Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 Review

A compact, low-cost 1 liter cordless kettle that boils only

A basic cordless kettle at a low price, this Hamilton Beach model boils water for tea, instant drinks and presses.

Spec-led review. Built from the manufacturer’s published specification and price rather than hands-on testing. Figures we could not find stated are left blank instead of estimated. Updated when we get one in.

Where you can buy itUS confirmed

Confirmed on Amazon US, which is where this link points. Availability in other Amazon stores has not been checked, and a regional store may substitute a different product.

Our rating
5.9/ 10
Decent
6 of 6 scored, out of 86 points · 14 not judgeable from specs

How we rate kettles : what each criterion measures, and what we cannot.

Temperature Accuracy & Stability5.0 / 10
worth 21.6 of 86 · 2.4 unpublished · thinly evidenced
how we got 5.0

what this measures, and what we cannot

What it was scored onScored from the specs the maker publishes. 0% published.
Variable temperaturenot in our data0.62 / 1.3
Temperature range publishednot in our data0.38 / 0.8
Incrementnot in our data0.5 / 1.0
PID controlnot published in this category—
Hold temperaturenot in our data0.5 / 1.0
Lid thermometernot in our data1.75 / 3.5
Brewing range marked on the gaugenot in our data0.75 / 1.5

The rows that apply here are worth 9.0 between them and this one took 4.5, which is 5.0 out of 10. That 0 to 10 result is what the criterion's 21.6 of 86 points are then scaled by.

The 9.0 points we could not find a figure for are scored at the middle of the scale rather than as a zero, which awards 4.5 of them: the greyed figures above. We will not guess a specification and we will not mark the product down for our own missing research.

Pour Control4.0 / 10
worth 22 of 86 · well evidenced
how we got 4.0

what this measures, and what we cannot

What it was scored onScored from specs that predict this rather than measure it. 100% published.
Gooseneck spoutNo, it has an easy-pour spout0.0 / 6.0
Kettle typeElectric cordless kettle, not a gooseneck2.0 / 2.0
Capacity1 L2.0 / 2.0

The rows that apply here are worth 10.0 between them and this one took 4.0, which is 4.0 out of 10. That 0 to 10 result is what the criterion's 22 of 86 points are then scaled by.

Build Quality & Durability6.9 / 10
worth 14.4 of 86 · 3.6 unpublished · thinly evidenced
how we got 6.9

what this measures, and what we cannot

What it was scored onScored from the specs the maker publishes. 38% published.
BodyStainless steel3.0 / 3.0
Interiornot in our data1.5 / 3.0
No plastic in the water pathnot published in this category—
Warrantynot in our data1.0 / 2.0

The rows that apply here are worth 8.0 between them and this one took 5.5, which is 6.9 out of 10. That 0 to 10 result is what the criterion's 14.4 of 86 points are then scaled by.

The 5.0 points we could not find a figure for are scored at the middle of the scale rather than as a zero, which awards 2.5 of them: the greyed figures above. We will not guess a specification and we will not mark the product down for our own missing research.

Ease of Use & Controls5.8 / 10
worth 10.85 of 86 · 3.15 unpublished · thinly evidenced
how we got 5.8

what this measures, and what we cannot

What it was scored onScored from the specs the maker publishes. 16% published.
Built-in timernot in our data0.62 / 1.3
Built-in scalenot in our data0.62 / 1.3
Cordless baseYes, cord-free serving1.25 / 1.3
Hold temperaturenot in our data0.62 / 1.3
Handlenot published in this category—
Inductionnot in our data0.62 / 1.3
Gasnot in our data0.38 / 0.8
Electric hobnot in our data0.38 / 0.8

The rows that apply here are worth 7.75 between them and this one took 4.49, which is 5.8 out of 10. That 0 to 10 result is what the criterion's 10.85 of 86 points are then scaled by.

The 6.5 points we could not find a figure for are scored at the middle of the scale rather than as a zero, which awards 3.25 of them: the greyed figures above. We will not guess a specification and we will not mark the product down for our own missing research.

Heating Speed (time to boil not published)6.7 / 10
worth 7.2 of 86 · 4.8 unpublished · thinly evidenced
how we got 6.7

what this measures, and what we cannot

What it was scored onScored from the specs the maker publishes. 33% published.
Powernot in our data2.0 / 4.0
Time to boilnot published in this category—
Capacity1 L2.0 / 2.0

The rows that apply here are worth 6.0 between them and this one took 4.0, which is 6.7 out of 10. That 0 to 10 result is what the criterion's 7.2 of 86 points are then scaled by.

The 4.0 points we could not find a figure for are scored at the middle of the scale rather than as a zero, which awards 2.0 of them: the greyed figures above. We will not guess a specification and we will not mark the product down for our own missing research.

Value for Money10.0 / 10
worth 10 of 86 · well evidenced
how we got 10.0
The verdict

The Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 is a 1 liter cordless kettle with auto shutoff, boil-dry protection, a water-level window and a removable mesh filter. Hamilton Beach describes no temperature control and an easy-pour spout, not a gooseneck. It lists at $24.99.

Pros

  • Low price at $24.99
  • 1 liter capacity
  • Auto shutoff with boil-dry protection
  • Water-level window and illuminated switch
  • Removable mesh filter
  • Weight published at 2.6 lb

Cons

  • Boils only: no temperature control is described
  • Easy-pour spout, not a gooseneck, so weaker for pour over
  • Wattage and warranty term are not published on the page
  • Body material is given only as stainless steel
  • No speed, noise or durability testing has been done
From $24.99

The Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 is a plain, cordless stainless steel kettle that holds 1 liter and costs $24.99. Hamilton Beach describes no temperature control and no gooseneck spout, so it is a boil-and-pour kettle, and this page treats it as one.

