Hamilton Beach 1.7L 40880G
By Hamilton Beach · Electric Kettles · Kitchen & Cooking
- 1.7-liter kettle
- Model 40880G
Lowest price seen
$34.99
from $34.99 at Hamilton Beach · Checked Sep 29, 2026
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Summary
A basic boil-only stainless kettle — 1.7 liters, 1500 watts, one switch, automatic shutoff — for anyone who just wants hot water fast. Know what you are buying: the metal body gets hot in use, and there is no temperature control or keep-warm.
Strengths
- Large 1.7 L capacity handles a family round of tea or coffee in one fill.
- 1500 W gives fast boils on a standard 120 V circuit, confirmed in independent tests.
- One switch and automatic shutoff at boil; there is nothing to learn.
- Cordless kettle on a 360-degree base makes pouring and counter storage simple.
- Washable anti-scale filter and a concealed element — no disposable cartridges, easy wiping.
Weaknesses
- The exposed stainless body gets hot in use; the handle and switch are the intended touch points.
- No temperature control, no readout, no keep-warm — it cannot hold water at serving temperature.
- The lid opening is small, which makes interior cleaning and descaling awkward.
- The water-level window sits behind or near the handle and is awkward to read while filling.
- Lid behavior, occasional leakage or splashing when opening, and some early-failure reports recur in owner feedback; nobody can say how common they are.
- Water only: the manual says heating coffee, tea or other liquids in the kettle voids the warranty.
Verified specifications
| Capacity | 1.7 L (7.2 cups). |
|---|---|
| Power | 1500 W at 120 V, 60 Hz. |
| Body | stainless steel with a BPA-free interior stated in retail copy; lid, handle and base include plastic. |
| Heating | concealed element. |
| Base | cord-free kettle on a power base with 360-degree placement for serving. |
| Safety | automatic shutoff after boiling; boil-dry protection with a manual reset procedure. |
| Controls | on/off switch with a power indicator light. |
| Water level | window on the body. |
| Spout | drip/easy-pour with a removable anti-scale mesh filter, rinsed and soft-brushed. |
| Dimensions | listings disagree — 8.78 × 6.24 × 9.24 in from one 40880G retailer versus 9.5 × 8.2 × 6.1 in from an independent 40880 source; treat as approximate. |
| Measured (independent tests) | a full 1.7 L boil took 6 minutes 42 seconds at about 0.11 kWh and 68 dB in one run; another measured a 1.5 L fill at about 152 Wh with 72.8 dB peak noise and 202°F water after five minutes of cooling. Conditions differed, so the runs are a range, not a single spec. |
| Warranty | 1 year US with proof of purchase; 5 years Canada; filters, normal wear and misuse excluded. |
| Not on this kettle | no variable-temperature presets, no temperature display, no keep-warm mode. |
Full research notes and sources
Boiling speed and noise
Two independent tests of the exact model agree on the basics: it boils quickly for a 120 V kettle, with electricity per large boil in the 0.11–0.15 kWh range and peak noise between 68 and 72.8 dB. One test found the water still at 202°F five minutes off the boil — hot enough for a second cup without reheating. The same testing flagged a slight wobble from the bottom feet and criticized the small opening for cleaning. Owners echo the speed and the simplicity; the hot exterior is the most repeated physical complaint, and it is inherent to the uninsulated single-wall body rather than a defect.
Durability and repairs
Owner feedback splits: some aggregated reports describe early or short-life failures, others describe long trouble-free use, and no defensible defect rate or expected lifespan exists in the evidence. The one-year US warranty is ordinary and requires proof of purchase, with return-shipping costs possibly falling on the owner; Canada gets 5 years. Repairs go through the manufacturer — the manual directs electrical and cord work to service personnel, and there is no stocked-parts repair path beyond the washable filter. Routine upkeep is on you: empty after use in hard-water areas, descale as needed, and rinse or soft-brush the mesh filter. If boil-dry protection trips, switch off and wait about 20 minutes before retrying.
Is it worth it?
Buy it on sale. At its typical street level it is a fair deal for a simple stainless kettle, but 1.7–1.8 liter 1500 W competitors often sell for less, so the premium mostly buys the brand’s long track record and styling rather than extra function. If you want temperature control or keep-warm, this is the wrong kettle. Check the store panel above for current prices.
Which model this is
This page covers the 40880G, sold as ASIN B00UFQ2LJ2. Hamilton Beach’s own archive calls the model 40880 and never explains the retail G suffix; the evidence says it is the same core US kettle. Don’t confuse it with the 40885, which shares the same manual, or the glass 40869 sibling — neither is this unit.
Sources
Manufacturer:
Independent reviews:
