PARIS RHÔNE Electric Kettle Review: a no-nonsense temperature-control kettle that does the job

I’ve been using this PARIS RHÔNE temperature-control kettle for a few weeks now, basically every morning and most evenings. I bought it because I was tired of a basic on/off kettle that just boiled water and scorched my green tea half the time. I wanted something with preset temperatures, stainless steel inside, and not a monster taking over the counter. This one ticked the boxes on paper, so I gave it a shot.

In practice, it’s a pretty straightforward appliance: 1.7L capacity, 1500W, several preset temps on the handle, and a keep-warm function. Nothing revolutionary, but that’s kind of the point. I plug it in, fill it, hit a button, and it heats water fast. That’s all I really need it to do, and it handles that part without fuss. The extra options are nice when I remember to use them.

What struck me first was the speed and the noise level. It boils water in roughly 4–5 minutes when full, which is normal for 1500W, and it’s not louder than any other kettle I’ve had. No weird rattling, no whistles, just the regular boil sound. For something I use half-asleep in the morning, that’s fine. I don’t need it to be fancy; I just need it not to annoy me.

Overall, my first impression was: solid, practical, not perfect. It heats quickly, the temperature presets work, and the stainless steel interior is reassuring. But it’s not flawless: the lid doesn’t open wide enough, and the temperature markings on the handle could be easier to read. If you’re expecting some high-end, super premium device, this isn’t it. If you just want a decent daily kettle with temp control that doesn’t feel cheap, it’s in that zone.

In terms of value, this PARIS RHÔNE kettle sits in a middle ground. It’s not as cheap as a basic on/off plastic kettle, but it’s also not priced like high-end glass or fancy brand models. For what you pay, you’re getting: stainless steel interior, multiple temperature presets, auto shut-off, boil-dry protection, and a keep-warm function. If you actually use the temp control regularly, the price makes sense. If you only ever boil water to 212°F, you’re basically paying extra for features you won’t really use.

Compared to basic kettles I’ve had in the past, the added comfort is mainly the presets and the keep-warm. I don’t have to guess water temperature or wait for boiling water to cool down for green tea. That alone is worth a bit more money to me. On the other hand, if you compare it to some big-brand variable temp kettles, this one is usually cheaper while offering similar core features, just with a simpler interface and fewer cosmetic touches.

The downsides do affect the value slightly: the lid not opening wide is an everyday annoyance if you fill from a pitcher, and the hard-to-read temperature labels are a small but constant irritation at the start. Nothing dramatic, but enough that I wouldn’t call this the best deal on the market, just a pretty solid option for the price bracket. You’re paying for practicality, not luxury.

If your budget is very tight and you don’t care about precise temperatures, a basic kettle will obviously be cheaper and still heat water. If you’re willing to pay a bit more for stainless interior and temp control without going into premium brands, this one hits a good balance. Overall, I’d say the value for money is good but not mind-blowing: it earns its price through daily usefulness rather than any wow factor.

Visually, this kettle is clean and modern. The metallic silver finish with a polished look blends in with stainless appliances without trying too hard. It doesn’t scream for attention on the counter, which I appreciate. The shape is pretty standard: slightly rounded body, plastic handle with the controls, and a spout that looks fairly classic. If you want something that looks wild or ultra-design-focused, this won’t impress you, but it also doesn’t look cheap or flimsy.

The 360° swivel base is handy. You can drop the kettle back onto the base from any angle, which sounds basic but matters when you’re half-awake. The water window with blue backlight is actually practical: you can see the water level clearly, even in dim light. It’s not the brightest thing in the world, but it’s enough to avoid overfilling. The markings are clear enough to estimate how much water you’re heating instead of guessing.

On the downside, the lid doesn’t open very wide. This is one of those little things you don’t think about until you try to fill it from a jug or a filtered pitcher. Under a tap, it’s fine. With a jug, you sometimes end up bumping the lid or angling it weirdly. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s one of those design choices that makes you think, “Why not just let it open more?” Cleaning inside is still possible, but you kind of have to angle your hand in.

