This Retro Sign Brings Old Train Station Charm Into Your Home

The original Vestaboard display first caught my eye a few years ago when I was in a shop and, suddenly, the message displayed started changing. Just watching the board quickly rotate through various letters, numbers, and colors was captivating. It reminded me of standing inside JFK’s old TWA Terminal, which still features a 1960s-style vintage split-flap departure board in the lobby.

That’s what the Vestaboard is: A modern version of flip boards you’d once find in train stations or airports. It’s a statement, and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since I first saw it, but I could never justify its $3,500 price tag.

The good news is that Vestaboard recently launched a new product at a lower price point, and I immediately knew that I wanted it for my home. As a product tester for the Good Housekeeping Institute, I come across a lot of trendy tech gadgets. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Vestaboard Note and how this messaging display can help you give your space a retro makeover.

Vestaboard Note

Vestaboard Note

$999vestaboard.com

Dimensions (without frame)	24.5 x 8.6 x 3.9"
Weight (without frame)	16 lbs.

Meet the Vestaboard Note: A smaller, more affordable take on the iconic display

Recently, Vestaboard announced its latest product: The Vestaboard Note. It’s a smaller, more compact version of the brand’s flagship, displaying fewer characters yet maintaining Vestaboard’s nostalgic flipboard style. It’s still an investment at $1,000, but one I was willing to make after years of waiting. Compared to the original, which can display 132 Bits, the Vestaboard Note displays 45. That wasn’t a dealbreaker for me; it just meant that the messages I created had to be shorter.

Though I would have loved the largest Vestaboard possible, the Vestaboard Note is admittedly better suited for my smaller apartment. You can choose whether to pair it with a frame or go frameless. Like the original, you can mount it on the wall so everyone can see it, or you can place it on an office shelf or a bar (like I did).

The app makes creating and sending messages fun for the family

Vestaboard is operated by an app, which anyone in your household can download, so they can customize messages on your Vestaboard. Within the app, you’re able to craft your own messages, save favorites, and view previously displayed messages. Personally, I love browsing “Inspiration,” which showcases “Today’s Picks” and lets me send the ones I like directly to my board.

For instance, on May the 4th, there were several Star Wars-themed messages to choose from, including a cute graphic of Yoda. The next day, Cinco de Mayo, I opted for the following: “If life gives you limes, make margaritas.”

Worth noting: A paid subscription improves the experience

To unlock full access to everything Vestaboard has to offer, you do need a subscription to Vestaboard+, which costs $119 annually. You certainly don’t need the subscription, but it gives you access to features such as live countdowns, world clocks, flight trackers, famous song lyrics, inspirational quotes, artwork, and so much more.

As someone who isn’t interested in finding a message to share every single day (and doesn’t have time to craft my own), the subscription is 100 percent worth it. What I love most about it, outside of crafting unique messages for me, is that it enables you to set up a routine. You can have your world clock change the time every minute, or you can have new quotes displayed every hour. This feature alone makes it worth paying a bit extra, though I do wish the subscription were included in the already hefty pricetag of the Vestaboard.

Final verdict: Is the Vestaboard Note worth it?

I love being able to send little inspiration for the day to my Vestaboard as much as I love watching it in action. It’s a beautiful display that combines tech with art. While it’s not inexpensive and it’s heavier than you’d guess at first glance (it’s 23.4 pounds with the frame!), the Vestaboard is certainly more accessible than the larger flagship, and it’s just as appealing to look at. Unlike a painting or photograph you might get sick of, this is the kind of gadget that never gets old in my home.