Finally there's the Vario, which has a red switch to select the number of slots you want to control. Filters that reduce limescale are invaluable if you live in a hard-water area and don’t want to be descaling your kettle on a regular basis.

Our overall best kettle was the De'Longhi Ballerina Kettle, which we rate for its usability and temperature-control functions. The Dualit Architect kettle also wins our approval for its sturdy build and good looks, and the Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle is the quietest kettle we tested. Why do I need a kettle? There’s a water level indicator on each side – one in litres, the other in cups. And the limescale filter is made from fine-cut metal rather than a mesh, making it much more durable than most. Features-wise it’s a straightforward kettle though, with no choice of water temperature or keep warm function. Dualit Classic Kettle – What’s it like to use? 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).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. There's also the AWS, which is the one I tested. This is similar to the NewGen but it doesn't have the bagel setting.

The idea is probably that you should fill the kettle via the spout instead, but the spout is fairly small so using the lid would have been easier. Top of our must-have list is that it’s easy is it to hold, fill and pour. If you often refill a kettle as soon as it has boiled, choose one with a flip-top lid you don’t have to take off manually. This is really important to avoid the risk of scalding yourself on steam when you open it. If you look, you can even see that the toaster is put together with a regular Philips-head screw whereas most other toasters are designed so you can’t get into them to fix them safely. This is what commitment to the environment looks like in practice. We’d recommend saving money and getting the superb value double wall insulated Tefal Safe to Touch Kettle, or the mid-priced and beautifully designed Morphy Richards Prism Traditional Kettle. Or if you do want a big-budget kettle consider the Sage Smart Kettle which also offers a range of temperatures for perfect tea. Verdict 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. FAQs When's the best time to buy a 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.

It took a pretty average 2m34s to boil a litre of water that started out at 14⁰C from the tap. We measured the temperature after 10 mins (86⁰C) and again after 30 mins (73⁰C), which are a bit warmer than most – this is a kettle that holds its heat fairly well. The Classic kettle by Dualit is truly made to last in any kitchen. It's a striking addition to your countertop, with the stainless steel body that comes with a range of delightful finishes, from limestone to evergreen and many in between. The antii-wobble feet gives better improved stability in the countertop when it's boiling. The patented Whisper Boil method reduces the noise levels while boiling water. Seeing how much water is in the kettle, which has a 1.7 L capacity, is simple. There are two windows to see the water level, telling you the amount of water in cups and litres. These windows are both BPA free for even more safety assurance. Never fear if you accidentally boil the kettle with no water - the safety cut-off will trigger. Part of the Classic Series Filling the Dualit isn’t a great experience. As mentioned above, the spout is small but lifting the lid is a faff.We didn’t notice the kettle being unusually quiet, despite it boasting the Quiet Mark, but it certainly wasn’t especially loud. For one, the toaster is made in Britain, one of the very few small electric appliances that still are, so there are fewer airmiles. But most crucially they are both built to be repaired which is absolutely essential to prevent waste.