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The best kettle in NZ for most people in 2026 is the KitchenAid KEK1701, a variable-temperature electric kettle that pairs a durable metal build with accurate temperature control. If you want that flexibility for less, the Breville TempPro is the value pick, while the Philips Series 7000 is the safest choice for homes with young children thanks to its cool-touch double wall.
New Zealand has almost no independent kettle-testing coverage, so this guide compares the ten most popular 1.7L electric kettles sold here using manufacturer specifications, NZ and AU retailer listings and verified owner reviews. We focus on the things that actually differ between kettles: temperature control, build quality, boil speed, noise and safety.
Quick comparison
| Kettle | Best for | Capacity | Temperature control | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. KitchenAid KEK1701 | Best variable-temperature kettle overall | 1.7L | Variable + chime | Cast-metal build |
| 2. Sunbeam French Riviera | Best-looking mid-budget kettle | 1.7L | On/off (100C) | Riviera styling, underglow |
| 3. Breville TempPro | Best value temperature kettle | 1.7L | 4 presets (80-100C) | Keep-warm 20 min |
| 4. Russell Hobbs Brooklyn | Best for quiet boiling | 1.7L | On/off (100C) | Quiet-boil, copper accent |
| 5. Breville Soft Top Dual | Best simple one-touch kettle | 1.7L | On/off (100C) | Soft-top lid |
| 6. Breville Smart Kettle | Best for tea variety | 1.7L | 5 presets (80-100C) | Five brew presets |
| 7. Philips Series 7000 | Best safe-to-touch (families) | 1.7L | 6 settings (40-100C) | Double wall + display |
| 8. Russell Hobbs Carlton | Best budget stainless everyday | 1.7L | On/off (100C) | Low price, 2-yr warranty |
| 9. Russell Hobbs Addison | Best keep-warm function | 1.7L | 5 presets (70-100C) | Keep-warm up to 2 hours |
| 10. Braun Breakfast1 | Best for fast everyday boiling | 1.7L | On/off (100C) | Fast boil, 4-way safety |
The 10 best kettles in NZ
KitchenAid KEK1701
Best for: The kitchen where temperature accuracy and a premium feel matter most.
The KitchenAid KEK1701 is the pick to beat if you want genuine temperature control without a plastic-heavy build. It boils to a set temperature and sounds a chime when it gets there, so green tea drinkers and pour-over coffee makers are not left guessing. Owners consistently describe the full-metal body and push-button lid as feeling closer to a small appliance than a throwaway jug.
Retailer specs list a 1.7L capacity, a 2000-2400W element and a brushed stainless interior with a removable limescale filter. The premium spout is designed for a slow, controlled pour, and reviewers note it lives up to that with very little dribble down the front. The 360 degree base suits left or right-handed benches. At roughly 25.6cm tall it is a fairly large jug, so measure your under-cabinet clearance before buying.
The main trade-off is that this is a heavier, more expensive kettle than most on this list, and the metal exterior gets warm to the touch during a boil, unlike the double-walled Philips further down. For anyone who brews different drinks at different temperatures, though, it is the most polished all-rounder here.
Pros:
- Accurate variable temperature with an end-of-boil chime
- Durable full-metal construction and controlled-pour spout
- Removable limescale filter and 360 degree base
Cons:
- Among the pricier options
- Metal body warms up during boiling; taller footprint
Key specs: Model KEK1701 (Empire Red). 1.7L, 2000-2400W, variable temperature, removable limescale filter, 360 base, approx 25.6 x 21.8 x 16.3cm, 2-year replacement warranty.
Sunbeam French Riviera Kettle
Best for: A statement kettle that looks the part without a temperature-control price tag.
If styling is doing most of the deciding, the Sunbeam French Riviera is the easy answer. It is a straight boil-to-100 kettle rather than a variable-temperature model, but the matte metallic finish and the soft glow that lights up from below make it one of the better-looking jugs you can buy in this bracket. Sunbeam sells it in Morning Haze Blue, Graphite and White, so it can match rather than clash with a bench.
