Russell Hobbs vs Smeg Kettles

Russell Hobbs and Smeg both make kettles for UK kitchens, but they target very different buyers. The Russell Hobbs models in this comparison run from £24 for the Honeycomb 26053 1.7L kettle to £44 for the 20760-10 1L Brita Purity glass kettle with a built-in water filter. Smeg kettles start at £119 for the KLF05WHUK 0.8L mini kettle and the WKF01PK 2.3L 50s-style whistling kettle, and rise to £189 for the KLF03WHMUK 1.7L kettle.

Russell Hobbs focuses on practical features: a rapid boil technology that the brand says heats 1.7 litres in under three minutes, a Perfect Pour spout that reduces drips, a 360-degree base and a limescale filter on several models. Smeg is styled as a retro piece of kitchen design. The 50s-style whistling kettle has a steam whistle and a cool-touch handle, and the KLF04PBUK 1.7L kettle adds seven temperature settings with anti-slip feet and a stainless steel filter. Its 1400W mini kettle includes automatic shut-off, and the 3000W 1.7L model is the Smeg equivalent of the Russell Hobbs 1.7L kettles.

Russell Hobbs suits households that want a fast, practical kettle with a limescale filter and a cordless base, and it is the best value option for a standard family kettle. The Brita filter model suits anyone who wants filtered water boiled in the same appliance. Smeg suits buyers who want a kettle as a design statement in the kitchen. Its 50s-style finish and bold colours, such as the pastel blue and pink options, work well in a kitchen with a retro theme, and the mini model suits a bedroom, office or small flat.

Bottom line: choose Russell Hobbs if you want a fast, practical kettle with a limescale filter from £24 to £44; choose Smeg if you want a retro-styled kettle as a design feature in the kitchen and can spend from £119 to £189.