Beyond looks and features, we considered packaging, size, weight, materials, boil time, water temperature, recyclability and sustainability during testing. So, whatever your priorities, you’ll find a kettle below that’s just your cup of tea.
Those in hard-water areas should look for models with filters and consult our guide to descaling a kettle, as kettles can quickly show limescale build-up in the interior and around the spout.
Remember, if you feel inspired by our choices and decide to splash out on a new kettle, read our notes on how to recycle your electricals and appliances before you say goodbye to your old model.
Best kettle deals
Hoping to find a discount on one of the kettles in this list? Prime Big Deals Days (7-8 October) have begun, and we’ve been scouring the market to find the biggest savings from a range of retailers – here are the best we’ve found so far:
For even more discounts, check out our round-up of the best kitchen deals and discover how we put each product to the test, so you can shop with confidence.
Best kettles to buy at a glance
5/5 stars:
- Best kettle for energy saving: Gastroback Design Cool Touch kettle, £78.93
- Best retro kettle: Haden Highclere kettle, £44.99
- Most stylish kettle: Swan Nordic jug kettle, £54.99
Best of the rest:
- Best quality kettle: Sage the Soft Top Luxe, £119.95
- Best premium kettle: Aarke kettle, £200
- Best stainless-steel kettle: Bosch DesignLine kettle, £49.99
- Best lightweight kettle: ProCook stainless-steel kettle, £59
- Best kettle for a luxe look on a budget: Kenwood Dusk Collection kettle, £54.99
- Best kettle for looks: De’Longhi Eclettica kettle, £49
- Best kettle in matching set: Salter Pebble kettle, £37.99
- Best kettle for a retro look: Tower Renaissance kettle, £59.99
- Best kettle for a quiet boil: Russell Hobbs Calm kettle, £99
Best variable temperature kettles at a glance
- Best fast-boil kettle: Ninja Perfect Temperature kettle, £79.99
- Best kettle for tea lovers: Russell Hobbs Attentiv, £46.99
- Best colourful kettle: KitchenAid Variable Temperature kettle, £179
- Best kettle for busy households: Bosch Styline kettle, £59.99
- Best multi-function electric kettle: Zwilling Electric Pro kettle, £139
Jump to section:
How we tested kettles
We tested a representative sample of kettles and scored them on the following criteria:
Good looks: Kettles live on worktops, so the one you buy might come down to the one you like the look of, and whether it will fit in with the style of your kitchen.
Quality: Well-fitting lids, quality on switches and filters – we were looking for a kettle that feels like it would last.
Speed: While speed might not be the deciding factor when choosing a kettle, for most of us, the quicker, the better. We poured a litre of water into each of the kettles – enough for four mugs – and got the stopwatch out.
Ease of use: There’s no point having a beautiful kettle if it’s awkward to use. We looked for kettles that were simple to fill and pour, with a good grip and easy-to-read water levels.
Value: We awarded extra points for those kettles that were great value for money.
Best kettles to buy in 2025
Gastroback Design Cool Touch Kettle 62436
Available from Amazon (£78.93), Freemans (£79.99)
Best kettle for energy saving
Pros
- Saves on energy bills
- Cool touch for safety
- Very quiet
Cons
- Water measurements on inside of kettle
- No limescale filter
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 2200W
Just watch that smart meter light up as you boil the kettle for one cuppa – it uses significant energy compared to other kitchen appliances. That being said, this model boils rapidly and has a ‘keep warm’ function to store water ready for your next drink in its double-walled chamber.
We went back to the Gastroback 20 minutes after first boiling and still had a steaming hot mug of tea. With energy prices rocketing, we’d say it’s a smart long-term investment.
The Gastroback Design Cool Touch is a good-looking kettle with a quality feel. It’s also very quiet, until it beeps a few times on boiling.
The minimalist, brushed stainless steel casing is easy to wipe down, with no obvious finger marks showing between cleans. We also liked the steel accent ring on the base, which set it apart from basic models in the style stakes.
