Kettle

Here are some kettle brands to check out if you are looking at buying a new kettle:

• Smeg: This appliance brand has remained family-owned since it was launched in Italy in 1948. Smeg enjoys an enviable reputation both for the quality of its products and the aesthetics of their retro designs. A Smeg kettle has all the features you could want and comes in a choice of colours that range from bold gold and cherry-red through to subtle pastels.

• Delonghi: Also an Italian label with an excellent reputation, Delonghi was founded in the early 20th century and has gone on to win many prizes including the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its small appliances such as kettles and coffeemakers. The Delonghi kettle is not cheap but ticks all the boxes for its features.

• Dualit: The British label Dualit has been creating kettles and toasters since the 1940s. There are five distinct styles of Dualit kettles. Each of these is available in a choice of finishes and all are designed with function, appearance and safety in mind.

• Morphy Richards: Founded in the 1930s, this is another well-established British name in the domestic appliance market and for many years it was a market leader in volume and quality. Morphy Richards kettles come in a variety of designs from sleek modern shapes to retro outlines.

• Breville: Breville is an Australian brand that matches other labels with its decades of domestic appliance design experience and product quality. It is particularly well known for its sandwich toasters and kettles. Breville kettles are functional models with styles and colours to suit both classic and contemporary kitchen decor.

• Kenwood: The British brand Kenwood, launched in 1947 and now owned by the Delonghi Group, is a good choice if you want to make a bold statement with your kitchen appliances while knowing you have a reliable and long-lasting kettle. Particularly attractive but top of the range price-wise are Kenwood kettles with textured finishes.

• Russell Hobbs:In the mid-20th century, Russell Hobbs was the leading manufacturer of kitchen appliances in the UK. Always innovative, the label was the first to use cordless kettles, 360-degree rotation plates, rapid water boil and the automatic switch off. The Russell Hobbs kettle comes with sleek copper bodies, logo embellished or sporting a pretty polka dot print.

• Kitchenaid: The most instantly recognisable product of this American label is probably the stand food mixer but Kitchenaid also produces other reliable and attractive small appliances including kettles and toasters. The latest Kitchenaid kettles feature speedy boiling and precise temperature control.