UK YouTuber Just Deano has put 11 of Aldi's budget-friendly products head-to-head with their branded counterparts, describing the findings as "shocking" after discovering five superior alternatives. The taste test, shared on his channel, could help shoppers save money amid the cost of living crisis.
Taste test setup
Setting out the challenge, he explained to his subscribers: "In today's video, we are going to be comparing some high branded, high quality, very expensive items with the cheap budget options." He added: "Obviously, you guys know that I prefer to save money. I'm a bit of a tight git."
He assessed each comparison based on flavour and overall value, beginning with Cheerios, which he purchased from Iceland for £3.50, against Aldi's Hoops Multigrain at 79p.
Brand wins: Cheerios, Pringles, and more
On the Cheerios, he admitted he "loved" them and had never previously sampled a "dupe version", remarking: "Beautiful, they've got like a sweetness to them. They are very very sweet but they are really really tasty." Tasting the Hoops, he said: "They're nowhere near as sweet. They're a bit tougher. Even though they've been sat a little bit longer, they've not got as much flavour." He concluded: "Ok, even though I'm a tight git, unfortunately on this one, these (Cheerios) are the winners by a long way."
Pringles also triumphed over Aldi's Stackz. Sampling the Pringles, he said: "Crispy, nice, very strong salt and vinegar flavour. Really nice. I am a big fan of Pringles." He noted the Stackz had a tougher texture and less salt, ultimately concluding Pringles were superior in taste and clinched victory on the basis they can be found at a lower price elsewhere.
Other brand winners included Fridge Raiders, Bachelors Super Noodles, and Penguin bars. On the Fridge Raiders, he said: "It's twice the price, but I think I'd pay it on this occasion. They're (Fridge Raiders) really really tasty. They're (Snackin Chicken) ok, but they're (Fridge Raiders) elite stuff."
Aldi wins: Mars, Lurpak, and more
However, Aldi's Titan bars beat Mars. After tasting both, he declared: "Well, those two are identical. Absolutely identical. They taste exactly the same, difference in shape, we've got two grams extra in the Mars Bar." He added: "Absolutely no doubt in my mind that Titan is the winner of this one hands down."
Nordpak butter also beat Lurpak, with Deano describing the taste as "identical" and noting the price difference: Lurpak cost £4.75 at Tesco, while Nordpak was £2.18 at Aldi. He said: "Flavour wise, can't really separate these two so this one might need to go down to value."
Dark Thunder beat Monster Energy, with Deano concluding: "They are basically the same thing. Once again, it will have to go down to value, and I definitely wouldn't be paying £1.75 over 80p, nearly twice the price." Professor Peppy beat Dr Pepper, as he said: "I must admit, the Aldi alternatives of the pop, whether it be Cherry Coke, Coke Zero, Professor Peppy, Diet Coke, they're just as good if not better."
Mega Snack Noodles Mumbai Mad Boy beat Pot Noodle Bombay Bad Boy, with Deano saying: "Oh, that's nice. That is actually nice. Similar spice levels, but that's better flavour."
Tiebreaker and final verdict
The challenge ended deadlocked, forcing a tiebreaker between Freddo and Deeno. After tasting the Deeno, he said: "It's got like a bitter taste. I'm not a fan of Deeno. I can't believe I'm saying it, but I think I'd pay the Freddo." He concluded: "So unfortunately, the winners are the originals 6-5. It went down to a tiebreaker."
He rounded off the video by saying: "So, to sum up, the originals are the best and the alternatives, well, they are just that. However, in some cases, those alternatives, save yourselves some pennies. And in others, well, unfortunately, you just got to pay for that brand name because it's just nicer."
