Breville the Temp Select BKE720BSSUSC vs Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998
Do you need selectable water temperatures and a larger 1.7-liter kettle, or is a straightforward 1-liter boil-only kettle enough?
Products compared

ASIN B0117NT3ME
Breville the Temp Select BKE720BSSUSC
You use the five listed temperature settings for tea or French press coffee and want the option to hold the selected temperature for 20 minutes.
Last observed offer
$109.95
- Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon
Size: One Size
Price checked
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.

ASIN B00ZPN3O2I
Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998
Boiling water with an on/off switch is enough and 1 liter suits the amount you usually heat.
Last observed offer
$24.99
- Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon
Size: 1.1 Quarts
Price checked
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
Prices are per listed package. Pickoryx may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the paid Amazon links on this page, at no added cost to you.
Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-21 · Source checked 2026-10-21 10:25 UTC
The main trade-off
The Breville pairs five temperature choices and a 20-minute keep-warm function with 1.7-liter capacity; the Hamilton Beach is a 1-liter kettle with a simple on/off boil cycle and a documented removable-filter care routine.
Quick verdict
The Breville is the feature-fit choice for preset brewing temperatures, a 20-minute hold, and a stated 1.7-liter capacity. The Hamilton Beach 40998 is the simpler 1-liter boil-only option; its manufacturer documents an illuminated on/off switch and a removable mesh filter. Neither source set establishes faster boiling, better-tasting drinks, or superior durability.
Choose Breville the Temp Select BKE720BSSUSC if
- You use the five listed temperature settings for tea or French press coffee and want the option to hold the selected temperature for 20 minutes.
- You want the stated 1.7-liter/7-cup capacity rather than a 1-liter maximum.
Choose Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 if
- Boiling water with an on/off switch is enough and 1 liter suits the amount you usually heat.
When the recommendation changes
- If you regularly prepare more than 1 liter but no more than 1.7 liters at once, the Breville's stated capacity matters more; if you need a larger single batch than 1.7 liters, neither is a fit.
- If you want lower-temperature brewing or a hold after heating, the Breville's listed controls become relevant; otherwise, the simpler Hamilton Beach boil cycle may be sufficient.
The differences that matter
| Decision point | Breville the Temp Select BKE720BSSUSC | Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Controls And Capacity | The BKE720 U.S. manual lists five temperatures (175°F, 185°F, 195°F, 200°F, 212°F), a 20-minute Keep Warm function, approximately 200°F hold when 212°F is selected, and 1.7-liter/7-cup capacity.[2] | The exact Hamilton Beach 40998 product page states 1-liter capacity and lists an illuminated on/off switch. Its use-and-care guide says the kettle automatically shuts off when water has boiled.[3, 4] |
What this changes: Temperature presets and holding a selected setting favor buyers with those specific brewing needs; stated capacity helps distinguish one-cycle batch fit. No measured speed or taste result is claimed.[2, 3, 4] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
| Filling Serving And Care | The BKE720 U.S. manual specifies 500–1,700 ml fill marks, a lid-release button and soft-opening lid, a cordless jug/base with cord storage, and exterior wipe/descaling instructions.[2, 1] | The exact 40998 page lists a water-level window, push-button lid and cordless serving. Its guide documents a removable anti-scale mesh filter and rinse-and-brush care after cooling, plus empty-after-use, exterior-wipe and cream-of-tartar descaling instructions.[3, 4] |
What this changes: Readers can check fill marks, lid operation, serving setup and documented maintenance steps before buying. Hamilton Beach documents a removable filter; the Breville instruction book does not say whether one is fitted, so no absence is inferred.[2, 1, 3, 4] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
Best for your routine
Brewing with selectable lower temperatures and keeping a selected setting for up to 20 minutes
Best fit: Breville the Temp Select BKE720BSSUSC
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Those controls and the hold are documented for the exact BKE720 U.S. manual. The 40998 guide describes a boil-to-off cycle rather than selectable temperature control.
Boiling a batch of up to 1 liter with a simple on/off cycle
Best fit: Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Hamilton Beach states 1-liter capacity and documents an illuminated on/off switch with automatic shutoff at boiling. This does not establish a speed or safety advantage.
