porcelain and accented with elegant gold trim. The porcelain is surprisingly sturdy and the pieces are also dishwasher safe but should not be used in the microwave or on the stovetop. 

What really separates this Pukka Home set from other options is its value for money. The price is extremely reasonable when considering the quality and number of pieces included, and it also makes a great gift. If you’re looking for a pop of color, Pukka Home not only makes the set in Pure White but in Milk Purple and Young Pink as well. Keep in mind, however, that the set does not include the display stand used in photographs.

Material: Porcelain | Capacity: 28 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.5 x 5 inches

Best High-End

Royal Albert Old Country Roses 3-Piece Tea Set

Orig. $200 $181 at Amazon $197 at Walmart $181 at Wayfair

You can't go wrong with any of Royal Albert's teapots or tea sets. The British company has been crafting gorgeous fine bone china for over 100 years. We chose the Old Country Roses motif because it's one of Royal Albert's best-selling designs. The company also makes dozens of pieces with the same lush floral pattern—including serving trays, napkin rings, and wine glasses—so you can expand your china collection whenever you like, all in a matching design.

This set includes a 42-ounce teapot, sugar bowl, and cream jug. While it doesn't come with cups and saucers, we love that it provides three essential pieces at a price only slightly higher than buying the teapot by itself. If need be, teacups in the Old Country Roses pattern can be purchased separately at a number of sites online.

Material: Fine bone china | Capacity: 42 ounces | Infuser: No | Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.5 x 10.5 inches

Best Cast Iron

Old Dutch International Cast Iron Sapporo Teapot

Orig. $27 $25 at Amazon $19 at Walmart

This Japanese-inspired cast iron teapot is ideal for brewing small batches of loose-leaf tea for yourself or a guest. Iron teapots are traditionally heavier, as the weight of the iron helps retain heat for an extended length of time, which is ideal for long-brewing and taste. This item strikes the perfect balance between function and design, however, as it's on the lighter side for iron models, clocking in at 2.8 pounds. It's also equipped with enamel lining for rust resistance. This teapot is dependable enough to use daily and the iron design looks great in any kitchen. We only wish it was slightly larger.

Material: Cast iron | Capacity: 20 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.25 x 6 inches

Best for Office

Saki Chaiovar Electric Samovar

Orig. $185 $165 at Amazon $228 at Wayfair

Samovars have been used to heat water and steep tea since the 18th century. Saki takes this age-old design—kettle on the bottom, teapot on top—and adds all the modern touches needed to make several drinks with ease. We received the Chaiovar Electric Samovar for testing purposes and gave it an all-around high rating for design, durability, and performance.

The main part is a stainless steel kettle with an immense capacity of 135 ounces. At the touch of a button, the full kettle gets to 212 degrees Fahrenheit in 17 minutes. Naturally, it's even faster when using less water. You can then place the 34-ounce porcelain teapot or a single mug under the spigot to brew tea. One criticism we have is that the water automatically heats to 212 degrees Fahrenheit rather than allowing for specific temperatures to be selected. So if you're making matcha, for example, you have to keep an eye on the temperature and pour when it gets to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. It also only reads in Celsius, so some quick conversions may be necessary.

The samovar can certainly be used for individual or household use, but it's especially well-suited for offices and events given the large capacity and three-hour temperature hold. It's also more expensive than an average teapot and tea kettle combined; though, the price is reasonable considering how unique the item is and the sturdiness of its parts.

Material: Porcelain teapot and stainless steel kettle | Capacity: Teapot is 34 ounces and kettle is 135 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 11.2 x 14 x 20 inches

Best Gaiwan

Harney & Sons Gaiwan

$13 at Harney.com

Gaiwans have been a common tea-making instrument in China for hundreds of years and are a staple of Gong Fu brewing—a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. According to Shunan Teng, founder and CEO of Tea Drunk, a gaiwan has "become a symbol of the highest quality of tea brewing, even though in China it's quite commonplace." She added that it offers people more control over their tea than a teapot does.

This gaiwan from Harney & Sons is made of 100 percent porcelain and has a capacity of 4 ounces. The white porcelain is especially useful for seeing the color of the tea liquor to know when steeping is done. Like many gaiwans, this model comes at a budget price and is cheaper than the vast majority of teapots out there; granted, you sacrifice the larger capacities that teapots offer. The item is not dishwasher safe and should be rinsed by hand after use.

Keep in mind that it may take some time to get comfortable with a gaiwan if you haven't used one before. A little skill and practice are required to secure the lid and hold the edges without burning your hand on the hot porcelain. Once you've got the technique down, however, the Harney & Sons gaiwan will lead to fast and delicious tea.

Material: Porcelain | Capacity: 4 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 3.75 x 3.25 inches