These retro-styled appliances look like they belong in a 1950s kitchen - but perform like modern machines. Every pick earns its counter space twice over: once for how it looks, once for how well it works.
By the Un-Boxed Editors · Updated June 2026 · 6 picks
Quick Picks
1Smeg TSF01 2-Slice ToasterBest retro toasterBuy Now →
2KitchenAid Artisan Stand MixerBest retro kitchen iconBuy Now →
3Nostalgia Retro Countertop MicrowaveBest retro microwaveBuy Now →
4Smeg DCF02 Drip Coffee MakerBest retro coffee makerBuy Now →
5Haden Dorset Electric KettleBest retro kettleBuy Now →
6Nostalgia 4-Quart Ice Cream MakerBest retro fun applianceBuy Now →
Mid-Range Pick
Pick #1 — Best Retro Toaster
Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Retro Toaster
iF Design Award winner — the toaster people buy to display
The Smeg TSF01 is one of the most recognizable kitchen appliances in the world — its soft curves, pastel color palette, and polished chrome lever have won iF Design and Red Dot awards and made it a fixture in design-conscious kitchens globally. But it also functions impeccably: two extra-wide slots with self-centering racks handle thick artisan bread and bagels, six browning levels offer precise control, and separate programs for defrost, reheat, and bagel mode cover every toasting need. Available in over a dozen colors including cream, pastel blue, pastel green, black, and red — making it easy to coordinate with or accent any kitchen palette.
iF Design Award + Red Dot Award winnerAvailable in 12+ colorsExtra-wide self-centering slots6 browning levelsDefrost, reheat, bagel programsRemovable crumb tray
One of the most beautiful kitchen appliances available
Award-winning design that elevates any kitchen
Wide color range for easy coordination
Genuinely excellent toasting performance
Cons
Premium price for a toaster
Only 2 slices — not suited for large households
Splurge Pick
Pick #2 — Best Retro Kitchen Icon
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt Stand Mixer
The kitchen icon that's been in production since 1937
The KitchenAid Artisan is not just a stand mixer — it's one of the most enduring design objects in American kitchen history, essentially unchanged since 1937 because nothing has needed changing. The tilt-head design, 5-quart stainless bowl, and 10-speed motor handle everything from delicate meringues to stiff bread dough. The power hub accepts over 80 attachments transforming it into a pasta maker, meat grinder, ice cream maker, and more. Available in over 50 colors. Tom's Guide consistently rates it the best overall stand mixer. An investment piece that most owners keep for decades and pass down.
In production since 1937 — timeless designTom's Guide best overall stand mixer5-qt stainless bowl10-speed motor80+ attachments available50+ color options
The definitive stand mixer — no equal at this price
80+ attachments make it endlessly versatile
Built to last decades — a true buy-once appliance
50+ colors match any kitchen perfectly
Cons
Significant investment
Heavy — stays on the counter permanently
Budget Pick
Pick #3 — Best Retro Microwave
Nostalgia Retro Countertop Microwave
A fully functional microwave that looks straight out of the 1950s
Microwaves are practically invisible kitchen appliances — until the Nostalgia Retro model. Its rounded corners, two-tone color scheme, and chrome dial controls look like a prop from a 1950s diner and transform the most utilitarian kitchen appliance into a genuine style statement. Behind the styling it's a fully capable 700W microwave with 12 pre-set cooking modes, a digital clock, and kitchen timer. Available in several retro colorways including red, teal, and cream. For anyone who wants a kitchen that tells a visual story rather than just functioning, this is the piece that ties a retro aesthetic together.
Makes the whole kitchen feel cohesive and intentional
Cons
700W less powerful than standard 1,000W+ microwaves
Retro aesthetic won't suit all kitchen styles
Mid-Range Pick
Pick #4 — Best Retro Coffee Maker
Smeg DCF02 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
The Smeg toaster's perfect kitchen companion
The Smeg DCF02 brings the same iconic 50s Retro styling as the TSF01 toaster to a 10-cup drip coffee maker — making them one of the most sought-after coordinated kitchen appliance pairings available. Functionally it holds its own: a precise heating system brews 4–10 cups, a digital LED display and clock handle scheduling, programmable auto-start lets you wake up to fresh coffee, a pause-and-serve function lets you pour mid-brew, and a keep-warm plate maintains temperature. The premium glass carafe and matching retro colorways let you build a complete Smeg kitchen collection. Available in the same palette as the TSF01 for seamless coordination.
Matches Smeg TSF01 toaster perfectlyProgrammable auto-start4–10 cup capacityDigital LED display and clockPause-and-serve mid-brewKeep-warm plate
Not SCA-certified — brew quality below OXO or Moccamaster
Premium price for drip performance
Budget Pick
Pick #5 — Best Retro Kettle
Haden Dorset 1.7L Electric Kettle
British retro styling at an accessible price
Haden is a British brand with deep roots in retro kitchen design, and the Dorset kettle is their standout product — a 1.7-liter electric kettle with the soft rounded form and two-tone colorway of a 1950s appliance. It boils quickly, the keep-warm function holds temperature for 20 minutes, a mesh filter prevents limescale deposits from reaching your cup, and the wide opening makes filling and cleaning straightforward. At a fraction of the price of the Smeg kettle with comparable retro aesthetics, it's the best-value entry point into a coordinated nostalgic kitchen setup.
British retro design heritageBudget-friendly price1.7L capacityKeep-warm function — 20 minutesMesh limescale filterWide-mouth opening
Make a gallon of homemade ice cream in 20–30 minutes
The Nostalgia 4-Quart Ice Cream Maker looks like something from a county fair — the wooden bucket, chrome motor housing, and candy-stripe styling evoke old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream in the best possible way. But it's electric, making a full 4-quart batch of homemade ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or frozen yogurt in 20–30 minutes. The motor is quiet and the process is simple — mix your ingredients, pour in the canister, and let it run. For families with children, summer gatherings, or anyone who wants the ritual of homemade ice cream without the elbow grease, this is the most joyful appliance on this list.
4-quart batch in 20-30 minutesOld-fashioned wooden bucket stylingMakes ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurtElectric — no hand crankingBudget-friendlyPerfect for summer entertaining
Requires rock salt and ice — not pantry-stable ingredients
Seasonal use for most households
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best retro kitchen appliances in 2026?
Smeg leads the retro appliance category with their TSF01 toaster and DCF02 coffee maker — iF Design and Red Dot Award winners that coordinate beautifully together. The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is the retro kitchen icon that's been in production since 1937. For budget-friendly retro styling, Haden's Dorset kettle and Nostalgia's microwave and ice cream maker deliver the aesthetic at accessible prices.
Do Smeg appliances actually work well or are they just for looks?
Both — Smeg appliances genuinely perform well and are built to last. The TSF01 toaster won design awards but also features self-centering racks, six browning levels, and separate bagel and defrost programs. The DCF02 coffee maker includes programmable auto-start and pause-and-serve functionality. They command a premium over purely functional alternatives, but the build quality justifies it for buyers who value aesthetics equally with performance.
Can you build a complete coordinated retro kitchen?
Yes — Smeg offers a full collection including the TSF01 toaster, DCF02 coffee maker, ECF02 espresso machine, electric kettle, and blender all in coordinating colors. KitchenAid similarly offers their Artisan mixer, hand mixer, blender, and food processor in matching colors. Both brands make it easy to build a visually cohesive retro kitchen.
