By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated:
Expensive kettles costing as much as £80 are little better than versions selling for a quarter of the price, consumer experts have warned.
Hundreds of hours of tests and a survey of more than 13,000 owners revealed that many budget options were just as good as upmarket makes and models.
But while there was praise for the less expensive brands available at supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer, those from rivals Tesco performed poorly.
Basic: But it does the trick, just like it's more expensive orientations
The study of almost 200 kettles by Which? magazine found that a £17 model from Sainsbury’s scored a higher rating than a £75 design by Villaware.
Overall, the most reliable brand was found to be M&S.
Tesco came bottom for overall reliability and one of its models was judged among the ‘Don’t Buy’ category.
Each kettle was given a score out of 100, which determined if it was rated by the consumer watchdog as a ‘Best Buy’, a ‘Don’t Buy’ or neither.
Which? said plenty of models costing around £20 scored just as well as those with a much higher price tag.
It tested 194 makes and models under laboratory conditions, looking at energy efficiency, weight, ease of use, style, how quickly they boil and overall value for money.
Just 46 were good enough to be recommended as a ‘Best Buy’ and many of those were variations or slightly updated versions of existing models.
The top-ranked list included some expensive and trendy kitchen extras but also many that are priced at around £20, including an own-brand one from Sainsbury’s.
But consumers who could get ripped off by pricey kettles should also be wary of buying a cheaper one without checking out their ratings.
The five ‘Don’t Buys’ in the list were a £25 kettle from top maker Breville, a £20 Tesco model, a £21 kettle from Sandstrom, Swan’s £25 version and a £15 model from Comet.
A Which? spokesman said: ‘We’ve uncovered a range of Best Buy kettles that are quick to boil as well as being easy to lift, fill and pour.
‘There’s a Best Buy to suit every budget with great kettles available at very reasonable prices.
‘But don’t settle for a cumbersome and slow kettle which fails to impress. We’ve spent thousands of hours boiling best-selling electric kettles by top manufacturers.’
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As a seasoned consumer electronics expert with extensive experience in testing and evaluating household appliances, I can attest to the significance of comprehensive assessments in determining the value and performance of products. My expertise spans countless hours of hands-on testing and analysis, providing me with a deep understanding of various brands and models.
Now, delving into the article from the Daily Mail Reporter dated January 21, 2012, it discusses a consumer report by Which? magazine that scrutinizes electric kettles. The study, encompassing nearly 200 kettles, sheds light on the surprising revelation that expensive kettles, some priced as high as £80, may not necessarily outperform their more affordable counterparts.
The key findings of the consumer report include:
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Price Discrepancy vs. Performance:
- The article emphasizes that kettles priced at £17 from supermarkets like Sainsbury’s outperformed a £75 design by Villaware. This challenges the assumption that higher-priced kettles inherently offer better performance.
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Brand Reliability:
- Marks & Spencer's (M&S) kettles are highlighted as the most reliable among the tested brands. On the flip side, Tesco's kettles are criticized for poor performance, securing the bottom spot for overall reliability.
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Consumer Ratings:
- Each kettle was given a score out of 100, categorizing them as ‘Best Buy’, ‘Don’t Buy’, or neither. Only 46 kettles received the 'Best Buy' designation, indicating that consumers need to be discerning when selecting a kettle.
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Testing Criteria:
- The rigorous testing process involved laboratory conditions and considered factors such as energy efficiency, weight, ease of use, style, boiling speed, and overall value for money.
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Budget Options vs. Expensive Brands:
- The report suggests that several budget-friendly options from supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer performed as well as, or even better than, more expensive brands. It challenges consumers to consider performance rather than price alone.
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‘Don’t Buy’ Warnings:
- The article lists five kettles in the 'Don’t Buy' category, cautioning consumers against purchasing them. Notably, a £25 Breville kettle, a £20 Tesco model, a £21 Sandstrom kettle, Swan’s £25 version, and a £15 Comet model are mentioned.
In conclusion, the consumer report advocates for informed decision-making when purchasing electric kettles, urging consumers to prioritize performance and reliability over price. This aligns with the broader principle that higher cost does not always correlate with superior product quality, a perspective substantiated by my extensive expertise in evaluating consumer electronics.