The published specs cover the essentials: 1.7L (about seven cups), a rapid-boil element, a 360 degree power base, an easy-fill push-button lid and a 3-way safety system that guards against boil-dry and overheating. At 257 x 212 x 161mm and around 1.2kg it is a compact, light kettle that is easy to lift and pour. The 900mm cord tucks into base storage.
The obvious limitation is that there is no temperature selection, so tea purists chasing an exact 80 degrees for green tea should look at the Breville or Philips models instead. Owner feedback also points out the gloss finish shows fingerprints. As a good-looking everyday boiler, however, it punches above its price.
Pros:
- Distinctive Riviera styling with gentle underglow illumination
- Light, compact 1.7L body that is easy to pour
- 3-way safety system with boil-dry protection
Cons:
- Single temperature only (boils to 100C)
- Metallic finish shows fingerprints
Key specs: Model KEM8107BL (Blue). 1.7L, rapid boil (2400W class), 360 base, push-button lid, 3-way safety, 257 x 212 x 161mm, approx 1.2kg, 12-month warranty.
Breville TempPro Kettle
Best for: Getting real temperature presets for a lot less than a top-tier smart kettle.
The Breville TempPro is the sweet spot for most buyers who want temperature control but do not want to pay flagship money. It offers four one-touch presets covering black tea, green tea, oolong and coffee, mapped to 80, 90, 95 and 100 degrees, which is enough range to cover almost every hot drink a household makes. Reviewers note the controls are clearly marked and easy to read at a glance.
Specs put it at 1.7L (seven cups), a 2200W element, a removable mesh scale filter and a cordless jug on a 360 degree base with cord storage. The standout convenience feature is Keep Warm, which holds the selected temperature for up to 20 minutes and can be switched on before, during or after heating, so a second cup does not mean a second boil. It comes in Matte Black and Cream.
The trade-off versus the pricier Breville Smart Kettle is one fewer preset and a part-plastic construction rather than full stainless. Keep-warm also runs for a shorter window than the Russell Hobbs Addison. For value-focused tea and coffee drinkers, though, it delivers the features that matter.
Pros:
- Four useful temperature presets for tea and coffee
- Keep-warm holds temperature for up to 20 minutes
- Removable mesh filter and tidy cord storage
Cons:
- Part-plastic build rather than full stainless
- Shorter keep-warm window than some rivals
Key specs: Model LKE642MTB2IAN1 (Matte Black). 1.7L, 2200W, 4 temperature presets (80/90/95/100C), keep-warm 20 min, removable mesh filter, 360 base, 16.8 x 20.2 x 26.2cm.
A temperature kettle is only half of a good coffee setup; it is worth pairing one with one of the best coffee grinders for fresher results.
Russell Hobbs Brooklyn Kettle
Best for: Kitchens where a loud boil is the dealbreaker, plus a bit of colour.
The Russell Hobbs Brooklyn earns its spot on noise. Its Quiet Boil technology is designed to cut the roar a kettle makes as it heats, which owners in open-plan homes and early risers tend to appreciate more than any spec sheet number. The Copper version pairs a matte black body with a copper band and a blue interior light, so it reads as a design piece rather than a basic jug.
Retailer listings show a 1.7L capacity, a 2400W element, a perfect-pour spout, a push-open lid, an easy-view water window and a removable, washable anti-scale filter on a 360 degree swivel base. At roughly 20 x 16.5 x 24cm it is a mid-sized kettle, and it carries a 2-year warranty, which is longer than several rivals here.
It is a boil-to-100 kettle with no temperature selection, so it is not the choice for someone chasing precise green-tea temperatures. A few owners also mention the copper band marks if not wiped down. As a quiet, good-looking everyday kettle backed by a longer warranty, it is a strong pick.
Pros:
- Quiet Boil technology noticeably reduces boiling noise
- Striking copper-and-black finish with blue interior light
- 2-year warranty and washable anti-scale filter
Cons:
- No temperature control (boils to 100C)
- Copper accent shows marks and fingerprints
Key specs: Model RHK92COP (Copper). 1.7L, 2400W, Quiet Boil, perfect-pour spout, washable anti-scale filter, 360 swivel base, approx 20 x 16.5 x 24cm, 2-year warranty.
