ALDI's New $24.99 Appliance Is Life-Changing—I'm Glad I Bought It

This new ALDI find can go toe-to-toe with a much pricier version. It's an appliance you'll use every single day.

Aldi storefront with large sign — Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Before my second child was born, my husband and I treated ourselves to a home espresso machine in anticipation of the long, sleepless nights ahead. It was one of the best purchasing decisions I’ve ever made.

However, when I needed a simple, everyday coffee maker for those bleary-eyed mornings when I couldn't be bothered with anything more than a single-step brewing process, I leaned into my programmable Cuisinart coffee maker.

I'd use it during bouts of sleepless nights when I felt like I needed a coffee just to make a coffee in the morning. I'd wake up, and the coffee was ready to pour into a cup. It's what I'd drink before making my espresso.

The Cuisinart model I own retails for about $110—which seemed fair given its features—but when I read the specs of ALDI's Ambiano brand programmable coffee maker, it was immediately clear that it's comparable to my Cuisinart. Maybe even a dupe!

For a fifth of the price, I had to find out more.

Aldi programmable coffee maker against a graphic background — Simply Recipes / Aldi

Why I Love ALDI's Ambiano Programmable Coffee Maker

I love my Cuisinart, but after using the Ambiano, I've concluded that this budget-friendly ALDI find can go toe-to-toe with its pricier cousin. Like the Cuisinart, the Ambiano boasts a 12-cup capacity, programmable settings, an auto shut-off function, and the all-important pause and serve feature.

The latter is great for those mornings when I'm too impatient to wait for a full pot and need to sneak a cup mid-brew. Both come with reusable filters, which are eco-friendly and save me money in the long run. And practically speaking, it's one less thing to add to my perpetually ill-prepared grocery list. The Ambiano also comes in cute blue and white colors.

The Cuisinart leaps ahead with its built-in charcoal water filter that helps remove impurities and produces a fresher-tasting coffee. This is a very nice touch—and a feature that sets it apart from the Ambiano. For that reason, it may be a deal-breaker for you. We filter our drinking water, so I'm not concerned about water affecting the brew's flavor.

However, when it comes to price, ALDI (as always) has it beat. At just $24.99, it's a fraction of the cost of the Cuisinart. I liken it to finding a designer dress at a thrift store—it looks good, works great, and leaves you with enough cash for other things, like some top-notch coffee beans.

At the end of the day (or more accurately, at the start of it), what matters most is the coffee itself. And the Ambiano delivers a consistently good cup of joe. So, if you're in the market for an affordable coffee maker that does the work for you while you sleep, you should give the Ambiano a try.