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Prices checked on Monday 19 October 2026. Prices and promotions change often, so check the retailer page before you buy.
A kettle is the one appliance most SA kitchens use several times a day, yet there’s a big spread in what you can pay: from under R300 for an unbranded model to over R4,000 for a designer variable-temperature kettle. We’ve picked three kettles from established brands, one for each budget: a plain everyday kettle, a fast-boil model, and a variable-temperature kettle for tea, coffee and baby formula. For each one we explain who it suits and where it compromises. We also show what a boil actually costs on South African electricity tariffs.
Quick picks
| Tier | Model | Capacity | Wattage | Price (19 Oct 2026) | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Russell Hobbs 1.7L Stainless Steel Kettle RHSSK04 | 1.7 L | 1,850 W or 2,200 W (listing conflicts) | R549 | Takealot |
| Better | Swan Fjord Rapid Boil Cordless Kettle SFK17G | 1.7 L | 3,000 W | R699 | Takealot |
| Best | Xiaomi Smart Kettle 2 Pro BHR9107EU | 1.7 L | 1,800 W | R1,299 | Takealot |
Specs come from each retailer listing. Wattage is the rated power shown on the listing.
Good: Russell Hobbs 1.7L Stainless Steel Kettle RHSSK04
Best for: households that just want a dependable, cordless steel kettle from a familiar brand, without paying for extras.
This is a no-frills 1.7 L stainless steel kettle. Takealot sells and ships it itself, and it was in stock when we checked. It has 170 customer reviews averaging 4.2 stars. That’s lower than our other two picks, so read the recent reviews before you buy.
Pros
– Cordless, with a water-level window and cord storage in the base, per the listing.
– Auto shut-off and boil-dry protection, per the listing.
– Stainless steel body for R549.
Cons
– [Unverified] Power: the spec table says 1,850 W, but the description says 2,200 W. Check the rating plate or the box.
– No temperature control or keep-warm function.
– 12-month warranty, per the listing, against 24 months for our Better pick.
– Lower average rating than our other picks (4.2 stars).
Key specs (per listing): 1.7 L · stainless steel · cordless · auto shut-off · boil-dry protection · 12-month warranty.
View on Takealot (no affiliate programme)
Better: Swan Fjord Rapid Boil Cordless Kettle SFK17G
Best for: busy households who boil the kettle often and want it done faster.
The Fjord has a 3,000 W element, the highest rating of our three picks. More power means a shorter wait, not cheaper boiling (see the maths below). For R150 more than the Good pick, you also get a longer warranty and a stronger customer rating: 4.8 stars from 84 Takealot reviews. Takealot sells and ships it itself. Today’s price is a promotion (list price R799).
Pros
– 3,000 W element for quicker boils, per Swan’s description.
– 24-month warranty, per the listing.
– Removable, washable filter, water-level indicator, boil-dry protection and auto cut-off.
– 360° base and cord storage.
Cons
– No temperature control or keep-warm function.
– A 3,000 W kettle draws more current while it runs. Plug it straight into a wall socket rather than an adaptor that is rated lower. [Judgement]
– The listing doesn’t state whether it boils quietly; we haven’t heard it.
Key specs (per listing): 1.7 L · 3,000 W · stainless steel housing with rubberised finish · removable filter · 360° base · 24-month warranty.
View on Takealot (no affiliate programme)
Best: Xiaomi Smart Kettle 2 Pro
Best for: tea and coffee lovers, and parents making up formula, who want water at a set temperature, not just boiling.
The Smart Kettle 2 Pro lets you set the temperature in 1 °C steps, using a dial or the Xiaomi Home app. It can keep water warm for up to 24 hours, per the listing. Xiaomi says it has a double-layer body that stays cool to the touch and a 304 stainless-steel interior. It has 34 Takealot reviews averaging 4.8 stars. Takealot sells it at R1,299, down from a list price of R1,599.
Pros
– 1 °C temperature control and keep-warm for up to 24 hours, per the listing.
– App control for presets and keep-warm settings.
– Cool-touch double-wall body, per Xiaomi.
– Auto shut-off and boil-dry protection.
Cons
– [Unverified] Plug: the model code ends in “EU”, and the listing doesn’t say whether an SA plug or adaptor is included. Check before you buy.
– 1,800 W is the lowest rating of our three, so boiling will be slower.
– Only a 12-month supplier warranty, per the listing.
