Fortunately, it’s not a case of style over substance. The kettle boiled a litre of cold water in two minutes and 20 seconds and was easy to lift and pour from. Filling was less straightforward – there aren’t any markings on the water window and there’s only a max marker inside, meaning you may end up boiling more water than you need each time. However, we did like the discreet light on the lever and the kettle’s good build quality overall.

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. COMPLETE YOUR KITCHEN » Haden’s Heritage collection also has a matching toaster. Complete your kitchen with these countertop beauties which are an inspired addition to any home ENERGY EFFICIENT » The Heritage Kettle boils water, and fast! The clear water window has markers indicating the water level in the kettle, so you only use what you need. It also features a removable filter to prevent limescale build up. Additional filter included FUNCTIONALLY ELEGANT» This iconic kettle brings a note of elegance and old school glamour to any kitchen. The silent boil kettle features a 1.7 litre capacity, with a convenient water viewing window as well as an on/off indicator light

Ideal for updating your kitchen or gifting a new homeowner, this set from Salter includes a stylish teal kettle and 2 slot toaster The coordinating toaster has a high lift function to help prevent burnt fingers and even a reheat button, which is a useful extra on an affordable model such as this. Homemade bread fitted in the slots comfortably, even though they’re not the widest, and toast emerged evenly done, with only slight singeing at one corner. The kettle is just as good-looking, with a handle that’s easy to grip and a light-up lever to show when it’s boiling. It’s also surprisingly light to carry around, so less of a struggle when full. A good-sized water window with multiple markings in litres means it’s simple to boil only as much water as required, while the minimum boil, though not marked, is an economical 250ml. In our tests, it performed well, boiling a litre of cold water in two minutes and 15 seconds. Think about where you place your appliances on your kitchen worktops: If they’re not right next to each other, you’ll be able to get away with models in slightly different shades of the same colour rather than exact matches.

Swan Tribeca 1.8L Pyramid Kettle and 2-Slice Toaster: Best kettle and toaster set for compact kitchens Ensuring simple maintenance, the toaster has a removable crumb tray, while the kettle is completed with a removable limescale filter Next, consider the features of both appliances and their capacity. Make sure they’re both a suitable size for daily use – such as a four-slice toaster instead of a two-slice in larger households – and include the functionality you need, such as easy pouring from a kettle, and a defrost option if you often make toast straight from the freezer. If one appliance fits the bill but the other one doesn’t, it may be worth looking at a different range. Don’t buy both just because they match; consider each appliance carefully to make sure it suits your needs, or you may end up replacing one of them further down the line. How much should I spend on a toaster and kettle set?Focus on overall appearance rather than specifics: Think retro-style, textured finishes or clean, modern lines – these are common themes in the world of small appliances so you won’t struggle to get your hands on a kettle and toaster in the same style. For the products that go the distance, see our guides to the top kettle brands and top toaster brands. The problem with matching sets Sage by Heston Bluementhal (Breville) Tea Maker Kettle and Smart Toast 4-Slice Toaster– Contemporary We test each kettle and toaster individually, even if they’re part of a matching set. We’ve discovered that more often than not, one appliance is far better than the other, or occasionally, they’re both terrible.