A shopper looking for a quick and simple way to cut his bill has put the flavour and price of national favourites Walkers up against own-brands from Aldi, Lidl, Tesco and other supermarkets. Ashleigh Summerfield tried cheese and onion crisps from six shops - including Asda and Morrisons - against the market leader.
Ashleigh said: "It was time for me to channel my inner Gary Lineker: Walkers versus Tesco, Sainbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl. Who came out victorious?"
Walkers cheese and onion cost a whopping £1.95 from Morrisons (Image: Reach plc)
Walkers
When it came to selecting a flavour to compare, I opted for cheese and onion because ready-salted is too boring, and salt and vinegar makes my face contort.
I picked up a six-pack of Walkers' "glorious" cheese & onion for a whopping £1.95.
Upon opening up a packet, I had to do a double take: where were all the crisps?
It was only about half full. For that price, I want a few more in there.
I had essentially paid for air—sounds like a future episode of Black Mirror, if you ask me.
Ranting aside, I love the taste; the salty goodness takes me back to my childhood—I was a fussy eater.
Apart from the number of crisps and the price, I have no complaints - 8/10.
A six pack of Snackrite costs 89p (Image: Reach plc)
Aldi
I purchased a six-pack of Aldi's Snackrite cheese and onion crisps for a reasonable 89p.
Once again, the packet was half empty.
However, at this price point, I am not as fussed.
The crisps are a slightly darker shade of potatoey-yellow than Walkers and have a stronger, dare I say it, better taste.
The taste does not hold back; it lingers on your tongue, letting you know you have just indulged in a snack.
When it comes to smell—because who does not love a good sniff before tucking in?—it is not as subtle as Walkers, with the cheese smacking you in the nostrils.
Do we have a winner this early on?
I am giving these beauties a 9/10.
Tesco's cheese and onion crisps cost me £1 (Image: Reach plc)
Tesco
After cleansing my palate—I do not want to give Tesco an unfair advantage, do I?—it was time to move onto the next supermarket.
I forked out £1 for a six-pack of cheese and onion crisps from Tesco.
One thing I noticed about these crisps is they are individually heavier than those from Walkers and Aldi.
Either that, or it is in my mind because all seven packets claim to be 25g and they look just as "full" as the others.
When it comes to scent, Tesco's crisps smell the best so far—not that the others did not smell great.
After popping a crisp into my mouth, I made an audible "Hmm" sound.
The taste is pretty decent, but it feels like I am chewing on cardboard.
I would give Tesco a 4/10. Scratch that, they are stuck in my teeth, so I am revising my score to a 3/10.
It costs £1 for a six pack from Asda (Image: Reach plc)
Asda
Next up is Asda, and a pack of six cost me £1.
After opening the packet, I was disappointed.
Asda had the fewest crisps of all the ones I had tested so far.
When it comes to taste, it is very subtle, so subtle that I needed three or four to form an opinion.
They taste alright, but nothing to write home about—sorry, mum, you will hear from me soon—but they are the crunchiest so far, so if that is your thing, these are for you.
I give Asda a 5/10.
You can pick up a six pack at Sainsbury's for £1.15 (Image: Reach plc)
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's six-pack of cheese and onion crisps set me back £1.15.
By this point, I was getting used to the lack of crisps in each packet, so it was not a surprise how few there were.
After tucking in, I quite enjoyed myself - they are just as crunchy as Asda, but their taste is much better (sorry, Asda).
They have a subtle scent that lets you know they are there but not nothing more.
A solid 6/10; fair play, Sainsbury's.
A Morrisons cheese and onion six pack costs £1.19 (Image: Reach plc)
Morrisons
With just two supermarkets left to try, I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
A six-pack from Morrisons costs slightly more than those at other supermarkets, at £1.19.
I do not think it is worth mentioning how few crisps are in here - it is clearly a common theme.
They smell and taste similar to Sainsbury's - could it be they are the same with just different packaging? It would not surprise me.
Yes, they are a solid crisp; however, you can save yourself 4p and buy them from Sainsbury's - 6/10.
Lidl's Snaktastic crisps cost 89p - same as Aldi (Image: Reach plc)
Lidl
Lidl by Lidl I was losing my patience waiting in the queue for these crisps.
A six pack of Snaktastic cheese and onion crisps cost me 89p, joint-cheapest with Aldi.
I kept alternating between eating Lidl's and Aldi's crisps because they are incredibly similar - maybe Lidl has a slightly sweeter flavour?
Anyway, cheap and tasty, what is not to like?
I give Lidl a 9/10.
Verdict
Somewhat controversially, I am placing Aldi and Lidl above Walkers.
For the price and taste, I am blown away - I might just have to say goodbye to Walkers for the sake of my wallet.
But, I am more than happy to welcome Aldi and Lidl into my home.
