ALDI’s $80 kitchen tap has shoppers talking and arguing—here’s why

Kitchen renovations are one of those big-ticket projects that can feel out of reach, especially if you are on a fixed income.

So when ALDI put a $79.99 kitchen mixer tap on sale, it naturally sparked huge interest across households nationwide.

But while the glowing social media comments might tempt you into lining up on Saturday morning, there is more to this story than meets the eye.

The curved and straight bar mixer taps appeared in ALDI’s Special Buys catalogue for 20 September, quickly becoming a hot topic in shopping groups.

One shopper declared: ‘Absolutely love it’ and added they were ‘waiting for their special buys in 2022 so that i can put in my next house’.

Another said their tap was ‘as good if not better than the $500 one in my kitchen’.

Yet behind the initial hype, reviews painted a different picture.

ProductReview.com.au showed ALDI’s model 78181TAUS held a 2.5 out of 5-star rating from 13 reviewers, with several reports of sudden failures.

One customer claimed: ‘Mine one broke in half. I have never had a tap broke in half before’.

Another reported: ‘the spout broke off and flooded the under cabinet’ after less than 18 months of use.

Water pressure issues came up often too.

Customers said the taps produced a ‘very slow waterflow’ that ‘takes forever to fill the kettle’.

Some discovered a removable flow restrictor improved the issue, but removing it risked voiding the warranty.

For older homeowners, these installation demands could prove challenging.

Working under sinks, fitting mixer hoses, and installing isolation taps can be physically straining and best left to professionals.

The story also had echoes of the past.

In 2017, about 12,000 Australian households had ALDI taps installed that were investigated over possible lead contamination.

While later testing confirmed compliance with Australian standards, the incident served as a reminder to scrutinise product sourcing and safety certifications.

Durability varied wildly among buyers.

Some said they were happy after ‘about 4 years’ or that they ‘got 48 months out of it so £10 per year’.

On OzBargain, one user claimed their ALDI mixer ‘works great’ after four years, though they admitted needing extra parts from Bunnings.

Others experienced problems almost immediately, and plumbers noted issues like ‘small black bits stuck’ in the cartridge affecting water pressure.

When weighed against mid-range alternatives, the price difference could be misleading.

A Dorf tap at around $400 might feel steep upfront but could last more than five years with proper maintenance.

For anyone tempted by ALDI’s Saturday specials, the decision required more than just impulse.

Researching different brands, factoring in installation, and considering the lifespan could help avoid regret down the track.

Some buyers had positive outcomes with ALDI taps, but for those wanting long-term security, a premium option might prove the smarter investment.

If you are weighing up whether a budget tap is really worth the investment, it can help to look at the bigger picture of kitchen upgrades.

Beyond one-off Special Buys, there are practical ways to refresh your space without overspending or sacrificing quality.

One renovation expert has shared their best strategies for getting the most out of every dollar when tackling kitchen improvements.

Read more: Upgrading your kitchen? Here's how to do it on a budget according to a home renovation expert

Would you risk saving upfront if it meant replacing your kitchen tap in just a couple of years?