Breville Soft Top Dual Kettle
Best for: Anyone who just wants a solid one-touch kettle and no menus.
Not everyone wants presets, and the Breville Soft Top Dual is the best straightforward kettle here for that buyer. Its signature feature is the soft-top lid, which releases steam gently and is designed to reduce the splash and hiss you get when a normal lid pops. Dual BPA-free water windows on both sides make it easy to see the level whichever way the jug is turned.
Specs list a 1.7L capacity, a 2400W rapid-boil element, a one-touch lid button, a removable stainless-steel scale filter and a cordless jug on a 360 degree base with a cord wrap. Reviewers highlight the brushed stainless finish as clean and fingerprint-resistant compared with gloss models, and the roughly 22 x 20 x 20cm footprint sits neatly under most cabinets.
The obvious limitation is that there is no temperature control at all, so tea drinkers who want anything below boiling should skip it. It is also a simpler proposition than the Smart Kettle from the same brand. As a fuss-free, well-built daily driver, though, it is hard to fault.
Pros:
- Soft-top lid reduces steam splash and noise
- Dual water windows and fingerprint-friendly brushed steel
- Fast 2400W boil with removable steel filter
Cons:
- No temperature selection
- Fewer features than the pricier Smart Kettle
Key specs: Model BKE425BSS (Brushed Stainless Steel). 1.7L, 2400W rapid boil, soft-top lid, dual water windows, removable steel filter, 360 base, approx 22 x 20 x 20cm.
Breville Smart Kettle
Best for: Tea households that switch between green, white, oolong and black.
The Breville Smart Kettle is the tea specialist of the group. It offers five dedicated temperature presets: Green (80), White (85), Oolong (90), Black (95) and a full Boil at 100 degrees, which covers the exact ranges different leaves want without any guesswork. For a household where several people drink different teas, that spread of presets is more genuinely useful than a single variable dial.
Published specs show a 1.7L capacity, a 2400W rapid-boil element, a soft-open lid and a keep-warm function that holds the chosen temperature for 20 minutes. Safety covers auto-off and boil-dry protection, and it ships with a 2-year warranty. The brushed stainless finish matches the rest of Breville’s kitchen range if you are building a matching set.
The trade-off is price: this sits at the upper end of the mainstream kettles here, and unlike the Philips it is single-walled, so the body warms during a boil. Owners occasionally wish the keep-warm ran longer. For serious tea drinkers, the preset range still makes it the most flexible brew kettle on the list.
Pros:
- Five brew presets covering green through black tea
- Keep-warm plus auto-off and boil-dry protection
- Brushed stainless build with 2-year warranty
Cons:
- One of the pricier picks here
- Single-walled, so the exterior warms during boiling
Key specs: Model BKE825BSS (Brushed Stainless Steel). 1.7L, 2400W, 5 presets (80/85/90/95/100C), keep-warm 20 min, auto-off and boil-dry protection, 2-year warranty.
If you make lattes or flat whites at home, these kettles work well alongside our guide to milk frothers.
Philips Series 7000 Double Walled Kettle
Best for: Homes with young kids where a cool-touch exterior is a priority.
The Philips Series 7000 is the safety-minded choice. Its double-walled design keeps the outside cool to the touch while the food-grade stainless inner pot does the heating, which is reassuring in a kitchen with curious small hands. A digital display sits in the handle and shows the live temperature against your setting, and there are six settings spanning 40 to 100 degrees, wider than most rivals here.
That temperature range makes it unusually versatile: as well as tea and coffee, it can hold lower temperatures suited to things like baby food, cocoa or instant noodles, and the keep-warm function maintains the set temperature so you do not need to reboil. Specs list a 1.7L capacity, an 1850-2200W element, a concealed element for easy cleaning, a 360 degree base, a spring-release lid and a cup indicator, at roughly 15.5 x 23 x 25.2cm.
