Best And Worst Products Aldi Has To Offer

Published

3 years ago

March 4, 2022

It’s the European discount grocery chain popping up all over America. Thanks to its enormous growth, Aldi is fast becoming the third-largest grocery chain by store count and customers can’t get enough of the bargain-priced goodies. But when it comes to Aldi’s products are there some you should avoid buying?

We’re taking a look at Aldi’s most popular goodies – from quality products you definitely want to stock up on and others that aren’t worth the money. So, get your shopping list ready and prepare to fill your pantry, fridge, and freezer with a slew of delectable treats. And remember, before heading to your local Aldi, you’ll need to bring a quarter for a cart and reusable shopping bags!

Leave It – Coffee

Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee in the morning to get you going – and at Aldi’s cheap prices you may be tempted to add their own brand-name coffee to your cart. However, unless you want to find yourself grouchy and lackluster the next morning, opt to get your coffee elsewhere. Whilst Aldi’s coffee prices may seem like a bargain, the quality falls short compared to other name brand coffees.

Buy It – Wine

Looking to fill your wine cellar with a variety of stellar bottles? There’s no need to lay down big bucks at a pricey wine store, instead head on over to Aldi where a great variety of extremely good wines are certain to appeal to the pickiest of wine snobs. According to the Irish Independent, Aldi’s Cotes de Provence Rosé is so good it actually snagged the silver medal at the International Wine Challenge – and it costs less than 10 bucks!

Leave It – Meat

Sadly, although Aldi’s meat selection may seem like a good deal, the quality of the cuts just isn’t there. Do yourself a favor and stick to purchasing your steaks and chicken breast at your local supermarket, or butchers instead.

Buy It – Specialty Cheese

Since Aldi has its roots firmly in Europe, its selection of fine cheese is unparalleled – and for awesome prices. Aldi shoppers can get their hands on a variety of international cheeses, including French brie and goat cheese, Irish cheddar, Australian cheeses, and Greek feta. One fan favorite is the garlic cheese wedge, so if you’re looking to prepare a charcuterie board of fine cheeses, Aldi is definitely the best place to shop.

Buy It – Spices

Spices at your local grocery store can be pretty pricey, but with Aldi’s running at under a dollar, shoppers can get a great deal on these pantry staples. Most importantly, the quality is there. Be sure to also check out Aldi’s fresh squeezable herb blends. We love the Simply Nature organic ginger paste, which you can find in the spice aisle.

Leave It – Fresh Produce

Alas, shopping for fresh produce at Aldi can be hit or miss. Whilst we love their artisan lettuce, spinach, and plum tomatoes, we have been disappointed with the quality of several of their fruit and veggie offerings compared to the local supermarket. If you are buying fresh produce at Aldi, make sure to give the items a good look over and beware of rotten fruit hiding underneath the top layer.

Buy It – Canned Goods

Stocking the pantry with canned goods? Whether you’re prepping for inclement weather or buying canned goods to donate to your local food pantry, Aldi’s offerings are not only cheap but the quality is fantastic and they offer a good variety of pantry staples. We love Aldi’s fire-roasted tomatoes and any of their canned beans, especially the black beans.

Leave It – Chips

Aldi’s own Clancy’s brand chips may be wallet-friendly, but will they satisfy those salty cravings when they hit? Although some Aldi shoppers will argue that Clancy’s chips are worth throwing in the cart, the growing consensus is that you should only purchase them in a pinch. Many shoppers prefer the taste and texture of name-brand chips, so if you’re a bit of a potato chip connoisseur, look for coupons and specials at your local supermarket and stock up there instead.

Buy It – Baking Products

Not only does Aldi offer baking products at a reasonable price, but their baking aisle is also full of different baking goods for way less than you can purchase at the supermarket. We love their gluten-free baking products, such as almond flour – and Aldi’s flaxseed is a steal at just under two dollars. From coconut oil to regular sugar and baking powder, definitely hit up the baking aisle of your next Aldi trip.

Leave It – Soda

Just like with Aldi’s potato chips, their name-brand soda leaves a little less to be desired. While they may be cheaper, the taste and sometimes carbonation isn’t there. Also, be careful when Aldi offers name-brand options, sometimes they’re not cheaper than what you can get in your local supermarket.

Buy It – Frozen Fruit

Smoothie fans rejoice! Aldi is an excellent place to stock up on a variety of good quality frozen fruits that will make your morning smoothie extra tasty. Ringing in at way cheaper than we found similar items at our local supermarket, Aldi’s frozen fruit options are definitely a mainstay of our freezer.

