Ambiano Coffee Maker Review: Is It Worth It?
Hi, I'm Sam, and I make coffee all day. I run a busy kosher coffee shop and wine bar, so our coffee gear works long days. The Ambiano coffee maker is Aldi's budget line of drip, single serve, retro and espresso machines. Prices run $19.99 to about $50, and $79.99 for espresso.
The 12-cup programmable model matches a $110 Cuisinart on timer, auto shut-off and pause and serve for $24.99. The retro drip model brews 12 cups in 5 to 7 minutes. The single serve model brews a 10 oz (296 ml) cup in about 2 minutes, but some owners report early pump failures.
I explain brew times, safety recall and price before my verdict, with no sponsor. Aldi recalled two single serve model numbers in August 2024 for a burn hazard. The comparison sections weigh the Ambiano against Cuisinart and Keurig, and the last section names who should skip it.
What Is the Ambiano Coffee Maker?
The Ambiano coffee maker is a budget coffee maker sold under Aldi's private Ambiano brand. The name covers several machines, including a 12-cup drip maker, a single serve brewer, a retro drip maker and an espresso machine.
ALDI Inc. runs the US stores and belongs to Aldi Süd, one of the two German Aldi companies. Models change between ALDI Find runs, so a 2018 unit and a 2023 unit differ. The model number on the box shows which version a shopper holds.
Aldi sells each Ambiano coffee maker as a limited-time ALDI Find. Stock rotates onto shelves for a short run and sells out fast. Some models return in later years.
The prices stay low. Drip and single serve models cost $19.99 to about $50, and the espresso machine cost $79.99 at launch. Buyers get the basic job without Keurig or Cuisinart prices.
The brand suits shoppers who want a simple machine and no extras. A buyer who wants app control or a built-in grinder needs a different brand.
Who Makes the Ambiano Coffee Maker?
Aldi makes the Ambiano coffee maker line available through its own US distributor. The CM-202 single serve manual names ALDI Inc. of Batavia, Illinois, as that distributor. The Ambiano logo, not the Aldi name, sits on the machine.
Warranty service for the 2018 model ran through a company tied to Wachsmuth & Krogmann. That firm began in Germany and has US operations in Chicago.
The Ambiano brand is exclusive to Aldi stores. Shoppers do not find new units at other grocers, and used units appear on resale sites.
Which Ambiano Coffee Maker Models Does Aldi Sell?
Aldi has sold five Ambiano coffee maker versions: a 12-cup programmable drip maker, a 14-cup programmable drip maker, a single serve brewer, a retro 12-cup drip maker and an espresso machine. The 14-cup model arrived in January 2023.
Ambiano is exclusive to Aldi. Other grocers do not stock new units. Used units appear on resale sites such as eBay. Anyone sourcing a used unit can read the model number on the label to confirm which version it is.
The five versions fall into a few price ranges. The 12-cup programmable drip maker costs $24.99. The single serve brewer first cost $19.99 in 2018 and cost about $50 in 2023. The 14-cup model cost $39.99 at its January 2023 release. Aldi had not posted warranty details for it at that time.
Two versions differ in style and function from the basic drip makers. The retro drip maker adds chrome accents and a 12-cup glass carafe. The espresso machine sold for $79.99 in December 2020 and carries a 15 bar pump and a frother.
Ambiano Coffee Maker Models:
| Model | Known price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12-cup programmable | $19.99 (2019), $24.99 (2024) | Timer, auto shut-off, reusable filter |
| 14-cup programmable | $39.99 (January 2023) | Warranty not posted at release |
| Single serve | $19.99 (2018) to about $50 (2023) | K-Cups or grounds, 2023 units recalled |
| Retro 12-cup drip | No price found | Chrome accents, glass carafe |
| Espresso machine | $79.99 (December 2020) | 15 bar pump, frother, no grinder |
What Does the Ambiano 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Offer?
The Ambiano 12-cup programmable coffee maker offers auto pause, delay brew, a two-hour warming plate and a two-hour auto shut-off. The 2019 model also had a backlit clock panel and a water level indicator.
The machine ships with a glass pot and a reusable filter. Buyers skip paper filters, and the reusable filter saves money over time.
