Best kettles for hard water, tried and tested in London

I’ve tried and tested the best kettles for London’s hard water - (Kate Ng/The Standard)

If you live in a hard water area – AKA, almost anywhere south of Manchester – then you’ll be keenly familiar with the thin film that forms on top of your daily cuppa.

Hard water, which contains high levels of dissolved natural minerals like calcium and magnesium, is harmless but very annoying. It tends to mess up a nice brew with that scummy layer and leave limescale buildup in the kettle.

Most kettles these days come with a filter to stop loose pieces of limescale from getting into your tea or coffee, but not many really work to deal with hard water. Having said that, some do perform better than others – and in one case, miles better to reduce the impact hard water can have on your tea time enjoyment.

I tested 10 kettles against the hard water of London to see which one performed the best – only seven made the cut.

Best kettles for hard water at a glance

Best overall – Russell Hobbs Brita Purity Glass Kettle, £70, Dunelm.com

Best budget buy – Lakeland Pearlescent Glass Kettle, £39.99 Lakeland.co.uk

Best pour – Dualit Architect Stainless Steel Kettle, £99.99 Lakeland.co.uk

Best temperature control – KitchenAid Artisan Kettle, £199 Dunelm.com

Best for tea lovers – Graef Glass Kettle and Tea Maker, £99.00 Boroughkitchen.com

How I tested

(Kate Ng / The Standard)

On a day-to-day basis in my own home in London, I use a jug with a water filter, and then boil the water once it’s filtered – which I still recommend to truly tackle hard water. But when it came to testing each kettle, I used water straight from the tap to see how each kettle and its various filters performed. I wanted to see just how much of a film would form on top of my brews, making numerous cups of tea to judge each kettle’s filtering prowess.

I also timed the kettles to measure how long it would take to boil when full, and took note of how quiet or loud they were, how neat the pour was, and how they looked on my kitchen counter.

One particular kettle stood out from all the others in terms of how well it dealt with hard water – but it comes at a price. Read on.

Russell Hobbs Brita Purity Glass Kettle

★★★★★

Best: Overall kettle for hard water

What we love: Built-in Brita filter system filters hard water before boiling, glass body discourages limescale build-up, fast and quiet even when filled to max capacity

Take note: Brita filters need replacing every four weeks or so and can be costly

I had really high hopes for this kettle, and boy, did it deliver. It takes a little bit of time to set up before using it for the first time because the filter must be submerged in water for some time before the first use to get rid of any air inside, and then I had to wait for the filtered water to come through before I could even turn it on – so it does require some planning, rather than a regular plug-in-and-brew kettle. However, it really was worth the wait.

This kettle uses a Brita MAXTRA PRO Limescale Expert cartridge, which features a four-stage filtration process that targets limescale, chlorine, lead and copper in hard water. It works amazingly well, and the resulting tea was totally clear, without even a hint of scum on top of the liquid as it cooled. The kettle works quickly, taking two minutes and 20 seconds to come to the boil, and is surprisingly quiet – I could still hear my TV over it, while some kettles completely drown it out.

But – and of course, there is a but – there are some downsides. Brita filter cartridges tend to be a costly expense, and considering the recommendation by Brita is that this particular cartridge needs replacing on a monthly basis, it can be a regular expense that some households just can’t afford. At full price, a six-pack of cartridges can set you back by almost £40; however, I would recommend buying them in bulk when they are on offer to keep costs down.

Buy now £70.00, Dunelm.com

Lakeland Pearlescent Glass Kettle

★★★☆☆

Best: Budget buy kettle for hard water

What we love: Clear, pretty pearlescent glass body, simple to use, neat temperature control console on handle

Take note: No limescale filter

My first thought when pulling this kettle out of its box was, “Ooh, pretty”. The pearlescent glass body gives it a bubble-like appearance, reflecting purples and blues in the light. It has a very simple design, and unlike many other temperature control kettles, the console is built into the handle. I’ve seen other kettles that have this feature, but most of them are bulky and make for a clumsy-looking kettle. But Lakeland have really nailed this feature by minimising the console so that it fits on the relatively slim handle, which fits very nicely in the hand. You can set it to heat water between 50C to 100C, with the maximum temperature being just one button.

