Best kettle of 2024 in the UK - the top 15 electric kettles reviewed and ranked

No appliance will get more use in your home than the best kettle. From speedy boil times to sleek and attractive designs, the best kettle for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. 

That's why we've been busy reviewing the top 15 kettles (from a long list of many more) to bring you our complete ranking. We've kept a keen eye out for energy efficiency too, with a one-cup kettle also featured in this roundup. 

If you're a tea lover who likes different types of green and herbal teas, you might enjoy one of the smartest kettles on the market. They will offer different temperature levels to avoid scorching your brew at 100 degrees. 

And of course, if you want to upgrade to on-demand boiling water from your sink, take a look at the best boiling water taps. If you're set on the classic method, be sure to pair your new kettle with one of the best toasters. 

Quick list - the best kettles

Looking for the best kettle for your home but short on time to shop? Take a look at our quick list instead, which has all the positives and negatives of our favourite kettles that we've tested neatly summed up. 

Best kettle overall

The De'Longhi Ballerina Kettle pairs with our guide to toasters perfectly, because its two and four-slice counterpart also sits in the top spot. Why? Well, for a start it has a stunning design that really catches the eye and looks beautiful on any kitchen counter. We had numerous comments from friends and family when testing, and it's more than just easy on the eyes, too.

With a water level indicator and a light-up switch to indicate that it's on, the De'Longhi Ballerina Kettle is ideal for practical use around the kitchen. The 1.7 litre capacity is also perfectly suited to serving mugs of tea or filling up a whole teapot.

Our one gripe is that the lid has to be lifted away. Other options in our guide have a button to lift up the lid and open up the kettle for easy refills, but the De'Longhi requires both hands.

Best affordable kettle

Sometimes you just need a kettle that gets the job done, why is why we were impressed with the Russell Hobbs Quiet Boil Kettle when we tested it, which does what it says on the tin. Perfect for those on a budget, and with a water level that's easy to see, this is a no-frills kettle, but it's very effective. 

This was a quick boiler too, as it took just 1 minute 23 to get to 100 degrees. The spout is good for pouring out of, and while it's not quite a Smeg kettle, there are some design points to admire. Stainless steel can work well in lots of kitchens, and it's minimalistic in its overall look. 

You get a removable limescale filter in the spout for your money too, and the kettle connects at any angle to the base. The 1.7 litre capacity is great for family life too.

Best affordable AND stylish kettle

The Swan Nordic jug kettle is the perfect compromise between affordability and style, with a design that will attract compliments in your kitchen. It has a lovely soft feel that never gets too hot to the touch, and brings in lovely wooden textures into the design too. 

It can make up to 8 cups at once, and has a number of features to emphasise safety. That includes an automatic switch off, and dry boil design which prevents overheating. During testing, we loved the lever mechanism at work with this kettle (it has a very satisfying 'click' sound) and it only took 2 minutes 33 seconds to boil. It retained its temperature very well too and still stood waiting at 71 degrees 30 minutes later.

Best matching kettle and toaster set

The Funky Appliance Company's aptly-named Funky Kettle hit the spot when we were hunting for a great kettle and toaster combo. It's surprisingly hard to find a matching set where each component delivers great performance, but the Funky Kettle and its matching Funky Toaster were the perfect brunch duo.

We loved the exterior, which is quirky and reminiscent of the SMEG, even down to the stainless steel design. The lever clicks down easily, illuminating the back panel which shows the water line and shuts off when water has reached a boiling point. The matching toaster could take frozen and fresh bread and toast evenly on each side, every time too, making them quite the pair.

The spout makes pouring very easy, and refilling is simple thanks to the button on the top of the lid that pops open. Even the handle was ergonomic, but we do wish the colour selection was a bit more fun.

Best stylish kettle

Available in an array of truly Instagrammable colours (copper, black, grey and pastel pink to name a few), this kettle is top of the pack when it comes to making a design-first choice. The boil-dry protection mode, which prevents it from being accidentally switched on if there’s no water in it means you won’t need to worry about accidentally damaging it either. There’s also a limescale filter, which helps to keep drinks delightfully scum- and impurity-free.