A Simply Recipes writer matched the machine against a Cuisinart that costs about $110. Capacity, programming, auto shut-off and pause and serve all matched. The Ambiano comes in blue and white.
The Ambiano has no built-in charcoal water filter. The Cuisinart has one, and that gap decides the choice for some buyers.
How Does the Ambiano Single Serve Coffee Maker Work?
The Ambiano single serve coffee maker brews from K-Cups in a pod holder or from ground coffee in a reusable filter. A small probe in the holder pierces the K-Cup base.
Both kinds of coffee go through the same size buttons. Two buttons set the size at 10 oz (296 ml) or 15 oz (444 ml). The 2019 model offered an 8 oz (237 ml) button in place of the 10 oz one.
A new unit needs a short setup of a few minutes. The manual says to wipe the unit, fill the reservoir and run water through it a few times. The power button flashes while the water heats.
An adjustable cup rest lets the machine brew into a mug or a travel mug. The reservoir does not detach, so water must be poured in while it sits on the machine. Tap water works without a filter.
How Well Does the Ambiano Coffee Maker Brew?
The Ambiano coffee maker brews a good cup for its price on every drip and single serve model tested. A Simply Recipes writer calls the 12-cup programmable model a consistently good cup of joe.
The Specialty Coffee Association sets a brewer standard of 195-205°F (90-96°C) water during the brew cycle. The same guidance calls for about 55 g of coffee per liter and 4 to 6 minutes of contact for drip. No test measured the Ambiano against these marks.
A 12-cup pot holds about 60 oz (1.8 L), because the coffee industry counts a cup as 5 oz (148 ml). A full pot makes about five to seven mugs.
The espresso machine advertises a 15 bar pump. Espresso extraction targets 9 bar at the coffee, so the 15 bar figure rates the pump and not the shot.
The retro drip model brews at a steady rate. Its coffee tastes smooth and balanced, and a long test over several weeks found the same result each time.
The single serve model makes a decent cup from any K-Cup. A cup made from fresh grounds in the reusable filter tastes better than the pod cups.
The espresso machine pulls a smooth shot after some practice. Its steam wand makes a lot of foam but heats milk poorly.
How Long Does the Ambiano Coffee Maker Take to Brew?
The Ambiano retro coffee maker takes about 5 to 7 minutes to brew a full 12-cup pot. That pace fits a standard drip machine.
The single serve model makes a 10 oz (296 ml) cup in about 2 minutes. A 15 oz (444 ml) cup takes about 3 minutes. The water needs a couple of minutes to heat first.
Owners the testers spoke with said a Keurig makes a cup in 1 to 2 minutes. The Ambiano still beats a drip pot on speed for one cup.
The Ambiano espresso machine heats its water in about 1 to 2 minutes, based on one owner's count.
Brew Times:
| Machine | Brew time |
|---|---|
| Ambiano retro, 12 cups | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Ambiano single serve, 10 oz (296 ml) | About 2 minutes |
| Ambiano single serve, 15 oz (444 ml) | About 3 minutes |
| Keurig, one cup | 1 to 2 minutes |
Does the Ambiano Coffee Maker Make Hot Coffee?
Yes. The Ambiano single serve coffee maker makes plenty hot coffee, a bit hotter than the tester's drip maker. Strength matches what a buyer expects from the grounds used.
Brew temperature is only half of the question, because coffee must also stay hot after it brews. The retro model holds its brew temperature well. Its keep-warm plate holds coffee hot for hours without scorching it, per a multi-week test.
Warming plates do not run forever on every machine. The 12-cup programmable model keeps coffee warm on its plate for two hours. The two-hour auto shut-off then switches the plate off.
Heat can also be too high for brewing. The espresso machine has a temperature gauge. A user releases a little steam to cool the water down to brew temperature.
What Do Owners Like About the Ambiano Coffee Maker?
Owners like that the Ambiano coffee maker costs a fraction of a Keurig or a Cuisinart while still brewing good coffee. One owner says six Ambiano units cost the same as one Keurig.
The low price would matter less if the machines failed fast. Many single serve owners report one to two years of daily use with no trouble. Several say they would buy a second unit for $20 to $25.
