The Breville Smart Kettle Luxe and Breville IQ Kettle are both premium electric kettles designed for precision, but they differ in aesthetics, materials, and price. The Smart Kettle Luxe features a more sophisticated, modern design with a premium brushed stainless steel finish and a refined digital display, while the IQ Kettle offers similar core functionality in a more practical, utilitarian package at a lower price point.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Breville kettle for your daily tea or coffee routine.
Breville Smart Kettle Luxe
The Smart Kettle Luxe is Breville’s top-tier kettle, designed for tea and coffee aficionados who appreciate both high performance and sophisticated design. It combines precise temperature control with a luxurious brushed stainless steel body, making it a statement piece for any modern kitchen. Its user-friendly interface and specialized heat settings ensure optimal flavor extraction for everything from delicate green tea to bold French press coffee.
- What it is: A premium 1.8-liter electric kettle with variable temperature settings and a high-end finish.
- Key features: Five presets for Black, Green, White, and Oolong Tea, plus a French Press Coffee setting. It also includes a 20-minute Keep Warm function and a clear digital display that shows the current temperature.
- Price: Around $200 - $220.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist with a premium, seamless construction that looks great on the counter.
- Materials/Construction: High-grade brushed stainless steel body and lid, with a BPA-free water viewing window and a soft-grip, ergonomic handle. Includes boil-dry protection and auto shut-off.
- Pros: Elegant and sophisticated design. Precise temperature presets for perfect brewing. Fast boiling with a 1500W element. The 20-minute keep-warm function is very convenient. Quiet operation compared to many electric kettles.
- Cons: It has a significantly higher price tag. The body of the kettle can get hot to the touch during use. Takes up a bit of counter space.
The Smart Kettle Luxe is ideal for discerning users who prioritize aesthetics just as much as function and are willing to invest in a high-end appliance that delivers precise results.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/kettles/bes920.html
Breville IQ Kettle
The Breville IQ Kettle is a versatile and highly functional electric kettle that packs most of the advanced features of its more expensive sibling into a more accessible package. It offers multiple preset temperatures for different beverages, making it easy to brew tea and coffee like a pro. With a focus on practical performance, the IQ Kettle is a workhorse designed for daily use in any household that values speed and precision.
- What it is: A feature-rich 1.7-liter electric kettle with customizable temperature controls.
- Key features: Multiple presets for boiling, green tea, black tea, and white tea, with the ability to adjust the temperature manually. Features a keep-warm button, rapid boil capability, and a clear LCD display.
- Price: Approximately $130 - $160.
- Style: Clean and contemporary with a classic brushed stainless steel look that is more functional than high-design.
- Materials/Construction: Durable brushed stainless steel housing with a sturdy plastic base and handle. Includes a 360-degree swivel base, auto shut-off, and boil-dry protection.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price, offering precise temperature control. A clear, easy-to-read LCD display. Durable and built for daily use. Keep-warm function reliably holds temperature.
- Cons: The design is more utilitarian and less refined than the Luxe model. The beep alerts can be loud for some users. The lid mechanism can sometimes feel less smooth.
The IQ Kettle is the perfect choice for anyone who wants precise temperature control for their daily beverages without the premium price tag of a high-design model.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/kettles/bke820.html
Breville Smart Kettle Luxe vs. IQ Kettle Comparison
Style & Materials
The most immediate difference between the two kettles is their design. The Smart Kettle Luxe has a distinctively premium look, with a sleeker, more seamless brushed stainless steel body that feels more substantial. It's designed to be a showpiece. The digital display is elegantly integrated, contributing to its minimalist aesthetic.
In contrast, the IQ Kettle is handsome but more practical in its appearance. While it also uses brushed stainless steel, its construction feels more standard and utilitarian. Its form-follows-function design is built to blend in rather than stand out, making it a versatile but less exciting choice for design-forward kitchens.
Features & Usability
Both kettles are incredibly user-friendly and share many core features, including five preset temperature settings, a 20-minute "Keep Warm" function, and a 360-degree swivel base. They both boil water quickly thanks to their powerful heating elements. The primary difference in usability comes down to the interface and finish.
