If you are looking for the best teapots for tea time - then you have come to the right place. Taking the time to relax and unwind with a cup of tea makes everything better. Whether you are looking for the best kettles that double as a tea pot or something beautiful to fit your tea time decor - we have covered our favourites. So, if you want to really indulge in your moment of 'me-time', treat yourself to a lovely new teapot that'll help you re-energise and feel your best.
We've found the best teapots with different material properties to consider for your perfect pot. With regal floral designs made for afternoon tea, Japanese style teapots for an aromatic brew or bright quirky patterns to brighten a wet afternoon, one of these is sure to be your cup of tea.
Best teapots at a glance:
• Best overall ceramic teapot: London Pottery Farmhouse Polka Dot Teapot - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best stoneware teapot: Le Creuset Stoneware Grand Teapot - Buy now on John Lewis
• Best traditional teapot: Price & Kensington teapot - Buy now on Amazon UK
Tea time is a cherished ritual and a quintessentially British tradition. When the kettle whistles from the stove top kettle you know it's time to take five and relax as you sip away. Whether you're a stickler for Earl Grey or have a soft spot for herbal tea, the act of making tea is like a warm hug for your soul. Whether you like to use a smart kettle or prefer something more rustic, the choice is yours.
So let's get into it. Here are the best ceramic, stoneware, cast iron, stainless steel and glass teapots. Be sure to scroll down to check out the differences between these materials to see which one suits your needs best. Of course, don't forget the biscuits too.
Best teapots
Best overall ceramic teapot
London Pottery Store/AmazonThis quintessentially British teapot marries tradition with modern functionality. Designed by the esteemed David Birch, it's perfect for loose-leaf tea lovers. The removable mesh filter ensures a smooth pour, free from debris. Its long spout is not just elegant but also practical, preventing any spills. Plus it comes with the London Pottery stamp of approval too.
Customer review: "I love the Farmhouse Teapots. I have them in three sizes now; they are all incredibly useful, practical, and rather beautiful. The ones with the spots are downright cute."
Pros
- Created by renowned ceramist David Birch
- Comes with a removable mesh filter for smooth tea infusions without debris
- 1.2 litre capacity
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
Best stoneware teapot
Le Creuset/John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
This robust teapot is crafted from high-quality stoneware, offering excellent heat distribution. It's microwave and dishwasher-safe, and its anti-drip spout ensures a clean pour. Available in multiple colours, its enamelled exterior is scratch-resistant, keeping it looking new for years.
Customer review: "Really love the design of this teapot, a handsome edition to any table. We chose the black as it fits in well with the ambience and décor in our home. Pours well and keeps the tea hot for a while."
Pros
- Made from high-quality stoneware that maintains even temperature
- Suitable for both tea and coffee
- Dishwasher and microwave-safe
Cons
- Stoneware can be heavy
Best traditional teapot
Price and Kensington/AmazonSimple yet sophisticated, this teapot comes in pastel colours to add a dash of character to your table. Made from fine stoneware with a glossy glaze, it holds 1100 ml and is dishwasher safe. It's traditional in shape but modern in style, perfect for any tea aficionado.
Customer review: "This teapot pours well and you can get 3 mugs of tea easily. Not too heavy when full so easy to lift and pour. The lid fits well and a good choice of colours. Very reasonable cost."
Pros
- Traditional design
- Holds 1100 ml
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
Cons
- Does not come with a tea infuser
Best aesthetic ceramic teapot
Sara Miller/AmazonReally make your tea time a ritual with this 1L teapot that holds up to eight cups. Designed by Sara Miller, it features exquisite gold detailing that requires hand washing for it to last. It's the perfect gift, arriving in a rigid-lidded box. The white handle and spout blend seamlessly with the green and gold, making it a versatile choice for any tea variety.
Customer review: "After buying the beautifully presented tea cups land saucers, in the display case I was so impressed as I have collected pip teapots for many years. first ever new designer and I am hooked. Sara miller great quality, stunning designs and colours and still got to buy the rest off the set now 💕"
Pros
- Holds one litre and is suitable for eight cups
- Features beautiful elegant gold details
- Comes in a rigid-lidded gift box
Cons
- Primarily designed for aesthetic appeal, not so much for practicality
Best china teapot
Wedgwood/Selfridges
This teapot is the epitome of elegance. Crafted from fine bone china, it's dishwasher safe but not microwave-friendly. With a 355ml capacity and standing at 12cm tall, it comes beautifully gift-boxed, making it an ideal present for someone special.
Pros
- Made of fine bone china
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Comes in a gift box
Cons
- Holds only 355ml
Best striking stoneware teapot
Denby/John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
This 1L teapot from Denby's Imperial Blue collection is a modern classic. It combines vibrant blues with crisp whites, ensuring your tea is brewed to perfection. It's more than just a teapot; it's a striking centrepiece too.
Customer review: "A nice stylish teapot in a lovely colour. The inside is glazed so doesn't stain like some do. It is the right size for two decent mugs of tea to drink with a piece of cake."
Pros
- Vibrant design
- Made by Denby, known for quality
- Made from Stoneware
Cons
- No information on microwave or dishwasher safety
Best single use glass teapot
PluieSoleil/AmazonPerfect for single-person use, this 350 ml glass teapot is made from high borosilicate glass that's heat resistant. It comes with a food-grade stainless steel infuser, making it ideal for loose-leaf or scented teas. It's a stylish and modern gift option for any occasion.
