Salter's new retro scales are at the top of my kitchen wish list – one version is available for under £20 in pastel colours

My kitchen is missing something: a set of scales both functional and pretty enough to earn a space on my worktop full-time. That's why Salter's new retro-look mechanical scales, both the more affordable £19.99 Timeless version via Amazon and the £27.99 version are high on my current kitchen wish list.

Both available in a number of pastel colours, its the green and pink shades that really catch my eye with these scales. As well as being design-forward, it's fair to say that Salter (who have been manufacturing scales since founder Richard Salter began the business in the late 1760s as well as other kitchen appliances including the best air fryers) definitely has the history needed to produce these kitchen essentials. Here's how these new vintage inspired scales shape up.

Salter has two different retro-style collections on offer when it comes to their mechanical scales. While the more affordable Timeless collection features scales that are slimmer and lighter (at just 0.8kg), the rounded Retro version is more scaled back and simple.

Both feature easy to read displays, with maximum readings of five kilograms and share one huge plus – you'll never have to change their batteries thanks to their mechanical designs.

If you are willing to spend more on the Retro style version, you'll enjoy a larger capacity bowl to weigh your baking ingredients, as well as the chance to snap the scales up in pink.

As I said, I've had a reliable set of scales on my kitchen wish list for a long time, and while Smeg's gorgeous 50's style version is the ultimate dream, the price tag of £169 via Amazon feels a lot to part with. I think I'll be adding this Salter version to my basket come this Black Friday in November, in the hopes there'll be even more off the price tag.