Russell Hobbs Eclipse Copper Sunset Kettle Review: quiet, fast, and mostly about the looks

I’ve been using the Russell Hobbs Eclipse Stainless Steel & Copper Sunset 1.7L kettle for a few weeks now, basically every day for coffee in the morning and tea in the evening. I didn’t buy it because I’m obsessed with kettles; I just wanted something that boils fast, isn’t too loud, and doesn’t look ugly on the worktop. This one kept popping up in the “quiet boil” and “nice design” categories, so I gave it a go.

Right away, it feels like a step up from a basic plastic kettle. The stainless steel body and the copper ombre finish do give it a more “grown-up kitchen” vibe. It’s not some life-changing object, but it doesn’t look cheap either, which is what I wanted. You can tell they’ve tried to make it look a bit fancy without going into silly design territory.

Function-wise, it’s a 3KW, 1.7L cordless kettle with a base, so nothing revolutionary there. The selling points are the quiet boil, rapid boil zones (the 1/2/3 cup markers), and the “perfect pour” spout that’s supposed to stop you from splashing boiling water everywhere. On top of that, you get the usual anti-scale filter and an easy-open lid. So far, all of that mostly checks out, with a few small quirks.

If you’re wondering whether it’s just a pretty object or actually a decent everyday kettle: it’s a bit of both. It does the job well enough, it’s quieter than most cheap kettles I’ve had, and it looks good on the counter. It’s not flawless, and I think some people might find it slightly overpriced for what it is, but in day-to-day use, it hasn’t annoyed me, which is already a win for a kitchen appliance you use several times a day.

Price-wise, this kettle sits in that mid-range bracket: more expensive than a basic supermarket plastic kettle, cheaper than some of the high-end designer brands. So the question is: does it justify the extra cost? For me, yes, but with some conditions. You’re clearly paying for the design and quieter operation as much as for the basic function of boiling water.

If you just want the cheapest way to heat water, this isn’t it. You can boil water for half the price with a basic model. But if you care about three things – how it looks on your counter, how loud it is, and how nice it is to pour – then the extra cash starts to make sense. The perfect pour spout, rapid boil zones, and quieter boil aren’t just buzzwords; they do improve everyday use a bit, even if it’s not life-changing.

On the flip side, it doesn’t have features that some kettles in this price band are starting to offer, like temperature control for coffee and tea geeks, or built-in filtration. So if you’re into brewing at specific temperatures, you might feel this is a bit expensive for something that only boils to 100°C. In that case, you’d probably be better off with a temperature-control kettle instead.

Overall, I’d call the value pretty solid but not outstanding. You’re getting a good-looking, quiet, fast-boiling metal kettle from a known brand, with a decent warranty. If those things matter to you, the price is fair. If you just want hot water and don’t care about noise or looks, you can save money and go simpler.

The main thing with this model is the Copper Sunset ombre finish. In real life, it looks like brushed stainless steel that fades into a warm copper tone. It’s definitely more about looks than function, but if you care what sits on your countertop, it’s a nice change from plain white plastic. It does pick up fingerprints a bit, but a quick wipe with a cloth sorts that out. It doesn’t feel flimsy or hollow when you tap it; the metal body feels solid enough.

The shape is fairly compact for a 1.7L kettle. It doesn’t have that bulky, oversized look some “retro style” kettles have. The handle is attached high and feels well placed, so when it’s full, the weight is close to your hand and doesn’t feel like it’s dragging your wrist down. One user mentioned the handle being well sized, and I agree: it’s thick enough to grip securely but not a big block of plastic. If you have smaller hands, you should still be okay.

The lid is push-button on the handle, and it flips open smoothly. I prefer this over yank-off lids because you can open it one-handed under the tap. The mechanism feels okay, not super heavy-duty but not flimsy either. The only part that feels slightly weaker is the on/off switch at the bottom of the handle. It works fine, but compared to some older Russell Hobbs kettles, it feels a bit lighter, so I’m curious how it holds up after a couple of years of constant use.