It holds 1.7 litres, enough to fill around 7-8 cups depending on your ‘portion sizes’, and it boiled a litre of water in just over two minutes. The lever element of the kettle glows when you turn it on, and the soft open top is a thing of beauty too. It has a lovely drip-free pour, too, which we found very pleasing.

Our SMEG Toaster and Kettle set review has the full details. 

Best modern kettle

We love the sleek design of this kettle, which feels sturdy and high quality to use. It has that KitchenAid look that's to die for, alongside a design that prioritises keeping your water warm for as long as possible. Thanks to the dual wall construction this kettle is an efficient pick, and noise is reduced too. 

The technology in this kettle will impress you with every use. During testing, we loved the temperature gauge lever and the fact that the dial on the body of the kettle lets you know the temperature even when it's away from the base. We also enjoyed how speedy the boiling was, and the light-up design as it climbs in temperature was great for making sure it was actually switched on, and knowing when it had finished boiling.

Choose between a dazzling number of colours to suit your kitchen or even to match your stand mixer. If money were no object, this kettle would fly to the top of our recommendations, but the price makes it an investment to seriously think on.

Best stainless steel kettle

The Aarke Kettle is an investment, but, just like all Aarke products, it’s beautifully designed. Its seamless stainless steel body will create a stylish focal point on a countertop, and its slim build and small footprint mean it’s a useful addition to a smaller kitchen.

All of the touch points are also well executed, from the comfortable handle that stays cool to the touch to  the soft open lid and non-drip spout. It also comes with a polishing cloth included to buff away any fingerprints its stainless steel body might collect.This kettle also offers the ability to heat water to five different temperatures – 40, 75, 85, 95 and 100°C – which is great if you’re a coffee or herbal tea aficionado who knows the exact best degree centigrade for your brew. 

Simply press the lever on the base to switch between heat settings and a digital beep will alert you when the temperature is reached and the kettle will automatically shut off. (A long press of the base lever also turns off the beep if you prefer to start your mornings in silence).

Overall, this is an expensive addition to the kitchen, but upgrading an everyday appliance that you interact with multiple times each day to something that oozes quality craftsmanship is a great way to add a little quiet luxury to your day.

Best high end dupe kettle

That's right, the makers of some of our favourite cast iron cookware favourites ProCook have expanded into the small appliances market, launching this kettle and matching 2-slice toaster (which has an RRP of £69 from ProCook). 

Available in silver, black and stainless steel, we think the stylish look of this kettle can rival much more expensive versions, as long as you're prepared to lose out on any really fancy features. What you'll get in return is a solidly good kettle, with a fair capacity that'll last you for some time.

After testing, our only real complaint about this kettle is that it can be a little loud. If you're prone to making a late-night cup of tea and want to invest in this kettle, just bear that in mind. 

Best large capacity kettle

The De'Longhi Luminosa kettle has a 1.6 litre capacity, meaning it's great for making many cups of tea in one go. It comes in an array of pastel shades, completed with a nice sheen and has a matching toaster, which is also a top buy. The kettle comes with a limescale filter that can filter your drink as it pours and has a handy button that lights up to indicate it's on. 

As with most large-capacity kettles, the Luminosa can take a while to get going,  and you might sometimes overfill by accident. On the whole, this is a great kettle for families as the exterior is protected by a plastic layer, meaning it never gets too hot to the touch and feels safe to handle. During testing, we also found that it reaching boiling point in a very efficient time, and that pouring from it when it's fuller is nice and easy.

Best sustainable kettle

If you're putting together a wedding registry, or saving up for the kettle and toaster set to last you a lifetime (or close enough), then look no further than the Dualit Classic set. 

You can buy a range of colours on the Dualit website, or stick to stainless steel if you want something timeless that will fit into any kitchen. During testing, we were so impressed with the kettle, which is great to pour, something that can be surprisingly difficult to find. It's also got brilliant insulation and wipes clean in seconds. 

Sustainability-wise, nothing will beat this kettle. If the element inside of it breaks, then it can easily be replaced, which means that you don't get sucked into the cycle of buying a new one every five years. Buy cheap, buy twice, right?