– The app adds setup and privacy considerations that a basic kettle doesn’t have. [Judgement]
Key specs (per listing): 1.7 L · 1,800 W · 1 °C temperature control · keep-warm up to 24 h · plastic outer with 304 stainless-steel interior · 273 × 155 × 242 mm · 1.2 kg · 12-month warranty.
View on Takealot (no affiliate programme)
Also worth a look
- A stylish fast-boil option, cheaper on Loot: Russell Hobbs Luna Kettle (1.7 L, 2,400 W, 12-month warranty). Loot lists it at R718 (Loot, ships in 4–7 working days). That’s much cheaper than the R1,199 Takealot buy-box price for its Midnight Grey version (Takealot). The colours differ (Moonlight Grey on Loot, Midnight Grey on Takealot). It has 4.8 stars from 72 Takealot reviews.
- Temperature presets from a premium brand: Bosch Styline TWK8611P (1.7 L, 2,400 W). It has 70, 80 and 90 °C settings plus boiling, and keeps water warm for up to 30 minutes, per the listing. It costs R1,899 on Takealot, sold by a marketplace seller.
How to choose a kettle
Capacity
Almost every full-size kettle holds 1.7 L, enough for about six to seven mugs. That’s our rough estimate at 250 ml a mug. If you live alone, a 1 L kettle saves space, but it saves electricity only if you’d otherwise overfill a larger kettle.
Wattage: speed, not savings
The energy needed to heat water is set by physics, not by the kettle. Heating 1 litre from 20 °C to 100 °C takes about 0.093 kWh (1 kg × 4.186 kJ/kg·°C × 80 °C ≈ 335 kJ), before any heat loss. At Eskom’s 2026/27 Homepower rate of R3.56/kWh including VAT (Eskom Tariffs and Charges Booklet 2026/27), that works out as follows:
| Water boiled | Energy (theoretical minimum) | Cost at R3.56/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 250 ml (one mug) | about 0.023 kWh | about 8c |
| 1 litre | about 0.093 kWh | about 33c |
| 1.7 litres (full kettle) | about 0.158 kWh | about 56c |
Real figures are a little higher because some heat escapes, and municipal tariffs differ, so check your own bill. The biggest saving is to boil only what you need. A higher wattage mostly shortens the wait. In theory, 1 litre takes about 1.9 minutes at 3,000 W and about 3.1 minutes at 1,800 W, but real times will be longer. We haven’t timed these kettles.
Do you need variable temperature?
It’s worth paying for if you brew green or white tea or pour-over coffee, or make up baby formula, where you’re told to let boiled water cool to a set temperature. For everyday rooibos and instant coffee, a standard kettle is fine. [Judgement] For formula, follow the instructions on the tin and your clinic’s advice.
Cleaning and limescale
Look for a removable filter that you can rinse. In hard-water areas, descale regularly, following the manual’s method. A concealed element is easier to wipe clean than an exposed coil.
FAQ
How much electricity does a kettle use?
Heating 1 litre from room temperature takes at least about 0.093 kWh, which is roughly 33c at Eskom’s 2026/27 direct rate. A full 1.7 L kettle costs roughly 56c. Real use is a little higher.
Does a higher-wattage kettle cost more to run?
Not much. It uses more power but for less time, so the energy per litre is about the same. You pay for the water you heat, which is why boiling only what you need is the biggest saving.
Are variable-temperature kettles worth it?
They are if you drink tea or coffee that tastes better below boiling point, or you need water at a set temperature. If not, a basic kettle does the job for much less.
Can I run a kettle on a portable power station during an outage?
Most kettles draw 1,800–3,000 W, which is more than many portable power stations can supply. Check the power station’s continuous output rating before you try. See our home power guides.
Why is the Russell Hobbs Luna cheaper on Loot?
Retailers price colour versions and promotions differently. On 19 October, Loot’s Moonlight Grey Luna was R718, while Takealot’s Midnight Grey version was R1,199. We always show the cheaper option.
How we choose
These picks are research-based. We have not tested these kettles ourselves. We compared specifications from live retailer listings and manufacturer descriptions, checked prices on 19 October 2026, and used Takealot customer ratings and review counts as a guide to buyer satisfaction, not as our own verdict. Where a listing contradicts itself or leaves out a spec, we say so. When we test a product hands-on, we’ll say so clearly on this page and describe what we measured. Prices, stock and promotions change often; we re-check them each time we update this guide.