The water window lights up when boiling, which is mainly cosmetic but also handy in low light. The spout is narrow and shaped to control the flow, and that’s one design feature that actually makes a difference: you don’t get that big glug and splash when pouring. So in terms of design, it’s a mix of “nice to look at” and “actually practical”. Nothing revolutionary, but it doesn’t get in the way, and that’s what matters day to day.

The body is stainless steel with a polished and painted finish, which is a step up from full plastic kettles in terms of feel. It heats up on the outside, as you’d expect with metal, but not to the point where you burn your hand if you brush against it briefly. You still don’t want kids grabbing it, obviously, but that’s the case with any metal kettle. The copper ombre paint seems well done; no peeling or bubbling so far, and cleaning it with a damp cloth hasn’t caused any issues.

The handle, lid button, and switch are plastic. They feel okay, not luxury but not cheap toy plastic either. The handle has enough grip that you don’t feel like it will slip, even if your hand is slightly wet. The lid hinge and push button feel alright for now. If anything is going to age badly, I’d bet on the switch and lid mechanism before the metal body. That said, Russell Hobbs gives 2 years warranty plus 1 extra year if you register, which is some reassurance if a part fails early.

Inside, you have the heating element concealed under the base (standard now) and a removable anti-scale filter in the spout. In a hard water area, that filter is useful. It doesn’t stop limescale building up inside, but it does catch the flaky bits so they don’t end up in your drink. It pops out easily for rinsing, so no complaints there. The internal plastic rapid boil marker (the 1/2/3 cup piece) is simple and pulls off if you don’t like it, as one user mentioned. I left mine on as it doesn’t get in the way.

Overall, the materials feel solid enough for the price, with the metal body being the main plus. It’s not built like a commercial kettle, but it doesn’t feel flimsy either. If you treat it normally – no slamming the lid, no dropping it on the floor – it should hold up fine. You’re paying partly for looks, partly for quieter performance, not for some ultra-heavy-duty industrial build.

I haven’t had this exact model for years obviously, but I’ve used Russell Hobbs kettles before, and they generally last a decent amount of time if you don’t abuse them. This Eclipse feels similar in build quality to the better models from the brand, not the bargain-basement ones. The metal body gives some confidence it won’t crack or warp like cheap plastic, and the base connection feels standard and functional.

There are a couple of things I’m watching long term. First, the on/off switch doesn’t feel as chunky as older Russell Hobbs switches I’ve used. It works fine now and doesn’t feel loose, but it’s the kind of part that often goes first on kettles after a few years. Second, the slight wobble on the base some people mentioned is there if you really push the kettle sideways. It’s not about to tip over, but it doesn’t have that rock-solid, locked-in feel. I wouldn’t call it a serious flaw, just something that makes it feel a bit less premium than it looks.

On the positive side, the filter is removable and washable, which helps with long-term use in hard water areas. If you actually clean it every now and then and descale the kettle when needed, it will keep working properly. The interior is smooth enough that limescale doesn’t cling in weird corners like on some more sculpted designs. That makes descaling easier with standard products or vinegar solutions.

The 2-year warranty plus an extra year if you register online is decent for a kettle and suggests they expect it to last at least that long. For the price, I’d expect a good few years of daily use. I wouldn’t treat it like an heirloom appliance, but as a mid-range kettle, it feels fine. If you want something bombproof for a busy office kitchen where people are rough with gear, I’d probably look at something more industrial. For home use, it’s okay.

On the performance side, this is a 3KW kettle, so you’d expect it to be fast, and it is. From the rapid boil zone (one mug level) to a rolling boil, it’s around that 45-second mark they claim. I didn’t time it with a stopwatch, but it’s noticeably quick: you fill it for one drink, hit the switch, and by the time you’ve grabbed your mug and tea bag, it’s pretty much done. For a full 1.7L, it’s still fast – a couple of minutes, nothing that feels slow or annoying.

