The Sunbeam Arise KEM5007SS is our budget pick for straightforward boiling, and the Breville Soft Top Luxe BKE735SST is the runner-up for its soft-open lid.
A kettle earns its place on the kitchen bench by fitting what you actually drink. A basic electric model handles black tea, instant coffee and cooking water. Selectable temperatures are useful if you regularly brew delicate tea or pour-over coffee. A gooseneck spout changes how precisely you can pour, while a soft-opening lid that staggers steam and prevents splash back can make daily use more comfortable. The two card picks below cover straightforward boiling at different feature levels.
Best kettles in Australia 2026: quick comparison
The Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS is our budget pick, while the Breville the Soft Top Luxe 1.7L Kettle BKE735SST is our runner-up for its soft open lid, which Breville says staggers hot steam. Both are straightforward kettles without temperature presets. If you want temperature presets instead, the temperature control section below names the models to compare.
We compared capacity, power, lids and temperature options using maker AU pages and live Amazon AU listings. Listing ratings were last checked on 30 September 2026.
Ratings are listing snapshots, so they describe each listing at the time we checked it rather than future buyer experience.
| Model | Capacity | Power | Temperature presets | Lid design (maker stated) | Band |
|---|
| Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS | 1.7 litres | 2,300 W | No presets | Push-button easy-fill lid | Under $60 |
| Breville the Soft Top Luxe 1.7L Kettle BKE735SST | 1.7 litres | 2,400 W | No presets | Soft-open lid, staggers steam | Under $200 |
Prices checked 1 October 2026; bands reflect that check.
Beyond the two cards, the Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 1.7L is a live Amazon AU alternative with Quiet Boil technology on its listing and 4.5 stars from 885 ratings at our 30 September 2026 check. These model pages provide no comparable sound measurements. A wattage figure tells you the element rating; it does not establish which kettle boils your usual fill level fastest.
How we picked
The two cards are the Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS and the Breville the Soft Top Luxe 1.7L Kettle BKE735SST. For each one we read its Amazon AU listing and its maker page: Sunbeam Australia's page for the Arise KEM5007SS and Breville Australia's page for the BKE735. Capacity, wattage and lid details in this guide come from those maker pages. Sunbeam lists a 2,300 W concealed element and Breville lists 2,400 W, with 1.7 litres for both.
Listings and maker pages were checked 2 October 2026. Ratings quoted in this guide come from our 30 September 2026 check and the price bands from our 1 October 2026 check. This guide has no single top pick right now.
For scale, the South Australian Government's guide to saving energy in the kitchen lists a typical electric kettle at 1,800 to 2,400 watts, which puts both cards at the upper end of that range.
Electric vs Stovetop vs Gooseneck
An electric kettle is the convenient default if you want hot water at the press of a switch. The two card picks are electric kettles with 1.7 litre capacities. Both suit a household that wants one appliance for cups of tea, instant drinks and hot water for cooking. The useful questions are how much water you boil at once, how the lid behaves and whether you want selectable temperatures.
A stovetop kettle heats on a hob rather than a powered base. Check that its base suits your cooktop, particularly if you use induction. You also need to allow for the way that particular kettle signals a boil and for how you lift and pour it. A stovetop style can be appealing if you want an appliance that stays on the cooktop, but its shape and handle deserve as much attention as its appearance.
A gooseneck kettle has a narrow, curved spout that helps you control the flow and position of the water. That control is useful for pour-over coffee, where you wet the grounds in stages. It can also make a small tea vessel easier to fill without splashing. A gooseneck is a spout choice, not a promise of temperature control: check both features separately on any exact model you are considering.
Think about the rest of your coffee setup before choosing a special-purpose spout. A consistent grind matters alongside controlled pouring, and our coffee grinder guide explains the grinder choices. If you make only an occasional pour-over, a standard kettle may be adequate for your routine. If the careful pour is part of your daily method, handling and spout control may be worth more to you than a larger capacity.
Temperature Control: Do You Need It?
