Dome-shaped kettles look more like traditional stovetop models. Electric dome kettles often have lift-off lids, which can be a bit more fiddly than flip-top models to use, and these kettles usually have a smaller water capacity. Their handles are often located on top, too. This isn’t the cheapest kettle you can buy, but for the price, you’re getting one that’s pretty close in spec to more expensive models. Shape: Consider what sort of shape you want to go for. Most kettles are either a jug style, with the handle at the side, or a dome style with the handle placed over the top. Some people find one easier to use than the other. If you're fussy about how brown it gets (hey, no judgement here), look for machines with adjustable shade settings.

There’s a lot more to kettles than just boiling water for your brew. Here are some features you may want to consider investing in: But before making your all-important choice, here’s a handy guide on the features to look out for: What makes a good kettle? The double-walled design is spot on - the exterior can't burn you if you were to touch it and the cord can be coiled up inside the base securely, making it a great choice for homes with curious toddlers. The anti-slip grip makes it easy to hold and we love the push-button lid – you won't have to wrestle to open this one. It also features boil-dry protection to help prevent damage.

Best kettle: which brand is best?

The kettle’s stainless steel body is more of a benefit inside, where it should make descaling easier. Even the kettle’s internal minimum and maximum markers are made from steel – although, disappointingly, they’re the only water markers the kettle has, and the minimum is hard to see while filling. The Russell Hobbs Structure Kettle is easier to fill thanks to its rear window. It may look like an old-fashioned stove-top kettle but it’s got all the mod cons. The multiple temperature settings let you heat water from anywhere from 50 degrees up to 100 in 10-degree increments, and it also has a temperature gauge so you can see how hot the water is at any time, even when not on its base. Whatever your cup of tea (or coffee), we’ve done the hard work for you, scouring the Mumsnet forums and beyond to find the best kettle. The appeal of the Kenwood Mesmerine 1.6L Kettle lies in its points of difference from others on the market. On the outside, its shimmering finish gives it a luxurious, design-led feel, while on the inside, it’s the plastic-free stainless-steel body that will make it easier to descale and give it a longer lifespan. It would go particularly well in a modern kitchen with its blue light-up feature when in boiling mode, and a permanent limescale filter means it’s suitable for hard-water areas.

Russell Hobbs is a leading kettle brand that has landed three models in our list, which we think says a lot about quality and reliability. There are also Russell Hobbs kettles to suit every budget.The tank holds enough for five to seven cups of tea if you do want to make several and it delivers a cup very speedily (less than a minute). It takes up slightly more space on the work surface than a standard kettle, but looks very sleek and unobtrusive. Far clearer is the kettle’s removable limescale filter – inside the spout it’s actually labelled ‘filter’, so you don’t forget to give it a regular wash.

Smart features: The fanciest of kettles now have smart features, meaning you can switch on your kettle from your app or keep it warm so your cup of tea is only seconds away when you walk in the door. How much should I spend on the best kettle? Variable temperature: A kettle that offers multiple temperature settings is useful if you use it for coffee and some teas like Oolong, which are both best made at a slightly lower temperature. Warm water can also be used to heat a baby bottle or pouch. Some of the best kettles also have a keep-warm feature. With five years’ experience as a homes writer, Charley now writes for Good Housekeeping, Country Living and House Beautiful but has also previously worked in print for an architecture magazine. Swan Tribeca 1.8L Pyramid Kettle and 2-Slice Toaster: Best kettle and toaster set for compact kitchensNot only that, its minimum fill is 250ml: ideal for a standard-sized mug. You may lose a little time taking off the lid to fill, though; there’s no convenient flip-top version here. The toaster comes in a two- or four-slice version, the latter of which we tested. Its wide slots, lift-and-look feature, defrost and reheat buttons make it ideal for any busy household, especially one where it’s out on display, so its elegant exterior can be properly appreciated.

Design: Aesthetics will play a part. Kettles come in a range of styles and colours so you should be able to find the best kettle to complement your kitchen, whether you want something that'll fit in with the existing scheme or make a bit of a statement. And while there are plenty of kettles that can boil water effectively, it can be worth investing in extra features to make your tea breaks as pleasant as possible. If you live in a hard water area, built-in filters can help to soften water to improve your brews and lessen the impact of limescale. Quiet kettles are great for small spaces, especially if you're brewing up near a napping baby. And energy-efficient kettles can help you save money on your monthly bills. The kettle has a wider than usual spout but still pours smoothly. There’s also a clearly marked water window, showing the max and min fill, as well as cups from four to seven (not litres). Its water window lights up blue when it’s on, while a button on the lid flips it up for filling – good for those who sometimes mix up levers. It’s speedy, too: a litre of cold water took just two minutes and 12 seconds to boil. What could prove to be a problem is the kettle’s minimum fill – around 900ml – meaning that if you only want to make one or two small cups, you will always be boiling more than you need.

How much should I spend on the best kettle?

Capacity: If there are only one or two tea or coffee drinkers in your household, this won’t be so important. But if you regularly make a round of drinks for a group of people, you’ll want to go for a large capacity to avoid having to boil the kettle multiple times. Fill it at the top and a blue light glows through the glass, getting brighter as it boils, which is a nice touch. It's relatively quiet when boiling too. Bagels are best toasted in a model with v ariable width slots that won't squish them, while a high lift function does what you'd expect, meaning no burnt fingers. Do your kettle and toaster have to match? Variable temperature kettles can heat the water to different temperatures to provide the best results when brewing different types of tea and coffee. It’s a handy feature if you like to drink more delicate herbal and green teas, which should be brewed below boiling, at around 80C. We all covet KitchenAid gadgets. If you want a bit of the iconic KitchenAid style (in a range of colours) in your kitchen but can’t quite stretch to the stand mixer, this Artisan Kettle might fill a hole on your work surface and in your heart.