Some coffee lovers enjoy the feelings of nostalgia that a vintage coffee maker gives them, and they search high and low for the best-looking ones to buy for their kitchen.
In the retro coffee maker market, there is something for everyone depending on their preferences, the price they are willing to pay, and the period they like most. Some of the ones we will review in this guide range from old school to a retro aesthetic style that makes your coffee machine stand out to anyone that visits your kitchen!
Below are the best retro coffee makers with the highest ratings on the market. Our goal is to inspire you and give you ideas even if none of the options here motivate you to make a purchase.
Best Vintage Coffee Maker Reviews
Cuisinart Programmable Vintage Coffee Maker
Cuisinart makes affordable coffee makers that last for years if well-maintained. This appliance mixes the top blends of both the Western and Eastern parts of the world and is customizable enough to serve coffee the way you like it.
One of its notable features is called the brew pause, which is meant for people who are in a rush to start drinking their hot coffee before the brew cycle is done. This retro-style coffee maker has a 24-hour auto-start mechanism and auto-shutdown function, so you can program it the way you want.
This appliance can hold up to 60 ounces so if you have a large family, look no further than this option. To Americans, the 60-ounce claim is confusing since this coffee maker is advertised as a 12-cup machine. The confusion stems from the fact that most countries consider 5 ounces to be the standard coffee cup size and not 8 ounces.
Whether you prefer hot or warm coffee, you can choose between 3 temperature modes on the warming plate. As a bonus, the Cuisinart coffee maker includes a reusable coffee filter and a water filter.
Anyone who loves retro coffee makers but can’t afford to spend a lot will find this option affordable. Plus, it has enough programmable features to satisfy your needs.
Pros
- Coffee is hot every time you drink it.
- The carafe never drips or leaks.
- Easy to program according to your preferences
- The cleaning process is simple once you are done.
Cons
- Fire issues are likely if you don’t unplug the coffee maker after using it.
Espressione Cafe Retro Espresso Machine
The Espressione espresso maker has the vintage feel you want without missing out on the features you need for a quality morning coffee!
The temperature gauge will remind you of the design used for speedometers on classic Ford Mustangs. And since coffee brewing causes the gauge to steam up, the appliance will let you know with its indicator light when that happens.
Even the indicator light seems like it came from the 60s, and it looks great! Also, the good news for ESE coffee pod lovers is that this is one of the few coffee makers compatible with their cups.
Some other essential features are the milk frother and a water tank that detaches easily when you need to clean it.
Lastly, the overall build of this appliance is made with stainless steel, and the furnishing that adds to the aesthetics is made with red ABS plastic. The area exposed to the most heat is made of aluminum and built to withstand intense heat levels.
Pros
- Instructions are beginner-friendly and easy to follow.
- The boiler doesn’t need any recovery time.
- Frothing is just as good as a coffee shop with the maxi Cappuccino wand.
Cons
- The coffee basket feels a little light and flimsy.
- Slightly noisy at times if overheating
Whitbread Wilkinson PA271 Pantone Coffee Maker
The design of this retro-style coffee maker comes straight from Italy. It’s called the stovetop-compatible Moka pot, and it’s still used by many.
Drip coffee makers can’t compare to Moka coffee pots because it makes stronger coffee but not as strong as the traditional espresso machine with the milk frother.
This coffee maker doesn’t have all the fancy features the other brands on this list have. It makes coffee the traditional way. All you have to do is pour in ground coffee and some water before you let it heat up on your stove.
Make sure the heat is set at medium and that you lock the top tight. After that, give it 5 minutes, and you are ready to drink your coffee warm.
We can speak from personal experience that the classic Moka Pot can last you for 10-plus years since it is made of heavy-cast aluminum and intended for use on gas and electric stoves.
The minimalists, turned off by retro coffee makers with unnecessary features, will love this Whitbread Wilkinson for its simplicity!
Pros
- Stylish design
- Simple to use, even for beginners
- Cleaning time takes less than 2 to 3 minutes in the sink.
- Looks decorative if left on your stove
Cons
- Coffee dribbles down the side if not poured carefully
- It cannot be washed in the dishwasher.
Nostalgia 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
This is one of our best retro coffee makers on this list, and for a good reason.
Despite its vintage coffee maker design, it functions like a modern coffee machine. A few helpful features you can expect from this automatic drip brewer include pause and serve and their automatic shut-off function that is energy friendly.
Lastly, it has 24-hour advanced brewing that allows you to program your appliance according to how you like to drink your coffee.
Pros
- Easy to program to cater to your personal tastes
- Cleaning it up takes only a few minutes of your time.
- Comes in 6 bright colors
- Comes with a filter, so there is no need to buy them.
Cons
- The carafe is a bit thin and fragile for most customers.
