Best kettles to buy in 2024

Even traditional models without all the bells and whistles can vary in terms of style, speed, size and lid type. Because it's the kind of gadget you'll probably be using multiple times a day, it's worth considering what you like (and don't) in a kettle. Do you prefer one with a flip-up lid, or one that pulls right off? Is having a water scale important to you? What about the weight?

The kettles we've tested range in capacity from 1-1.7 litres, and this is another factor you should think about. Smaller models are best for single or dual households, as you can more easily avoid the temptation to overfill.

Each kettle we reviewed came with bases that plug into the mains, and all switch off automatically when they finish boiling. Read on to discover our pick of the best kettles to buy right now.

Jump to:

• Best kettles to buy at a glance
• Best kettle to buy in 2024
• What to think about when buying a kettle
• How we tested kettles

Best kettles to buy at a glance

• Best overall kettle: KitchenAid Artisan 1.5-litre variable temperature kettle, £199
• Most stylish kettle: Swan Nordic jug kettle, £64.99
• Best value cordless kettle: Bosch Sky cordless kettle, £80
• Most user-friendly kettle: Dualit Domus kettle, £80.99
• Best lightweight kettle: Kenwood Elegancy, £44.99
• Best temperature-control kettle: KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle, £179
• Best for small kitchens: Sage the Compact Kettle Pure, £69.95
• Best value multi-temperature: Bosch Styline kettle, £84.99

The best kettles to buy in 2024

KitchenAid Artisan 1.5-litre variable-temperature kettle

Best overall kettle

Star rating: 5/5 stars

Wattage: 3000W

This is a kettle that means business. Sporting a glossy finish and statement-style body, it's a weighty gadget that looks attractive on the countertop – a very reasonable compromise for its sizeable footprint. It's available in eight colours, including pistachio, cream and candy apple red.

It's an especially good choice for those who don't always want their water at boiling point, as you can adjust the temperature easily (from 50-100C). We like that its dual-wall design maintains the temperature of the water, too.

Swan Nordic jug kettle

Most stylish kettle

Star rating: 5/5 stars

Wattage: 3000W

Efficient and stylish, this Scandi-style kettle has an upright, slimline build that means, despite its 1.7-litre capacity, it takes up little room on the worktop. Also available as a cordless model, we like its wood-effect rubber handle as it's easy to grip, though it does make the water-level gauge behind it more difficult to read.

While simple, it has a striking, elegant design, and the lid pops open and fits back together with ease. It's also a fairly speedy kettle, taking 2 minutes 24 seconds to boil a litre of water.

Bosch Sky cordless kettle

Best-value cordless kettle

Star rating: 5/5 stars

Wattage: 3000W

For the tea aficionado, this sleek and speedy kettle sits on a black base with touchscreen-like controls that allow you to select the best temperature for your brew (between 70-100C). It's not the smallest model we tested, nor the quietest, but it works quickly, boiling a litre of water in just 2 minutes 6 seconds. There's also a handy keep-warm button on the base, so you can maintain the temperature of the water for up to 30 minutes.

Bosch Styline kettle

Best-value multi-temperature kettle

Star rating: 5/5 stars

Wattage: 3000W

Anyone who's serious about their tea will know water temperature is a big deal, and that's something this Bosch kettle handles with ease. You can select from one of four temperature points – 70C, 80, 90C, or 100C – or a keep-warm option in case you don't want to use all the water up at once.

Its design credentials also scored highly: it has a handy water gauge that's wide and easy to read, with measurements in both litres and cups. The robust casing keeps the body cool to the touch, and the rectangular base it sits on is deeper than it is wide, saving valuable worktop space.

KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle

Best temperature-control kettle

Star rating: 4.5/5

Wattage: 2400W

This attractive, stylish kettle comes in a range of colours as we've come to expect from KitchenAid, which would make it a great pop of colour in your kitchen. We were impressed with this kettle as soon as we'd unboxed it. The design is more compact than some of KitchenAid's other models, and the contrast between the glossy finish and matte black handle make for an attractive design.