The trade-offs are a slightly lower maximum wattage than the 2400W models, so boiling is a touch slower, and the double-wall build makes it one of the bulkier kettles on the bench. For families who value a safe, cool exterior and a wide temperature range, it is the standout.
Pros:
- Double wall stays cool to the touch
- Six temperature settings from 40 to 100C plus keep-warm
- Handle display shows live temperature; concealed element
Cons:
- Lower wattage means slightly slower boiling
- Bulkier footprint than single-wall jugs
Key specs: Model HD9396/90 (Black). 1.7L, 1850-2200W, double-walled safe-to-touch, 6 settings (40-100C), keep-warm, handle display, 360 base, approx 15.5 x 23 x 25.2cm, 2-year warranty.
Hard water shortens a kettle’s life, so many readers also look at water filter jugs to cut scale build-up.
Russell Hobbs Carlton Kettle
Best for: A no-nonsense stainless kettle when budget comes first.
The Russell Hobbs Carlton is the value stainless-steel pick. It skips temperature control and any illumination and instead does the basics well in a brushed stainless body that resists fingerprints better than gloss finishes. For a spare room, a rental, a first flat or anyone who simply wants to boil water reliably, it covers the essentials at one of the lowest entry points here.
Retailer specs list a 1.7L capacity, an element in the 1850-2200W range, a push-to-open lid, a water gauge, a perfect-pour spout and a 360 degree swivel base with cord storage that works for left or right-handed users. A removable, washable anti-scale filter and auto cut-off with boil-dry protection are included, and it carries a 2-year warranty that is generous for the price.
The trade-off is that it is a plain kettle: no temperature presets, no keep-warm and no lighting, and its wattage sits a little below the fastest 2400W models. If features are not the point and durability and price are, it is a sensible, honest choice.
Pros:
- Low price with a 2-year warranty
- Fingerprint-resistant brushed stainless finish
- Washable anti-scale filter and boil-dry protection
Cons:
- No temperature control, keep-warm or lighting
- Slightly lower wattage than the fastest models
Key specs: Model RHK82BRU (Brushed Stainless Steel). 1.7L, 1850-2200W, push-to-open lid, water gauge, washable anti-scale filter, 360 swivel base, 2-year warranty.
Russell Hobbs Addison Kettle
Best for: People who sip slowly and hate reboiling.
The Russell Hobbs Addison stands out for one number: its keep-warm function holds temperature for up to two hours, far longer than the 20-minute windows on the Breville models. If you graze on tea across a morning or work from home and return to the kettle repeatedly, that alone can justify it. It is a digital kettle with five presets covering 70, 80, 90, 95 and 100 degrees.
That 70-degree low setting is genuinely useful for delicate green teas that scorch at higher temperatures, and it is lower than most rivals here reach. Specs list a 1.7L capacity, an illuminated blue water window, a push-button lid for a smooth pour, a concealed element for easy cleaning and illuminated buttons that show which function is active. The brushed stainless finish keeps it looking tidy.
The trade-offs are that the digital controls add a little complexity compared with a one-touch jug, and a few owners find the button layout takes a day or two to learn. For anyone who values a long keep-warm and a low green-tea setting, though, it is the most thoughtful kettle on the list.
Pros:
- Keep-warm holds temperature for up to two hours
- Five presets including a low 70C for green tea
- Illuminated water window and easy-clean concealed element
Cons:
- Digital controls are less immediate than one-touch
- Button layout has a short learning curve
Key specs: Model RHK510 (Silver / Brushed Stainless). 1.7L, digital, 5 presets (70/80/90/95/100C), keep-warm up to 2 hours, illuminated water window, concealed element.
Building out the rest of the bench? See our picks for electric frypans and the best air fryers in NZ.
Braun Breakfast1 Kettle
Best for: Speed and simplicity for a busy morning routine.
The Braun Breakfast1 is the pick for people who just want water hot, fast. Its 2200W fast-boil system is rated to heat 200ml in about 45 seconds, so a single mug is ready almost immediately. It is a straight boil-to-100 kettle with no presets, aimed squarely at everyday speed and reliability rather than tea ceremony precision.
