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KINTO UNITEA One Touch Teapot 460ml vs 720ml: Which Size?

Two clear glass teapots of different sizes with amber tea, loose leaves and flat stainless lids on a wooden table, next to a small glass cup

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Short answer: Get the KINTO UNITEA One Touch Teapot 720ml if you pour for two or more people or like a second cup. It costs only $2.70 more at KINTO USA ($33.00 vs $30.30) and holds about 57% more (720 ml vs 460 ml, roughly three 8 oz cups vs about two). Choose the 460ml if you brew one big mug at a time and want a smaller pot. Both use the same stainless lid with a built-in mesh strainer, both are dishwasher safe, and neither can go on a stove.

How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official KINTO pages (starting with KINTO USA’s 460ml page and 720ml page), all listed under Sources below. We don’t run hands-on tests, and if a spec isn’t published, we say so. Last updated: October 2026.

Check price: KINTO One Touch Teapot 460ml
Check price: KINTO One Touch Teapot 720ml

KINTO is a Japanese tableware company founded in 1972 in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. Its UNITEA tea series dates back to 2006, and the One Touch Teapot is the simplest pot in the line: a clear, heat-resistant glass jug and a stainless lid with a fine mesh strainer built in. You put loose tea straight into the pot, add hot water, close the lid and pour. The leaves stay behind in the pot, and there is no separate strainer basket to wash. The two sizes share the same lid and opening, so the choice comes down to how much tea you pour at once.

Quick Comparison Table

Spec KINTO One Touch Teapot 460ml KINTO One Touch Teapot 720ml
Item number 8335 8336
Capacity 460 ml (about 15.6 US fl oz; KINTO USA labels it “14 oz”) 720 ml (about 24.3 US fl oz; KINTO USA labels it “25 oz”)
8 oz cups per pot (our math, brim-full) About 1.9 About 3.0
Size (KINTO USA) φ78 x H100 x W140 mm (3.1 x 3.9 x 5.5 in) φ78 x H125 x W150 mm (3.1 x 4.9 x 5.9 in)
Weight (KINTO Japan) About 215 g (about 7.6 oz) About 250 g (about 8.8 oz)
Pot material Heat-resistant glass (max. temperature difference 150°C / 302°F) Same
Lid 18-8 stainless steel, polypropylene and silicone, with built-in mesh strainer; heat-resistant to 140°C (284°F) Same lid (KINTO sells one replacement lid for both sizes)
Dishwasher Pot and lid: yes Pot and lid: yes
Microwave Pot: yes. Lid: no (take it off first) Pot: yes. Lid: no (take it off first)
Heat source Tea light candle only (KINTO pairs it with the UNITEA Tea Warmer); no stovetop Same
KINTO USA price $30.30 $33.00
Price per fl oz (our math) About $1.95 About $1.36
Made in China China

Specs and prices from KINTO USA and KINTO Japan, checked October 2026. KINTO USA lists the diameter as 78 mm; KINTO Japan lists 80 mm for the same items. Weights are only published by KINTO Japan. Fluid-ounce, inch, ounce and Fahrenheit conversions, cup counts and price per fl oz are ours. Cup counts assume 8 US fl oz (about 237 ml) per cup at KINTO’s listed capacity; you will usually pour a little less.

Key differences at a glance

  • Capacity: 460 ml (about 15.6 fl oz) vs 720 ml (about 24.3 fl oz). The 720ml holds about 57% more.
  • Size: Same 78 mm opening; the 720ml is 25 mm (about 1 in) taller and 10 mm wider at the handle.
  • Weight: About 215 g vs 250 g empty (KINTO Japan figures).
  • Price: $30.30 vs $33.00 at KINTO USA, so the 720ml costs less per ounce (about $1.36 vs $1.95).
  • What stays the same: glass, lid design, the same replacement lid, dishwasher-safe pot and lid, microwave-safe pot (lid off), and tea-light-only heating.

1. Capacity: How Much Tea Each Size Pours

KINTO USA labels the sizes “14 oz” and “25 oz,” but those labels don’t match a straight metric conversion. 460 ml is about 15.6 US fl oz and 720 ml is about 24.3 fl oz. (For comparison, KINTO USA’s glass UNITEA Teapot pages list 500 ml as 17 oz and 720 ml as 24.4 oz, which do match.) Go by the milliliters.

