Russell Hobbs Electric Travel Kettle review: it may be basic, but it gets the job done

Price on writing: £13 (RRP £22) | Buy now from Amazon

Our verdict

If you’re looking for a simple travel kettle that’s compact, lightweight and won’t break the bank, this dinky Russell Hobbs model is a decent pick. Sure, it’s basic, but it gets the job done well, and the inclusion of two small cups and spoons is a thoughtful touch for hotel or caravan stays.

It’s slower to boil than a full-sized kettle, and the power cord could be longer, but for just £13, it offers good value for money and does exactly what you need it to when you’re on the go.

What is the Russell Hobbs Electric Travel Kettle like to use?

I tested the kettle at home over the course of a week, using it to make coffee, herbal teas and instant noodles. While it’s not designed for everyday use in place of a full-sized kettle, it slotted nicely into my routine during testing.

It's very simple to operate. As expected at this price point, there's no fancy features like a temperature control kettle, but its charm lies in its simplicity - you just flick the power button on the handle and it gets to work.

The 1000W power means it’s not especially fast - 500ml took around three minutes, 30 seconds to reach boil - but given its compact design, this is reasonable. In comparison, our top-rated Bosch Styline Kettle has three times the wattage, so the slower boil is understandable.

The kettle is also impressively quiet during most of the heating cycle, becoming slightly louder towards boiling but never reaching disruptive noise levels. In fact, without the power light, I wouldn’t have realised it was on at first.

The lid can be a little stiff to open at times, but this is only a minor gripe overall. It also pours smoothly into the cup in a steady stream with no splashing.

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Russell Hobbs Travel Kettle: design and portability

The Russell Hobbs Travel Kettle's size in comparison to the full-sized Russell Hobbs Calm Kettle

One of this kettle’s biggest strengths is its compact, lightweight design. It doesn’t fold down like some premium travel models, but it wouldn't take up much space in a larger suitcase or caravan storage compartment. That said, I wouldn’t recommend squeezing it into a cabin-sized bag, where space is already at a premium.

While it's not going to win any awards for style, it feels reasonably sturdy - though the printed logo smudged slightly, which suggests it may wear over time.

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How easy is the Russell Hobbs Electric Travel Kettle to keep clean?

The kettle’s white coating does show marks fairly easily, but as it isn’t designed with aesthetics in mind, this wasn’t a major concern during testing.

Over the week, I didn’t notice any significant limescale build-up either. Since it’s intended for occasional use, I can't imagine this being too much of an issue, but luckily there's a removable filter included to keep flakes out of your cuppa.

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Price: does the Russell Hobbs Travel Kettle offer value for money?

Yes - at £15, it offers good value for money. It’s may be basic, but it's functional and performs well as a travel kettle. The added cups and spoons are a nice addition, too. It’s unlikely to replace a full-size kettle, but as a compact, occasional-use option, it’s a good budget-friendly buy.

How I tested

I tested the Russell Hobbs Travel Kettle in my Hertfordshire flat over a one-week period, using it to make hot drinks and prepare instant noodles as part of my usual routine. I also cross-compared its performance with full-size kettles I’ve previously tested for Mumsnet.

I then scored the kettle across key categories including performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, speed, capacity, portability and noise. These scores combined to give the final rating out of 100, helping to provide a clear and balanced verdict based on practical use.

About the author

Natasha Gregson is a Senior Content Editor at Mumsnet and oversees all home and kitchen content on the site. With years of editorial experience, her work has appeared in The i Paper and Stylist Magazine.

A coffee and herbal tea devotee, Natasha has tested a wide range of kettles for Mumsnet - from Bosch and Sage to Dualit and Russell Hobbs - along with other kitchen gadgets, such as air fryers, slow cookers and toasters. When she’s not writing or reviewing, she’s usually out discovering new restaurants, reading, cross-stitching or running.

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.