Made from quiet material– Material is a big deal for me. I hate scratchy and cold metal on a kettle, so I look for smooth material like glass. This can also depend on the style you’re looking for. The 21888 tests up to 70% quieter than other kettles without quiet boil, and rapid boil allows a cup to be boiled in around 45 seconds, similar to other Russell Hobbs with the same technology. Next up is useability. We test how easy the kettle is to fill, hold and pour, its weight and whether the fill lines are easy to read. If the kettle has any additional features beyond boiling water, we also look at how useful these are. Finally, we take into consideration each kettle’s build quality and design, and whether these reflect its price. Kettles aren’t the most high-tech of kitchen items, but it’s worth looking out for safety features such as an auto shut-off function – should you accidentally put too little water in the kettle, this will stop it boiling dry.

Most kettles tend to be bright white, chrome, silver or otherwise have some degree of colourful “pop”. For anyone looking to engender a calming atmosphere in their kitchen, the Kenwood Dusk provides a great, visually soothing alternative to these more attention grabbing kettles.The Dusk has a rotund, matte body lined with glossy stripes and is available in three aesthetically pleasing, muted colours: Slate Grey, Olive Green and Twilight Purple. Similar to the Fearne by Swan, the 20460 comes with a 360 degree base making it ideal for left or right handed people. I’m a lefty myself so that’s a big plus for me… anything that makes moving boiling water easier is always good. The SK34030LYN Quiet Boil Kettle from Fearne by Swan is a good option for those looking for a more stylish and retro look. Available in three different styles (dome, jug and pyramid) you’re not without options with this one. It’s also comes in 9 different colours, pending availability. A few reviewers have mentioned a “chemical taste” when using this kettle. I’ve personally experienced the same but after a few days of boils it eventually dissipates.The 23210 Luna by Russell Hobbs is a great choice for those looking for colour with functional use. Available in three colours (red, grey and copper) you’re eyes are immediately fix on the striking colour. The colours can also be matched with a toasted and coffee maker if you’re looking for the full set. One notable downside of the Dualit Lite is that it doesn’t do its business super quietly. We recorded how loud each kettle was at boiling water and the Dualit Lite notched up 58.3dB, the second loudest score. Noisiness aside, it did perform well in our tests, including heat retention. There’s no need to rush to pour the water out with this one either. Five minutes after boiling, the water in the Dualit Lite still measured a toasty 93°C, coming second only to the Zwilling Enfinigy Pro.

Overall, the 72815 is a fantastic choice (although pricey) for those looking for a sleek and long lasting model. Matching its appearance, the Kenwood’s test results were equally calm, with a peak loudness measurement of just 53.3dB. Its 3,000W heating element also didn’t disappoint, recording a time of 2 mins 20 secs in our one litre boil speed test. What’s more, its peak exterior temperature in use was just 54.6°C, which sits firmly in the warm-but-safe range, meaning no burnt fingers. Other benefits of the Dusk include its 1.7l capacity and wide, smooth-pouring spout. Coming with a handy 360 degree base means there’s no awkward placement when putting it down. This also means it’s perfect for right or left handed people. Other design elements of the Styline we like include its four temperature settings (70°C, 80°C, 90° and boiling), half hour keep warm function, soft-open lid, large viewing window with clear measurement markings and smooth-pouring spout. Finally, when it comes to boil speed, the Styline’s 3,000W heating element means it’s as swift as any of the other similarly powered kettles on our list. Thanks to its 3,000W heating element, it also proved itself a speedy boiler in our group test, matching other similarly powerful models with its one litre boil time of 2 mins 20 secs. Rounding things out with a handsome, sturdy glass and stainless construction, the Attentiv won top marks from us.

The best kettles you can buy in 2023

Boil-dry technology comes as standard (as with many on our list) and a 360 degree base increases it’s ease of use.

The kettle is 15 cm across the base, so it’s not a slim kettle by any means. There’s also been a few complaints of rust starting to build up so keep that in mind as well. Some reviewers have mentioned that a plastic insert needs to be taken out which isn’t in the instructions, so looks out for that. The Russell Hobbs 20460 would be a strong stable in any modern kitchen. Equipped with a stainless steal fixture ensuring longevity, there’s not much wrong with the 20460.

Boasting rapid boil, simply fill the kettle enough for one cup and it’ll be ready in 45 seconds… not too shabby! One very basic thing to look out for is how a kettle is filled: a button-operated flip-top lid is worth having as it means you don’t need to put your hand anywhere near the spout (or any steam coming out of it) when you’re refilling it. One of the more expensive kettles on our list, the Zwilling Enfinigy Pro justifies its lofty price tag with an ultra-modern design, commendable suite of features and solid performance. This sleek, space age kettle placed highly in both our exterior temperature and heat retention tests. Its peerless dual-wall insulation helped it maintain an outside temperature of just 29.4°C in use, while keeping the water inside at 94.6°C five minutes after boiling. In terms of functionality, the Enfinigy Pro boasts variable temperature settings ranging from 40°C to 100°C and a 30-minute keep warm function, all programmable via the touch buttons on its base. Fancy something a little different? The Russell Hobbs Illuminating Glass Kettle stands out thanks to its unique physical design, as well as a few clever design elements. In use, the Illuminating Kettle, as its name would suggest, lights up its body and the water inside with a row of pleasant blue LEDs. The kettle is also capacious at 1.7l, has a one-button pop-up lid and bears a clear green marker on its body, which indicates how much water is needed for a single cup, helping you avoid water and energy waste. We’re also big fans of the old-fashioned temperature gauge on the front, which proved both charming and practical. We also like the smooth-acting temperature setting lever on the bottom, which allows you to heat water to between 50°C and 100°C, in 10°C increments, ideal for a variety of drinks. Once set in action, the kettle emits a soft white light and a calming low beep – it might sound silly, but the Artisan gives boiling water a truly luxurious feel thanks to deft design touches like these.

To add one caveat, it should be noted that the Zwilling Enfinigy Pro has an 1,850W heating coil, unlike many of the other kettles on our list, which tend to have 3,000W elements. This means it is naturally slower to boil than its rivals. If you tend to get impatient for your morning cup of tea or coffee, the 3 mins 45 secs it takes the Enfinigy Pro to boil a litre of water may prove a tad too long for your liking. Being able to brew one cup in 45 seconds, this kettle is anything but slow. Boiling one cup at a time also “saves up to 66% energy” compared to a full boil.

Looking for the perfect kettle? Our guide covers everything from style icons to variable temperature models

Aesthetics aside, the Artisan also proved itself in our tests. It took just 2 mins 22 secs to boil 1l of water, which is on par with the rest of the 3,000W models tested. It also excels when it comes to keeping the noise down. During boiling, it only reached a maximum of 52.2dB, making it the quietest kettle on our list. What’s more, once the water’s boiled, there’s no worrying about burning your fingers on the sides. The outside of the Artisan reached an exterior temperature of just 33°C, owing to its dual-walled insulation.