It’s fast too – the minimum quantity of 250ml boils in under one minute and one litre boils in just over two. We fill each kettle from the tap and test the pouring precision into a hot water bottle, looking for splashing and spillages. Some kettles have additional smart features, such as allowing you to set the kettle to boil or check the water temperature from an app on your phone.

It took on average under two minutes to boil a litre of water and a little over a minute to boil half a litre (its minimum capacity). It boils one cup of water in under 45 seconds, so it’s ideal for people who usually only make one hot drink at a time. Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. This kettle is among the most compact we’ve tested and the wide, rounded spout makes for fast filling, providing a clean and accurate pour. Other smart features include pre-programmed temperature buttons for different hot drinks and a "keep warm" setting to retain the water temperature for a certain amount of time.We assess a range of taks, including inserting bread into the slots and pushing the lever down, removing items without burning your fingers, using the controls and the crumb tray, and whether the instructions are clear and easy to understand. Unfortunately, the water gauge only goes down to 500ml, despite the minimum quantity being half that, and the outer casing can get quite hot, so you’ll need to pay attention when using it. Variable temperature kettles can heat the water to different temperatures to provide the best results when brewing different types of tea and coffee.

Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. We look at how easy the kettle is to use based on how clear the water level gauge is to see, whether the filter is easy to remove for cleaning and refit, and how comfortable the kettle is to hold.This modern Salter kettle stood out for its ease of use – it boasts a removable limescale filter, a swivel base and a boil-dry sensor. Jug kettles are taller, tend to have handles located on the side and will generally hold a larger volume of water. We tested this two-slice toaster in our lab and found that it was easy to clean - but you'll have to read our full review to find out if it also makes fantastic toast. Models tested before December 2010 do not have a result for this test, but will have a browning coverage rating instead. Blossom enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols for hundreds of items.

Kettle testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute is thirsty work, but our tests involve more than just sipping hot drinks all day. A power element of 3kW is generally considered best for fast boiling and all of our top-scoring kettles have this wattage.If you’re just putting on the kettle for one cup of tea, it’s worth checking the minimum capacity your kettle can boil. A kettle is an essential appliance in any kitchen and with our stylish choices, there is something to complement any kitchen decor. This De’Longhi kettle took under a minute to boil the minimum water quantity of 300ml (about one mug), so you can heat exactly what you need. Passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for our readers, she has tested everything from blenders to pizza ovens. Often, those with a brushed stainless steel exterior reach hotter temperatures than other materials – not ideal if you have young children in the kitchen.