Are you looking to add some classic style to your kitchen? If so, then a retro kitchen appliance can add both style and practicality! Retro designs have never been more popular due to their welcoming colors and curves, so whether you're looking for a toaster or microwave there is a retro option available.
Choosing the best retro kitchen appliance can be confusing considering how many are available. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and picked the Five-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer by KitchenAid as our favorite retro kitchen appliance. It's quiet, has multiple speeds, and comes in many color options. We’ve also put together a top 10 list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide to help you make your choice!
Quick List - Top Retro Kitchen Appliances
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Before buying a retro kitchen appliance, take into consideration the practicality, size, and look. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
If you’re considering giving your kitchen that authentic retro feel, then the first place to start is with the right colors. Many modern appliances are black or stainless steel, but these are not the colors most people think of for retro appliances.
Retro appliance colors cover a wide variety, but they are usually in muted shades, other than for a few shades of vivid red. Popular colors for retro appliances include neutrals such as cream and yellowed browns.
Pastels are also popular and range from pink and peach to mint and pale blue. To really get that retro look, don’t be afraid to add some color to your appliances and kitchen!
When choosing a retro kitchen appliance, consider if you’re only looking for one appliance or will be decorating your kitchen with multiple retro appliances. If you’re looking to make a set of your retro appliances, then take this into account before making your purchase.
Choose an appliance that can be easily matched with other appliances. You’ll often find that a manufacturer will have a line of appliances that all have matching colors and designs and you should check for this before you buy.
Retro appliances give you the best of both worlds. You get the classic and timeless style of the retro look, but you will also get all of the conveniences of modern appliances. There’s no need to compromise on the features that you want when shopping for a retro appliance!
For example, a retro toaster will have just as many browning levels and temperatures as one that has a modern design. Also, a retro coffee maker can have a timer to ensure a fresh cup of coffee is ready for you when you wake up. Whatever appliances you’re after, look for one that has all of the features you need.
Before purchasing any kitchen appliances you should make sure that you have enough space for them and that you have an electrical outlet close at hand.
This is especially the case with retro kitchen appliances as their design is just as important as their function. Nobody buys a stylish retro appliance to just keep it in a cupboard where it can’t be seen!
As well as checking the physical space to make sure you have room, you should consider the design of your kitchen, too. As we said earlier, retro appliances are usually in produced in more varied colors than modern appliances. If you’re not looking to redecorate your entire kitchen, then only consider appliances that might fit in well.
We would suggest sticking with neutral retro colors, such as cream. However, if you’re buying retro appliances as part of a kitchen overhaul, then you can choose whatever color and appliances you want!
This isn’t an issue with modern appliances that only adopt the retro look, but if you’re looking to integrate retro appliances that are genuinely old, then you need to consider whether the appliance is safe. Check components such as wiring and gasket seals to make sure that they are still in working order.
If the appliance hasn’t been used in a while, or if you’re not sure, then give the appliance a thorough clean, both inside and out. Finally, we recommend having a qualified expert check out the appliance to ensure it complies with modern safety codes for electrical appliances.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer|KHM512IC | ![]() | Multi-Speed Hand Mixer That is Easy to Clean | |
2 | Dash Chef Series Blender | ![]() | A Powerful Blender for Making Drinks and Soups | |
3 | Nostalgia 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker|RCOF12 | ![]() | Makes Mornings So Much Better | |
4 | Smeg 2-Slice Toaster|TSF01CRUS | ![]() | Cute Toaster With 3 Presets | |
5 | Nostalgia 800-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven|RMO4AQ | ![]() | Retro Microwave With LED Display | |
6 | Dash Everyday Stand Mixer | ![]() | Mix and Knead With This Stand Mixer | |
7 | Frigidaire Bar Fridge|FR376-RED | ![]() | A Retro Mini-Fridge With Bottle Opener | |
8 | Dash Deluxe Electric Air Fryer + Oven Cooker|DFAF455GBAQ01 | ![]() | Cook More Healthy Food in an Air Fryer | |
9 | Nostalgia Snow Cone Maker|CLSC1AQ | ![]() | Make Your Own Snow Cones | |
10 | Nostalgia 3-in-1 Family Size Breakfast Station | ![]() | Cook Your Entire Breakfast on One Appliance |
With five speeds, this hand mixer will enable you to mix all sorts of ingredients, from melted chocolate chips to egg whites. The two beaters can be removed quickly and easily with the ejector button and are dishwasher-safe. The cord can also be angled so that it won't get in the way of your mixing bowl as you work.
