Proctor Silex K2070

With its low price tag, the Proctor Silex K2070 1-quart electric kettle seems to be a bargain, but judging by reviews, you can do better by spending a bit more. Reviews say this Proctor-Silex tea kettle makes plastic-tasting water and presents a safety hazard because it doesn't shut off automatically unless its lid is fully closed. It also has a short cord and boils slowly -- a stovetop kettle heated up faster, according to one professional test. It lacks a key feature common to electric kettles, a detachable base, and it is smaller than most, with about half the capacity. That said, it is the cheapest kettle on the market, and many users seem to put price above all other considerations when determining their rating of this kettle.

Opinions of the Proctor Silex K2070 1-Quart Automatic Electric Kettle run the gamut. Cook's Illustrated, the one professional review we found, pans it. On the other hand, users on Amazon.com love it (albeit with some reservations, most notably for making plastic-tasting water). The Cook's review is the best because it considers safety along with other features, and Amazon.com users, apparently wowed by its low price, are willing to overlook shortcomings. Users on other sites are less kind.