Fortunately, it’s not a case of style over substance. The kettle boiled a litre of cold water in two minutes and 20 seconds and was easy to lift and pour from. Filling was less straightforward – there aren’t any markings on the water window and there’s only a max marker inside, meaning you may end up boiling more water than you need each time. However, we did like the discreet light on the lever and the kettle’s good build quality overall.

The kettle is just as good-looking, with a handle that’s easy to grip and a light-up lever to show when it’s boiling. It’s also surprisingly light to carry around, so less of a struggle when full. A good-sized water window with multiple markings in litres means it’s simple to boil only as much water as required, while the minimum boil, though not marked, is an economical 250ml. In our tests, it performed well, boiling a litre of cold water in two minutes and 15 seconds. Most kettles have a capacity of 1.7 litres, although some can be larger and others smaller. Typically, the minimum capacity is 1.5 litres because anything smaller would only be suitable for one person. Interestingly, the regular 1.7 capacity is also the typical maximum capacity as kettles become quite heavy in larger sizes. Design and Colours One trait to keep an eye out for when comparing toaster and kettle sets is the number and width of bread slots. In general, a toaster usually has either two or four bread slots. If you have more than one or two people in your home, you may want to opt for a four-slice toaster. The coordinating toaster has a high lift function to help prevent burnt fingers and even a reheat button, which is a useful extra on an affordable model such as this. Homemade bread fitted in the slots comfortably, even though they’re not the widest, and toast emerged evenly done, with only slight singeing at one corner.Swan Tribeca 1.8L Pyramid Kettle and 2-Slice Toaster: Best kettle and toaster set for compact kitchens

The Russell Hobbs Inspire four-slice toaster features conveniently wide slots and the standard variable browning control knob. It also comes with a handy Lift and Look feature to help you monitor the toasting level mid-cycle. Plus, there’s a frozen, reheat, and cancel function. The retro-styled two-slice toaster is equipped with high lift bread slots, non-slip feet, a removable tray for crumbs, and integrated cord storage. To help you achieve perfectly toasted bread, it has a variable browning control, cancel, reheat, and defrost functions. The included kettle is powerful for fast boiling and has a 1.7-litre capacity. We love its easy pour spout and the large illuminated water level window for easy viewing. The limescale filter and lid are both detachable, too. With all of these features combined, it could be the best retro kettle on our list.We think the best kettle and toaster set is the Russell Hobbs Inspire, and not just because of its stylish design that’s available in several colour options. We love its four-slice toaster containing wide slotsand a convenient Lift and Lookfeature. We also appreciate the kettle that features rapid boiling capability and a perfect pour spout to make it easy to use. This set comes with a four-slice toaster which is great for households with more than one or two people. It has variable browning control, frozen, cancel, and reheat settings for optimal control. It even has a removable crumb tray. Of course, owning a toaster and kettle comes with its own benefits. They help make breakfast easy, fast, and efficient as a pair. Individually, they help you boil water at rapid speeds and create toast for any meal of the day. The Best Toaster and Kettle Set for You The toaster comes in a two- or four-slice version, the latter of which we tested. Its wide slots, lift-and-look feature, defrost and reheat buttons make it ideal for any busy household, especially one where it’s out on display, so its elegant exterior can be properly appreciated. On a toaster, you want time and temperature controls. These help you toast bread to an ideal level. In addition to a variable browning control, you may also want to look for a toaster equipped with cancel, defrost, and reheat functions. These can become useful when you are in a rush, as we often are at breakfast time.