A thread for comparing branded and non branded goods; switch and save!

[itspeanutbutterjellytime]

Following on from another thread on this forum, I thought it would be useful to have a thread that compares branded and non branded goods. Everyone has been in a tight spot and wants to save some money, but can you buy cheaper/basic ranges that taste good, or even better? I've certainly tried to save pennies in the past but been disappointed with the results.

The aim of this thread is to 'try before you buy'. I'm going to switch one or two of my branded products (self confessed brand addict) for own brands or basics ranges each week. I'm going to taste them and try them on my poor unsuspecting husband too. Then I'll put the results on here.

If you'd like to join in the taste testing, please do and share your thoughts! I hope everyone can gain something from this. Happy comparing everyone!

This week, I have compared diet coke and sausages.

Diet Coke

I compared Diet Coke from the coca cola brand, and Sainsbury's basics diet coke. The branded version is £1.78 for 2l, and the basics brand cost 20p for the same amount. I was skeptical. I am a hardcore Diet Coke fan, and woe betide anyone who messes with it! But I was pleasantly surprised. It did taste sweeter, and a bit more watered down than the branded version; a bit more like Pepsi than Coke and not unlike what you would be served in a pub. The fizz wasn't as fizzy and didn't last as long, but I finished the glass and felt refreshed. Whilst I might not drink this every day, I would certainly not be able to taste the difference as a mixer with spirits and I'll definitely be buying it again to pop in the cupboard for that use, and for parties to save the good stuff for us!

Sausages

This week, I bought 20 pork sausages from M&S for £4.99 which works out at 24p per sausage. At 78% pork content, I felt it was good value and I also gained confidence from the M&S brand.

For frying, they weren't great. Even though I pricked the skins, they still split and didn't do a great job at staying whole. Instead, I used them for a sausage casserole and they were utterly delicious. I couldn't fault the taste and we enjoyed it so much that we froze half the sausages and are having the other half in the same recipe next week! It fed three people very generously for two nights. I will certainly be buying again if I spot this offer.

Tescos Value Bran Flakes are really very nice indeed, 79p ish for a big box.

Sainsburys ready oats instead of readybrek. £0.99 instead of £1.99

Waitrose essentials range sausages, 89p for 10, so less than 9p each! Cook really well and taste great. Not sure what the pork content is but imagine it's fairly good.

I second the waitrose sausages -really nice!

Both tesco and Waitrose own brand multigrain hoops (£1.39) are a really good swop for Cheerios (£2.08)

Own brand/basic/value rich tea biscuits, very yum and for eh the sainsburys ones are 18p.

I'll second Tesco Value bran flakes.

Tesco Value Bourbon creams. I can't remember the last time I actually had one from the pack as DH troughs the lot.

I always buy Heinz ketchup. I shop at Asda. Anyone tried their own?

Sainsburys ketchup beat them all in a taste test. I think the heinz tastes metallic!

I use Asda ketchup - I prefer it to Heinz.
I use alot of own brand stuff.

I don't drive and Asda is really the only place which is close enough for me cerealqueen, but thanks for the suggestion. Will trythe Asda ketchup next time as it's been approved then!

I use some nonbranded stuff. But a bit picky.

Only like Persil or Aerial but always get it on a deal.
Asda conditioner is good (laundry)
Their wheat biscuits are ok. I prefer Weetabix but refuse to pay the price and am not disappointed with the Asda stuff.
Baked beans, pasta, chopped tomatoes. I always buy the Asda own, but not the smart price (apart from the spaguetti which I buy sp)

Lidle brand and tinned tomato are fine, don't bother with Spar own brand they are not fine :(

Sainsbury's basics chopped tomatoes and ginger nut biscuits - taste the same as the more expensive versions.

Tesco fragrance free baby wipes are 36p per packet, and are as good as all the branded ones.

Asda smart price orange juice tastes the same as branded orange juice, and is waay cheaper.

I buy Smart Price chop toms and kidney beans/sweetcorn that sort of thing but just own brand beans as I find SP ones too saucy. I also only by Bold Lavendar and chamomile 2 in 1 but only when on offer.

Asda smart price washing powder...£3.36 for 60 washes.
Your clothes are clean, but they don't smell ridiculously fragnant.

Seriously, I am half way through a box and will definitely buy again.

I have found Lidl and Aldi fresh goods to be very pot luck and dependent on where you live. Some people find them to be lovely but down here where I live; the quality is pretty dire. Definitely worth buying a few apples first, seeing how they go and then diving in.

I'm afraid I'm not a convert, and would rather shop elsewhere and pay a few pounds more.

Have tried a couple of packets of Sainsbury's own brand nappies and did not like them at all. When wet, they went hard and lumpy and also had a few leaks. Maybe it's because I've used Pampers for 2.5yrs that I've found it difficult to change but I think they are worth the extra.

Waitrose own brand orange juice is delicious too. Much better than tropicana, and a big carton for cheaper too.

Ah now rath I use sainsburys Eco nappies; which at £4.99 for 32 are pricey, but when they do their 1/3 off baby stuff event you can stock up! I find them to be far softer and ds less prone to nappy rash.

Ooooh, not an offer but Tesco do big packs of 96 Fairy dishwasher tabs for £10.96, FAR better value than the smaller packs of Fairy tabs and if you use one a day; will last 3 months. Tried and tested!

My DP likes Tesco own brand cornflakes and malted wheats (Shreddies). He tried the Value ones and threw them out, but the own brand was plenty good enough compared to Kelloggs.