The quiet boil claim is mostly true, at least compared to standard cheap kettles. It’s not silent, but the sound is more muted and less harsh. If your old kettle sounded like a small jet engine, this will feel calmer. One Amazon reviewer said they didn’t notice it being “greatly quieter”, and I get that – if you’re coming from a decent modern kettle, the difference isn’t massive. But compared to older or budget models, the noise level is clearly lower.

The pouring is where this thing actually shines. The “perfect pour” spout isn’t marketing nonsense; it really does give a controlled, steady stream. I’ve had kettles where pouring slowly meant water running down the side or dribbling; this one just pours where you point it, whether you’re filling a small cup or a big cafetière. That sounds minor, but when you’re half asleep in the morning with boiling water in your hand, it matters.

Day-to-day, performance is basically: it boils fast, it’s quiet enough, and it shuts off reliably. I haven’t had any issues with it failing to switch off or overboiling. The only slight negative is that the base on some units can have a tiny wobble, like one reviewer mentioned. Mine isn’t completely rock solid either; there’s a minor bit of play if you push it, but nothing that feels unsafe. Just don’t expect industrial-level build around the base and you’ll be fine.

Out of the box, you get the kettle, the 360° base, and a removable anti-scale filter already clipped into the spout. No extra accessories, no fancy extras, and honestly that’s fine for a kettle. The manual is basic but clear enough: first boils, cleaning, and some notes about the quiet boil feature and the rapid boil zones. Setup is literally: take it out, rinse, do a couple of full boils and pours, and you’re ready.

The kettle has a 1.7L capacity, which in real life means enough for about 6 average mugs or a teapot plus a couple of cups. The water window is on the side with 2, 4 and 6 cup markings, and the inside has the 1/2/3 cup rapid boil zone. That zone is basically a plastic insert that shows you where to fill if you just want a small amount. It looks a bit gimmicky at first, but if you’re only making one drink, it does help keep you from overfilling and wasting time and power.

One thing they push in the description is the quiet boil. There’s no switch or special mode; it’s just how the kettle is built. Compared to my old cheap plastic 2.2kW kettle, this one is clearly quieter. You can still hear it, obviously, but it’s more of a low hum and less of a roaring noise. You can have a conversation next to it without needing to raise your voice, which is nice in the morning.

Overall, the presentation is straightforward: it’s a “premium-looking” kettle with a couple of useful features rather than gadgets for the sake of it. It doesn’t feel like some smart device or anything fancy; it’s still just a kettle. But the details (cup markers, filter, quiet boil, pour spout) are actually the bits you notice in daily use, and on that front, it’s pretty solid.

In real life, effectiveness for a kettle boils down to a few basic things: how fast it heats water, how easy it is to fill and pour, how noisy it is, and whether it does anything annoying. On those points, this Eclipse model does pretty well. The rapid boil zone is actually useful if you live alone or mostly make drinks one or two at a time. You fill to the 1-cup mark, and you’re not wasting power boiling a litre for no reason. After a week or so, you stop thinking about it and just do it automatically.

Filling is simple thanks to the push-button lid. You can open it with one hand and stick it straight under the tap. The water window is clear enough to see the level, and the cup markings are helpful if you’re trying not to overfill. I like that the max 1.7L level sits at a sensible height inside, not way down with loads of empty space above like some “retro” kettles. That means less steam blasting out of the top for no reason.

The quiet boil and controlled pour are what make it feel more “sorted” than a basic cheap kettle. You don’t have to brace for the noisy roar every time you switch it on, and when you pour into a narrow mug or a cafetière, you’re not cleaning up splashes. It sounds small, but when you do it multiple times a day, these little things make a difference. Also, the auto shut-off has been reliable; no half-boiled water, no boiling dry incidents so far.

On the downside, it’s still just a kettle. It doesn’t filter water, it doesn’t have temperature presets for delicate teas or coffee brewing, and it doesn’t have any smart features. If you want those extras, this isn’t the one. But if your checklist is basically “boils fast, fairly quiet, pours cleanly, looks decent”, it ticks the boxes without fuss.