Which is the best electric kettle to buy 2022? We review models from Russell Hobbs, Dualit, Kenwood, Philips
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For a nation that’s as pernickety about tea preferences as we Brits tend to be (Yorkshire only. In a chunky mug with a handle that fits all four fingers. Milk absolutely comes last), we appear not to pay much mind to the kettle within which we boil our brew water when, not to be dramatic, but it could make or break our morning cuppas.
Best kettles at a glance
- Best for maintaining water temperature: Bosch Styline TWK8633GB Variable Temperature Cordless Kettle, 1.5 Litres, 3000W
- Best for design: Funky Kettle
- Best eco-conscious kettle: 5000 Series Kettle
- Best value for money: Russell Hobbs 20460 Quiet Boil Kettle
- Best lightweight, large capacity kettle: Kenwood Elegancy Kettle
- Best decorative kettle: DeLonghi Ballerina Kettle
- Best for variable temperature: Variable Temperature Artisan 5KEK1522 Kettle
- Best all-rounder: Dualit Domus Kettle
There are a million and one kettles on the market – it’s no surprise many of us aren’t up for the tedious task of sifting through them all to find the top contenders. Fortunately for you, if you’re in the market for a new kettle, we did the hard work for you by collating 8 of the best kettles available to buy right now.
How to shop for the best kettle
A key thing to consider when shopping for the best kettle is water capacity. Kettles typically hold between 1.5L and 1.7L of water so, should a standard tea run involve the making of 6-odd cuppas in your home or office, then a kettle with a larger water capacity is going to be much more efficient. That said, the more water added to a kettle, the heavier it’s going to be – something to bear in mind if you have difficulty lifting heavy objects.
Most kettles have boil dry protection, which prevents the kettle from boiling if there isn’t enough water, and a removable filter in the spout which collects limescale particles. On the subject of safety, though, it’s important to consider the kettle exterior before buying. Stainless steel designs feel hotter to the touch than those made from some other materials, which could be a potential hazard.
Finally, think about kettle design preferences, yes (any colours or shapes that take your fancy, or whether or not you can snag a matching toaster, too), but also consider whether you might like a kettle that offers variable temperature, so you can pour the perfect cup of herbal tea, smart features, so you can pop the kettle on using your phone, or one that has energy efficiency settings, such as quick boil mode.
Now you’re clued up on how to shop a new kettle, browse our roundup of the 8 best kettles.
Interested in kitting out your kitchen further? We have detailed guides to the best non-stick woks, best rice cookers, or consider a multi-cooker for a great hands-off kitchen tool.
Love cooking? Check out our guide to the best charcoal BBQs UK 2022, or brilliant ice cream makers for conjuring perfect gelato.
If hot drinks are your poison, the Hotel Chocolat velvetiser is revoltuionary.
Key specs:
Wattage: 3000 watts
Capacity: 1.5L
Colours: Black, White
Weight: 1.6 kg
Pros: Adjustable temperature, boil dry protection, concealed heating, cool to touch, keep warm function, matching toaster available.
Cons: Quite large in size.
For the tea and coffee connoisseurs, Bosch’s Styline kettle is ideal. The temperature control feature allows you to choose from four heat settings, depending on your steeping needs, and the keep warm function maintains your chosen water temperature for up to 30 minutes – perfect for when your morning brew gets sidetracked.
It boasts a super-fast boiling time, you’ll be delighted to hear, and a cool-touch exterior – handy for anyone whose instinct is to touch the kettle to remember whether or not you set it to boil (0/10 do not recommend).
It has a faff-free push button operated lid, and it looks pretty sleek too. That said, as many kettle designs taper toward the top, this one does look quite large and chunky in comparison – bear that in mind if you have a compact kitchen with limited counter space.
Key Specs:
Wattage: 3000 watts
Capacity: 1.7L
Colours: Chrome, rose gold pink, cream, white, black, grey.
Weight: 1.25 kg
Pros: Large capacity, fast-boil, retro appearance, matching toaster.
Cons: Can get quite heavy.
Don’t ask us why, but, something about the Funky kettle makes us think it resembles a chicken. A cute one – but a chicken, nonetheless. Poultry likeness aside, it’s raking in rave reviews online for its seamless function and retro-style appearance – and for good reason. It boils really rapidly – but, still quietly – and has a generous 1.7L capacity – cuppas for the whole family in one swift boil.
There’s a rear water level window, which accurately displays the kettle’s contents and glows blue when it’s boiling, and a wide spout for splash-free pours. Matching toasters are available. The main downside is that it gets quite heavy when full.
Key Specs:
Wattage: 2200 watts
Capacity: 1.7L
Colours: silk white matt
Weight: 0.84 kg
Pros: Sustainable design, lightweight, modern appearance
Cons: Lower wattage
Keen to make your daily rituals a little kinder to the planet? Philips’ 5000 Series kettle wins points for its eco credentials. Its design, made from 100% bio-based plastics, reduces its CO2 footprint by an impressive 25% – without compromising on style. Modern in appearance, its neutral tone, feature handle and wooden lid tap into current minimalist-meets-Japandi interior trends.
The 5000 Series has a huge capacity, which is handy, and an easy-to-read water level gauge that also indicates the exact amount of water required for one standard mug of tea – helpful for reducing water waste and energy consumption.
Even when full, it remains fairly easy to lift and manoeuvre around. The central drawback is the reduced wattage, which means it doesn’t boil quite as rapidly as some other kettles on this list.