What is the Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998?

It is a 1 liter electric kettle from Hamilton Beach, model 40998. The maker's pitch is that it heats water faster than a microwave and more safely than a stovetop kettle. It serves cord-free, meaning you lift it off its base, and it has an easy-pour spout rather than the long, thin spout of a pour over kettle.

The feature list is short and practical: auto shutoff with boil-dry protection, a concealed heating element, a water-level window, a push-button lid, an illuminated on/off switch and a removable mesh filter. Hamilton Beach calls the body stainless steel in the product name but does not say more about the materials on the page we read.

Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 specs

TypeCordless electric kettle
Capacity1 liter
SpoutEasy-pour spout
Temperature controlNone described, boils only
BodyStainless steel
Dimensions7.8 in H x 8 in W x 5.5 in D
Weight2.6 lb
SafetyAuto shutoff with boil-dry protection
ExtrasWater-level window, removable mesh filter, push-button lid
Maker price$24.99

Hamilton Beach does not publish the wattage or the warranty term on the page we read, and it does not describe a hold function, timer or presets. Those are unknown, so check them before you buy if they matter to you.

How does the Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 work?

You fill it, watch the level in the water window, close the push-button lid and switch it on. The illuminated switch shows it is heating. The heating element is concealed, which the maker lists as a feature, and the kettle shuts off automatically. Boil-dry protection is there for the case where the kettle is switched on with too little water.

A removable mesh filter is listed to catch loose particles. Hamilton Beach does not explain how it handles mineral scale, so there is no claim here about descaling.

Because no temperature control is described, the kettle runs to a boil and stops. That is fine for tea bags, instant coffee, oatmeal, instant noodles and filling a French press. It is a weaker fit for pour over coffee, where many people want water a little below boiling and a thin spout to control the stream. Nobody here has used it, so how it pours is unconfirmed beyond the maker's words.

Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 vs Cuisinart JK-17P1 Cordless Electric Kettle 1.7L

The Cuisinart JK-17P1 Cordless Electric Kettle 1.7L is also a boil-only kettle without a gooseneck. It holds 1.7 liters, is rated at 1500W, has a stainless steel body, a blue backlit water window and a removable scale filter, and carries a limited 3 year warranty. Cuisinart does not publish a price on its page, so there is no price gap to quote.

The Hamilton Beach holds 0.7 liter less and does not state its wattage or warranty. What it offers is a published price of $24.99, a smaller footprint and a published weight of 2.6 lb. If you want a big kettle for a family or guests, the Cuisinart is the larger one. If you want a compact kettle for one or two cups, the Hamilton Beach fits that role.

Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 vs Chefman 0.8L Electric Gooseneck Kettle RJ11-GN

The Chefman 0.8L Electric Gooseneck Kettle RJ11-GN is also boil-only, at $39.99. Its difference is the slender gooseneck spout, which Chefman says gives control over flow for saturating a coffee bed evenly. It holds 0.8 liters, uses a 1000W element and has a 1 year assurance.

That makes the Chefman $15.00 more and 0.2 liter smaller, with a spout aimed at pour over. The Hamilton Beach has the larger tank and the lower price, with a standard easy-pour spout. If you make pour over coffee, the Chefman is the closer match even though neither kettle controls temperature. If you mostly make tea and instant drinks, the extra money buys little.

Is the Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 worth it?

At $24.99 it is inexpensive for a stainless steel kettle with auto shutoff and boil-dry protection. It is worth it as a simple everyday kettle. It is a poor value if you were hoping for temperature presets, because none are described, or for pour over precision.

The size and price put it in everyday territory. One liter is enough for a few mugs of tea or a French press, and the published 2.6 lb weight means it is easy to lift and carry to the table, which the maker describes as cord-free serving. The missing wattage figure is the main gap, because it decides how quickly a kettle can heat that liter.

Nobody tested this kettle, so speed, noise, the microwave comparison and durability are all the maker's words rather than findings.

Who should buy the Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 (and who should not)?

Buy it if you want an inexpensive, compact cordless kettle for tea, instant coffee, soups and filling a press, and you are happy with boiling water. It suits a dorm, an office or a small kitchen, where a compact 7.8 inch tall body is easy to store.

Skip it if you pour over coffee and want a gooseneck or a set temperature. Skip it if you need a published wattage or warranty before buying, since the page gives neither. And skip it if you regularly heat more than 1 liter at a time, where the Cuisinart's larger tank helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this kettle have temperature control?

Hamilton Beach describes none. It boils and shuts off.

Is it a gooseneck kettle?

No. It has an easy-pour spout, not a gooseneck.

How much water does it hold?

It holds 1 liter.

Does it shut off by itself?

Yes. Hamilton Beach lists auto shutoff with boil-dry protection.

Is it cordless?

It serves cord-free, lifting off its base.

How much does it cost?

Hamilton Beach lists it at $24.99.

Hamilton Beach 1 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40998 appears in

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More on kettles

Background reading that puts this review in context.

  • What Temperature Should Coffee Water Be?

    Boiling water is not the right answer and it is not far wrong either. The useful range is narrower than people think, and how much it matters depends entirely on how you brew.

  • Gooseneck Kettles: What the Spout Actually Buys You

    A narrow, curved spout is the difference between pouring water and placing it. What that control changes in the cup, what it does not change, and the brewing methods where it buys you nothing.

  • How to Make Pour Over Coffee

    The method is four pours and a timer. What makes it hard is that every one of them has to land in the same place, which is the one thing a recipe cannot write down for you.

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