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Given that Brits drink 100 million cups of tea daily (according to the UK Tea and Infusions Association), the look, feel and performance of your kettle is one of life’s more important decisions. But finding the best kettle is harder than you may think. Many now boast fancy features such as temperature variability for different hot drinks or even (largely pointless) smart technology that can be controlled from your phone.
With energy prices still high, efficiency will be a key consideration for anyone shopping for an appliance, whether it’s a kettle, toaster or washer-dryer. Amanda Smart is a category buyer at online retailer AO and has to know the pros and cons of over 180 different kettles. She says: “Kettles with a quick boil functionality use less energy, so that’s the first thing to look out for. Another feature to consider is a kettle that retains the heat and keeps the water warm, so you eliminate the need to boil again and waste unnecessary energy.”
You can still buy stovetop kettles, which you simply place on the hob and wait for the whistle. They take much longer to boil, so my reviews below focus on electric kettles. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
Which is the best kettle in 2024? At a glance
How much should I spend on a kettle?
You can buy a decent, budget kettle for £30 if all you want is to boil water for a cup of tea. If you want your hot water to be just the right temperature for specialty teas or freshly-ground coffee, you might want different temperature settings.
Stainless steel kettles are more energy efficient, saving you more money over time, but generally cost more than £60. If you want more premium features like an LED display and double wall insulation, or better filtration for hard water areas, you’re looking around the £90 mark.
