Aldi is launching a new kitchen gadget aimed at coffee lovers seeking an affordable upgrade. The supermarket's Special Buy range, arriving this week, includes the Ambiano Capsule Coffee Machine priced at £34.99, available from Thursday, October 1.
The machine is compatible with Nespresso-style capsules and features a fast heating time. It has a 650ml water tank and dimensions of 31cm x 8cm x 21cm. The product description states: "From bold espressos to smooth long coffees, enjoy café-style drinks from the comfort of home. Compact, stylish, and effortlessly easy to use." Lidl also offers a three-year warranty.
Comparison with the John Lewis Model
The £35 machine shares several features with the Nespresso Vertuo Up Pod Coffee Machine, sold at John Lewis for £179. Both offer a sleek, narrow, space-saving design and one-touch button operation. The John Lewis product description reads: "Designed to uplift your day with effortless precision, the Vertuo Up coffee machine redefines your coffee ritual - bringing simplicity without compromising on taste, morning or anytime. With a rapid three-second heat-up time, it ensures a seamless experience - enhanced by a slim design, a large (1.4L) rotative water tank for easy refilling and space optimisation, and a smooth-opening lever."
Both machines prioritise speed, convenience, and compact design, with single-touch operation and heat-up times of roughly 30 seconds. They also include removable, transparent water tanks, detachable drip trays, and automatic power-saving modes that activate after a few minutes of inactivity.
Key Differences in Capsules and Brewing
Despite the similarities, significant differences exist beyond price. The Aldi Ambiano works with the Nespresso Original format, using smaller, dome-shaped capsules. Shoppers can use official Nespresso pods or cheaper supermarket alternatives. The Nespresso Vertuo system uses larger, flat pods with barcode-reading technology that adjusts brewing parameters automatically. Due to strict patents, Vertuo users must buy official Nespresso capsules.
The brewing methods also differ. The Ambiano uses a traditional high-pressure pump to extract espresso shots, while the Vertuo employs proprietary spinning technology for larger mug sizes and a thick crema layer. For budget-conscious shoppers, the Aldi version saves around £144, though the choice ultimately depends on long-term costs and coffee preferences.