Size is another reason owners like the single serve machine. It is smaller than a Keurig and fits under a cabinet. Its cup rest also clears large travel mugs.
The drip models appeal for a different reason, which is the extra features they include. These are pause and serve, a reusable filter and auto shut-off. Owners value these features at the price.
Is the Ambiano Coffee Maker Easy to Clean?
Yes. The Ambiano coffee maker is easy to clean, with a removable carafe, filter basket and drip tray that wash by hand. The reusable filter removes the need to dispose of paper filters.
Regular cleaning removes coffee oils and mineral buildup. Descaling, which clears that mineral buildup, uses white vinegar or a descaling solution.
The single serve model has its own rules. Its manual warns against submerging the unit in water. The manual also explains how to decalcify the machine, which means removing the same mineral scale.
Fresh grounds make the single serve machine messier to use. One owner reports grounds dripping outside the basket and spitting at the end of the cycle.
What Are the Common Ambiano Coffee Maker Complaints?
The most common Ambiano coffee maker complaint is early failure of the single serve model, from pump failure or leaking. Some owners report problems within weeks or a few months.
One owner heard an explosion sound and saw water run out of the bottom after 12 cups. Another owner lost a water pump within weeks.
The single serve model offers only 10 oz (296 ml) and 15 oz (444 ml) sizes. Buyers who want a smaller cup must stop the brew by hand.
The reservoir does not detach, so the whole unit needs filling at the sink. Replacement pod holders and baskets come through the service number printed on the box.
The espresso machine ships with an awkward tamper. Its steam wand needs practice to heat milk.
Common Complaints:
- Early pump failure or leaking on the single serve model
- Only 10 oz and 15 oz cup sizes
- Reservoir that does not detach
- Awkward espresso tamper
- Steam wand that needs practice
How Long Does the Ambiano Coffee Maker Last?
The Ambiano single serve coffee maker lasts one to two years for many owners, while others report units that failed within six months. Results vary from unit to unit.
A tester ran a 2018 unit twice a week and found it working as well after one year. That model carried a three-year warranty, so a buyer had cover well beyond that first year.
One owner whose pump failed within weeks received a free replacement through the warranty. Delivery took a while, and the second unit worked for five months of daily use.
Earlier Ambiano espresso machines had a built-in grinder that wore out after a few months. The 2020 model has no grinder, so that cause of early failure is gone.
Is the Ambiano Coffee Maker Safe?
No. The Ambiano coffee maker is not safe to use if it is a recalled single serve model. The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced recall 24-341 on August 15, 2024, for model numbers 708924 and 708925. No recall covers the drip or espresso models.
Recalled units can expel hot water from the top of the machine. Owners of those units should stop using them at once.
The manual lists basic rules. Use only water in the tank, never overfill the tank and unplug the machine when not in use.
Federal law bars the sale of recalled products, and resale listings on sites such as eBay fall under that rule. Shoppers report a recalled unit or an incident at SaferProducts.gov.
Which Ambiano Coffee Maker Models Were Recalled?
The recall covers Ambiano single serve coffee makers with model numbers 708924 and 708925. About 28,000 units were sold.
The hazard is hot water expelled from the top of the machine. The commission received 25 reports of this, and three of them involved burns.
Aldi sold the units from July through September 2023 for about $50. Stores in 38 states and the District of Columbia carried them.
Recall Facts:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model numbers | 708924 and 708925 |
| Units | About 28,000 |
| Hazard | Hot water expelled from the top |
| Reports | 25 reports, 3 burns |
| Sold | July to September 2023, about $50 |
Owners have two options:
- Refund: The owner returns the unit and receives $49.99 plus sales tax.
- E-gift card: The owner registers online and receives a $75 ALDI e-gift card. This requires cutting the unplugged cord and uploading photos.
How Does the Ambiano Coffee Maker Compare With Cuisinart?
The Ambiano 12-cup coffee maker matches a Cuisinart programmable model on core features at under a quarter of the price. The Cuisinart costs about $110 and the Ambiano costs $24.99.
Both brands label a 12-cup pot as 60 oz (1.8 L), based on a 5 oz (148 ml) coffee cup. Conair owns the Cuisinart brand. Because the cup size is the same, the two pots hold the same amount of coffee.
