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. 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.

This kettle has a handy illuminated water level gauge, which lights up when it's boiling and switches off when it’s ready. We found it fast to boil too, taking a speedy 46 seconds to heat 240ml. At full capacity though, it took almost four minutes. We look at how easy the kettle is to use based on how clear the water level gauge is to see, whether the filter is easy to remove for cleaning and refit, and how comfortable the kettle is to hold. The overall design is also taken into account, as well as how clear and concise the instructions are.

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This De’Longhi kettle took under a minute to boil the minimum water quantity of 300ml (about one mug), so you can heat exactly what you need. It took an impressive three minutes and twenty seconds for the maximum capacity of 1.5 litres to reach boiling point, but we noticed it made a lot of steam in the process. At under 1kg when empty, this Russell Hobbs model is a good weight. It boils one cup of water in under 45 seconds, so it’s ideal for people who usually only make one hot drink at a time. We found that it poured cleanly and accurately with no splashing, too. This brightly coloured, wide-based kettle weighs only 850g when empty and we found it exceptional value for money based on its performance. Boiling the full capacity takes just over three minutes, while it takes two minutes for one litre and a speedy 45 seconds to boil enough for one cup. Most kettles have this clearly visible on the exterior but some are more awkwardly placed, such as behind the handle. Kettles with large viewing windows are best if you want to know exactly how much water is in the kettle at any time. Most kettles have removable, washable anti-scale water filters that sit at the base of the spout. These collect pieces of limescale from the water to prevent them from being poured into your drink, and they stop scum forming on the surface, making them a must for hard water areas.

This kettle is among the most compact we’ve tested and the wide, rounded spout makes for fast filling, providing a clean and accurate pour. When boiling a full kettle, the external casing of the handle remained cool to touch. There wasn't much steam emitted from the spout after the boiling cycles were complete either. For every millilitre of water you add to your kettle, an extra gram is added to its overall weight, meaning they can get quite heavy. If lifting may be an issue, look for a model that weighs no more than a kilogram when empty. This toaster has been tested to the 2013-2019 test programme. Results for toasters tested before December 2013 and after September 2019 aren’t directly comparable.

Need a kettlefor your kitchen or home? We’ve got a selection of fast, easy-to-use and energy-efficient options. From traditional pyramid kettles to glass kettles with temperature control, our collection offers an array of stunning designs and features. Given how regularly our kettles get used, it’s worth thinking about what features you want and those that you can pass by. Here are the key things you need to consider. Choose an appliance from our list of the best easy-to-use toasters we've tested and make breakfast time a smooth start to the day We found this geometric-patterned kettle sturdy and robust. Its compact design also means it won’t take up much space on your kitchen counter. It boils enough for a large cup of tea in under fifty seconds and one litre in just over two minutes. It takes three-and-a-half minutes to boil its full capacity.