  • 460ml: about one 12–14 oz mug, or two small 6–7 oz teacups.
  • 720ml: about three 8 oz cups, or two large mugs.

One thing to know about this design: the leaves stay in the water until you pour. KINTO doesn’t publish brewing guidance for this pot, but because there is no basket to lift out, the tea keeps steeping while it sits. If you only want one cup now and one later, the second cup will be stronger. That makes the 460ml a good match for people who drink one pot in one sitting, and the 720ml better for sharing or for pouring several cups quickly.

2. The Lid and Built-in Strainer

The “one touch” name refers to the lid. KINTO USA describes it as a lid with an integrated strainer and a silicone ring that keeps it from dropping off when you pour, with “minimal parts” that make it simple to wash. The lid is 18-8 stainless steel, polypropylene and silicone, heat-resistant to 140°C (284°F), and dishwasher safe.

KINTO’s own support pages list two quirks worth knowing before you buy:

  • Hold the lid while pouring. KINTO says the weight of the tea leaves can push the lid off, so the pot is meant to be poured with a hand lightly on the lid (KINTO USA support).
  • If the lid feels too tight, close it while the pot holds hot water (heat softens the ring) and tilt it in slowly rather than pressing straight down, which can roll the silicone ring up (KINTO USA support).

Both sizes take the same lid. KINTO Japan sells it as a replacement part (item 78336, ¥1,320) for the 460ml and 720ml. KINTO USA lists item 78336 too, but under the name “Silicone ring UNITEA one touch teapot 450ml/720ml lid” at $1.50, while the spec block describes a full lid (φ80 x H26 mm, about 45 g). If you need a spare, confirm with KINTO USA which part you will receive.

3. Cleaning, Microwave and Heat

The glass pot is dishwasher and microwave safe, and KINTO lists a maximum temperature difference of 150°C (302°F). The lid is dishwasher safe but not microwave safe, so take it off before reheating tea. KINTO’s care notes also say:

  • Don’t use abrasive cleansers or steel wool.
  • Don’t overheat the pot in the microwave or heat it empty.
  • While the glass is hot, don’t pour cold liquid into it or set it on a wet cloth or wet surface.
  • Wash and dry the stainless lid soon after use and store it away from other metals to prevent rust.

KINTO says its glass teapots can’t be used on a stove or open flame (KINTO USA support). The One Touch Teapot can be kept warm with a tea light candle in the UNITEA Tea Warmer ($30.40 at KINTO USA, φ97 x H49 mm, 18-8 stainless steel). KINTO says the warmer works only with UNITEA teapots and recommends tea lights about 38 mm across and 16 mm tall. Check the KINTO UNITEA Tea Warmer on Amazon.

If fine leaves get stuck in the mesh, KINTO Japan recommends a soak in hot or warm water with baking soda or oxygen bleach, then a scrub with a toothbrush (KINTO Japan support, in Japanese).

4. Price and Availability

At KINTO USA, the 460ml is $30.30 and the 720ml is $33.00. Both come in one clear version. When we checked, both were in stock, with KINTO USA showing low-stock notices (25 left for the 460ml, 21 for the 720ml). Because the price gap is only $2.70, an Amazon sale on either size can easily decide it, as long as the size fits how much tea you drink.

One Touch vs the Regular UNITEA Glass Teapot

KINTO also sells the classic UNITEA Teapot, which uses a separate strainer that sits inside the pot instead of a mesh in the lid. Here is how the glass versions line up against the One Touch models, plus a look-alike from KINTO’s CAST series that often shows up in the same searches.

Model (KINTO USA) Capacity in specs Height Strainer Heat source KINTO USA price
UNITEA One Touch Teapot 460ml 460 ml 100 mm Mesh built into the stainless lid Tea light OK $30.30
UNITEA One Touch Teapot 720ml 720 ml 125 mm Mesh built into the stainless lid Tea light OK $33.00
UNITEA Teapot 450ml glass 500 ml* 110 mm Separate strainer; lid, strainer and pot are heat-resistant glass Tea light OK $24.80
UNITEA Teapot 680ml glass 720 ml* 147 mm Separate strainer (glass, per KINTO USA) Tea light OK $27.50
CAST One Touch Tea Pot 450ml (different series) 450 ml 95 mm Built into the lid Not listed (boiling water and microwave only) $30.40

Specs and prices from KINTO USA, October 2026. Heights are KINTO’s listed heights. *KINTO names these models 450ml and 680ml, but their size specs list 500 ml and 720 ml; KINTO doesn’t explain the difference. The CAST pot is listed for boiling water and microwave use with a 120°C maximum temperature difference, and its lid is heat-resistant to 100°C.

