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Choosing an electric kettle that’s easy to use (view report contents)

Guide to types of kettles

You may know which type of kettle you want. If not, here is our guide to the four types there are to choose from. It's easier to decide on what type to go for before thinking about individual models.

Jug or traditional?

Jug kettles are tall with a handle at the side. Traditional kettles are rounder and squat with the handle on top.

Jug kettles can be more difficult to lift and carry when they are full because you need more strength in your wrists and arms to support the weight of the kettle from the side. Because the handle is on the top of a traditional kettle it is more evenly balanced. Gives a more even distribution of the weight. Also most of their handles are big enough for you to hold them with both hands. And if you have weak or painful arms or shoulders you may find it easier to hold the handle with the palm of your hand, which you can't do with a jug kettle. A lot depends on the shape of the handle - see the summaries for our comments on their comfort.

On the plus side you can boil a very small amount of water in any jug kettle, as little as a single cupful. This makes them lighter to lift and carry and saves electricity. Most corded traditional kettles and some cordless ones have to be filled with more water.

Cordless or Corded?

Cordless kettles fit onto a base which plugs into the mains - you don't have to connect and disconnect the flex every time you use it. The drawback is that you cannot pour without lifting the kettle off its base first. And you cannot use cordless kettles with a kettle tipper - a device that the kettle straps into which allows you to pour easily, but you can't use one of these with a cordless kettle. (for more about kettle tippers see our report on adapting your home).

Plastic or metal?

All the jug kettles we looked at were plastic. The traditional kettles were metal apart from the Morphy Richards Filtermaster 43330 and the Swan Classic D03.which were plastic.

The main difference between the metal and the plastic kettles was that the metal ones were generally more expensive. They were more likely to get very hot - see Safety.

Most of the plastic kettles we assessed were white, but around half were also available in other colours. If you have poor sight, check the colour contrast and therefore the visibility, of the labelling.

 

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Report contents

Introduction
Guide to types of kettles
Buying Guide
Test Results
Quick checklist for kettles

Kettles - Grip
Kettles - Sight
Manufacturers Addresses