Things where the cheap version is better than the fancy version

[BettyCrockerClinic]

So last night I was eating some typical supermarket potato salad; your 85p a pot type stuff. It struck me that sometimes I’ll “treat myself” to a fancier version with thicker mayo sauce, fresh spring onions or chives, whole new potatoes etc. - yet there’s actually something pretty perfect about the basic version. The texture of the potato chunks and the sauce is just somehow pleasing (unless you make the mistake of buying a low fat version - the potatoes are always too hard) and I could easily eat the whole tub in one sitting if I don’t control myself.

I feel the same about sparkling wine sometimes. You could splash out for champagne or a similar higher end sparkling and, whilst it’s enjoyable, you realise you’d have been just as happy enjoying a £7 supermarket Prosecco for what it is.

What are your “cheap is good/better” options?

Lidl macaroni
Asda Essentials cottage cheese

Toilet cleaning blocks (the ones you put in the tank),
lidls own are 1000% better and long lasting than the bloo ones.

Bread. Much as I love a good sourdough - there’s a satisfying place for a cheap slice of toast.

Equally, cheap cooking chocolate is better for brownies imo.

Basics dishwasher tabs are better than the fancy ones for us in soft water area

Custard creams, the cheapo ones are always nicer than branded.

Agree on dishwasher tabs too, the fancy ones leave a scent in plastic/silicone stuff.

Agree with this I always say you can’t beat lidls toilet blocks, the water stays blue so much longer than the others

Can’t beat the two for £1.50 Primark face wipes. Have tried so many and always come back to these (pink pack).

Tesco crunchy nut cornflakes
(But not their cheerios, vile)

Aldi jaffa cakes

Lidl Crownfield Cereals - Strawberry Crisp, Chunky Nut Crisp, and Bitesize Wheat Shreds. Not too sweet, and plenty of the advertised ingredient.

The rack of ribs at Harvester is much nicer than at it's upmarket sister restaurant Miller and Carter

Tortilla chips!
Supermarkets cheapest, are so much nicer than Doritos

Aldi marmite. Spreads easier and tastes the same.

Aldi knock off baileys (hazlenut, white choc, choc orange, smores) much nicer than proper stuff

Aldis or Asda’s frozen microwave meals (I use for my tea at work on occasion) they are like £1 value meal and they are way tastier than the more expensive ones.

Doughnuts. You can keep your Krispie Kremes, much prefer the bags of five for £1.30 from Tesco.

Water from my tap - honestly! Better than anything bottled. Supermarket brand champagne - just as good as the posh names.

Trying to now think of a non-liquid example!

Any cheap brand of licorice allsorts or wine gums are better than Bassetts or Maynard’s

Lidl Jaffa Cakes. So much tastier than the originals.

Lidl Jo malone dupe hand soap

Aldi dark chocolate butter biscuits are loads better than Bahlsen.

I love lumpfish roe ‘caviar’. The real stuff might be better but surely not 10x better to justify the cost!

I always prefer the own brand cheaper houmous over the more expensive (and smooth) branded versions

You obviously don't live in London!

Lidl Deluxe coleslaw.