A survey found Wednesday that some import electronic kettles marketed here were up to 4.6 times more expensive despite having no apparent difference in product quality from domestic ones.

Korea Consumer Agency, a leading consumer advocacy group, surveyed 18 electronic kettle models of Korean and overseas makers as part of the Fair Trade Commission’s consumer price information program.

According to the survey, Tefal’s KO410 model priced at 63,700 won ($54) was 4.6 times more expensive than the 13,900 won BKK-127 model of Bokuk Korea, even though the two plastic kettles had no difference in boiling function.
The Bokuk kettle was also picked as the best plastic kettle considering its price, quality and safety.

The Tefal kettle was also found to have offered no Korean descriptions attached to the product, which is a legal requirement here for imported electronic items.

Among stainless kettles, the 36,300 won BS-1108-KS8 of Germany’s BSW, topped the category.

The KBO2001 of Italy’s Delonghi and 13773KSR of U.K.’s Russell Hobbs, even though they are unique in the color and surface texture, were 4.2 times and 2.1 times more expensive respectively than the BSW kettle.

The price of HD4654 stainless kettle of the Netherlands’ Philips more than doubled that of the BSW model despite their almost similar functions and appearances.

“Despite the wide use of electronic kettles at home and the workplace, the prices range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won, making consumers’ choice difficult,” the group said in a statement.

“If you don’t need extra functions such as keeping warm and indicating temperatures, our survey found, low-priced electronic kettles work well enough.”

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)