Each toaster and kettle set undergoes real-world testing in a typical domestic setting, taking into consideration their usability, convenience, capacity and how easy they are to maintain and keep clean. The kettle’s weight when empty and full, is also noted. If you're fussy about how brown it gets (hey, no judgement here), look for machines with adjustable shade settings. The coordinating toaster has a high lift function to help prevent burnt fingers and even a reheat button, which is a useful extra on an affordable model such as this. Homemade bread fitted in the slots comfortably, even though they’re not the widest, and toast emerged evenly done, with only slight singeing at one corner. The toaster comes in a two- or four-slice version, the latter of which we tested. Its wide slots, lift-and-look feature, defrost and reheat buttons make it ideal for any busy household, especially one where it’s out on display, so its elegant exterior can be properly appreciated. The external casing of some kettles can get extremely hot. Often, those with a brushed stainless steel exterior reach hotter temperatures than other materials – not ideal if you have young children in the kitchen. Kettles with an auto shut-off feature will automatically stop when water begins to boil or if the kettle is lifted from its base.

Firstly, design — is it going to colour co-ord with your existing scheme? Secondly, speed, because we have *not* got time to hang around waiting for our brew, and finally, noise, because no one wants a kettle that sounds like it’s about to take off. Filters: If you’re in a hard water area, look for the best kettle with built-in filters that will soften hard water. The kettle’s stainless steel body is more of a benefit inside, where it should make descaling easier. Even the kettle’s internal minimum and maximum markers are made from steel – although, disappointingly, they’re the only water markers the kettle has, and the minimum is hard to see while filling. The Russell Hobbs Structure Kettle is easier to fill thanks to its rear window. Russell Hobbs is a leading kettle brand that has landed three models in our list, which we think says a lot about quality and reliability. There are also Russell Hobbs kettles to suit every budget.

This set’s glossy faceted exterior with geometric shapes belies its modest price. Despite being one of the more affordable options in our roundup, it still has some premium features, such as a defrost option on the toaster and internal kettle illumination. Fortunately, it’s not a case of style over substance. The kettle boiled a litre of cold water in two minutes and 20 seconds and was easy to lift and pour from. Filling was less straightforward – there aren’t any markings on the water window and there’s only a max marker inside, meaning you may end up boiling more water than you need each time. However, we did like the discreet light on the lever and the kettle’s good build quality overall. The mirror-like stainless-steel parts of the kettle at the top will be more of a challenge to keep spotless – during testing, I found that watermarks and fingerprint smudges tended to show up daily. We all covet KitchenAid gadgets. If you want a bit of the iconic KitchenAid style (in a range of colours) in your kitchen but can’t quite stretch to the stand mixer, this Artisan Kettle might fill a hole on your work surface and in your heart. Safety features: You might also want to go for a kettle with plastic rather than stainless steel casing so that the body of the kettle never gets too hot. An auto shut-off feature will stop the kettle from boiling if it's lifted from its base.

There’s a lot more to kettles than just boiling water for your brew. Here are some features you may want to consider investing in: Bagels are best toasted in a model with v ariable width slots that won't squish them, while a high lift function does what you'd expect, meaning no burnt fingers. Do your kettle and toaster have to match? Fill it at the top and a blue light glows through the glass, getting brighter as it boils, which is a nice touch. It's relatively quiet when boiling too. The tank holds enough for five to seven cups of tea if you do want to make several and it delivers a cup very speedily (less than a minute). It takes up slightly more space on the work surface than a standard kettle, but looks very sleek and unobtrusive.Smart features: The fanciest of kettles now have smart features, meaning you can switch on your kettle from your app or keep it warm so your cup of tea is only seconds away when you walk in the door. How much should I spend on the best kettle? Size: First, decide where your kettle is going to live in your kitchen as size will dictate your product choice.

Energy efficiency: One-cup or eco-friendly kettles are better for the environment and will use much less energy than standard kettles. An auto shut-off feature will also help to save energy. It's double-walled so it’s never too hot to touch - a boon in a kitchen with children about, and its safety credentials are top-notch. It’s got cord storage, a 360-degree, non-slip base and a soft-touch handle that won’t slip in your hands.This isn’t the cheapest kettle you can buy, but for the price, you’re getting one that’s pretty close in spec to more expensive models. But before making your all-important choice, here’s a handy guide on the features to look out for: What makes a good kettle? Variable temperature: A kettle that offers multiple temperature settings is useful if you use it for coffee and some teas like Oolong, which are both best made at a slightly lower temperature. Warm water can also be used to heat a baby bottle or pouch. Some of the best kettles also have a keep-warm feature. In testing, the Mesmerine’s powerful 3kW element boiled a litre of water from cold in just 2mins 6secs, while the maximum of 1.6 litres took 3mins 3secs. That makes the Mesmerine as fast a kettle as you can expect. We think the best kettle is the Bosch Styline TWK8633GB Cordless Kettle for its brilliant safety features and added extras that make it a real pleasure to use.

A power element of 3kW is generally considered best for fast boiling and all of our top-scoring kettles have this wattage.Integrated cord storage keeps everything tidy and safe, and it’s very easy to use. Not only is it lightweight (ideal if you have weak wrists), it also sits on a 360-degree base, which is handy if you’re left-handed or live with a leftie as you can swivel it to wherever you want it to sit. The kettle has a wider than usual spout but still pours smoothly. There’s also a clearly marked water window, showing the max and min fill, as well as cups from four to seven (not litres). Its water window lights up blue when it’s on, while a button on the lid flips it up for filling – good for those who sometimes mix up levers. It’s speedy, too: a litre of cold water took just two minutes and 12 seconds to boil. What could prove to be a problem is the kettle’s minimum fill – around 900ml – meaning that if you only want to make one or two small cups, you will always be boiling more than you need. Far clearer is the kettle’s removable limescale filter – inside the spout it’s actually labelled ‘filter’, so you don’t forget to give it a regular wash. Dome-shaped kettles look more like traditional stovetop models. Electric dome kettles often have lift-off lids, which can be a bit more fiddly than flip-top models to use, and these kettles usually have a smaller water capacity. Their handles are often located on top, too. And while there are plenty of kettles that can boil water effectively, it can be worth investing in extra features to make your tea breaks as pleasant as possible. If you live in a hard water area, built-in filters can help to soften water to improve your brews and lessen the impact of limescale. Quiet kettles are great for small spaces, especially if you're brewing up near a napping baby. And energy-efficient kettles can help you save money on your monthly bills.