Coffee Machines Are Getting More High-Tech, So Why Can I Only Think About These Retro, Lo-Fi Ones?

These days, it feels like we’re caught in a battle of “survival of the screens” — microwaves, car dashboards, even refrigerators have become oversized iPads with compartments for perishable goods. But nowhere does contemporary competition feel more intense than in coffee, a category long steeped in snobbery and now dominated by machines so high-tech they rival the cost of a mortgage.

“If I were a cynic, I'd say: well, I can't get a $5K coffee maker, so I'll go for one that I’ve clearly chosen for aesthetics over function,” quips Livingetc deputy editor Hugh Metcalf. And honestly? Fair point. If you can’t keep up with the Joneses — or are simply fatigued by the over-complication of a once-simple ritual — why not embrace the “outdated” drip coffee maker styles that worked just fine decades ago?

Brands like Haden, with their drip coffee makers featuring clean lines, warm wood, and stainless-steel accents, or SMEG, with its iconic ’50s aesthetic, are reimagining what was once uninspired breakroom fare into countertop-worthy treasures. They’re tapping into a growing cultural sentiment: a nostalgia-driven rejection of excessive tech.

"The simplicity and honesty of Bodum products” — another no fuss, no frills coffee brand which launched a boldly colorful retro-inspired collaboration with MoMa elevating the humble coffee maker into an art piece — “speaks to an audience looking for basics rather than overly complicated coffee makers or the latest state-of-the-art revolutionary coffee machine,” says Emmanuel Plat, Director of Merchandising, Retail at MoMA Design Store.

Because sometimes, it’s best to do it yourself and give the robots a rest. "What people love about making coffee is the routine,” says digital artist and designer Tina Bobbe who creates colorful coffee maker 'wraps' made from pipes for standard stainless steel machines. “It starts with flipping a switch, then grinding the beans, tamping with the perfect pressure, and so on. Every morning, you craft your coffee with your hands until the first rewarding sip. No need to let a machine do it for us, because we love the process. The 80s-inspired design seems to reflect the analogue process of coffee making and adds joy to it."

These designs capture something specific: a cheap and cheerful sort of energy — a throwback to the era of technicolor, when home appliances weren’t resigned to a sea of neutrals. "The association of vibrant colors typically not used for these types of products resonated with our customers who not only bought the objects for their function and attractive price point but also because they look good,” says Emmanuel. The appeal reaches younger consumers, but also design lovers nostalgic for a time when coffee makers didn’t need chargers.

Suffice it to say, our culture feasts on revivals — Mean Girls (2024), Motorola flip phones, mom jeans. Sometimes, it’s not about the latest innovations or forward thinking interior design trends; it’s about familiarity. Wake up and smell the simplicity. In 2025, coffee culture is going back to basics: no cryptic buttons, no complicated settings — just great coffee and even better design.

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The only thing better than one cup of coffee is.... more. And if you can't get behind the retro coffee trend, then take a look at the nine best espresso machines for slightly sleeker kitchen style points.