This line of retro appliances is the perfect Smeg dupe
Galanz countertop appliances deliver style on a budget
Credit:
Reviewed / Madison Trapkin
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As breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it would stand to reason that the appliances used to make breakfast are some of the most important in any kitchen. We’ve tested all manner of breakfast-making implements at Reviewed, from mini doughnut makers to the full-sized waffle makers.
But when a promising dupe of a beloved brand (hello, Smeg) comes along, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get back in the kitchen to see what these newcomers are made of.
Enter: the Galanz Retro Kitchen Collection, a budget-friendly kitchen brand that produces retro appliances. These charming products offer a similar vibe to Smeg's vintage appliances at a fraction of the price. (A two-slice toaster from Smeg will run you over $200, while the Galanz equivalent clocks in at less than $60.)
As a long-time Smeg user and breakfast enthusiast, I was prepared to put a few of the Galanz appliances to the test by preparing a week’s worth of breakfasts. Here’s what happened.
About Galanz
These retro, Smeg lookalike countertop appliances from Galanz add a fun pop of color to any kitchen.
From refrigerators to immersion blenders, Galanz manufactures an impressive assortment of kitchen appliances in bright colors that will pop in the kitchen.
Galanz products are available at a variety of retailers—like Amazon, Lowes, and Wayfair—and they're available at budget-friendly prices.
Here's what it's like to use Galanz retro appliances
Retro 2-slice Toaster
The Galanz two-slice toaster is easy to use and toasts bread evenly.
Every kitchen needs a reliable toaster, whether it’s a 2-slice, 4-slice, or a toaster oven.
I’ve owned the Smeg 2-slice Toaster for three years, which means I was able to do a side-by-side comparison. The Galanz Retro 2-slice Toaster has a slightly smaller build compared to the Smeg, but its 1.5-inch slots fit slices of bread, English muffins, and bagels with ease. Both toasters have six doneness settings, removable crumb trays, a cancel button, a bagel setting, and a defrost setting.
The Galanz toaster does a great job of toasting evenly, no matter what sort of bready thing you pop in there. It also comes with a metal cover, which is nice if you don’t use it often and want to prevent dust or other kitchen debris from getting inside.
Overall, the user experience of the Galanz two-slice toaster was incredibly comparable to using the Smeg, making it a fantastic value.
The Galanz toaster does a great job of toasting evenly, no matter what sort of bready thing you pop in there.
$54 at AmazonRetro Immersion Hand Blender
This handheld immersion blender comes with a mini food chopper, a whisk, and a blending beaker.
Smoothies are my go-to breakfast these days. They also happen to be one of the key recipes we make when testing the best immersion blenders.
I use the Magic Bullet (the best smoothie blender we’ve tested) most mornings, but I was willing to give the Galanz Retro Immersion Hand Blender a try in place of my trusty smoothie sidekick.
This immersion blender comes with several accessories, including a blending wand, whisk, food chopper, and beaker. I used the wand and beaker for the smoothie test, filling the beaker with a banana, Greek yogurt, frozen berries, and orange juice.
The immersion blender has two modes, standard and turbo—I had to use the latter in order to break down the frozen berries. To blend, I held the button down at my desired speed, which admittedly got a little uncomfortable after a few seconds.
The beaker has a plastic grip on the bottom, which did a great job of keeping everything in place as I blended. Plus, the smoothie came out well-blended (without stalling), and the immersion blender was easy to clean afterwards.
The Galanz 4-in-1 Retro Immersion Hand Blender features a wide range of accessories.
$37 at AmazonRetro Pump Espresso Coffee Machine
The Galanz espresso machine takes some troubleshooting, but it's easy to pull a perfect shot of espresso once you get the hang of it.
Like many espresso machines, this Galanz model takes some getting used to. Luckily, the instruction manual is clear and easy to follow, and the buttons on the machine are straightforward and simple to understand.
The Retro Pump Espresso Coffee Machine comes with 1- and 2-cup basket fillers, a handy two-in-one scoop and tamp tool, and a 1.5-liter water tank. But although it features a steam wand for frothing milk, it doesn’t come with a milk pitcher, which seems like a bit of an oversight.
To pull a shot, you’ll need to ensure that you pull the portafilter as far towards the center of the machine as it will go, otherwise the extraction process won’t start. Once your espresso has started streaming, keep a close eye on the amount of liquid in your cup or mug—you’ll need to manually turn off the switch to stop the extraction process.
This machine is nowhere near as foolproof as the automatic GE Café Affetto, nor is it as effective as the Breville Barista Touch (the best espresso machine we’ve tested). But it pulls a balanced shot and comes at an extremely affordable price of just over $100. (Plus, it's just so pretty!)
The Galanz Retro Espresso Machine with Milk Frother has a 15-bar pressure pump.
$110 at AmazonElectric Kettle
The retro-inspired electric kettle from Galanz can boil a full pot of water in under seven minutes.
I’m more of a coffee gal, but sometimes a cup of tea just hits the spot. In times like this, I typically rely on my Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Electric Gooseneck Kettle (AKA one of the best electric kettles we’ve tested), so this Galanz version had big shoes to fill.
The Galanz electric kettle took under seven minutes to boil a full pot of water. To use, I simply pushed down on the lever on the side, which lit up as I did so. Once the water was boiling, the lever released and the light went out.
The lid remained secure as I poured the hot water into my teapot. Without a gooseneck spout to better guide the water, I did worry a bit about spillage, though thankfully none occurred. Although not suited to more delicate tasks like pour-over coffee, this would be a charming option for tea lovers.
The Galanz Retor Electric Kettle includes a boil dry safety feature, so the kettle automatically turns off.
$38 at AmazonShould you buy Galanz retro countertop appliances?
Yes! Especially if you love the look of retro appliances
If you’re in the market for an affordable version of the Smeg's vintage-style appliances, Galanz’s retro appliance line could be a great option for you.
After testing the 2-slice toaster, immersion blender, espresso machine, and electric kettle, I can confidently say that each gadget gets the job done with ease. And while some of these appliances feature minor flaws, they certainly fit the bill if aesthetics and budget-friendliness are your top priorities.
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