In theory, this had everything I wanted in a new electric tea kettle: a soft top open, variable temperature setting, and an ergonomic fit in my hand and a stylish look. However, the soft top open seemed a bit sticky and didn't open more than about a 65 degree angle without some help. The biggest downfall is that it had a small piece of silicone around the sensor exposed to hot water AND the entire plastic side panel withe measurements also was exposed to the hot water. So that's a hard pass for me. WHY is it so difficult to find an electric tea kettle that doesn't have any plastic or silicone exposed to the hot water?!