Leave It – Yogurt

People are picky when it comes to yogurt and unfortunately, many customers find Aldi’s yogurt offerings a little lackluster. Many Reddit users have complained that Aldi’s yogurt is lacking in the taste and texture categories – and the same goes for their kids’ offerings, which many say taste a little too sweet. Yogurt fans are better off sticking to their name-brand faves and searching for coupons or special deals instead.

Buy It – Take & Bake Pizza

Craving pizza delivery? If a busy day has you wanting to dial your local pizza joint, place the receiver down pronto and nip into Aldi for one of their Take & Bake Pizzas. Not only are they a great price, but they’re also super tasty and come with a variety of bountiful toppings.

Leave It – Bacon

Is there anything more indulgent than the smell of sizzling bacon? Sadly, Aldi’s bacon doesn’t rank high on the customer satisfaction list mainly because it just isn’t that great of a deal. Aldi’s offering is actually priced higher than a similar product at Trader Joe’s – and if you can snag a special offer on name-brand bacon at your local supermarket you’re better off going that route.

Buy It – Frozen Chicken Options

Although Aldi’s regular meat department may be lacking in quality, their frozen chicken options are not only a great deal, but Reddit users rave about the taste. Coming in at just $4.99, Aldi shoppers love Kirkwood’s frozen chicken options, especially the buffalo-style flavor. They’re a great staple to keep in the freezer for those busy nights when you need to get dinner on the table fast.

Leave It – Olive Oil

Surprisingly, Aldi’s olive oil isn’t such a great deal when compared to Walmart. According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, Aldi’s olive oil sells for $0.24 per ounce, while Walmart’s is a better deal at $0.17 per ounce.

Buy It – Maple Syrup

It’s time to ditch the fake maple syrup of your childhood and pick up a couple of bottles of the real thing at Aldi. Continually ranking as a customer fave, Aldi’s maple syrup is 100 percent the real deal – and organic to boot! If cost has prevented you from splurging on real maple syrup in the past, have no fear. Aldi’s offering is budget-friendly and even the folks at Good Housekeeping love it!

Leave It – Butter

Aldi’s butter may be a good deal, but customers say the taste is lacking – even with the Irish Butter offering. Since butter makes everything better, skip Aldi’s offering and pick up your regular supermarket favorite, even if you have to shell out a few extra pennies.

Buy It – European Sweets

Europe is renowned for chocolate and since Aldi has its roots firmly in Germany it offers fine European chocolate at a fantastic price. Aldi customers rave about the milk chocolate hazelnut bars (yum!) and for those looking for something a little healthier, Aldi’s dark chocolate offering is sure to satisfy even the strongest of chocolate cravings.

Leave It – Frozen Sushi

Realistically, it’s never a smart idea to eat frozen sushi – it just doesn’t compare to getting your hands on the fresh stuff. Sadly, Aldi’s frozen sushi does not rank high on customer satisfaction with one. One Reddit user said he would only purchase the item if he lived in the country miles away from a sushi restaurant and had an insatiable craving. Forego the frozen sushi and wait until you can get your hands on the fresh stuff.

Buy It – Mayonnaise

It’s the kitchen staple that makes sandwiches tastier, deviled eggs decadent, and potato salad sinful, but oftentimes mayonnaise can cost a pretty penny at the supermarket. Not so with Aldi. Their mayonnaise is not only budget-friendly but the taste, consistency and quality is on par with the pricier name brand stuff.

Leave It – Toiletries

Whilst Aldi may have fantastic prices on many of their products when it comes to toiletries you’re better off stocking up at either Walmart or Target – or heading to your local supermarket when they have special offers on. Oftentimes Aldi’s offerings are in smaller packages and when you work out the cost per ounce they come in higher than at a regular store.

Buy It – Bread

One of the best bargains at Aldi is their bread. A loaf of Aldi’s honey wheat is one-third cheaper than what we pay at our local grocery store and the taste and texture are fantastic. They also offer a wide variety of different breads, including gluten-free options for a great deal. Aldi customers love picking up a french stick when doing their weekly shop, something that combines well with one of Aldi’s amazing European cheese offerings.

Leave It – Cereals

Whilst the packaging may look eerily similar to your name-brand favorites, Aldi’s knock-off cereals sadly don’t compare when it comes to taste. Aldi shoppers recommend skipping the cereal aisle and purchasing the name-brand stuff from your local grocery store instead.

Buy It – Milk

The cost of milk has steadily been increasing in recent years, but fortunately, Aldi’s milk comes in a lot cheaper than regular supermarket prices at just $2.48 per gallon – way less than what competitors have to offer.

Leave It – Dish Soap

Looking to get your dishes sparkly clean for a bargain price? Best to skip Aldi’s own brand dish soap, which actually isn’t such a great deal when compared ounce to ounce to some name-brand options. According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, Aldi’s own brand of dish soap is actually more expensive than purchasing Dawn dish soap at Walmart.