With a soft-action pop-up lid activated by a recessed button, and glossy sensor-touch panel, it was functional, too, with the digital readout changing in 5C increments till we chose the perfect temperature for our needs from 35C to boiling point.
Haden Highclere kettle
Available from Debenhams (£45), Robert Dyas (£44.99)
Best retro kettle
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle for easy lifting
- Stylish retro design
- All packaging could be recycled
- Boil-dry protection
Cons:
- Metal on handle gets hot during use
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 3000W
Ideal for kitchens with a vintage aesthetic, this 1.5-litre kettle strikes a nice balance between sturdiness and style.
It’s available in both blue and cream, and the ergonomic handle across the top is a thoughtful feature that aids with pouring and filling. Be aware, though, that some parts of the handle are metal, which means they get very hot as the kettle boils.
The water-level indicator is easy to read and located above the switch, with three markings for 500ml, 1 litre and 1.5 litres, plus the number of cups (from two to six). The switch illuminates in blue when the kettle is turned on, so we could clearly see when it had finished boiling too.
While the Highclere isn’t the fastest kettle we’ve tested, it’s still relatively speedy and boiled 1.5 litres of water in 3 minutes and 9 seconds. It’s also built with boil-dry protection, which means it will switch off if the power is on but no water is detected. You can also buy a matching toaster, which was awarded 4.5/5 stars by our expert reviews team.
Cost to boil for 2 minutes: 1.6p
Swan Nordic jug kettle
Available from Amazon (£39.90), Swan (£54.99)
Most stylish kettle
Pros:
Cons:
- Limescale filter hard to remove
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 3000W
If you want a kettle that’s striking and different, this Scandinavian-style Swan kettle is an elegant and streamlined appliance. The wood-effect handle is made of rubber and easy to grip, but obstructs the water level gauge behind it.
However, the upright design of this kettle means that despite its 1.7 litre-capacity, it doesn’t take up that much space on the worktop. It’s also fairly efficient, taking 2 minutes and 24 seconds to boil a litre of water. Swan also sells a matching toaster and kettle and toaster set.
Read our Swan Nordic kettle review.
Sage the Soft Top Luxe
Available from Harts of Stur (£108.95), Amazon (£109.95), Sage (£119.95)
Best kettle for quality
Pros:
- Compact
- Sturdy, ergonomic handle
- Cordless base/fits into base nicely
- Quiet boil (compared to other models)
Cons:
- Wide mouth/pour – might catch some users out
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 2400W
A seriously professional-looking (and functioning) kettle from Sage. It has one of the quietest boils of the kettles we tested, and it’s a well-thought-out model with an ergonomic handle and nice wide pour.
As well as two glass displays, handily denoting max cup level (seven) on one side and max water level (1.7L) on the other, it also has a clear top, although this does get steamed up when the kettle boils. It’s not the fastest boil we tested, though also not the longest – but everything else about it, from the feel to the look to the materials, is exquisite.
We liked how easily the kettle sits and locks into the base, and everything about it feels solid and well made. It’s also BPA-free.
Aarke kettle
Available from Lakeland (£199.99), Amazon (£200)
Best premium kettle
Pros:
- Multiple heat settings
- Quiet boil function
- Stylish stainless-steel design
- Double-walled to keep water hotter for longer
Cons:
- Hefty to lift
- Leaves visible fingerprint marks
- Difficult to see measurement markings
- Expensive
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1850-2200W
A great pick for speciality tea drinkers, this sleek kettle comes with a range of temperature settings (40C, 85C, 95C and 100C) and looks attractive on the counter. It’s heavy to lift even without any water in it, but it’s otherwise easy to use and has a robust, quality design.
One of the things we loved most about the Aarke is how quiet it is, and we could hold a conversation easily while it got to work. In terms of speed, it fared about average versus other models we’ve tested, boiling the maximum amount (1.2 litres) to 100C in three minutes. Thanks to the double-walled design, it also retains heat well.
The minimum and maximum markings are located inside the kettle, which proved difficult to read, especially in low light. Its stainless-steel exterior is impressively shiny but susceptible to fingerprints, so will need wiping occasionally.
