Vestaboard – When Retro Aesthetics and Smart Communication meet
Hype Level
Flip
None
Vestaboard € 3850.-
Hype
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Unique, mesmerizing design – A perfect blend of nostalgia and modern tech
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Physical, non-distracting display – No blue light or notifications pulling focus
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Customizable messages & visuals – Endless creative possibilities
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Smart home integration – Works with Google Assistant, IFTTT, and API
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Engages people differently – More attention-grabbing than an email or a phone alert
Yike
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Expensive – Not accessible to everyone
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No Real-Time Typing – Each message must fully flip before a new one appears
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Limited Font Options – The flip tiles restrict font creativity
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No Voice Control – While it integrates with assistants, you can’t dictate messages
Summary
The Vestaboard masterfully combines the nostalgic charm of split-flap displays with modern smart home technology, creating a visually striking and functional messaging board. While its price may seem high, it is actually an affordable alternative to traditional split-flap displays, offering a unique blend of vintage aesthetics and digital connectivity. With features like remote messaging, integrations with apps and services, and a satisfying mechanical flip sound, the Vestaboard transforms how information is shared at home or in the workplace. It’s more than just a display—it’s an intentional communication tool that captivates and delights, making it a standout piece for those who appreciate both design and functionality.
T here’s something magical about the sound of a split-flap display—the nostalgic click-clack of characters flipping into place. Whether it’s the departure board at an airport, or the arrivals list at a train station, there’s an undeniable charm to analog-style visual communication. The Vestaboard takes that old-school magic and fuses it with modern smart home technology, creating a visually stunning messaging board that doubles as a centerpiece in any home or workspace. Is it just a poor luxury upgrade of an old product, or is it a revival of an old school communication method in a world where screens dominate? Let’s find out.
First Impressions: A Statement Piece
The Vestaboard is stylish, bold, and undeniably eye-catching. Unlike a standard digital screen, the Vestaboard uses the iconic design of split-flap display. The sound when physical flaps change characters is a pure joy and somehow the message displayed feels more authentic and personalize. I didn’t realized how “small” the Vestaboard is (1 meter long and 56 cm tall) but I was impressed by the contrast between the frame and the characters and to be able to read the text from a distance of 10+ meters.
When I first discovered Vestaboard, I was a bit shocked by the high price but when I started looking for alternatives, I realize that this ancient tech does not come cheap. First there are not many options available nowadays. Unless you fully invest yourself in a DIY project, you will need a minimum of € 25’000.- for a split-flap display from Oat Foundry. At less than 4’000 €, the Vestaboard is an “affordable” option for anyone not looking for a full wall size display.
Key Features:
- 132-character display (22 columns x 6 rows)
- 64 possibilities (56 alphanumeric characters and 8 color)
- Flip-style mechanical tiles for a nostalgic yet modern effect
- Wi-Fi & cloud connectivity to receive messages remotely
- Custom color patterns and fonts for creative messaging
- IFTTT support for custom workflow and integration
- Vestaboard Plus for smart home integration (€7.5/month)
More Than Just a Digital Display
I instantly fell in love with the Vestaboard because it is the perfect middle ground between a physical board and a traditional display. Physical board such as whiteboard, blackboard, and pinboard are cumbersome to update and if like me you are not much of an artist, the result is not appealing. Traditional display, such as LCD are easy to update but tend to be overwhelming in the amount of information you will try to fit, losing its impact.
The Vestaboard transforms how you interact with information. Message are intentional and command attention. It is suited for both home and office use.
Home Use
Workplace
- Activity reminders – “Monday 18:30 – West Coast Swing, Tuesday 18:00 – Lake Diving, Wednesday 17:00 – German Class, Friday 19:00 – Date Night”.
- Daily inspiration – Motivational quotes or affirmations to start the day.
- Event countdowns – Build anticipation for special occasions.
- Custom artwork – The color tiles allow for pixel-style visual designs.
- Information Sharing – Remotely send love notes or just a heads-up that you will be late for dinner.
- Team announcements – Perfect for sharing company updates.
- Meeting schedules – Keep everyone aligned on key events.
- Live data feeds – Sync it with business metrics for real-time insights.
For someone who loves the aesthetic and functionality of old-school travel boards, the Vestaboard brings that experience home. Every time a message updates, the flip-clack sound evokes memories of waiting for a flight at GVA or watching the SBB train schedule change at my local train station.
User Experience & Customization
Simply use the Vestaboard app to remotely control your board. The basic app is easy to use and allows sufficient customization:
- Auto-Composer & Visual Editor – Let Vestaboard place your message beautifully or use visual editor to arrange messages yourself. Send instantly or schedule for the right time.
- Today’s Picks – Be inspired with daily content curated by the Vestaboard team, from the motivational to wonderful patterns of art.
- History, Favorites, Drafts & Sharing – View and edit past creations, save favorites or start new drafts. Share your most inspiring on social media or through chat apps.
- Multiple Users – Whether it’s friends, family or co-workers, adding additional users to send messages to Vestaboard is simple and fun.
- Quiet Hours & Time Zone – Allow your Vestaboard to sleep when you do by setting daily quiet hours and a local time zone.
- Multiple Vestaboards – Pair, manage and switch between more than one Vestaboard with ease from the same account across mobile and web.
The Vestaboard+ app is also enabling the use of predefine message templates, live data feeds (weather, stock, sport events, …). The possibilities offered through the IFTTT integration are almost endless, ranging from home automation and security alert to location based actions such as posting on the board when you are leaving the office or in the vicinity of your home.
But if you want to make the most of your board, the Vestaboard+ app is unlocking access to more than 400 integrations for around 7.5€/month. The library is extensive and continuously growing. I was more than surprised to see that there is an integration for the Swiss Railway Company readily available. On top of displaying the train schedule, I particularly like to put quotes from movies, see my priority appointments in my calendar and see which song is currently playing on Spotify.
Final Verdict: A Nostalgic Yet Modern Marvel
The Vestaboard is more than just a display—it’s a marvel that blends the charm of old-school split-flap boards with the convenience of modern technology. While its price may initially seem steep, it’s actually a reasonable investment compared to traditional split-flap alternatives. You instantly forget about the price when it you are suddenly send back in time and are feeling nostalgic about your first time in an airport, mesmerized but the look and sound of the departure board. The Vestaboard is a blend of vintage technology, modern connectivity, clean esthetic and smart functionality and is an incredible addition to any home or office space.
Technical Characteristics
| Number of Flap (Bits) | 132 |
| Text span | 64 characters / bit (56 alphanumeric characters & 8 colors) |
| Text Visibility | 15 meters |
| Power Consumption (message update) | 121 Watts |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz networks) Ethernet port |
| Size (w x h x d) | 1046 mm x 561 mm x 81.5 mm |
| Weight | 24 kg |
