The Best Travel Kettle in the UK: Shopping Guide and Recommendations (01/23)

Welcome to our big travel kettle test 2023. Here we present all the travel kettles we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the internet. We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best travel kettle for you. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy a travel kettle.

The Best Travel Kettle in the United Kingdom: Our Choices

Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a travel kettle

Decision: What types of travel kettles are there and which is the right one for you?

Plastic travel kettles are generally recommended because they are very light, but you can choose between different types of travel kettles.

• Stainless steel travel kettle
• Glass travel kettle
• Plastic travel kettle

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a stainless steel travel kettle?

The special advantage of a stainless steel travel kettle is that it is very well insulated and the water stays hot longer. It is also break-resistant and very robust, ideal for travelling.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a glass kettle for travelling?

A glass kettle is probably the most stylish form of travel kettle, but it is very fragile. Dirt also shows up more quickly. However, it is the most hygienic of the travel kettles – mould and bacteria have a harder time growing on a glass travel kettle than on kettles made of other materials.

What makes a plastic travel kettle and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

A plastic kettle is probably the cheapest of all variants, and the outside of the kettle hardly gets hot at all. With this variant, you have the widest choice of models, colours and designs. However, an unpleasant smell can arise from heating the water in plastic.

The rule here is: stay away from cheap models! It is better to invest in a somewhat more expensive model that has been tested than to have harmful particles in the water.

Buying criteria: Use these criteria to compare and rate travel kettles

In the following, we want to show you which criteria you should look for when choosing a travel kettle and which factors you can use to compare and evaluate individual travel kettles. This will make it easier for you to decide and define what exactly your priorities are and which model is suitable for you. In summary, these are:

• Travel kettle material
• Design
• Weight
• Volume
• Ease of cleaning

The material of the travel kettle

As we explained above, there are different types of materials a travel kettle can be made of. You now have to decide what is important to you in a travel kettle.

Do you want it to be light and well insulated? Then we recommend a high-quality model made of plastic. Is it more important to you that your kettle is as hygienic as possible when you’re on the go? Then we would recommend a small kettle made of glass. Or do you think a travel kettle has to be able to withstand a lot? Then opt for a robust model made of stainless steel.

The design

Travel kettles can also be stylish! If you want your travel kettle to look good, you have the most options when it comes to design if you choose a stainless steel kettle. Do you prefer something simple and elegant? Then the glass version is the best for you!

The weight

The weight of the travel kettles varies depending on the material you choose.

copied to clipboard

A glass kettle is heavier than a stainless steel travel kettle, but the lightest weight is undoubtedly the plastic version.

Volume

Since you will only be using your travel kettle for a limited time, louder appliances are not really a problem. However, if it is important to you that your kettle to go is particularly quiet because you are heating the water for your (still) sleeping baby, then simply look for a particularly quiet model when buying.

The simplicity of cleaning

You can find out how best to heat your travel kettle in the trivia below. However, there are no major differences between the individual types of material; all models are relatively easy to clean.

Trivia: Interesting facts about travel kettles

What cleaning agents do you need if the travel kettle calcifies?

It is best to clean your travel kettle with acid instead of chemicals. But don’t worry – you don’t need any special acid for this, but rather products that everyone knows. For example, you can try vinegar essence or cola. Simply add vinegar essence in a ratio of 1 to 3 with water to the kettle and bring to the boil. After that, the calcifications should be dissolved. It is even easier with cola: put half a litre of cola in the kettle and leave it to soak overnight – the next day the limescale will be gone. In the Focus Online test, on the other hand, citric acid and baking soda looked bad.

What else should you look for when buying a mobile travel kettle?

Buy an adapter so that you can also use your travel kettle in the car. Simply plug the cable into the cigarette lighter. But please check first whether your chosen kettle is also suitable for use in the car!

Switch-off button

Some models have a switch-off button, some do not. You don’t necessarily need it. Travel kettles without this button switch themselves off, but if they have one, you can stop them at any time.

Lid

It is also important to ensure that water can be poured in easily. The key to this is an easily accessible, wide-opening lid.

This is especially important for retro-style models. Here, the handle often swings directly over the lid and the design can be at the expense of user-friendliness.

Lifetime

To prolong the life of your travel kettle, make sure to switch it off before removing it from the heating element. This way, the contacts are not subjected to so much stress and remain functional for longer. Photo source: 123rf.com / Monchai Tudsamalee