There are reports that the mixer isn't as powerful as some reviewers would have liked, but most say it can mix anything they need. They say it is quiet and doesn't send food splattering everywhere. They also praise how easy it is to put in and take out the beaters and clean them.
There is a wide range of applications for this blender, from making iced drinks to blending soups and purees. It has six stainless steel blades and a high-powered motor to ensure it can easily cut through your ingredients. It has a rinse function to make cleaning the unit easy, but all non-electrical parts are also dishwasher-safe.
The blender is powerful, reviewers agree, but it is also very loud when in operation. The various programs are praised by reviewers as they take the guesswork out of blending. They say it can make perfectly smooth drinks and doesn't leave any lumps behind.
This 12-cup coffee maker has retro styling but modern functions, like a 24-hour clock, start timer, auto shutoff, and a backlit display. the pause and serve function means you can brew a whole pot, but get that one cup you really need without waiting for it to finish. It comes in aqua and red, so we included both links.
Some reviewers say it didn't last, and others wished the measurement numbers were on both sides of the carafe. Others like the reusable filter and say it doesn't drip when you pour. They say coffee brews nice and hot and it's user-friendly.
This toaster features wide slots and a metal body. It has six browning levels and you can use preset programs to reheat, defrost, or toast bagels. The toaster has anti-slip feet and you can clean it easily due to the removable steel tray.
According to some reviewers, the toaster doesn't toast evenly or burns toast, and advise avoiding the highest settings for this reason. They love the design and build of the toaster and say that when done, the toast pops up high enough so you don't have to burn your fingers to grab it.
With its oval window and retro detailing on the door, this microwave looks like it came directly from the 1950s. It has 800 watts of cooking power, 12 pre-programmed settings, and an express cooking option. The digital display clearly shows how much time is left and what setting is applied while still matching the retro style.
There are comments from some reviewers that the microwave stopped working after a few months of use. However, most love the design of this microwave and say it is very easy to use. They praise the compact size and say it effectively heats food.
With this stand mixer, you get two beaters and two dough hooks. It has six speeds, so it can mix, cream, or knead as you require. You can easily remove the bowl and beaters by bending the motor back, and all non-electrical components are fully dishwasher safe. You will also receive a recipe book with your purchase!
The bowl and beaters don't easily lock into place, according to some reviewers. There are also reports that the beaters don't reach every part of the bowl. But reviewers like that the mixer has suction cups on the bottom to keep it stable and say that it mixes quickly. They also love the small and convenient size.
This mini-fridge will keep your food and drinks cool in style. The door has dedicated space for cans and bottles and the main compartment of the fridge can be adjusted due to its removable glass shelves. The fridge also features a bottle opener on the side, is CFC-free, and cools via a compressor.
Reviewers say that the pink version is not the same color as the product listing shows. However, most reviewers say the fridge runs quietly and is effective at keeping produce cool. There are also multiple compliments for its retro design.
This 1700-watt fryer can reduce the oil content in your food by 70 to 80 percent. It has a six-quart capacity and a charming retro design with modern technology. It features auto shutoff, stays cool to the touch, and comes with a one-year warranty.
There are reports that the coating of the inner basket started flaking after only a few uses. Reviewers love how it cooks their food, however, saying it makes everything crispy with little effort. They also say that the machine is easy to clean and easy to use.
Perfect for those hot summer months or for parties, this retro appliance will quickly make fluffy snow cones. It has stainless steel blades to cut through ice and works best with regular-sized and shaped cubes. The machine has a safety switch to ensure that your fingers are kept safe at all times.
Some reviewers say that the machine is very noisy and isn't always effective at cutting ice. However, other reviewers say it's easy to make snow cones and that the Nostalgia syrups (available as a bundle) are delicious. They praise the suction cups on the bottom and say they keep the machine in place.
If you want to prepare everything you need for a full breakfast without having to leave your seat, this three-in-one breakfast station is a good choice. It is a toaster, coffee machine, and griddle all in one retro appliance. It's large enough to toast four slices of bread and brew four cups of coffee at once.
The griddle part of this breakfast station comes in for criticism from some reviewers as they say that grease can run from it and it doesn't get hot enough. However, reviewers praise the coffee maker and how convenient the unit is. They suggest that it is perfect for campers or offices!
Retro kitchen appliances can make your kitchen not only the most practical room in the house but also the most stylish! If you're looking for more items to make your kitchen shine, then we have some more recommendations for you.
No. 1: KitchenAid|5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer|KHM512IC
No. 2: Dash|Chef Series Blender
No. 3: Nostalgia|12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker|RCOF12
No. 4: Smeg|2-Slice Toaster|TSF01CRUS
No. 5: Nostalgia|800-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven|RMO4AQ
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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