Kettles with glass bodies are thought to discourage limescale buildup because glass is not a porous material, and limescale – made from calcium carbonate – tends to adhere to microscopic pores and irregularities on various surfaces. However, this doesn’t mean a glass kettle gets rid of limescale entirely, but you will be able to see the build-up more clearly and take action to clear it sooner.

Despite its completely clear glass design, this Lakeland kettle does have a clever limescale filter built into the lid. The brew I made using normal tap water did still have quite a thick, scummy layer, however. The benefit lies in the long term, as users may notice limescale takes a longer time to form and therefore won’t have to tackle it as often.

It also comes at a reasonable price point, looks very aesthetically pleasing, and the issue can be solved by boiling filtered water instead of tap water – this will also reduce limescale build-up significantly. This kettle has the largest capacity of the kettles tested, at 1.7L, which is perfect when making tea for a family.

Buy now £39.99, lakeland.co.uk

Kitchenaid Artisan Kettle

★★★★★

Best: Temperature control kettle for hard water

What we love: Beautiful traditional style in great colours, nice weighty feel without being burdensome when full, tidy temperature control base

Take note: Takes up fairly significant counter space, heavy and wide base

I never thought I would describe a kettle as handsome. Kitchenaid is well-known for its aesthetics, and this appliance fuses traditional looks with modern technology in a really beautiful way. It is short and stout (like a little teapot) with a wider base than most kettles; it feels weighty yet satisfying to hold.

But is it more style than substance? It won’t perform as well as the Russell Hobbs kettle – it doesn’t have a built-in filter cartridge – but I was impressed with its ability to deal with hard water. Like most modern kettles, it has a removable mesh filter that sits just behind the spout. Finer than some of the other kettles I tested, it does a better job of filtering the hard water – as well as preventing any limescale from entering my cuppa.

The resulting brew had a visible film on top, but it was thinner and less scummy-looking than other cups of tea I made during this test. I would still recommend using filtered water, whether from a tap with a filter installed or from a filter jug, for best results, but this kettle did perform better than expected.

It has temperature controls built into the base, easily adjusted between 50C to 100C using a lever, and the kettle itself has a temperature gauge that lets you know how hot it is. However, if you have a very small kitchen, it may take up a fair bit of precious counter space – and it comes with quite a hefty price tag.

Buy now £199.00, Dunelm.com

Graef Glass Kettle and Tea Maker

★★★★☆

Best: In-built tea-brewing kettle for hard water

What we love: Glass body, two lid options including built-in tea infuser, sleek temperature control console

Take note: Tea stains not easily cleaned

If you’re serious about your tea, then this kettle ticks all the boxes. This clever kettle from Graef features a glass body and has two lid options – one for normal kettle function, and another with a built-in tea infuser chamber. The chamber can be opened up and filled with loose tea leaves before pulling up so that the leaves are suspended above the water as it boils. Then you push the plunger down, much like a cafetière, and allow the tea to brew.

The Graef kettle comes with a sleek base with temperature controls. It takes up very little counter space and is perfect for a more minimalist kitchen. You can have it boil your water to a very precise 60C, 70C or 80C – lower temperatures are good for brewing more delicate green and white teas. There is even a function for filter coffees, which heats the water to the perfect temperature for pour-over brewing methods. The niftiness doesn’t stop there: it features a 30-minute keep-warm function and a residual heat indicator, which is great for those who want to enjoy their tea a little longer.

Both lid options have a removable and easily cleaned stainless steel limescale filter. The tea brewed still has a fairly strong limescale presence, which is a bit disappointing – I definitely recommend using filtered water to boil. However, the other issue I found was that brewing tea in the kettle leaves tea stains that are difficult – almost impossible – to clean by hand. Unlike a teapot, this is an electronic appliance and so cannot be washed in the sink. The tea stains might then be unappealing when you want to use it as a normal kettle. However, tea aficionados may prefer to use this solely for tea.

Buy now £99.00, Boroughkitchen.com

Dualit Architect

★★★☆☆

Best: Durable kettle for hard water

What we love: Stylish silver chrome look, excellent pour, highly durable

Take note: Loud and shakes when boiling

Dualit’s chrome appliances are really fashionable right now, fusing practical, resilient materials with modern and sleek British design. I’m already a fan of the brand’s hand mixer in the same silver style, but noted that the body of the hand mixer is plastic, whereas the body of this kettle is made from brushed stainless steel, making it highly durable.

