In a major boost for budget-conscious shoppers, Aldi has been officially named the cheapest supermarket in the UK for the fifth consecutive year. The title was awarded by consumer champion Which? following its comprehensive annual price analysis for 2025.
A Decisive Victory for the Discounter
The research, which tracks grocery prices daily, found that Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in ten out of the twelve months of 2025. Its closest rival, fellow discounter Lidl, claimed the top spot only twice, in July and October. The average monthly price difference between the two over the entire year was a mere 77 pence.
In the crucial December analysis of a basket of 68 common items, Aldi's average cost was £123.60. Lidl followed incredibly closely, with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members, a difference of just 10 pence.
The Price Gap with Traditional Supermarkets
The study highlights a significant price chasm between the discounters and the traditional 'big four' supermarkets. For the same December basket of 68 items, Asda averaged £134.89. Tesco Clubcard holders paid £135.84, while non-members faced a bill of £139.12.
Sainsbury's Nectar card holders spent £141.45 on average, rising to £143.74 without the loyalty card. Waitrose was the most expensive, with the basket costing a substantial £170.46 in December. Over the course of 2025, Which? found that Waitrose cost a staggering 35% more on average compared to Aldi.
Cost of a Larger Weekly Shop
Which? also examined the cost of a much larger weekly shop consisting of 180 items. Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this specific comparison due to their smaller product ranges.
For this bigger basket in December, Asda emerged as the cheapest, with an average bill of £450.82. Tesco Clubcard holders would have paid £462 on average, while those without a card faced a cost of £493.53.
The bill at Morrisons was £466.04 with a loyalty discount or £467.46 without. Sainsbury's Nectar holders paid £468.61, with non-members charged £501.89. Once again, Waitrose was the most expensive, with the average bill reaching £529.17.
Expert Advice for Savvy Shoppers
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, commented on the findings, stating: "Aldi’s consistent performance shows why it has been crowned the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the fifth year in a row."
She added: "While Lidl continues to provide strong competition among the discounters and is still a great option for those looking to save on their shopping, Aldi was cheapest in most months and offered the lowest prices overall."
Sewraz also noted that "Asda remains a strong choice for shoppers looking for a bigger range of branded goods at lower prices." Her key advice for households was clear: "With food bills still a major concern for many, it really does pay to shop around – choosing one supermarket over another could save shoppers hundreds of pounds over the course of a year."
Price Rankings at a Glance
For a basket of 68 items (December 2025):
- Aldi - £123.60
- Lidl - £123.70
- Asda - £134.89
- Tesco (with Clubcard) - £135.84
- Waitrose - £170.46
For a larger basket of 180 items (December 2025):
- Asda - £450.82
- Tesco (with Clubcard) - £462.00
- Morrisons (with loyalty discount) - £466.04
- Sainsbury's (with Nectar) - £468.61
- Waitrose - £529.17
The Which? analysis, published on 9 January 2026, includes special offers and loyalty card prices but excludes multibuys, providing a clear picture of everyday costs for consumers.
