I've had a Zojirushi water heater for 3 years now and I love it. While it seemed expensive when I bought it, I find it is well worth the price. Near boiling water is always ready to make tea, and I've saved countless minutes of what used to be a process of filling the kettle, turning on the heat, waiting, and coming back. I use it for tea, instant oatmeal, soup, hot chocolate, apple cider, ramen and other stuff.