In a surprising turn of events for a British cupboard staple, two budget supermarket own-brand baked beans have dethroned the mighty Heinz in a major taste test. The consumer group Which? has revealed that beans from Aldi and Lidl, costing just 40p per tin, have been rated higher than the market leader.
The Taste Test That Shook the Bean Aisle
A panel of 60 baked bean enthusiasts blind-tasted 12 different varieties in a comprehensive study conducted by Which? in January 2026. The test pitted the famous brands Heinz and Branston against own-label offerings from major supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose, M&S, Ocado, and Co-op, as well as the discount giants Aldi and Lidl.
When the scores were tallied, the results delivered a clear message to cost-conscious shoppers: the premium price tag does not guarantee the best flavour. The two top-performing tins both carried a remarkably low price point of 40p for a standard-sized can.
The Budget Champions: Aldi and Lidl Take the Crown
Aldi's Bramwells Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce scored an impressive 77%. Testers praised them as an "excellent all-rounder," with nearly three-quarters approving of both the bean texture and the sauce quality. The level of sweetness was deemed spot-on, and the beans were found to be visually appealing.
Sharing the top spot with an identical 77% score was Lidl's Newgate Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce, also priced at 40p. Two-thirds of the panel thought its sweetness was perfect, and the texture and sauce also received high praise. It's worth noting that while Lidl's tin is slightly heavier, the price per 100g is identical to Aldi's.
Both winning products earned the coveted Which? Best Buy status and were awarded the organisation's Great Value badge, highlighting their combination of quality and low cost.
How Did the Big Brands Fare?
The iconic Heinz beans, a fixture in British kitchens for generations, narrowly missed the top spot, achieving a score of 76%. Despite being well-received for their texture, sauce, and appearance, Heinz's significant price of £1.40 for a 415g tin made them considerably more expensive than the winners. Over a third of testers also wished for a stronger tomato flavour. Heinz did, however, retain its Best Buy accreditation from Which?.
Branston beans secured third place with a 74% score. Priced at £1 for a 410g tin, they were cheaper than Heinz but still 60p more than the leading supermarket beans. Testers enjoyed the texture but expressed a desire for more sweetness and a more robust tomato taste.
The full ranking of supermarket own-brands from the test is as follows:
- Asda Baked Beans – 73% (40p)
- Sainsbury’s Baked Beans – 73% (40p)
- Morrisons Baked Beans – 71% (45p)
- Ocado Baked Beans – 71% (42p)
- Waitrose Essential Baked Beans – 71% (55p)
- Tesco Baked Beans – 68% (42p)
- M&S Baked Beans – 64% (45p)
- Co-op Baked Beans – 57% (45p)
The results demonstrate that for one of the nation's favourite comfort foods, savvy shoppers no longer need to pay a premium for top-tier taste. The ultimate victory belongs to the humble 40p tin, proving that in the battle of the beans, value and quality can indeed go hand-in-hand.
