Counter space in my kitchen is precious, so I’m pretty selective about which appliances get to live there full-time. A coffee maker, however, is non-negotiable. I use mine far too often to keep hauling it in and out of a cabinet, so if it's going to stay on my countertop, I'd rather it be easy on the eyes.
Naturally, this retro Smeg coffee maker at Costco immediately caught my attention—especially since shoppers describe it as "cute" and "sleek."
The Italian brand is known for its ’50s-inspired appliances, and this coffee maker has all the details that make the aesthetic recognizable. The rounded silhouette and chrome accents give it that classic midcentury charm; plus, the glass carafe makes it easy to keep tabs on how much coffee is left. Besides black, you can get it in light blue, red, and cream.
It's also fairly compact, so you won't have to sacrifice half your countertop to make room for it. Just keep in mind that it's about 10 inches wide and 14.25 inches tall, so you'll want to grab a measuring tape if you're planning to tuck it beneath upper cabinets.
And beyond being cute, it actually makes great coffee. Its 1.5-quart water tank makes up to 10 cups, which is plenty when everyone wants a refill, or you have overnight guests to caffeinate. When you’re serving a smaller crowd or just yourself, switch on the one-to-four-cup setting to make a smaller batch.
There’s also an Aroma setting that lets you adjust brew intensity, so you can choose between a more delicate cup and a stronger, more robust one, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
When mornings get hectic, the ‘Auto Start’ is especially useful. You can program the coffee maker in advance and have a pot brewing when you need it. Once it’s ready, the ‘Keep Warm’ function maintains the temperature for another 20 minutes.
And for a nice finishing touch, the front LED control panel includes a built-in digital clock, making it easy to check the time and manage the programmable settings in one place. You can also switch off the audible sounds for a quieter start to your day.
Abby Dupes is a New York City–based commerce writer and editor with more than five years of experience covering fashion, home, lifestyle, and beauty. Previously, she held editorial positions at Byrdie, Seventeen, and StyleCaster, where she reported on everything from viral launches and emerging trends to expert-backed product recommendations. Her work has also appeared in Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Parade, and Bustle. When she's not testing products or falling down a social media rabbit hole in search of the next big thing, you can find her walking with her dog or working on her latest needlepoint project
