Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission, but we’ll only ever publish an honest review. Find out more.
De'Longhi Icona Metallics Kettle review: style meets substance
Want to upgrade your morning ritual? The De'Longhi Icona Kettle promises both speed and style, but does it deliver on functionality? We put it through its paces in a real kitchen to bring you our verdict.
By Natasha Gregson | Last updated Aug 19, 2025
Price on writing: £55 | Buy now from Currys
Very stylish
Feels sturdy
Comfortable to hold
Easy to use
Fast boil
Power on light
Limescale filter
Large capacity
Great value for money (at current price)
Noisy
Handle obscures water guage
Pricey at RRP (though currently on sale)
Key specs
Maximum capacity: 1.7 litres | Minimum capacity: 300ml | Dimensions: 275 x 190 x 240 mm (H x W x D) | Power: 3000W | Matching toaster?: Yes | Guarantee: One year | Colours available: Beige Gold; Ice Blue; Grey Metallic; Pink Metallic
Our verdict
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Ease of cleaning: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
If you're a big fan of a vintage look, chances are you're probably already coveting De'Longhi's range of kitchen appliances. 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 not hard to see why; its retro appeal and glossy finish makes it a standout choice for those who want nostalgic style alongside modern functionality.
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. The limescale filter was excellent too, making it a great kettle for hard water areas.
I did have a few gripes, however. It was quite noisy when in use and the water gauge is hard to see underneath the handle, with no minimum fill marker. These were minor irritations though, and all in all I was impressed with this robust kettle (along with it's matching toaster). I'd definitely try and buy it when the price is slashed though, rather than at full RRP – you can currently pick it up for just £55, which is fantastic value for money.
What is the De'Longhi Icona Metallics KBOT3001.AZ Kettle like to use?
With a solid and sturdy on/off switch and intuitive operation, the Icona was a dream to use. 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. 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.
It's ideal if you want a speedy brew too. While it's not the fastest kettle Mumsnet has tested (the Russell Hobbs Inspire Kettle took just 45 seconds to boil one cup), its rapid boil impressed me, taking just 53 seconds for one cup to reach 100°C. What's more, if you're catering for guests or warming up large volumes of water for cooking, it's also fast at maximum capacity – it took me just three minutes, 36 seconds to boil 1.7-litres of water.
I liked that the handle was comfortable to hold even when the kettle was full. However, it's worth noting that the water level gauge can be hard to see at times as it's tucked underneath the handle. Another gripe I had was the noise levels – it was fairly loud when boiling.
Related: The best dishwashers for family homes
De'Longhi Icona Metallics Kettle: how does it look?
Unsurprisingly, this is an area the Icona got top marks in. You only have to look at it alongside its matching four-slice toaster to know that this is one stylish kitchen appliance.
Granted, the vintage look may not work for every kitchen aesthetic, but if retro chic is your thing, this is a striking kettle and I adored the attractive, clean design and glossy, metallic finish. I tested it out in the 'Ice Blue' colour (my personal favourite of the hues on offer), but there's also three other muted shades available, including gold, grey and pink.
Metallics not for you? There's also another Icona model (the KBOV3001BG) available that features a cream design with mahogany-style accents, or maybe the New York taxi-style yellow hue in the Capitals range is more your cup of tea <see what we did there>.
How easy is the De'Longhi Icona Metallics Kettle to keep clean?
Very easy. Unlike stainless steel designs, the glossy exterior doesn't show water marks easily. 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.
Related: The best integrated dishwasher for a tidy kitchen
Price: does the De'Longhi Icona Kettle offer value for money?
It depends. I do feel its full RRP (£115) is little too steep for a kettle that comes without additional features like variable temperature. That being said, it does feel sturdy and built to last, and many Mumsnetters have raved about their De'Longhi kettles going on for years and years.
However, at the current sale price of £55, I think it offers great value for money and is a fantastic option for a high-quality, mid-priced kettle.
How we tested
The De'Longhi Vintage Icona Kettle was tested out over a four-week period in a family home. During testing, the Icona kettle was carefully rated it on its features, ease of use, ease of cleaning, design, and value for money.
Tested in a family household over a one-month period
Tested in a hard water area
Used daily for a range of hot drinks, including coffee, regular tea, and herbal tea
Used to boil water for cooking
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, 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 home content for Mumsnet and has edited features on the best glass kettle, most energy-efficient kettle, and smallest travel kettle, so she knows a thing or two about selecting the top kitchen gadgets.
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.
Related: The best American fridge freezer, tried and tested
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.
Read next: The best tea towels for mopping up spills