Dualit Architect Kettle review: we tried out this iconic Mumsnetter favourite

Price on writing: £95 | Buy now from Amazon

Our verdict

• Features: 4/5

• Design: 4.5/5

• Ease of use: 5/5

• Ease of cleaning: 3/5

• Value for money: 4/5

When it comes to finding the best kettle that is built to last, Dualit is mentioned time and time again on the Mumsnet forums, and with good reason. When I tested out the brand's popular Architect Kettle I was very impressed with how sturdy and solid its construction was. It certainly felt like a gadget that would last for years to come – something which hopefully makes the premium price tag a little more palatable.

I also loved how simple it was to use; the easy-pour spout made adding a neat stream of boiling water to my morning cuppa seamless, and the handle felt comfortable to grip. It looked very stylish on my countertops too, which was no surprise given Dualit's prowess for crafting iconic designs that are just as fashionable as they are functional.

However, I was disappointed to learn that it didn't have variable temperature control, something I would have expected at this price point. Also, the glossy exterior, while aesthetically pleasing, did show watermarks quite easily, though I do live in a place with very hard water.

That said, I found the limescale filter highly effective, so I wouldn't discount this if you want a kettle for hard water – you'll just need to give it a quick wipe down more often than usual.

What is the Dualit Architect Kettle?

If you spend a lot of time on the Mumsnet Housekeeping forum, chances are, you're probably familiar with Dualit's famous NewGen toaster (which actually took the coveted top spot on our best toaster round-up). Well, Dualit has proven they're no one-trick pony, with their Architect Kettle also getting heaps of praise on our Talk boards.

With a sleek stainless steel design and high-quality construction, the Architect is a reliable, premium kettle that will suit most kitchens. It's also customisable as you can swap out interchangeable panels (retailing at around £13 each from Dualit) for a fresh look, allowing you to be the 'architect' of your own kitchen aesthetic.

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What is the Dualit Architect Kettle like to use?

The Architect was an utter joy to use, scoring full marks in this area. There was no need to faff with manually opening the lid; a quick press of the button did this automatically, and it was very intuitive to turn on and boil.

Thanks to the patented 'Pure Pour Spout' it produced a steady, neat flow of water, which reduced the risk of splashes and spills – this was one of my favourite features of the kettle.

My only grumble when it came to ease of use was that the water gauge was difficult to decipher when boiling the kettle on lower volumes; trying to measure the minimum level of two cups was particularly tricky. Still, this was only a minor inconvenience, and I loved that the gauge lit up blue when it was on.

In terms of speed, it's fairly good. Granted, there are faster models on the market (the Russell Hobbs Inspire Kettle boiled one cup in just 45 seconds), but I wasn't waiting around for ages – the Architect boiled its minimum of two cups in one minute and 40 seconds, while the max capacity of six cups was ready in just under four minutes. And noise-wise, it was standard of what I've come to expect from a kettle; not too loud, but not particularly quiet either.

The biggest downfall of the Architect, however, is its lack of variable temperature settings. This did aid its ease of use, but other kettles that I've tested at a similar price have this functionality, hence why I docked half a mark from the overall score. On the whole though, I did really enjoy using this kettle.

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Dualit Architect Kettle: design and style

The Dualit Architect is a very stylish kettle. With a modern stainless steel finish, it was a very welcome addition to my kitchen counter, and I loved the unique design – I actually thought it looked quite Dalek-like (in a good way!) The Architect also felt pleasingly sturdy and robust; it's clearly designed to last.

I liked having the ability to swap out the panels at the bottom for a new colour, though I liked the stainless steel effect so I left them as they came. Still, it's nice to know I could change them in the future if I decided to revamp my kitchen and wanted a new look to match.

If you're wanting a matching kettle and toaster set, there's also a complementary Architect Toaster (from £89 at Amazon) you can buy that has interchangeable panels to match this kettle.

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How easy is the Dualit Architect Kettle to keep clean?

The stainless steel finish of the kettle meant that watermarks showed up quite easily on the exterior. In theory, the Pure Pour Spout should prevent this from happening, but with general everyday use, there was bound to be a few splashes when I refilled the kettle in a hurry.

It was easily resolved with a quick wipe though – it just needs a bit of extra care to keep the outside looking spick and span in comparison to a matte-finish kettle.

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Price: does the Dualit Architect Kettle offer value for money?

With its longevity in mind, I think the Dualit Architect offers relatively good value for money. You can definitely pick up a decent kettle cheaper, but it was one of the sturdiest kettles I tested, and Mumsnetters claim it lasts for years. Plus, if you buy it from John Lewis, there's a two-year guarantee for additional peace of mind.

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What Mumsnet users say

"Over budget but cost per use and all that... Love this kettle. Have had it a few years and it's great. If you did need to descale, it is all metal inside and easy to see it clean." - Product recommended by Alwaystired2023

"I've ended up with a Dualit Architect and I love it. I know it's just a kettle. But it's beautiful! And also seems to perform pretty well as a kettle (unlike the burning devil of a Dualit toaster we had)." - Product recommended by TheGreatestAtuin

How we tested

I tested the Dualit Architect Kettle in my north London home. During testing, I carefully rated it on its features, ease of use, ease of cleaning, design, and value for money, evaluating how it performed in a real-life kitchen setting in comparison to other kettles I've tried out for Mumsnet.

• Tested in a four-person household over a one-month period

• Used daily for a range of hot drinks, including coffee, regular tea, and herbal tea

• Used to boil water for cooking

• Cleaned regularly during testing

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About the author

Natasha Gregson is a Senior Content Editor at Mumsnet and oversees all home and kitchen content on the website. With numerous years of editorial experience under her belt, her work has also been featured in prestigious national publications like The i Paper and Stylist Magazine, and she's written on a wide range of topics.

Natasha can't get through the day without her trusty (read: essential) coffee and herbal tea, so she's on a mission to find the top kettles for Mumsnetters, investigating and testing out different models and brands (along with their complementary toasters). She's also worked extensively on other kitchen content for Mumsnet, including researching and writing about the best tea towels, vacuum sealers, air fryers, and slow cookers, to name just a few articles in her portfolio.

When she’s not busy seeking out the best buys and advice for Mumsnetters, you can find her searching for the next best restaurant, watching live music, curling up with a good book, cross-stitching, or enjoying a good hike or swim.

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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