One of ALDI’s biggest Special Buys of the year hit the middle aisle this week, with dupes of cult kitchen appliances available at a fraction of the price.
From October 7, shoppers can pick up an affordable ice cream maker and a stand mixer, as well as big name-brand deals from De'Longhi and Roborock.
Here's what you can find in the middle aisle this week and how the prices compare.
ALDI dupes on offer
Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker - $129
Home ice cream makers are having a moment, largely thanks to the Ninja CREAMi, which became a must-have kitchen bench accessory for foodie influencers over the past few years. Ninja’s ice cream maker retails for about $350, while Aldi's Ambiano version is less than half the price. Here’s what you’ll get with Aldi’s ice cream maker:
- 10 preset modes
- Mix-in and re-spin features
- A digital display
- Self-cleaning and one-touch manoeuvrability
- 3 containers
Classic Stand Mixer - $64.99
For the bakers and makers who aren’t too keen on dropping about $700 (minimum when not on sale!) on a KitchenAid stand mixer, Aldi’s Ambiano might be a more palatable price. There’s a big difference between $65 and $700, so the Aldi version won’t be a like-for-like dupe but it still gets the job done. Here’s what you’ll get with the Ambiano stand mixer:
- 5L removable, stainless steel mixing bowl
- 8-speed rotary switch and pulse function
- Dough hook, flat beater and whisk attachment
Big-name brands on offer
De’Longhi Espresso and Cappuccino Maker with Grinder - $429
If your daily cafe run is starting to add up, this De’Longhi deal might be worth a look. De’Longhi coffee machines typically retail for upwards of $500, making this one of the lowest options currently available from the brand. With this model you’ll get:
- Built-in grinder with 15 grind setting options
- Pre-set espresso and long black recipes
- Milk jug, tamper, steam wand cleaning tool, descaling solution and guide
- Single and double filter options
- My Latte Art system to prepare and froth hot milk
Roborock Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner - $249.00
Spilled juice, muddy footprints and crumbs under the dinner table can all be sorted with one appliance.Roborock wet and dry vacuums usually sell for a minimum $400, so this could be a decent deal if you’ve been planning on investing in one. Here's what you'll get with this version:
- 20,000Pa Suction Power
- 30-minute drying time
- Jaw scraper, zero tangle and streak-free roller technology
3.5L Air Fryer - $44.99
If you've been holding out on jumping on the air fryer bandwagon, this is one of the cheapest ways in. At 3.5L it's on the smaller side, so it's better suited to singles, couples or as a second appliance for sides and snacks than for cooking the whole family dinner. Here's what you'll get with the Ambiano air fryer:
- 8 preset programs
- Temperature range: 40-200°C in 5°C increments
- LED display
- Keep warm function
- Overheat protection and cool touch handle
Special buy or special bye?
Aldi’s Special Buys are only available while stocks last and often sell out within days, so if something genuinely fills a gap in your kitchen, it could pay to get in early. Just don’t let the glow of the middle aisle talk you into an impulse buy you don't actually need.
"The best deal is the one that fits your budget and your routine," says Canstar Consumer Editor Meagan Lawrence. "These Aldi appliances compare well on price against similar products on the market, but they’ll still put a dent in your bank account. Before anything goes in the trolley, ask yourself whether you'd buy it if it weren’t on special, and whether you'll still be using it in six months. A $129 ice cream maker that ends up at the back of the cupboard isn’t a bargain. It’s $129 you could have spent on something you’ll actually use."
For bigger-ticket, name-brand items like the De’Longhi coffee machine or the Roborock vacuum, compare prices at other retailers before you commit. You might find the same or a similar model for less elsewhere, especially with Black Friday sales not far off.
