Budget Ice-cream Makers Hit UK Stores as Aldi and Lidl Roll Out Sub-£70 Machines

What's happened

Independent reports Aldi and Lidl are launching affordable ice cream makers on July 16, priced at £69.99, undercutting Ninja’s premium model. Aldi’s Ambiano uses “smoothify” technology; Lidl’s SilverCrest Freezy offers seven presets. Both are limited Specialbuys, with stock likely to vanish quickly. Competitors and other budget options are highlighted in IndyBest reviews.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

• The story reflects a broader retailer strategy to crowd out premium kitchen gadgets with budget alternatives. Aldi and Lidl are leveraging similar aesthetics and preset options to Ninja’s popular models, aiming to attract value-conscious shoppers.
• The meta-narrative centers on ‘Specialbuys’ as a sales lever; stock limits create urgency that can drive quick purchases and high in-store traffic.
• Expect continued attention on how these budget machines perform versus established brands in terms of ease of use, cleaning, and durability.
• Readers should anticipate follow-up comparisons and any brand responses (pricing shifts, new presets, or extended warranties).

How we got here

The July 2026 wave of budget kitchen gadgets has brought Aldi and Lidl into close competition with Ninja’s premium ice-cream maker. Aldi launches the Ambiano ice cream machine in its Specialbuys aisle, priced at £69.99 and undercutting the Ninja Creami by about £130. Lidl counters with the SilverCrest Premium Freezy, also £69.99, with seven presets. Both are limited-time specials that may not return after stock runs out, while broader IndyBest testing has contrasted these with higher-priced models from Ninja and Cuisinart.

Our analysis

Independent reports from Jul 13-15, 2026 note Aldi's Ambiano and Lidl's SilverCrest are £69.99, with Ninja’s creami and other models providing benchmarks. Expert testers in IndyBest have described the Ninja creami deluxe and original models with varying conclusions about performance and value, while noting Aldi and Lidl’s aggressive price positioning in the budget segment.

Go deeper

• Will Aldi and Lidl extend the Specialbuys beyond July if stock sells out?
• How do the long-term performances of Ambiano and SilverCrest compare to Ninja creami in real-world use?
• Are there other budget makers entering this price band this season?

More on these topics

• Cuisinart - US home appliance brand

  Cuisinart ( KWEE-zin-art) is an American kitchen appliance and cookware brand. It was founded in 1971 by Carl Sontheimer. Initially the company produced food processors, which were introduced at a food show in Chicago in 1973. The name "Cuisinart" (a portmanteau of "cuisine" and "art") became synonymous with "food processor" to the point where it was a proprietary eponym. Cuisinart was purchased by Conair Corporation in 1989.

• ALDI - Supermarket company

  Aldi is the common brand of two German family-owned discount supermarket chains with over 10,000 stores in 20 countries, and an estimated combined turnover of more than €50 billion.

• United Kingdom - Country in Europe

  The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the north­western coast of the European mainland.

• Lidl - Supermarket company

  Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG is a German international discount supermarket chain that operates over 10,000 stores across Europe and the United States.