Another design nitpick: the temperature labels on the handle are small and not backlit. You get a little indicator light next to the setting, but the actual numbers (160, 175, etc.) aren’t very easy to read unless you’re close. After a while you remember the order, so it’s less of a problem, but for the first days, you might lean in every time. Overall: looks good, fairly neutral, a few small usability quirks but nothing that ruins daily use.

The big selling point for me was the 304 stainless steel interior. Inside the kettle, the surfaces in contact with water are stainless, not plastic, which is important if you’re trying to avoid hot water sitting against plastic for long periods. I didn’t notice any plastic smell or weird taste in the water after the usual first rinse/boil cycle, which is a good sign. I’ve had cheaper kettles where the first week tasted like plastic soup. No such issue here.

The exterior is a mix of stainless and plastic. The body has that metallic silver polished finish, but the handle and lid are plastic, which is pretty standard for this price range. The handle feels sturdy, not hollow or bendy, and it doesn’t heat up to a worrying level. After a full boil, the handle is still safe to grab. The spout area also looks well assembled, no sloppy seams or sharp edges. Overall, the build doesn’t feel premium, but it doesn’t feel flimsy either. It sits somewhere in the “decent quality, home use” zone.

The kettle uses a British Strix thermostat, which is basically the standard for many mid-range kettles. That usually means the temperature control and auto shut-off are reliable. In daily use, it did shut off properly every time at boil, and the preset temps seem consistent. I don’t have lab tools to measure exact degrees, but the difference between green tea temp and full boil is clear enough in the steam and how fast it reaches it.

One thing to note: the finish is polished, so it will show fingerprints and water spots a bit. If you’re picky about your kitchen looking spotless, you might wipe it down more often. The base is light but doesn’t feel like it will crack easily unless you really abuse it. Overall, in terms of materials, I’d call it pretty solid for the price: safe interior, decent plastic on the outside, and nothing that screams “this will fall apart in a month.”

I haven’t had this kettle for years obviously, but after several weeks of daily use—multiple boils per day—it still feels stable and well-assembled. No loose parts, no strange noises, no wobbling on the base. The lid mechanism works the same as day one, and the handle hasn’t loosened at all. The stainless interior doesn’t show any peeling or discoloration, just the usual light mineral traces which are normal with hard water and clean off with a quick descaling.

The exterior finish does pick up fingerprints and water spots, especially if you splash a bit when filling or pouring. If that sort of thing drives you crazy, you’ll be wiping it down now and then. But that’s more of a cosmetic thing than a durability issue. The base and the cord still feel solid, and the swivel connection hasn’t shown any sign of bad contact or flickering power, which I’ve had on cheaper kettles before.

From a design and material standpoint, I don’t see any obvious weak points that would fail quickly, as long as you’re not abusing it. The Strix thermostat is a known, widely used component, so that’s a plus for long-term reliability of the shut-off and temp control. The fact that the interior is stainless should also help with longevity compared to kettles that have more plastic inside. As always, descaling every now and then will probably make a big difference in how long it lasts, especially if your water is hard.

So, durability-wise, I’d say: feels dependable for regular home use, but it’s not built like a tank. If you treat your appliances reasonably, this should last you a good while. If you’re rough with lids, slam it around, or never descale it, you’ll probably shorten its life like any other kettle. For the price range and feature set, the durability seems in line with expectations, maybe a bit better because of the stainless and the thermostat quality.

Performance-wise, this kettle does what it promises. With 1500W of power, it takes around 4–5 minutes to bring a full 1.7L to a rolling boil. If you’re only heating enough for one or two mugs, it’s closer to 2–3 minutes. That’s in line with other kettles I’ve had in this wattage range. It’s not lightning fast like some 1800–2000W models, but it’s quick enough that you’re not standing around bored.

The temperature presets are actually useful if you drink different types of tea or use a French press. I mainly use 175°F for green tea, 200°F for coffee, and full boil for instant stuff and pasta water. Compared to my old basic kettle where everything was just boiling, my green tea is less bitter now. It’s not like it changed my life, but you can tell the water isn’t scalding the leaves as much. The kettle hits the chosen temp, beeps softly, and shuts off or goes into keep-warm depending on what you selected.

