The Best Kettle

How we picked

We started with CHOICE, Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group, to see which kettles they tested. This gave us an idea of how some kettles performed in a lab environment. We then weeded out the ones that are no longer available and headed to ProductReview.com.au, Australia’s first consumer opinion website.

We wanted to see which kettles are loved in Australian kitchens. We read hundreds of reviews to understand the good, the bad and the ugly. We also considered Canstar Blue’s, an Australian customer satisfaction research and ratings business, recent kettle brands survey. This let us know which kettle brands are highly rated by Aussies.

From there, we began to narrow down our list by focusing on providing a range of different budget and functionality options. We wanted both glass and BPA-free plastic kettles, to appeal to different buyers. We considered some features essential, like a removable, washable filter, and a hinged lid – a non-hinged lid is just one more thing to lose on a busy morning. 

We stayed away from gooseneck kettles. These thin, angled spout kettles help with a slow, controlled pour – ideal for coffee connoisseurs. But they’re also quite a niche item and not likely to appeal to everyone. We also only chose electric kettles, rather than stovetop ones, because c’mon, we exist for your convenience.  

And there we had it – the best electric kettles in Australia.

Important features to consider

Honestly, kettles are pretty simple appliances. They literally just boil water. So, you’ll find a lot of kettles pack the same features, like the ones below. 

Visible water level

Whether you call it a water level or window, it does the same thing – shows you how much water is in your kettle. Look for dual water windows. This means you can see the water level whichever side of the kettle you’re looking at. You can also get backlit water levels, which can make them easier to view.

We think cups is a more user-friendly measurement than ml – we don’t know how many ml are in a standard cup of tea, but maybe you do?

Removable filter

The filter keeps any sediment from the water, including limescale, from getting into your tea. To help keep the filter clean, make sure you can remove and wash it.

Cord storage

For an uncluttered bench top, and a safe one (no dangling cords for little hands to pull), most kettles have cord storage in their base.

360° power base

This allows the kettle to swivel on its base, rather than being locked into position. Which means you can easily pick it up, and return it, from anywhere on the base. It’s also easier for left-handed people.  

Boil dry protection

Once the water’s boiling, all kettles should automatically stop. This prevents the kettle from boiling dry and posing a safety risk.

Cool touch

Whether they claim to in their marketing or not, all kettles should be cool to touch and handle. This avoids burnt fingers and hands when picking up a just-boiled kettle.

Comfortable handles

Handles should be wide and comfortable to hold – you’ll be picking up a potentially heavy object full of boiling water. The handle should also keep your fingers away from the kettle’s body. 

Hinged lid

Opt for a hinged lid over a removable one, as then you won’t lose it. Only one of the kettles we reviewed, the Morphy Richards Accents Traditional, has a non-hinged lid.

Wide spout

If opening the lid to fill the kettle with water seems like too much hard work, look for a wide spout. This means you can fill the kettle directly into the spout.

What you get if you spend more

Rather than necessarily counting these features as ones you pay more for, it’s easier to think of kettles as having standard and non-standard features, with these being non-standard. CHOICE sums it up best: “Price is no indicator of performance, as far as kettles are concerned.”

Soft opening lid

To reduce the chance of hot water splashing out, some kettles have a soft opening lid. 

Electric gooseneck kettle

If you’re serious about coffee (also see our roundup of coffee machines), you might consider buying an electric gooseneck kettle. The thin angled spout is specially designed for pour-overs. We didn’t review any gooseneck kettles, as they’re a bit of a niche product and more expensive than a standard kettle.

Better looks and matching products

To match a specific theme in your kitchen, you can pay more for a bigger range of colours and finishes, like matte or textured looks. With these more designer models, you’ll probably be able to buy a matching toaster too.

Different temperature settings

Know the taste difference between an oolong and green tea? You’ll love different temperature settings, which provide water temperatures for specific tea types, or coffee. 

Glass 

See what your kettle is up to by choosing a glass one. Whether it’s to be able to see the water boil or an appearance thing, you’ll pay more to get a glass kettle. However, glass kettles need more maintenance and cleaning than a non-glass one. That’s because you can see the build-up of brown limescale. 

Keep warm function

Just boiled the kettle and now your phone’s ringing? A keep warm function keeps your water at a decent temperature for when you’re ready to use it. These functions normally last up to 30 minutes. 

Audio boil reminder

Long gone are the days of a whistling kettle. These days it’s all about the quiet kettle. Which means it can be difficult to know when the thing is actually done. Look for an audible noise reminder, whether it’s a click or a ding.

If what you’re looking for in a kettle is one that’ll quickly and reliably boil some water, then we reckon the Kambrook Aquarius BPA Free KAK60 kettle is Australia’s best no-frills kettle.

With a RRP of $29.95, you’re getting everything you need. It has a wide spout for a quick pour and a hinged, 1-touch pop-up lid. It has dual water level windows, ideal for both right- and left-handed pourers as you can see both sides of the kettle. 

