In a surprising shake-up for a British cupboard staple, the reigning champion Heinz has been dethroned in a major taste test. The consumer champion Which? has revealed that two supermarket own-brand baked beans, costing a mere 40p per tin, have been rated higher than the market leader.
The Taste Test That Toppled a Giant
The verdict came from a panel of 60 baked bean enthusiasts who blind-tasted 12 different cans in January 2026. The test pitted big brands Heinz and Branston against own-label offerings from major supermarkets including Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Ocado, Waitrose, M&S, and Co-op.
When the scores were tallied, the results sent a clear message to shoppers: paying a premium doesn't guarantee the best flavour. The top honours were shared by two remarkably affordable options.
The 40p Winners: Aldi and Lidl Take the Crown
Aldi's Bramwells Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce and Lidl's Newgate Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce both achieved an impressive score of 77%. Each tin costs just 40p for 410g, making them exceptional value for money.
Testers described the Aldi beans as an "excellent all-rounder," with nearly three-quarters praising both the bean texture and sauce quality. The sweetness level was deemed spot-on, and the beans were visually appealing.
Lidl's beans received equally glowing feedback, with two-thirds of testers approving the sweetness. The texture and sauce also earned high praise. It's worth noting that while Lidl's tin is slightly heavier, the price per 100g is identical to Aldi's.
Both products were awarded Which?'s coveted Best Buy status and its Great Value badge.
How the Big Brands Fared
The iconic Heinz beans narrowly missed the top spot, scoring 76%. Despite being a hit with testers, who liked their texture, sauce, and appearance, their price point is significantly higher at £1.40 for a 415g tin. More than a third of testers also wished for a stronger tomato flavour. Heinz still earned a Best Buy recommendation.
Branston beans secured third place with a score of 74%. Priced at £1 for a 410g tin, testers enjoyed the texture but felt they could be sweeter with a more robust tomato taste.
The full ranking of supermarket own-brands from the test is as follows:
- Asda Baked Beans – 73% (40p for 410g)
- Sainsbury’s Baked Beans – 73% (40p for 400g)
- Morrisons Baked Beans – 71% (45p for 410g)
- Ocado Baked Beans – 71% (42p for 420g)
- Waitrose Essential Baked Beans – 71% (55p for 420g)
- Tesco Baked Beans – 68% (42p for 420g)
- M&S Baked Beans – 64% (45p for 400g)
- Co-op Baked Beans – 57% (45p for 400g)
The results demonstrate that for the perfect, budget-friendly beans on toast, savvy shoppers might want to look beyond the classic blue tin. With two 40p options leading the pack, it's proof that in the world of baked beans, value and taste can go hand-in-hand.
