01.Introduction
Test results for 18 kettles priced from $9 to $129.
When consumers contact us about kettles, noise is one of their main complaints. Some models have been compared to low-flying jets and even pneumatic drills. An exaggeration, perhaps, but it's true some kettles are much noisier than others.
Even though most kettles boil in just a few minutes, the noise can still be a nuisance, especially in an open plan kitchen/living room. So to help you choose one that boils not just quickly and efficiently, but also quietly, CHOICE put 18 kettles to the test. We scored them on:
- How easy they are to use.
- How quickly they boil.
- How energy efficient they are.
- How noisy they are in operation.
For more information on Benchtop Appliances, see our Kitchen section.
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Models tested
- Bellini BTDK120
- Breville Avance BKE200
- Breville Emporia BKE400
- Cuisinart CJK-17BCA
- DeLonghi Icona KBO2001.R
- Homemaker WK8261A
- Homemaker HMF-2551
- Kambrook KSK110
- Kambrook Aquarius Cordfree KAK36
- Maxim JLS-170A
- Modern Living MLKSS10
- Russell Hobbs Whisper Abbey Lane RHG701 #
- Russell Hobbs Whisper Ascot 3050 #
- Russell Hobbs Whisper 3090
- Sunbeam KE2350
- Sunbeam Peace and Quiet KE7500S
- Sunbeam KE6400
- Tefal Broadway KI101D33ip #
# Discontinued.
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How we test
Ease of use Our tester, Peter Horvath, scores each of the following equally weighted factors:
Controls, filling, pouring, removing/replacing on the base, water level indicator, balance and handle comfort.
Noise He measures the noise at the halfway point when boiling one litre. A noise level of 40dB is quiet, while 55dB-60dB is equivalent to normal conversation, and 67dB is equivalent to a typical vacuum cleaner.
Boil performance The time taken to boil one litre of water initially at about 22°C. The lowest score equates to three minutes 37 seconds; the highest score to two minutes 57 seconds.
Energy efficiency The energy required to boil one litre of water initially at about 22°C. All the kettles are efficient; each uses about 110Wh to do this.
Other tests The kettles are also assessed (but not scored) dry-boil safety. All switch off automatically when they boil dry.
Running costs are based on boiling 1L of water two times per day for the entire year. Electricity costs are 20c/kWh.
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