Its mesh filter is removable and washable for easy care and it has boil-dry protection. The cord is stored in the base and it has a 360° non-locking base. Which again makes it great for both right-and left-handed users. 

A large button opens the lid and a large illuminated switch flips it on, making it super simple to use. 

It has good but limited consumer reviews and it’s been tested by CHOICE too. The recent Canstar Blue survey also named Kambrook as Aussies’ 4th favourite kettle brand. 

Why buy the Kambrook Aquarius BPA Free KAK60

Price – with a RRP of just $30, this is a very affordable kettle. 

Wide spout – so you can fill up the kettle without opening the lid.

Hinged 1-touch lid – which means you won’t lose a loose lid.

Easy to use – thanks to the large open lid button and illuminated on/off switch.

Dual water level windows – with the water level visible both sides of the kettle, it’s suitable for both left- and right-handed users.

360° base – because it doesn’t lock into position, you can pick up and put down the kettle anywhere on the base – ideal for lefties. 

Removable, washable filter – to help you keep the kettle and water clean, and bits out of your tea (or coffee).

Boil dry protection – to keep you and your home safe. 

Good consumer reviews – it’s currently got 4 stars on ProductReview.com.au, although this is from less than 30 reviews.

Reviewed by CHOICE – which means it’s been put through its paces in a test environment. 

Canstar Blue rated brand – Kambrook has been voted #4 kettle brand in Australia.

The not-so-good bits

1-year warranty – as you’d expect for the price, it only has a 1-year warranty.

In summary 

For a basic kettle that’ll do its job well, consider the Kambrook Aquarius BPA Free KAK60. With a RRP of just $30, you’re getting everything you need and nothing you don’t. Dual water level windows and a 360° base means it’s a good choice for both right- and left-handed users. The removable, washable filter makes it easy care and with just 2 buttons, it’s easy to use too.

At the other end of the price scale is the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Programmable. At $199, it’s the most expensive kettle we reviewed. For your investment, you’re getting the most-loved kettle in Australia, according to ProductReview.com.au: it’s got a respectable 3.7 stars from 60 reviews. 

To consider the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Programmable, you’ll have to be a tea connoisseur. That’s because its biggest selling point is its 6 preset water temperatures for different types of tea. It runs from 75° for delicate teas through to 100° for black tea, swinging by the ideal temperatures for green, white, oolong and French press along the way. Each of its 1-touch labelled buttons have blue LED indicators so you know what you’ve selected. 

If you’ve boiled your water but aren’t ready to use it, there’s a 30-minute keep warm function. It also has a memory feature. This means if you lift the kettle of its base before it’s finished, it’ll remember where it was in the brewing process when you put it back down. 

The water window has a blue backlight for easy viewing, and it has a 360° swivel base. It comes with a 3-year warranty.

Why the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Programmable is worth considering

6 preset water temperatures – to help you make the perfect hot drink.

1-touch buttons with LED indicators – make it very simple to use, especially the labels. 

Keep warm function – for those times when you’ve boiled your water but then your phone rings.

Memory feature – taken the kettle off too early? Pop it back down and it’ll continue boiling from where it left off.

Blue backlit water window – so it’s easy to see how much water is in the kettle.

360° swivel base – making it good for both left- and right-handed users.

Removable scale filter – for easy care.

Sleep mode – if the kettle hasn’t been used for 5 minutes, it automatically switches to sleep mode. The heater and all lights turn off, saving you energy. 

Boil dry protection – an essential safety feature. 

Made of stainless steel – stainless steel can look better than plastic and be more durable and longer lasting. It’s more difficult to keep clean though, as water marks can stain it.

Instruction book – comes with tea recipes to help you make the most of the kettle’s preset temperatures. Ginger jasmine martini anyone? 

Loved by Aussies – it’s currently the most well-rated kettle on ProductReview.com.au.

3-year warranty – which sort of justifies the high-end price.

The not-so-good bits

Not tested by CHOICE – so we don’t really know how it performs under test conditions (although we have a good idea of it in real Aussie kitchens).

Price – at RRP $199, this is a real investment kettle, especially as our Kmart pick (see below) has most of the same features but costs just $60. 

Non-repairable parts – if parts of your kettle fail after the 3-year warranty period, Cuisinart tells you to buy a new product. 

In summary 

In search of the perfect cup of tea? Try the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Programmable. With 6 preset temperature functions, it reckons it nails the perfect temperature for the perfect brew. Easy to use, thanks to its large 1-touch labelled buttons, and some extra features, like a backlit water window and a keep warm function, goes some way to explaining its $199 price. Anyone not too fussed by tea perfection need not apply.

The Competition

Out of the hundreds of kettles on the Australian market, these are the others we think are worth considering. 

Russell Hobbs Lunar RHK62

For a kettle with a little personality, you’ll love the ruby red Russell Hobbs Lunar RHK62. The illuminated blue water window easily shows you how much water is in the kettle. It also shows you in cups, not ml, which is highly user-friendly. 