Temperature control lets you stop heating before a full boil or select a target for a particular drink. That can save the step of boiling and waiting for water to cool when you brew green tea or make pour-over coffee. It matters less if nearly every use calls for fully boiled water. Neither card pick in this guide has stated temperature presets, so the table below is a buying guide rather than a feature list for those two kettles.
| Preset | Useful for | Why you might select it |
|---|
| 70°C | Green tea | A gentler starting point for delicate leaves |
| 80°C | Oolong and white tea | Warm water without a full boil |
| 95°C | Pour-over coffee | Water just below a full boil |
| 100°C | Black tea and general boiling | A full boil for ordinary kettle jobs |
These are useful starting points, not fixed rules for every tea or coffee. Follow the drink maker's instructions when they specify a different temperature. For anything that needs water to be boiled first, including infant formula, follow the product instructions and relevant Australian health guidance rather than assuming a lower kettle preset is suitable. A target on a kettle also describes its setting, not the temperature after water has stood in a cup.
For tea, the vessel matters after the water leaves the kettle. A pot that holds heat can change the way a long brew develops, while a transparent pot lets you watch the leaves. Our teapot guide covers the material choices. If you usually brew black tea, the 100°C row may be all you need; if your cupboard holds several delicate teas, a five-preset model can remove a repeated cooling step.
Best Budget Kettles
Best budget: Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle
The Sunbeam Arise 1.7L is the cheapest kettle here we would still recommend. The Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS is the recommended card pick in the under $100 band when you want a stainless steel body and a simple full boil. Its more specific listing band is under $60. It has no stated temperature presets, which keeps the choice clear if you only need water boiled for black tea, instant drinks or cooking.
Sunbeam states a 1.7 litre brushed stainless steel body, a 2,300 W concealed element, an easy-fill push-button lid and a 360 degree swivel base. The three-way safety system includes auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. Cord storage under the base can help if the appliance sits on a crowded bench.
The live Amazon AU listing shows 4.6 stars from 64 ratings at our 30 September 2026 check. The maker details are more useful for deciding fit: 1.7 litres gives you room for several cups, while the concealed element makes the inside easier to wipe when scale appears. Fill only to the marked maximum and use the minimum fill indicated on the kettle.
Boiling cost is the electricity used in kilowatt hours multiplied by your electricity rate, so take the rate from your own bill. Your actual electricity use depends on fill level and starting water temperature. For a single mug, boiling only the water you need can matter more to daily energy use than a small difference in kettle wattage. The element rating also does not tell you how much hot water you will actually pour.
Best Kettles Without Temperature Control
Best soft-open lid without temperature control: Breville Soft Top Luxe
The Breville the Soft Top Luxe 1.7L Kettle BKE735SST is the runner-up for a person who wants a soft-open lid without adding temperature settings. It is a full-boil kettle, so it suits black tea and general hot-water jobs. The under $200 band places it in a different buying decision from the budget card: you are considering the lid and the finish, not extra drink presets.
Breville states a 1.7 litre capacity, soft-open lid, 2,400 W element and cord storage. A lid that opens gently can make refilling feel more controlled after a boil; wait for steam to clear and handle any hot kettle with care. Breville describes the lid as staggering hot steam and preventing hot water splash back; neither its page nor its manual publishes a sound measurement.
The Amazon AU listing shows 4.5 stars from 23 ratings at our 30 September 2026 check. That smaller rating count is useful context when reading the score. The card is here because its stated features offer a different daily experience from the budget pick, not because the rating proves a longer life or a faster boil. If you care most about exact drink temperatures, use the premium section as a checklist for another model before choosing this simpler kettle.
Best Premium Kettles With Temperature Control
A five-preset kettle lets you choose different target temperatures instead of waiting for a full boil to cool. A keep-warm function can help when you make another cup soon afterwards, though you should still check how long an exact model holds its setting and what happens when you lift it from the base. The best reason to consider this segment is a repeated drink routine that benefits from a selectable temperature, not the assumption that every kitchen needs more buttons.
The Russell Hobbs Addison RHK510 is a live example in this segment. Its listing states five temperature settings, a keep-warm function and a 1.7 litre capacity.