Value and trade-offs
One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.
If the current exact-model offers differ, the Breville's five temperature choices, 20-minute hold, and 1.7-liter capacity are the features that could justify paying more for a household that uses them. A basic boil-only routine of up to 1 liter may not need those controls. Compare current seller and condition details for the exact models.
The current prices do not show whether either kettle is a good time to buy, and the sellers and conditions have not been matched. There is not enough price history to say whether to buy now or wait; compare current offers for the exact models.
Limitations
- No controlled head-to-head measurements were reviewed, so this comparison does not rank boiling speed, temperature accuracy, beverage taste, or long-term reliability.
- The Breville U.S. manual says it suits all BKE720 models and carries the U.S. BKE720BSS_USC manual identifier; confirm the model label on the kettle if the exact finish or regional variant matters.
- Hamilton Beach's U.S. product page identifies model 40998; its use-and-care guide lists 40998 and 40998C in its model-identification section. This comparison uses 40998-specific product-page facts and the guide's applicable instructions.
- Hamilton Beach documents a removable filter. The Breville instruction book does not say whether a removable filter is fitted; check the exact kettle if that feature matters.
- Price data are current-only and do not establish a historical low or a buy-now/wait recommendation.
Questions shoppers ask
Does the Breville keep water at 212°F for 20 minutes?
Not according to its U.S. instruction book: when Keep Warm is used with the 212°F button, the manual says the boiled water remains at approximately 200°F for 20 minutes. It also notes that temperature may vary by ±6°F and that the kettle is not calibrated for scientific or commercial use.
How do the stated capacities compare?
Breville lists 1.7 liters/7 cups, with 500 ml and 1,700 ml fill marks. Hamilton Beach lists model 40998 as a 1-liter kettle. Choose based on the amount you normally heat in one cycle, not an assumed number of servings.
Methodology and sources
Compared published temperature controls, keep-warm behavior, stated capacity, refill and serving details, and care instructions. Manufacturer specifications are not treated as controlled performance results.
Automated research support organized the opened manufacturer sources; neither kettle was physically tested for this comparison.
View 4 sources
- 1.the Temp Select product pageBreville U.S. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-21 10:25 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Product title and U.S. locale; sections '5 temperature settings for tea and coffee,' 'Keep warm button,' 'Soft Top lid,' 'Cordless convenience,' and Support & Documentation.: Official U.S. page for the BKE720 family. Describes five temperature settings, a 20-minute hold, soft-opening lid, and 360-degree cordless base with cord storage.
- 2.the Temp Select Instruction Book BKE720BSS_USC_IB_B15Breville U.S. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-21 10:25 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Cover: 'Suits all BKE720 models' and BKE720BSS_USC_IB_B15. 'Know Your Breville Product'; 'Features Your Breville Product'; 'Variable Temperature Control'; 'Operating Your Kettle'; 'Care & Cleaning' sections.: Official U.S. instruction book. Lists capacity, temperature settings, Keep Warm behavior including the approximately 200°F exception at the 212°F setting, fill marks, lid/cordless setup, empty-after-use and descaling/exterior-care steps. It does not describe a removable filter.
- 3.1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle (40998)Hamilton Beach U.S. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-21 10:25 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Product title and 'MODEL: 40998'; Features and Support sections.: Exact U.S. model page identifies 40998 as a 1-liter kettle and lists cord-free serving, automatic shutoff/boil-dry protection, water-level window, push-button lid, illuminated on/off switch and removable mesh filter.
- 4.Electric Kettle Use & Care Guide 840252200Hamilton Beach · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-21 10:25 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- English sections 'Parts and Features,' 'How to Use the Kettle,' 'Care and Cleaning,' and 'Limited Warranty'; model-identification section at the back lists 40998 and 40998C. The guide also gives U.S. customer-service details and U.S./Canada warranty coverage.: Official guide used with the exact 40998 product page; it identifies model 40998 in its model block, describes boil-to-off operation, removable filter removal/rinsing/replacement and soft-brush care, empty-after-use and exterior wiping, and a cream-of-tartar descaling procedure.