One small annoyance: you have to select the temp and then press start. On my previous temperature kettle, just hitting the temp button started the heating, so I had to adjust my habit. It’s a minor workflow thing, but at first I’d set the temp and walk away, then come back to cold water because I forgot to hit start. Once you get used to it, it’s fine, but it’s worth knowing if you’re switching from another brand.

The keep-warm function is handy if you’re making multiple drinks over 30 minutes or so. The specs say 30 minutes, some reviewers say several hours, but in my use, the kettle kept the water hot enough for a second cup without needing a full reheat. It doesn’t roar back to boil constantly, so you’re not listening to it all the time. Noise-wise, it’s about what you’d expect: you hear the water heating, but it’s not absurdly loud. Overall, in terms of performance, it’s reliable and practical, with a couple of small quirks that don’t really kill the experience.

Out of the box, the PARIS RHÔNE kettle is pretty simple: the kettle itself, the swivel base, and a user guide. No extra filters, no fancy accessories. The footprint is reasonable for a 1.7L unit, about the size of a standard family kettle. It fits fine on a small section of counter without dominating the space. The cable storage under the base is basic but helpful if you hate cords everywhere.

The capacity is 1.7L, which in real life terms is roughly a full teapot, or 5–6 decent mugs of tea or coffee. For me, that’s enough to make drinks for two people plus some extra for a French press or instant oatmeal. If you’re used to tiny 1L kettles, this feels more practical. If you live alone and make one cup at a time, it might be more than you really need, but the size doesn’t feel excessive.

The control panel is built into the handle. You’ve got several preset temperatures (160°F, 175°F, 185°F, 190°F, 200°F, and full boil at 212°F). There’s a separate start button and an indicator light. The presets are clearly labeled in theory, but in real use, the text is a bit small and not backlit, so depending on your lighting and eyesight, you might squint a bit at first. After a week or so, I just remembered which button was where and stopped looking closely.

Function-wise, the kettle promises: auto shut-off, boil-dry protection, temperature control, and a keep-warm mode. Those features all work, but they’re not presented with any fancy interface. It’s pretty barebones, which I actually like. If you’re expecting a big digital display and tons of customization, this isn’t that. It’s more of a “set temp, press start, walk away” kind of deal. For everyday use, that’s perfectly fine.

In day-to-day life, this kettle is effective for regular kitchen use. I use it mainly for tea, coffee (French press and instant), and quick hot water for noodles or oatmeal. For all of those, it gets the job done without fuss. The large 1.7L capacity means I can boil once and use the water for several things, instead of constantly refilling. For a small household, that’s convenient. For a bigger family or if you entertain often, the capacity is enough to handle a round of drinks without feeling limited.

The auto shut-off and boil-dry protection are reassuring. I did a (unintentional) test one morning: I turned it on with barely any water because I misjudged the level. It shut off before anything weird happened, no burning smell, nothing. That’s exactly the kind of safety net I want when I’m rushing. The handle stays reasonably cool, so pouring a full kettle doesn’t feel risky or awkward. The spout pours cleanly; I didn’t have any major drips on the counter unless I tried to rush the pour like an idiot.

Where it shines for me is the consistency. It doesn’t randomly keep heating, it doesn’t forget the temp setting, and it doesn’t leave the water lukewarm when it should be hot. The presets make it easier to get into a routine: I know which button for which drink, hit start, and I’m done. It’s not the most intuitive system at first, but once you memorize the layout, it becomes muscle memory. Compared to a basic on/off kettle, the main benefit is not having to wait for water to cool down when you want something below boiling.

Is it perfect? No. The lid opening angle is annoying when filling from a jug, and the small, non-lit temperature labels are not ideal for quick reading. But in terms of doing its core job—heat water to a chosen temperature safely and fairly quickly—it’s solid. If you’re just looking for something that works every day without weird behavior, this kettle fits that description pretty well.