The features line up closely. Both machines brew on a timer and shut off by themselves. Both also offer pause and serve, which lets a person pour a cup before the pot finishes brewing. Both come with a reusable filter.
Ambiano and Cuisinart Side by Side:
| Feature | Ambiano | Cuisinart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.99 | About $110 |
| Capacity | 12 cups | 12 cups |
| Programmable timer | Yes | Yes |
| Auto shut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Pause and serve | Yes | Yes |
| Water filter | No | Charcoal filter |
The Cuisinart leads in one area. It has a built-in charcoal water filter, which removes impurities and gives a fresher taste. The Ambiano has no such filter.
The writer still owns the Cuisinart and filters drinking water already, so the missing filter matters little. The writer says the Ambiano goes toe-to-toe with the Cuisinart.
How Does the Ambiano Coffee Maker Compare With a Keurig?
The Ambiano single serve coffee maker copies the Keurig idea at a lower price. Keurig machines cost $65 for the K-Mini and over $200 for the Office Pro.
The lower price comes with slower brewing. A cup from the Ambiano takes 2 to 3 minutes. A Keurig takes 1 to 2 minutes. Both times exclude water heating time.
Pod choice differs too. The Ambiano takes K-Cups or loose grounds in its own reusable filter. A Keurig buyer needs a My K-Cup reusable filter to brew grounds.
Cup size also differs. Keurig machines often offer smaller cup sizes than the Ambiano's 10 oz (296 ml).
Noise is about equal. Testers found the Ambiano about as quiet as Keurig machines they know.
How Much Does the Ambiano Coffee Maker Cost?
The Ambiano coffee maker costs $19.99 to about $50 for drip and single serve models and more for espresso. Prices rise from year to year.
Aldi's Twice as Nice Guarantee covers Aldi-brand food, not Ambiano appliances. Owners of recalled single serve units get $49.99 plus sales tax back, or a $75 ALDI e-gift card.
The 12-cup programmable model cost $19.99 from 2017 to 2019. A 2024 write-up lists $24.99.
The single serve model cost $19.99 in 2018, $24.99 in 2019, $29.99 in 2020 and 2021, and $34.99 in early 2022. A late 2022 unit cost $29.99, and the 2023 model cost about $50.
Single Serve Price History:
| Year | Price |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $19.99 |
| 2019 | $24.99 |
| 2020 and 2021 | $29.99 |
| Early 2022 | $34.99 |
| Late 2022 | $29.99 |
| 2023 | About $50 |
The espresso machine cost $79.99 in December 2020. One owner paid $59.95 on sale. The 14-cup programmable model cost $39.99 in January 2023.
Is the Ambiano Coffee Maker Worth the Price?
Yes. The Ambiano 12-cup coffee maker is worth its $24.99 price because it matches a Cuisinart on core features. The savings buy better beans.
A tester calls the single serve model a decent Keurig imitation for a $20 price. Owners accept replacing a failed unit at $24.99.
The 2023 single serve model cost about $50, more than double the early units. That price came with the recall.
Availability limits the value. Aldi Finds sell out, and a buyer may not find the model wanted.
Is the Ambiano Coffee Maker Worth It?
Yes. The Ambiano 12-cup drip coffee maker is worth buying as a cheap, basic programmable machine. The single serve model needs a recall check first.
The drip models make 12 cups, and they include a timer, auto shut-off and a reusable filter. They cost $25 or less. They also brew a good cup.
The single serve model costs little and works with both pods and grounds. That flexibility is a plus. Mixed durability reports and the 2024 recall lower its rating. A buyer should check the recall before choosing it.
The espresso machine suits a learner who accepts some practice. A better tamper is a smart add-on.
Who Should Skip the Ambiano Coffee Maker?
Owners of single serve units numbered 708924 or 708925 should skip the Ambiano coffee maker and claim the refund. The hot water hazard is the reason.
Buyers who want a built-in water filter should choose the Cuisinart. The Ambiano has no filter.
Buyers who want a cup in under 2 minutes or in a small size should choose a Keurig.
Buyers who want silky latte milk will find the espresso steam wand frustrating.
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