Hamilton Beach vs Russell Hobbs Kettles

On price, Hamilton Beach and Russell Hobbs are close at the entry point. Hamilton Beach's HB1107 jug kettles are £17 each in black or white. Russell Hobbs's Honeycomb 1.7-litre kettles are £24 and £27, the Inspire 1.7-litre in black is £34, and the Brita Purity glass water filter kettle is £44 for 1 litre. The cheapest Russell Hobbs is £7 more than the Hamilton Beach, so the gap is small.

Hamilton Beach's HB1107 has a 2200W element, water level indicator and auto shut-off. Russell Hobbs's Honeycomb 1.7-litre kettles have a 3000W element, 360-degree base and limescale filter, while the Inspire adds Rapid Boil and a Perfect Pour spout. The 800W difference in element power should mean quicker boiling. Its filter and spout are useful extras that the Hamilton Beach does not offer.

Hamilton Beach suits students, first homes and rental flats where the kettle must be cheap and simple. Russell Hobbs suits people who want faster boiling, a limescale filter and a perfect-pour spout for a small premium. A household that uses the kettle many times a day will benefit from the Honeycomb's extra power. Anyone who only boils water occasionally will be well served by the Hamilton Beach jug at the lowest cost. Anyone in a hard-water area who wants a limescale filter should look at the Honeycomb models first. Students and first-time buyers who want the cheapest option will still prefer the Hamilton Beach, while anyone wanting a more capable kettle at a small premium will find Russell Hobbs a sensible step up.

Bottom line: choose Hamilton Beach if you want the cheapest full-size kettle at £17, choose Russell Hobbs if you want a 3000W 1.7-litre kettle with a limescale filter for £24 to £27.