Cost to boil for 2 minutes: 1.1p
Bosch DesignLine kettle
Available from Hughes (£59), Currys (£59.99), John Lewis & Partners (£59.99)
Best stainless steel kettle
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Water-level window on both sides
- 1.7-litre capacity
Cons:
- Lid doesn’t open fully
- Difficult to read water level
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 3000W
If simplicity and reliability are what you’re looking for in a kettle, this Bosch model is a solid choice that looks great on the counter too. It has a stylish stainless steel and brushed plastic design that slots nicely into a modern kitchen aesthetic. The big, chunky handle also helps with easy lifting and pouring, and there’s an extra filter included too.
The lid flips up but doesn’t open as fully as needed, so we had to manually pull it open further before filling the kettle with water. The water-level indicator also doesn’t light up so can be difficult to read, but there are windows on both sides with measurement markings for cups and millilitres.
It was relatively noisy during use but we could still hold a conversation. The time it took to boil was about average versus the other models we tested, too, taking 3 minutes and 35 seconds to boil 1.7 litres of water. A matching toaster is also available, which our reviews team awarded 5/5 stars.
Cost to boil for 2 minutes: 1.6p
ProCook Stainless Steel Kettle
Available from ProCook (£59)
Best lightweight kettle
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Compact
- Blue light on lever when boiling (which is helpful as it’s quite quiet to begin with)
Cons:
- Only displays litre level, not cups
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 2520-3000W
One of the more compact and slim kettles we tested, this model still has a 1.5L capacity, although it’s worth noting we found it to be quite noisy compared to other models.
Its stainless steel finish is sleek and shiny, and it feels nice and lightweight to pick up. It’s straightforward to operate, and the water measurements are clear, although it would have been helpful to have cup measurements too. Handily, there’s a bright blue light that activates when the on/off lever is pressed, which is a helpful and thoughtful consideration, as the boil is quiet to begin with.
Overall, it’s a robust model made with quality materials that feels reliable and is easy to use – we could see this lasting for a long time.
Kenwood Dusk Collection Kettle
Available from Very (£54), Kenwood (£39.99)
Best kettle for a luxe look on a budget
Pros:
- Funky design
- Compact
- Attractive colourways
- Wide spout for easy pouring
- Clear water level and markings
Cons:
- A little plasticky looking
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 3000W
This compact, colourful kettle (with matching toaster available) would make a fun addition to any kitchen. With an impressive 1.7L capacity – which equates to seven cups – it boils fairly rapidly at maximum capacity in just four minutes, so is suitable for those who like to regularly make a cuppa or host a crowd.
It has a wide spout for easy pouring, an easy-to-click lever, and is straightforward to operate without the need to consult the manual. Overall, it’s a functional kettle for its price point, although aesthetically it runs the risk of looking slightly lower in quality than some other models on the market due to its plastic coating and glossy finish.
De’Longhi Eclettica Kettle
Available from AO (£49)
Best kettle for looks
Pros
- Quirky design and colour
- Well-constructed
- Easy-to-clean, removable scale filter
Cons
- Heavier than cheaper kettles
- Noisier than glass or steel models
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 3000W
We loved the look of this quirky number, with its wavy ‘saucer’ that attaches to the base for standout style in the crowded kettle market.
Rather than a flip switch, this model has a traditional pull-off lid, and the handle feels solid and built to last years of sink refilling. Likewise, the silver ‘on’ lever was top quality and went down with a satisfying click.
Although we found it fiddly to remove at first, the slide-out scale filter on the spout is a cinch to keep clean, as was the smooth, glossy casing and matt handle.
We tested a Playful Pink version which even featured a tasteful light grey power cord and plug, but if Barbie brew-ups are not your bag, take a look at the white, beige and black alternatives in the Eclettica range.
