Home » Product Reviews » Small Appliances » Kettles And Toasters » Kettles » Swan Alexa SK14650BLKN Kettle with Temperature Selector review
The Swan Alexa SK14650BLKN is a 1.5-litre smart kettle designed to bring a bit of connected convenience to the most-used appliance in the kitchen. With Alexa control, a temperature selector and a quiet boil mode, it aims to make tea rounds easier, calmer and a little more high-tech.
Swan generally sits in the affordable to mid-range space, and this model follows that pattern: it’s not a budget basic, but you’re mainly paying for the smart features, temperature control and sleek gloss finish rather than luxury materials or a long warranty.
With an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating from over twenty owners, it’s clearly gone down well in real homes, especially with those who want a simple way to combine smart home control with everyday tea and coffee making.
This kettle suits anyone who wants to add a touch of smart home convenience without turning their kitchen into a gadget showroom. If you already use Amazon Alexa speakers or displays, being able to ask for the kettle to be boiled is an easy luxury you’ll quickly get used to.
The 1.5-litre capacity is ideal for small to medium households – big enough for around six mugs in one go, so family tea rounds and visiting friends are well covered. If you regularly host large groups or make endless hot drinks throughout the day, you may still want something larger, but for typical daily use it’s a sensible size.
It’s a good fit for mid-range buyers: you’re happy to spend more than a basic plastic kettle, but you still want value for money and practical features. The temperature selector and keep warm function also make it appealing for tea enthusiasts and anyone who drinks speciality coffees that taste better below boiling.
If you’re not particularly interested in smart control or already have a very simple setup, some of what you’re paying for here may be wasted – but for connected homes and modern kitchens, it’s a very natural choice.
The built-in Alexa compatibility is the standout feature. Being able to tell Alexa to put the kettle on means you can have hot water ready as you come downstairs or pause a film without hunting for a switch.
The temperature selector is genuinely useful. Different teas, instant coffee and hot chocolate all benefit from slightly different water temperatures, and being able to choose rather than just hitting a rolling boil helps both taste and energy efficiency.
Quiet boil is another strong point, especially in open-plan spaces or shared homes where an early-morning brew can easily disturb others. Combined with the keep warm function, it makes this kettle more flexible than most standard models.
The LED touch control panel keeps the design clean and modern, while the stainless steel body and gloss black finish help it look more premium on the worktop than many plastic rivals.
Auto power off and boil-dry protection add welcome peace of mind, particularly for busy households or teenagers who aren’t always the most careful in the kitchen.
Despite the smart features, this is not a cordless jug kettle – the spec lists it as corded, which is less convenient when filling and pouring compared with most modern kettles that lift off a base.
The power rating of 1800 watts is on the modest side. It will still boil a full 1.5 litres in reasonable time, but it’s likely to be slower than many 2.2–3 kW kettles, particularly noticeable if you often boil a full load.
The manufacturer warranty is only one year, which is a little short for a kettle at this price point, especially one with smart electronics and touch controls.
There’s no mention of a removable limescale filter or easy-clean features. In hard water areas, you may find you need to stay on top of descaling and cleaning to keep it looking and performing its best.
Living with the Swan Alexa SK14650BLKN should feel straightforward once you’ve done the initial setup. Day to day, the LED touch panel gives you clear, simple controls for power, temperature and keep warm, so anyone in the house can operate it without needing to use voice commands.
Quiet boil makes early starts and late-night drinks much more civilised. You’ll still hear it, but it’s more of a background hum than the harsh roar you get from some cheaper models. This is especially welcome if your kitchen is next to a bedroom or part of a living space.
The 1.5-litre capacity hits a sensible balance between not taking up too much worktop space and being big enough for family use. Filled and heated, it will have a bit of weight to it as a stainless steel kettle, but the size should keep it manageable for most users.
Because it isn’t cordless, you will have to work around the power lead when positioning and pouring. Placed thoughtfully, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re used to the freedom of a cordless jug.
The auto power off and boil-dry protection mean you’re less likely to run into problems if someone forgets they’ve switched it on, adding a layer of everyday safety that’s easy to appreciate but never gets in the way.
With a 1.5-litre capacity and 1800-watt element, this kettle is built for everyday family use rather than sheer speed. Expect it to handle a couple of mugs quickly, with slightly longer waits for a full load than you might see from higher-wattage rivals.
The temperature selector is one of the key performance benefits. Rather than always boiling to 100°C, you can choose lower settings to suit green tea, herbal infusions or instant coffee. This not only helps flavour but also avoids unnecessary over-boiling, which can save a little energy over time.
Quiet boil technology sets it apart from many standard kettles. The design aims to reduce the harshness of the boiling noise, which can make a noticeable difference if you often make drinks while others are sleeping, working or watching TV nearby.
The smart capabilities come into their own if you already have an Alexa ecosystem at home. Being able to trigger the kettle by voice or as part of a routine – for example, as your alarm goes off – is both convenient and surprisingly habit-forming. For those who don’t want to talk to their appliances, the LED touch control panel makes sure the kettle still works as a straightforward, intuitive appliance.
Useful safety and convenience extras round out the spec sheet: auto power off, boil-dry protection, a keep warm function to hold water at temperature for a while, and a sleek stainless steel body that should stand up well to everyday knocks when looked after.
At around £80, this Swan smart kettle sits above the price of a basic jug but below many premium designer models. You’re paying a clear premium for the Alexa integration, temperature control and quieter operation, rather than raw boiling power.
For households that will regularly use the smart features and temperature selector, it offers fair value. Those features are genuinely useful rather than gimmicks, and the very strong 4.8 out of 5 owner rating suggests buyers are generally happy with what they’ve received for the price.
If you simply want the fastest possible boil and don’t care about voice control or precise temperature, you could save money with a more conventional kettle. However, for smart home users who enjoy the idea of telling Alexa to put the kettle on and want a quieter, more flexible appliance, the price feels justified.
The main value compromise is the one-year warranty and relatively modest wattage at this price point, which keeps it from being an outright bargain but still a sensible buy for the right user.
The Swan Alexa SK14650BLKN is a stylish, well-liked smart kettle that brings meaningful features to the everyday task of boiling water. Alexa control, a temperature selector, quiet boil and keep warm all combine to make it more convenient and more versatile than a basic jug.
It isn’t perfect: the 1800-watt element is not the quickest, the corded design is less convenient than most cordless kettles, and the one-year warranty is modest for the price. If speed and simplicity are your only priorities, there are cheaper, faster options.
But if you live in a connected home, enjoy speciality teas or coffees and want a quiet, modern-looking kettle that fits a contemporary kitchen, this Swan model is an appealing choice. For the right household, it delivers a satisfying blend of smart convenience and everyday practicality.