We are pleased with our purchase because it will really look the part in the kitchen of our sympathetically restored 1950's bungalow, however, it isn't perfect, hence only 4 stars. It is definitely NOT quiet as some reviews have commented, and the lid needs to be removed to fill it (we always filled our old kettle down the spout) and it is quite difficult to get the lid out which results in splashes all over the worktop. It was too expensive to send it back so we will put up with the little niggles. We find the temperature gauge on the front really helpful.