When comparing five-preset models, read the actual temperatures rather than assuming every five-button layout uses the same steps. Check whether the kettle displays the current temperature, whether the keep-warm function must be restarted after lifting, and whether the controls are legible where the base will sit. Those details are questions to check on the exact listing or maker page before you buy.
Quietest kettle in Australia: silent and quiet boil kettles
A kettle marketed as silent still makes some sound as water heats and boils. The useful comparison is between specific maker claims and, if available, sound measurements made under the same conditions. The model pages for the kettles compared here publish quiet-design claims, not decibel results measured the same way across models, so there is no measured quietest pick here and a label alone cannot tell you how a kettle will sound in your kitchen.
The Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 1.7L listing describes Quiet Boil technology. Statements like that may help you make a shortlist if you boil water early or late in the day. They do not establish a ranking between the models or promise that either is inaudible. The Sunbeam Arise has no quiet feature stated on its listing.
A decibel figure is useful only when you know how it was obtained. Distance from the kettle, fill level, room surfaces and the point in the boil can all change what a microphone records. When comparing advertised numbers, look for the same measurement distance and method. A reading taken beside one kettle should not be compared directly with a reading taken across a room from another. Think about the kind of sound too: a lid rattle can be annoying even if a single overall number looks low.
Glass versus stainless steel kettles
Material changes what you see and how you care for a kettle. Glass makes the water and scale easy to inspect, but water spots can also remain visible between cleans. Stainless steel hides the water behind its walls and may show fingerprints on the outside. Neither label alone tells you every material that touches the water, because lids, windows, filters and seals can use other materials. Read the exact construction if that matters to you.
The Sunbeam Arise has a brushed stainless steel body with an easy-fill push-button lid. The Breville Soft Top Luxe is also brushed stainless steel. For any model, the listing does not always spell out every water-contact material, so check the exact model before choosing one for a material preference.
Kettle brands in Australia
Brand names help organise a shortlist, but choose an exact model for its features. Bands below describe the models shown, not every kettle a brand sells, and the details of one model should not be assumed for another.
| Brand | Known for | Typical band |
|---|
| Breville | Soft-open lid that staggers steam on the Breville the Soft Top Luxe 1.7L Kettle BKE735SST | Under $200 for the model shown |
| Sunbeam | Brushed stainless steel everyday boiling on the Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS | Under $60 for the model shown |
| Kambrook | Budget electric kettles sold through Australian retailers | Budget; check a current exact-model listing |
| Russell Hobbs | Quiet Boil listing claim on the Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 1.7L and five settings on the Russell Hobbs Addison RHK510 | Varies by model; check a current listing |
| Smeg | Retro styled kettles | Premium; check a current listing |
Prices checked 1 October 2026; bands reflect that check.
Best design: Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 1.7L
The Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 1.7L is the design-led alternative among the live listings we checked: a 1.7 litre kettle with a brushed finish and Russell Hobbs' Quiet Boil listing claim, showing 4.5 stars from 885 ratings at our 30 September 2026 check. It is not a card in this guide, so verify the current listing details before weighing it against the cards above.
How to descale and clean a kettle
Scale is a mineral deposit that can collect where water heats. If you can see a pale coating or flakes inside, it is time to clean the kettle. Start by unplugging it and letting it cool enough to handle. Check the maker's instructions before using any cleaning solution, especially if the kettle has a coated surface or a removable filter with separate care directions.
For the Sunbeam Arise KEM5007SS, Sunbeam specifies one cup of white vinegar topped up with water, left to stand overnight without boiling. Empty the solution, then fill with fresh water, boil and discard, and repeat, after which the kettle is ready to use. Sunbeam also sells its own liquid descaler as an alternative. Other models' manuals give their own method, so check yours before using vinegar. If any vinegar smell remains, rinse again before making a drink. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth, and never submerge the base or immerse electrical parts in water.
How often to descale depends on your water and usage. In a hard water area, deposits may appear sooner, so inspect the interior rather than relying on a fixed calendar. Filtered water can slow scale formation where the filter reduces the minerals responsible. Our water filter jug guide can help you compare options. A filter does not replace cleaning once deposits have formed.
