10 Products Most People Think Are Cheaper at Aldi but Aren’t

These so-called cheap Aldi products aren’t actually cheap!

To buy or not to buy? With the rising grocery prices these days, it’s no wonder that so many of us ask ourselves this question while standing in the supermarket aisle.

From the moment Aldi opened its doors in the US in the mid-1970s, the German-based grocery store drew the attention of shoppers who love a great deal and are more than happy to save some bucks on their grocery bills.

That’s exactly Aldi’s mission: to provide the lowest prices possible on its products without compromising on quality. Having over 1,600 stores across 35 states and still expanding, it’s somehow similar to Trader Joe’s in its delivery: 90% of its products consist of Aldi-exclusive brands, which is one of the main reasons why things at Aldi are so cheap.

Now, we won’t try to convince you that Aldi isn’t great, because this is far from true. However, it’s important to keep in mind that every store can’t be everything to every shopper. There are many reasons to do your grocery shopping here, but there are also times when a trip to another supermarket is a better decision because you’ll wind up spending less.

This being said, today we’ll take a look at what most people would call cheap Aldi products. Why? Because they aren’t, in fact, cheap! Let’s get started!

1. Berries

When it comes to cheap Aldi products, most shoppers swear by berries. If you buy strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries at Aldi, you may be shocked to find them bad and bruised after just a few days. It’s true that you pay less for these fruits at Aldi, but according to consumer experts, their quality isn’t as great as you’d wish, which means you’re wasting your money.

What you can do is skip the fresh berries and do your groceries at a larger store that can rotate produce at a much faster pace. Or, better yet, go to your local farmer’s market. In other words, more frequent deliveries mean fresher produce.

2. Wine

Wine is also on most of the lists with cheap Aldi products, but we’re here to take this bit of information with a critical eye. When it comes to buying wine at Aldi’s, consumers are split. Some of them swear by the grocery store’s wine; others prefer to get it from somewhere else.

The good news, though, is that it’s almost impossible to find a single bottle here that costs more than $10. If you consider yourself a wine lover, we have some bad news for you: Aldi in Europe and the UK has a larger selection of affordable wines compared to what you can find here in the US.

Moreover, it’s difficult for Aldi to compete with Trader Joe’s wider and just as affordable range of wines, including its infamous “Two Buck Chuck.”

3. Name-brand cereals

According to savings experts, one of Aldi’s rules is that if they can’t make a product better than the branded one, they will stock the name brand. Most shoppers will say that cereals make the list of cheap Aldi products, and if you’re one of them, you may want to think again.

The truth is, Aldi’s brands are limited when it comes to cereals, so expect to pay more for those marshmallow morning delights and corn flakes. Personal finance Laura Greutman says that cereal boxes can be more than $3 per item extra, which is much more expensive than a traditional supermarket, even when the product is on sale.

4. Chips

There are many cheap Aldi products, but chips aren’t one of them. The store has its own brand of snacks called Simply Nature, and you can find exotic vegetable chips and yellow corn tortilla chips.

Yes, the snaks are actually tasty and the price is right, but what most shoppers don’t like (and, let’s be honest, who would?) is that the bag is only filled halfway. If it isn’t filled to the brim, it is no longer a bargain. Basically, if you have a smaller quantity there, you’ve actually paid more for what you’re getting.

Moreover, these so-called cheap Aldi products aren’t as good as popular name brands that are frequently on sale for comparable prices at other supermarkets.

5. Soda

When it comes to cheap Aldi products, there are consumers who swear by the store’s soda. Sorry, but we disagree.

While Aldi carries its own soda line, which is more affordable than branded beverages, it’s not a suitable alternative for Pepsi or Coke in terms of taste. And if you get carried away and add several bottles of name-brand soda to your cart, chances are you’ll pay more than you would elsewhere.

According to savings experts, soda is significantly discounted in the summer months at many supermarkets, and coupons are easy to find.

6. Paper products

Paper items like tissues, paper towels, and toilet paper aren’t among the cheap Aldi products, consumer experts say. One of the downsides to shopping here is that the store doesn’t accept manufacturer coupons, and you can usually find coupons on paper goods, as well as weekly sales, at other supermarkets.

Depending on the size of your family, it may also make better sense for your wallet to stock up on paper products at a store like Costco. You can make a price comparison to determine which option is better for you.

7. Toiletries

Similar to paper products, toiletries like deodorant, shampoo, or toothpaste aren’t among the cheap Aldi products you should spend your money on. These products are certainly available at Aldi, but what you’ll find on the shelves are only the popular brand names—and rarely at a discount.

Similar to buying branded cereals, you’re going to spend more money here on branded toothpaste, shampoos, and conditioners. According to savings experts, these products often go on sale at larger grocery stores. In other words, skip them at Aldi and get them on sale at other supermarkets.

By the way, Amazon always has some great prices on shampoos; take a look!

8. Most meat

Unlike at Trader Joe stores, where meats never go on sale, you can find discounted beef and chicken from time to time at Aldi. However, experts recommend avoiding these cheap Aldi products; when you see them, turn around and walk away, and you’ll save a lot of money.

Their meat prices aren’t really a bargain compared with other grocery stores, and you can score them cheaper at your local store. The one exception is organic ground beef, a high-quality food product offered at a much lower price here, say money-saving experts.

9. Lunch meat

Looking to buy ham and turkey for sandwhiches? Making the switch from a popular brand like Boar’s Head to Aldi’s cold cuts may not save you much money; moreover, you’ll probably notice a difference in quality. According to experts, their tubes of lunch meat are similar in price to popular brands but don’t taste as good.

10. Baby food

Aldi boasts unbelievable prices on traditionally through-the-roof-expensive formula and diapers. These products alone are well worth the trip to the grocery store if you have a little one you’re trying to keep clean and fed.

But while you’ll save some money on these cheap Aldi products, as well as baby snacks such as puffs (even compared to what you’d find at Walmart), the store’s baby food selection isn’t a bargain. Many well-known food companies offer coupons, which you can use jointly with a sale at a different grocery store.

If you liked our article on cheap Aldi products, you may also want to read Buy Them TODAY! These 5 Things Are Cheaper at Target.