Asahi EK-175 review: the kettle Filipinos actually buy

The Asahi EK-175 is the most-rated kettle in our kitchen coverage by a distance: 582 owner ratings at 4.9, with over a thousand sold. 1900W, 1.7L, and around ₱2,000.

How well does it work?

1900W on a full 1.7L puts it near the fast end. It is not the 2200W of the Philips, but the difference on a full kettle is seconds rather than minutes, and it costs around ₱1,200 less.

Asahi publishes what matters and names its safety part: Strix thermal control, the same cutout brand inside the Philips, which stops the kettle at boil and when it is run dry or lifted off. Very few kettles at this price name theirs.

The concealed stainless heating plate is the practical upgrade over cheap kettles. No exposed coil means no crevices for limescale and a smooth floor you can wipe out, which matters with hard Philippine tap water. The removable easy-refill lid, 360° base, and indicator ring light are the sensible small touches.

What are the limits?

Single wall, so it gets hot. The body sits near the temperature of the water while boiling. This is the real gap between it and the Philips HD9395, and if there are small children in the kitchen it is worth the extra money to close it.

No temperature presets. Boil-only, like most kettles in this band.

The wood is a finish, not a material. It looks good; it is trim.

Is the Asahi EK-175 sulit?

Around ₱2,000 as of August 9, 2026. Check the latest price on Shopee. If it lasts three years, an assumption rather than a published figure, that is about ₱13 a week.

The value case is strong and simple: you get published wattage, a named safety cutout, a concealed element, and a full 1.7L for a price where most kettles publish nothing at all. And the evidence behind it is unusual for this category. 582 ratings at 4.9 is not a handful of reviews, it is a track record.

Who the Asahi EK-175 suits

Buy this if you want a fast, full-size kettle from a brand sold everywhere in the country, and you would rather spend ₱2,000 than ₱3,200. It is the right choice for most households without toddlers.

Skip it if there are small children in the kitchen. A cool-touch double wall is worth the upgrade there.

See how it ranks in our best electric kettles in the Philippines roundup, or read why the double wall matters in our electric kettle buying guide.

If the Asahi EK-175 is not right

Want a body that stays cool to touch? The Philips HD9395/90 is double-walled and 2200W for around ₱3,200. Want insulation for less than the Philips? The Imarflex IK-515S is double-wall SUS304 with a stated warranty for around ₱1,900.