After cleaning, make a normal boil and check the pour, lid and switch before returning to your usual routine. If the kettle leaks, fails to switch off or has damaged electrical parts, stop using it and follow the maker's service guidance. For taking a hot drink away from the kitchen, see our thermos guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of kettle is considered the best in Australia?
It depends on what you need. The Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS is the budget pick here for straightforward boiling, while the Breville the Soft Top Luxe 1.7L Kettle BKE735SST is the runner-up for its soft open lid, which Breville says staggers hot steam. If you want five temperature settings, the Russell Hobbs Addison RHK510 is a model to compare, though it is not a card pick in this guide.
Which kettle is best for health in Australia?
Choose by the materials that touch the water and by how you clean the kettle. Glass and stainless steel bodies may reduce water contact with plastic, but check the exact lid, window, filter and seals; a BPA-free plastic component is still plastic. The Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS has a stated brushed stainless steel body, while the full water-contact construction of any model should be checked with its maker. No material here is presented as a medical benefit.
What is the best kettle under $100 in Australia?
The Sunbeam Arise 1.7L is the cheapest kettle here we would still recommend. The Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS is our budget pick in the under $100 band, with a 1.7 litre brushed stainless steel body, a concealed element, an easy-fill push-button lid and cord storage. It is the straightforward choice if you do not need temperature presets.
How do you descale a kettle with vinegar?
Check the maker's instructions first, because methods differ. Sunbeam's manual for the Arise KEM5007SS says to fill the kettle with one cup of white vinegar and the remainder water, let it stand overnight without boiling, then empty it, boil fresh water and discard it, and repeat, and never submerge the base.
How long should a kettle last?
Service life varies with use and care. Lids, switches and elements can wear, and limescale buildup can slow boiling. Inspect and descale the kettle regularly, and stop using it if it leaks or an electrical part is damaged.
Is a more expensive kettle worth it?
It can be worth it when you will use the extra feature often. The Sunbeam Arise Electric Kettle 1.7L KEM5007SS covers everyday full boils, while the Breville the Soft Top Luxe 1.7L Kettle BKE735SST adds a soft-open lid that staggers steam. A temperature-control model is worth comparing if you regularly brew delicate tea or pour-over coffee. If you mainly make black tea or instant drinks, a straightforward kettle may meet your needs.
How often should you descale a kettle?
Sunbeam's manual for the Arise KEM5007SS sets no interval: it says to descale the kettle regularly, even in soft water areas, and warns that faults from mineral build-up through neglected descaling are not covered by its guarantee. Follow your model's manual: for the Sunbeam Arise KEM5007SS, Sunbeam specifies one cup of white vinegar topped up with water, left overnight without boiling, then emptied before boiling and discarding fresh water and repeating that fresh-water step.
How do you clean the inside of an electric kettle?
For the Sunbeam Arise KEM5007SS, Sunbeam specifies one cup of white vinegar topped up with water and left overnight without boiling. Empty it, then boil fresh water, discard it and repeat the fresh-water step. Wash the mesh filter as your model's manual directs, and keep the base out of water according to the maker's cleaning instructions.
How much does it cost to boil a kettle in Australia?
Work it out from your own bill: cost equals the energy used in kilowatt hours multiplied by your electricity rate per kilowatt hour. The energy for a boil depends on how much water you heat, so measure it with a plug-in energy meter if you want a figure, then apply the formula to your own boiling routine rather than assuming a fixed cost per use.
How many watts does a kettle use?
Electric kettles commonly list 1,800 W to 2,400 W, while the Sunbeam Arise KEM5007SS lists a 2,300 W concealed element. Wattage affects how quickly the water heats rather than the energy needed per litre boiled. Compare the listed wattage separately from the kettle's capacity when choosing an exact model.
What is the quietest kettle in Australia?
This guide has no measured quietest kettle, because the model pages for the kettles compared here publish quiet design claims rather than decibel results measured the same way. The Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 1.7L listing describes Quiet Boil technology, and the Sunbeam Arise has no quiet feature stated on its listing. Compare advertised decibel figures only when the measurement distance and method match.
