You can’t live without a kettle, but if you don’t buy the best kettle you could be in for an annoying time. In this guide, we’ll help you pick the best model to suit your needs, whether you need one that’s easy to fill and pour, a stunning-looking model for a high-end kitchen or one that has adjustable temperature controls for making different types of drink.
How We Test
We use every kettle we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll see how quick it is at boiling water, how easy it is to use and if any special features stand out from the rest.
We’ll also check its cable length to see if it can be stowed easily and that it isn’t too heavy.
Cuisinart Jug Kettle CJK429
- Easy-clean matte finish
- Concealed element for easy descaling
- Stainless-steel interior
- No cup markings, only litres
- Scale filter won’t catch small particles
- Water window tricky to see when filling
Dualit Pour Over Kettle
- Multiple temperature selection
- Can hold temperature for five minutes
- Concealed element
- Small capacity
- Slow to boil
Kenwood Mesmerine 1.6L Kettle
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
KitchenAid Artisan 1.5L Kettle
- Attractive, sturdy design
- Variable temperature setting
- Stays warm for longer
- Pricey
Morphy Richards 108010 Vetro Kettle
- Illumination effect
- Fast boiling
- Not too hot to touch
- Keeps water warm for longer
- Not enough water level markings
Russell Hobbs Structure Kettle
- Will boil a single cup in less than a minute
- Reasonable price
- Water level is accurate
- Removeable limescale filter
- Mostly cup measurements
- Lid has to be removed to fill
- Exposed element
Salter EK3643GRG Pyramid Kettle
- Stylish matte colour
- Reasonable price
- Removable limescale filter
- Water window slow to register
- Hard to fill from some tap designs
- Exposed element
Smarter iKettle 3.0
- Voice controlled through Alexa or Google Assistant
- IFTTT compatible
- Useful smart features
- Premium design
- No external water volume indicator
- Inaccurate temperatures
Smeg KLF03 50’s Style Kettle
- Fingerprint-proof matte finish
- Soft-opening lid to minimise sudden release of steam
- Washable limescale filter
- Drip-free spout
- Expensive
- Heavy, especially when full
Smeg KLF04 Variable Temperature Kettle
- Stylish retro design
- Variable temperature setting
- Quiet
- Keep-warm function
- Pricey
Tefal Smart’n Light Digital Kettle KO853840
- Variable temperatures
- Washable limescale filter
- Drip-free spout
- Pricey
- Just two water level marks inside
- Narrow spout
Tefal Smart’n Light Digital Kettle KO853840
Smart displays and multiple temperatures, what more could you want in a kettle?
Pros
Cons
Whoever said that a watched pot never boils, clearly hadn’t seen the Tefal Smart’n Light Digital Kettle KO853840. This clever kettle has a display on the front, that shows you the live temperature, counting up as the kettle boils. It lets you know exactly where in the cycle the kettle is at a glance.
For those that want to make different types of drink, this kettle also has selectable temperatures, with a single button to scroll through the options: 40C, 70C, 80C, 90C and 100C. Plus, there’s a button to skip all of this and jump straight to boiling.
A 3kW kettle, the Tefal Smart’n Light Digital Kettle KO853840 boils as fast as is possible in the UK. Our only minor complaints are that the spout is a little narrow and there are only two fill levels inside the jug.
Those remarks aside, this stylish kettle is powerful, attractive and flexible, making it a great choice for anyone that needs to select from multiple temperatures.
Dualit Pour Over Kettle
An ideal choice for being a pour-over pro
Pros
- Multiple temperature selection
- Can hold temperature for five minutes
- Concealed element
Cons
- Small capacity
- Slow to boil
If you’re someone who is a real lover of all sorts of teas or making fancy coffee, then the Dualit Pour Over Kettle is an ideal choice. With its long and thin spout, it’s ideal for super-precise pouring and when you want to get things just right for the perfect hot drink.
Combined with this, as a specialist appliance, it is a slower boiler than most, taking around four and a half minutes for its positively dinky 800ml capacity.
Where the Pour Over is really useful is with its variable temperature selection, available in one-degree increments. No matter what type of drink you want to make, then, you can get the perfect temperature. It’s also a super quiet kettle thanks to that slow boil, meaning it won’t disrupt any conversations.
Do note, this isn’t a general all-purpose kettle due to that small capacity, but for those wanting a truly specialist appliance, Dualit definitely has you covered.
Reviewer: Rachel Ogden
Read our full Dualit Pour Over Kettle review
Kenwood Mesmerine 1.6L Kettle
A mesmerizingly capable kettle
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
For a kettle that looks good and performs well, look no further than the Kenwood Mesmerine 1.6L. It offers a nice blend of style and performance with plenty of power, but does come at a hefty cost.
The Mesmerine gives people the chance to add a dash of colour to their worktops as it’s available in all sorts of shades, be it orange, black, blue, or red. In addition, it’s not only the externals that look the part. There’s also an entirely stainless steel interior that can help with the usually arduous task of cleaning and descaling.