The glass UNITEA Teapot 450ml ($24.80) and 680ml ($27.50) cost less, and their separate strainer lets you lift the leaves out to stop steeping. The One Touch has fewer parts and the leaves brew loose in the whole pot. For other glass tea options, see our Hario ChaCha Kyusu Maru 300 vs 450 vs 700 guide, and for iced tea, our Hario Mizudashi Tea Pot vs Filter-in Bottle comparison.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the KINTO One Touch Teapot 460ml if you:

  • Brew one large mug or two small cups at a time
  • Usually finish the pot in one sitting, so the leaves don’t over-steep
  • Want the smallest, lightest pot (100 mm tall, about 215 g)

Choose the KINTO One Touch Teapot 720ml if you:

  • Pour for two or more people
  • Want about three 8 oz cups from one brew
  • Want the lower price per ounce for only $2.70 more
  • Plan to keep tea warm on the UNITEA Tea Warmer for a while

A View from Japan

In Japan, KINTO sells the same pots as UNITEA ワンタッチティーポット (“One Touch Teapot”) 460ml and 720ml, with the same item numbers (8335 and 8336). The Japanese label classifies them as heat-resistant glassware (耐熱ガラス製器具) approved for boiling water, the microwave and direct heat from a tea light candle only. Prices in Japan are ¥2,640 and ¥2,860 including tax.

KINTO’s Japanese journal tells the story behind the series in an interview with designer Fumie Shibata. KINTO says that when UNITEA launched in 2006, tea in Japan was mostly brewed in ceramic kyusu teapots, and glass teaware was mostly ornate imports. KINTO asked Shibata for an everyday glass set built around 個茶 (“ko-cha”), the idea of each person enjoying their own favorite tea in their own teaware. Two design choices from that brief explain the pots you see today: every UNITEA item shares the same opening diameter so parts can be mixed, and handles are made big enough to grip with four fingers instead of a delicate pinch (Shibata describes this for the cups, and the teapots share the same large arched handle). Shibata says keeping one opening size while doubling capacity was hard, so she chose a soft, bottom-heavy shape and changed its curve to adjust the volume. That is why the 460ml and 720ml share one lid.

KINTO Japan’s support pages add two practical notes in Japanese: tea stuck in the mesh comes out with a baking soda or oxygen bleach soak, and a little white residue on the underside of the lid comes from crimping the mesh during manufacturing and is not a defect (source).

Spec 460ml (Japan) 720ml (Japan)
Official name in Japan UNITEA ワンタッチティーポット 460ml UNITEA ワンタッチティーポット 720ml
Product type (Japanese label) Heat-resistant glassware (耐熱ガラス製器具) Same
Approved uses (Japanese label) Boiling water, microwave, direct heat (tea light candle only) Same
Size / weight φ80 x H100 x W140 mm, about 215 g φ80 x H125 x W150 mm, about 250 g
Price (tax incl.) ¥2,640 ¥2,860
Replacement lid No. 78336, ¥1,320 (fits 460ml and 720ml) Same lid

Japanese specs and prices from KINTO Japan (kinto.co.jp), checked October 2026.

