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‘We bought it in 1976 and it’s still going strong!’ 6 GHI Approved products that have lasted decades
These stalwart buys prove that good design will still go the distance
Granny’s stand mixer. Mum’s sewing machine. The family FM radio. Lots of us have beloved everyday items that, despite seeing decades of use, are somehow still going strong. When passed down through generations, these household heroes become a part of the family, carrying memories as much as practical value.
These days, purchases can feel increasingly disposable, so anything that’s made to last feels more valuable than ever. That’s why we asked readers (and Team GH) to tell us about the products they’ve owned and loved for decades – and revisited how the modern versions performed in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab.
These are the products that have stood the test of time and are still used every single day.
‘My grandpa gave me an original Roberts R505 transistor radio from 1970,’ says GH senior beauty writer, Florence Reeves-White. ‘I like knowing that the same device Grandpa used to blare out The Beatles’ Let It Be – which was topping the charts when it was first purchased – now sees me dancing around my room to Greg James’ show each morning.’
The original Roberts design, which was modelled on a handbag, is still recognisable in this modern iteration: the Roberts Revival iStream 3L. It scored 94/100 in the GHI’s tests, thanks to its crisp audio and premium build quality – plus, you have a range of listening options with digital radio and Bluetooth integration.
‘My grandmother-in-law gave us her vintage Henry 11 years ago – it’s really stood the test of time and is a great all-rounder,’ GH reader Catherine Balavage told us. ‘She has sadly passed away now, but Henry always reminds me of her.’
British households have been charmed by Henry’s cheeky face and reliable suction power since the 1980s, and we love that these vacuums are still made in the UK today. Our favourite classic model is the supersized Henry XL Xtra, which scored 82/100 in our best cylinder vacuum cleaner tests for its outstanding dust pickup, straightforward controls and array of handy tools.
Le Creuset casserole dish
‘I have a set of Le Creuset saucepans my mum bought me 37 years ago,’ GH reader Roslyn Henry told us. ‘I use them every day and love them.’ She wasn't alone – several readers wrote in about their Le Creuset pans, which have been passed down across the generations of home cooks, becoming family heirlooms.
The iconic Le Creuset casserole – which turned 100 last year – lived up to its reputation in our best cast iron casserole dish tests, with a score of 86/100. We were impressed by how quickly and evenly the enamelled cast iron heated up, retaining its gorgeous colour even when placed in the oven at high temperatures.
‘I was lucky enough to be given my Granny B’s Kenwood stand mixer when she passed – we reckon it was a 40th birthday present to her in 1976 and it’s still going strong,’ says GH kitchen manager, Linzi Pucino. ‘It makes me smile every time I use it, remembering all the delicious things she used to make for me when I was small, and I can now recreate that for my little girls, too.’
Kenwood stand mixers are renowned for their lifespan – no surprise when they’re stress-tested to mix 15,600 sponge cakes and 10,000 portions of pizza dough. In our best stand mixer tests, our GHI experts gave the classic Kenwood Chef a score of 87/100, praising its straightforward design and ability to handle heavy-duty tasks (such as kneading bread dough) with ease.
‘I have a Magimix from our wedding list in 2008,’ GH reader Tania Minkoff told us. ‘I use it to blend soups, grate coleslaw and mix ingredients for things like protein balls. It’s just so reliable and the blades are still really sharp!’
The brand has topped the GHI’s best food processors leaderboard for years, with the Magimix 5200XL scoring an impressive 92/100 in testing. Magimix’s commercial-grade motors adjust the power according to the ingredients inside, which avoids causing unnecessary strain. And if the motor does eventually give out, it’s designed to be fully repairable.
ghd hair straighteners
Sometimes, a product is so good that it becomes a cultural phenomenon – and ghd’s hair straighteners played a huge role in the trend for pin-straight locks in the mid-noughties. One of our readers told us she still uses a pair she’s had – and used regularly – since 1998.
Today, they’re still unbeaten – the brand’s latest model, the ghd Chronos Max, scored a whopping 95/100 in our best hair straighteners tests. Testers praised their speedy heat-up time, glossy finish and the wide plates, which excel at scooping up thick hair without any snagging.
Jasmine is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. With a background in design, she is committed to sorting the good products from the great –and helping Good Housekeeping readers do the same.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has written extensively about product quality, craftsmanship and sustainability, and is passionate about consumer rights. She previously worked as a writer and researcher at the product longevity platform Buy Me Once.
If she isn’t reviewing the latest gadgets for your home, you can probably find Jasmine cooking elaborate meals or crafting something weird and wonderful!