Salter Pebble Kettle
Available from Salter (£37.99), Amazon (£37.99), Currys (£42.99)
Best kettle in matching set
Pros
- Matching toaster and accessories available
- Boil-dry sensor for safety first
- Great price
Cons
- Scale filter tricky to remove
- Some leaking from the lid at full capacity pouring
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 3000W
With open-plan living, it’s nice to have coordinating appliances on show. This cream kettle and toaster set would look stylish on any worktop with its brass-coloured accents. Salter also has a range of storage canisters for tea, coffee and sugar in the Pebble range, so if matching is your thing, this is a great choice.
Easy to fill and use, we liked the chunky feel of this kettle, which is a straightforward model without complicated temperature variances or a keep-warm hotplate. We liked the fact its boil-dry sensor would activate if the kettle was accidentally turned on when empty.
To keep check on levels, there’s a transparent water gauge. We also appreciated the interior limescale filter, though it was difficult to pull out, with no instructions in the manual.
This model also comes in a charcoal colourway and can be bought as part of a matching set with the Salter Pebble toaster.
Tower Renaissance Kettle
Available from Harts of Stur (£49.95), Tower (£59.99)
Best kettle for a retro look
Pros:
- Good price point
- Sleek
- Handy temp gauge on the front
- Fast boil and relatively quiet
Cons:
- Tricky to see the water level
- Handle can be a little tough to remove
- Handle can get hot as it’s located above lid
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 3000W
With a good price point and the promise of a fast and quiet boil, this kettle is an attractive option with a retro look. It’s also nice and compact, with the handle sitting snugly above the kettle. There’s a handy temperature gauge on the front, it comes in a choice of colours, and there’s the option of buying a matching kettle.
Impressively, it can boil its maximum capacity (1.7L) in just four minutes and 10 seconds, and takes just one minute for its minimum level of 0.5L, so it’s ideal for those looking to regularly make a quick cuppa when time is of the essence.
That said, we did find the temperature gauge and water levels hard to read, and perhaps the biggest drawback with the handle sitting above the kettle lid is that you can’t immediately remove the lid or open the kettle to refill without burning your hand.
We also found the handle a little tough to remove at times, and can anticipate limescale potentially building up on the lid – but that’s conjecture rather than our experience.
Russell Hobbs Calm Kettle
Available from Russell Hobbs (£99.99), Currys (£99.99), Argos (£100)
Best kettle for a quiet boil
Pros:
- Sturdy handle and pour
- Variable temperature (from 40-100C) – great for baby food
- Relaxing to watch the kettle boil/change colour
- Keep-warm setting keeps water at 90C for 15 minutes once boiled
Cons:
- Large base, UFO-like
- Hard to see the digital display in sunshine
- Music can feel a little gimmicky
Star rating: 3.5/5
Wattage: 3000W
An innovative and unique kettle, the Russell Hobbs Calm Kettle plays relaxing, meditative music and changes colour while boiling. And it’s not just for show: it has a rapid boil, heating up the maximum level of one cup of water to 100℃ in just 50 seconds, and the maximum level in five minutes.
We loved the frosted glass finish of the kettle and the fact that it’s entirely see-through, and genuinely found watching (and hearing) the water boil relaxing. Functionally, it has a sturdy handle and good pour, and the variable temperature settings (from 40℃-100℃) mean it can be used for a variety of purposes, including heating baby milk. Handily, it also has a ‘keep-warm’ setting, keeping water at 90℃ for 15 minutes once boiled.
In terms of drawbacks, it does come with a large base, so make sure you have decent counter space available. We also found it hard to see the digital display in the sunshine. Some may find the music gimmicky, but we’ll emphasise ‘some’ here as we loved it, and the music is also optional.
Best variable temperature kettles
Ninja Perfect Temperature Kettle Rapid Boil
Available from Ninja (£79.99), Very (£99)
Best for pre-set temperature settings
Pros:
- Six pre-set temperatures
- Rapid boil mode for a single cup in under 60 seconds
- Unique audible alert for end-boil
- Clear temperature climb
Cons:
- Audible end-boil alert can’t be turned off
Score: 5/5
Wattage: 3000W
Ninja’s kettle has a lot to offer for the price-point. The selectable variety of temperatures on offer spans 60-100 degrees C; a feature perfect for getting the most out of speciality teas and coffee and will be popular if your household drinks a variety of hot beverages.