Customer review: "I am absolutely delighted with my PluieSoleil Glass Teapot! This charming 350ml teapot for one is a perfect addition to my tea time routine. The sleek design, coupled with the heat-resistant stainless steel infuser, ensures a hassle-free brewing experience. The crystal-clear glass allows me to appreciate the mesmerizing dance of tea leaves as they steep, creating a visual treat. What sets this teapot apart is its versatility, accommodating both tea and coffee with equal finesse. The compact size makes it ideal for solo moments of relaxation, and the sturdy construction instills confidence in its durability. PluieSoleil has truly crafted a gem for tea enthusiasts like myself, and I couldn't be more satisfied with my purchase!"
Pros
- Glass teapot for transparency
- Food-grade stainless steel infuser
- Heat resistant
Cons
- Some may prefer a more traditional design
Best glass teapot
Whittardwww.whittard.co.uk
Ideal for entertaining, this teapot has a 1200ml capacity and serves up to 6 cups. It includes a removable stainless steel infuser and is perfect for brewing loose tea. It's chic, stylish, and a big cousin to the Pimlico Teapot.
Customer review: "I am quite happy with my teapot. It has nice bits that make it special like a fine infuser and plastic seal at the top. The teapot is beautiful, stylish and makes tea time fun."
Pros
- Available in three different sizes
- Made from 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Comes with a removable stainless steel mesh basket
Cons
- Small capacity
Best cast iron teapot
Juvale/AmazonThis Japanese tetsubin-style teapot is perfect for serving green or herbal tea. Made from heavy-duty cast iron, it offers superior heat retention and looks beautiful too. The stainless-steel infuser is easy to remove and clean, making it a reliable choice for any tea lover.
Customer review: "This is a beautiful little pot. It keeps the tea nice and hot. The enamel coating inside makes it easy to clean and ensures the flavour of the tea isn’t affected by the iron. The basket inside works well with loose leaf tea and can easily be removed if using tea bags. We purchased a little stand to sit it on which is handy for sitting it on the coffee table. Top product at a great price. We are delighted with it."
Pros
- Made of heavy-duty cast iron
- Decorated with a blue sakura pattern
- Comes with a stainless-steel infuser
Cons
- Cannot be used on a stovetop
Best stainless steel teapot
Café Olé/AmazonThis teapot is designed for comfort and reliability. Made from premium 18/10 Stainless Steel, it features a stay-cool hollow handle and a removable infuser basket. Available in multiple sizes, it comes with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty, ensuring quality and durability too.
Customer review: "What a little beauty..she looks classy pours perfectly keeps the tea hot and the strainer is lovely and deep giving maximum area for infusing and she holds a perfect volume for two cups..very very happy"
Pros
- Available in three different sizes
- Made from 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Comes with a removable stainless steel mesh
Cons
- Hot to touch
What to consider when choosing the best teapots
The best teapots are made up of many different materials - here is what you should consider before finding the perfect one.
Ceramic teapots
Ceramic is the most popular material for teapots that have been used for tens of thousands of years across the world for tea rituals and is perfect for traditional British tea. They're really versatile in design so you can choose one to suit the style of your home or buy one that evokes luxury or calm for your teatime retreat.
Ceramic teapots offer medium to high heat retention and they're often lightweight for easy handling with the handle remaining cool to the touch too for safety.
Most of these teapots are easy to clean with the smooth, glazed surface not holding onto any stubborn tea residue with a simple rinse doing the job. However, as a more porous material, a ceramic teapot may be more likely to stain and retain taste over time. Opting for porcelain, also a type of ceramic will help reduce this but may lower the heat retention in your tea.
Porcelain teapots are delicate, refined and whilst still strong, are more prone to chipping so make sure to handle with care!
Stoneware teapots
Stoneware is also a type of ceramic but made from a particular clay which is fired to higher temperatures. This results in a tougher, more durable teapot with a stone-like quality that makes it ideal for heavy use. It'll also result in a heavier and thicker material than the more delicate porcelain ceramic.
Stoneware teapots are more chip-resistant, are waterproof without the need for glazing and can go in the oven to temperatures of up to 250°C. As a non-porous material, they're easy to clean and stoneware also distributes and retains heat more evenly, perfect for brewing tea.
Glass teapots
Glass teapots are the most popular choice for brewing loose-leaf teas as most come with a built-in infuser. The see-through material gives you an experience you can't have with any other teapot - you can watch the relaxing brewing process and visually monitor the strength of your tea in the pot.
While they don't often variants in pot design like the ceramic teapots, the glass itself provides a simple, modern and sleek appearance that'll blend into any setting. The glass teapots we've found vary in shape for a unique touch.
Glass teapots are well-suited for high temperatures and the smooth, non-porous material will let you brew multiple tea types without fear of any lingering flavours.
Cast iron teapots
Cast iron teapots first made their appearance in Japan many years ago, and remain a popular choice for modern brewing today. This material provides high insulation and heat retention which can keep your tea hot for the longest time. Due to the even, high heat, these teapots are great for brewing darker teas.
Like ceramic teapots, these traditional style pots resist trapping flavours and are made with intricate and decorative designs, they'll look great as part of your teatime set.
These teapots are really durable, so much so that many families in Japan have passed them down through generations.
Stainless steel teapots
Stainless steel teapots are a hard-wearing alternative to ceramic pots that offer lightweight options for serving drinks at the table. Highly durable and resistant to corrosion, stainless steel provides great heat retention and conduction but, just like with using a stainless steel kettle, you do have to be mindful of a potentially warm handle.
The contemporary metal appearance has made these teapots quite popular as well as the great functionality with these pots being low maintenance and easy to clean - most of which are dishwasher safe.
The style is less luxurious but if your priority is a hot tea for longer, a stainless steel teapot is the one for you!
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Yours, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. Having worked commercially on Yours magazine and Yours.co.uk for the past six years, she's previously hosted Yours Live events and loves looking for home inspiration online.