It’s so durable that a friend who vouched for this kettle has had it since her university days – some seven or eight years ago now. Apart from that, it has the most perfect spout for pouring, with zero spills or dribbles.

It’s undoubtedly a long-lasting kettle, but how does it fare with hard water? Unfortunately, it fell slightly short in this area. There is an internal spout filter, but it only helps to stop larger pieces of limescale from getting into a brew. My cup of tea made with this kettle had a strong limescale presence, with a rather thick filmy layer forming on top of the mug. Using filtered water solves this immediately, but it’s something to think about if you don’t have access to filtered water.

Another downside is how loud it is – at full capacity, it shook enough to make the dishes on my counter rattle. If you do choose to go with this kettle for its longevity, I suggest getting into the practice of boiling water for tea before an important conversation and not during – you might miss some details otherwise.

Buy now £99.00, Johnlewis.com

Aarke Stainless Steel Kettle

★★★☆☆

Best: for a design lovers

What we love: Super sleek, modern design, takes up very little counter space, quiet

Take note: Hard to see water level

This design-led kettle is smooth and sleek on all sides. Even with its minimal design, Swedish design and engineering brand Aarke has managed to fit temperature controls within this very slim kettle and base, which is really impressive.

Its diminutive size still holds an impressive 1.2L of water, but it took me a second to find the water level indicator, as there’s no window. Instead, the minimum and maximum water level indicators can be found embossed on the inside wall of the kettle. With no level markers, it’s anyone’s guess how much water you’re boiling. This is not ideal, but fine if you are only making tea for yourself or a couple of people.

Despite its slimness, it doesn’t shake or wobble while boiling and emits a gentle beep when it has reached the desired temperature, which can be set between 40 °C and 100 °C.

A stainless steel filter is fitted behind the subtle spout, which pours neatly, but it doesn’t do a lot to reduce limescale. However, like glass, the stainless steel body is not porous and the Aarke kettle has even fewer crevices for limescale to bond to, so it’s quite likely that it will take quite a long period of use before you have to even think about descaling it. Like all the other kettles – apart from the Russell Hobbs Brita kettle – using filtered water delivers the best results.

Buy now £168.99, Lakeland.co.uk

Tefal Includeo Kettle

★★★☆☆

Best: Kettle for travel

What we love: Lightweight without feeling flimsy, compact, nice accessible design

Take note: Loud, takes longer than expected to boil

According to Tefal, this Includeo range is its first “inclusive” range. The thoughtful design is clear, with large water level markings (great for anyone with poor eyesight), large buttons, and a wide ergonomic handle. It’s also very lightweight, making it suitable for anyone who is unable to lift heavy objects. It’s compact – although a little wide – but I still think it would make a great travel kettle as well.

But, as expected, it doesn’t perform particularly well in terms of filtering hard water. The tea I brewed had a lot of limescale, forming a very thick layer of scum as it cooled. You may simply have to put up with this if you’re travelling and using tap water in hotels, but at home, using filtered water solves the problem immediately. It does come with a removable mesh limescale filter that can be easily cleaned.

Despite the fact that it doesn’t filter hard water much, I think this kettle is a good buy for anyone who travels very often and worries about not having a kettle in their room, or for those with accessibility issues. A couple of other things to note are that it does boil quite loudly, despite its diminutive size, and is made of plastic.

Buy now £42.99, Currys.co.uk

What are the best kettles for hard water?

Without a doubt, the Russell Hobbs Brita Purity Glass Kettle comes out on top in this review. The built-in Brita filter does a fantastic job of filtering out calcium carbonate, the main mineral in limescale, as well as magnesium, leaving you with a clear, smooth cuppa. But the cartridges need replacing regularly and can become costly.

KitchenAid, Lakeland and Aarke perform a little better with hard water compared to some of the other kettles, but I would ultimately recommend using filtered water if you want to tackle hard water in the longer term. Using filtered water also reduces limescale build-up inside the kettle significantly.

Why trust me?

Kate Ng has been reviewing kitchen appliances, cookware and food products over the last five years for major publications, including The Independent and Yahoo UK. She tests everything in her own kitchen and home, making sure they are suitable for everyday life.

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