Which kettle brand is the most reliable?

We’ve investigated the performance and reliability of the biggest kettle brands, including Russell Hobbs, Breville, Asda, Morphy Richards, DeLonghi and Kenwood.

For our small appliance survey we asked 7,911 UK kettle owners, including Which? members and members of the public, if they are happy with their kettle and if they've had any problems with it. This unique data shows which brands come recommended by owners and which brands you’re better off avoiding.

Our round up of the best kettles will help you decide on the right kettle for you.

Only logged-in Which? members can see which brands achieved the ratings and verdicts in the table below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Which kettle brands develop the fewest faults?

This table summarises what we found about how quickly kettle brands develop faults or stop working, based on kettles bought in the past six years.

Looking for a speedy brew while saving money on your electricity bills? See our guide to the best energy-saving kettles.

Which kettle brands do owners recommend?

 As well as faults, our survey also revealed which kettle brands owners feel happy with – and which they’d recommend to a friend.

These results are shown as each brand’s customer score, and is based on kettles bought in the past six years.

Go to our kettle reviews to compare all the kettles we've tested

The three most common kettle faults

Taking good care of your kettle – such as regularly cleaning out the limescale filter and using the correct mechanism to open the lid every time – could help you avoid falling victim to the three most common kettle faults identified in our survey.

1. Heating element stops working (27% of all faults)

Over a quarter of reported issues involved a kettle's heating element. Considering the primary function of kettles is to boil water, a malfunctioning heating element is pretty serious.  

Various factors could lead to a kettle's heating element failing, including a damaged power cord or a broken internal fuse.

In such cases, we advise seeking professional help unless you're a qualified electrician, as attempting to tinker with the kettle's workings could be dangerous. 

2. Lid stops working properly (14%)

The second most common problem encountered in kettles is a faulty lid.

This includes issues such as the lid failing to open, or even the lid popping open during the boiling process.

You can prevent issues with your kettle's lid by never forcing it open or slamming it closed.

3. Limescale problems (13%)

Limescale problems are almost entirely preventable, yet they account for more than 10% of kettle faults.

The most common limescale issues Which? members encountered were the filters and spouts becoming blocked with limescale, or a build-up of limescale inside their kettle leading to flaky deposits in hot drinks. 

You can prolong the life of your kettle by cleaning it regularly. Head to our guide on how to descale a kettle for hints and tips.

Can a broken kettle be repaired?

Luckily, faulty lids and limescale problems can often be easily rectified without needing to call in the experts.

If you're in any doubt, check your appliance's instruction manual for a troubleshooting guide.

For more serious faults, such as a broken heating element, you may need to make a call on whether it's worth even attempting a repair. If your kettle is pretty basic, you may be better off buying a new one. Consider a repairable brand, if possible.

Which kettle brands offer the best guarantees?

If your faulty kettle was purchased recently, you may be entitled to a repair or replacement.

Most kettle brands have a guarantee between one to two years, but there are a handful of brands that offer longer cover, including:

• Tower – offers a three-year guarantee when you register your product after purchase.
• Russell Hobbs – offers a two-year guarantee from the date of purchase as standard. To claim an extra year, you can register your product online.
• Smeg – offers guarantees of up to five years, depending on the model.
• KitchenAid – offers guarantees of varying lengths, depending on the model. We've tested one kettle with a guarantee of three years.

Faulty product? How to get a refund, repair or replacement.

How we discover the most reliable kettle brands

Which? has a wealth of information on Britain’s favourite kettle brands. 

We regularly contact Which? Connect Panel members and ask them to tell us about the kitchen appliances they own, including whether or not they would recommend a brand, as well as how long the products last when they get them home. 

This year, 10,718 Which? members and members of the public told us about more than 30,000 individual products, including over 7,000 kettles.

Our survey, combined with our rigorous lab tests, means we can recommend the best kettle brands for you, as well as some you may want to avoid. 

For more on what it takes to be a Best Buy, head to how we test kettles.