Russell Hobbs Inspire 1.7L (24360)

Not everyone needs presets and touch displays, and the Russell Hobbs Inspire is the sensible answer if you don't. Specs list a 3kW rapid-boil element with a 1/2/3-cup rapid-boil zone (Russell Hobbs cites around 45 seconds for a single cup), a 1.7L capacity, a removable washable limescale filter, an illuminated water window and boil-dry protection, on a 360° base. At an indicative £30 it is the cheapest pick here by a wide margin and scores highest of all on value, which is exactly why it makes the list. It ranks fifth because it has no temperature control and a plastic body rather than the metal of the pricier picks above — the honest trade-off for the price. Choose it over the Dualit if budget is the priority and you only ever boil to 100°C; choose the Ninja instead if you want temperature control for not much more outlay.