September 30, 2026 at 1:15pm EDT

Every year, the internet loses its mind over a Starbucks cup. This year it was the Snoopy cup; last year it was the Bearista, a tiny bear with a beverage-holding problem that quickly became something of a personality test. Are you the kind of person who will wait in line at 5 a.m. for a novelty tumbler? And if not, are you the kind of person who will pay triple the original price to a reseller on eBay? Both answers are fine. Neither is cheap. The bear has long since left the shelves, but the longing has not.

Enter Aldi, the patron saint of a suspiciously good dupe.

On October 21, the budget grocery chain will release its own version of the cup with a cult following, and it will cost $4.99. Not $30. Not “DM for price.” Four dollars and ninety-nine cents, less than what you’d pay for the Starbucks drink that goes inside one.

The cups come in four designs: a blue bear, a pink bear, a green penguin, and a purple penguin. Each dons an adorable striped winter scarf, which is the precise detail that turns a cup into a little friend I am now emotionally responsible for. The penguins, in particular, feel like a bold choice, and I respect it. Picking a favorite is going to be a real test of character.

The Aldi Starbucks Bearista dupes are part of Aldi’s wider holiday collection, which will roll out throughout the month of October. A few standout pieces we’re particularly excited about include an adorable Crofton Christmas Cookie Jar (also available on October 21), Merry Moments Holiday Glass Beverage Dispenser (available October 21), and Crofton Holiday Wood Boards (available October 21) for all of your hosting needs.

Crofton Christmas Cookie Jar, $12.99

Merry Moments Holiday Glass Beverage Dispenser, $14.99

Crofton Holiday Wood Boards, $9.99

You’ll find all of these items in the Aldi Finds aisle, affectionately known to regulars as the aisle of shame, because no one has ever walked in for milk and left with only milk.

A word of advice: Aldi Finds are here for a good time, not a long time. New items roll out every Wednesday, and stock varies by store. If you see something you love, grab it quickly, and grab a few extras for gifts. Show up early, bring a quarter for the cart, and do not look directly at the aisle until you’re ready to commit.