Besides this, expect a higher than average capacity of 1.6l and a super-quick boiling time of just over 2 minutes for one litre of water, as well as a smooth pouring action. The only real negatives are the high price and a lack of fill-level markers is a sore miss otherwise.
Reviewer: Rachel Ogden
Read our full Kenwood Mesmerine 1.6L Kettle review
Salter EK3643GRG Pyramid Kettle
A no-compromises classic
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
It’s not just good-looking jug designs that get the nod here, as Salter’s EK3643GRG Pyramid retains a classic look whilst allowing no compromises on features such as boiling power and practicality.
It can boil a litre in around two and a half minutes, making it quite the powerhouse for such a small kettle. The traditional design has a nice retro aesthetic to it, with some rose gold accents making it feel a little bit more expensive than the price suggests. What’s more, the Pyramid also has a swivel base and boil-dry protection, meaning there are the usual creature comforts of a jug kettle.
There is one glaring issue though: capacity. This classic kettle can only boil upwards of 600ml of water, so you’re over boiling if you just want a single cup of tea. If that isn’t too much of an issue though and looks, price, and power are more integral, this is a good buy.
Reviewer: Rachel Ogden
Read our full Salter EK3643GRG Pyramid Kettle review
Russell Hobbs Structure Kettle
Minimalistic, affordable and convenient to use
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
Kettle design seems to be taking centre stage on this list, and the Russell Hobbs Structure Kettle is no exception to the rule. It offers a more minimalistic overall look, characterised by some architectural lines that makes it look modern and fit well with any forward-thinking kitchen.
Moreover, its 1.7-litre capacity is great for gatherings big and small, as is the fact it can boil one cup at a time for ultimate precision, or if things need to be done on a person-by-person basis. The Structure Kettle is also a fast boiler, taking roughly two and a half minutes for a litre, four minutes for full capacity and for one cup, just 45 seconds.
There’s only one small niggle with the Structure kettle overall – the simple fact you’ve got to remove the lid to fill it up, but other than that, it’s a great and rather affordable all-rounder that looks great.
Reviewer: Rachel Ogden
Read our full Russell Hobbs Structure Kettle review
Smeg KLF03 50’s Style Kettle
A retro-looking powerhouse
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
The Smeg KLF03 kettle is one of the more expensive models around, but it’s also one of the quickest to reach boiling point and is classily designed. In line with the Italian company’s other appliances, the KLF03 is available in a variety of pastel shades and features a raised Smeg logo on each side.
The 74cm cable is adequate. It can be neatly wound under the base and can exit from almost anywhere – there’s no annoying single exit point.
The handle feels solid and comfortable, and the kettle pours well through a removable limescale filter. The KLF03 is relatively quiet in operation, and the soft-touch lid opens with the press of a button.
A 3kW-rated kettle, the Smeg KLF03 managed to boil 1-litre of water in just 2mins 5secs, making it one of the fastest models we’ve tested. If you want a high-quality kettle that looks great then this is the one to buy.
Reviewer: Rachel Ogden
Read our full Smeg KLF03 50’s Style Kettle review
Cuisinart Jug Kettle CJK429
Low maintenance and easy to use
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
Sometimes the best kettles are those that keep things simple and easy, and Cuisinart’s Jug Kettle CJK429 does just that. Instead of making the most of bells, whistles and sometimes unneeded features, providing the basics well has served Cuisinart well with this particular kettle.
It offers a large spout to minimise any unwanted drip or spillage when pouring, a snappy boil time of two and a half minutes and a handily easy to clean matted finish that looks the part too. There’s also a limescale filter that helps to filter out any grime from the water, but beware that it is fixed and has some quite large holes.
If you’re someone who wants a kettle that’s going to do the basics well and one that won’t cost an arm and a leg, then this Cuisinart option might just be the one for you.
Reviewer: Rachel Ogden
Read our full Cuisinart Jug Kettle CJJ429 review
Smeg KLF04 Variable Temperature Kettle
A smart looking kettle with multiple temperatures
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
If you like the look of the Smeg KLF03 but want more flexibility, the Smeg KLF04 is the model for you. This model has the same quality looks but adds in variable temperature settings, with options for 50C, 60C, 70C, 80C, 90C, 95C and 100C.
There’s also a keep warm feature, which you can turn on before you boil the kettle. This uses more power by reboiling the kettle every few minutes for up to 20 minutes. Without this turned on, the kettle tended to lose temperature faster than other models that we’ve reviewed.
Boiling performance, at just under three minutes to get 1-litre of water to 100C, was a touch off the pace but not enough to put us off this model.
If you’ve got other Smeg kitchen equipment and want the flexibility of a multi-temperature kettle, this is the best choice.
Reviewer: Helen Harjak
Read our full Smeg KLF04 Variable Temperature Kettle review
Morphy Richards 108010 Vetro Kettle
Fast boiling and great looking
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
If there are two things that you want from a kettle, they’re the abilities to boil quickly and keep water warm for a long time. The Morphy Richards 108010 Vetro Kettle does both easily. Managing 1-litre of water in just 2m 15s. Once boiled, we measured the water at 78C after 30-minutes, which is excellent.
