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Discover our ranking of the 3 best retro electric kettles based on our tests.

Ranking

#1 🏆 Best choice
Smeg KLF03SBMUK 50s Style Kettle, 1.7L Capacity, 360 Degree Swivel Base, 3000W, Storm Blue

Smeg

Smeg KLF03SBMUK 50s Style Kettle, 1.7L Capacity, 360 Degree Swivel Base, 3000W, Storm Blue

  • Boils water quickly thanks to the 3000W power
  • Attractive retro design and Storm Blue colour that look good on the counter
  • Solid feel with enamelled stainless steel body and soft-opening lid
After using the Smeg KLF03SBMUK 50s Style kettle daily, my conclusion is pretty simple: it’s a solid, good-looking kettle that does its job well, but you’re paying a clear premium for style and brand. It boils fast thanks to the 3000W power, the automatic shut-off works reliably, and the 1.7L capacity is enough for a household that drinks a lot of tea or coffee. The enamelled stainless steel body and soft-opening lid give it a more premium feel than a cheap plastic model, and the Storm Blue colour genuinely looks nice on the counter.On the other hand, in terms of pure function, it doesn’t really do anything special. No temperature control, no keep-warm, no smart features – just an on/off kettle with a removable limescale filter and a standard 360° base. The water level indicator is a bit small and not the easiest to read, the finish shows fingerprints and water marks, and the noise level is average at best. For the price, you could get a more feature-packed kettle from other brands, or a simpler one that’s much cheaper but performs just as well at boiling water.I’d recommend this kettle to people who: care a lot about kitchen aesthetics, like the Smeg retro style, and are okay paying extra for something that looks good and feels reasonably solid. It fits nicely in a styled kitchen and feels nicer to use than a bargain model. If you’re on a tighter budget, or you just see a kettle as a basic tool and don’t care what it looks like, I’d say skip this and go for a mid-range stainless steel kettle instead. Good product overall, but the value is heavily tied to how much you like the design and the brand.
9 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🏆 Exceptional See full review →
See offer Amazon
#2
Smeg 50’s Style Retro Range Breakfast Set, 1.7L 3000W Kettle and Multi-Functional Control 4-Slice 2000W Toaster, White, KLF03WHUK/ TSF03WHUK

Smeg

Smeg 50’s Style Retro Range Breakfast Set, 1.7L 3000W Kettle and Multi-Functional Control 4-Slice 2000W Toaster, White, KLF03WHUK/ TSF03WHUK

  • Solid build with enamelled stainless steel that feels more premium than basic plastic sets
  • Fast 3000W kettle and 4-slice toaster with wide 36 mm slots and even browning
  • Retro design and matching set give the kitchen a more cohesive, stylish look
After using the Smeg 50’s Style Retro Range Breakfast Set daily, my takeaway is pretty clear: it’s a good-quality, good-looking set that does the basics very well, but you’re paying a noticeable premium for the design and brand. The kettle boils fast, feels solid in the hand, and is quieter than the average budget model. The toaster has wide slots, even browning, and the two independent control panels are genuinely useful for a household where not everyone likes their toast the same.It’s not perfect. The glossy white finish needs regular wiping if you want it to look clean, the toaster isn’t the fastest on the market, and the price is on the high side for what are essentially simple appliances. If all you care about is function for the lowest cost, there are plenty of cheaper sets that will get the job done. But if you want something that looks good on the counter, feels sturdy, and you plan to keep it for several years, then this Smeg set makes more sense. I’d recommend it to people who value design and build quality and don’t mind paying extra for that. If you’re on a tight budget or just don’t care how your kettle and toaster look, you can safely skip it and go for a cheaper brand.
8.8 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#3 🔥 Most popular
Smeg KLF03RDUK Retro Style Kettle - Red

Smeg

Smeg KLF03RDUK Retro Style Kettle - Red

  • Very distinctive retro design that looks good on the countertop
  • Boils water quickly with high wattage and 1.7L capacity
  • Soft-opening lid, 360° base, and removable limescale filter are practical touches
The Smeg KLF03RDUK Retro Style Kettle in red is basically a good-looking, fairly standard kettle with a premium price tag. It boils quickly, holds a decent 1.7L, has a 360° base, auto shut-off, and a removable limescale filter. Day to day, it’s easy enough to use, the soft-opening lid is practical, and the handle and spout do their job. If all you want is hot water with a bit of style, it gets the job done without any fancy learning curve.Where it divides opinion is value and reliability. You’re clearly paying extra for the retro design and brand name rather than for advanced features. There’s no temperature control, no special insulation, and the minimum 2-cup boil isn’t great if you live alone or want to save energy. On top of that, some users have reported serious issues like leaks into the electrics and paint problems, which is not what you want at this price. My own unit has been fine so far, but those reports are hard to ignore.I’d say this kettle suits people who care a lot about how their kitchen looks and are willing to pay more for matching, stylish appliances. If you already like Smeg gear and understand you’re paying partly for the brand, you’ll probably be happy enough. If you’re more focused on pure value, durability, or safety track record, you’re better off looking at less flashy but more practical alternatives from other brands. In short: nice to look at, decent in use, but not the strongest buy if you’re counting every pound.
6 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
👌 Good See full review →
See offer Amazon

Comparison table : Retro electric kettles

Overall score Value for money Design Materials Durability Performance Presentation
Smeg KLF03SBMUK 50s Style Kettle, 1.7L Capacity, 360 Degree Swivel Base, 3000W, Storm Blue
#1 Smeg
Smeg KLF03SBMUK 50s Style Kettle, 1.7L C...
See offer Amazon
9/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Smeg 50’s Style Retro Range Breakfast Set, 1.7L 3000W Kettle and Multi-Functional Control 4-Slice 2000W Toaster, White, KLF03WHUK/ TSF03WHUK
#2 Smeg
Smeg 50’s Style Retro Range Breakfast Se...
See offer Amazon
8.8/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Smeg KLF03RDUK Retro Style Kettle - Red
#3 Smeg
Smeg KLF03RDUK Retro Style Kettle - Red
See offer Amazon
6/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

According to our tests, the best retro electric kettles is the Smeg KLF03SBMUK 50s Style Kettle, 1.7L Capacity, 360 Degree Swivel Base, 3000W, Storm Blue with a score of 9/10.

The cheapest retro electric kettles in our comparison is the Smeg KLF03RDUK Retro Style Kettle - Red.

The most popular retro electric kettles is the Smeg KLF03RDUK Retro Style Kettle - Red with 240 customer reviews.

To choose a retro electric kettles, we recommend comparing performance, build quality, value for money and user reviews. Our comparison table above helps you make the right choice.

We have tested 3 Retro electric kettles to establish this ranking.
#1 Smeg KLF03SBMUK 50s Style Kettle, 1.7L Capacity, 360 Degree Swivel Base, 3000W, Storm Blue Smeg 50s Style Kettle 1.7L - Storm Blue
9/10 Best choice
See offer Amazon
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