What products do you prefer the cheap version of?

[Fink]

I went to Fortnum and Mason this week (part of our exercise cycling around London) and treated myself to their hot chocolate powder. To my disappointment, at £20 a packet it's nowhere near as nice as my usual brand (Options), which is around £6 for an equivalent amount (and not because it tastes more like actual hot chocolate rather than powder, because I occasionally make real hot chocolate at home and it's nothing like that). My Dad prefers Sainsbury's own brand, which is even cheaper.

Is there anything you get where you think the cheaper brand is actually nicer?

Waitrose Essential baked beans are way nicer than Heinz

Waitrose tinned tomato soup is nicer than Heinz too

Definitely prefer Waitrose essential baked beans to all brands, they are lovely.

Also Tesco and Waitrose basic tortilla chips. Great on their own or for dips and nachos.

Agree with poster above about branston beans. Only kind I eat now. But also any cheap noodles as in 20p packets are far far better than proper super noodles!

@46stickygotstuck couldn't agree more! In fact am currently sipping a cup lidls finest columbian now.

Their Greek yoghurt that comes in a bucket is also unmatched (think it might actually be made in Greece?), except for the greek yoghurt you can only get in Greece.

Tesco 'snappy fingers' over KitKats. My DD 16 hates how much non-branded stuff I buy, but won't believe it's because of years of trying everything, you don't have to get the most expensive!

Tesco rich tea biscuits are a million times better than any branded or other supermarket versions.

I think Pepsi is massively overrated. I prefer Coca Cola but if that’s not available then Tesco, ASDA or Sainsburys cola are all better than Pepsi. Morrison’s cola is rank though

Scottish blend tea bags I prefer to pretty much any other well known branded tea bags. Lipton’s and twinings are fouls weak ass shit unless earl grey

“Tesco Malt Wheats. Way nicer than Shreddies and less than half the price.” I’d agree with that

Maybe not any better but certainly cheaper- - Fruities from Wilko - an original source shower gel dupe. I love the lemon one and the mint one.

Tesco Muesli- I was when my DBro offered me this but it is much much nicer than Alpen.
Less sweet , less milky and crunchy bits .

Beans! I remember being really excited to buy tins for 9p.

And own brand 20p noodles.

I agree with Sticky and prefer Lidl's ground coffee (and I agree their cocunut yogurt isn't bad either). Other products are Lidl's hummus, cheapy yogurts, their fresh fish is definitely better than Tesco and fresh pizzas aren't bad.

Sainsbury's Prawn Cocktail crisps are the best even better than Walkers.
Sainsburys's Steak Ridge Crisps are better than McCoys.
Aldi Bramwell Mayonnaise is the best followed by Hellmans.
Sainsbury's own brand Pesto is just as good as the Sacla ones but cheaper. Any other brands of pesto except M&S are vile.

Agree with other posters than Branston Baked Beans are the best, if not on offer or available then I get Sainsburys own brand which are good too.
Aldi Beans & Sausages are the only own brand beans & sausages that are as good as Heinz.

Max Factor mascaras. I’ve never found better with any expensive brand. I keep going back them.

Waitrose essential range is banging. Almost invariably better than the branded version.

Asda French set yoghurts

Rimmel waterproof kohl eyeliner is a lot better than the Chanel equivalent

@allfacepalmedout

Sausages. I usually get the supermarket 'butchers premium' type sausages, and the other week they were sold out so I got Richmond sausages instead. We all decided that we liked them far more than the fancy ones.

It’s only just able to call itself a sausage at 42% meat

Barabajagal I definitely agree about Max Factor mascara! 😁

Also, Aldi milk chocolate digestives are much better than McVities.

Morrison’s really cheap Clear Mints are far nicer than Fox’s Glacier Mints. Unfortunately, I can’t stop eating the flaming things.

@NailsNeedDoing

Lidl ground coffee, the strong one in the green packet. I am a coffee snob generally, and this coffee is beer than many other expensive types I’ve tried.

I agree - the Mandheling is my favourite, always stcok up on it.

I ran out to make up wipes during lockdown so bought Waitrose own brand....not going back to Nivea now! They're so soft!

Lidl Greek yogurt
Cheap beetroot in a jar, the Heinz one isn’t as nice
Sainsbury’s bran flakes, the Kellogg’s one is all wrong.

Another vote for Lidl extra special ground coffee, its under £2 a pack and tastes like it cost twice as much.
I like Asda wholemeal sliced bread better than the brands.

Sainsbury’s own brand Fajita kits are much nicer than Old El Paso.

Definitely Branston beans, the Heinz sauce is just not nearly so good. I also prefer own brand ketchup.

The tesco equivalent of rocky caramel biscuits are soo much nicer and 89p a packet. I was in my local corner shop one day and bought the 'real' thing and they were really bland in comparison. So disappointing.

Aldi's caramel d'ore chocolate is just sublime. Like a posh version of caramac.