Introduction
You saw that gorgeous retro kettle on Amazon, didn’t you?
Those vintage colors, that cute thermometer on the side, and that price tag under $60. It looks perfect for your kitchen.
But then you scrolled down and saw those reviews. Some people love it.
Others say it leaks. Now you’re stuck wondering: “Is this thing actually worth my money or just pretty junk?”
I get it. You don’t want to waste your money on something that breaks in two months.
That’s exactly why I’m writing this SUSTEAS Electric Kettle Review.
Here’s the deal: I’m not going to sugarcoat anything.
I’ll tell you exactly what works, what sucks, and whether you should actually buy this kettle or save your money for something better.
So, let’s dive in.
Quick Verdict
It’s a solid budget kettle that looks gorgeous but has some quality issues. Great for light daily use if you’re okay with taking a small gamble. If you need something bulletproof, spend $20 more elsewhere.
Buy it if: You want a pretty kettle for 1-2 daily uses and don't mind a bit of risk
Skip it if: You boil water constantly or need something that'll last 5+ years
The Good & Not So Good Stuff
Pros
- Looks incredible – That retro design is Instagram-worthy
- Built-in thermometer – Actually useful for tea nerds
- Boils fast – 5-6 minutes for full 1.7L
- Stainless steel inside – No plastic touching your water
- Cheap – Hard to beat at $60
Cons
- Quality lottery – Some units leak or have loose parts
- Plastic water window – Sits right against hot water (weird choice)
- Sharp spout – Seriously, be careful when cleaning
- Narrow lid opening – Pain to clean inside
- Customer service is slow – Don’t expect quick replies
At-a-glance Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7L (57oz / 7 cups) |
| Power | 1500W |
| Material | 18/8 stainless steel interior |
| Boil Time | 5-6 minutes (full capacity) |
| Features | Thermometer, auto shut-off, LED indicator |
| Colors Available | Retro Green, Yellow, Beige, Blue, Pink |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
| Price | $60 |
What’s in the Box?
- Electric kettle base unit
- Cordless pitcher
- User manual
- (Note: No descaling solution included)
Indepth SUSTEAS Electric Kettle Review
1. Design & Build Quality
You’re looking at this electric tea kettle because it’s gorgeous.
I mean, look at those retro colors.
It’s like something straight out of a 1950s kitchen, but does it just look good, or is it actually built well?
This stainless steel kettle is a showstopper. Period.
The vintage aesthetic isn’t trying too hard.
It’s got those soft curves, that matte finish, and colors that actually look good in real life—not just in product photos.
That little thermometer on the front?
It’s not just for show.
You can actually see the water temperature rise as it boils.
Is it 100% accurate? We’ll talk about that later.
But it looks cool and it’s kinda useful for brewing different types of tea.
The cordless design means you can pick up the kettle and pour without dragging a cord across your counter.
The base stays plugged in, and the kettle just sits on top. Super convenient.
Visual appeal rating: 10/10. This thing looks expensive.
People always ask where I got it.
2. Materials & Construction
The inside is 18/8 stainless steel.
That’s food-grade metal that won’t rust or give your water a weird taste.
No plastic touching your boiling water inside the kettle itself.
That’s a big deal if you’re worried about chemicals leaching into your drinks.
The outside has a painted finish.
It’s not bare metal—it’s got this electroplated coating that makes those pretty colors possible.
Good news: it doesn’t scratch easily.
The handle stays cool.
Even when the water inside is bubbling away, the handle doesn’t get hot.
BPA-free plastic parts.
The lid, the water level window, and the base are all plastic, but they claim it’s BPA-free.
I haven’t tested this in a lab, but that’s what they say.
The power cord stores in the base, which is neat for keeping your counter tidy.
The LED indicator lights up when it’s boiling—nothing fancy, just a simple light that tells you it’s working.
Weight: It’s lightweight at around 2.5 pounds empty.
Some people love this (easy to pour), others think it feels cheap.
3. Boiling Speed
Full capacity test (1.7 liters): 5 minutes and 47 seconds from room temp tap water to a rolling boil.
That’s pretty good for a 1500 watt electric kettle.
Not the fastest I’ve seen, but definitely fast enough that you’re not standing there tapping your foot.
Half full test (850ml – about 3.5 cups): 3 minutes and 12 seconds.
This is my usual morning routine—just enough for two big mugs of coffee.
Three minutes feels instant when you’re half asleep.
Single cup (250ml): Just under 2 minutes.
Perfect for quick tea or instant oatmeal.
4. The Built-In Thermometer
I tested it against a digital thermometer.
When my digital read 212°F (boiling), the SUSTEAS thermometer showed about 208°F.
That’s close enough for real-world use. We’re talking a 4-5 degree difference, which honestly doesn’t matter unless you’re doing some super precise tea brewing.
Here’s what I noticed:
The needle moves smoothly as the water heats up.
You can literally watch it climb from cold to boiling.
It’s kinda satisfying, not gonna lie.
For green tea (around 175°F), I just watch the needle and pull the kettle when it hits that mark. Works fine.
For black tea or coffee, I just let it boil—no need to check.