When in use, the kettle lights up thanks to the integrated blue LEDs, which look fantastic. Comfortable to hold and easy to fill, the Morphy Richards 108010 Vetro Kettle gets all of the basics right and it’s well-priced, too.
Reviewer: Helen Harjak
Read our full Morphy Richards 10810 Vetro Kettle review
Smarter iKettle 3.0
Turn your kettle on from your smartphone
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
If the thought of controlling your kettle through an app – or even through your voice – sounds appealing, the Smarter iKettle 3.0 could be the kettle for you. The latter voice skills are the big addition for the iKettle 3.0, which is in its third generation.
The kettle connects to your Wi-Fi and you’re then free to control it via its iOS or Android app, which will let you adjust the temperature to fit your beverage. It also features useful keep-warm functions as well as formula modes that can heat and then allow the water to cool to the perfect temperature for baby formula. Testing at 100ºC, the Smarter iKettle 3.0 took 2mins 52secs to boil 1-litre of water, which is a little slower than other kettles we’ve tested.
The iKettle 3.0 is a little heavy and there are some minor annoyances, such as there being no external indicator for how much water is inside. Otherwise, the iKettle 3.0 is one of the smartest kettles out there.
Reviewer: Richard Easton
Read our full Smarter iKettle 3.0 review
KitchenAid Artisan 1.5L Kettle
A premium boiling experience
Pros
- Striking exterior finish
- Stainless-steel interior
- Removable, washable metal mesh limescale filter
- Concealed element
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-off lid isn’t as handy as a flip-top
- No cup or litre markers except for min and max fill
Decked out in the company’s familiar metal body and colour scheme, there’s no denying that the KitchenAid Artisan 1.5L Kettle is one good-looking hot-water boiler. Fortunately, the quality goes deeper than the surface.
On the base is a rugged mechanical switch that lets you choose your water temperature, with 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95 and 100C options, which makes it perfect for making a variety of drinks. It’s also a quick kettle, taking 2m 24s to reach 100C; after 10 minutes the water temperature was still a usable 86C.
There’s no denying that this is an expensive kettle, but if you want something that looks amazing and is very flexible the KitchenAid Artisan 1.5L Kettle is worth every penny.
Reviewer: Helen Harjak
Read our full KitchenAid Artisan 1.5L Kettle review
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FAQs
Kettles come in two main types: jug style and traditional. Which you opt for will largely be down to preference and which looks best in your kitchen.
In both instances, ergonomics have a vital role to play. We tell you how comfortable each kettle is to hold, and if the handle offers a good grip. We also explain how easy each kettle is to pour.
All of the kettles reviewed here feature a stand on which the kettle sits for power. We explain how easy it is to drop the kettle onto its stand.
The ease with which you can open the lid and fill a kettle shouldn’t be overestimated. This is particularly true when refilling an already-hot kettle; there’s nothing worse than getting your hand caught in the steam. A kettle with a push-button flip-top lid is often a good choice, and makes refilling simpler.
Ignore anything you read about faster-boiling kettles. Converting electricity into heat is extremely easy, so all kettles will have similar efficiency figures. And since UK plugs house a maximum of a 13-amp fuse, the most energy a kettle can draw is 3kW.
The main differences are with regards to how quickly a kettle takes to boil, which is defined by two factors: power usage and the auto shut-off.
For power usage, kettles that draw more power will boil faster; lower-rated kettles will take longer to get your water to boiling point. However, the total power usage remains the same to heat water to boiling point. Really, then, the choice for power usage comes down to how quickly you want your boiling water.
The automatic shut-off has a part to play: the faster the kettle can recognise that it has hit the boiling point, the quicker it will shut off and stop using power. To that end, our reviews list how much power a kettle draws and the time taken to heat 1-litre of water.
To ensure that each kettle works properly, we measure the time to boil 1-litre of water and the kettle when full.
There are two main ways to save electricity when using a kettle. First, only boil the amount of water you need. As such, a kettle that has a clear window and water scale makes it easier to fill to the level you need.
Secondly, stopping the kettle boiling sooner saves energy. Some kettles have adjustable temperature sensors for different jobs, although you can manually stop any kettle with a lower degree of accuracy.
For example, if you’re making coffee in a french press, the ideal water temperature is somewhere between 88ºC and 96ºC, depending on the blend and personal taste (remember, coffee boiled is coffee spoiled).
Using filtered water, particularly in a hard water area, can help to reduce limescale build-up. Some kettles have integrated water filters, but using filtered water from a jug or filtering tap is just as good.
Most kettles will have an integrated limescale filter. This prevents limescale being poured into your drink, but it doesn’t prevent the build-up of limescale. This filter, along with the kettle, will need descaling to keep everything in tip-top condition. How often you do this will depend on the type of water in your area.
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