Oxo is known for its practical, user-friendly kitchen tools, offering reliable kettles that prioritize function, ease of use, and everyday durability at an accessible price point. In contrast, Fellow creates premium, design-forward kettles aimed at coffee and tea enthusiasts, combining a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with advanced features like precision temperature control for a superior brewing experience.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right kettle for your countertop.
Oxo: The Practical, User-Friendly Choice
Oxo has built a strong reputation for making thoughtfully designed kitchen tools that simplify daily tasks. Their kettles follow this philosophy, emphasizing ergonomic comfort, safety, and straightforward functionality. Aimed at home cooks who value reliability, Oxo's products blend modern design with practical features without a hefty price tag.
- Product mix: A wide range of innovative kitchen tools and appliances, from peelers to coffee makers, all designed with user-friendliness in mind.
- Style/vibe: Modern and functional. The aesthetic is clean and simple, designed to be intuitive and to blend seamlessly into most kitchen environments.
- Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Kettles typically cost between $50 and $100, providing great performance for the price.
- Quality: Constructed with durable stainless steel and BPA-free plastic parts. Some models feature borosilicate glass. The build is sturdy and designed for daily use.
- Capacity & Sizing: Models generally range from 1 to 1.7 liters, making them a great fit for medium to large households or anyone who often boils larger quantities of water.
- Where to Buy: Widely available online and in-store at major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Crate & Barrel.
Oxo is the go-to brand for a dependable, no-fuss kettle that performs its job well and is built to last through daily use.
Shop Oxo: oxo.com
Fellow: The Premium, Design-Forward Kettle
Fellow is a specialty brand for coffee and tea enthusiasts who believe beautiful design enhances the daily brewing ritual. Their products are celebrated for a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that turns a functional appliance into a kitchen statement piece. Fellow kettles combine Scandinavian-inspired minimalism with advanced technology, precise controls, and superior craftsmanship.
- Product mix: High-end coffee and tea brewing equipment, including electric kettles, grinders, mugs, and pour-over drippers.
- Style/vibe: Sleek, minimalist, and highly stylized. Their signature look includes matte finishes, elegant curves, and intuitive controls, making their kettles an aesthetic choice as much as a functional one.
- Price point: Premium. Expect to pay between $150 and $200 or more, reflecting the high-end materials and advanced features.
- Quality: Crafted from high-grade, matte-finished stainless steel with high-quality heating elements and precise digital controls for temperature accuracy.
- Capacity & Sizing: Typically smaller, with a 1-liter capacity. Their compact footprint is designed to look clean on the countertop without taking up too much space.
- Where to Buy: Available directly on the Fellow website and at select premium retailers like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table.
Choose Fellow if you're a coffee or tea connoisseur who appreciates precision and wants a beautifully designed kettle to elevate your brewing process.
Shop Fellow: fellowproducts.com
Oxo vs. Fellow Kettle Comparison
Price Comparison
The price difference between these two brands is significant and reflects their target customers. Oxo kettles land firmly in the $50 to $100 range, offering fantastic value for users who need a reliable appliance for daily boiling. For the price, you get durable materials, thoughtful safety features, and a product that consistently performs well.
Fellow positions itself in the premium market, with kettles ranging from $150 to over $200. This higher price is justified by its superior aesthetic appeal, precision temperature control (often to the exact degree), high-end matte finishes, and specialized features aimed at perfecting coffee and tea brewing. While Oxo offers value through practicality, Fellow provides value through design and performance for enthusiasts.
Style & Aesthetic
Style is a primary differentiator. Oxo's design is modern, functional, and utilitarian. Their kettles feature clean lines, stainless steel or glass bodies, and black plastic accents. The focus is squarely on usability and ergonomics, creating an appliance that is easy to handle and blends in rather than stands out.
Fellow kettles are designed to be countertop showpieces. With a sleek minimalist aesthetic inspired by Scandinavian design, they feature graceful curves, often in stunning matte black or white finishes. Every detail, from the handle to the pour spout, is considered for both its beauty and function, making it a clear winner for design-conscious consumers.