It’s also an efficient tactic for such a high-wattage appliance, meaning you don’t have to reach a full-boil for every mug.
The temperature is tracked on the digital display while the water heats and there’s an audible tone as a notification of kettle finishing that’s the same as other Ninja appliances.
This isn’t possible to turn off which is tricky if you’re making late-night cuppas, but is the loudest part of the kettle, which boils relatively quietly. For the price, you get a lot for your money from this kettle. Ninja also sells a matching toaster.
Russell Hobbs Attentiv
Available from Argos (£75), Very (£70), Amazon (£46.99)
Best kettle for tea lovers
Pros
- Great for making tea to your taste
- Very good quality
- Variable temperatures
Cons
- Base has a large footprint on counter tops
- Control’s electronic beeps may annoy
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 3000W
This is a kettle with a difference as it has a removable basket for loose leaves if you’re not a fan of tea bags or love herbal infusions. Once infused, use the handle to remove the insert and it will keep tea at your desired temperature for up to 30 minutes. It’s perfect for refills after that first delicious cup of the day. The ‘Steep Timer’ function can also be programmed to remember a particular setting for your preferred brew.
The Attentiv’s touchscreen controls let you choose anything between 40-100C and it has a speedy, quiet boil. Use the chunky dial on the control base to wind the temperature reading up or down, press start and the digital reading will increase as the kettle does its thing. There’s a toaster and coffee maker in the high-tech Attentiv range, too.
KitchenAid Digital Variable Temperature Kettle
Available from KitchenAid (£179)
Best colourful kettle
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Intuitive controls
- Range of temperature controls
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 2400W
This is an elegant, compact kettle that comes in a range of KitchenAid’s bright colours to add an eye-catching feature to your kitchen. There’s a choice of temperatures between 50C and 100C with an easy-to-move lever and light up display to help indicate your choice.
While the price is certainly a premium one the look and feel of the kettle reflects it, with a sleek finish on the body and matte handle. The water boiled fairly quickly, and we like how the safety features prevent you from boiling less than the minimum level. You can also buy a matching toaster with this kettle, which our reviews team rated 4.5/5.
Bosch Styline Kettle
Available from Amazon (£59.99), Bosch (£64.99)
Best kettle for busy households
Pros:
- Four temp settings (70, 80, 90, 100, plus keep-warm)
- Sturdy handle and base
- Good quality materials
Cons:
- Cup/water level slightly obscured by handle
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 3000W
This sleek and stylish kettle is helpfully intuitive. With four different temperature settings (70℃, 80℃, 90℃ and 100℃) plus a handy ‘keep-warm’ setting, it’s an ideal kettle for those with different beverage needs, from herbal tea drinkers to coffee aficionados.
You can tell it’s made from good materials, and the sturdy handle feels ergonomic to hold. From a safety perspective, helpfully there’s an off/on button for added security and the kettle beeps when it has boiled. Boiling is swift – just three minutes for maximum capacity (six cups/1.5 litres) at 100℃ and a mere thirty seconds for one cup.
In terms of drawbacks, the cup/litre measurements are slightly obscured by the handle, but the display is nice and wide to see the water level nonetheless. But you just can’t beat the boil speed.
Zwilling Electric Pro Kettle
Available from Zwilling (£139)
Best multi-function electric kettle
Pros:
- Dedicated setting for boiling baby bottles
Cons:
- Unsure if boiling (temp flashes when boiling)
- Tall kettle – we struggled to fill it to max in our sink
- Can’t see water level from the outside
- Struggled to use it without manual
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1850W
One of the many benefits of an electric kettle is the faster boiling times and variable settings, and this sophisticated model can heat water to 40℃, 60℃, 70℃, 80℃ and over 90℃ for coffee.
It’s a sleek and functional model with a secure lid and an overall modern and impressive look. It has an easy-to-use interface with the different temperatures clearly marked. Given its range of functionalities, it would suit busy households/large families with different tastes in hot drinks, or those with growing families as it has a dedicated setting for boiling babies’ bottles.