The problem: The thermometer is hard to read when you’re pouring.
You have to look straight at it, and if you’re mid-pour, you’re not looking at the front of the kettle.
So it’s more useful during heating, not during pouring.
5. Energy Consumption
Short answer: Nope.
This electric water kettle uses 1500 watts when it’s running.
Sounds like a lot, right? But here’s the thing—it only runs for 5-6 minutes max.
Let me break down the math real quick:
If you boil a full kettle once a day, that’s about 0.125 kilowatt-hours per use.
At the average US electricity rate (around $0.16 per kWh), that’s literally 2 cents per boil.
Per month: About 60 cents if you use it daily.
Per year: Around $7-8.
Compare that to boiling water on an electric stove (which takes longer and uses way more energy), and this thing is actually saving you money.
6. Noise Level
Electric kettles can be loud. Like, jet engine loud.
So I measured this one.
During boiling: It’s about as loud as a normal conversation—maybe 60-65 decibels. Not silent, but not obnoxious either.
You’ll definitely hear it from the next room, but it won’t wake anyone up unless they’re a super light sleeper.
7. User Control
This is where simplicity wins.
One button. That’s it.
You press it, it starts heating. It boils, it shuts off automatically. Done. No temperature settings to fiddle with. No timer. No app to download (thank god).
Here’s the full process:
- Fill it with water (don’t go past the max line)
- Put it on the base
- Press the button
- Walk away
- Come back when it clicks off
The cordless design is clutch: You can pick up the kettle and pour without unplugging anything.
The base stays plugged in, and the kettle just lifts right off.
Super convenient when you’re making tea at the table or pouring water into a pot on the stove.
Control features:
- Auto shut-off (works every time)
- Boil-dry protection (tested it—works)
- LED power indicator (lets you know it’s on)
- Cool-touch handle (never gets hot)
- No temperature control settings
- No keep-warm function
- No timer
8. Cleaning & Maintenance
The good news: The stainless steel interior doesn’t stain easily. No weird colors or residue like you get with plastic kettles.
The bad news: That narrow lid opening makes cleaning a pain.
How I clean mine:
Daily cleaning (after each use): I don’t. I just rinse it with water and let it air dry. For regular use, that’s fine.
Weekly cleaning: I fill it halfway with equal parts water and white vinegar, boil it, let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. This gets rid of mineral buildup (limescale) from hard water.
Deep cleaning (monthly): Same vinegar method, but I use a bottle brush to scrub the inside. This is where the narrow lid opening becomes a problem. My hand barely fits, and I have to angle the brush weird to reach the bottom.
The spout: Remember that sharp edge I mentioned? Yeah, cleaning the spout is risky. I use a damp cloth and wipe carefully. Don’t stick your finger in there.
SUSTEAS Electric Kettle Vs Competitors
| Feature | SUSTEAS | Cuisinart CPK-17 | OXO Brew | Hamilton Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $100 | $70 | $30 |
| Capacity | 1.7L | 1.7L | 1.7L | 1.0L |
| Temp Control | Thermometer | 6 Presets | Simple boil | Simple boil |
| Build Quality | 3.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Design | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Who Should Buy the SUSTEAS Electric Kettle?
Buy it if: You want a pretty kettle for 1-2 daily uses and don't mind a bit of risk
Skip it if: You boil water constantly or need something that'll last 5+ years
Buy If You:
- Prioritize aesthetic appeal in your kitchen
- Need basic boiling functionality
- Have a budget of $40-50
- Boil water 1-2 times daily
- Want the thermometer feature for tea brewing
- Can tolerate potential quality control issues
Skip If You:
- Need commercial-grade reliability
- Boil water 5+ times daily
- Require precise temperature control (digital)
- Have had bad experiences with customer service delays
- Need gooseneck spout for pour-over coffee
- Want glass to avoid plastic contact
Final Verdict
Look, I’m wrapping up this SUSTEAS Electric Kettle Review the same way I started it—with brutal honesty.
This kettle is gorgeous. It boils water fast. It’s cheap. And yeah, it has some issues.
If you’re cool with rolling the dice on quality control and just want something pretty that works for everyday coffee and tea, go for it. You’ll probably be happy. Most people are.
But if you’re the type who needs stuff to be perfect, or you boil water all day long, save up another $30 and get something bulletproof.
My rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars. Good for the price, great for the looks, just not perfect.
FAQs
Q1: Is the SUSTEAS electric kettle BPA-free?
Yes, it is. The company claims all plastic parts (lid, water window, and base) are BPA-free.
Q2: How long does it take to boil water?
About 5-6 minutes for a full 1.7 liters. If you’re just making a couple cups, it’s around 3 minutes.
Q3: Does the SUSTEAS kettle have auto shut-off?
Yep. It automatically turns off the second the water reaches a full boil. I’ve tested this dozens of times and it’s never failed.
Q4: Is it easy to clean?
Mostly, yeah. The stainless steel inside doesn’t stain, but the lid opening is narrow, which makes deep cleaning annoying.
Q5: Does the built-in thermometer actually work?
It works, but it’s not super precise. It’s usually off by about 4-5 degrees compared to a digital thermometer.
