Updated 9 Nov 2017
Sunbeam
Café Series QT Kettle KE9650
Snapshot: The 1.7L Sunbeam Café Series QT Kettle KE9650 has five pre-set temperatures plus an audible “water boiling” reminder. How noisy is it?
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Test results
Overall score
Ease of use
Noise
Boiling
Energy efficiency
Good points
- Very fast to boil one litre of water.
- Acceptable noise level.
- Extremely easy to use controls.
- Push-button lid-opening for very easy filling.
- No problem with steam.
- Five pre-set temperatures (although they aren’t particularly accurate).
- Keep-warm function for 20 minutes.
- Has sterilise function.
- Has audible “water boiling” reminder.
- LCD display shows current temperature and estimated time to boil.
But
- The water comes out in an uneven stream.
- Heavy and not well balanced.
How we test
Overall score is made up of:
Ease of use (40%)
Noise (40%)
Boiling performance (10%)
Energy efficiency (10%)
Noise was assessed midway through boiling-up and from 1m away. A higher score means less noise.
Price is based on an October 2017 price survey.
Key data
Model
Avg price
Specifications
Boil time (minutes:seconds)
Capacity (L)
Weight (kg)
Features
Finish
More Info
Notes
Availability
Member reviews
"Unreliable"
20 Feb 2018, Terry
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
Was quiet to start with but need regular de-scaling to maintain quiet operation
Cons:
The lid on our one packed up after 1 year. My brother has one and is on his third replacement! A friend is on his second replacement. Why sell a product that is known to be rife with problems?
Recommend it?
No, this product has too many drawbacks.
"Lid release design"
25 Nov 2017, Geoff T.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
Review seems fair, but..
Cons:
Lid release mechanism is indirect and jams after a while with scale. First one was replaced due to this within a year. Second one is starting to do it now. I expect better from a kettle at this price.
Recommend it?
Maybe, it depends on what you're after.
"So far so good."
17 May 2016, Andrew B.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
Feels good in the hand - Not that I ever held one, but I imagine much like a well-balanced sword should feel.
The adjustable temperature function was handy last year when hot-water bottle season came around. Winter is upon us again, the kids are feeling the chill, and I'll be making use of it once more.
The level water-level window is located on both sides of the kettle which I guess would make it ideal the left and right handed among us.
Cons:
I'm happy with my Kettle, but have one concern: The button option that keeps water hot has been handy at times, but it might have been better to incorporate a feature to switch it off once the kettle has been removed from the base - placing the kettle back when the water level is below the 'minimum' level indicator only to hear the re-boil begin was concerning. Does it make the kettle dangerous, I can't say as I've always been around to switch the kettle off, but should this perhaps be an automatic feature???
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
