The kettle is a medium size able to heat the water for 6 medium size cups. The heating process is a bit lauder than normal due to the metal parts but the water heating process is very quick. The lid on my kettle is a bit loose and does not close well so this may be a part in the lauder noise produced while heating the water. It has a comfortable grip handle that makes handling the kettle easy and pleasant. On the side of the kettle the marks provided are verh useful and benefits from not boiling to much water , but enough for what is needed. I want to add that because the exterior walls are metal the water is getting colder fast so if need to be reused in 15 min you have to repeat the boiling process. Overall a good kettle for a household with 4 members.