With this kettle you get a choice of seven temperature settings from 50C to 100C.

Sage the Compact Kettle

Best for small kitchens

Star rating: 4.5/5 stars

Wattage: 2400W

Featuring a stylish glass jug design, this model from Sage is certainly a head-turner, and allows you to watch the water as it boils. It's smaller than your average kettle, with a 1-litre capacity, so it's better suited to single-person households or couples, or anyone who prefers a smaller, lighter appliance.

Where it falls short is its boiling speed, averaging 2 minutes 40 seconds per litre, which was slower than other kettles we tested. Because of its glass body, those who live in hard-water areas will also have to descale it more regularly. That said, we do like its cup indicator on the side of the jug, which can help reduce water wastage.

Dualit Domus kettle

Most user-friendly kettle

Star rating: 4/5

Wattage: 3000W

Ideal for small- to medium-sized households, this thoughtfully designed kettle benefits from a smaller-than-average base, which gives it a compact feel. It has a 1.5-litre capacity, which is smaller than other models we've tested, but still holds enough for six cups of tea, so shouldn't be an issue for most people.

There are two easy to read water windows, one showing the number of cups, the other showing the volume in litres. It also works fairly quickly, boiling a litre of water in an average of 2 minutes 26 seconds.

Kenwood Elegancy

Best lightweight kettle

Star rating: 4/5 stars

Wattage: 3000W

A great choice for anyone who has trouble gripping heavier kettles, this model is brilliantly lightweight and boils quietly, too. It has a pull-off lid with a wide opening, plus a wide spout that makes pouring quick and seamless. While traditional in terms of its features, it's a speedy gadget that averages around 2 minutes 7 seconds to boil a litre of water. There's also a choice of colours available, as well as matching toasters.

What to think about when buying a kettle

Not sure what you should be looking for when choosing which kettle to buy? Here are some factors to consider while you browse:

• Multifunctional or classic: if you'd like a kettle that just boils water, classic is the way to go. Those who drink teas like oolong (which brews better at lower temperatures) may prefer a kettle that allows you to select the temperature – these are also a good option for parents making warm drinks for children. Keep-warm functions are handy if you don't want to use all the water at once.
• Speed: whether you're on a quick break or dashing to make a drink during an ad break, you'll be grateful for a kettle that works quickly.
• Style: most kettles sit on the countertop, so think about how it will look within your kitchen and among other gadgets. These days, there's a style of kettle for most types of kitchen, be they classic, old-fashioned, shaker, futuristic or trendy, so you should be able to find a range of options. Consider footprint too, and whether you prefer a jug-style or pyramid design.
• Noise: if you tend to flick your kettle on and walk into a different room while it boils, a kettle that's louder may be best so you can hear when it's finished. For some, a quieter kettle could be preferred so it doesn't drown out other sounds like music or the radio.
• Lid: think about whether you'd like a lid that pulls off completely or flicks upwards. If using one hand, kettles where you simply press a button to lift the lid are ideal.
• Price: the cost of your kettle may be another important factor you. The samples we tested range from £55.99-199.
• Best kettles for hard water: if you live in an area with hard water, you'll know that limescale has a tendency to build up quickly inside kettles, potentially harming the longevity of your gadget – not to mention, nobody wants limescale in their tea. To avoid this, look for a kettle that has a robust and finely meshed filter in the spout that can also be easily removed.

How we tested kettles

We tested a range of kettles across varying price points and designs, using the following criteria:

• Good looks: because most kettles are on display in your kitchen, you may be swayed by how certain models look and whether they'll fit in your existing space. We tested a range of kettles with varying designs.
• Quality: we looked for kettles that felt like they had longevity, with quality 'on' switches and filters, and well-fitting lids.
• Speed: this isn't often a game-changer when it shopping for kettles, but generally we find the faster, the better. We tested each kettle's efficiency by measuring how long it took to boil a litre of water.
• Ease of use: nobody wants a kettle that's awkward to use. The best-performing kettles in testing were easy to fill and pour, and had clear water levels and a good grip.
• Value: those models that offered great value for money were awarded extra points.

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