De'Longhi Icona Metallics Kettle review: “one of the most stylish kettles I’ve had on my worktop”

Price at time of testing: £115 | Check price at Currys or De’Longhi directly

Our verdict

A kettle might not be the most exciting appliance in the kitchen, but when you use it several times a day, it needs to be reliable. Ask my husband. Nothing ruins his morning faster than a kettle misbehaving. From the morning coffee rush to a quick afternoon tea or boiling water for dinner, the best kettle should simply get the job done without any fuss.

The De'Longhi Icona Metallics kettle combines classic retro styling with straightforward, everyday usability. To see how it performs in real homes, two different Mumsnet testers tried it at different times. In fact, it was first reviewed in 2024 by Mumsnet Senior Content Editor Natasha in her kitchen, and later also tested more recently in 2026 by parent tester Nicola, who uses it daily for tea and coffee in her own home.

Across two very different households, the kettle proved to be a dependable and good-looking kitchen staple. Natasha loved the design and how it looked on the worktop, while Nicola praised its ease of use and consistent boiling performance.

Both testers found it quick to boil, comfortable to handle and simple to operate. The retro design is one of its biggest selling points and helps it stand out from more basic kettles.

It doesn't offer advanced features like variable temperature settings, but it performs the core task well. If you want a kettle that looks stylish on the worktop and reliably boils water without unnecessary extras, this is a strong choice.

The De'Longhi Icona kettle blends into a modern kitchen setup well

How we’ve tested the De’Longhi Icona Metallics kettle

The De'Longhi Icona Metallics kettle was tested by two different Mumsnet reviewers in separate homes.

Mumsnet Senior Content Editor Natasha tested the ice blue kettle in 2024 as part of our original review, using it in her shared kitchen during everyday cooking and hot drink preparation.

More recently in 2026, parent tester Nicola tested the same kettle model separately in her own home over a three-week period. She used her beige gold model one to two times per day for tea, coffee and general kitchen use.

Testing focused on boiling speed, reliability, pouring control, ease of use, noise level, design and build quality.

What’s in the box?

Inside the box you’ll find:

• De'Longhi Icona Metallics kettle

• 360-degree swivel base

• Removable limescale filter

• Instruction manual

Nicola reported that setup was straightforward. She said it was “super quick and easy to set up. The instructions were clear and it was used straight out of the box.”

The De'Longhi Icona Metallics kettle paired with the matching four-slice toaster

What is the De’Longhi Icona Metallics kettle like to use?

The Icona kettle keeps things refreshingly simple. There are no complicated settings or temperature controls to navigate. Instead, it focuses on doing one job well: boiling water quickly for your next drink.

Natasha found this simplicity part of its appeal during the original review. She wrote, “With a solid and sturdy on/off switch and intuitive operation, the Icona was a dream to use.”

She also liked the straightforward process of making a drink. As she put it, “While there's no fancy variable temperature settings, this lends nicely to its ease of use - boiling the kettle was simply a case of filling it and hitting the switch.”

A small design detail also stood out to her: “I also loved the small power light on the front of the kettle, which was a nice touch and reminded me it was turned on.”

Nicola had a similarly positive experience in everyday use, describing the controls as “simple and intuitive.”

In terms of boiling speed, Natasha recorded particularly strong results during testing. She noted, “It may be simple to operate, but the Icona works hard to make your favourite hot drink - and with speed too. Boiling one cup of water in just under a minute, it can serve you warm drinks in no time.”

She measured 53 seconds to boil one cup of water and three minutes, 36 seconds to boil 1.7 litres.

Nicola’s experience was similar in real use. She reported “it takes just under two minutes to boil one cup of water. The speed is reasonable when it is filled.”

She also noticed that the kettle was quieter than the one she had previously owned, saying “it lives up to its fast boil claim and I also find it to be quieter than my old kettle.”

Handling and pouring were highlights for both testers. Nicola explained “it’s light and easy to hold. It’s not bulky or heavy, [it] feels like you're holding a jug.”

She added that it was “a great pourer, no splashing whatsoever.”

The De'Longhi Icona range includes matching kettles and toasters designed with a vintage aesthetic and modern functionality

Minor drawbacks noted during testing

While both testers were largely positive, Natasha did highlight a couple of minor usability quirks.

She explained that “the water level gauge can be hard to see at times as it's tucked underneath the handle.”

Noise levels were another small frustration. As she noted, “another gripe I had was the noise levels – it was fairly loud when boiling.”

However, she stressed these were small drawbacks overall, writing “these were minor irritations though, and all in all I was impressed with this robust kettle.”

How does the De’Longhi Icona Metallics kettle look?

Design is one of the biggest selling points of the Icona kettle.

If you’re drawn to retro kitchen appliances, there’s a good chance De’Longhi’s Icona range is already on your radar. Natasha pointed out during testing that “if you're a big fan of a vintage look, chances are you're probably already coveting De'Longhi's range of kitchen appliances.”

She also noted that the kettle had already featured in several Mumsnet buying guides because of its appearance: “One of our best kettles for aesthetic appeal, the Icona won a spot on several of our kitchen round-ups, including the most fashionable kettle and toaster sets.”

It’s easy to see why. As Natasha wrote, “its retro appeal and glossy finish makes it a standout choice for those who want nostalgic style alongside modern functionality.”

She later summed it up by saying it was “one of the most stylish kettles I’ve had on my worktop.”

Nicola also liked the way it looked in her kitchen, explaining “I love the look of the kettle in my kitchen. It blends in well with the overall look of the kitchen because of the colour.”

Close-up details of the Icona kettle, including the water level gauge beneath the handle and the small power indicator light on the base.

How easy is the De’Longhi Icona Metallics kettle to clean?

Cleaning and maintenance are fairly low effort. Natasha found the glossy finish particularly practical, explaining “Unlike stainless steel designs, the glossy exterior doesn't show water marks easily.”

She was also impressed with the internal filter. In her words, “I was also impressed with the limescale filter; it kept any specks of residue out of my morning brew - even in a hard water area.”

That could make it particularly useful in hard water areas. Nicola didn’t report any issues during her testing either, noting there were no signs of staining, damage or wear after several weeks of regular use.

Does it offer good value for money?

Admittedly, with an RRP of £115, the De'Longhi Icona Metallics kettle sits at the more premium end of the kettle market.

Natasha also suggested waiting for a deal if possible, writing “I'd definitely try and buy it when the price is slashed though, rather than at full RRP.”

It doesn’t include additional features such as variable temperature settings or keep-warm functions, so the value largely comes down to its design, build quality and everyday reliability.

Nicola was happy with what the kettle offers, saying she was “very satisfied” overall and felt it was “better value” compared with kettles she had previously owned.

She also said she would recommend it to others “based on the speed of the boiling and the attractive and unique look of the kettle.”

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

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