Five of the worst kettles

Aussies love a good cup of tea but often there's more to a kettle than just boiling water. There are many innovations and sophisticated models on the market, such as temperature control, constant boil, noise reduction and pretty finishes like stainless steel or vividly coloured plastics.

But if a kettle drips and dribbles, leaks water, makes a deafening noise as it boils, or is just plain awkward to use, all the bells and whistles in the world won't make your tea break the relaxing ritual it should be.

With price tags ranging from $20 to $200, don't be fooled into thinking all kettles are the same.

The five worst models we tested

CHOICE tested 23 kettles – here are the ones to avoid. 

Morphy Richards Illuma Jug 43128 costs $160 and scored 68% 

• Noisy
• The kettle has to be tilted a fair way towards the end of the pour and it becomes uncomfortable on the wrist to hold
• Water level is difficult to see

Russell Hobbs Heritage Kettle RHK32BLK costs $100 and scored 69%

• The kettle has to be tilted a fair way towards the end of the pour and it becomes uncomfortable on the wrist to hold
• Noisy

Russell Hobbs Seville 18152AU costs $50 and scored 70%

• Noisy
• The lid doesn't swing back far enough to fill it up easily
• The filter is difficult to remove from the kettle for cleaning

Sunbeam Retro Kettle KE5200 costs $100 and scored 70%

• The kettle has to be tilted a fair way towards the end of the pour and it becomes uncomfortable on the wrist to hold
• Noisy
• The water level is not easy to see

Raco Deco 53644-C costs $100 and scored 70%

• The lid is difficult to remove
• Noisy

What to look for when buying a kettle

Many of our tests reveal that you don't have to shell out a lot of money for a product that performs well, and kettles are no different. CHOICE's content producer Kim Gilmour says even the cheapest model will do the job but will have different features such as variable temperature control (handy for making specialty teas, which require lower brewing temperatures). 

"Some are noisier than others, or can be bulky or difficult to pour," adds Kim. "Personal preference also plays a part: you may prefer a glass or metal finish rather than a plastic look, or one with a removable lid rather than a hinge. Some are also sold with matching toasters. 

"Ongoing reliability is something we can't test in the lab at the moment, but we are hoping to survey members about kettle reliability in the near future. In the meantime, if you're a member, you can read other members' reviews on choice.com.au." 

Also, check out our kettles buying guide – it's free to read, even if you're not a member.

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