Smeg 50’s Retro-Style Drip Filter Coffee Machine
This retro-style coffee maker will feel like it came straight from the 50s with its perfectly accurate design.
It is a pod-shaped coffee maker that is small enough for you to be able to travel with it if you want to.
Since this appliance has a constant filter, you won’t need to buy paper filters for your coffee grounds. Lastly, the selectable brew size function lets you make sure you don’t make more coffee than you need so you can save money.
Pros
- Comes in 5 different colors
- Looks like a work of art on your counter with its superior design
- Makes a very hot-quality brew
Cons
- Not intuitive to operate
- The handle on the pot could be sturdier.
Bialetti Express Moka Pot
If you are old enough, the Moka pot-style home brewer is sure to bring back fond memories of your childhood and how you watched your parents make coffee the traditional way!
Buying this vintage coffee maker is a great way to relive the good old days while making a robust cup of joe. I
t takes 8 to 10 minutes to whip up a glass of creamy espresso without having to plug anything in. Lastly, the design is compact and portable because of its size.
We have used it before with our kids when camping or embarking on a road trip. Always keep ground coffee with you when traveling because you won’t be able to find it on a camping site.
Pros
- Easy to prep and clean up after you are done
- Cheaper than buying an expensive electric espresso machine
- Durable stainless steel material that lasts for years
Cons
- If the bottom of the pouring chamber is dented, request a replacement to avoid future problems.
Farberware Yosemite Coffee Percolator
The coffee percolator was used in most households from the 40s to the 60s. Farberware is bringing these vintage coffee makers back so you can brew coffee in your home the old way.
Unlike the others on this list, this is the first one you can put in your dishwasher, which makes cleaning easy. It is made using stainless steel and has a filter basket that you never have to replace.
Lastly, you get a stay-cool handle that won’t burn your hands and a lid that will seal the percolator so the coffee doesn’t come out while brewing.
Pros
- Simple to use once you know the coffee-to-water ratio
- Can make coffee with or without a reusable coffee filter
- Stronger aroma than you get with modern coffee makers
Cons
- Takes 7 to 9 minutes to finish brewing your coffee
- To brew another batch of coffee, one must wait until the pot cools down.
Things to Consider Before Buying Vintage Coffee Makers
There is a perfect match for everyone when it comes to vintage coffee makers. All you have to do to expedite the search is to ask yourself the below questions:
- How much time do you have in the morning to make your coffee?
- How much coffee do you need to make per serving?
- What flavor do you prefer?
One other factor to consider is style because it needs to match the look of your kitchen while being able to make the best-possible-tasting cup of coffee.
The 3 most important factors are costs, functionality, and convenience. Let’s cover these in more detail.
Price
The price you pay depends on how famous the brand is and what market they target. Some companies focus on customers that pay over $100, while others target budget-conscious customers by selling coffee makers for under $50.
Price also hinges on the number of features they come with.
Convenience
People who have very little time because of their family and work life value every minute of the day they can save to be more productive. For such kind of people, automation is critical.
Automated coffee makers are programmable and can be set within 24 hours of your next cup of coffee. If you buy an electronic vintage coffee maker, you should have this feature and many more.
Appliance Size
In most cases, size will not be an essential factor, and smaller models can make the same quality brews a large coffee maker can. But if you believe bigger is better, we recommend you measure the appliance you want to buy to ensure it fits on your countertop without getting in the way of other kitchen-related tasks.
Brew Cup Size
Modern coffee machines have programmable buttons set up so you can decide how many people you intend to make coffee for. A cup of carafe can only make a 5- to 7-ounce cup of joe.
If 5 to 10 carafes are available, a whole family can drink coffee with you. You won’t need more than 1 coffee maker to make this happen.
Time to Brew
Do you feel that 10 minutes is too long to wait for your coffee to be ready? If the answer is yes, we recommend a modern coffee machine with a stop-and-pour feature.
This function allows you to drink part of your coffee while it’s still brewing. There are many options on our list above, which let you consume coffee within 2 to 4 minutes to get on with your busy day.
FAQs
How do I clean a vintage coffee maker, and how many times per month?
To extend the life of your coffee-making appliance, the best habit is to clean it immediately after using it.
The first step is to clean the coffee grounds inside the filter and wash each piece of your machine. Thorough cleanings, meant to remove mineral deposits that accumulate after daily usage, should be done once every 60 to 90 days.
What retro coffee machine makes better coffee – Pour Over or Drip?
Many readers ask this question, and there is no easy answer because both have pros and cons. If you are on a tight budget, stick with the drip coffee makers, which are much better for newbies. They can store the same amount of brew as the pour over models.
However, choose a pour-over coffee machine if you like to spend less time cleaning and making coffee in a shorter period of time. The latter option is best for people with hectic lives.