It has a removable, washable filter and quiet boil technology. It comes from Canstar Blue’s #1 kettle brand, with Aussies awarding it 5 stars for overall customer satisfaction, performance, ease of use, noise, design, plus functions and features. It has great, although very limited, consumer reviews and it’s also been tested by CHOICE.

Choose this if – a quiet kettle is important to you and you’d like to stick around the $100 mark. 

Dualit Classic 72790

Get a café-worthy kettle at home with the Dualit Classic 72790. This is a seriously good-looking kettle, with silver and copper accents. It’s got good but incredibly limited consumer reviews, and it’s also been tested by CHOICE. It has a large silicon covered grip for easy handling and a self-proclaimed ‘non-drip spout’. The lid is hinged, and it comes with a 2-year warranty. Anti-wobble feet keep it stable on your benchtop and it has the standard features: removable, washable filter; 360° base; and boil dry protection. 

And that’s it. With a RRP of $179, this kettle is more about form than function – although its element is repairable, which is definitely nice to see.

Choose this – if looks are more important than functionality to you, and you’re willing to pay around $180 for it. 

Sunbeam KE9550 Perfectly Pure Glass Kettle 

Want to see what your water is up to? Watch it bubble away with the Sunbeam KE9550 Perfectly Pure Glass Kettle. It features Sunbeam’s Dual Shield Protection, which they reckon helps it resist knocks and bumps better. It also has Dual Shield Insulation for water that’s hotter for longer. Finally, Dual Shield Heat Resistance reduces the external surface temperature making it cool to touch.

Another fancy, but wholly unnecessary feature, is the blue glow which illuminates the base of the kettle while it’s working. Cup measurements are on the side of the kettle and it has everything you’d expect, including a 360° base. It comes with a 12-month warranty and a RRP of $89.95. Because it’s glass, you’ll need to clean it thoroughly and regularly to avoid a visible build-up of limescale. 

It’s been reviewed by CHOICE and Sunbeam is also Canstar Blue’s 5th most popular kettle brand. It currently has no reviews on ProductReview.com.au.

Choose this if – you want a glass kettle to watch the water bubble, enhanced by a blue illumination, for less than $100.

Kmart 1.7L Kettle with Variable Temperature

For a lot of fancy functionality, without the price tag of our runner-up, consider the Kmart 1.7L Kettle with Variable Temperature. For just $60, you’re getting multiple temperature options. There are 5 1-touch buttons, for green, white, oolong and black tea, plus coffee. It also has a keep warm function. It’s a clear glass jug, so you can watch the water boil. You get a 12-month warranty too.

Kmart is Canstar Blue’s #3 kettle brand and is has an over 4-star rating on ProductReview.com.au, although this is from a limited number of reviews. It hasn’t been tested by CHOICE. 

Choose this if – you want the functionality of our runner-up, but not the price and you’re happy to potentially compromise on quality and durability.

Kambrook 1.5 BPA Free Glass KKE760CLR

If you like the look of our winner but would like an upgrade, consider the Kambrook 1.5 BPA Free Glass KKE760CLR. For RRP $79.95, you’re getting an elegant looking glass kettle. But other than that, it’s packing most of the features of our winner, including a 1-touch pop-up lid, 360° base, removable and washable filter and boil dry protection. It has the same 12-month warranty. 

It has good reviews on ProductReview.com and Kambrook is well-rated by Aussie consumers, coming in 4th on Canstar Blue’s kettle brands survey. 

Choose this if – you want an upgrade from our winner – which basically means a glass kettle.

Morphy Richards Accents Traditional

For the look of a stovetop kettle, which is actually an electric one, meet the Morphy Richards Accents Traditional. Coming in a range of colours, including black, red, white and plum, this triangular shaped kettle is all about the looks. 

It has a locking lid, although it’s a little tricky to get off as it’s underneath the handle, and the standard features like a 360° base, water level window, removable filter and boil dry protection. 

It does have an optional whistle on boil, for that authentic stovetop kettle experience. It comes with a 2-year warranty and a RRP of $139.95. Although it has a good number of consumer reviews, they’re middling. 

Choose this if – you want the looks of a stovetop kettle but the convenience of an electric one.

The Bottom Line

A kettle is a simple but essential part of your kitchen kit, allowing you to quickly whip up the hot drink of your choice. Most kettles are packing the same standard features, from a 360° base to a removable filter. Pay more, and you’ll enjoy a better-looking kettle and perhaps some tea-specific temperature options.

We reckon the Kambrook Aquarius BPA Free KAK60 kettle is Australia’s best no-frills electric kettle. Easy to use and clean, it quickly and reliably boils water and has everything you need, like a wide spout and dual water level windows. It’s loved by some Aussies and CHOICE has put it through its paces, making it worth your $30 investment.

If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, consider the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Programmable. According to ProductReview.com.au, it’s the most loved kettle in Australia. That’s probably because of its 6 preset water temperature for different tea types. Or it could be the keep warm function, or memory feature. If you’re keen on the perfect cuppa, you’ll need to pay around $200 for it.