We did find it hard to notice when the kettle was boiling – besides a small flashing icon – and the measurement levels are on the inside of the kettle, which can make it hard to determine the water level. The kettle is also surprisingly tall and we struggled to fit it under our tap to fill it to the top.
Overall, we were impressed with its quiet boil and multitude of functions. While not the quickest it can still boil 10 cups in five minutes, so it would be great for an office or busy workspace, too.
Available from:
Other kettles tried and tested
- Bosch Styline kettle review, £85
- Zwilling Enfinigy review, £89.95
- Breville high gloss electric kettle review, £25.45
- Russell Hobbs Structure kettle review, £31.58
- Dualit Classic Kettle review, £160
- Bosch Silicone kettle review, £79.99
- Morphy Richards Verve kettle review, £42.06
- Smeg KLF04 kettle review, £170
- Morphy Richards Hive kettle review, £34.99
- Sage the Compact Kettle review, £69.95
- KitchenAid Artisan kettle review, £199
- Breville Edge still hot kettle review, £31
- Kenwood elegancy kettle review, £39.99
How to choose the best kettle for your kitchen
Unsure what to look for when choosing your kettle? We’ve summarised the main features you should consider:
Classic or multifunctional
If you just want a kettle that boils water, you’re spoilt for choice. If you’re a lover of fine teas, some of which brew better at lower temperatures, you might want one that enables you to select the temperature. This option can also suit parents making hot drinks for children. Some kettles also have a ‘keep warm’ function, which is useful if you don’t all want your tea at the same time.
Capacity
A smaller kettle may be good for a single person or small household to avoid the temptation of overfilling. Each of the models we tested also came with bases, which can widen the footprint of the appliance on your countertop too.
Style
Classic, old-fashioned, shaker, trendy, futuristic – there’s a kettle for you whatever type of kitchen you have. While most modern kettles are jug-style, taking up less space on the worktop, there are plenty of pyramid kettles on the market if you prefer one of those. All the kettles we tested sat on a base that plugged into the mains, and all had auto-switch off.
Lid
Flick up or pull off? If you like to operate your kettle with one hand, you might prefer one where you just press a button to lift the lid. Some people would rather have one where the lid comes off completely.
Speed
If you want a quick break from work, you might appreciate a kettle that is a minute or so quicker.
Noise
Some people want their kettle to be as unobtrusive as possible, and certainly not loud enough to drown out the radio or music. But if you like to flick on the kettle, then go off into a different room while it boils, you might like one that’s a bit louder, so you can hear when it clicks off.
Price
You might be surprised at how cheap – or expensive – a kettle can be. Our samples range from £22.99 to £149.
Best kettles for hard water
In areas of hard water, there’s usually a faster build-up of limescale inside kettles, particularly around the element. To avoid getting limescale in your tea, you want a kettle that has a robust and finely meshed filter inside the spout that’s also easy to remove.
How to descale a kettle
It’s the age-old question of kettle maintenance – how do you get rid of a build-up of limescale? We recommend using vinegar, which is a common household ingredient that works as a gentle acid to break down deposits inside your kettle.
Add half a cup of neat white vinegar to a kettle filled with water and leave it to sit overnight – this should remove any surface scale. Try to do this regularly to avoid heavy build-up that becomes impossible to remove.
Related reviews
Best air-fryers
Best coffee machines
Best bean-to-cup coffee machines
Best espresso machines
Best coffee pod machines
Best filter coffee machines
Best milk frothers
Best toasters
Best food processors
Best blenders
Best soup makers
Best slow cookers
Best microwaves
Best multi-cookers
Best herbal teas
Kitchen appliance deals
Air fryer deals
Coffee machine deals
Microwave deals
Fridge freezer deals
Dishwasher deals
Stand mixer deals
Pizza oven deals
Breadmaker deals
Ninja deals
All costs-to-run calculations were done against the variable tariff at the time of testing, which has since changed – read more on the current energy price guarantee rates.
If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
