Need to know
- Our expert kettle reviews covers 60+ models to help you decide which is best for you and your budget
- All kettles boil water (obviously!) but we test each kettle's noise level, the energy used, the time taken to boil one litre of water and how easy they are to operate
- Consider becoming a CHOICE member to access independent reviews for products and services across 200+ categories
Aussies love a good cuppa, but there's more to a kettle than just boiling water.
The models on the market are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with features such as temperature control, constant boil and noise reduction, plus a range of pretty finishes and vivid colours.
Tea time and testing at CHOICE.
But if a kettle drips and dribbles, is far too loud or just hard to hold, all the bells and whistles in the world won't make your tea break the relaxing ritual it should be.
Of course it's impossible to know just by looking at one instore or online.
That's why our lab experts put more than 70 popular models through a range of tough tests – from boil time and noise levels, to ease of use and more – to ensure you get the best cuppa you can.
Our tests found some great kettles, both budget and high-end, alongside some really mediocre models that were truly off the boil, ranging in price from $15 to over $500.
We don't want you to end up with a dud buy, so here are the products that scored lowest in our lab tests. Consider becoming a CHOICE member to see the best performers.
Vintage look, vintage performance.
Fellow Clyde Electric Tea Kettle ECLMB-AU
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 65%
- Price: $200
This kettle sure looks stylish sitting on your countertop, with its vintage-style design and sleek stainless steel finish.
But if you like to make your tea in peace, be aware it's very noisy. CHOICE experts measure the noise at the halfway point when boiling a litre of water, and this kettle received the lowest score in our test (alongside six other models).
It's also not particularly fast, taking 3 minutes and 25 seconds to boil a litre of water, with a Boil Performance score of 69%. Our experts also noted there is no audible noise to let you know the boiling process is complete so you'll have to keep checking in to see if it's ready.
If you like to make your tea in peace, be aware its very noisy
If you're willing to fork out a couple of hundred dollars for a good-looking kettle, we won't judge. But there are plenty of cheaper models that our experts rated better in our testing, including ones that will give you a quieter (and faster) start to the day.
Read the full Fellow Clyde Kettle review.
All style, no substance: the Bugatti Jackie kettle.
Bugatti Jackie 02-JKCRNU
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 65%
- Price: $529
No, that's not a typo: this kettle costs more than FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
And what does your money get you? A kettle that looks like one of those 90s handbags that have come back into fashion. But it's noisy and is a pain to use.
This Bugatti isn't from the makers of the wildly expensive car brand (it's an entirely different company, apparently), but it's certainly priced as though it is.
And what does your money get you? A kettle that looks like one of those 90s handbags that have come back into fashion
In case you thought this was the most expensive kettle you've ever seen, think again. This is the cheaper version; the more formally-named Jaqueline sells for over $800.
It doesn't look vastly different to the Jackie but connects to a Bugatti app, so you can set it to boil for every tea break you have through the day.
The Bugatti Jackie kettle is awkward to use.
But back to the 'cheap' version. Why did it receive such a low rating from our experts?
First of all, it's noisy: it registered at 62 decibels when we measured it from 50cm away. By comparison, the quietest kettles we tested boil at around 50 decibels.
It might not seem like much difference, but you'd hope that a kettle this expensive would be whisper-quiet.
Or maybe you'd actually want it to make a racket so guests can't help but pay attention to your swanky new appliance!
Aside from bringing the noise, our experts noted that it's difficult to see the indicator light, and strangely the water level markings are inside the kettle, rather than on the outside, so you need to remove the lid to see how much water is inside.
And in a clear case of form over function, despite the Jackie's supposedly sophisticated design, it's actually quite awkward to use: the kettle only fits into the base in two configurations, so you need to line it up before you put it back on the base.
You could buy an entire coffee machine, not just a kettle, for the price
Considering that you could buy an entire coffee machine, not just a kettle, for the price, we think it's very much not worth your money. (You should also avoid the Bugatti Volo toaster for similar reasons.)
Check out the best coffee machines for less than $600 or if you're curious, read the full Bugatti Jackie review.
Quantum kettle, quantum noise.
Sunbeam Quantum KE6310
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 66%
- Price: $80
Like your peace and quiet? Then don't buy this kettle, which boils very loudly at 65.3 decibels.
When it comes to ease of use (which makes up 40% of our CHOICE Expert Rating), it's a mixed bag.
Like your peace and quiet? Then don't buy this kettle
On the upside, it's easy to pour and you don't have to tilt it much at the end, so it's easy on the wrist.
On the downside, the water level markers are difficult to see and the indicator light is quite faint, which makes it hard to see in a bright room.
Our testing found Sunbeam makes some great kettles – this just isn't one of them. See the full Sunbeam Quantum review.
The DeLonghi Argento prioritises style over substance.
DeLonghi Argento KBX2016.W1
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 66%
- Price: $139
It might have the style, but unfortunately this DeLonghi doesn't back it up with substance.
Our testers found it awkward to use: from removing the lid, to pouring the water, to checking the water level and replacing the filter, it isn't a great experience.
It might have the style, but this DeLonghi doesn't back it up with substance
If you're not irritated by those aspects, the noise will probably get to you. Our experts classify its 65dB mid-boil reading as "Very noisy".
Read the full DeLonghi Argento review.
Full kettle racket: The DeLonghi Icona.
DeLonghi Icona KBO2001.S
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 67%
- Price: $109
Another model that needs a volume switch! At over 65 decibels, the Icona promises a full kettle racket when it boils.
It also has other curious quirks – among them, the water level isn't indicated below 1000mL and both the detachable lid and filter are fiddly to remove.
Not one of DeLonghi's best models
On the flipside, it offers good handle comfort and doesn't need much tilting to get the last of the water out. Not one of DeLonghi's best models, though.
Check our full kettle reviews if you're looking for a better DeLonghi.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family. And our recent sunscreens test showed just how important it is to keep business claims in check.
So you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
Learn more about CHOICE membership today
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
