Shape: Consider what sort of shape you want to go for. Most kettles are either a jug style, with the handle at the side, or a dome style with the handle placed over the top. Some people find one easier to use than the other. 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 cord is a good length at 71cm and there’s storage in the base if you don’t need it all. Despite its compact size, it is quite a heavy kettle, weighing 1,167g when empty and 2,746g when full — this is heavier than the average kettle in spite of its smaller capacity. As a mum of two, she’s always on the lookout for products that make life easier at home and loves putting gadgets and appliances to the test to highlight best buys for families. Why you can trust us

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.

The limescale filter is top-quality so it’s a good choice if you live in a hard water area, and it’s capable of boiling one cup to 1.5 litres of water. 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 Kenwood Mesmerine is the best kettle for keeping your water hot

If you're fussy about how brown it gets (hey, no judgement here), look for machines with adjustable shade settings. 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.

The appeal of the Kenwood Mesmerine 1.6L Kettle lies in its points of difference from others on the market. On the outside, its shimmering finish gives it a luxurious, design-led feel, while on the inside, it’s the plastic-free stainless-steel body that will make it easier to descale and give it a longer lifespan. 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.

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. 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. Most kettles have this clearly visible on the exterior but some are more awkwardly placed, such as behind the handle. Kettles with large viewing windows are best if you want to know exactly how much water is in the kettle at any time. First we put our kettle on to see how long it took to make a cuppa – and because we just think more clearly with a mug of tea in our hands.