Quality & Materials
Both brands produce quality products, but their material choices reflect their price points. Oxo uses durable stainless steel and high-quality, BPA-free plastic for its handles and lids. The construction is solid and designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily kitchen life, offering great longevity for a mid-range appliance.
Fellow uses premium materials to achieve its high-end look and feel. The body is typically made from a single piece of high-grade stainless steel with a pristine matte finish. The heating elements and internal electronics are designed for precise temperature control and quick heating, contributing to both its performance and its durability as a specialty tool.
Capacity & Sizing
Your household needs may dictate which brand works better for you. Oxo kettles generally offer larger capacities, from 1 liter up to 1.7 liters. This makes them ideal for families, people who entertain guests, or anyone needing to boil a large amount of water at once for pasta, tea, or French press coffee.
Fellow models, like the popular Stagg EKG, are typically smaller at around 1 liter. This size is perfect for individuals or couples and is specifically suited for brewing methods that require smaller, more controlled water volumes, such as pour-over coffee. The compact footprint also helps reserve precious counter space.
Shopping Experience
Acquiring an Oxo kettle is incredibly easy. They are a staple in most major home goods retailers, both online and in-store, including Amazon, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond. This wide availability makes purchasing and returns straightforward.
Fellow is more of a boutique brand. While available at some high-end retailers, the primary channel is through its own website. The shopping experience is more premium and brand-focused, with sleek packaging and detailed product information aimed at knowledgeable consumers.
Which One Should You Choose?
The best kettle for you depends entirely on what you value most in a kitchen appliance.
Choose Oxo if:
- You're looking for an affordable, reliable kettle for daily use.
- Functionality and ease of use are more important to you than aesthetic design.
- You need a larger capacity kettle for a family or for hosting guests.
- You prefer buying from major, accessible retailers.
Choose Fellow if:
- You are a coffee or tea enthusiast who wants precise temperature control.
- You value beautiful design and want an appliance that doubles as a statement piece.
- You have a higher budget and are willing to invest in premium quality.
- You're brewing for one or two people and prefer a smaller, more compact kettle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxo or Fellow cheaper?
Oxo is significantly more affordable. Oxo kettles are typically priced between $50 and $100, while Fellow kettles are in the premium range of $150 to $200+, making Oxo the budget-friendly choice.
Is the Fellow kettle worth the money?
For coffee and tea connoisseurs, yes. The high price tag buys you precise, to-the-degree temperature control, a specialized gooseneck spout for perfect pour-overs, and a stunning design. If these features are important to your brewing routine, it's a worthwhile investment. If you simply need to boil water, it may be unnecessary.
Which brand has better quality appliances?
Both brands offer excellent quality for their respective price points. Oxo kettles are known for their everyday durability and reliable construction. Fellow uses more premium materials and high-end components geared toward performance and aesthetics, which gives it a more luxurious feel and construction.
Are Oxo kettles good for pour-over coffee?
Yes, Oxo offers gooseneck kettle models that are well-suited for pour-over coffee, providing good control and functionality at a great price. However, Fellow's kettles, like the Stagg EKG, are specifically engineered with features like a counterbalanced handle and precision spout to perfect the pour-over process.
What's special about the Fellow Stagg EKG kettle?
The Fellow Stagg EKG is famous for its combination of minimalist design and high-tech functionality. Its key features include to-the-degree temperature control, a hold mode that maintains temperature for up to 60 minutes, a built-in brew stopwatch, and an iconic, stylish look.
Which kettle gets hotter faster?
Both brands use powerful heating elements and are designed for quick boiling, often boiling water in just a few minutes. Performance can vary by specific model, but neither brand is known for being slow.
Which kettle is bigger?
Oxo generally offers kettles with a larger capacity, often up to 1.7 liters. This is ideal for serving multiple people. Fellow kettles typically have a smaller capacity, around 1 liter, intended for individual or smaller batch brewing.
Do both brands offer a warranty?
Yes, both Oxo and Fellow offer limited warranties for their products, covering manufacturing defects. It's always best to check the specific warranty details for the model you are considering at the time of purchase.
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