Our Dualit Classic kettle and toaster review has the full details.

Best one cup kettle

The LAICA one-cup kettle is well-named. It's a cleverly designed pick that has a spout on one side where one cup of boiling water can be dispensed at a time. Even better? It only took 40 seconds in our test to get hot enough to dipense, and our energy reader showed that the whole process cost less than 1p. 

It's a seriously smart buy for anyone who struggles with mobility, as after it's been filled up (potentially by another family member/carer if needed) it just takes one touch for hot water to flow. It's also great for anyone who drinks a lot of tea, with a 1.5litre capacity.

We enjoyed the drip tray too, which prevented spillage and gave us space to leave our mug. The design also felt high quality, and pouring when not using the one cup feature was easy. If you want an energy-efficient kettle for this winter, you know which one to buy.

Our full story on the LAICA one cup kettle has the full details. 

Best quiet kettle

The Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle is the quietest one we tested. It heats and boils virtually silently, which means you're unlikely to be disturbed if it's used when you're in a call or early in the morning. It's also a treat to look at, with a retro-contemporary design that comes in either a multi-coloured polka dot or a love heart pattern. There's also a matching toaster available, which we really enjoyed testing. The spout of this kettle makes pouring a treat, and the overhead handle is easy to hold and tactile.

Russell Hobbs claims this kettle has 70% quieter boil technology. You can tell when this kettle is finished boiling by the audible click it makes when switching off. It is on the expensive side for a less smart option, but there are plenty of matching Emma Bridgewater mugs and plates available to make the design even sweeter. With a 1.7 litre capacity, it's also fairly large, despite its cute and shorter pyramid design.

Best kettle for £50

Sometimes your budget when it comes to finding a kettle is set in stone, and if you're on a strict £50 limit, then we think this pick from Kenwood will get the job done. It performed well in our tests, with a quick boil time, and has a capacity that will make brewing a cuppa for the whole family easy. 

It's available in a nice selection of pastel colours, and we like the pronounced handle on the lid, which makes it easy to remove and reinsert. Our only issue with this kettle is that it is made of plastic, and therefore does feel it when you hold it, but for the price, we think that's to be expected. 

Best kettle with controls on the handle

Just as with the KitchenAid kettle further up this list, this clever kettle from Cuisinart is perfect for tea lovers, or anyone who wants to brew a drink at less than 100 degrees. That goes for green tea, black tea and all other types of beverage. We loved this kettle when we tested, with its quick boil time and the controls on the handle, which show you the exact temperature. 

The jug design is also perfect for large households, and the capacity is standard. The different metallics finishes are a little different too, and we especially love the pink version! 

Best kettle with chrome accents

This kettle brings a bit of glamour to a kitchen, with a shimmery finish and gold accents, as well as solid design for family life. It's an affordable buy, and has easy to use controls, as well as an easy to manoeuvre lid and a strong pour. All in all, if you want a classic kettle with something a little different about it, then the Aura is a nice choice. 

How we tested the best kettles

At Ideal Home, we know how we test and pick the products we recommend as the best is of vital importance. In order to isolate the top-rated kettles on the market, we tried all of these kettles at the Future testing facility and took measurements of their boil times, as well as readings of how well they retained their temperature. 

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As well as looking as aesthetics and boiling time, with these kettles we were on the lookout for common issues, like noisy kettles and limescale build-up for hard water kettles, and we have taken care to include a range of kettles that will work for every budget. 

Some of the kettles in our guide can be bought for well under £30, but the more expensive ones can cost over £100 and feature variable temperatures, water filters and other extras. Below you can read more about exactly who tested these kettles and reached this verdict.

Molly Cleary

Molly is an Ecommerce Editor at Ideal Home, covering all things appliance related, from coffee machines to cordless vacuums. She tests all manner of appliances both at home and at the Future testing facility in Reading in order to tell you which one you should invest in for your home. 

Out of the nearly 20 kettles she tested in one day (there was a lot of tea), these were the 10 that made the final cut. Her favourite was the KitchenAid Temperature Control Kettle, which has the sleekest look and features out there.

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