Hamilton Beach vs KitchenAid Kettles

Few kettles are as far apart on price as Hamilton Beach and KitchenAid. Hamilton Beach's HB1107 jug kettles are £17 each in black or white. KitchenAid's Artisan kettle with a 3kW element is £179 in Pistachio, Almond Cream or Black, which is £162 more than the Hamilton Beach. That gap buys a kettle designed as a feature piece to match KitchenAid stand mixers rather than a simple budget jug.

Hamilton Beach's HB1107 has a 1.7-litre capacity, 2200W element, water level indicator and auto shut-off, with a cordless design that makes pouring easy. KitchenAid's Artisan has a 3kW element, a smaller 1.5-litre capacity and a smooth, rounded body. The KitchenAid is heavier than plastic kettles and offers few features beyond boiling, so the extra money goes on design and build quality rather than extra functions. Hamilton Beach has the larger capacity, while KitchenAid has the faster element.

Hamilton Beach suits students, offices and rental properties that need a dependable kettle at the lowest cost and have no interest in colour coordination. KitchenAid suits buyers who already own KitchenAid appliances and want the kettle to match a Pistachio, Almond Cream or Black worktop. For most households the 1.7-litre Hamilton Beach offers far better value per cup. A buyer who sees the kettle as part of a design scheme will find the Artisan's colours and rounded shape worth the premium. KitchenAid's design is the reason most buyers choose it, so it is poor value for anyone who only wants hot water quickly.

Bottom line: choose Hamilton Beach if you want a 1.7-litre jug kettle for £17 that does the job without fuss, choose KitchenAid if you already own Artisan appliances and want a 3kW kettle in Pistachio, Almond Cream or Black for £179.