The Smart Kettle Luxe features backlit buttons that are integrated into a smoother, more refined interface. The IQ Kettle has clearly labeled push buttons that are functional and easy to understand but lack the sophisticated feel of the Luxe. In everyday use, both kettles perform their main job - heating water to a precise temperature - flawlessly. The choice comes down to how much you value the user interface experience.
Capacity & Dimensions
There's very little difference here, as both models are designed for typical household needs. The Smart Kettle Luxe has a capacity of 1.8 liters, while the IQ Kettle is almost identical at 1.7 liters. Both have similar countertop footprints and are cordless for easy pouring, making them equally practical for serving small to medium-sized groups.
Price & Value
Price is the key differentiator. The Smart Kettle Luxe typically costs $200 or more, positioning it firmly in the premium appliance category. Its higher cost is justified by its superior design, materials, and slightly more refined user experience.
The IQ Kettle is considerably more affordable, usually priced around $130-$160. It delivers nearly identical performance and all the essential features of the Luxe. For most consumers, the IQ Kettle offers better value, providing industrial-grade precision without the design-focused price tag.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Smart Kettle Luxe is for the home coffee or tea enthusiast who invests in their ritual and wants their tools to reflect that passion. If you have a curated kitchen with modern appliances and an appreciation for superior fit and finish, the extra cost of the Luxe will feel worthwhile. It's perfect for someone who sees their kettle as both a tool and a piece of decor.
The IQ Kettle is the practical choice for anyone who simply wants to make a better cup of tea or coffee. It’s ideal for busy families, students, or anyone who values function over form. If your priority is repeatable, accurate temperature control at a reasonable price, the IQ Kettle provides virtually all the performance of the Luxe without the aesthetic premium.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville kettles are excellent choices, but they are built for slightly different customers.
Choose the Smart Kettle Luxe if:
- You prioritize aesthetic appeal and want a kettle that looks stunning on your countertop.
- You appreciate a premium user experience with a more refined interface and finish.
- Your budget can accommodate a high-end appliance investment.
- You see your kettle as part of your overall kitchen design.
Choose the IQ Kettle if:
- You're focused on performance and want precise temperature control without the high price tag.
- Value is your top priority - you want the most features for your money.
- You prefer straightforward, functional design over a "showpiece" appliance.
- You need a durable, reliable kettle for daily use in a busy household.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Smart Kettle Luxe and the IQ Kettle?
The primary difference is design, materials, and price. The Smart Kettle Luxe has a sleeker, more premium design and finish. The IQ Kettle offers similar temperature control and features in a more functional, budget-friendly package.
Are the temperature settings accurate on Breville kettles?
Yes, one of the main selling points of both the Smart Kettle Luxe and the IQ Kettle is their precision. Both are highly regarded for heating water to the selected temperature accurately, which is crucial for properly brewing different types of tea and coffee.
Which kettle boils water faster?
Both kettles feature powerful 1500W heating elements and have a "fast boil" capability. Performance is virtually identical, and both can bring a full pot of water to a boil in just a few minutes.
Can you set a custom temperature on both kettles?
Both models rely on five pre-programmed temperature settings optimized for different beverages (e.g., green tea at 175°F, black tea at 200°F). They are not designed for fully custom temperature selection beyond those presets.
How long does the keep-warm function last?
Both the Smart Kettle Luxe and the IQ Kettle feature a "Keep Warm" function that holds the water at the selected temperature for up to 20 minutes.
Are Breville kettles worth the price?
For users who need precise water temperatures for brewing coffee or tea, Breville kettles are widely considered worth the investment. Their durability, speed, accuracy, and safety features outperform standard, non-variable kettles.
How do you clean and descale these kettles?
To clean them, you can boil a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water inside the kettle, let it soak for an hour, and then rinse thoroughly. Breville also sells specialized descaling products.
Which kettle is better for French press coffee?
Both models are excellent for French press, as they both have a dedicated setting designed to heat water to 200°F (93°C), the ideal temperature for brewing French press coffee properly.
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