'Proper' brands v Supermarket versions

I have found that some cheaper brands (including some own brands) of washing up liquid are thinner or more dilute than the big brands meaning you use more to get the same “bubbles”.

Own brands of other products may be fine- it’s a case of choosing the ones you like I suppose, and paying the extra if it is worth it.

Tesco non-bio laundry detergent is as good as Persil or Fairy. Aldi Magnum washing up liquid is as good as Fairy. Tesco peeled or chopped tinned tomatoes are as good as Napolina. Tesco tomato ketchup tastes the same as Heinz. Hope this helps and I am sure others can add to my list.

Waitrose essentials baked beans, tinned sweet corn and tinned tomatoes are as good if not better than the big brands.

I agree regarding Aldi’s magnum dishwasher tablets.

Marks and Spencer's Baked Beans are cheaper than Heinz and they are just divine.

I think your probably the only person I’ve heard of who hasn’t tried own brands

As an aside, I’m very fussy about whites Lidl own soap powder is brilliant as is their polish, lime scale remover.
I don’t use colour catchers but I’m told that the ones in Pound Stretchers are brilliant.
I could go on but I’m boring myself now ?

Apparently Morrisons Tomato soup is better than Heinz ( I don’t like either so I can’t say).

Ditto the baked beans.

Their Chicken Byriani is very good.

But most other stuff I buy is a named product but they are usually cheaper in Home Bargains.

MawtheMerrier - I have found that some cheaper brands (including some own brands) of washing up liquid are thinner or more dilute than the big brands meaning you use more to get the same “bubbles”.

This is what I always used to think. That own brands were watered down versions. The Asda washing up liquid is just as thick as Fairy liquid

Also M&S tuna in spring water. The difference in quality with the likes of John West is amazing.

I was confused by this being under Legal Pensions etc.

Aldi and Lidl baked beans are as good as, if not better, than Heinz. Likewise their tomato soup. We buy Aldi red label tea bags. They are great and I'm a fusspot with tea. We buy Aldi crisps, ham - lots of things really.

SOME own brands are adequate and equal many are just cheap copies, washing up liquid, own brands do the job but you use more so you don’t save. Eco brands I avoid the ones I’ve tried perform very poorly.

I believe "own brands" have morphed in many instance over the years, to made in same production beside "proper brands"

Money maker for the supermarket. Savings for the customer.

kittylester

I was confused by this being under *Legal Pensions etc.*

I just copied off the previous post in this section as it is under 'legal, pensions and money'

My first option offot everything is the own brand. A few items, cannot think of anything specific, are poor substitutes, but generally i cannot see, taste or smell any difference.

Own brand for me, too.
Apart from a couple of things.

Known brands should not be confused with the best brands, they are just brands belonging to companies with a bigger advertising budget, thus meaning more people buy them.

When something is advertised ‘as good as the leading brand’ it is often the leading brand in different packaging.

Our only specific own brand products are tea bags, coffee and shampoo/conditioner. Other than that, I’ll try anything, even some of the value ranges, like tinned tomatoes, soft cheese for cheesecake and Greek yoghurt, to name a few, are fine.
I agree with the M&S baked beans Zoejury and I’ll try their tuna, thanks.

I prefer Tescos own brand of cocoa (not drinking chocolate) to Bournville Cocoa.

It is a whole £1 cheaper, but after years of refusing to even contemplate trying a supermarket version, I honestly like it much better.

I've been using Asda's own brands of some things for years-

soap powder
toilet rolls
washing-up liquid & dishwasher tablets
cream cleaner, cleaning wipes
shower gel
baked beans, tinned tomatoes, tinned tuna, tinned custard, jam, all frozen veg
coffee, lemonade, cordials

Always had to watch the pennies so rarely bought brands and happy still buying own brands.
It’s my understanding from an ex employee friend that Heinz and co produce the same beans on the same lines, just with different labels. Even if that’s not true I can’t break the habits of a lifetime. My favourite supermarket is Aldi. Way before it went mainstream.

I am using Tesco own brand washing up liquid, the original not the lemon. I always look at the reviews when I'm doing my online shop and there were loads saying it was as good as Fairy liquid and I have to agree. I use lots of other own brands and find them pretty good too.

I use a lot of own brands. Sometimes they are good, sometimes not so I try again with a different one. Have done this all my life.
Own brands are also going up in price though.

I try all own brands of anything I use/eat and eject or adopt as a direct result of the sampling. I've also recently tried Asda's yellow labels. Some brilliant, some not so. Admittedly I don't read too many ingredients labels until after I've thought positive. That way I'm not prejudiced in advance.

The Lidl washing up liquid, Platinum is better than Fairy but frustratingly has been off the shelves for months. Their Formil liquid laundry detergent is superb.