Buy It – Peanut Butter

This pantry staple is not only a steal at Aldi, but customers love the taste and consistency when compared to name brand offerings, plus Aldi also offers an organic option for way less than what you would pay at the grocery store.

Leave It – Zipper Bags

With one Reddit user complaining of an overwhelming plastic smell and other customers complaining of leaks, you would be wise to pass up on Aldi’s zipper bag offerings and stick to the name-brand options. Be sure to check out your local supermarket for special offers and combine with coupons where possible to snag the best deal on quality zipper bags instead.

Buy It – Gluten Free Products

Gluten allergy? Aldi may just become your new best friend thanks to the various assortment of tasty gluten-free products they sell for an excellent price. If prices in the gluten-free aisle at your local supermarket has you planning on remortgaging the house, Aldi’s offerings will not only be a blessing to your bank account, but they will also help you stock your gluten-free pantry with a wide assortment of delicious snacks, pizza crusts, and baked goods.

Leave It – Small Appliances

They may seem like an awesome deal, but buyer beware! Aldi’s small appliances don’t rank that highly with Reddit users, with many complaining of breakages and malfunctions shortly after purchase. Skip the appliance section and purchase a better quality product instead, even if it means paying a little extra.

Buy It – Seasonal Items

Aldi’s seasonal items are a fabulous deal – whether you’re looking to stock up on Halloween or Christmas decor, or outfitting your patio during summer, definitely shop Aldi. Customers love the camping equipment they have on offer in the spring and summer and expect to find great deals on hammocks, sun shades, and camping chairs too. The same goes for seasonal food offerings Aldi brings in at various times of the year – whether it’s a new flavor potato chip, chocolate advent calendars, or Valentine’s candy, they are always budget-friendly and of great quality.

Leave It – Clothing

One major gripe customers have with Aldi’s clothing options is that they’re packaged so securely it’s impossible to figure out whether the size will fit you. Many items come folded and packaged in cardboard and it’s hard to tell just how small, or how big they are. Other Aldi shoppers have complained that the quality is poor, especially after a couple of washes. Items either shrink, pill, or seams become unraveled.

Buy It – Funnel Cakes

Thanks to Aldi you no longer have to wait for the State Fair to come into town to indulge in a decadent funnel cake. Customers love Aldi’s funnel cake mixture, which comes in a convenient, easy-to-pour jug making it effortless to whip up this special treat any time you want!

Leave It – Paper Products

According to Insider, Aldi’s paper products aren’t such a great deal when compared to regular name-brand options when you combine supermarket deals with coupons. Whilst Aldi’s toilet paper is fine to buy in a pinch, you may get a better deal shopping elsewhere. This is a scenario where it’s good to know your prices.

Buy It – Cream Cheese

Aldi’s cream cheese is not only super cheap, but shoppers love the creamy consistency and taste. It’s a definite shopping list staple for many Aldi customers who stock up on this bargain buy to smear on bagels, or add to their favorite baking recipe. Aldi also offers an assortment of flavored cream cheese and you can’t go wrong with any of their offerings.

Leave It – Graham Crackers

Looking to whip up a batch of s’mores using Aldi’s own-brand graham crackers? Unless you want to be disappointed by a lackluster taste, it’s best to skip Aldi’s offering and purchase name-brand crackers instead. Aldi customers have commented on Reddit threads about graham crackers, urging other shoppers to avoid adding them to their carts as the taste and texture doesn’t compare to the real thing.

Buy It – Cakes

Retailing for an amazing $3.29, Aldi’s Village Bakery Crème cakes may be one of the most delicious deals Aldi has to offer. They come in a variety of flavors – we love the Triple Chocolate – and are an indulgent treat that should always be placed in your Aldi cart!

Leave It – Cat Litter

Cat litter is one thing where quality is important, after all, it’s helping to mask the overpowering scent of your pet kitty’s bathroom habits. Unfortunately, Aldi’s cat litter isn’t worth the money. Despite an overhaul, Aldi customers still complain of the cat litter being super dusty and not clumping properly, leading to a messy litter tray.

Buy It – Spiked Lemonade

If you’re reading this during the summer season get yourself down to your local Aldi pronto and pick up a six-pack of their delicious Spiked Lemonade. Selling for just $6.99, not only is it a bargain compared to other boozy treats, but it’s downright delicious. A must-have for your next backyard barbecue.

Buy It – Raised Garden Bed

A raised garden bed at Aldi? Why yes, they do sell them, and what’s more they’re a great deal if you want to try your hand at starting your own backyard veggie garden. This seasonal item retails for under $30, so if you see it in stock it’s best to grab it while you can.

Bon Voyaged