A taste test of cheese and onion crisps from Walkers, M&S, Sainsbury's, and Lidl found that M&S came out on top, beating the classic Walkers brand for flavour and price. The M&S packet, priced at £1.70 for 150g, was ranked highest with a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Walkers ranked second
Walkers' original cheese and onion crisps took second place with a rating of 4 out of 5. The reviewer praised them as crunchy, well-balanced, and flavourful, but noted that the amount in each packet has significantly decreased and that more cheese-and-onion flavour on each crisp would be welcome.
The brand's own guarantee states: "To make sure our crisps are perfect, we run taste tests six times a day. We lock in freshness with our protective foil to ensure that our crisps taste as fresh as the day they were cooked… and that’s our Guarantee."
Sainsbury's and Lidl ranked lower
Sainsbury's offered the cheapest packet at 85p for a six-pack and was ranked third with a rating of 3 out of 5. The crisps were described as closest to Walkers in flavour but with very thin cuts of potato and little dusting of flavour. One reviewer on the Sainsbury's website disagreed, writing: "These crisps are best. Really large crunchy crisps and much better than Walkers. Half the price as well. The grandkids can’t get enough of them ( and neither can the adults). The best of all of the own brands."
Lidl's Deluxe mature cheddar and red onion hand-cooked potato crisps, priced at £1.15, were ranked fourth with a rating of 2 out of 5. The reviewer's boyfriend commented: "There's nothing to it. It's very bland, which is surprising for being 'deluxe.' I would not eat any more of this." The crisps were described as big and crunchy but not the best tasting, though they would pair nicely with a dip.
Oven-baked Walkers ranked last
Walkers Oven Baked, launched in 2006 as a healthier version with 50% less fat, was ranked last with a rating of 1 out of 5. At £2.50 for a pack of six at Tesco, the reviewer found them not worth the price, citing an unpleasant powdery feel and a strange aftertaste. Her partner stated: "Not pleasant. They taste kind of cheap. I definitely taste more cheese than any onion."
The M&S crisps were described as moreish with a nice balance between cheese and onion, though the cheese tasted a little artificial and the reviewer wished they were crunchier. Nonetheless, they were very flavourful, more so than Walkers.