Japanese reviewers on blogs and in Rakuten and Yahoo! Shopping buyer reviews most often praise the clear glass (you can see the color of the tea), the wide opening that a sponge reaches easily, the lack of a separate strainer, and the dishwasher-safe pot and lid. Among 720ml owners, one says it pours two mugs and another uses it to fill a 500 ml bottle; one blogger mentions a friend who bought the 460ml and later wished she had chosen the 720ml. The most common complaint is that fine-leaf green tea can clog the small mesh, so the last of the tea trickles out slowly; reviewers say large-leaf black tea, hojicha and herbal tea cause fewer problems, and suggest pouring slowly, turning the lid or swirling the pot. One blogger who chose the 720ml found that leaves bunch up at the spout more in the smaller pot. Many say the silicone ring keeps the lid on, so pouring one-handed works. Complaints about the ring are usually fixed by seating it properly; one blogger notes it ships loosely hooked on and has to be fitted over the mesh tab. Opinions on pouring speed are split. A few owners mention the glass feels thin, and one Rakuten reviewer said an earlier pot cracked near the handle after about a year. One Yahoo! Shopping reviewer noted that you can’t remove the leaves if you don’t drink the whole pot at once. (Third-party reviews, not our own testing.)

KINTO One Touch Teapot 460ml vs 720ml: Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get the KINTO One Touch Teapot 460ml or 720ml?

For two or more people, or if you like a second cup, get the 720ml. It costs only $2.70 more at KINTO USA ($33.00 vs $30.30) and holds about 57% more: roughly three 8 oz cups vs about two. The 460ml is the better pick if you brew one large mug (or two small cups) at a time and want a smaller, lighter pot: it is 25 mm (about 1 in) shorter and about 35 g lighter.

How many cups does the KINTO One Touch Teapot make?

By our math, the 460ml holds about 1.9 cups of 8 US fl oz and the 720ml about 3.0, filled to KINTO’s listed capacity. Because the leaves stay in the pot and you need some headroom under the lid, plan on a little less in practice. KINTO’s 460 ml is about 15.6 US fl oz and 720 ml is about 24.3 fl oz, even though KINTO USA labels them “14 oz” and “25 oz.”

Is the KINTO One Touch Teapot dishwasher and microwave safe?

KINTO says both the glass pot and the lid are dishwasher safe. The glass pot is also microwave safe, but the lid is not, because it is made of stainless steel, polypropylene and silicone, so take the lid off before reheating tea in the microwave. KINTO also says not to use abrasive cleansers or steel wool, and not to overheat the pot in the microwave or heat it empty.

Can I put the KINTO One Touch Teapot on the stove?

No. KINTO says its glass teapots can’t go on a stove or open flame. The only heat source it allows is a tea light candle, which KINTO USA’s support page pairs with the UNITEA Tea Warmer ($30.40). KINTO says the warmer is designed for UNITEA teapots only.

Why does the lid fall off when I pour?

KINTO says this teapot needs you to hold the lid lightly while pouring, because the weight of the tea leaves can push it off. If the lid falls off even when the pot is empty, KINTO says the pot’s opening may be too large and asks you to contact its customer service.

The lid is too tight and the silicone ring rolls up. What should I do?

KINTO suggests two fixes: put the lid on while the pot holds hot water, since the heat softens the silicone ring, and tilt the lid as you close it slowly instead of pushing it straight down. If it is still too tight, KINTO asks you to contact its customer service.

How do I clean tea leaves stuck in the mesh?

KINTO Japan recommends soaking the lid in hot or warm water with baking soda or oxygen bleach until the water cools, then rinsing, washing with dish soap and drying it well. Brushing the mesh with a toothbrush helps. KINTO Japan also says a little white residue on the underside of the lid comes from crimping the mesh during manufacturing and is not a defect.

Can I buy a replacement lid?

Yes, as far as we can tell. Both sizes use the same lid. KINTO Japan sells it as item 78336 (¥1,320). KINTO USA lists the same item number as “Silicone ring UNITEA one touch teapot 450ml/720ml lid” for $1.50, but its specs describe a whole lid (φ80 x H26 mm, about 45 g), so ask KINTO USA which part ships before ordering. An older KINTO Japan support answer still says the lid isn’t sold separately.

Check current listings

Amazon listings sometimes mix the One Touch Teapot with the regular UNITEA Teapot (separate strainer), the CAST One Touch Tea Pot, or other KINTO glass pots, and some list both sizes on one page. Check for “One Touch” and “460ml” or “720ml” (item 8335 or 8336) before you buy.

Check price: KINTO One Touch Teapot 460ml
Check price: KINTO One Touch Teapot 720ml

Sources

Specs checked October 2026. We found no recalls for KINTO products in the U.S. CPSC recall database when we checked. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.

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