Specs list a 1.7L capacity, a fully detachable 360 degree base for true cordless use, a wide front opening that lets you fill straight from the tap, and a removable, washable anti-scale filter. Braun leans on safety with 4-way protection: auto shut-off at boil, when empty and when lifted from the base, plus added stability up to a 15 degree tilt. The BPA-free construction is a plus for buyers wary of plastic near boiling water.
The trade-offs are the plastic body, which some buyers prefer to avoid, and the absence of any temperature control. It is also a simpler kettle than the Braun range’s higher models. As a quick, safe, easy-fill daily kettle, though, it does exactly what it sets out to do.
Pros:
- Very fast boil (around 45 seconds for 200ml)
- 4-way safety protection and wide easy-fill opening
- Fully detachable base and washable filter
Cons:
- Plastic body may not suit everyone
- No temperature control (boils to 100C)
Key specs: Model WK1100BK (Black). 1.7L, 2200W fast boil, 4-way safety, detachable 360 base, wide front opening, removable anti-scale filter, BPA-free.
How we chose
Instead, each pick was assessed against three sources: the manufacturer’s published specifications, current NZ and AU retailer listings (to confirm the exact model is live and in stock), and verified owner reviews that flag real-world quirks such as noise, pouring and scale build-up. We prioritised full-size 1.7L jugs, weighed temperature control and build quality against price, and made sure each pick fills a distinct role. Where a claim comes from owner feedback rather than a spec sheet, we say so.
The verdict
For most NZ kitchens the KitchenAid KEK1701 is the best all-round kettle, combining accurate temperature control with a build that should outlast cheaper jugs. Choose the Breville TempPro if you want those temperature presets for less, the Philips Series 7000 if a cool-touch exterior matters for a family, the Russell Hobbs Addison if a long keep-warm is your priority, or the Braun Breakfast1 if you just want water hot fast. Whichever you pick, tap Check Price on Amazon to see the current price and check delivery to New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best temperature for tea and coffee?
As a rule of thumb, green tea is best around 80C, white tea near 85C, oolong about 90C, and black tea and pour-over coffee closer to 95C. Boiling water at 100C suits plunger coffee and herbal teas. A variable-temperature kettle lets you match each drink without guessing.
How many cups does a 1.7L kettle make?
A 1.7L kettle holds enough water for roughly seven standard 240ml cups in a single boil. That capacity suits most families and shared households. If you usually make one or two cups, look for a model with a low minimum fill line so you are not heating more water than you need each time.
Are stainless steel kettles better than plastic?
For daily use, stainless steel or glass is generally preferred over plastic for taste, durability and peace of mind, since plastic can develop cracks over years of heat. Many stainless kettles last longer with regular descaling. Plastic kettles are usually lighter and cheaper, so it comes down to budget and priorities.
How often should I descale an electric kettle?
In hard-water areas, descale roughly every four to six weeks; in soft-water areas, every three to four months is usually enough. A 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water works well: fill to the max line, boil, leave about 15 minutes, then rinse twice. Regular descaling keeps boiling fast and efficient.
How many watts does an electric kettle use?
Most full-size kettles in New Zealand sit between 2000W and 2400W. A 2400W kettle boils around a litre of water in under three minutes, so higher wattage means faster boiling. Variable-temperature kettles do not use more power to reach lower settings, since they simply stop heating sooner.
How long do electric kettles last?
A good electric kettle typically lasts around four to eight years. Cheaper plastic models often sit nearer three to five years, while well-built stainless models can reach eight or more with care. Water hardness and descaling habits matter most: neglected scale build-up can cut a kettle’s life to two or three years.
Is it cheaper to boil water in a kettle or on the stove?
For small amounts of water, an electric kettle is usually more efficient than a stovetop because it heats the water directly with less heat lost to the air. The biggest saving comes from only boiling what you need, so use the cup indicator or fill line rather than filling the whole jug.
